Shamphurgial Preconcertions

Oh baby the drain system is done. I think. There is one spot where the pipe is kind of crooked in the joint fitting. It's probably okay.

The to-do list is changing shape, becoming fathomable. Last week I had a mini freakout when someone asked me to do a concert in Big Bay's school gym (July 23rd). So I spent a few hours making a list of everything I plan to do this summer, and what it demands of me. It's still a busy time, but my worry machine is lulled to sleep for a while so I can enjoy life!

The new focus is the exterior. The blue wrapping paper we put on the house a year and a half ago has been unprotected way too long. The manufacturer's website says it starts to degrade after 120 days of direct sun. Under the shade of trees I think we have a little longer, but we're definitely pushing it.

So we're having a shingle party!
Labor day weekend, September 4th and 5th.
There are a few bands who've offered to come play. We'll make dancing space in the dance room.
Bring a tent, or find a spot in the house to camp.
There'll be food, beer and happy people all over the place.

If you want to come help get ready for the party, I'll be out there most Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from now until then. We have a door to hang, some windows to trim around, some roof braces to build, and so on. If you have a question, want directions or think of a name for this event, please post it here or send me a message by email. Some names suggested so far: Cedar Shingle Hootenany, Waitefest, Section 23 South Side Shingle Session...
I thought it might be nice to create a name that had not been made up yet, but that sounds like it means something, like Shamphurgium. "Will I see you at the Shamphurgium?"
"Yes, I look forward to it."

Strawberries already

I didn't expect I'd be still working on the drain pipes in the middle of June. I hope that theme doesn't get too tiresome for you blog readers!

The pipes are going together well enough, though. It's a stinky job, fastening them together with solvent. But I wear a respirator and it's exciting to see it nearly done. Outside we're almost ready for shingles. The ledger boards (where future porches will attach) are up, and the trim around the downstairs windows is complete. Also I think we have our siding plan together at last. We have come back to the idea of using a preservative on the shingles, after having thought about it and looking around at other houses with mold on them. But we plan to use a less-toxic type called Cabot.

In other mental news, I think I have a solution for finishing the arched ceiling. Think overturned boat.

I sure like writing in this blog. When I'm in the middle of these projects it's easy to become caught up in the daily struggle and become obsessed about details. This is one great way to step aside and look at it as it is: some nice things to do, even if it is a boatload of nice things.

Seamus had his 4th birthday party in the new house. We asked him what kind of birthday party he wanted and he had no ideas---until a couple days before the day when his sister told him it would be his golden birthday, it being on the 4th. To this he said, "No, it's my purple birthday, and I'll have a purple crown and a purple cake. A train cake." We took note.

Here he is, kissing his cake.











He is such a happy child, and in a phase where random kisses or hugs are common, as well as saying "I love you" to anyone or anything ("I love you tree!") whenever the moment strikes him.
















Aya Jane has been working on a little garden out in the clearing where we park, with some help from her brothers. She has been bringing buckets of rich black muck from the creek's floodplain to mix into the sand and has peas, beans, pumpkins, sunflowers, a tomato, and I don't know what all else.
I don't know what Mossy's planting here. Those are lucky seeds though.