The Good:
Alpine Alley's Scott and Mary Childers, dear friends, and
still my first and best connection to Mountainair.
The Less So:
When the sun warms the frozen ground we get gooey,
slippery mud.
****************************************************
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Good And The Less So
************************************************
The Good:
Alpine Alley's Scott and Mary Childers, dear friends, and
still my first and best connection to Mountainair.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Less So:
When the sun warms the frozen ground we get gooey,
slippery mud.
****************************************************
The Good:
Alpine Alley's Scott and Mary Childers, dear friends, and
still my first and best connection to Mountainair.
The Less So:
When the sun warms the frozen ground we get gooey,
slippery mud.
****************************************************
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Red Studs In The Sunset
************************************************
This is what it was like Thursday, and yesterday also.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
And this is what it was like today. Neat, huh?
I started painting and didn't stop 'til it was done.
****************************************************
This is what it was like Thursday, and yesterday also.
And this is what it was like today. Neat, huh?
I started painting and didn't stop 'til it was done.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wind And Snow All Day
*******************************************************
It is an unusually bitter day. I just went out for less than
ten minutes to take a few pictures, and was hustled back
inside by the cold wind.
Current weather for Mountainair, NM 87036
28°F, Cloudy, Wind: E at 25 mph,
For the next three days:
Out here, 15 miles West, it is 30 degrees with 20mph of
wind from the East.
I'm not looking forward to the mud we will have
when this stuff starts to melt.
***********************************************
It is an unusually bitter day. I just went out for less than
ten minutes to take a few pictures, and was hustled back
inside by the cold wind.
Current weather for Mountainair, NM 87036
28°F, Cloudy, Wind: E at 25 mph,
For the next three days:
Thu
30°F | 20°F
30°F | 20°F
Fri
38°F | 22°F
38°F | 22°F
Sat
42°F | 22°F
42°F | 22°F
Sun
43°F | 26°F
43°F | 26°F
Out here, 15 miles West, it is 30 degrees with 20mph of
wind from the East.
I'm not looking forward to the mud we will have
when this stuff starts to melt.
***********************************************
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Seven Fire-Blocks
***********************************************
It took me over three and a half hours to get those last
seven fire-blocks in and I am pooped. I think I got up too
early this morning, so right now I'm going to take a nap
(maybe 30 minutes or so). Depending on the weather I
may make a lumber run this afternoon.
Tomorrow I paint that wall.
****************************************************
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Too Much Cogitatin'
**********************************************
As I approached the corner I discovered that two of my
wall studs in the lumber pile had warped and twisted so
much that they could only be used for fire-blocks.
I stood, and sat around, cogitatin', trying to devise a work
around and, at the same time I was visualizing the location
of doors and windows, and the stairway configuration.
I managed to enter a meditative (vegetative?) state
of mind for over an hour, and I'm pretty sure I've got
the details all worked out.
Now if I can just remember everything I decided!
So tomorrow it will be fire-blocks and paint, another 12 feet,
maybe 24 feet of sill plate (painted), and finish building the
corner post. Then I'll have to make another lumber run to
Home Depot.
Weather permitting, I'll do that tomorrow
afternoon/evening, and have supper at Denny's.
As I approached the corner I discovered that two of my
wall studs in the lumber pile had warped and twisted so
much that they could only be used for fire-blocks.
around and, at the same time I was visualizing the location
of doors and windows, and the stairway configuration.
of mind for over an hour, and I'm pretty sure I've got
the details all worked out.
Now if I can just remember everything I decided!
maybe 24 feet of sill plate (painted), and finish building the
corner post. Then I'll have to make another lumber run to
Home Depot.
Weather permitting, I'll do that tomorrow
afternoon/evening, and have supper at Denny's.
****************************************************
Morning Light
************************************************
Just a couple of pictures taken this morning that I wanted
to share before getting to work.
Sunrise Jan 26, 2010
It's a very nice and calm (no wind) and warmer day. Things
are thawing out earlier, and I expect to meet my goals.
***********************************************************
Just a couple of pictures taken this morning that I wanted
to share before getting to work.
Sunrise Jan 26, 2010
The Manzano Mountains in the morning light
are thawing out earlier, and I expect to meet my goals.
