Yup, we're going to figure out how to cut the top off later. Any suggestions? (Not the kind that says I would have done it this way instead, please...)
I've built quite a few walls in the time span since I last wrote, and seen even more than I prepared for. Most of this activity has not been with the tiny house, sad to report, but somehow still factors in - to my consciousness, anyway.
For a few weeks after the framing was finished I worked alone. Already in the process of sheathing, I found that dragging 4x8 sheets of 1/2" plywood, hoisting them in place, and nailing them to the studs was not something I preferred to do alone. Nah. Let's accept help on this one. It's too bad the process is so linear, that instead during that time alone I could, say, start the electrical work or the plumbing, or the cabinetry or the stairs. But this house needs to be closed up before winter, and it's slow going. So how do I chose to respond to that time-sensitive issue? By avoiding it completely and building the duck a house, of course! For two + weekends a habitable space for this special duck took shape, and now sits - finished- in the shadow of the slowly evolving tiny house. Which, I must add, has progressed with the particular help of my dad and Navy man Rhett, to my great appreciation.
As my good friend Alyssa commented, the duck's living quarters spatially rivals some apartments she's lived in. me too, for that matter. Luxurious duck.
S/he seems to like it! And she has a spirit bird planter sitting outside to protect her. Also note the ADA compliant ramp
After that was finished, I boarded a plane for Israel. It was meant to be a vacation, but really was more of a life-lesson that I'm going to be sorting through for some time. Building all these walls - for the tiny house, for the duck, allowed me to pay particular attention to the numerous walls constructed throughout the ages in Jerusalem. What's particularly notable about those walls is that they still remain, unlike most ancient and medieval city walls, and even more remarkable, that they are currently being added to! Even tonight the news told me that Israel is building ANOTHER wall in East Jerusalem to deal with the recent attacks. Walls carry a heavy burden! Yet, I actively build walls - to divide myself from the outdoors, from the rain and the cold, to give privacy and safety, to define space. So when is it that walls become detrimental to humanity?
The answer in that country is very difficult to ascertain. But one thing is certain - ideology is fighting hard to replace humanity. Every person is a PERSON, just like me, just like you. Every, every, person.
