27 July 2019

Out early to remove the temporary (since last November) covering over the cupola base (the hole and associated structure at the top of the barn roof where the cupola is to rest).  Also swept copious slippery pine needles off the metal roof.  At 9, Mike & Pikey Many, Steve Ingram and his good friend Hank Prensky, and Jordan Ahnquist (Kate’s boyfriend) all arrived.  In very short order we hoisted the cupola (using the Kubota’s forklift) to the top of the staging, and then lifted and slid it (manually) from there to the top of the barn.  Easily done with enough beef!  The cupola fit over the base absolutely perfectly… almost like it had been designed that way!  Even better, only two of the eight tie-down bolts needed any “encouragement” to slide into position.  Once the staging was down and everyone else was gone, I installed the flying pig weather vane on the cupola peak.  Then, at exactly 12:58:48 pm, when the sun’s azimuth was 180° true (i.e., due south), I aligned and locked into position the weather vane’s directional indicators.  In the afternoon, with some help from Chree, I cut 45° bevels in the ends of the 1x4 Koma^® trim that will be installed on Monday… the penultimate step to finishing the barn. Marty, Merry, their daughter Heather, her daughter Gabby, Kate, and Jordan came up for drinks and shrimp on the barbie… plus some chicken wings, and dogs, and…  Don’t think anyone wanted dinner after those “appetizers”.