***********************************************************
Monday, January 25, 2010
More Studs Today
*****************************************************
At 1:30pm it was still 32 degrees with enough wind to
discourage outside activity, so a little before 2:00pm I
kicked back to take a nap.
Sixteen minutes later I snapped awake to the sound of
"NO WIND". I checked the temp and it was 36 degrees.
Time to go to work.
I am able to work very much better in the cold than I ever
expected. The pictures show what was done in just over
two hours.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, so did the
temperature. What was mud at 3:00pm was frozen again
by 4:15. The area on the deck where water was
dripping from the porch roof became an Ice-skating rink.
It was time to quit and take pictures.
Tomorrow I turn the southwest corner, put in fire-blocks,
and slap some paint on the raw wood.
You'll notice I have not yet put in a rough opening for a
window. That's because I am re-designing the stairs to
have a landing and a 90 degree turn, and the window will
be at the landing. Once again "Rise and Run" drives the
change. A straight stairway would have to be too steep in
the available space.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell and Cleo lounged on the deck and watched me
work until I started putting away my tools. Then, as if on
cue, they wagged, "bye-bye", and headed home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chile and cheese mixed with FRITOS for supper, watch an
old movie, maybe blog some more, and hit the sack around
10:00pm.
*************************************************
At 1:30pm it was still 32 degrees with enough wind to
discourage outside activity, so a little before 2:00pm I
kicked back to take a nap.
Sixteen minutes later I snapped awake to the sound of
"NO WIND". I checked the temp and it was 36 degrees.
Time to go to work.
I am able to work very much better in the cold than I ever
expected. The pictures show what was done in just over
two hours.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, so did the
temperature. What was mud at 3:00pm was frozen again
by 4:15. The area on the deck where water was
dripping from the porch roof became an Ice-skating rink.
It was time to quit and take pictures.
Tomorrow I turn the southwest corner, put in fire-blocks,
and slap some paint on the raw wood.
You'll notice I have not yet put in a rough opening for a
window. That's because I am re-designing the stairs to
have a landing and a 90 degree turn, and the window will
be at the landing. Once again "Rise and Run" drives the
change. A straight stairway would have to be too steep in
the available space.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell and Cleo lounged on the deck and watched me
work until I started putting away my tools. Then, as if on
cue, they wagged, "bye-bye", and headed home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chile and cheese mixed with FRITOS for supper, watch an
old movie, maybe blog some more, and hit the sack around
10:00pm.
*************************************************
Scenic View, Our Future Home
************************************************
I guess I have seen this magnificent view so many times I
took it for granted. From US 60, looking North, our place
is on the rising ground exactly one mile away, a little to the
left of the mountain with the most snow on it.
The second shot is from the same location facing south-
west, toward the Rio Grande river valley.
I think these pictures will give our family and friends a
better feel for the wide open spaces of our future home.
**********************************************************
I guess I have seen this magnificent view so many times I
took it for granted. From US 60, looking North, our place
is on the rising ground exactly one mile away, a little to the
left of the mountain with the most snow on it.
The second shot is from the same location facing south-
west, toward the Rio Grande river valley.
I think these pictures will give our family and friends a
better feel for the wide open spaces of our future home.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wind-Chill and Fire-Blocks
************************************************
The weather in Mountainair is currently being reported as
32 degrees with a 27 mph wind from the northwest. If you
GOOGLE, "weather 87036", the first entry is current
conditions.
Out here now it's 34 degrees with 5 to 10 mph. For me
wind-chill becomes an endurance factor above 12 to 15 mph
at this temperature.
Earlier today, when our wind was 25 to 30, I retreated to the
trailer after only about 10 minutes. I was heavily dressed
too, but I couldn't protect my face well enough.
The milder conditions out here gave me almost three good
hours of work time, minus about 15 minutes spent visiting
with Russell and Rocky. They only stayed long enough for
a cookie and some affection, then they were off. They had
places to go and rabbits to chase.
As you can see the first five fire-blocks are in. Each one
carefully fit to remove some minor warping of the studs,
then glued and screwed in place.
That wall section is incredibly rigid now. There is no
deflection even when I throw my full (still considerable)
weight against it.
