MY Sawmill

05/27/2024

She said, "That's beautiful. I think music is a representation of how we can treat each other in real life." While sharing intimate parts of her life for the docuseries was "a bit nerve-wracking" it was a very humbling experience, Kiah felt "grateful that people are gaining something from the story."

Moreover, Kiah also clarifies that Black Appalachians exist, and even though "the depiction of Black people has usually been disparaging," "The Express Way," highlights how they are the backbone of roots music. She felt like the show's depiction of the rich history and Black Appalachians "was done with dignity and respect."

The singer-songwriter discusses PBS' "The Express Way," music healing her and how Appalachia is not "Deliverance"

04/28/2024

Some nice
Walnut from a family tree planted over forty years ago. Some will be made into tables by a family member.

04/22/2024

Lots to learn in the woods.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2224742/14887636-the-burial-ground-in-the-woods?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR211Jc9A4bsJuAqRqWUWf8nCILL22v5eLd_Y1x4Ce0GMWTlc76rsGhOygc_aem_AUI6LBBI_cdlJMfxbYDEZoKW0UlPlxUJ4iYd2q9h2ugHc0bgCJBLSt7sFL1eg4WLYejlHYTLrYwL0hQ6kjui1TLC

What secrets does a 19th century burial ground hold, when the stones have no words or dates, and family folklore says they belonged to enslaved people?  In this episode, I'm joined by William Isom II of Black in Appalachia, my co-researcher o...

01/15/2024

New mill shed! It was great to be able to use our own trees to build with. We also made a sale as we finished. Fun!

09/06/2022

Locust turned into deck boards

06/06/2022

Poplar from the property

11/20/2021

Looking at the fallen beauties makes me think about how they might be repuroposed.

08/11/2021

only one casualty gettingthe put in the log yard. may have a replacement for me…

08/10/2021

and

08/10/2021

it’s good to see this in action.

08/09/2021

I picked up part two of two of this giant White Pine from a good somebody down Huntdale way. This loading went much easier but this piece specs out a bit heavier by a ton than the first piece.

07/30/2021

🐕❤ I have been working for over on sawing up material for a cool It’s a big job!

07/30/2021

🎄 I got to test the yesterday. So far so good. This log is one of two from the same giant tree and I estimated the weight for this one at about and it may provide almost of beautiful clear White Pine lumber. The second log is from the top of the tree and may make some pretty siding with lots of big knots. was super helpful in loading this beauty onto the trailer with his This tree was felled due to it being a threat to the homeowners house. Jerry, the doaner happens to be cousins with Dean who I bought the mill from. I have been looking at these trees for months as they are close to where the mill was.

07/19/2021

Cool old sawmill up at Turtle Island Preserve

07/11/2021

Got to bring them in….

Kevin Thompson says, "(1920s) – An overloaded logging truck carries it’s payload of logs to the mill before they are transported by rail to Los Angeles. waterandpower.org
Historical Notes: The first documented use of wood poles was in 1844 with the development of the telegraph.
Samuel Morse received a $30,000 grant from the U.S. Congress to construct a 40-mile telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington D.C. Morse originally tried to put his new telegraph lines underground, but in the first few miles the lines failed. So he turned to placing the lines overhead and advertised to buy 700 “straight and sound” wood poles.
The success with telegraph wires led to the use of poles for wires to distribute electricity. With the development of electricity generation and the need to carry that electricity to homes and factories increased demand for wood poles to carry the wires, insulators and other items required.
By the turn of the century, the need emerged to have standards to create a consistent supply of wood utility poles with predictable structural capabilities.
In 1908, standards for round timbers were developed and soon after, the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, adopted standards specifically for wood utility poles, defining the sizes and characteristics allowed. Over the same time, standards for pressure treating wood with preservatives to extend their service life were developed through the American Wood Protection Association, or AWPA." Thanks for sharing.

07/07/2021

I am building this for and with material made by Sam in his practice sessions and scraps from other orders. It’s a classic piece. A few more details and it’s ready for tomatoes and pies.

07/07/2021