Archive for October 2016
Fighting Wind
Of all the days to try to put on the roof panels, the strong gusting winds we experienced yesterday made it much more challenging than desired. I didn’t help myself any by having previously installed the middle row of plastic panel supports just a little out of line.
Regardless, I am claiming victory and celebrating the completion of the roof. Hurrah!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
George stopped by to inspect our progress and Cyndie snapped a photo while I gave him a tour of the place.
With rain predicted, we decided to try wrapping a tarp around 3 of the walls for the night. Even though I am getting weary of the daily intensity of this project, we’ve reached a point where I pretty much need to forge ahead and get the coop buttoned up and weather-tight.
The bungie-tied partial tarp is not going to cut it for long.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Decisions Aplenty
By the end of the weekend last night I was mentally exhausted. The chicken coop project was an exercise in repeating waves of cascading decisions. It was giving me a headache. Or maybe that was coming from the muscle fatigue in my neck and shoulders from all the power tool use overhead and at odd angles.
Over and over again I found myself trying to determine precise dimensions, proper positions, ultimate functionality, potential environmental stresses, and likely physical pressures the structure will face.
How high should this be? What support should this have? Will this withstand stormy weather? How will I attach the next board? How will we enclose all the odd openings of our panel roof design?
If all that weren’t complicated enough, by the end of the day yesterday, when I couldn’t get the roof framework equally centered on all the walls, it occurred to me why all my calculations had me constantly confused. Building with scraps of salvaged lumber means working with a lot of warped, bowed, and twisted boards.
It was a great exercise for tempering perfectionistic tendencies.
“Close enough” became a common refrain that grew increasingly easy to accept.
There were so many little steps involved in finalizing the framing of openings in each wall and securely fastening the 4 walls to each other that I ran out of time for the ultimate reward of screwing the panels onto the roof. We got close, but finished just short of that milestone.
Guess what I can’t wait to work on when I get home from work today.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Coop Framing
We worked on framing the walls of our chicken coop yesterday under October conditions that changed from cold to warm and alternated between sunny and gray. Twice we received sprinkles of very light rain, yet at a time when there weren’t any clouds in sight that looked like they could possibly be the source.
The weather didn’t slow us down from the task at hand, though, as we designed on the fly to figure out a way to use on-hand 2x4s from a variety of salvaged day-job pallets to frame up the four walls.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
With the addition of a couple long boards I found stored in the rafters over the shop, we were able to come up with everything we needed.
We are hoping to get away with using some plexiglass that has been lying around since we moved here, for windows to provide plenty of light. That will be augmented by translucent polycarbonate panels we purchased for the slanted roof.
The roof is today’s project. Then we need to figure out the ventilation openings that will be covered with hardware cloth to keep out unwanted critters. Siding will follow that. Somewhere in there will be the creation of 4 different hinged openings for access: to collect eggs, to pull out a poop board from under the roost for cleaning, and for chickens and humans to get in and out.
No problem. It only took me a few years to get this far. I’m sure I can have it ready for occupation by…
Never mind that. I’m living in this moment.
The future doesn’t need me trying to tell it what will be.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Paving Paradise
We are experimenting with a new way to improve a particularly wet and muddy portion of one trail through our woods. Originally, I was hoping we could simply cover it with wood chips. It worked for a while, but we haven’t been chipping branches frequently enough to produce the supply needed to cover all of our trails.
The piles of wood blocks that I have been pulling off pallets salvaged from the day-job are suddenly proving valuable. Instantly, we have gone from having too many of these lying around, to not having enough to cover the muddy lengths of trail that need the most help.
It is interesting to consider the path (no pun intended) these pieces of former trees have traveled. Somewhere, trees are cut down and milled into boards. Then the wood gets cut into these shapes and nailed to pallets. The company that manufactures the products we receive at the day-job mount their units onto the pallets for shipment and charge the end customer for the wood.
We have asked if they wanted the pallets returned for reuse, but like so many other things in today’s world, since already paid for, they apparently weren’t worth the trouble. We end up with perfectly good, single-use pallets out of brand-new wood, albeit with four odd blocks nailed to the tops.