Well it's another "special recipe" hot soup kind of day.
***********************************************
The weather in Mountainair is currently being reported as
32 degrees with a 27 mph wind from the northwest. If you
GOOGLE, "weather 87036", the first entry is current
conditions.
Out here now it's 34 degrees with 5 to 10 mph. For me
wind-chill becomes an endurance factor above 12 to 15 mph
at this temperature.
Earlier today, when our wind was 25 to 30, I retreated to the
trailer after only about 10 minutes. I was heavily dressed
too, but I couldn't protect my face well enough.
The milder conditions out here gave me almost three good
hours of work time, minus about 15 minutes spent visiting
with Russell and Rocky. They only stayed long enough for
a cookie and some affection, then they were off. They had
places to go and rabbits to chase.
As you can see the first five fire-blocks are in. Each one
carefully fit to remove some minor warping of the studs,
then glued and screwed in place.
That wall section is incredibly rigid now. There is no
deflection even when I throw my full (still considerable)
weight against it.
Well it's another "special recipe" hot soup kind of day.
***********************************************
The View West of Mountainair
************************************************
Lest anyone ask why we favor this country above
all others.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I estimate the visibility at just about 100 miles looking
West (from milepost 203, highway 60) outside
Mountainair .
(Time stamp should read 09:50)
And looking North from the City Dump turnout near
Milepost 202, also on hwy 60.
Maybe my location notes aren't romantic, but
it is beautiful.
Our own mountain view is not so bad either.
_____________________________________________
I cleaned the deck once again when I got back from town
and I'm letting it dry in the cold wind that's blowing now. I
intend to get the fire-blocks at the 4 foot line in today.
Weather permitting (of course) I'll paint all the raw
wood this week. I know it's extra work and expense
but it seems worth it to me. It also makes better
pictures.
***************************************************
Lest anyone ask why we favor this country above
all others.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I estimate the visibility at just about 100 miles looking
West (from milepost 203, highway 60) outside
Mountainair .
(Time stamp should read 09:50)
Okay, without the truck, near milepost 202.
And looking North from the City Dump turnout near
Milepost 202, also on hwy 60.
Maybe my location notes aren't romantic, but
it is beautiful.
Our own mountain view is not so bad either.
I cleaned the deck once again when I got back from town
and I'm letting it dry in the cold wind that's blowing now. I
intend to get the fire-blocks at the 4 foot line in today.
Weather permitting (of course) I'll paint all the raw
wood this week. I know it's extra work and expense
but it seems worth it to me. It also makes better
pictures.
***************************************************
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hail the Size of Peas
************************************************
A couple of hours ago there came a hail storm. Very small
stuff, but plenty noisy. At first I thought it was heavy rain,
but it had a sharper impact sound than rain. I waited until
it was over before going out with the camera. Smart, huh?
The weather man says that's it until next week. I hope he's
correct. I'm feeling the need to put sticks together again.
You can only watch so many movies for the second and
third times, or blog when you haven't done anything to
blog about, or play solitaire, when you'd rather be sawing
wood and driving nails. (wow, that's a terrible sentence!
It changed syntax twice.) Oh well, it expresses my
frustration with SNOW.
Crunchy Pea sized hail.
******************************************************
A couple of hours ago there came a hail storm. Very small
stuff, but plenty noisy. At first I thought it was heavy rain,
but it had a sharper impact sound than rain. I waited until
it was over before going out with the camera. Smart, huh?
The weather man says that's it until next week. I hope he's
correct. I'm feeling the need to put sticks together again.
You can only watch so many movies for the second and
third times, or blog when you haven't done anything to
blog about, or play solitaire, when you'd rather be sawing
wood and driving nails. (wow, that's a terrible sentence!
It changed syntax twice.) Oh well, it expresses my
frustration with SNOW.
Crunchy Pea sized hail.
This will be the view from the future southeast corner window.
The carport does it's job well.
Looks like the promise of better weather.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Swept and Pushed
 ************************************************ |
melting the snow quickly.
To hasten the drying time I swept and pushed the snow off
the front of the deck.
(The Kingdom), leafed through a bunch of magazines,
took a few pictures and a nap and posted some.
*****************************************************
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