The weather has been unusually kind lately. All too often, it seems as if we jump from summer to winter, bypassing autumn's cool days and cold nights.

I don't have any complaints with the weather the last few weeks at all. I have been trying to earn a paycheck while most of the lovely weather has been going on, but I got to be outside these past two weekends. Even with the 'cool down' on Saturday, I was still out in a T-shirt, putting up boards under the edge of the roof. After working the weekend before, I can say that it was great to get out this past weekend and work in the cooler temperatures.

Early in the day Saturday, the ground was frosty and the air was downright cold, just as fall should be. There is something about putting on warm clothes and going outside to work on a cool fall or winter day that makes me feel more alive. I went up to the building and turned on my kerosene heater to knock off the chill so I would have a warm place to take a break. I don't like to wear a coat and usually try to remove it as soon as possible. A warm building allows me to do that at least while inside.

Soon afterward, I started the process of getting all of my tools out and carrying them down to the house, (aka job site). It always surprises me how many tools I need to get something done. I got out a jig saw, a circular saw, a cordless drill with bits and batteries, an extension cord, sawhorses, paint brushes and rollers, my tool belt, a chalk line, an extension ladder, a step ladder, a square and lots of other assorted items. In fact, by the time I was finished carrying everything I needed down to the house, I was already breathing heavy. I had some sort of minor illness for about a week, with the coughing, hacking croup. Respiratory illness is not fun, but it beats the other kinds for the most part. I nearly lost my voice a week ago, but by this past Friday I had mostly recovered. It was difficult to deal with coughing incessantly for about a week; however, the 'bug' didn't stop me from doing whatever I needed or wanted to do, so I am not complaining.

So, after getting all the tools in place, I spent the better part of the day Saturday painting, sawing and putting up boards.

I asked four of my friends to help me and only one could (or would) make it. The first person I asked told me he had to take his son to a Boy Scout parade. He warned me against such institutions by saying, "When I signed him up for the scouts, I didn't know I would be joining, too," he said. "I have been on a camping trip, an eight-mile bike ride and I have walked in several parades."

Just the thought of my friend, a smoker in his 40s, riding a bike for eight miles is comical. He probably hadn't been on a bicycle in at least 25 years.

Anyway, another fellow who usually helps me was out of town and a third said he had already made plans — he was going to do nothing all weekend. My brother-in-law offered to help me paint a few boards, but there were strings attached. He didn't want me to pay him, instead he wanted me to come help fix his floor. I hate strings. Since I really needed the help and would have probably fixed his floor anyway, I agreed. He wasn't able to help me do any ladder work or heavy lifting, but it was nice to have help. He's had several back surgeries. We started off by placing the boards on the saw horses and painting one side. It is always easier to paint boards on the ground and then put them up than the other way around. I am learning to hate painting more and more each week.

Anyway, after I finally got all 16 boards painted on the ends and one side, I started cutting them to fit. I had to notch the boards to go around the roof support poles, which are about eight feet apart or so. Then I had to climb a 20 foot extension ladder and try to hold an eight-foot board with one hand and screw it in place with the other. I felt like a circus performer, only without the skill.

It all worked out pretty well for the most part and I feel sure that putting new boards in place will help make the house warmer this winter. I managed to finish a little less than half the job before the light left me.

As an added project, I had to help my brother-in-law put down a floor in the kitchen at the house he shares with my sister. I rode with him to pick up the materials and he chose some particle board stuff that had to weigh at least 60 pounds a sheet. I never lifted plywood that weighed that much before. This stuff was only about $10 a sheet, while the stuff I would have used was nearly $25. I suppose it will work fine as long as it doesn't get wet. If it does, that will probably be the end of it.

After loading eight sheets of that stuff on the truck, I thought I was going to die. After unloading it as well, I thought I was already dead. Then he wanted me to help cut it and put it down. That required moving the kitchen table and chairs, a washer and dryer, a stove and refrigerator and a potato bin. I also had to remove the back door of the house and saw it off before I could put it back in place.

The entire house was out of square by about two inches, which required every cut to be a custom made fit. I hate it when that happens. Only one piece could be placed in full without being cut. I was pleased with the fact that, besides having to do a little more trimming on a few pieces, I didn't even mess up on any of my cuts.

The sub-floor, although still strong, was wavy and generally uneven as well. At least the joints on the boards lined up nice and straight — some with a little persuasion.

Anyway, I finally got most of those sheets of particleboard in place by late that evening. I just hope they can find someone else to help them finish the job and put down the linoleum.

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