Need To Ramp It Up

September 24, 2024

In order to pour concrete around the compass rose in the gazebo extension, I found it necessary to build a ramp over the steps to get the wheelbarrow up there. Just an old 4 x 10 beam that is pretty rotten and has a huge crack, and a 2 x 8 plank.

Using the mixer, I mixed up a couple of batches to pour one of the four sections surrounding the compass rose. I put no coloring agent into these batches so the compass rose should stand out!

Using the new screws, I began fastening the boards to the roof on the extension. This is a tedious process as I am putting in two screws in each board where it crosses each ceiling joist. Unfortunately, the battery in my drill ran out of power, so I will need to charge it before finishing.

TTFN

Just a Little Trim

September 23, 2024

Adding a bit of red color to the concrete will make the center of the compas rose stand out

The weeds and grass was getting too tall at the Ahi driveway, so I took the weed eater and trimmed up around the driveway.

While I was at it, I cut down the grass and weeds along the side as well

Back in the back of the lot near the pile of old branches that someone had piled there in years past, I have found some guava trees.

TTFN

Rule the Roost

September 22, 2024

The red headed cardinals are becoming a regular visitor to my feeder.

Sometimes they come in pairs, and sometimes they come one at a time.

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Inevitably, they are followed by the larger Northern Red Cardinal who prefers to chase all the other birds away and tries to rule the roost, so to speak!

After grouting the columns yesterday, I removed the forms.

I also put some small blocks between the four compass points in the gazebo to form the center of the compass rose.

TTFN

All For The Birds

September 21, 2024

First, there was one.

But it didn’t take long until there were at least five birds partaking of the offerings in the bird feeder.

The Hawaiian Honeycreepers seem to have taken over by sheer numbers. They even tend to hold their own with the larger Northern Red Cardinal . . . as long as there are two or three of them. Unlike the Red Heared Cardinals who typically come alone or in pairs, the homeycreepers tend to travel in a group of four or six!

I pried the 3/4 inch thick blocks out of the spaces between the block in the column I poured yesterday, and set up forms for more. I cut the rectangular wooden pieces to fit into the opening, and then place the longer 1″ board over them and would them together with a screw or two straight in.

Then, using my strap ties, I bind them all together into one bundle. I tighten the bands by adding additional pieces of wood like wedges to stretch the bands tight, and hold the 3/4″ blocks of wood in place. Otherwise, the pressure of the concrete would push them out of the recess in the column.

TTFN

Four Points of the Compass

September 20, 2024

I poured the four points of the compass rose this morning. Using some liquid concrete coloring agent, I made the North and South points red, and the East and West points black. Actually, the North and South points are a bronze color. I had some of the bronze powdered coloring agent that I used in the main areas of the original gazebo surrounding the islands.

The East/West compass points did not require as much concrete as I mixed, so rather than throw it away. I used it as grout in one of the columns of the house.

Using the excess concrete from pouring the compass rose, I grouted one of the columns for the house. The black color will contrast with the gray color of the block, should I choose not to paint the columns.

After I washed out the mixer and finished the surface of the compass points, I removed part of the forms from the column.

When I set the forms on the column, I cut 3/4 inch thick boards to fit inside the rectangles between the block. Tomorrow, I will pry out these small blocks of wood, leaving the grout recessed into the column, giving it another dimension.

TTFN

A Roof Over My Head

September 19, 2024

After considering different patterns, I settled on a compass rose in the floor of the extension to the gazebo. I started with the square in the center, and built forms in the directions of the four points of the compass, with the longest one pointing North,

Then I finished installing the roof deck boards that I had painted. I had just enough screws to tack them in place. In the next day or two, the screws I ordered should get here to the post office. Then I can permanently screw them to the ceiling joist/rafters.

TTFN

A Chip off the Old Block

September 18, 2024

I had gathered another pile of branches at the chipper, and decided that today would be a good day to start up the chipper and run them through.

So, that is what I did!

The pile of chipped material is much smaller than the original pile, and I think that if I had a more efficient chipper, one with sharper blades, or a different design, maybe the chipped pieces would be even much smaller

. Then I realize that in a month or two, it will not really matter, as nature will do the rest!

Afterwards, it was time to go see what the ocean was doing down at Honuapo.

Once again, in spite of the ocean being relatively calm, there was still some serious action as the waves meet the lava shelf.

There were a few large splashes at the point near the wading pools.

I was even able to capture a good picture of just how the swimming pool keeps getting refilled. I really do not know where the water goes from the pool, but it must seep through the lava back into the ocean somehow, as the level in the swimming pool does fluxtuate! It is kind of a natural filter system!

TTFN

Taking Shape

September 16, 2024

The deck boards are layed out in various places and painted. It will definitely be easier to paint these before they are installed.

While the deck boards are drying, I installed the rafters/ceiling joist. I have not many long screws left so I ordered more online. They were half the price of what the local hardware charges, And I’ll get them in two days! That really surprises me that they will get here that quick!

It is shaping up as a structure.

TTFN