It’s Baaaaaaaaaack!
In 2014, the round tower of the Cross House was wholly encased in scaffolding. Note the all-important “cocktail shelves”. I really enjoyed all this, but when the scaffolding came down I thought: I hope I never have to do this again in my lifetime.
2024. Oopsie! Today, Godsend Eric helped me erect “mini scaffolding” so I can work on the trim around the curved window, and adjacent lap-siding. This will be vastly easier than having Old Ross climb up/down a ladder 1,000 times, and having tools and parts constantly falling off the ladder and to the ground.
This project has been nagging at me for a decade.
Y’all remember that the big curved glass was broken and needed to be replaced? But the window sill also needed to be replaced, AND the bottom rail on the sash. All were rotted, the only such instances on the whole house.
But why?
As far as I can tell, the round shape creates a kinda vortex during snow and wind and storms, this also might explain why the paint on the bottom sill failed after ten years.
Anyway, curved sashes can only be removed from the outside. This means that the outside trim on the big window needed to be removed. Which I did ages ago. I then had some Plexiglass installed in the window opening for years, friggin’ years, and tacked the trim back in place with a few screws. Even after installing a new oak sill, and a rebuilt oak sash (Thanks Dr. Doug!), and after getting a new curved glass panel (Thanks Heritage Trust Grant!), I tacked back on the vertical trim, knowing that it still needed to be properly installed. This has meant that water has been getting behind the adjacent lap-siding all this time, causing damage, and badly aging Ross. I thought I would fix this last year, but the Violation Notice on the Carriage House put paid to that dream!
Unhappy Ross.
But, in a week or so, Ross will be Happy!
Oh, and can y’all all send a hug to Godsend Eric?
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Eric, consider yourself virtually hugged 🙂
Hugs to Godsend Eric, to Dr. Doug and the people behind the Kansas Historical Society’s Heritage Trust Fund. Hugs to you too Ross: The Cross House and the Carriage House’s champion!
Hugs to Godsend Eric! The world needs a Happy Ross.
Only good vibes and energy for Godsend Eric! *Celebratory dancing*
Good for you, Eric. Attaboy!
I’m sure the combination of water and sun led to the accelerated deterioration of the paint. But you got this. Once everything is properly tightened up and sealed the paint will last longer.
Hugs to all of Ross’ helpers!