I’ve been pulling the nails to remove the blocks and using the pallets as a floor in my wood shed and beneath stored hay in the hay shed. I also claimed boards off some pallets to build hay feeding boxes for the 4 stalls in the barn. All the while, the odd blocks that were removed have been piling up.
When Cyndie started looking into a boardwalk as a way to get up out of the mud on our trails, we landed on the idea of using the blocks. She wanted to add some words of inspiration and enlisted Anneliese to join her in creating the enhancements.
Yesterday we laid down the first test run. So far, so good. Only a couple more miles to go. I hope there will soon be a lot of new orders for that equipment at the day-job.
It is poetic justice that we’ve found a way to ultimately bring this pallet wood full-circle, placing it on a forest floor once again.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Different Look
Even though it happens every year, I still find it amazing to witness the change that evolves in a forest at this time of year. I look at it every day, but it seems to happen mysteriously. Space just opens up and all of a sudden you realize it is possible to see through to the other side of a grove of trees.
A couple of months ago, it looked like this:
Yesterday afternoon, it looked like this:
The forecast for temperatures tonight and tomorrow morning includes the possibility of frost. That means it is time to drain and coil our garden hoses, and blow out the buried line that runs down to the labyrinth spigot. I even heard use of the word “snow” in predictions for areas of northern Minnesota.
Regardless the overall general warming of temperatures around the globe, we still get cold enough here in the winter to have snow.
I love that our weather changes dramatically with each season, but it would be nice if just once, the seasons weren’t in such a hurry to come and go.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Today I’m
Today I’m not preparing to evacuate a hurricane zone. In the middle of the country, the biggest threat from hurricanes on the east coast is that they might temporarily stall the usual flow of high or low pressure weather systems that move across our region.
Today I’m purposefully ignoring anything that democrats or republicans want to tell me about how awful and scary the “other” party candidates are. Just not gonna allow them to sully an otherwise promising possibility for goodness and prosperity to spring forth from even horrifically dire situations.
Today I’m remembering how it felt to be chronically depressed and appreciating the grace that allowed me to discover I had power over my thoughts and my body chemistry to navigate my way to better health. Eat well, exercise often, focus thoughts and actions in the direction of optimal health. Repeat.
Today I’m revisiting my realization that I am the only one who sees things exactly the way I do while standing in my shoes, and the view from every other vantage point is not necessarily wrong. Many could even be the exact opposite. Whether you need to turn left or right to pull into our driveway depends completely on whether you are approaching from the north or the south.
Today I’m going to laugh at something, because the universe is filled with comical possibilities. Even our horses have demonstrated the art of prankish shenanigans. It’s all in the timing, and they obviously have a sense of it.
Today I’m publishing this post, because you might stop by to read it and I want there to be something for you that wasn’t here yesterday at this time. A morsel of *this* John W. Hays’ take on things and experiences that I captured in the moment. A glimpse of the ongoing drama from my world that I hope dances around being relative to something for you every now and again.
Today I’m sending you peace and love from beautiful Wintervale Ranch in Beldenville, WI, USA.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Special Guests
Every night feels like a party for us lately, as we invited our neighbors, George & Anneliese, to stay with us while they are between homes in their process of moving away. It’s a blast to have their company for evening meals and after-dinner entertainment. 
Last night they helped make egg rolls to go along with a stir-fry pork and veggies dinner.
Later, we turned them on to a favorite 2007 NBC television series, “Life,” starring Damian Lewis and Sarah Shahi. I remember learning about the show from Cyndie’s brother, Ben, and his wife. They recognized it as something we would probably appreciate. They were so very right.
We figured George & Anneliese would feel similarly.
Cyndie and I were pleasantly surprised to find out that it had been so long since we’d watched any of the episodes, it seemed pretty fresh again to both of us.
Having company to share the viewing with us, and the fact they hadn’t seen any of it before, added to the experience. There is something about shared watching —like going to a movie in a theater— that expands the event.
