A Little of This...A Little of That

Memory of all that fine weather is fading a bit under the deluge of this fall monsoon... Inbetween raindrops, I've been trying to get some things done.

I have accepted an electrician's quote and paid a deposit, so I'm hopeful that work will begin soon on the electric system.

I met with a plumber inside the JayBee for over two hours this last week--pondering the possibilities. She is going to work up a plan for the plumbing system, so I'm feeling optimistic about that. So much hinges on some plumbing work getting done--finishing the floor, building the west end bumpout, installing the roofing. Unfortunately, she only does the inside work. She doesn't do the outdoors work--digging trenches for the water and septic lines, etc. I have to find someone else to do that work. My plan is to do the final hookups to water and septic next spring, but whoever will do that work should really sign off on where the plumbing enters and leaves the JayBee before the plumbing is installed.

I am slowly painting more of the inside of the pantry cabinet. [See also: Pantry Cabinet 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

I added a coat of poly whey to the loft ladder. Remember how I built this before anything else? [See also: Loft Ladder Almost, Progress, Done]

I stained the pocket door. Luckily, it turned out that only one tiny spot didn't accept the stain, probably due to glue. I'm glad I took the risk because I really wanted to stain the door rather than paint it. I think it will look great when I get the poly whey finish on it. [Also see: Pocket Door 1, 2, 3, 4]

Dale came over with the chain saw to cut down all the storm-damaged trees behind the JayBee. I've been reassured that the grape vines will grow back next year. Before we started, I picked the ripe grapes. It turns out that some of them did ripen into delicious, juicy grapes without shriveling up first.

After I had hauled off half the cut trees...

Close to done...

All done. See the grape vines? I saved that one log in the foreground because it has a nice arch to it; if I can figure out how to cut it, I would like to install it over the doorway or as a loft railing.

Don't you think this would be a great spot for an outdoor tub? [See also: Bathroom Fixtures]

I have some pear trees on my property that produce only a few scabby puny pears each year. Imagine my surprise to find this one!

Great light out on the river.

Tiny House Community Meeting

Do you live in the southern half of Maine? Are you interested in exploring the possibilities for tiny houses and tiny house communities? This meeting might interest you...

Starting a Tiny House Village in Southern Maine

Day: Sunday, 26 October 2014

Time: 6:00pm

Where: Starbucks, 15 Winners Circle (Topsham Fair Mall Road), Topsham, Maine
More Info: http://www.meetup.com/Starting-A-Tiny-House-Village-in-Southern-Maine/

Seen during my drive to the meeting...

Trim and Ventilation 4

I finished installing all the trim around the roof, and it's all stained as well. I sure got lucky with the weather!

Today, with temperatures in the 70s, I spent the day up on the roof, drilling ventilation holes at the tops of the rafter bays, along the ridge boards. It took me quite a while to get a rhythm going because I was so afraid of being up on that roof, and worried that I would drill holes in the wrong places.

If there wasn't a house in the way, I'd have quite a view of the river!

The first few holes I drilled...

...with a long way to go...

Finally, with the sun rapidly going down, I finished drilling all the holes!

The trim gives the house a more finished look, eh?

Once the tarps were back on the roof, it sort of looked like a spaceship from the inside.

Next up: I have to figure out where the plumbing vent and two propane vents will go through the roof. I have to order the roofing. Then, it's on to installing underlayment and roofing!

Also, I met with an electrician today, and I think I have a lead on a plumber--finally. There could be a lot of progress made on the JayBee in short order.

Also see:
Trim and Ventilation 1
Trim and Ventilation 2
Trim and Ventilation 3
Trim and Ventilation 5


Not sure what this bird is, but it sure caught my attention today.

George and I went on a walk to the riverfront yesterday.

Trim and Ventilation 3

I am close to done with the trim! Five more boards to install. I still don't have a lot of photos, especially of the south and north sides...

...but I took some shots of the east end.

Also see:
Trim and Ventilation 1
Trim and Ventilation 2
Trim and Ventilation 4
Trim and Ventilation 5


We had high winds this last week. The weather definitely felt unsettled. On this day, I tried to catch the weird light and the whitecaps on the river.

Trim and Ventilation 2

I have been working hard on installing air vents and trim all around the JayBee...but I don't have photos to show--other than this one of the northwest corner.

I have been working up under the edges of the overhanging tarps (to save myself the trouble of constantly moving the tarps this way and that), so I haven't been able to take any photos from a step back. I guess this is one of those things that will be a "big reveal" when it's all done.

The new hole saw bit has worked miracles--so much so, that I bought another one as well. At $35-38 a pop, it's quite a commitment--but worth every penny. The new bits cut so well they can be a bit (ha!) intimidating. I have used them enough now, though, that I can read when they are getting dull, and I have taught myself how to sharpen them. I guess it's either that (practice makes better) or you learn by breaking a wrist when the bit binds up in the wood.

Also see:

Trim and Ventilation 1

Trim and Ventilation 3

Trim and Ventilation 4

Trim and Ventilation 5

From a walk in the rain yesterday...