With the solar system on the roof we need to get up there from time to time.

Sunsetting 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit kicked this daunting project off the “future” list. Every step was new: (1) structural blocking in attic, (2) mount rooftop support rails through roof membrane to structural blocking, (3) lift twenty-four fragile 4’x6’ photovoltaic panels weighing 50 lbs. to roof 45’ above the ground CLICK ON THE VIDEO, (4) install panels to rails, (5) connect three electrical arrays to the combiner and main panel in the basement, (6) commissioning and interconnection with BGE power grid —the hardest part, grrr. Once completed kWh used for first full month of operation = 0. Oh, yeah.

lift panel video 45 sec.

Everyone needs love, even doors. These were way overdue for some attention. Two months of stripping, scraping, filling, sanding, priming, painting, oiling, polishing, and varnishing should hold them for a few years.

Motivated by desire for natural light and better connection to the back garden, replacing an old solid panel door with a new full lite door turned out to be pandora’s box. Adjacent deficiencies became more apparent. A new landing, new stair and railings (all scrap material except new treads) made the other stair look bad. Remi agreed. Treads too short, risers too tall. Demo revealed a dire need for brick repointing and floor leveling before getting to the second stair and railings. Overall, a big improvement for the basement and satisfying reuse of available materials.

My friend Bonnie Jo moved to Paris. I got a funky beautiful 1950’s Singer sewing machine and the table. Early attempts at veneer repair failed; stain ruined by sanding, staining in place no better, nearly perfect sand-and-stain marred by finger-jointed veneer tape invisible until stained, wrong color veneer, etc. Finally got it right with cherry veneer purchased for the job. Leftover black walnut veneer made a nice little caster table with rotating top.

Bonnie Jo’s pre-move purge included a walnut slab; perfect for an outdoor bench.

FYI, FLX is Finger LakeX. Easy drive from Baltimore through Pennsylvania and western New York State, avoiding 95, Del Mem Br, Geo Wash Bridge, etc. Hallelujah exhale starts in your own garage, no need to white knuckle the drive until arrival. When hosts invite you to a gorgeous spot with great cycling, clear water, ancient whiskey and the local Pageant of Steam, the least you can do is help document their plans for future improvements. Thank you for a really nice weekend.