rock shop

Last week I went to my first Upstate rock show which was part of the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY.
After career day in the fourth or fifth grade, my definitive answer to the persistent question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" was "a geologist". It was not long, high school actually, before I agreed with my mother that this may be an inappropriate choice for "such a social creature". I have been dueling with the inner rock geek ever since. Here is an opportunity to finally set up shop.

door to window

Who knew this project was going to be all about windows...?
This one is my first major regret. Listening to my concerned contractors I decided to lift the bathroom window 18" off the floor so as not to be "on full view" when getting out of the tub. At least now my ankles will be covered.

fall colours

installing

So sorry to have missed celebrating your birthday with you sis. As you well know it was not because I was at home enjoying my new view to the stars. I have not slept in my own bed in weeks, which is a much less interesting story than it sounds. It could pass for a pretty good Chevy Chase script though.

Scene One: Last Tuesday I drove past the Canadian border with my wallet on the roof of the car. Fortunately, a sheriff found it on the side of the road and called me on my cell nearly two hours later, adding four hours to the mere eight hour trip.
Scene Two: Planned a flight this Tuesday to go back to Canada in time to celebrate my sister's birthday, but instead I left my passport upstate. Having parked my car at Laura and Chris' orchard, I took the train back to Beacon to find I had locked the keys in the car.
Scene Three: AAA broke into the car for me so I could drive home to spend a good six hours following up with the contractors. The drive gave me a chance to remember why I (sort of) moved here:


Scene Four: Far too embarrasing to continue...but I am on my way Aliss. We will try to celebrate this weekend I hope.

happy birthday Dr.Not From Concentrate!

My extraordinary sister celebrates her birthday today. She is my inspiration.

internal state of affairs

Bob prefers scotch.

SWF

available for rent:




this is the front half of the building with a separate entrance...rent negotiable.

rolling stones.

rockhound in camo
pouring the floor
manny in mud
collection set in stone

Stone collecting is an unparalleled form of meditation for some of us.
The ultimate goal is actually to turn the Creamery into a giant rock shop....sourced from travels around the globe.
Since the program funding is still under negotiation, the bathroom floor will initiate an archive. These particular rocks were sourced from Accord:NY, Cape Breton:Nova Scotia, Gotland:Sweden, Zaire(when it was):Africa, South Island:New Zealand, Oahu:Hawaii, Olafsylk:Iceland, and Jamaica Bay:NY.
Please note that radiant heat was installed before the concrete was poured. This is the most efficient way to heat a slab and a great way to keep an old clawfoot tub warm. Although radiant was not in the budget for the whole house, the bathroom tub is where I hope to spend the winter.

external state of affairs

(new roof)

Reformed!

Notice the light from above.

NIMBY...

anymore.

This used to be the Creamery's neighbour and is most likely how the street got its name. Since the use of indigenous materials is part of the scheme here, Bob took me rock hunting this morning. We have become friendly with Mike who bought this amazing old quarry about a year ago. Mike is pleased to have concerned neighbours, so we took advantage and pinched some rocks to misplace in my bathroom floor (images to come).

By the way, this land is being divided for sale in twenty acre plots.

words to live by...

"And if you think of Brick, for instance,
and you say to Brick,
"What do you want Brick?"
And Brick says to you
"I like an Arch."
And if you say to Brick
"Look, arches are expensive,
and I can use a concrete lintel over you.
What do you think of that?"
"Brick?"
Brick says:
"... I like an Arch”

Louis Kahn

see the light

this is the kitchen skylight being installed.

I'm not sure how I feel about Feng Shui as a legitimate profession, but there is no denying the relevance of spatial harmony. Since the day begins and ends in bed, it is essential to get it down in the bedroom. One must choreograph perfect morning light and star gazing with awkward horizontal ergonomics ie. reaching for lamps, books, glasses (both kinds) and the occasional ashtray. My new trailer bedroom does not get enough light. Light in general appears to be an issue in this gigantic space, it gets swallowed.

I realized watching the messy roofers this afternoon, that there is a perfect opportunity for a new skylight where a useless vent once was. As it turns out, a hole occurs directly above the north facing bed (good Feng Shui). My flawed, yet intentional, design process is all about seizing existing conditions...carpe diem. Often this system proves ineffective but today it seems justified.