Roof Creation

Today the guys were starting to work in earnest on the roof above the room over the garage. It's an "interesting" roof line, to say the least. I don't think you can tell from the photo how the back is shaping up, but maybe...

I spent most of the day in Silverdale where another set of big box stores line the streets but what a fabulous view getting there. Went to Best Buy trying to figure out the TV situation. Every month it seems that a new product comes along. I'll just be happy to have a "TiVO" again. Truthfully, I've actually gotten used to watching the small amount of TV that I now watch late at night with commercials included. Will wonders never cease?

The last photo is life in a small town. When I was unloading the car, I saw two firemen apparently flushing the fire hydrant on the next corner. You can see the audience it drew although later I heard that all the fire trucks were out one block over so it was probably related to that. But I love that everyone stands in the street visiting while checking these things out. All that was missing were the deer.

Swooshes & a Dormer

Greg brought the finished roof "swooshes" today and they're now attached on the "Nancy-side" of the house. It is going to be such a wonderful look for 523, particularly over the front porch!

Then just before I left, Patrick & Mark put up half the cathedral roof sticks for the room above the garage, allowing me to see where the dormer window will overlook the water as well (well, at least a sliver of it will!).

Some days it looks like nothing happened that day (NOT the truth!) while others show great change. Today was one of those days...

Cathedral Ceiling?

I had asked about the possibility of having a cathedral ceiling in the master bedroom but Pete said (as the trusses were being delivered...) that it wasn't an option. Today, he called & asked if I wanted a cathedral ceiling in the area above the garage. I leapt at the opportunity. This area isn't going to be "finished" at this point, but will be available at a future date as a possible TV room. I saw the first beam this afternoon which is shown in the photo.

Spent quite a bit of time at Jeanne's, looking at more of her fabric sample books - such fun "work". Met another new P.T.er - she has just moved here from Hawaii and is so pleased. While I've been intent on finding the last fabric for the living room, today I found the fabrics for the office/second guest bedroom. As I told Jeanne, they just make me smile.

Greg left early to go cut the "swooshes" for the roofline. You may see them in tomorrow's photo...

Helping the Roof Breathe

It was CHILLY today! Those winds yesterday ushered in a mini-cold front and it was apparent, particularly when I got out without a jacket. Proved to me that my Texas blood still hasn't thickened!

Had several meetings today and finally got over to 523 this afternoon. While from the street it doesn't look that different, the guys have been working on the method that will allow the roof system to breathe when completed. I've attached a photo to show it to you. Greg has been working on the prototype for the "swoosh" on the "Nancy side" of the roof. I always wondered how those little "flips" at the end of the roof edge were created. I had thought they probably soaked the lumber then gently bent it. Heavens no! They determine the desired arc and then cut it with a power saw. Now, I don't know how they did it in early centuries, but that's how they do it now.

When I stopped by Aldrich's tonight, that little scamp wasn't there. He's apparently well known around town as several people knew exactly which dog I was describing. Who knows what I'll find there tomorrow?

Blustery Day

?

Well, the NOAA website was finally fairly accurate after being "off kelter" for awhile. It was WINDY today - actually, right now across the ferry route at Whidbey Island's Naval Station it's still blowing at 46 MPH. I'm adding a photo of the bay with its whitecaps - I don't know if the ferry ever left the dock today - it was so choppy & it's such a small ferry (hurry replacement ferry Chetzemoka!) - but it's not sailing right now.

I stopped back by 523 too late for a photo of what actually happened today since the gate was closed. The guys worked on the "bird holes" which help vent the roofing system - while the mesh keeps the birds outside. Maybe tomorrow they'll be featured.

The other photo is what I encountered going into Aldrich's today. Isn't he/she simply the cutest? Well, short of Bear, of course! That "eye swoop" is a first, but not surprising in this wind. I'm always shocked that any dog will sit patiently waiting for their person. This dog waited at least 10 minutes that I'm aware of - who knows how much longer he/she had been there before I arrived. This pooch certainly was raking in the attention from everyone going through the door. People in PT love dogs, whether they're their own or not. Just thought you'd enjoy seeing one of the many darling PT pooches!

A Bit Quieter, But Still Busy

I almost forgot to post - I've been catching up on the things I usually do on weekends that didn't get done and lost track of time.

Today started early for me in view of how late I was up last night. Last October, I purchased tickets to a series here for the National Theatre of London. I had mentioned it last night & Nancy Anne (Nancy's cousin in from D.C. for the weekend) said she might like to go as well. I had forgotten that I had purchased two tickets so away we went back to the Rose this morning to see "The Habit of Art". The National Theatre records their plays in HD about a week before showing them in Port Townsend at the Rose. I wondered why the big gap - I knew there would be some due to the time zone difference, but today it was explained for me. While the play itself is in real time (much like "24" without the advertisements), they do have some extras that the real audience (yes, we even got to see them & they waved at us) does not see. The real director was interviewed on screen outside the theatre near the Thames and they also gave us historical background about the characters in the play - WH Auden & Benjamin Britten - who were quite successful in creating operas together for many years until one failed miserably, which destroyed their working & personal relationships. We also saw the actors during intermission & what they were doing with their down time. QUITE interesting & the play was very good as well. The Rose also simulcasts the NYC Metropolitan Opera live in HD with repeat recorded performances later to allow everyone who's interested to attend, as one performance can't accommodate everyone.

