Things are really starting to come together on the shanty with the roof now mostly, all the walls up, windows all in. Of course there are still a gazillion finishing touches left to be touched but for the most part the shack is basically dried in. The daylight in the center of this pic is where I need to cut an 8 inch wide strip of plywood to finish the wall. There are other areas that the plywood is only held on with a kiss and a promise and needs nailing down. Then there is caulking about another gazillion joints which leak light and cold air early in the morning. Not that cold air will be an issue much longer since it was in the 80s today.

Over the past few days I’ve been framing in the front while Randy did the roof. I’m continually amazed at how fast and precise his work is even though he knows this is just a shack in the swamp. For every four pieces of wood I cut and put in at least two are wrong, often requiring heavy grunting to overcome the nails I so joyfully put in. Randy just looks at things, waves a tape measure around, mutters something to himself, then presto, the roof is done. It took me two hours and three tries to put
in three pieces of wood for a hand rail on the balcony. But dam am I having fun.

As I’ve said, I have a punch list several miles long before even the basic structure can be called done not to mention outfitting it. But now I can relax a bit and smell the tequila.

Tomorrow is a day for hotel load. I have to do laundry. Has anyone been to a coin laundry lately? It’s scary. I usually get it started then sit outside with the boy. This will generate a dead zone about twice the length of his leash that no one seems to want to enter.

Then it will be off to the storage war. I have another endless list of stuff to find in my storage units which will make my life luxurious and wholesome. OK. It will make things better but I can wish.

Sunday I might have a tourist who wants to turkey hunt out there. After the grand property tour I’m gonna put his butt to work hauling brush while I cut it down. Hey, it’s a 23 mile walk back to town.

Monday I’ll load up and head out for a week. I wonder if the temptation to sit in the shade and doze will overcome my desire to hang a door on the second floor.