Unfortunately, we needed to adjust to ignoring the occasional intrusion of little Asian beetles on the TV display, which doesn’t usually happen when going to the theater to see things on the big screen.
Between Delilah bringing her chewed-up bone over to the couch where they were sitting, and bugs pestering our view, George and Anneliese got a good dose of being included as family.
It has me already contemplating the probable withdrawal symptoms we will go through after their stay is over.
It’ll be like becoming empty-nesters all over again.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Reluctant Fan
Two nights in a row now, I have stayed up past my bedtime to see evening entertainment. Last night it was the NFL Minnesota Vikings. I call myself a reluctant fan because I don’t like how the league and the games have changed over time.
I grew up in a household where Minnesota sports were always on the TV or radio. We had season tickets to the Vikings games starting back from the time the team arrived to the state.
If I couldn’t go to the games in person, I wanted to watch them on television. That television coverage is part of what killed the game for me. TV networks took over and began to control the timing of the breaks. I lost my love of watching the games in person.
Eventually, I lost interest in watching my team fail. Other things claimed that time slot for me and I figured I had broken the spell. I was free of the game’s allure.
That was before my old home team began to show signs of being successful again. The pull at the beginning of each season is hard to resist, so I tend to check them out, just in case they might perform well.
This year, it was made more dramatic by the loss of our quarterback right before the season was about to start. All the excited anticipation went out the door in a blink and our usual inevitable doom seemed to settle in before we had a chance to get started.
If that wasn’t enough, we lost our star running back in the second game. A smarter me would have bailed on the team right away. But something happened.
We won games. We put up good stats. We started earning respect, reminding me of teams of old, when I was a kid.
Against my better judgement, I slinked my way onto the bandwagon. The coaching staff seem to be leading the team the way winners do, and they are succeeding despite the loss of key players.
They are making me feel young again.
The pessimist in me is wondering how long this is gonna last, but the kid in me is going to just enjoy the ride for as far as it is able to carry me.
Like a fan, only with a little bit of baggage… called reluctance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Special Privilege
It felt like a special privilege to be in the presence of Brian Wilson performing the Pet Sounds album last night. It was a great experience that brought us a lot of joy.
We have seen a relatively recent rendition of the Beach Boys in concert, with Mike Love and Al Jardine, and now we have this in comparison, a concert by Brian Wilson and an amazing combination of supporting musicians, including again, Al Jardine.
Last night’s show was aimed at an audience that is passionate about the full depth of what goes into a song, performed by artists who share that same passion. The difference was significant. The concert last night was transcendent.
The mental challenges that Brian Wilson has lived through resonate for me. I have always felt an appreciation for his artistry, and feel a morsel of connection with him.
It was thrilling to be able to stand among thousands of others who feel similarly, to thank him with a rousing ovation at the end of Brian’s singing, “God Only Knows.”
It was a privilege.
I couldn’t get myself to interrupt any part of the evening’s performance with the cell phone lifted into someone else’s view for a photo, so all I have is a before and after.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It’s all I need to remind myself of the magic that took place in between.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ladder Work
Yesterday was a day on the ladder for me as we completed the job of applying a new coat of sealer on the wood siding of the shop garage. Climbing up and down all day is a fair amount of work, but I think the more intense exercise causing my residual stiffness today is from the unconscious-nervous-flexed-muscle tension while I was balancing on the precarious perch.
I’m not all that thrilled by heights.
It was worth the discomfort though, because what does thrill me is having the flaky siding now freshly sealed against the elements.
I wish that was all the sealing that needed to be done. The house really should receive a fresh coat, as well.
Will we have enough dry days for that to happen before cold weather sets in?
Time will tell. I have that pesky nuisance of a day-job that tends to get in the way of finishing projects at home.
Oh, and sometimes other distractions pop up on the weekends, like a fabulous barbecue event hosted by a special friend, followed by a trip to downtown Minneapolis to see Brian Wilson perform the classic Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds album in its entirety.
Not a lot of work going to happen this dry sunny day. Tired muscles get a break.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Relative Something 