Wet in a strange way.

July 6, 2007 (5:29am)
53º F, Clear, Calm wind.

Good morning,

Another beautiful day a-coming I think. Supposed to be close to 80º F and higher tomorrow. Yesterday was really strange weather. During the afternoon, we heard some pretty heavy thunder, but it was bright sunshine. Looking at the sky, I could see some very ominous black clouds to the east of us, apparently the source of the thunder. An hour or two later it started to rain huge drops and we still had sunshine. The sun changed to dark clouds very quickly and the rain continued for some time. It was a strange rain though as the drops were large and "spaced" fairly far apart. Not like a normal rain. Looking at the ground as they fell, it looked like they were spaced 3-4" apart and didn’t really settle the dust much. After it rained for a time, the surface of the ground did get wet, but really took some time. Strange.

I started to hang the storm door after getting some brick moulding. I started to trim away some of the unnecessary wood around the door to set the moulding. I decided to use my RotoZip to accomplish the task. At first I was trying to figure out how to do it, forgetting I had the RotoZip. Needed to cut through a piece of " OSB and rabbet a piece of 2"x4" on one side of the door and just a 2"x4" on the other side. First I had to get all of the nails out of the way. I have a couple dozen bits for the RotoZip, but could not find any of them. There was one in it, but that really was designed for drywall, the last use I had. Used it anyway, but after about a 2' cut, broke it. By then it was late enough in the afternoon to call it a day for that project. Will have to get more bits today.

In the process, I did find real lumberyard. Haven’t been to one like this since the Fullerton Lumber Company closed in Waupaca, probably 25-30 years ago. All kinds of real personal help. One guy went out in the yard, cut what I needed, and brought it in. While he did that, I got some casing nails. Their fasteners are sold from bulk containers (cardboard boxes rather than wooden barrels as in years past), take what you need, weigh them up, and pay for them. Prices are higher than 25-30 years ago though. Of course while there, Margriet found several things she liked and hoped we will get them someday in our house. Have to save our pennies for them, or I will build them.

The hardware store in Crystal Falls is also a rather complete one, but much smaller than the Ace Hardware in Iron River. Both are very friendly and have a Mom and Pop feel to them. The one in Crystal Falls is run by what looks like a man/wife team and they do it well. Looks like for many years too. I think they had a lumber yard connected to it in years past, but that part is now closed up. Both the hardware store and the lumber yard have pretty good sized wood fired furnaces in their show rooms. That also happens in some other stores around here. Suspect in years past it would have been a big old pot-bellied or round oak stove instead. Cool! We will see how warm it is in the winter.

I do have to take some time and get my shop taken apart and reassembled in a useable way. It is difficult to find what I need from all of the boxes and not having an organization of some kind. Also have to get the wood closed in and new doors on the present shop. These doors are too big an clumsy to use well. They sure won’t trap enough heat either. There sure is no want for things to do around here. Only ambition and hours are in short supply here.

It appears we actually will be able to go to church here on Sunday this week. Didn’t want to go here when we didn’t have a shower. Not sure which one yet. It will be nice to do and find some new folks to chat with. Really seems strange not to go on Sunday when we are here.

Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris ><>