Sketchup

I used google sketchup to design the frame. It's an amazing free 3D software that a lot of timber framers are using these days. It's not a traditional frame design by any means. Right now it's shaped like a "T". In most 2 story timber frames, the living room has a vaulted ceiling, there is often a loft or open hallway, and the rest of first floor has timber frame joists running overhead at 8 or 9 feet. I wanted to have the entire living area open to the "vaulted ceiling" so it could be seen and enjoyed from the entire living area. So, our one story timber frame (guess you could call it a ranch style home for the farm) is designed with an entry hall (front right of pic), a living room (long wing to the left and the long bottom part of the "t"), a kitchen (where the lines cross in a "t", and a dining room (on the back side of the kitchen). In the future we'll probably add on a bedroom wing to the right of the kitchen. Right now, the bedrooms, and the all important quilting studio, are in the basement.

Walnut Braces

A brace is the short timber that makes a triangle with the post and beam. These little "kickers" add stability to the frame. Most of our braces will be yellow pine, just like the rest of the frame. Mike has a new friend, whose name just happens to be Larry (no relation to my friend Larry who appears so often on these pages) with a new , who has some curved walnut he acquired after the January ice storm. Larry came today and we told him we wanted 4 spectacular walnut curved braces to run from the 12x12 posts in the kitchen to the valley rafters, and 8 walnut braces for the bent over the middle of the living room. We're keeping our fingers crossed he comes up with the braces we want. Mike and I also have been discussing the possibility of asking his blacksmith friend to do something subtle over the kitchen, possibly for lighting. We'll see there too.

Ghost Mule

Mike and I were working behind the barn, as usual, this afternoon. The dogs started barking and running, which usually means they've heard a sound on the road, and they'll be back in about 30 seconds. Not this time. We looked up to see Sammy chasing a white mule from beside the barn down into the valley. It must have gotten loose, run down our road, then turned in our barn drive when he saw the open gate. Sammy quit the chase at the creek. About two hours later I get a call from a man who lives on the highway. He asked whether I had a white mule. I thought he was the owner looking for his mule, but no, the mule had ended up at his place and he was looking for the owner. I told him the mule had come running by my barn, but I sure didn't own him. It's not every day one has a white mule come running by his shop/office. I think the Indians would have called it a "ghost mule."

Snow and 'Lectric

It snowed some on Saturday. I thought this was a nice artsy shot of the saw horses. Larry came this weekend, and we spent all day Saturday and Sunday putting lights and recepticals in the barn. Larry got to ride on the pallet forks, and I got to drive the tractor. I definately had the easy end of the deal.

Busy Day

Today was a good rebound after a boring day. I used the draw knife to peel the bark off two timbers. These are "before" and "after" pictures. It takes about an hour to do each timber, unless there are a lot of knots in which case it takes longer. I'd hate to have to do 8 of these a day to make a living. R&C got new shoes, and I learned of some trail rides in the area where I can meet some horse people. Then a woman stopped by, with a van full of kids, asking about the property for sale up the road. She told me they fell in love with our place and wanted to buy it when we did. She was sorry to see it wasn't this place for sale. Then Mike brought Alice, and David brought the last load of timbers. It's now storming, but I'm inside watching the ncaa on the internet. It looks like more rain tomorrow and Saturday. Grrr...

Boring

Had a boring day. I miss Therese. Cold this morning (43), and rain this afternoon. Drove to Pine Creek Lumber Co up north of Hindsville. Told them I was building a house south of Witter, and Larry recommended I come see them 'cause they told Larry "they'd treat me right." Well, they were about as excited to see me as a flea must be that has just fallen off a dog onto a walnut. Guess I shouldn't have gone a lunchtime. Next time I'll take Larry. Here's a picture of the room in the barn where we stay that Bonnie took when she and Tyler were here. It's cozy, 8x12, the same size as the unabomber's cabin. When Larry was here this weekend, he aske me if he snored. I told him he did, a little, in the morning. Last night I heard the same snore, but Larry wasn't here. Dogs do snore, you know.

Rain

It rained today, so I mostly stayed inside and cleaned up the barn. I also finished the plumbing under the sink, so everything in the showerhouse is operational! This is a pic of the swolen creek behind the barn, where we're working. R&C didn't come anywhere near the run-in during the rain. Hmmmm. Gave Clipper his third round of shots this morning. Much better than yesterday, when I "inserted" one of the needles kinda like you throw a dart. Well, I thought that was a technique Dr. Lynn was showing me. Guess not.