A Barn Raising. Part Four.

So, yeah, I missed another day of posting, but yesterday was busy. Even though I didn't have too much hands-on work with the barn because I babysat my nieces and nephew. I did, however, get to go down there and be amazed. It really is starting to look like a barn, especially since they started putting rafters up! It may sound like this whole thing has just been smooth sailing, but yesterday and today haven't been without excitement. We realized a couple of mistakes and are doing our best to either fix them or cope with them. The most popular phrases have been, "It's just a barn," meaning that whatever happens will be okay because it's just a barn and "Put a nail in it!" meaning hurry up and do something because it'll never be perfect. So far, I think it's a rather fine piece of construction despite it's flaws and I'm ready to have it finished! I can picture it all already! Although that doesn't really mean much because I've been able to picture it since we poured the concrete. Now it just seems so close and real! I can't wait! I think we're planning to paint it "Barn Red" with white trim in the classic barn style. I have already started designing the interior and planning how to keep it clean and as close to bug-free as possible.

A Barn Raising. Part Three.

After lots of hard work and humor the posts are up. Both of the building inspectors came out yesterday and they admitted that they didn't know anything about building a barn. One inspector said they were using S.W.A.G. (Scientific Wild Burro Guesses). They had come mainly to inspect the post holes. We had painstakingly dug all 16 holes to a 3 foot depth to match the requirements. The inspectors walked over and looked at a couple of the holes and said something to the effect of, "Looks about right," without even measuring! So, with that ordeal thankfully behind us, we continued.  Little did dad know that all of the posts would be in the holes before he got home from work. He called us in a little bit of a panic about it all and mom let him think that we hadn't gotten anything done. Boy, was surprised when he pulled up the driveway! Uncle Steve and my cousin, Carter, had put all of the posts in the holes. After dad got home and got over his shock, we squared up the posts and cemented about half of them in. Today, we've been working on getting the rest of them done. Apart from the roof, walls and doors we've got ourselves a barn already. That's the glass-one-quarter-full view for you.

A Barn Raising. Part Two.

I forgot to post yesterday because we were pretty busy. Early in the day I cleaned house so that it would be ready for our company. While I was doing that mom, dad and Jack measured and marked where the holes should be. Later, my uncle and cousin arrived and that's when we really started working. Dad and Jack dug holes with the two-man auger and my cousin and I cleaned the holes out with post hole diggers. So, needless to say, my shoulders are sore. Today the building inspector is coming to inspect the holes and after that we're going to put the posts up. I think that today the barn might really start looking like a barn.

A Barn Raising. Part One.

I'm not quite sure how many parts this will have because this is a huge undertaking. We really started building the barn three years ago when we had the concrete pad poured, but we haven't done much since then. Yesterday is when we really made progress. We had lumber and dirt delivered and we had a bobcat come and make the surrounding ground level with the concrete. Today, while dad and Jack cut out places in the concrete to put the posts in, the rest of our family watched. While we weren't watching we were doing odd jobs like turning the hose on and off, bringing lemon ade to the workers, opening and closing gates, and fetching tools. Tomorrow my uncle and cousin are coming. Hopefully the work will go faster. On the scedule for tommorrow we have: digging post holes and having fun!   

An Old Story

Yesterday I found some of my old writings while cleaning my room. This is the first part of a short story that I had started but never finished. I've done a little editing and I've made it a little more like my current style (because my style has changed a bit in the last year or so). It's just a fantasy story full of frivolity. Enjoy!

In another village nestled in the middle of another country many years ago, a memorable thing happened. Philington Sprousenhimer came upon an unsuspicious can as he was snipe hunting on the town's main highway (which was more like a dirt path) as he did on every other snipe hunting day. Philington snatched up the can because he was a recycling kind of person. His interest grew when he realized that the can was unopened. Unfortunately, he could not read the label for all the dirt, but our dear Philington was undaunted. He whipped out his handkerchief and rubbed the can vigorously. Eventually the words became visible. "Fresh Genie in a Can," Philington read aloud. Turning the can, he read the directions. "Step one: read label. Step two: Llama had a Little Goat (a very popular children's song at the time). Step three: read step four. Step four: remove and eat label. Step five: open can and enjoy.” Philington deliberated for a while. He weighed the dangers of eating a dirty label and, even worse, having Llama had a Little Goat stuck in his mind forever. Philington was so lost in thought that he passed his own house and walked right into his neighbor's. After noticing his mistake, he scurried out of the door unnoticed. "Well, here goes nothing," he mumbled before singing Llama had a Little Goat and then choking down the nasty label. Once he arrived at his own house Philington began searching for a can opener. After a little while he grabbed the can opener triumphantly. Philington opened the can. You won't believe what popped out!

... ... ...

You'll have to wait until next week to find out what happens!

A Snapshot

Several people I know are taking one picture a day for an entire year. I love the idea! Except... photography is not really my thing, but writing is! So, I thought to myself, "what if I write a snapshot a day?" So, that is exactly what I am going to do! I'm not sure what I'll write each day... maybe a journal about my day, maybe a short story or a poem. But that's all part of the appeal! I must admit that knowing that I have to write something everyday is a bit daunting, but what great adventures aren't at first glance?

The Falling Away by T.L. Hines

I’ve read several books by Hines and have loved every one of them. This one is no different. The Falling Away is a supernatural thriller about a crippled veteran ironically named Dylan Runs Ahead. Whether he realizes it or not, Dylan has been running all of his life. He’s been running from the reservation, from his past, from his future, and from his destiny. Quinn and Li are about to make him face all of the demons that Dylan’s been running from. The writing, as always, is superb. It all flows perfectly and you’re hooked after just a few words. One of my favorite things about the book is the fact that Hines gives you the background story on his characters and that really brings them to life. The plot is original and takes many twists and turns. If you like a supernatural thriller with lifelike characters and a captivating writing style then this book is for you.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker really takes you for a ride in Immanuel's Veins! Immanuel's Veins is a redemptive romance where it all comes down to wooing the Bride. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to. The whole story is laid out so well that it really is believable. Good and evil materialize in Toma, one of Catherine the Great's best and most loyal warriors, and Vlad, a mysterious Russian royal. Amidst all of the revelry, wine and love bites there is a desperate battle raging for Lucine's love. It was invigorating and inspiring to read a story that hits so close to home for all of us who share a fallen spiritual history, but now live redeemed by the blood of Jesus.