Every choice has consequences — often several levels of them — and the challenge is to imagine those consequences in advance. This certainly applies to house-building.
Less than a year ago, we began building The Cabin at Many Moons. Many choices later, it continues to come alive. The nerves (electrical system) and vital fluids (plumbing) are in place. The new skin (siding) will arrive soon. The heart (kitchen) is ordered. Now, Jeff continues decorative refinements based on previous choices. And I continue to shop–and shop!–for the right lighting fixtures to complement those choices.
In the military and the federal government, we discussed 2nd-level (or “order”) and 3rd-level effects — meaning the long-term consequences — of big decisions. But on this project, I’m lucky to “see” the 2nd level! Daily decision-making can be exhausting. I learned that on The Great Loop. So I write this from my home in Virginia as I take a time-off to prepare for another overseas “fun” trip. It’s my 2nd trip East within two weeks. (The 1st was not fun, but necessary. If you don’t pay taxes on time, there will be consequences!) Catch-up in photos and captions below…
I took this photo as my plane prepared to land at Reagan National Airport a few weeks ago. I flew from Michigan to Virginia to do my taxes, then back to Michigan in time to…
..help Jeff take down this 60-foot hemlock which was threatening to fall. You can glimpse the house behind his Iron Mule, and the open waters of Huron Bay on the right.
Jeff’s a master at taking down trees. (As I’ve said before.) He arranges ropes to put strain where he wants it and attaches the ropes to his truck. If I’m around, I drive while he directs. The trick is to keep just enough pressure on the rope and wait for his signal before firmly driving forward.
Jeff is still wearing his headset as he begins to saw the huge log. Headsets make coordination easier and nobody has to shout. (“Go,” he said to me in a normal tone from 100 feet away as I pushed the truck’s gas pedal and heard a big “tha-whump” behind me.) My sister bought these headsets for us to use on The Great Loop. They were essential for navigating through locks and setting anchor. Now, they help keep us safe during tree removal.
While clean-up of the old continues outdoors, creation of the new continues indoors. We’ve been discussing window trim for weeks. What will go best with the knotty-pine ceiling? (A 2nd-level effect of the ceiling decision.) We decided to use the leftover pine, even though the knots might make it tricky. Jeff trimmed the pieces to the right size on his table saw, which he set up on the covered porch….
…and used a 2nd machine called a router to trim the edges. Considering all his machines, I understand why he wanted to build a garage first (as many rural people do), but am glad I stood my ground. Otherwise, I would be living in a garage for awhile. 😉 The covered porch is a workshop now, but eventually will be a place to relax and watch the water. I’m fascinated with woodwork but not much use at it, so my job is cleaning up the mess. We avoid waste wherever possible and use the leftovers of all this woodwork in our wood stoves.
When I left Michigan six days ago — by car this time — the boards for the window trim were leaning against the wall. They’re all in place now. I can’t wait to see it in a month or so!
And then, the siding. Sigh. The piece on top is a sample of the choice I ordered. The boards underneath are what I received. Do they look the same? I didn’t think so either. The reason I chose that sample is because of its color variation, which helps it mimic real wood. So I sent photos and a question. (Not a complaint, just a question.) In a day — one day! — the company got back to me to say that a mistake may have been made. They’re sending a replacement shipment. Now that’s responsiveness.
Meanwhile, the last of this winter’s pitiful snowfall disappeared by mid-April and this joke was circulating among waterfront residents of the far-north…
…and so, in went our dock, using Jeff’s Iron Mule. It doesn’t usually go in until May but it’s been an odd year. The water level is so low that the dock looks a bit silly, its tires half-exposed. Will the water come back up this year? With such low snowfall, it seems unlikely.
It wasn’t all work during this last visit to Michigan. I also attended several Finnish-American events in my hometown. Here, I’m meeting an author (center) who happens to be a 3rd cousin. My friend Jim (on right), a genealogist, found out that we’re related. Her book focuses on an historical person in Lapland who had a big impact on us both. I call this a 3rd-level effect of my decision to maintain my heritage. (1st level: I find a weirdly-relevant book. 2nd: I meet a new cousin. 3rd: I’m motivated to reconsider writing my own book.) When it comes to predicting long-term consequences of decisions, you don’t always need to know what they are…just that they exist, and will evolve as they should.
And back in Northern Virginia, I’m observing the consequences of seasonal cycles. Such fun to watch buds turn into leaves. Zone 7 is well ahead of Zone 4!
Every element of a building should exist within the context of the larger element it is part of: the pane within the context of the window, the window in the context of the wall, the wall in the context of the structure, etc…
For Many Moons 
Every element of a building should exist within the context of the larger element it is part of: the pane within the context of the window, the window in the context of the wall, the wall in the context of the structure, etc…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly…
LikeLike