The valley floor is finally beginning to turn green. Here's panoramic view taken from the top of the hill just above the house. It's not the highest spot on the ranch, but it offers the best view of Squaw Butte and the Ola Valley.
Remember to click on the pictures for a larger view.
Susan and I began applying the primer coat to the ceilings and walls. I am using a Magnum sprayer that I have had for many years. Even with a cotton balaclava and a particulate mask, I managed to end up with a painted face. Perhaps you will be able to tell from my expression how much I was enjoying myself. That primer is especially sticky stuff, but I learned a little trick to help clean it off. After donning my protective gear, I sprayed the exposed area of my face with no-stick cooking spray. I know it sounds crazy, but it worked like a charm.
While we are concentrating on the interior, a professional painter is painting the outside. So far it is progressing smoothly and looks great.
Just to break the monotony, I decided to investigate the cause of a minor leak in the chimney flashing. After a particularly windy rainstorm, I noticed a wet spot on the attic floor. I discovered that while the storm collar on the chimney is sealed properly, the steep pitch of the roof combined with the position of the house high on the hill causes the wind to drive the rain up under the storm collar and then down the outside of the chimney pipe and into the attic. The second thing I discovered is that I had absolutely no business climbing up a 10-12 steel roof two stories above the ground. From now on I'll leave that to people younger and crazier than me.
Springtime in Ola is finally beginning to feel and look like springtime. This shot is a panoramic view of the wildflowers in our southeast pasture. The weather is warming up, but it would be nice to get some spring rain. It's been totally dry since the snow melted, and that's not good for the grass needed for grazing.
Susan and I have been busy painting the interior of the house. It has been an interesting, if not masochistic, exercise. I have seen some very interesting colors come and go. I think we finally have it the way we want it (insert prayer here).
While we were busy working on the interior, George Holomshek came back up to help us with the decks and the interior trim work. What would have taken me a week, George did in two days, and it looks perfect. The front entry deck is finished, and George is in the process of completing the side deck which connects the garage to the house. The next project will be the back deck and staircase.
