14 August 2018

Shlomo and I went to Goodro’s to get fender washers for the bolts that will hold the cupola onto the barn roof.  Being old, when I got there I knew there was something I needed but couldn’t remember what.  So bought some other stuff instead.  Sean was there and I had the checkbook, so settled accounts with Goose Creek.  Sean also reminded me that I needed drip edge for over the barn windows and doors, so bought some of that, too.  Went into Middlebury from Goodro’s to buy mower gas, and finally remembered that I needed fender washers.  Duh!  So back to Goodro’s I went, where, obviously taking pity on my impaired mental faculties, they seemed happy to sell me some washers.  Finished the lower half of the cupola.  Remembered to put the ¼″ x 7″ galvanized bolts through the bottom plate before I put the top plates on.  Since the distance between the top and bottom plates is only 4½″, would have been kinda hard to put those eight bolts in after the top plate was on.  Used 8¾″ steel straps to tie the top plates to the bottom plate.  Even if a small nuclear device somehow blows the roof off the barn, the cupola will still be attached and intact.  What, me over-engineer a structure?