Cleanse

Tuesday last rain, hoof 4 miles in London Fog great coat ($10 LA thrift store acquisition self converted to double breast) - lined, waterproof, warm - seek aluminum storms.  Bring again disappoints.  Homeward stop at oriental smorgasboard: late lunch/early dinner.
     Amass hardware for hand held tub shower.  Hook up $3 St.Vinnie's item: hose leaks - look for replacement after attempted repair job.

Test: bath sink drains though crimped.  Fetch Kate's pipe wrenches successfully remove existing too short bath sink drain wall stem.  Three trips collects appropriate/inexpensive hardware - result: workable trap.

Weak wall sink mounting area three double head nail removed shelf/board from above bath door in hall - here still in place (photo bottom center below attic access) -

to wall/studs: firm relatively easy remove mount - bath will be redone.

Shelf's brackets become sink supports.  Long leg under sink short leg screwed to board.  Wouldn't trust similar new brackets for this job - old timers strong heavy gauge steel.  Board/shelf nailed to wall thickness matches sink back's bottom lip: bracket tops 'bout 1/2 inch higher than board.

Sink sits on sturdy board locked in place by brackets/double head nail driven into stud above backsplash - wiggles, not going anywhere.

Have mess going -

clean up.  Large job chunk: clean up mess dispose properly.  Regular clean up keeps workplace maneuvering easier/safer, dust down, everybody happy.  Encapsulate trash in plastic bags ASAP eliminate stench/mess.  Incinerating Earth stove nice - reduce wood scraps, rot, noxious weed roots garden recycle.  Filtering very human - perhaps our 'fingerprints'? - encourage certain things discourage/eliminate others.

Stick apply thin smear black silicone both surfaces under sink gasket, drain beauty ring bottom,

install drain stem.  Faucet prefitted.  Wood 'sticks' solidify sink: press fit between under sink lip/floor corner.  Kate ends work at home Thursday interrupts for 'Happy Hour' beer at this point: let silicone set, finish Friday.

Dripless trap, faucet, drain stopper installation require various pipe wrench persuasions - fortunate: everything agrees.  Note flex supply pipes pieced together from more prevalent short hoses.

Bring floor to proper level right of door:

couple unnailed loose fitting boards - one cut only.

Sturdy - tub shower navigation aid - St. Vinnie's towel rack on chair rail above tub: bath's looking functional.

Ancient resurected hand vac

house east side - kudos: sucks up with only minor complaint though bath floor disintegrates rotten chunks beneath it.

Close bath - final east side - window, hang front bedroom curtains.  'Bout done inside 'til floor's squared away. 

     Extreme wind knocks apart front gate.  Ex garage wedge shape ceiling trim reinforce top,

extra 2x3 end stress points bottom.  Double head nails tie wedge to bottom 1x4, screw panels to wedge, 2x3s.

Don't want similar loaded 'lumberyard' shelves 'disaster' add strengthening plywood gussets to window sash shelf frames.  Keep fir flooring viable.

Remember some non photogenic subjects - garden digging, stump grubbing, dandy rooting - consume large amounts time/effort as does acquiring inexpensive appropriate materials.  Next big project: stump removal.  Peas front porch climb ready, days warmer, spring ahead clock - season's changing.  Now's perfect noxious weed killing time: occasionally wonder bar grub dandies, root load firewood board stuff into Earth stove: warmth/generations weeds anihilated - farmer's dream! 

Narcissus Kate correctly terms these cuties - daffodil family.  Certainly cheery.  Peace.

Worm

Days seem protracted beautiful spring day momentarily cold winter shower replaced lazy sun warmth quickly follow high winds driving rain demolish and on it goes.  Tiring keeping up, remember 'Be Prepared'.  Took Friday off directionless bike downtown ostensibly to check out U of O art museum.  Rain, nearing museum close see St. Vinnie's duck in purchase biking rain gear (that's how dry it's been - haven't had to have it yet) 'til Kate calls - we're First Friday downtown art gallery walking. 
     Last August remove many inches soiled kitty litter from front of house come across bulbs, tuck 'em back in - reward: pretty little blooms (?) above.
     Let yams freeze outside - oops! - new batch today.  Right one chosen for textbook shape.

Lettuce coming up in front of porch - be livin' off the land soon.   Guess 'twas OK planting Valentine's day.

Finished first garden digging - nearly a field - in rain.  Haven't yet located sprinkler system controls - runs down garden center.

Turning soil come across fair number these critters - doing something right.  Was told when cut they multiply - hope that's true.

Big Swett Lodge Root Roast/rainy night all out for goodbyes to dandy (lion) root buddies. 

'Harvest' ten gallons dandy roots/plants off final garden portion - primary turning reason - light hot fire, carving fork load roots onto fire, build fire on top, repeat 'til ash.  Root roast.  Don't want 'em reproducing in any way.

Rescue well preserved charcoal

commit sheetrock art.

