Aughkstra Relocation.
The Aughkstra - so called as stained glass windows are in Elaine Bergstrom's Austra Family novels - was hand crafted
for Zorba and his wife Zarah by the fabulous Dunia of DDF fame. It was sized specifically
for the window in our home in California. So when life intervened and long term plans changed, it was removed, placed in a
crate that was rather overbuilt by Zorba, and the precious thing crossed the United States behind the front seats of Zorba's
car!
It was immediately apparent that a new window would have to be installed in the Florida home (which Zorba jokingly refers to as "The Berghof", as its
neither a castle nor located in anything remotely resembling mountains!), and it took about the same amount
of time to get it re-installed as it did for Dunia to make in the first place - an entire year! The window itself had to be
custom made to size - which was a fiasco that took almost nine months (it was made too small the first time), then a mason was hired to install it. After that, Zorba
had to do quite a bit of sheetrock work on the inside, but the Aughkstra shines again!
Due to the low walled architecture of the home, the Aughkstra does not have the commanding view it had in California,
but it actually looks like it belongs in its new location. Like in California, it faces west to catch the afternoon sun.
The Aughkstra in California
Outside view, not much to see in the daytime.
Inside wall where it will be installed (Florida). Kinkaid painting to be relocated.
Outside
The special window we had made just for it
A rather large and alarming hole in the wall!
Mostly filled with a concrete form.
Outside view before concrete was poured.
Form complete, concrete poured.
Outside view.
Window installed 2 days later.
Filling the bottom with concrete.
Stucco bezel and forms for same.
Furring strips installed in the arch and on the wall.
Sheetrock going on.
Seen from outside.
Arched hole cut.
One of MANY mudding sessions!
Inside sill. 1/8th inch plywood over sheetrock.
Slowly getting there
Wall texturing and painting done.
Aughkstra in its crate for an entire year (on table)
Was labeled for its cross-country trip.
Sees the light of day once again!
Crate was dismantled for its screws and wood!
Cleaning the outside facing side with special cleaner
Up at last! Inside view at nite.
Outside view at nite.
Cleaning the inside facing side with special cleaner.
Inside in the morning
Inside in mid-afternoon, it really glows!
Outside in the afternoon sun.
Outside with Zorba's childhood wagon on an overcast day
Overall view of dining room. Note Lana's painting!
Sculpture by Lana, far left, relocated Kinkaid, far right.
Sculpture by Lana, with 2nd painting by Lana.
"Hot Music on a Cool Evening" by Lana!
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