Seemed like a simple straightforward task. We had Michael with us for help. However the third day came and went with the inside front wall still not near finished. How can painting one big flat wall barn red be so difficult? I guess the 99 nails in the wall, sanding, priming and two coats to cover were daunting enough on hind sight. The removal of the hog wire which had three coats of paint where it wasn't bare metal and the spray painting both sides which took an unbelievable 2+ cans to cover each side in sizzling heat seemed to last forever. I think it entertained the citizens of Kanawha though. The hog wire had to be cut with the grinder, another slow task not considered when we allowed four days. If you look closly at the goggles the guys are wearing you will notice one pair is usually worn playing racketball, a bit of improvising on Bills part:0) The framing out of the inside window was way easier to draw on paper than to execute. The two panes of new glass are still on the floor because Michael suggested they were safer there, so will put new glass in on another day. Seems empty buildings attract stray bullets like a bee to honey. There is a good bit of white painting to do on the 4 inch trim around the door but most of the difficult work is finished. One nice feature of the new window frame is it is installed with screws which makes it much sturdier and removable so washing the glass is easier.
We got a visit from Mr Easterwood, a cousin. He told us he hunted rabbit and squirrel all over Kanawha when he was as young as 10 and visiting his Grandparents, Ambrose and Opal Boulware. It reminded me about the banana candy Opal always kept for my mother. I guess we will carry banana candy. Opal was like that, always kind and willing to go out of her way to please. It was the tradition of hospitality that drew people to their store and made them linger. He also told us about the original store on our site burning when Charlie Hart owned it. He was a welcome sight on such a grueling work trip.
We waved to Gary Stewart as he passed on his mail route Saturday. Gary is another cousin, Grandson of Ernest Boulware. Gary has gone out of his way to make us feel at home and it is much appreciated.
We did check out the Sears store, where we priced AC window units and other appliances we will need. Window units should run about $400.00 each if we can find them on sale. Our goal will be to prep holes to set them in next spring so they can be purchased before the heat hits in the summer. Sears is one of the few places that will service appliances in this rural area.
