Jekyll2019-01-19T13:32:49-05:00http://cacography.net/feed.xmlcacography.netHarvest time2013-09-21T00:00:00-04:002013-09-21T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/09/21/harvest-time<p>Harvest time!</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9541.JPG" rel="lightbox[2013-09-21-harvest-time]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9541_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>We weren't expecting to get much of anything this year, but the hive has been so productive this year that we felt comfortable stealing two and a half frames from them, for a harvest of almost a gallon of honey.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9540.JPG" rel="lightbox[2013-09-21-harvest-time]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9540_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9543.JPG" rel="lightbox[2013-09-21-harvest-time]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9543_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9544.JPG" rel="lightbox[2013-09-21-harvest-time]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9544_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1385.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-09-21-harvest-time]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1385_thumb.jpg"></a></p>Harvest time!One of the younguns started laying!2013-09-15T00:00:00-04:002013-09-15T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/09/15/one-of-the-younguns-started-laying<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1383.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-09-15-one-of-the-younguns-started-laying]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1383_thumb.jpg"></a></p>Launch Day2013-07-25T00:00:00-04:002013-07-25T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/07/25/launch-day<p>Rigging:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1274.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1274_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Tasting the ropes:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1279.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1279_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Ready to head to the lake:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1282.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1282_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Christening her <em>Wren</em>:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9311.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9311_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Off we go:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9322.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9322_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9327.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9327_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9329.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9329_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9333.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9333_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_9336.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-25-launch-day]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_9336_thumb.jpg"></a></p>Rigging:Just paint and varnish to go2013-07-14T00:00:00-04:002013-07-14T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/07/14/just-paint-and-varnish-to-go<p>The outside of the hull is painted, she's right side up, and the mast fits nicely. All that's left is to paint the inside, varnish the seats and spars, and add some bunks to the trailer. With any luck, we'll bring her down to Mirror Lake next weekend and get her wet.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1259.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-14-just-paint-and-varnish-to-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1259_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1260.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-14-just-paint-and-varnish-to-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1260_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1261.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-14-just-paint-and-varnish-to-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1261_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1263.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-14-just-paint-and-varnish-to-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1263_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Joy's mother made her a flag:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1268.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-14-just-paint-and-varnish-to-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1268_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>All the spars hanging up to be varnished:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1269.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-07-14-just-paint-and-varnish-to-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1269_thumb.jpg"></a></p>The outside of the hull is painted, she's right side up, and the mast fits nicely. All that's left is to paint the inside, varnish the seats and spars, and add some bunks to the trailer. With any luck, we'll bring her down to Mirror Lake next weekend and get her wet.Nearly ready for launch2013-06-26T00:00:00-04:002013-06-26T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/06/26/nearly-ready-for-launch<p>Lots more progress this weekend on getting her ready for launch. We're down to a ever shrinking punch list of things that have to happen before we splash her. Photos below the cut.</p>
<p>Rudder assembly:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1216.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1216_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1221.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1221_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Seat Installation:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1217.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1217_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1218.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1218_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Inwale Installation:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1219.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1219_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Building the daggerboard case:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1220.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1220_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Cutting a hole in the bottom of a perfectly good boat for the daggerboard:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1226.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1226_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Flipped back over to install the keel and prime her for painting:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1229.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1229_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>And yesterday evening a very nice sergeant from the Massachusetts Environmental Police came out to inspect the hull (to make sure that it really is homemade and take her official length measurement) and issue a Hull Identification Number:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1233.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-06-26-nearly-ready-for-launch]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1233_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>I'm going to have to carve a little brass plaque to affix that number more permanently.</p>Lots more progress this weekend on getting her ready for launch. We're down to a ever shrinking punch list of things that have to happen before we splash her. Photos below the cut.Flock?2013-05-29T00:00:00-04:002013-05-29T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/05/29/flock<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NkT0pse4N3I?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Shellback Update2013-05-26T00:00:00-04:002013-05-26T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/05/26/shellback-update<p>I just realized it's been quite a while since I posted any photos of the boat. I've made quite a bit of progress since the last update.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1186.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1186_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>First up, the sail is finished:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1108.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1108_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>With the garboard planks on:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1120.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1120_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1121.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1121_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Scarfing the center planks:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1119.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1119_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>With all the planks on:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1146.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1146_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1147.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1147_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Turning:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1148.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1148_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1149.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1149_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>And the hull is born!</p>
