Preliminaries

I don't think I moved the steps in front of the JayBee's door last year at all. As you might imagine, having the steps in place makes it a whole lot easier to run in and out the door all day long while building.

I moved the step sections to the driveway, but they looked to be in rough shape. (I spread out the particle board in the background because I think I might use it to help support new piers to level up the JayBee.)

The edge of the front step was also very beat up. I thought, "I'll just sand and re-stain all of the steps before I put them in place."

After sanding for hours and still having more sanding ahead of me, I thought: "Oh, right. Just about every step I take with this project takes me way more time than I ever anticipate." Finally, everything was sanded.

I paused working on the steps when my friend arrived to help me with this tree. I noticed after the last wind storm we had that this tall, very-straight tree was leaning across the driveway.

Closer inspection revealed a lot of dramatic splitting in the base of the trunk.

Observing proper physical distancing between us, my friend used his chain saw to cut down the tree, while I hauled away the branches.

The middle of the base of the trunk was completely rotten!

The rot didn't go very far up the tree, though. The logs are very straight. I wish I had a way to use them for something.

We were surprised to have it all done in under an hour. We left the heavy trunk pieces for now; at least they are not blocking the driveway.

Back to the steps, the staining didn't take me that long. I even remembered to put the gritty stuff in the stain so the steps won't be too slick when they're wet. It shouldn't take me long to assemble the steps. Maybe I can get that done tomorrow before the rain moves in.

...

The next morning, first thing:

All assembled, but not yet leveled up. That's it for the next few days. (I am very grateful to be working full time [at a job I love--added bonus], especially now, but it does limit my house building time. :-)

You Know You're Taking Too Long (to build your house)...

...when it's been ages since anyone has seen any progress on your build but you're posting about anything but building progress.

Since my body is doing better (including having had shoulder surgery just before this pandemic took hold, thankfully) and I'm stuck at home (as is everyone else), I'm starting to get myself organized to make progress on the JayBee.

Here is something I accomplished last fall before the snow flew. I permanently installed nest arrestors on the back side of the house to prevent nest building on the house this spring. I removed the nest from above the bathroom fan...

...and built a nest arrestor out of shingles.

 

Once I finished that, it dawned on me that I could make a bigger version to sit on top of the air exchanger.

I haven't come up with an idea for something that I would like to permanently install over the lights on the front side of the JayBee to prevent nest building there--so I'm continuing to use these cardboard nest arrestors during the non-winter seasons.

Sign of Spring--Crazy Cardinal

Yes, it's supposed to be spring. Nevertheless, between yesterday and today, more than eight inches of snow has been dumped on my yard. Nuts!

The snowfall has not interfered with this cardinal's crazy behavior. Take a look:

Sign of Spring?--Aerial Porcupine

I'm not sure if this visual is officially a sign of spring. Does springtime inspire chunky porcupines to climb over 30 feet up in the trees and wander around as if they are graceful creatures? I have no idea. For all I know, this guy has been doing this throughout the year and I just have never witnessed it before now.

The audio is definitely a sign of spring. The geese are having a convention out on the river, and other birds are forming a chorus.

Sign of Spring--Clopping Hooves

When I hear hooves clip-clopping up the road in front of my house, I race to peer out a window. Then I run outside. Never fails. I just love to watch the horse (with sulky and rider) go back and forth in front of my house. I have never been to a harness race. Why would I need to go--when I have this beautiful display at home? This training on my road has always been a sure sign of spring. This year, with the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on just about everything else in life, I find it soothing and reassuring that this ritual carries on.

Note that the video also captures another sign of spring--the Kennebec River overflowing its banks with spring runoff.