We are in full fall (not to be confused with free fall) here in Western Wisconsin. We have not had a hard freeze yet, but the fog falls heavily over our mornings. This means that when it does start freezing, we need a place closer to running water for our ducks and chickens. Since our flocks are about twice the size they were last year, we need more space close to the house. Hence, our newest construction project: the Duck Mansion:

Putting the roof on what Michael calls the Duck Manger, but I think of as the Mansion.

The above photo represents about a week of steady work, since we took a week off to prepare for The Ramble. Michael broke ground and installed posts on September 14th:

This is the second time Michael sank posts. Notice the post hole digger in the bottom right of this photo.  I was at a conference when the first set went in. When I returned home, we both agreed the first site was just wrong. So it goes. — This is the second time Michael sank posts. Notice the post hole digger in the bottom right of this photo. I was at a conference when the first set went in. When I returned home, we both agreed the first site was just wrong. So it goes.

Supports for the roof beams came next.

Michael always gets to do the stuff that requires being tall (or taller that me!)

Once the roof supports were in place, but before climbing up there to nail down the sheathing, we put up the plywood on two sides, to act as bracing. This kept everything square...or as square as we could make it with hand- dug post holes.

Two sides partially sided. It tells us where the windows will go.

The metal went on the roof yesterday and we hope to get the dirt filled in the floor today so that we can finish the walls, doors and windows tomorrow ... Or at least next week.