Window Wall and Walkway

The window wall has been installed between the dining area and screened porch.  The five sections can accordion open all the way or function as a single door on the fireplace side.  It will be stained to match the other wood.  You can see it through the porch.  Oh, how glorious it will be on days where the temperature invites the outside into the cabin through the large opening.

The walkway between the garage and main cabin entrance are in place.  Mike carefully selected large pieces of limestone as the base for each beam.  The guys have also begun to frame in the garage.  The stone masons, chinking guys, electrician, plumber, solar team...work was going on everywhere I looked.  That's good news after all the weather delays of the late summer and early fall. 

Chink-a-dink

Larry has begun the process of chinking between the logs on the Hamilton Cabin.  Each gap is filled with a dense foam produce, nailed into place, and skim coated with a 3/8" layer of resilient buff-colored chinking material.  The high-tech material is designed to expand and contract with weather conditions while maintaining its adhesion to the logs.

This beam is the most beautiful one in the entire project - if you ask me, that is.  It is on the front left corner of the writer's room.  The ax marks, coloring, age and patina are remarkable.  I love the way the sealant has brought out the deep tones like burnished copper.  The wood makes my heart sing!

Devin's Room

Devin was able to visit the cabin today.  Grandad made a plywood ramp into the main doorway so she could roll into her bedroom.  She approves! 

The screened porch is framed in on the main cabin now.  The timbers and rough wood give it the most incredible feel.  Everyone is very enthusiastic about the porch and how wonderfully it contributes to the overall project.  This view is from the porch over the pond towards the Hamilton Cabin. The photo below show Myron, Frank, and John laying the rocks up the chimney above the porch roof.

All the leaves are off the trees now.  Another season is upon us.  Hopefully next fall we will be sitting on the porch watching the leaves while the fireplace gives off its warmth.

 

Dreaming of Electricity

Mr. Ed has the tracker installed, wired into the control room, inverters and batteries installed, and is dreaming that it all will work as planned.  He has tested to see that the tracker really does track the sun.  There are more connections to make, but we are really on our way towards electricity!  A generator will be installed to bolster the batteries in the event a string of cloudy days causes us to deplete their storage capacity. 

Sunshiny Days

At last, weather forecasts for sunny days all week have pumped new life into the construction efforts.  A trip up the ridge gave the first glimpse of the solar tracker installation underway.  The ridge timber has been cut in the last 15-20 years, so the new growth is small and thus won't require very much additional clearing.  The space where we have cleared will be perfect to plant some fruit trees that will not grow high enough to block the solar panels. 

The roofing crew has begun working on the main cabin.  The interesting angles look great with the cedar shingles and copper flashing in the valleys.  I realized upon my approach to the site, that each time I am excited to see what the craftsmen have accomplished since my last visit.  It is a feeling that I am enjoying their project.  And then, out of the blue, it will occur to me that this beautiful structure is our cabin! 

During the crew's lunch break, when the generator was switched off, I walked the circumference of the meadow, ending up sitting on my favorite rock ledge above the creek.  In the crisp autumn air and golden light, I closed my eyes listening to the sound of the water.  I found myself silently repeating, "I'm so grateful..." until tears rolled down my cheeks.  Creation reflects the glory of its Maker and I am drawn into His presence when I delight in it.

Picnic on the Grounds

Accompanied by my good friend, Dana, on the construction visit, we improvised a picnic area in the master bedroom with buckets, a board, and our simple spread of goodies.  As always, I love sharing our cabin with friends.  We brought a dark chocolate-chip pound cake to share with the guys after lunch.  It fueled their efforts towards the present goal of getting the main cabin "in the dry". 

All of the rafters are in place now for the main cabin roof.  I love all the varying angles and the way the chimneys tie into the roof structure.  When the cedar shingles are completed it will be spectacular.  From this view, which is the back, the far left is Devin's bedroom, followed by the gathering room, kitchen/dining area, ending at the master bedroom on the right.

The Daniels brothers from Ecru/Thaxton delivered the doors they built for the bedroom of the guest cabin.  Built of reclaimed oak, the doors are gorgeous!  There are two interior doors with glass and two exterior doors with screen instead of the glass.  They open out onto the porch above the running water of Canoe Branch.  It will be a great place for hosting the guests we hope to have at the Glen.  The sounds of nature promise to surround all who stay at the Glen, washing away the cares of the world, and connecting them to the heart of the Creator Himself!  All in good time...

