Slight Progress on Roofing and Lighting

Today I actually got around to having a good metal roofer out to do some initial pricing on our multiple roof issues. For instance, replacing the run-in roof with something that is slightly more helpful than a sieve in a big rain fiesta. It looks like a shower in there with any quantity of precipitation. Hmmm, maybe I should just call it a wash rack. It's actually right next to where the wash rack will be.  The second story roof is not much better, but since there is a floor under it functioning as a drip pan, it is less annoying on a daily basis. We will also install new polycarbonate skylight panels in the same profile as the roof. The stalls will be lighter then.

I wasn't quite ready to do the electrical lighting, but the lighting is now ready for me. The second to last fixture is on its deathbed. It even has cool "last breath" special effects. OK-not really-- it just takes forever to come on, flickering lots. I've been procrastinating because I wanted all LED, sealed, hose down fixtures, with cold weather starting, but they have not come out yet. I just found one outdoor fixture on EarthLED.com, but it's so new it was not on the "add to cart" list.  I put a solar LED shed light in the dry stall, but while it gives enough light to pick manure, it is not enough to do any sort of show grooming (like we ever do that anyway). Worst case is Lithonia food service fixtures, retrofitted with LED bulbs. That seems a shame though, because the LEDs do not require a ballast. It's always something. I liked the prospect of no dead bugs in the bulb area, and cleaning with a hose. And I found a spray that makes the plastic lens anti static (no dust on at least part of a fixture in a barn, imagine!)  I figure our only chance at this whole thing working out is to make it as low maintenance and energy efficient as possible.

Dedication

This blog is dedicated to Ashley (especially), Kenny, and their two girls. They have shown immense dedication to long standing friendship by visiting us on a whim whenever we are in the midst of a construction project. To be fair, the first time Ashley interpreted the terms "a little home renovation" and "not quite childproof" as "opening a paint can," due to her previous experiences. We were in fact gutting & renovating the only bathroom we owned in two weeks flat, over on Prescott St--a 3BR/1 BA house.  She brought on the toddlers (later visits they were taller), and everyone had a great time.  The next time it was the kitchen and laundry room, same house, floors missing.  Now it's a whole horse farm. They ate breakfast here when we supported the stove on matched speakers (because that's what we had with matching heights). They have caused construction to happen  merely by calling to let us know they were coming. I believe they truly like construction and visit us to immerse themselves in the full experience, sorta like camping.

Some History

Round Track!!

Dad announced he was coming over Labor Day weekend, so I took advantage of his tall third person-ness to help hang up sliding door track for the new front barn door.  It took some doing, and a very understanding man at Harrrison Wholesale to get the Cannonball round profile track and associated parts trucked over in time.  I was told they couldn't get the universal bracket I wanted for the front doors from the regional distributer, but it was OK, as I ordered it direct from the manufacturer. And it looks good too.
      So the front gets the "fancy-schmancy bracket" (to quote the distributer). The back gets the standard no frills keyhole track & bracket. The back doors will be the existing front doors, only relocated. The front doors will be new bi-parting polycarbonate, 77% light transmission with a new wood frame. Should be much more light and a whole lot warmer in the barn this winter. Sure beats the old bedspread we threw over the door on the coldest nights last winter to cut the draft!!