I live half the year in northern Michigan and the other half in northern Virginia. Jeff lives in Michigan. So, this time of year, we live 1,000 miles apart.
Still, we continue to work together on the Cabin at Many Moons. After all, “remote working” is the thing these days! We’re on the phone daily. Research and choices continue. While he’s in the building supply store, I’m on-line to find the right water-heater and toilet. I confirm they’re in stock and hit “Purchase.” Minutes later, he picks them up. Hours later, they’re at the house. Little by little, progress continues…
In the three weeks I’ve been gone, Jeff has worked on his sawmill, put up sheetrock and began insulating interior walls (for sound-deadening, not warmth). A worker joins him on occasion, which is helpful. And what am I doing in Virginia besides continuing research while trying to get back on a workout schedule, send Christmas cards, catch up on dental work, prepare for visitors, and clear out paperwork and bills? Read on!
Taking advantage of my absence to focus on his own camp, Jeff added a metal roof to this sawmill that he just built. You know how he loves to build stuff! And yes, cut logs, too — mostly for fun and exercise. Can we figure out a way to use the local wood that he’s cutting inside the new cabin? Hmm. Maybe a little. But we aren’t that much DIY. đŸ˜‰
Speaking of wood, this bag of split white birch near my Virginia home costs $16. We’ve cut down so many birch trees at Camp Many Moons, and I’ve split many of them. Could be a source of income if I wanted to haul it to Virginia? đŸ˜‰
While Jeff was roofing his sawmill, I took a friend out for a night on the DC waterfront where I was amazed at the development on the Anacostia River. The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge was an old swing bridge just two years ago. Look at it now! I avoided this neighborhood when I moved here in 1990. A lot has changed since then.
Back in Michigan, sheetrock (aka drywall) has been added to the mechanical room–a dull but essential aspect of new-home construction. It covers the bones of the house and adds structural support. Voila, a wall! Am I going to paint or cover with wood? Some of both…
While Jeff was husting sheetrock, I attended a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in downtown D.C. to honor Pearl Harbor Day (Dec 7). As a Navy vet, I feel compelled to do this if I’m around, even though driving and parking are a hassle. It’s like showing up for a funeral. You just do.
The Navy Memorial is bordered by cast-relief bronzes that I never took time to examine before. This one recognizes the role of Navy women who serve in every domain now. Why focus on women? Well, all the others focus on men–which is fine, of course. Before I joined, it was almost all men. I joined during integration and served 30 years. I can tell you that it was tough at first. We didn’t whine because professionals don’t. But, yeah. Huge changes. The Navy is better off.
And now we have a water heater and toilet at Camp Many Moons, sitting on the patio until Jeff can get them installed. (The insulation behind them is already mostly installed on the interior walls.) We considered a “combi-boiler” and a hot-water-on-demand system, but opted — after much discussion with my HVAC-expert brother — on a more conventional approach. Still, there are choices. Is a 40-gallon tank enough or do we need 50? What make of boiler? And toilet choices! 1.26 GPF (gallons-per-flush) or 1.6? Standard or chair height? One piece or two? I subscribed to Consumer Reports to help with some of these choices and read reviews until I could puke. Ah, the fun of DiY building!
For Many Moons 