Catskills - Sullivan County - Ulster County Real Estate -- Catskill Farms Journal

Here' s note from 1861, from a Civil War soldier who felt that death may be lurking in the battles ahead. It serves as the ending moment for Ken Burns' Civil War series, end of disk 1. I always like it a lot, and then someone kindly sent it to me recently. The way it was read in the Burns' thing was extraordinary indeed, with the Ken Burns filming genius adding to any emotional pull of the letter itself. I've cut a little, but left most. July 14, 1861 Camp Clark, Washington My very dear Sarah, The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days – perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more. Our movements may be of a few days’ duration and full of pleasure – and it may be of some conflict and death to me. "Not my will, but thine, O God be done." If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my Country, I am ready. Sarah, my love for you is deathless. It seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and burns unresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield. The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me – perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar – that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortunes of this world to shield you and your children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the Spirit-land and hover near you, while you buffet the storm, with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more. But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights, advised to your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours, always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again. As for my little boys – they will grow up as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the deep memories of childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their character, and feel that God will bless you in your holy work. Tell my two Mothers I call God's blessing upon them. O! Sarah. I wait for you there; come to me and lead thither my children. Sullivan

James and I just got back from the 2012 International Builders Show, hosted in Orlando this year. Last time we went it was in Vegas in 2009. Thats James below (on the left).

And at the Marriott, getting ready to go to the gym and pool.

We were right across the street from SeaWorld.

and a highlight of the show was this spray foam sculpture.

A lot of construction for mid-winter. We have Ranch VI, which is inspired by Ranch V, but with a build-out, walk-out basement.

Good space for sure.

The Big Barn continues apace with the siding being completed, the interior floor going in, the window trim finished up and indoor lap pool being installed tomorrow.

Porches, decks and patios define part of this home's lifestyle.

And Barn V, just entering the insulation phase of things. After that the sheetrock and the wall coverings and then before you know it, we will be painting.

And Farm 18, pretty much rounding that last bend to completion.

...with the interior walls and ceilings covered.

...and board and batten wainscotting.

...the bathroom waiting the tile guy.

...fireplace, bookshelves and lots of space.

And our newest spec house for sale - Cottage 39. Just an idea less than a month ago.

Cottage 38 in Stone Ridge has just passed it's 'rough-in inspection' and is now ready to insulate.

Not to be gross, but most of our current customers are happier than pigs in shit. And why shouldn't they be - I mean, we are really delivering a product and process that is unparalleled in quality, taste and timeliness. And then a good play I'm reserved to see in early April.

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We get a lot of customers from the 5 boros, but are still perfecting our outreach to the Westchester NY and Bergen County NJ areas. It's amazing how much exposure Catskill Farms brings to Sullivan County - With our $200k+ marketing budgets, tech savvy approach and powerhouse press agents, we probably rival the County's own tourism program in effectiveness in drawing people to the area. Bergen Record Does Catskill Farms FYI - Catskill Farms is going primetime on a TV in late Spring.

It may be warm, and the snow might have melted, and the frost might be coming out of the ground and what that means to us country (or 'rural' as someone called us the other day) folk is mud. Pretty serious mud actually. Muck boot mud, if you will. In a telling reflection on my friends, family and co-workers, no one mentioned that I had mislabeled my last post, mis-identifying the Cottage.

The real Cottage 39 is being constructed as we speak. The framing just finished, we wrapped the house in, believe this, house wrap, and are installing the fascia so the roofers can do their thing tomorrow with a shingle color named Biscayne Blue. With the cedar shakes, it should a have a 'wow' effect, certainly. In the country, we just start fires at will. this was a pretty big one. The 2 bedroom cottage comes with 1340 sq ft, 1.5 baths on 5+ acres in Eldred NY comes with this Man Shed. It also comes with a full walkout basement that we will finish off, adding another 600 sq ft and a bathroom. Lots of porch as well. The framers built this house in 5 days. 5 f*&(king days. That's good, even by my rigid standards and high expectations.

The interior is wide open...

and the second floor ceiling's are lofty and high at around 9.5 feet.

There's Kevin the architect checking out his handy work...

and Henning the carpenter (and chef) high up on his ladder, with both hands occupied, helpless from this photo.

And there's Job. Not to sell the kid down the river, but he did go to the wrong job this morning and left everyone waiting and wondering on him.

Then up to the big barn with lots of tree clearing and, yes, another fire.

And the barn from the rear...

It's a Tuesday, and I think we've done a week's work already.