Dig, Billy Joe, Dig!

Have we ever discussed the energy issue?  How many times?  Over and over the discussion has taken many rabbit trails as I've previously mentioned.  Today, October 1, 2009 was monumental.  Mike and Ed are to the right in this photo, discussing the ridge as the location for the solar tracker.  This is a great change of events as we had thought it was not going to work and the tracker (which is huge) would have to be placed behind the main cabin.  Arriving on the job today, my goal was to come to agreement on the placement of the tracker so it would be least visible, especially from the huge kitchen window over the sink.  As we looked there was no way to "hide" such a monstrosity.  It was painful to think such a gorgeous rustic cabin was destined to have a space-age contraption in plain site.  The numbers were crunched, options tossed around, ramifications identified, and what was left was a no-brainer...

    Put the tracker on the ridge! 

So we turned the backhoe loose and yelled,

"Dig, Billy Joe, Dig!",

sending him up above the cabin on the ridge.  It is about 350' up, but completely out of site through the woods.  The other huge bonus is that the increased range of sunlight up there makes a huge difference in energy-generating capacity.  All around, it seems to be the decision we've all been waiting to arrive at. 

Rain

Can you see the rain dripping off the rafter tails?  Mike says September and October are historically the driest months in middle Tennessee.  Not so this year.  Rain has fallen so far every day in September and has put work off for three weeks so far.  Waiting, trusting that the timing of the Lord is perfect.  Also asking for patience during the waiting.  Materials ordered and scheduled for arrival have arrived, but progress is not far enough along for them to be installed yet.  We are having to utilize off-site storage.  The hope for "Christmas in the Glen" has changed to "Easter in the Glen."

Lattice of Logs

Ben uses the chainsaw to put the perfect angle onto the end of the hewn beam before hoisting it up into the spectacular canopy of beam-work in the gathering room.

Click on the video clip to view the challenging job of putting these massively heavy beams into place.






If you look carefully, you can see a jack being used to wedge the new beam precisely into place. Each additional beam in the overhead network has to be carefully measured and notched to fit into the interlacing configuration.

Our Project Manager

I've been pondering this photo for awhile now. At the precise moment I walked up to the building site, the morning light briefly cast the shadow of a cross framed in the cook-place opening in the screened porch area. I had time to capture the image and then it was gone...if I'd arrived only moments later, I would have missed the sight. So, why am I so captivated by a shadow? As in every part of my life, I try to find deep spiritual meaning in the ordinary. I probably drive some people crazy looking for meaning behind some very mundane things. I find great joy and elements of surprise in the places I can experience the presence of God's Spirit at work teaching me and mostly communicating the depth of the Master's great love for me. So, I'll try to express why this image has kept me pondering for days...

In the image of the cross, perfectly timed for me to view upon arrival, I see the stamp of ownership placed there by the Lord. He is the true project manager of Shepherd's Glen; the overseer of the entire scope of the work. God has seen fit to provide the land, the dream, the plan, the excellent workers to each put their expertise into the interlocking pieces that will become a place designed to glorify the Master of all creation. Being frequently tempted to worry about the mounting costs of construction, I am reminded by the cross to maintain my responsibility which is to keep open hands; hands open to receiving the provision God places there momentarily before passing it onto those to whom He directs. His provision to us becomes His provision through us to others. The cross reminds me to trust and remain faithful to the One who has proven Himself more than full of faithfulness and love towards me. So I am grateful for being able to see this reminder from the Project Manager.

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless before the presence of
His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen."

Jude 24-25

Old Logs - New Friends

Gary and Lisa drove down from Ohio to deliver "skins" for the main cabin. These logs will be used on the exterior and interior with insulation between the layers. The old logs are meticulously milled to maintain the corners. It was such a joy to meet people who are now friends and an integral part of the project. Our day was spent walking through the structures, dreaming, planning, discussing, and envisioning spaces as they will one day become. David came and consulted on the windows. Connie joined us as the lighting expert, attempting to illuminate the gorgeous, but dark interior with as little wattage as possible. Ed wowed us with his solar energy expertise. Yes, you read that correctly, the energy question has been settled; we'll be solar powered! Thankfully that decision has been made and we can now move forward.

