8.31.2023

Mom had a follow-up appointment at the podiatrist and got a good report on her toe, which is definitely happy news.  We did a Home Depot pickup and some errands while we were out.

Jim had been busy working on the last braces for the pavilion... 

Using the bandsaw on the braces...

Jim got the Bobcat and all his equipment up to the pavilion and started working on the middle beam mortise pockets.  The location of these pockets is different than on the end beams, so he can't use his jig.

I picked up new blades, so Jim could use his vibrating tool...

Lots of chiseling...

First pocket done...

Starting work on the second one...

Boring out the hole...

Using the Japanese on the diagonal...

Testing the fit - perfect!  He now has all 20 of the mortise pockets done!

He made a jig for the location of the shoulder pocket cutout....

Starting to carve...

He has this pocket all roughed out...

He stopped to do trash duty and then cut grass - it continues to grow faster than he can keep up with it!

High 71.6/Low 52.2 - beautiful!

8.30.2023

 This morning, Jim started making the next two braces...

In the afternoon, we headed outside and Jim worked on the mortise pockets...

Chiseling the diagonal...

The last two mortise pockets on the two end beams done...

Doing some measuring and marking for the mortise pockets on the middle beam.  Jim needs new blades for his vibrating saw that he uses to score the pockets.  I'll pick those up from Home Depot tomorrow.

So instead, he started marking the cutout he will need for the shoulder of the secondary beam to intersect into the main beams...

Using his Japanese saw...

And a lot of chiseling...

More chiseling...

And even more chiseling, although obviously the paparazzi was caught trying to take this picture!

That cutout done, he moved on to working on the end one, working among the pine tree...

While pictures never turn out, the Blue Supermoon through the trees tonight was just gorgeous!

High 73.1/Low 59.6 - beautiful!

8.29.2023

After his computer work in the morning, Jim got all his tools and equipment up to the pavilion.  He did some marking of the mortises as well.  Then after lunch, he got started carving the shoulder pockets on the middle beam...

One side done, starting on the other...

Using the Japanese saw...

All the shoulder pockets are now done - doublechecking measurements and placing the jig to start cutting the mortises...

Scoring the outside...

Boring out the pocket...

Depth is perfect!

Jig in place and scoring for the diagonal cut...

Chiseling...

These mortise pockets for the braces are complete...

Starting the process all over again on the other side...

Boring...  No end picture because I came in before Jim was done, but he got both of these end pockets just about to the right depth - then it's just the diagonal cuts and they'll be done.

High 78.9/Low 62 - beautiful!

8.28.2023

Jim was bound and determined to get my mom's old Keurig working - he just hates putting more things in landfills.  So he opened it up again (the hardest part of the whole process!) and found a loose connection.  It now works!  We're going to use it for a couple days to make sure, and then he's going to advertise it on Craigslist.

We were hoping we could go outside this afternoon, but the forecast was iffy and it did end up raining.  So Jim wanted to finish up the front wall.  He put the sealer on...

Then he started taking the tape off...

Lots of tape to remove...

Cleaning up edges with a toothbrush...

Look how fabulous this edge looks!  Plus, Jim got the receptacle plates back on...

Starting to put the light back up...

However, now that the wall is thicker, the screws weren't long enough to make the connection for the face plate to fit.  Jim had to take the plate off, find longer screws and then put it together...

Putting the light fixture back together...

Jim still has to modify the bottom window molding, but beside that, everything is done and looks amazing!  I really love it and it has transformed the kitchen.

High 72.5/Low 56.7 - light rain in PM