Re: Circa 1884 McCuiston House
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:08 pm
It happened a few weeks late, but I finally got those bookcases moved upstairs earlier today.
The delay was due to an unexpected tragedy that took me to Tennessee. I am sure many of you have seen the news stories about the Gatlinburg Fires. A dear friend was tragically killed while trying to escape the flames with his little toy poodle. Somehow the dog survived--I can't help but wonder if when he saw he wouldn't make it out if he protected that little dog with his body... we will never know. He had lived a rich, full life and was loved by many, many people. He was quite the local celebrity due to having started the first wedding chapels there in Gatlinburg, for his classic Cadillac he drove, and for his bright personality. I and some friends went to Gatlinburg this past May and visited with him. Strangely enough, when we all parted ways, one of my friends said he had an overwhelming feeling he would never see him again. Thankfully, we know where he is--he was ready to go whenever the time came.
He never failed to ask me for updates on my old farmhouse and he said if he ever made it to my area he was coming by for a visit and I better have a pitcher of tea waiting on the porch. As soon as warm weather is back, I plan to have that pitcher of tea with our friends in his memory.
Anyways... Project update.
An assortment of friends left work and joined me at my house at lunchtime with a plan to get those bookcases upstairs. It took one old school bus (I thought to help prop the ladder, but thank God it was only to haul the large ladder... lol), a big aluminum ladder, 30' of rope, a lot of prayers, and some elbow grease, but it happened!
Figuring out the method...
...putting the plan into action...
...and done.
Now it's time to determine if it's shellac or lacquer finish on these things, freshen up the finish, put the doors and drawers back, and add the books.
The delay was due to an unexpected tragedy that took me to Tennessee. I am sure many of you have seen the news stories about the Gatlinburg Fires. A dear friend was tragically killed while trying to escape the flames with his little toy poodle. Somehow the dog survived--I can't help but wonder if when he saw he wouldn't make it out if he protected that little dog with his body... we will never know. He had lived a rich, full life and was loved by many, many people. He was quite the local celebrity due to having started the first wedding chapels there in Gatlinburg, for his classic Cadillac he drove, and for his bright personality. I and some friends went to Gatlinburg this past May and visited with him. Strangely enough, when we all parted ways, one of my friends said he had an overwhelming feeling he would never see him again. Thankfully, we know where he is--he was ready to go whenever the time came.
He never failed to ask me for updates on my old farmhouse and he said if he ever made it to my area he was coming by for a visit and I better have a pitcher of tea waiting on the porch. As soon as warm weather is back, I plan to have that pitcher of tea with our friends in his memory.
Anyways... Project update.
An assortment of friends left work and joined me at my house at lunchtime with a plan to get those bookcases upstairs. It took one old school bus (I thought to help prop the ladder, but thank God it was only to haul the large ladder... lol), a big aluminum ladder, 30' of rope, a lot of prayers, and some elbow grease, but it happened!
Figuring out the method...
...putting the plan into action...
...and done.
Now it's time to determine if it's shellac or lacquer finish on these things, freshen up the finish, put the doors and drawers back, and add the books.