     Last Sunday Craigslist ad procure $20 fiberglass insulation/fire wood load park in carport dry/house loading through middle bedroom window ready. 

All insulation 'cept huge box back of truck in middle bedroom.

Few garbage bags, dust mask, raincoat reduce exposure to fiberglass.  Stuff insulation in bags then up ladder through attic access hall ceiling hole.  Lamp clamped to ladder up first trip.

Tie lamp/extension cords: stay lit.

Dude said 'bout 6"x200 square feet but closer to 350 sq ft - entire 150 sq ft kitchen twelve inches now, section from eave to paper backed strip eighteen.  If more insulation comes at this price will jockey rock wool bags elsewhere start insulating above front room with batts.  Not fun but lovely warm sight.  Wouldn't have insulated yet if price wasn't right - glad it happened!

Cardboard in such supply due to homeowners stuffing insulation into huge boxes they want to get rid of fit new utility knife blade, fashion three (two shown) double layer corrugated paper guitar stands replace travel/moisture weary earlier LA vintage - now heat fund - models.

  

     Time to get old cupboards out of bath.

Stripped 'em out saving as much - cupboards made of front room/kitchen matching fir flooring - as possible, denailing en route.  Yellow trash bag sits on tan cupboard covered/ex mouse nest area, darker strip to left was rotten plywood covered - up it came heat fund donated.  14" drywall blade scrape walls/ceiling.  Scrape, sweep floor.

Add 'lumber yard' shelves stack white painted cupboard/flooring pieces middle shelf, 6 or 7 gray flooring pieces above, miscellaneous boards below, luan underlayment on top.  Gutters to go on bottom then more 'shelves' for porch siding/ceiling.  Nice having flooring patch ready for damaged/changed areas.

Removal rotten plywood in front of cupboards emboldened go after rotten ply under stool.

Stool off, carefully remove wax ring from sewer outlet to reinstall.  Half inch ply (too light/too little support) under rotten 3/4" top ply layer also rotten.  Note rotten top ply/firewood pieces stacked lower left, rotten floor/subfloor previously covered by cupboards/removed rotten ply strip hole in floor - yep, that's crawl space you see - lower right.

1/2" subfloor comes up revealing mish mash framing around sewer/pipes - plumbing was probably retrofitted to Swett Lodge.  All one can do in situations like this is make things less wrong.  Eventually jacking house will attempt to right this: add joists etc., use as few fasteners as necessary for easy demo at that time.  House has settled 2x8 joist piece top left hole was set by former craftsman on top of foundation.  At its right end married short section pallet 2x4 hung with reclaimed metal hanger to solid 2x4 along right side hole.  Two 2x4s running to sewer pipe nailed/hangered into good joist end there already, put plywood piece on top to shim to correct height, marry another 2x4 pallet section to them, hanger to good 2x4 right side hole - subfloor/floor supported.

Subfloor with pieces from kitchen cupboards.  Big board on right cut to fill length of hole was bath counter board.

Kitchen counter particle board topped with smaller piece 1/2" ply gets stool to proper height.  Reinstalled works fine - don't have to be a gymnast any longer/actually feel secure putting toilet top on.  Note towel hook relocated from above tub for TP.  Owe another flooring layer right inside door, sink (will check drain flow prior to install: found 2" copper drain partly crimped below wall) between stool & tub:

 bath less scary.

Like chest high chair rail runs 'round bath - may tile all below.

Window more appealing cupboards stripped - Federal era feel - water heater's gotta go.

Charming antique light fixture/Sal Army shade - potential.

  

Starting to think pie safe's keeper - great fridge replacer this time of year.

     Want to square away cold water bath - sink, hand held shower; vacuum house east side; hang front bedroom curtain then it'll be time to go after The Big Stump.   You'll be informed of it all right here.  Now, where's paws.....  Peace. 

Hula

Certainly onrushing weeks uniquely felt - scud by: blustered clouds.  Eugene's been cold, woke to inch of snow one morn.  In the seventies dude blew his attic full of rock wool (small chunks of fiberglass) insulation.  Now getting older, wanting access to things mechanical/attic rigged his yard tractor vacuumed out all rock wool replaced with fiberglass batts.  Answer his ad for free insulation, bring home truck load rock wool insulation half in large plastic bags, half in huge (6'x8'x2' roughly) fabric seed bag.  Backing into dry carport knock side view mirror out of metal retainer miraculously not shattering, break one corner pressing back into retainer.  Could have been better, could have been worse.    

     Walk 4+ miles Wednesday to mall, late Hometown Buffet lunch, Narnia at $1.25 theater.  Get wet walking home spend evening stove roasting hypothermic bod.  
    Next day throw free rock wool insulation bags through middle bedroom window

haul up ladder through ceiling access hole in hall outside bath door

into attic.