<p>Starting in on the detail work:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1150.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1150_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1151.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1151_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Shaping the mast:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1181.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1181_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1182.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1182_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1183.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1183_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1184.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1184_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1185.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1185_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>A note for future builders of the Shellback kit: the scarfing instructions that come with it are incorrect. They give a measurement from a baseline to the curve of the plank at the scarf; if you match that measurement then the pre cut scarf doesn't join correctly and the curve of the plank edge isn't fair. What I did was take the giant piece of cardboard that the panels shipped in and transferred the plank lines from the plans onto it, as though it were a piece of plywood I was going to cut, then laid the plank over what I'd drawn to get the best match. As it turned out, ignoring the measurements in the scarfing instructions and going for the most fair line best matched the panel shape in the plans. And they fit on pretty well too.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1111.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1111_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1112.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1112_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Another note is to make sure that you keep the screws holding the bottom to the transom far enough inboard to account for the necessary bevel. I spent several hours reconditioning my plane after this.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1113.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-06-scarfing-and-planking]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1113_thumb.jpg"></a></p>I just realized it's been quite a while since I posted any photos of the boat. I've made quite a bit of progress since the last update.Bees settling in2013-05-17T00:00:00-04:002013-05-17T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/05/17/bees-settling-in<p>Yesterday evening we opened up the hive to take a first look at how they're settling in. It looks good in there. They've begun making use of all 4 of the empty frames they got when we installed them into the hive body. There are healthy looking larva and plenty of capped brood, even on some of the new frames, so the queen has clearly been busy. We haven't seen her yet, but with all the evidence of her activity we're not worried.</p>
<p>This year we interleaved the additional frames with the 5 from the nuc, which isn't what what the books recommend (mostly they say to keep the existing frames in exactly the same pattern that they come in), but seems to be encouraging them to spread throughout the hive body better than last year. They had covered the frames they had densely enough that we added the second hive body. It's frames are just undrawn foundation, but if the spring keeps up like it has so far they should be drawing those out soon.</p>
<p>This afternoon, the weather was perfect and they were, well, busy as bees.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1156.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-05-17-bees-settling-in]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1156_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1158.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-05-17-bees-settling-in]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1158_thumb.jpg"></a></p>Yesterday evening we opened up the hive to take a first look at how they're settling in. It looks good in there. They've begun making use of all 4 of the empty frames they got when we installed them into the hive body. There are healthy looking larva and plenty of capped brood, even on some of the new frames, so the queen has clearly been busy. We haven't seen her yet, but with all the evidence of her activity we're not worried.And the bees again2013-04-29T00:00:00-04:002013-04-29T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/04/29/and-the-bees-again<p>Remember how surprised we were in mid-winter that the bees had made it that long?
Well, unsurprisingly they didn't make it all the way to spring. This year we're moving the hive to the other side of the property so they aren't disturbed by the noise and wind of traffic. Between that and giving them a full hive body of drawn comb to start off, we're hoping that our hive will be a pleasant enough place to live that they won't swarm. Here's hoping.</p>
<p>Last night I went over to <a href="http://mvabeepunchers.com/">Merrimack Valley Apiaries</a> in Billerica to pick up a Nuc. We'd ordered one last fall, figuring either we'd need it or we wouldn't mind a second hive. Good choice, as it turns out we sure needed it. Bees are surprisingly calm around dusk and the nuc was in a mesh bag under a sheet, so the car ride was quiet. But they were angry to be opened up just at sunset and moved into the hive. One tenacious little lady in particular followed me around for five or so minutes after I'd finished, repeatedly crashing into my veil, so I wandered around the yard until she got distracted and went home. This morning they're out in full force, busily mapping the neighborhood.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1134.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-29-and-the-bees-again.md]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1134_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1136.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-29-and-the-bees-again.md]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1136_thumb.jpg"></a></p>Remember how surprised we were in mid-winter that the bees had made it that long? Well, unsurprisingly they didn't make it all the way to spring. This year we're moving the hive to the other side of the property so they aren't disturbed by the noise and wind of traffic. Between that and giving them a full hive body of drawn comb to start off, we're hoping that our hive will be a pleasant enough place to live that they won't swarm. Here's hoping.Chickens come, Chickens go2013-04-25T00:00:00-04:002013-04-25T00:00:00-04:00http://cacography.net/2013/04/25/chickens-come-chickens-go<p>We've not had great luck with the chickens this year. Dotty, the last of the Wyandottes, died a week or so ago. Here she is right before she got sick.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1110.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-25-chickens-come-chickens-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1110_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Red, our last remaining chicken, has finished her course of antibiotics, just in case, but she's awfully lonely. She's taken to following Owen around the yard whenever he goes out to play and has nearly followed Joy on walks around the neighborhood. Last night she hung about roosting on the railing of the front stairs just to be close to her "flock".</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_3058.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-25-chickens-come-chickens-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_3058_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>She'll be less lonely soon though, as her new flock was born yesterday and arrived home today. There are a pair of Golden Comets, a pair of Easter Eggers, and a pair of Speckled Sussex now cheeping in the corner of the office. These guys are active, excited, and hungry. They all figured out the chicken nipple right.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1125.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-25-chickens-come-chickens-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1125_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1127.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-25-chickens-come-chickens-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1127_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1129.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-25-chickens-come-chickens-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1129_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1131.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-25-chickens-come-chickens-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1131_thumb.jpg"></a><a href="/images/2013/IMG_1133.jpg" rel="lightbox[2013-04-25-chickens-come-chickens-go]"><img class="img-polaroid" src="/images/2013/IMG_1133_thumb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Much like last year, the cats are desperate to get in.</p>We've not had great luck with the chickens this year. Dotty, the last of the Wyandottes, died a week or so ago. Here she is right before she got sick.