You’re wondering what gunshots have to do with windows? Just that I’m hearing them…close, too…as we put the last windows into the new house today. It’s duck-hunting season, and this house sits on a bay that’s beloved by ducks and therefore by hunters. I’m not against hunting when done respectfully. I’m not afraid of weapons; I reached “sharpshooter” status on the military target range. But I find the sound of gunshots in nature jarring.
When you build in the rugged far-north, there are trade-offs — just as in government. Deer-hunting season opens this week, so yet another opportunity to consider the delicate balance of rights and their impacts … both our own and our neighbors.’
Back to windows. Follow the story below, and don’t miss Jeff’s latest bad-weather “entertainment!”
In go the last of 11 windows, delayed because I had to change them when we realized we need an egress in the loft. (Choosing and ordering windows was the single most stressful part of this process for me, so far.) I don’t know how Jeff made the frame for the “eyebrow” window, as I wasn’t watching, but it must’ve been tricky to create that curve.
The special ladders make it possible to climb on the small roof over the front door to put the windows in place. This is the west side, which faces the driveway. The real view and largest windows are on the east (water) side. That’s why people who live on the water call the water-side the “front of the house.” It confuses visitors and is a topic of conversation. 😉
A bed will probably go up here–still to be decided. That’s a 2nd bath on right.
This is what it looks like from the living area down below. It’s all wood framing now…insulation and sheet-rock to come.
We were so glad to get some clear skies today, because this is what it’s been like for a week or so. Wet snow, sleet, rain, mud. It does look pretty here, from the deck of Jeff’s tiny cabin where we now spend the night..although I spent last night in the waterfront trailer because I wanted to see sunrise. I took the cat with me. She slept well. (She always does!) I didn’t. But I did see sunrise.
This is Jeff’s off-the-grid cabin, located inland. The cross-country skiis leaning against the wall may get used soon. See Roscoe’s dog house on the porch? It’s a sturdy cardboard box that Jeff painted. It’s strong and warm and Roscoe loves it. (His wood house remains on the waterfront.)
During the dismal sleet-snow mix, we took a break from the house–the first time since May–and what does Jeff do? Plays on his sawmill! This is fun for him! He’s creating a shed for it.
Boo can live anywhere but seems to prefer Jeff’s cabin. How can I tell? The noises she makes! What a variety. I think she’s part Siamese but not sure, since I got her from a shelter. She’s wearing the electronic “cat tailer” that I keep on her collar in case she gets lost. She’s on the ladder that goes up to Jeff’s loft. I use that ladder too, because I sleep up there a lot. It’s tricky when you have to come down in the middle of the night to, ahem. I do it carefully, with a headlamp. (No electricity here.) Boo does it carefully, too. She has arthritis, so climbs sort of lop-sided; glucosamine helps. As long as she can do it, I let her. She also loves the trailer. Maybe because it’s on the water? I just throw her in her crate whenever we move. She’s used to it. We’ll be back in the car again soon, heading back to the East Coast.
For Many Moons 
Everything is looking good, Jeff & Mary. Thanks for the update. We’re following you.
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Hi guys! Thanks for showing up!
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