Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Hale Mana Receives The Seal Of Approval

If there have been any betting pools going on out there, I am now calling the official date. Hale Mana passed the final inspection for a certificate of occupancy on the morning of Wednesday April the 13th with a little help from the inspector man.

That would be four days shy of three years and ten months from the day I arrived on the low spot of a North Carolina mountain top to start a brand new life from scratch.

And to think I thought I could build a tiny little 500 square foot cabin in six months, maybe a year if you factor in winter weathers.


Now the inspector man, singular this time, had to do something he probably isn't allowed to do to get me to pass. I did everything on his list and then some, but he still couldn't find a proper ground in a couple of light switches with his meter despite the fact that they were obviously grounded visually.

"I'm not coming back here for a couple of ungrounded switches. Give me a screwdriver, pliers and some wire." We then joined the ground wires of a double and triple light switch box in to a single ground and tied them back to the ground on the individual switches with short pieces of ground wire from the group bundle. The meter then gave the proper beep. You pass. Congratulations and hallelujah. And by the way bless you inspector man.

There are times when I know for sure my life is blessed.


Now the juice can be turned on. The pipes can be filled with fluid. Heat can emanate from gas appliances. Let there be light and fanning breezes. Satellite dishes for communication are scheduled to arrive. Perhaps soon the phone company will solve the little issue they don't want to discuss directly with me. Don't make me call my congressman. I just met his third cousin at the ER.



Hale Mana's passing grade comes with a taste of the bittersweet. The building contractor wore himself out cleaning, rearranging and planning a redesign of the luxury basement accommodations in the excitement of me moving out of his house. He didn't feel well directly afterwards, bad enough to go to the ER. From there he went to Asheville where the heart doctors are looking him over. Today was his mother's birthday, he told us.



I am now a fully trained house repair and remodel technician and will be living very close by. Still available for chores and assistance. As a matter of fact this afternoon I was on the roof of the resident gardeners house replacing the plumbing vent ripped off the roof this winter by a heavy load of sliding snow. We need to get some vent guards installed before next winter arrives.


But it is done. The cabin is finished. I can move in as the juices start flowing and continue on with the processes undone, but unneeded for a final inspection, the cozy little details to come.


The wheel keeps turning and now it is time to get back to the garden.

12 comments:

Siria said...

Halleluia! Congratulations!!! You must be elated! I sure hope your Dad is home and feeling better. You sunset is gorgeous, and reminds me of the colors of the cozy cabin. "More sunsets" please! :)

Lola said...

Congratulations Christopher. A long major road has come to an end. Now to just follow the tributary ones. It is beautiful. A job very well done.
I hope the Contractor is ok & will be enjoying a beautiful mtn.
Now to take time to sit in a rocking chair on your front porch late in the evening after a very nice stroll & observe all the beauty that is around you. That's after you putter in the garden. lol

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Layanee said...

Really, has it been that long? Over three years? I started reading your blog when you were in Hawaii and so have watched and waited and enjoyed your journey. I love this cozy cottage. It is warm and inviting and shiny new. Let the celebration continue and my hope is that you have many in your new home.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Way to go Christopher. The CC looks happy. I know you are happy. You can now get in there and cosy it up. Make it your home. What a view up to it over the artfully placed rocks. As soon as you are in the garden will draw you outside until winter I bet. I hope the Contractor is ok. No drama needed just when everyone is home and all is coming together. He has lots of summer to enjoy yet.

lh said...

Christopher,
Congratulations. It’s beautiful. Thank you for chronicling your progress over the years. You always give me hope and energy to work on my own simple projects. I hope the contractor will be OK. Life, like the weather, is always complicated, sometimes bittersweet. The wheel moves on.
Lois

Fairegarden said...

Dear Christopher, first, I pray that the contractor is okay. We will hold him in our thoughts.

Congratulations on passing, and bless the inspector man for helping you out. That is great news. Things are ready to move forward, you are more than ready to move into the cozy cabin, Hale Mana. Will there be signage? The ladder looks wonderful.
xxxooo
Frances

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Wonderful news and beautiful too! So nice to have things work out. I hope your contractor recovers soon.

Anonymous said...

YAY!!! The sunset was even especially gorgeous in celebration!

I add my wishes to those of all for your dad. I am sure it will work out. As a pathologist, I just say - don't let them do anything drastic without time to research and think about it first, barring a major emergency.

bev

Barry said...

Aloha, Christopher, My best wishes join those of others for your dad. I think you have chosen a very fitting name: Hale Mana. Will it be proper to leave one's slippahs at the door?
Your hard work will bring you great happiness in the years to come.

Wondering Woman said...

Congratulations on the legal stamp of approval......... Hope all goes well with your dad.

chuck b. said...

Oh, happy day!! Congratulations! Have a nice cup of hot tea on the front steps for me.