Just when you thought you had it done...

You may recall the former small bunk room was converted into a study.  It housed my (Glen's) books, Kenyan, Ghanaian, and Thai memorabilia and other assorted items for decoration purposes.  It was something of a "pastoral man cave."  My space... 

It also had a futon for relaxed reading, naps, and other appropriate uses (like converting into a bed for our granddaughters' and/or grandson's overnights (to which we look forward, hint! hint!).

But alas, with less need for study space and severely limited other space (remember this is a two bedroom one bath home) we decided to shift the emphasis of this space and convert it into a den, so...

The W. African Mahogany bookcase has been repurposed to a kitchen pantry cabinet replacing one now being used for storage in the laundry room. It stands next to a set of Ofram wood and wrought iron shelves we brought back from our time in Ghana.  (This shelving unit matches the sofa table, end table and other units which will eventually end up in the Den.)

The new Den was rearranged to provide an open area for play.  Shelving was added (and more will be coming after the Amazon delivery of brackets tomorrow). And while one end table has been placed the other, along with the matching coffee table, is currently providing kitchen "assistance."

In the picture to the left you can see where the additional shelving is needed.  Also, one might rightly ask, "what is in the black bags?" They hold something of a treasure trove of kites. When we lived in Waltham, IL I picked up a love of flying kites.  It was the perfect setting - wide open spaces, consistent (and sometimes strong) winds.  Many of my kites were sold when we returned to the mission field. Recently, however, I have "inherited" Carol's dad's collection.  Being an engineer, you know he had to have the latest, greatest, and best.  The only problem here is the inconsistency of the mountain valley winds that blow through.  Although we've got the open spaces it is sometimes hard to keep them afloat...but they stand at the ready.

The final, recent change has been the bathroom door.  Yes, we are a bit of an eclectic couple and certainly "country."  We had some great rough cut white spruce planks I got from Jake West (West Branch Lumber, Morris, PA) and, as earlier mentioned, had decided to make something of a simple plank door...outhouse style one might say...we still haven't decided on stain or whether we'll just continue with the boiled linseed oil/thinner treatment.  That falls under the heading "under discussion" like so much more in the project...

And so ends the story of "Just when you thought you had it done..." as if anything in home ownership is ever truly done. 

May the Lord our God, who is abundantly able to bless you beyond your wildest imaginations, keep you in His grace and His will.

Soli Deo Gloria!

*pictures may be clicked to enlarge

When bored...

One of the challenges I faced in returning to the states some 8 years ago, was boredom.  It wasn't a lack of busyness. It was more of a lack of the challenges faced in cross-cultural, cross-denominational, cross-national, cross-linguistic work.  There were other challenges to be sure but they were more, which doctor of the myriad available, which hospital of the assortment, which ketchup of the massive varieties, which car, even which way to go to work with paved roads EVERYWHERE. The challenge of the easy life was having to make so many choices.

This whole issue of boredoms, which I thought I had largely dealt with, was rekindled in retirement three years ago.  No meetings required. No daily commute, times of preparation, counseling, etc.  Lots of time.  And then the move from a busier small city (Sanford, NC) to a rural setting (1 mile from the nearest paved road and almost ten miles to the nearest signal light).

I have managed to stay somewhat busy with the house finishing/ remodeling (not sure what to call this), now preaching and leading a Bible Study weekly.  But this weekend that frustration of boredom hit again like a two by four up against the head.

It's not a lack of busyness that was bothering me but the question of significance.  I got to dreaming of the times of travel to places unknown, sitting with people I had never before met, discussing Kingdom issues where the Kingdom has yet to have a presence in language which was literally foreign to me. Those types of significant challenges.  There are opportunities for ministry here to be sure, but as I contemplate how I might best invest my time, I was bored. And of course I still dream of returning to international work...

So what does one do when bored?

Separate the frozen boards, flip, rotate, and re-stack them and set them up for the solar dryer,

turning this...

...into this

When the weather gets a bit warmer the ends  will be opened up and box fans will be placed to form a wind tunnel of sorts to speed the drying.

So when there is a pause in the interior project work, we wait upon spring for the windows and siding work to begin, and I'm feeling bored what do I do? What might any man rightly do? PLAY WITH WOOD AND DREAM!  

Soli Deo Gloria!

"I love it when a plan comes together."

 John "Hannibal" Smith, from "The A-Team" was fond of saying, at the conclusion of a project, "I love it when a plan comes together."

Today's project was the transport of 1000 board feet of freshly sawn White Pine lumber which will be used for flooring in the living/dining/kitchen area of the house.  We have an open concept space of about 900 square feet and are planning to use a face nailed (using cut nails) planked pine floor system, using mostly 1x12's with some 1x10 and 1x8 thrown in to add variety.  (I couldn't have done it without the gracious offer of a pick up truck from neighbor Mike Stanford. And thanks to Rick and Janelle Davis and Mike and Debbie Youmans also for the offers of a truck and/or trailer...)

The first load contained 596 board feet and
weighed heavily on the suspension.   The weight was significantly above normal because, as you can see in the following pictures, some of the boards were frozen together.

(As a general note pictures posted on this blog will open and expand when clicked on).

It was about a 2 1/2 hour endeavor to drive out to West Branch Lumber Company, load the lumber, transport it back to Chatham Twp and unload each time.

The second load, coming in at about 406 board feet was a lighter load but didn't make much of a time difference. (Probably due to the necessary conversation about the Ambrosia Maple Jake had recently lumbered for his dad, the wormy pine lying nearby, the various walnut planks, and the piles of assorted other woods weathering nicely around the grounds. I love talking wood and Jake has some SWEET stuff!!!

But I was focused.  I had 1000 board feet of lumber to load, transport, unload, stack, cover (and soon to also build a solar dryer for, and then  square the edges and ends of, and put down in the house later this year.)  I. WAS. PUMPED.

My ever wonderful wife helped to unload all of it, including the frozen together pile of 8, 10 foot 1x8's (a heavy load) and when we finished it was time to sit in front of the fire, enjoy "a cuppa" and relax.  Thank you, Lord.  I love it when a plan comes together!