Building Gypsy Rose

The ridge beam looked like it was carrying the truck, rather than the other way around. Once it was cut to length, I put it back on the rack and used the truck bed to gain a bit more height while Marion and I put the beam in place this morning.

Once the ridge was in place, I began the balancing act on the side walls. [An admonishment echoes from below: "We need you here in the rafters not in the hereafter!] Working alone has its scary parts. Today, there was the worry that I could fall from the roof and no one would know. Marion asked that I call her occasionally at work to put her mind at ease.

At midday, a retired builder from down the road stopped by out of curiosity. He commented, "You're really over-building this thing, aren't you?"

Perhaps, but remember, it's got to withstand hurricane force winds while going down the highway! I'll accept the extra weight to know that Gypsy Rose will hold together.

By the end of the afternoon, the rafters were in place and I hadn't taken a fall. Note that the cedar posts that support the loft above the porch went in today as well. Gypsy Rose is starting to take her final shape.