Chasing Ideals

Well that balance of which I spoke was certainly accomplished. In a way that only a two legged hokey pokey performing badger could appreciate. That means it is time of course for some major summing up since a few pages of description is probably more than even the long winded reader would wish to tackle. Recent news as of Saturday afternoon is that all walls are up and the mammoth project guest house is one giant leap toward winter proofing. Our patented South Seas style compost, sand, and straw roof has been laid upon its blessed perch to provide future generations with its pungent yet fruitful outpouring of mossy growth. The day looms ever closer when our stubbornly driven kielbasa swillin' team shall utter the words, "Ahh, chuck it in til' spring", and great rejoicing shall spread across the land. As it stands today when the first buds spring forth next year and the results of rampant animal fornication are birthed we shall have only floors and trimmings left to tackle. Yesterday our first real snowfall came and today the lansdcape has shrugged its autumn colors for the bright whites of winter. I should not speak too soon however in thinking that that means the hibernation of our crew. Once a project such as this is begun it is very difficult to pack it in for a few no matter how oft dreams of life altering snowball fights and the construction of snow forts dance betwixt the ears. We shall see what the real "el jefe" Pan Wiesiek has to say on the subject in the next days and weeks. He's an Egyptian taskmaster if ever there was, that fellow.

A few words on the building you say. Well our South Seas roof was a sweet blend of sand, local straw, the smelliest compost this side of any major landfill, and a few cow pat sized moss growths to top it off like cherries. Without necessary window frames our much aforementioned Pan Gonska stayed at home and that left me and Wiesiek with the growing roof task. On Lovable Quirks today you'll be able to see how the work was accomplished. I down low pulling bucket after bucket of materials up by an expertly and soundly (yeah right) made pulley system. The real story tells of pulley that at one point nearly came down atop this head and a rope for pulling that made skin on the palm of the hand an unecessary luxury. Wiesiek atop the roof then hurled the contents of each bucket down the steep roof planes in hope that some of the contents might latch on with good will. Especially on the uphill facing side of the house the good will was minimal and much of what was hurled made attractive mounds on the ground about the house. There was much laughter and joy in the process it must be said especially at the witnessing of my graceful attempts to pull increasingly waited buckets up to the roof. The yelps of agony as palm skin dislodged, the times when I was down to nearly laying position to gain the strength to pull the rope further inches, and the attempted walking away from the pulley with rope in hand to pull up only to nearly be pulled off my feet backwards. Needless to say these and others provided howls of laughter from twinkle toes who had perfected his shuffle about the roof. I am very pleased to say in light of this that for the most part this project has been one to create joy and plenty of laughter among the participants.

The other big one for lack of suggesting adjective was the completion last Saturday of the final outer wall. Pan Gonska and myself spent the week building both upstairs walls as soon as our window frames were complete. During the four working days of that week I think my Polish made leaps and bounds and my knowledge of carpentry in turn. Those out there desiring the mastering of second language should consider this method, a week no less of staring at large planks of wood with someone of the trade and having copious order barked your way. Before you know it you'll be ready for a physiological and ethical lecture in your new tongue. It was one of the most enjoyable weeks for me as with future thinking in mind I am eager to learn any and all and love to mix laughter with hard work as it maintains and attitude and spirit that makes the work fly. Much hard work in my younger days have lead to my ability not only to predict extremely well what tools and help Pan Gonska will need, making me an apprentice that has proved his worth, but as well it is no issue for me to give my best over a full day and see the results in short time periods. For the sake of learning and of laughter this was a week I shall not forget and which I am grateful for.

What else you might wonder, what other sordid activity has filled thy days? Here is a short yet long winded run down. The production of 30 litres of finest sour cabbage, saurkraut or whatever you wish to call it that is only yet beginning to have supremely melded flavors and goodness for intestines everywhere; our fourth attempt at homemade beer which looks marvelous after the initial yellow soup of nastiness, -5% alcohol second attempt, tasty yet needing improvement third to our latest recipe which includes of course the necessary barley, hops, and sugar but has added caramel, sour fruit, and clove accessories; the making of a variety of chutneys cold and hot to add savory goodness to all sorts of sambos and the like, most notably ones of pineapple and chutney variants; and the further development of my bread expertise, recently creating many sour dough and grape juice bread starters as keen alternatives to the usual yeast types. That gives a taste of it anyway though not quite the same as being here for the real thing. Despite the claims it should be mentioned that the grape juice bread starter produced a bread that would take the teeth from a tiger. It was far too moist after baking so we made something akin to crackers from it and worked our jaws to the bone to consume it. The chewing lasted hours and the agony of the jam much further. No doubt healthy for the gums and such but nevertheless a tad brutal in the experience.

Alright, the snow and the kiddies beckon and I shall answer. I must write more later in the week but for today take a look at the pictures.