Loft Hatch 2

The clay on the north hillside behind the JayBee has been really slippery since the hard rain fell a few days ago. Therefore, I shifted gears and started work on the east end loft hatch.

I cut the hatch framing pieces out of lumber that was left over from framing the roof.

I stained the pieces.

I installed the framing pieces between ceiling joists in the east end loft.

All the screw holes pegged...

East end loft hatch done!

Also see:
Loft Hatch 1

Loft Hatch 1

I took advantage of the cooler, rainy weather yesterday to work inside the JayBee. I decided to frame in the hatch opening in the bathroom ceiling. The hatch will allow me to operate the awning window in the west end loft by reaching up through the bathroom ceiling without having to crawl down the length of the loft to reach it. (I am formulating a plan to embed some foot- and hand-holds near the bathroom sink to make it easy to step up and operate the awning window.)

The challenge to putting in this framing is the vent pipe that runs along one of the ceiling joists where the framing goes.

Here are two pieces of framing cut to fit around the pipe.

And loosely set in place to be sure they will fit correctly.

Another piece of framing, with space carved out to conceal the vent pipe.

And more.

Here are all the framing pieces as they will fit together when installed. (Added bonus: I cut all of these pieces from pieces I had originally mis-cut as rafters.) The top edge has a three-quarter-inch inset so the structure of the hatch door has room to sit below the level of the loft floor.

I ran out of light yesterday, so I did the final installation of the framing pieces today. I stained and installed the hatch framing.

I plugged the screw holes.

Finally, I trimmed the pegs and stained them. Done!

Now I'm thinking of installing a loft hatch in the other loft. It would give me the option of opening the east-end loft's awning window without climbing up into the loft, and it would add some air circulation through the bed area when I want it.

Also see:
Loft Hatch 2

Chair Progress

Remember that flat chair I was cutting out in that previous post?

Here are all the pieces cut and the edges rounded.

Then stained.

Now all that's left to do is put some coats of tough sealer on it and screw on the hinges.

Honestly, I'm not convinced the chair will be sturdy and strong enough to hold an adult. It seems kinda flimsy. Hopefully future test runs will not produce any injuries!

For good measure, I also stained the loft chair I first posted about here. This chair doesn't need any hardware; all it needs are some protective coats of sealer.

Loft Chair

I thought it would be nice to have a chair to use when reading in the reading-nook loft of the JayBee. I cut these two pieces out of maple boards.

Then, I rounded all the edges.

The chair will store flat.

And it will assemble into a chair when needed.

From this angle, looking at the chair set up in the loft, it doesn't look like there will be enough headroom to use it. Hmmm... We'll see.

Last weekend, a whole slew of wheelie carts and maintenance trucks went by on the railroad tracks. Only caught one in a photo.

Coming home from work one night this week, I saw a double rainbow.

Then I realized I could see the whole curve, from one end to the other. Pasting together two photos together...

Flowers in the yard...

One cat who thinks he's well hidden.

Another cat on a walk with me.

Morning light on the river...

New Season, New Plan

It may be quite hot and humid at the moment, but there is no denying that the seasons are shifting. The sun goes down so early now! And those long, distinctive shadows in the afternoon... <sigh> A new school year has started. Summer is on its last gasp.

I think I am coming to grips with the fact that I really am a very slow house builder. I am still very enthused and committed to the project. I also don't seem to have any desire to try to speed up my process. I would rather continue to mosey along, working thoughtfully and methodically, having the time to shift my plans as new, creative ideas come to mind. All this means that I know I have no chance of finishing the JayBee before the next winter season. That means spending another winter in my old wreck of a house. That does not exactly thrill me, but I do think it is the best decision. This will allow me not only to finish building the JayBee but also to finish the monumental job of downsizing myself out of the old house.

I have started to work for pay again--part time. While it is sad not to be working on the JayBee 100% of the time, it does feel good to have some money coming in--to counterbalance some of what goes out. So far, working part time is leaving me plenty of energy to work on the JayBee during my off hours.

My recent progress...

The electrician came back to make adjustments to the wiring. That west-loft window framing is now free of wires, so I will be able to install the awning window there. The extra outlets I needed are installed. For some reason not shared with me, the electrician did everything on the list except attach wiring to the thermostat--so I cannot declare the wiring to be completely done.

Here are only a small portion of the templates I have created to help me cut pieces of metal roofing for the roof. Now that the electrician is basically done with his work, I think I can let roofing pieces proliferate all over the floor of the JayBee.

I have been working on the half of the JayBee's closet that will have permanently-installed walls (as opposed to the half that will swing open on ball bearings). After spending way too much time staring at the space, I had this great brainstorm: I decided to install a ladder on the inside of the closet wall that will be used to access storage high up in the closet and to climb up into the west storage loft. Here is that closet wall in process.

I pegged all the holes where I drove screws to hold the ladder rungs in place.

I would have finished sanding the ladder framing...if my sander had not broken before I was done.

I mentioned those long shadows... See who is sleeping in the irises?

I like going down to the river late in the afternoon because the light can be so spectacular then. Bear often comes with me.

A couple of days ago, George came with us as well!