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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

We talk a lot about self-reliance. Such a condition ultimately means doing 
many things by oneself. I am building a ramada in front of the house. The 
four posts are nine-to-ten-inch rounds of Ponderosa Pine sitting on 
concrete piers that extend six inches above the ground with half-inch rebar 
extending six inches above the piers. I drilled holes in the bottom of the 
posts and set the posts atop, then braced each post securely with 
two-by-fours.

The challenge is to place the sixteen-foot beams atop the posts. The beams 
are eleven-inch rounds of the same material, flattened on the bottom to sit 
flush atop the posts. Yesterday Chris and I raised the first beam to the 
top of two six-foot stepladders--me lifting one end at a time and she 
moving the stepladders to hold the bean on a next-higher step--at which 
time two stout male neighbors appeared and insisted on helping the semi-old 
geezer and his semi-young wife. No problems. Ten-inch long, half-inch 
galvanized lag bolts counter-sunk five inches into the top of the beam 
completed the first beam work.

Today Chris flies off to Dallas on business. So, unless I enlist the 
neighbors--if they are available--I must lift the second beam myself. I 
estimate the beam weight to be between four and five hundred pounds. I can 
lift either end but not the whole thing at once.

In addition to the two six-foot stepladders I have an eight-foot 
stepladder. I also have a few eight-foot two-by-fours and assorted scrap 
one-by and two-by material. There is nothing long enough available to erect 
an A-frame from which to lift. There are no nearby trees.

Here's the quiz: How would you accomplish the placement of the second beam 
onto the posts if you had to be self-reliant?