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The First Wall Frames Going up
All
of the wall frames are built by Grant on the cement pad. Once the frames
have been constructed to specification, Debie and Grant lift them into
place and secure them. Some of these frames can weigh a couple hundred
pounds.
  The
very first frame up is the back wall to our bedroom, which will look out
over the Cerro Alto Mountain. As the walls go up, the shape of the first
wing of the house begins to come into focus. Notice that Grant has secured
a real-life stetson cowboy hat - necessary for building a ranch.
As the framing
goes up, section-by-section, the flags of the Silver Fern Ranch fly majestically
over the building site and can be seen for miles around - luckily we have
very few neighbors.
 
Most
of the bottom level of the house framing is finished and our Kiwi Cowboy
Grant is excited and proud of our progress (as well he should be). Paparazzi
Debie makes sure to document the various stages of development.
You might notice
the very tall frame which will be the main entrance to the courtyard. In
a little while we will see how good ol' Kiwi ingenuity is used to move
the frame into place. but first lets see what's going on with the rest
of the ranch.
The Going's on at Silver Fern Ranch
  All
of the ranch cats have begun to enjoy the great outdoors, which unfortunately
includes sometimes catching their own dinner; however, Jack prefers to
be the driving force behind the operation.
 
And
when you've been out working and are really, really tired - the cats take
advantage of you to have their own 'cat nap'.
 
BUT, every ranch
has to have its own 'ranch dog'. Soooo, we went to an adopt-a-pet project
and noticed this poor little (he's only 7 months old) lab mix with no hind
feet. Given our other pets' special needs (we'll have a page on that) Bicycle
- who is renamed Sandy after his desert home - came home to be added to
our collection of ranch animals.
How the Egyptians did it (so
says Grant)
 
 
Grant and Debie
together could not lift the highest and largest framing wall. Soooo, Grant
decided to use the tractor and a pulley to lift the framing into place
(as Debie held her breath). Grant says if the Egyptians could build the
pyramids, then he could lift the wall. With the only slave to help being
Debie, one can see why he needed the tractor.
In
the next phase of development,
The
septic, water and electric will be brought to the house and the dirt back
filled around the foundation footings...
Dr Debie LeBeau/Grant Spence
Silver Fern Ranch
55013-B (62/180 hwy)
El Paso, TX 79938
PHONE: +1-915-988-2550
CELL: +1-413-841-7106
EMAIL: grantsnz@hotmail.com
or
EMAIL: dr_lebeau@yahoo.com (dr_lebeau) |
But,
of course, we do live in Texas.
