CH: Day 110
In 2019 I had cataract surgery on my left eye.
Yesterday I had cataract surgery on my right eye.
Getting old is weird.
I was told: “Make sure you do nothing which creates dust for the next two weeks.”
Well, there went my plans for today. And today was a day I had been waiting for: the temperature plummeted to 60-degrees. Why was this important? Imagine, if you will, how much happier Ross would be in a Tyvek suit…with a chill in the air…getting the final paint off the west siding with my infrared stripper, and then doing a light sanding.
Ross is much happier not melting.
Sooooooooooo close to the final painting.
But, my plans were dashed upon the rocks of well fuck that.
What to do? What to do?
One thing was to resume work restoring the sash for the big window under the turret. How fabulous would it be to have that back in place, and the restored diamond-paned leaded glass transom sash? It would be fabulous!
Thus, with paint stripper in hand, I ventured into the cavernous basement of the Cross House. Glopping stripper on the sash took little time so I returned to the outside.
What to do? What to do?
There was, of course, a great deal to do but what would be dust-free?
Oh! I know! I know!
The east facade of the living room. This is part of the violation notice.
And…drum roll, please…now. Baby steps, baby.
The chimney is kinda cool and I like the two angled stone blocks. Although, until today, I never noticed them. The adjacent downspout I installed a few ago distracts from the chimney so…obviously…it has to go. My thought was to have the gutter on the left connect with the right gutter so only one downspout will be needed.
Save for restoring the large sash, my new plan-of-action is to go ahead and install (shudder) vinyl siding on the remaining east living room facade, and (shudder) north kitchen facade.
No dust. Easy.
Ross, and his right eye, will be happy.
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I can’t speak to the old age bit yet, but life in general is definitely weird.
I pose an interesting question for you tonight:
While looking at the last image of this most recent post, I suddenly noticed (seemingly for the first time), just how *prominent* the soffit of the carriage house is.
Although restoring the second floor exterior is quite a ways away at this point, have there been any thoughts on what color the soffit may eventually be painted?
It struck me that the darker Olive trim color might be the “safer” option, but before that was even a consideration, I thought: how fun (and bold!) would it be to do coral there?
-golden olive lap siding
-green “crown” transition trim
-golden olive shingles
-green (I can’t tell if it’s chunky inside corner molding or another run of smaller crown) that transitions between the shingles and soffit
-coral soffit
-green guttering?
Each of the dormers has some soffit as well.
A dangerous rabbit hole indeed…
Even if you are doing dustless vinyl installation would it be safe to wear an eyepatch, just in case? Or are you not supposed to because of the surgery. Have no idea having never had it but when it comes to eyes, I like to be overly cautious and protective.
The siding looks great and you are making fabulous progress. The east side and the kitchen will keep you plenty busy baby stepping until you are healed enough to go back to the west. And hopefully by then you will have a stripped, primed and painted window to install. Maybe even get the transom out of hock.
My husband had the “old fashioned” cataract surgery in 2022 that uses stitches…..not laser…and he was told not to lift for one week post op. And of course, that intensive, different eye drop, daily regime for at least the week following surgery. Every case is kind of the same yet different. Depending on the process and surgeon.
Take it easy, Ross. Those eyes need to last you a life time. However, both my mom and my husband no longer need glasses or “cheaters” anymore!!! Win, win!
No matter what, always keep the eyes protected. 💜 It’s simple health sense.
There are numerous things about the carriage house I adore. However, there is one which I do not envy you: all those freakin’ dormers! The guttering alone would drive me crazy(er). I guess that’s what happens when the top of one building, is plopped on top of another. You are certainly making the improvements that make it all work, Ross. 🌻