Purpose is a big deal as we shift gears. We have started to become part of the community there. Our interests and the interests of different segments of the community there are pretty well aligned. Hiking, biking, skiing, and paddling are widely embraced across demographic lines.

We were invited to a free community meal at a local farm where the farmer is trying to build intentional community and address food insecurity. Every description sounded a little cultish but we ended up seated with an Episcopalian priest and listened as a Trumpist spoke emotionally about  the need for community in divided times. Our neighbor does volunteer hours at the farm. We met a number of young people who are trying their hands at market gardening. It's interesting that they seem to be coming over from Vermont where second home driven real estate pricing has become even less manageable than NY.

The young man doing our site work has an environmental science degree which informs his approach to earth work. He's been accepted by the old-timers because his personality, skill, and work ethic are so good. Unlike NEPA, there seems to be a recognition that conservation can help support the economy. Like PA, Northern NY is struggling to maintain population and keep young people but unlike NEPA folks are working the problem trying to create things which appeal to the youth not just to retired suburbanites fleeing the Black people. That's a bit of a dark closing but on my way home from work from the NY border to home there are countless Trump signs and 0 Harris signs. We just got an email from Susco Democrats that they are moving this weekend's rally from the park to a different location where a concrete abutment can provide cover since they were refused access to other secure locations. I don't have a lot of hope for this area staging an economic revival any time soon.
 

griff wrote:

Purpose is a big deal as we shift gears. We have started to become part of the community there. Our interests and the interests of different segments of the community there are pretty well aligned. Hiking, biking, skiing, and paddling are widely embraced across demographic lines.

We were invited to a free community meal at a local farm where the farmer is trying to build intentional community and address food insecurity. Every description sounded a little cultish but we ended up seated with an Episcopalian priest and listened as a Trumpist spoke emotionally about  the need for community in divided times. Our neighbor does volunteer hours at the farm. We met a number of young people who are trying their hands at market gardening. 
 

This is awesome. That farmer is my hero. I get the sense that there is a strong desire out there to put the division behind us and have a sense of community again.  Of course there are still a lot of individuals left that took deep drinks of the coolaid and are still embracing the division, but I feel like most folks think this divisive path we have been on is not leading anywhere.
 

Good progress today.

That’s a Bilco Door. It will give access to the basement for sports equipment like kayaks, utility stuff like water heaters  and pressure tanks, and whatever shop stuff I put in. They are not the best looking but they are useful.



We met our goal for this summer by driving about 1500 nails this weekend.

I guess those concrete piers are for the porch.
You know those falls you cut through back in post #58 looked solid enough for timber framing.
Does that thought give you a back ache. LoL