It has been 732 days (two years and two days) since we lost our home to wildfire. I had a vivid dream in the early morning of October 18, 2020. I dreamt I was walking through our house, and flames consumed everything. I felt no heat nor heard the roar of the flames, but I … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 111
Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the beginning of this journey. On October 18, 2020, First Reader and I were given two hours to pack what we could fit in four vehicles and get off the mountain. Family members drove up to help us pack and get all of our cars out of harm’s way. … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 110
Nothing is happening at the property as we wait for the concrete to cure. Some forms have been removed, and the walls look almost dry where they’re exposed. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe north end of the basement. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe south end of the basement. I didn’t have a measuring tape, but I estimate … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 109
Friday, our subcontractor poured the basement walls. The weather was not optimal, but they got the job done. I arrived just ahead of the boom used to direct the concrete stream into the forms. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe concrete boom setting into place. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe boom at work. The crew waited at least … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 108
The subcontractor has been working diligently to get the forms in place before they pour concrete tomorrow. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe forms for the basement. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe subcontractor and his crew working diligently. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe view from inside the walls, looking north. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe view from inside the walls, … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 107
A lot can happen in a few days. The first round of cement has been poured, and the frost wall is in. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe frost wall on Wednesday. The forms for the basement went up at the end of the week. They are ready for the next stage — pouring the cement. (C) … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 106
The forms for the footings are down, and the first inspection has been performed. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe forms for the frost wall and the footers. Yesterday, concrete for the frost wall and footers went in. According to our subcontractor, they should be done pouring the forms by the end of next week. (C) 2022, … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 105
The countdown begins. Tomorrow is the day our house construction is supposed to start. Last week, First Reader, Best Riding Buddy, and I took a motorcycle ride up to see our new home one more time and pinch ourselves again to make it feel real. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunFirst Reader by the front half of … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 104
This week we spent part of a day on the property getting the last of the repairs done to our water system. The output valve had wholly melted away in the fire, along with about a foot of piping. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe outlet from our water cistern. Unfortunately, the original outlet was threaded PVC … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 103
Even though we have our building permit in hand, it seems like nothing has really changed. Our next hill will be work crews, materials, and additional equipment as we compete with others rebuilding from recent fires and floods. With our project about to ramp up, we’ve been a little busier than usual with clean-up activities … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 102
A piece of my scattered mind.
Tavern Tales
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
New Writing Engaging with the Sacred
J.J. Shaun 