Floor, Rain, Windows, Lazy Susan and Leaks

What an anti-climatic project...the floor in the kitchen. Granted it hasn't even been swept since the last board was fit into its final resting place but still. I am the only witness to the floor as I type...okay since the heavy rain storms we have lately it is not as convenient to cross the creek because I removed the 2x12 board (with a step) because of rising water. There is still the Fallen Tree Crossing but when wet it is slippery and well, you might fall.

Torched Doug Fir Floor

That is why I live here, Nature Rules, we work around the elements, not against them. Such is my work, if it is raining you can bet I won't be standing out on a ladder with my tool belt on. Been there, done that. Sikes cabin shingling the outside, my first and only time I built a cabin from the ground up. More like below the ground and up because we started that project with shovels in our hands. Almost all the redwood in that cabin came from stumps that were left over in the 1950-60's logging that took place in the Humboldt Redwoods. A large percentage of lumber was eaten up during this time... ramble, ramble ramble.

Rising water

With the rain comes the indoor projects and they have been stacking up. The first rains are a good reminder that your wooden windows (with missing glazing putty) should probably be dealt or else the moisture will work its way into your home and destroy the window. Glazing putty is the protective barrier that keeps water from getting behind the glass. I have three sashes in the shop now that have putty problems and also structural issues - mainly two funky bottom rails. Damn those dowels, they always rot away and there is nothing left to hold the rails to the stiles. Mortise and Tenon joinery should be standard for wood window sashes.

Window sash without a bottom rail.

I agreed to make a lazy susan that will display different roasts of coffee. I offered a couple suggestions and it was decided that I use a maple burl that has been under my roof for over a decade and came from a majestic tree that once resided in what was known as the Ranch House. The previous house to the Rathbun family who opened their home to the hill abiding residents of the early back to the landers, acting as a message center and postal pick up. This is a 5 inch slab cut from one of the many burls this tree had. Today my sister and I removed the bark with the aid of a steamer and assorted nail pulling tools.

I have a few more projects like a current conditions and assessment of the Mattole Bell Tower. We were hoping to clear the water pump and filtration system out of the tower and into a separate shed so that the tower could be used as a local museum. A room that the school kids could visit and view historic photos of the Mattole valley and even have rotating historic artifacts. It could be opened to the public once a month and serve as an historic monument, not a barricaded pump shed. Well it needs some maintenance, I have found a few daunting leaks.

Leak in the Bell Tower