Front porch railings, steps, trim

A good deal has been accomplished this week on the front porch, as the picture below shows.

Steps have been added on the east or garage end, as well railings with round black aluminum balusters. On the right side of the picture, one of the painters is looking down on the beginnings of the center steps.

The workes have gotten as far as putting up the stringers, and the treads, risers, and side railings will soon be added. In the next picture you can also see that the posts have been encased and capitals installed above.

The final shot of the front porch below was taken from inside the dining room, looking toward the garage. If experience with the previous house is any guide, most people will come up the steps at this end of the porch and knock on the kitchen door, but the front steps will be available for strangers and formal occasions.

On the opposite, sunny side of the house, decking is still being applied to the framework around the master bath and eventually on the ramp that will descend gently to the area beween the garage and the woodshed.

That ramp will be used to roll loads of firewood up to the living room door and inside to the stove, but it will also be available for guests who have to be rolled into the house, as occasionally happens.

Finally, I want to leave you with the interesting image I spotted through our decorative glass entry door. It comes across as something like an abstract painting, but somehow it loses some of its interest when you know that the blue in the center of the window comes from a port-a-potty parked in the front yard. It means, however, that the window might also add interest - or at least amusement - to visitors who stand before that door.

More work still awaits inside our new house, and the painters, who have just about finished the inside, will start soon painting the outside. We expect our tile people to apply grout next week, and our electrical and plumbing folk should get going soon on installing their various items. Appliances are due to arrive by the end of the week, and the kitchen cabinets should be installed early in October. Sometimes I can't believe it's happening so fast; other times I wonder why it isn't happening faster. One thing is for sure: it won't be finished too soon.

I'll be back in another seven days or so. Until then . . .  --oc