Old Schmitty maintained it was simple.
Incline two logs up to your top
course of logs, lay your purlin
at the base of the incline.
Tie two ropes to the top course,
take two turns down around the 30-footer,
throw the ropes back up to the top,
and roll ‘er right up.
Like an old cairn,
Schmitty pointed the way
through impassable terrains.
Use the power of the wedge,
he’d say, and I learned
to fell twisted trees.
The notched beam logs
rolled easily into place
atop the cabin walls.
Smile breaking my face, I tacked
a sprig of yew to the peak.
Then stood back
and just looked.
Good job!