DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
So, remember this pie-shaped section of the Octagon Tower, third-floor? The shingles are in terrible condition, with many split and many punky.
But…with a coat of paint slapped on, it looks pretty good! I only prepped with some filler and caulk. I will deal with the downspout beginning tomorrow.
Sigh. This is the first time I have done sloppy work on the house. But, there is just no time to repair this small area right now as several Heritage Grant line items are pressing.
So, I have purchased myself some time. This small area is actually better. It is just not right. But I will take better for now.
I also just slapped paint on the cornice. I did zero scraping and disk sanding to make everything smooth. As such, up close one can see ancient alligatored paint. Oh, the horror.
On the bright side, the Octagon Tower is now fully painted!
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Morning Ross.
Whilst it must feel great to have the Octagon Tower finished, I sense your discomfort in doing it in a rushed way. However, your plan to return once you’ve finished the 2017 Grant items off your list is pragmatic.
In the midst of the strange times we’re living through, it must be nice to stand back and see that tower in all its’ glory after so long.
Well done!
Colin
Thank you, Colin!
I am a perfectionist like you, but have had to do less than ideal work, in my case due to pain constraints and money issues. I know how hard it is, mentally, to do this, and applaud you for making the right choice to get the grants completed in spite of the mental anguish this causes. And knowing you from your blog, I have confidence that you WILL get back up there to do it right! You have gone back and made things right in other areas, too. Know that you are loved and admired from afar.
I wish I could be there to learn and help you, Ross.
Balance is hard – sometimes I have to remind myself: good is good, done is better. I’m sure I stole that from a fortune cookie. . .
Still looks fine although I know you hate what lurks beneath. I am crossing my fat, little fingers that you post an entire view of that south side later today, and then there will be huge smiles all around the world!!
Sometimes perfection is the enemy of “done.” Perfection is coming, it just has to wait a bit. But I’m sure this will haunt you in your sleep, and some waking moments!
Press on.
It looks fine from here.
Better is better! and it will lessen any continued deterioration between now and the time you get to do it correctly.
Better isn’t perfect, but it looks pretty good from Illinois, LOL… I am curious what you will do some day when you have painted the last spot, refinished the last trim, decorated the final room…and the house is complete. What do you do for fun, when you’re not restoring old houses and old light fixtures?
As you have some other work that you know you may want to revisit later up there, this seems like a fine trade off to me.