I didn't take time to post yesterday,partly because I'm tired and working hard, but also because so many of surrounding threads were negative. I just didn't want to be in their midst. This thread is likely to reflect the hurry-up-and-wait nature of our construction project; many posts rushing onto the thread, followed by some contemplative space.

The roof is ready for the skylight,with much less wind to deal with today and tomorrow. Most of the roof joints have been sealed and shingled. One door will be framed in and hung. The hay mulch will be cleared from the basement where, over a sheet of plastic, it has kept the ground and top layer of crushed stone from freezing. The insulated concrete slab will be poured, weather permitting, in the next week or so.

I'll spread the hay over and around the hundreds of potted perennials and shrubs now lined up in the big vegetable garden. I've already followed Bobert's suggestion to use vole repellent there. We have no way to water them, so the hay mulch will help retain sufficient amounts of moisture without allowing too much to accumulate within the pots.