3-4" vermiculite between downward stressed 2x4 ceiling joists spanning 14 feet (house west side), carrying plaster/lath ceiling.  Measured deflection midway between center wall, outside wall: 1".  

Wear mask anytime handling fiberglass begin laying heavy rock wool bags front west corner of house attentive for possible building changes learn front porch attic/gable end (below) fully accessible from house attic.  Ultimately will replace rock wool bags with lighter fiberglass batts, once floor structure is sound may jack ceiling, add stringers/king posts between roof rafters/ceiling joists making even load carrying trusses, straighten ceiling dip - we'll see.  Reconsider front porch plans, decide from this vantage point will remove porch, replace with same roof line more lightly framed for metal, allow more winter light through open (instead of sided as now) gable, screen off opening into attic above insulation for ventilation. 

Few boards to walk on, step gingerly from one springy 2x4 joist to next careful not to pressure plaster/lath ceiling.  Attic high enough to walk in.  Note 2x4 roof rafters running full length of what must be nearly 20' roof span with no support, no ridge rafter.  Bowed down a bit sure 'nough but supporting original shakes, two layers asphalt shingles fine - old roof torn off, metal roof will be much lighter load (toward front west corner above front room.)

Purchase garbage bags on Freddy Meyer grocery trip, rip open huge seed bag, shovel rock wool into garbage bags, throw 'em through  middle bedroom window, haul into attic through hallway ceiling hole.  Bags nearly laid - using all to cover front room only, my current living space - looking toward back of house chimney distant ghost.

Another look chimney wise reveals forehead high brace every second rafter set - duck walk or else!  Chimney masonry sound to roof.

Sunday answer Craigslist ad for 200 square feet used good condition six inch fiberglass batts/$20.  Chev north few miles retrieve insulation, lumber scraps/firewood unwanted by homeowner - park in dry carport awaiting installation above kitchen, firewood dicing up.  Will probably only add batts in attic from here on as desired attic insulation end point is 18" of fiberglass batts.
     Roll garage apartment carpet, support off floor on ex kitchen drawers (one end roll visible lower center photo behind futon/couch) to avoid damage, await installation in middle bedroom down the line.  Requisition garage apartment closet fabric door (removed)

doubled for weather barrier on hall (unheated) side of bad fitting/not closing front room hall door.  Won't further dismantle garage apartment - maintain as alternate sleeping spot.

Wind blowing hall door open one morning despite weather barrier prompts attempt at 'fitting' door.  Place crow bar between jamb/door persuade, revealing substantial play in latch side jamb, upper hinge. 

Scrape away loosened paint, soundly nail headed large 16 penny through jamb into stud where door's fit is tightest,

replace puny 3/4" top door hinge screw with 2-1/2" sheetrock screw tight into stud,

replace nonholding top lockset screw with longer screw so won't be loose/impair tight fitting door close, glue thin sliver of wood on edge of door (right of screw)

makes closing hall door: before cleanup.

Representative of past work done on Swett Lodge is door's striker plate discovered on inspection in perfect spot under layers of paint.  Good theory to patch holes before painting alright but a few minutes removing striker plate first would achieve more elegant result, no?  Remove putty from lower latch hole, chisel latch way to striker plate, now door closes, latches a good snug weather resistant fit.

          Burned 'bout half first load pallets,

cold weather no end in sight, gladly answer Craigslist ad for second load free pallets.  Gather Kate's battery charger, fire up old Chev, haul pallets home Saturday am,

stack behind garage for future butchering - feel more secure with reserve.

Lately keeping body & soul together/comfortable predominates.  House improves incrementally, learn more detail filling in future project blanks - for instance still feel removing both porches prior to raising the house sensible, will move in that direction.
     Everyone afflicted by winter fever up here - attended three weekend parties.  Friday after hurried post insulating shower join Kate at Southwest Seas/hula theme house party for work colleagues - enjoy good conversation/food.  Saturday musician neighbors party for first time in five years renting, laying out burgers with all the fixins'.  Three bands they are members of rock originals/covers.  Fun/filling for me though clearly the 'older neighbor'.  Sunday Kate hosts a Pisces birthday party/Oscar night for clan members.  They eat well (Sunday my fast day), drink well, all a good time.  Nice when family enjoy one another.
   The days slip by.  Discipline allows fitting in quite a bit - continue exercising 1-1/2 hours/day; eat - most days fruit/nuts/brown rice/lentil/tomato/leafy green/carrot diet, sleep well; walk day/week; blog day/week; keep up with family/friends - more than one currently need prayer - weeks go by quickly.  Love friends, one calls says: 'Realized I'm lazy. You know you should be doing more.', another emails: 'Do you read your posts before publishing?'.  Spend time mulling work direction - weather, project's magnitude suggest cold feet: options, emotions require consideration as well.  Try to get daily music time.  So while some might imagine camp lifestyle glamorous, taking care of business consumes as in most walks.  
      Be well.  Enjoy.