INTRODUCTION
WRITING DOWN THE BLOCKS
Bricks 101
One Viga
A Year Later
Decking the Roof
Floor Plans
WORKSHOPS
Date???
I started this building process a year ago. I remember how I canceled some jobs, shuffled some others, and was able to get away for a week. I drove up here with Daisy and set up camp as soon as I could. The sun was intense. It was in the 80's, the late 80's, a hot dry heat, with mosquitoes and flies. I set my tent in what is now becoming the orchard, next to the parking lot. There was one Juniper tree near by. It gave only a little shade. I baked. I'd got up as soon as the tent felt the sun. I'd build a few bricks along the back wall. I have a photo, a self-portrait of myself, red-faced with a row of about 10 brick behind me. "The First Week." It was a perfect reminder; I need to take another such photo, to show what I have achieved within that first year.
What have I achieved? Two irrigation systems. Threes, shrubs, vines. A 'palapa'; giving shade for my friends and family. In fact, I've built a whole outdoor living room up where I originally camped.
And the house itself? Well, let me put it this way; tomorrow we are having a roof-raising party. A viga-raising. Nick and Ed are being paid to help me install the 26' x 8" diameter vigas (beams) up on the front post and beam structure with the other ends lying across the back wall. I'm so excited. I can taste it. I can imagine standing inside this 20 x 40' structure that I am building with my own hands. It's the most amazing feeling to see the house take form. No longer do I have to explain the vision,. I can see it happen. My visitors can see the shapes, the texture, the energy of the place.
This is a dream come true!
What a wonderful birthday gift to myself!
What a wonderful birthday gift to myself!