MOVING IN

After seeing the place in September of 2012, I returned in June of 2013 to look at comparable properties. I found a few, but kept coming back to The Standish Farm. Truth be told, I felt some fine old energy flowing from the land into my feet and body.

The Farm was calling me.

I checked it out again, this time with a more critical eye, and hinted that I wanted to make an offer. The realtor was wonderful to work with and the family was game, since few wanted a tiny house (985 s.f.) with such apparently broken-down outbuildings. Besides, it was in the middle of the woods on Preston Ridge, and though only four miles from Norwich and three from Foxwoods Casino (the largest in the world, or so they told me, though that was hardly a selling point), it was so remote as to be in the Maine woods on the Canadian border.

The location suited me just fine.

While on the June trip, I was offered a job with Early New England Restorations, a company that does high-end millwork and total Colonial restorations.

My magic was working very well indeed.

I made and offer, the family that owned it bit, and I upended my life and made what I hope to be my last move.

Packing my own trailer with my shop, lumber, and household goods, I carted four dogs across the country to start my new life.

 

                        Dogs wondering what the hell is going on as I pack the house in Arkansas

                               28 foot trailer packed (and I mean PACKED) to 3/4 full

                                                        Home at last, late October 2013

Early November after leaves fall. First order of business; remove the 1960s topiary from the 1690 house. Second order of business; feed the hungry birds.

 



Chestnut slab found in garage rafters being cut and sanded to become new counter in kitchen, which is sorely needed. Note Cheesedog trying to lord over Specklepup in background.

Slab after installation and finishing with Danish Oil. Note the huge circular saw kerf marks.

 

 Kitchen expansion begins. The longleaf pine floor was covered with layers of linoleum, thankfully laid dry wit no mastic. I'll refinish it in the summer of 2014.

 

Thanksgiving morning 2013. No hot water, no working stove, everything prepared on the grill outside

 

The Standish Farm getting ready for a VERY long winter on the day of the first snowfall, early December. It would be like this until mid-March, with the harshest winter seen in New England in memory.

 

 

First fire in the kitchen fireplace. Note the beehive oven above the wood bin. Missing its iron door, it holds kindling nicely. The fireplace is shallow and tall, lending to my belief it was built way after the house was originally constructed.