After the play, I went to see one of PT's newest hotels. "Boutique hotel" must have been created for this one. The Clam Cannery was just what the name implies - a clam cannery in the late 1800's. The new owner remodeled it for condominium sales - unfortunately at a very bad time, as we all know. So he's turned it into a small hotel. It sits out over the water which gives you an incredible view of the bay and the finish-out is top of the line - glass door Sub Zero refrigerators, copper vent hoods in some, huge flat screen TVs, granite bathrooms, etc. I was quite impressed by what I saw.

From downtown, I headed next door to 523 for a birthday celebration for Nancy Anne at Nancy & Carl's. There were about 18 of us - I got to meet many of the people Nancy's been telling me about over the last couple of months. Even though it was raining, Carl went outside & grilled hamburgers without any grumbling whatsoever. Actually, he was quite cheerful about it! We had a great time & I know everyone thoroughly enjoyed all the food - the table truly was groaning. I may have been replaced as "the" baked-bean chef by Nancy! Travis also entertained us with some of his short action movies he's been filming as well.

It's been raining most of the day which I've enjoyed - as with all parts of the country, we need all the rain we can get when we can get it. The dry season will be here soon enough.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend as well!

WHEW!

Better get a coffee, drink or a cigarette - this is going to be a long one!

Started the day with a visit to the PT Farmers' Market. This was the first day of its season and it was ASTOUNDING! PT has two farmers' markets - one on Saturday (the larger one) and one on Wednesday. It has been said that it is the most successful farmers' market - per capita - in the U.S. I got there when it was fairly well underway and checked out all the booths. I was a bit frustrated because due to VERY limited refrigeration/storage at my rental, I really can't buy yet. The KALE was gorgeous - see the photo! They have organic meats, cheeses, veggies, breads as well as plants, ceramics, soaps, flowers (see photo!), a woman actually spinning yarn at a spinning wheel, live rotating entertainment and as many happy people as I've ever seen. The market is only one block from 523 - basically out the doorway and around the corner. In a couple of months, watch out! I can't wait!

You can tell that this is the start of the "season" here - everyone was out with their pooches visiting and smiling. This is a true community. As I rounded the first "lap", I ran into Tamara (my architect), Joe & Ciara enjoying their outing there as well. Then I ran into Maddie & Sky, some of my new next-door neighbors. You will see their photo trying out the wooden furniture for sale at the market. Later I ran into their parents & their sister, Jasmine as well. My yummy purchase today (and it will be EVERY Saturday until they close for the season!) was the Cape Cleare freshly grilled salmon sandwich - warm grilled garlic ciabatta, field greens, homemade tartar sauce & Cape Cleare's FABULOUS salmon. Another version adds a grilled egg - it seemed to be the hands down favorite of the long line that was always in front of their booth. Cape Cleare is a wonderful community member - donating a huge whole fresh salmon to the Co-op for weekly raffles. You see them frequently in the neighborhood on bicycle making deliveries.

From the market, I went to run a few errands for the house then stopped by downtown where the end of the boat parade was just occurring (see photos). Today was the beginning of boating season & they had a long parade in the harbor. LOTS of boating enthusiasts out today, including a couple in period costume. PT has an active historical society & they're great about attending events in costume. Lots of skullers out with huge grins on their faces in spite of being a bit pooped I imagine. The Northwest Maritime Center, a $12.8 million achievement for this small town, just officially fully opened about a month ago. People were enjoying its location & vantage point for the boat parade as well as the sunshine.

I walked through downtown and again think I've seen a glimpse of what PT will be like this summer - except in a small dose today. LOTS of people from in AND out of town, based on the license tags I saw. There was a small cruise ship docked at the end of one of the piers. I spoke to some of the crew & they said they stopped in PT twice in the spring and that it was always a huge hit with the passengers (and teh crew apparently from their glowing talk about it). They sail of out Seattle and have excursions to British Columbia as well as Alaska. Took a brochure...

Spent some time at Jeanne's looking for the elusive fabric for the new furniture I have to order. Always enjoy that because I meet so many new people while there. Jeanne's is a hub in Uptown - it's simply a magnet for the locals. Even met a couple last night who were also building in Uptown - they bought the lots that I tried to buy before 523. We laughed when they told me they were glad I wasn't successful in purchasing them. I'm glad too - the view there is spectacular, but it's not the neighborhood that 523 has and my view isn't too shabby either! They're lovely lots overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and I know they'll be happy there. They moved here from San Francisco, having first visited PT when their son lived here a couple of years ago. They knew immediately they wanted to live here and are now doing it.

This evening, I went to the monthly Gallery Walk with Nancy, Carl, Nancy's cousin Nancy Anne who is in from Washington D.C., Travis (their son) and Jasmine. Lots of people were out and there was an abundance of live music on the sidewalks as well. From there, we "oldsters" went to a movie at the Rose Theater - Ajami, which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Quite confusing method of telling the story, but it kept your attention in spite of being utterly deflating.

And I never had time to attend the last School of Athens lecture of the season today. The School of Athens is a philosophy lecture series here in town. Today's speaker, Elaine Pagels, is a professor of religion at Princeton and the holder of MacArthur, Guggenheim, and Rockefeller Fellowships. As an author, she has won the National Book Award.

Why am telling you all this today? I guess because I continue to be amazed at the level of activities that PT has for its small community and visitors. And I've been told that this is only the beginning...