Craig and Janet dropped off the first two doors they crafted for the Writer's Cabin. They made a double dutch front door of old oak and an interior door out of reclaimed hemlock. Both are beautiful! It was a wonderfully productive day and a worthy addition to the process.




The day was made complete as Mike's crew made such a racket yelling for "all y'all come down and see"...we found they had encountered three massive, grizzly rattlers in a wood pile. Two were snuffed out, but the biggest guy slithered off to escape humans for a bit longer.
Shudder...

Hiking to the Glen

With Devin's new all terrain wheelchair, our assembled family members were able to take her on our hike to Shepherd's Glen to see what progress had been made on the cabin.





Standing in the front door of the main cabin, we were thrilled to view the gorgeous beams placed where the loft will sit above the entry. Straight ahead (where the ladder is placed) is the kitchen/dining areas. The line of sight will skim the open counter towards the stove at the far end of the kitchen. A sense of the interior spaces is beginning to be grasped.







Myron's beautiful rock work continues, wrapping around the side of the master bedroom. He is quite an artist with the stone. The roof is partially framed in over this side of the cabin.

Master Bedroom

The beams and roofing on the main cabin are being started from the master bedroom as it is the farthest from where the equipment can get to. The guys said it is quite a trick to get the amazing beams from Ohio (translate: heavy and cumbersome) into place along the pond's edge. Being challenged in my ability to visualize a drawing, the framing is helping me to get a sense of the feeling inside each room. On the far right side of the bottom photo, you'll see the door leading onto the big rock porch mentioned in an earlier post.

Red Stone

When we dismantled the cabin in Hamilton, Alabama, we were able to take the fireplace rock also. It does not match Tennessee limestone, but is still beautiful. Our decision was to put the limestone on the exterior to match the foundation rock work and then use the red stones for the interior. The scaffolding blocked the complete view, but if you look closely, the rock over the fireplace opening is one huge piece - incredible! I'll try to get a better photo when its completed.

Water's Melody

The Writer's Cabin sits on the bank above the creek. I can't wait for porch furniture so we can sit and listen to the glorious sound of the water. Just think of the inspired writing (or inspired anything, for that matter!) that will take place at that location!

Framing the Main Cabin

Wowzers! I can see the outline of each room now. The lines on the plans have come to life. Walking through all those places I have been studying on paper for over a year was awesome. I can feel the inside of the cabin now and it is even better than I've dreamed of. Hard work and commitment to excellence shows everywhere you look. The workmen are having ideas, thoughts, visions themselves as they join in the creative enterprise. Everyone is able to leave their mark and they are proud to do so.

An exciting meeting with a local alternative energy expert re-energized our hopes for hydro energy. He left with plans to crunch some numbers and see what can be produced. That energy question still looms up. Mike is using generators for the tools they need. I trust the energy solution is nearing...stay tuned.

Site Visit June 29, 2009

The Writer's Cabin has really taken shape. It is in the process of being stained/sealed on the exterior. It looks wonderful!





Myron and his crew have outdone themselves with exquisite rock work on the fireplace. We've still been able to use the rocks on site. The weather is taking its toll with heat index temps registering in the 100-110 degree range! The work day begins at 6am.



Remember the big oak tree that was damaged? When it was taken down, the entire tree was like a giant straw! Creative ideas as to how to use this unique feature run the gamut from book cases to a water trough, to an interior tree from floor to ceiling.

Daniel's Visit

Our son, Daniel was finally able to view the cabin in progress. Home for two weeks leave from his deployment in Iraq, he was amazed to see that the land has been transformed so drastically. He laughed as I enthusiastically pointed out all the rocks and timbers. Finally, he sarcastically remarked, "Gosh, Mom, I didn't know you even liked rocks?!" I have always picked up rocks that I want to keep...now there is a place to put them all. :) Daniel and Granddad are in the gathering room of the main cabin.

The eaves over the porches and around the exterior have been covered with reclaimed barn wood. I love the variations in the old wood's coloring.

Cedar shingles adorn the roof of the Writer's Cabin. It looks wonderful! Each week finds the cabin looking more habitable. Actually, Uncle Scott has already camped out in it as our first guest! That was fitting since he provided some of the red oak barn wood from his old barn.


A log sealant has been applied to the exterior. Those old logs have endured over a hundred years already and will need to be protected adequately from the elements. The depth of the old grain is beautiful and resilient-looking with the finish. Chinking will be the next step in the process.

