Gene Kelly, Eat Your Heart Out!

Dear Family and Friends,

We leave tomorrow for Connecticut. By the time we get back, there will be big changes. No new pictures today- we'll wait together to see what's happening on June 11.

Meanwhile, here is a picture of the sign for the house. A local man who runs the Brevard Sign Company painted it by hand. I don't know if the picture does it justice. It is an old stone / thatched cottage in Ireland, like the one I remember from a childhood music box. Brigadoon pays tribute to all those Conard musicals- except this Brigadoon doesn't disappear. We are here, peaceful and waiting.

Take care.

Love,

Emmett and Marsha

Electrical & Chimney

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Memorial Day! We had a lunch in the unscreened screened porch today. The breeze is delicious, and it is fun to imagine it being finished, and full of rocking chairs.

The chimney is framed above the roof, so masons can start to apply the rock facing to it. Electricians worked for three days last week. It is amazing how far they have gotten. All the lighting cans are in, all the wall boxes are up, and most of the wiring is pulled on the main floor.

I have run out of rock on my wall. Thank goodness they won't have any more until next week! I get a short break before 6 more tons arrive. The part of the wall that is pictured is full height, and officially "finished." We have one more week of work, and then we are off to Connecticut.

Love,

Emmett and Marsha

The Garage Roof, Tubs & Showers

Dear Family and Friends,

It is a glorious spring day here in Brevard, NC. Temp is 71, a cool breeze, a Carolina Blue sky. All we need is you to make it complete.

The last of the 700 lb. beams are in place, and the garage roof is starting to truss, frame, and sheath. Plumbers installed the shower in one guest bedroom downstairs, and a tub / shower in the other. We are getting ready for you to visit.

The wall continues. I am going to need more stone! Aauuugh! This means that 6 tons = 20 tons exponentially increases. Rough estimate- 12 tons = 50 tons, allowing for increased indecision.

Next week we may meet the electrician for the first time. Siding is waiting on vents- as soon as they arrive, siding makes a jump forward. Then, when siding goes around back, Cosmo's Pet Door goes in! Talk about personalizing the house. Speaking of Mo- Marsha had him professionally trimmed (for the first time in his 14 years). He looks like a fat, short dalmatian! His black spots (his token version of Jack Russell black) now show through clearly.

Before we know it, our framers will be done, and Stanley, our main contractor, will take over the finish of the house.

We look forward to coming up to see you CT folks June 2-9. Meanwhile, take care.

Love,

Emmett and Marsha

Siding & Mechanicals Start

Dear Family and Friends,

Plumbing and Heating started this week, as well as siding on the outside. Some of the sassier pictures of ductwork and venting are for Brian Lindsay's benefit, because of B.T.Lindsay HVAC fame.

The trim on the house is 2" rough cedar- it is very nice. The siding is Hardie-plank, which is a concrete product. The bees and insects will be very disappointed.

The wall continues to grow.

All you math lovers, forget the problem about two trains traveling in different directions. Try this one- how much does a 6 ton rock wall weigh? I am slowly learning the answer. When they deliver it, it weighs 6 tons. Then you move it into piles by size- now it weighs 12 tons. Then you place it in the wall- now it weighs 18 tons. Then you change your mind- now it weighs 20 tons.

This job gives me new respect for New England walls, Irish walls, and Stonehenge.

Take care.

Love,

Emmett and Marsha

Windows and Views

Dear Family and Friends,

Although you have already seen some window shots, here are some more. You also can see the views from the screened porch, south down the hill and north up the hill. As the weather improves, we realize that we are going to be living out on this porch all the time.

This week, the garage roof ties into the house, and siding goes on. The heating duct work has already started, and plumbing begins on Monday.

You can also see my stone wall. It may not look like much, but it takes a lot to get this far. 300 square feet of wall to go.

And, for you lovers of flora and fauna, a shot of a Brevard native White Squirrel, hanging upside down on our squirrel-proof feeder, indulging in Sunday brunch.

Take care.

Love,

Em and Marsha