Splitting Wood

 A tornado took out many trees in its path through the Takaezo Studio grounds where Bill works and fires his ceramic art. This year he has cut up and hauled home enormous tree parts we've split to burn. We rented a Home Depot splitter, and 3 of us split 8 hrs. here and split dead Ash trees 3 hrs. at Christian's farm.

The entire barn foundation here, is now stacked three rows deep with Maple & Oak logs.

A New Water Line

Our waterline at Old Farm was heroically replaced steering 10' around an old cistern, under street & driveway crossings and large rocks under the house exit wall foundation. A one day dig job was 7 days with extra inspections and help with new grounding and electrical wiring by Dave Coleman.

The new plastic line now comes out the back of the house and curves, eliminating 2 right angles and metal pipe problems. 

There were also 3 gas lines on the property and an extra septic line to the garage they ran into and had to repair!

Final hook up to the house required much digging by hand to move large rocks from under the foundation. A 4' pointed metal "Mole" was shot 6' underground to create a path for 1" plastic tubing - which became lodged in rocks under the house. Ugh.

Two buckets of soil were leveled in the back & side of the house and driveway. I put straw mats over the 2 large grass seeded areas. All quite unbelievable.

Urns

Bill has made two large urns; one we have just installed at Leif's MCM Deck House near it's signature handcarved front door, and the first sits in front of Old Farm's original Pilgrim's 1717 Cape house.

Bill's most recent firing was reduced enough to create more tertiary color glazes.

A nearby tall sculpture also selected for this landscape near the ocean, in front of a 12 trunk maple.

Norway's Nature: "RO"

Christian & Leif rowing into the Oslo Fjord to visit the Viking Ship Museum. Soon we do the "RO" chant as Norway's National Soccer team faces Brazil here in NJ.

My Grandfather & Grandmother grew up in Rogaland County, Southern Norway, where Erling Haaland trained when young and the people are taller than most IMO. While living in Oslo, I visited our family of nine "giant" siblings and experienced the outdoor athletic life most lead there. I have seen the Norwegian nature in my sons.

My son Alex and his wife (Brazilian decent) are anxious to watch the National Soccer Game this Sunday for sure. Young Alex.

Alex's best sport was bike racing, and he won a medal in the Spanish Alps when young.

Christian winning his first triathlon and shattered his first marathon record as an Elite (top 50 in Nation) runner.

Leif running still, to be healthy & happy.

Norway & Brazil, what a match (Go Vikings "RO"!).

Alex is bigger now and has been called "Thor".

In the Orsta mountains wearing a sweater knit for me by Tanta Anna.

Update: Vikings beat Brazil, but lost to England. Smiles & sadness, proud & humble, such strength & spirits!

Log Splitting Scene

Leif, Bill & I spent Father's Day splitting logs from 13 large trees Leif had taken down, and enough wood for two winters of heating his house. Ten solid hours of splitting onto a pile to be stacked later. Most of the trees were dead Ash from his second property, allowing a path to the creek and more sunlight in.

Half-finished splitting above, a new clearing in the backyard with 3 trees removed, and stacking logs below.

This "Frontgate" Chat Table comes in a whitewashed finish and is a big hit here.

Leif's stacking area allows for 4 or 5 very wide stacks near the side paddock.

The large chimney was repointed and cap rebuilt this week. "Velasko Chimney"  973 556 0927. 

Cape Clean Up

Alex, Christian & Leif as beach boys. This summer Alex visits Old Farm with his own beach boy, which is near 3 beaches.

The house number newly gold leafed installed and a new water line from house to the road will hook up with Roderick Construction Co.; the best. A new 117' 1" plastic water pipe will be shot underground and across the street!

New waterline path which remains undisturbed...

Bill's Cape planters cleaned up & ready for use.

 

I have bought 2 "new" Huskvarna mowers; a new electric 322 (below) 40 Volt, & a 1 yr. used 7.5, 4WD.

We maintain this 3/4 acre lot ourselves, originally 12 acres bought in 1630 from an Indian.

Bill cut down, cut up and chipped 6 large tree trunks using our equipment also (storm damage). 

Studio Open House June 20th

Bill has continued adding Carotid sculptures to his collection along with other similar size pieces.