Hollow Tree

Our beloved grand 48" diameter oak tree had an accident last week. On a calm, still night, half of it collapsed, falling away from the main cabin over the upper drive. Upon learning of this, my first response was gratitude. What a blessing that it fell when there was nothing there to be damaged; no people or structure. A friend made a keen observation: though visibly a strong, grand tree, it proved to be hollow inside which rendered it weakened. May this tree remind us of the importance of having a solid interior life; strengthened by the Lord in order to endure daily circumstances. I don't want to find myself with a hollow or shallow interior that would be subject to falling apart. Oh, the lessons God shares in His wilderness. Turning the mishap into opportunity...we will now have plenty of firewood!

Evidences of the past

Beams are going up in the Writer's Cabin. All kinds of interesting items from the past are still attached to the wood. There are rusty gate hinges & bolts, old dowels, and even...yes, that is a mouse trap nailed to the edge! I wanted them left for the authenticity they bring to the project...not to mention conversation pieces.

A concrete porch was poured yesterday for the entry on one side. While awaiting it to set up enough for the scoring saw, I entered the cabin to see the beams. Jude needed to check in with me, and the most direct path was - you guessed it! directly across the wet cement into the front door. The delightful doggie prints on the diagonal into the door were the perfect complement to the rustic design..."Leave 'em!" I said, much to the amusement of the workmen.


Gazing up towards the glorious blue sky, my niece thought we should make the roof one entire sky light. Watching the magnificent green trees swaying in the breeze, I agreed she had a great idea. The ridge beam is gorgeous! Perhaps you can tell that I am getting very excited with the way things are shaping up.

Dog Tired...

Jude and Montana love going to Shepherd's Glen. They blast out of the car and run through the woods, water, and building site the entire time we are there. Then they sleep (and usually fart) the entire way home. The dogs want you to know:

Life is good at the Glen...

Framing begins

The Writer's Cabin has a writer's room all framed in now! The bathroom is also framed in opposite this room on the back side of the cabin. I love to look out the window openings and see the view from each one. At present everything is tremendously wet, green, and sparkling with the recent rains.

Now You See 'Em...

Heavy rains brought the river up suddenly. Mike phoned to say a resident had phoned him Sunday night to say the river was up over the road by eight feet! A log jam blocked the road in. He drove up over the ridge and down the "escape route" to see that the water had risen completely over our lower meadow. Mike asked the resident about the supplies he'd placed in the meadow. "There were no supplies in the meadow!" was the reply. With trepidation, I headed up early this morning as planned - not knowing what I would find. When I asked Mike what he has put in the meadow, he replied, "A stack of plywood and....um....uh....the timbers from Ohio." The two and a half hour drive allowed me to arrive at a place of peace that whatever awaited me, I could trust in the providence of the Father. Here is where the supplies had been stacked. The water had swept everything away...


but thanks be to God!!! they had only been picked up, carried down the horse trail towards the river, and placed back down still wrapped in the plastic covering. Nothing was lost, though I did have to go through the process of relinquishing my "ownership" of it. Wow, that was quite an experience! Montana is standing guard over the piles. Good dog!

Sharing with Friends

This week's trip to the Glen was a shared trip with a good friend. Renee' accompanied me on the 2 1/2 hour drive to get a glimpse of the progress. We were thrilled to find the second half of the Writer's Cabin stacked and it looks terrific! Renee' has a cast and is presently reduced to walking with crutches. Undaunted (that may be her middle name), she made it half way up the little ramp before getting stuck. No worries...the capable crew got her the rest of the way up so she could enjoy the view and a few moments of rest in the window sill!

Lincoln Logs?

Do you remember playing with Lincoln Logs as a child? My grandparents had a set that I always made a bee-line for when I got to stay at their house. There is a photo of my as a child of about 4 with my tongue sticking out, deep in concentration, constructing with tinker toys and lincoln logs. I am still fascinated by the shapes created by stacking wood together. Now we get to abide within the creation!



Work on the massive triple-fireplace has continued this past week. Here are two of the three fireplaces that will be sharing one chimney stack. The one on the left opens into the dining area while the one on the right is in the master bedroom. The third opening on the back side, is in the screened porch. It will differ in that it is higher and has a drop-down cooking grate.