This Magical Ceiling Thing - and a Change

Because the electric tracks are not yet all etched, which they need to be before the plaster/stucco layers get put on, the guys are working on the ceiling, that beautiful brick ceiling. One brick at a time, one curved row at a time. It's truly exquisite and I keep thinking about how some Americans may love bringing this technique into their homes. For a minute I devise a business plan in my head about doing just that. Later that night I read that a couple has had the same thought and is doing this in Arizona, having brought in a small crew to their new company. In doing so and to obtain their visas, they had to prove that these workers provided a trade that would not be easily findable in the US. Watching Rigo at work, I can see how that would be. Thank goodness though, I let go of the business plan and just vow to enjoy my ceiling - especially once they patch the little holes my sharp eye is seeing in the cement. I'm guessing this gets fixed later?

So yes, truly beautiful.

And also a little dark.

Going over there at dusk is a daily treat. The house is quiet and Lila and I can be there on our own. This is the time when I can really look, feel, think - and pivot if needed. She plays with the many dogs and I take it all in.

Sometimes I call my sister, too.

That night, I tell her about the ceiling and also about the darkness. The bricks are up a third of the way and it is starting to feel pretty dark in there. Of course, after weeks of no ceiling and the house drinking in the natural light with abandon, it was bound to feel this way.

But still.

Because the whole back wall is windowless and because the big glass doors will lead to a roofed patio, there is a chance there will not be much light. And if I know one thing about myself, it is that I need light. Almost like I need air. In retrospect, I think I would have designed the house differently had I really thought about this. But I didn't and here we are.

My sister quickly suggests skylights. I quickly decide that it's probably too late but commit to asking Jorge in the morning. I even make a plan of where I would want them, given where the bricks are already resting, all pretty.

At 9 am the next day I am back at the house and telling him about my latest pivot. He listens and then says: yes, we can do it.

We discuss glass vs plexi, we discuss size, we discuss cost. For $250 I can bring three big chunks of overhead sky and light into the house!

And so it is.

It will look a little different, the combo bricks and clear. And I think it will look pretty nice, actually.

So many things I am learning through this process. I am already excited about the next one.