Friday, November 1, 2013

if one is good

will two be better?

Sambucus certainly thinks so.

Yo! We gonna do this thing, or what?

Yes, Bui. We are going to add a second section to the new shelter, before the paint is even dry on the original. So to speak. If there was any paint involved. Which there is not. Anyway.

It would have been easier to build a double-panel shelter in the first place, with a continuous floor. But I didn't want to risk wasting money and materials on an experimental design. If the single-panel worked well, perhaps in the Spring a larger floored shelter would be built.

I didn't expect to feel so confident about its usefulness right away. But I did. I do. Already.

So yesterday afternoon I made another set of joists and connected another arched stockpanel to the first. The only real decision was whether to tear out the first floor and replace it with 9-foot planks that would run the entire depth, or to make a second floor section that would butt against the first but not be connected to it.

This feels weird. I like the first floor better!

Seriously!  Worst.Cavalletti.Ever!!  

Can you guess which I did? Here's a hint: I hate to waste lumber and I hate to waste time pulling nails out of lumber so it can be saved for another project. Especially nails that were driven less than one week ago.

Right! Separate floor, coming up.

The only "plus" to having the two separate floors (by the way, if I have one talent it is finding the "plus") is that there are now two bungalow "modules" that can be quickly disconnected to make two single-panel shelters if needed.

It began to rain during the above pictures, so the tarp went up and the floor went down quickly. Betula helped, remaining at my elbow even as I was driving nails into the very boards beneath his feet and my knees. This was quite surprising, as goats do not enjoy loud or percussive noises. I was touched by the voluntary participation. Way to teamwork, Bet!

No picture of the end result, because by the time I had picked up tools, it was nearly dark. But when I got to the house and looked out the window, both young mamas and their girls were already settled right down in their improved shelter. Success!

~~~
Pssst!
Tired of goat bungalows and falling foliage, dear readers?
Take heart: there will be a little giveaway coming up very soon!
~~~~~

12 comments:

  1. Nice job! those goats are so cute and huggable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even more so now as they have begun growing their winter underwear!

      Delete
  2. Could NEVER get tired of those darling goats - great job! I'm SO impressed with their new digs - bet they are too! Happy weekend, Quinn - Tanya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Tanya...it's not fancy, but it's dry!

      Delete
  3. I love seeing what you and the goats are up to. So fun! They love you, that's why they don't mind the noise. :) Best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or...they like to think they are supervising my work?

      Delete
  4. Really, there's nothing much better than goat photos. Not even giveaways!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm very impressed with your industrious-ness :)

    Good job - can hear from what you write that they are very appreciative - which always makes it worthwhile. Unlike our two who refuse to go in their stable...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Still? Are alpaca generally more reluctant to shelter? There are several herds in my area, but I don't know anything about them except for how cute they are, with those moptops and huge eyes! :)

      Delete
  6. I love stories of goat bungalows! What a success! I like the idea of the modular design because of its flexibility. I knew that was the "plus" right away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a feeling you and I are both very experienced at seeking the "plus" in all situations :)

      Delete

Thank you for leaving a comment! I enjoy reading each one, and will usually reply either here or on YOUR blog!

Due to spam, Anonymous comments are blocked. I'm hoping to avoid the annoying Word Verification gizmo! If you find you cannot leave a comment, please email me so we can try to sort it out.