Birdy Morris Timeline and Summary

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• When Tom is eight and first getting the notion to better his family's life, he discusses it with Birdy. That's where the idea of getting the Breen barn originates. Tom says if he ever gets a barn, maybe Birdy can help him put it up like he helped put up the Breen barn.
• It's a few years later that Birdy takes Tom up to the Breen place to see the barn, talking about the land and the people who have lived there along the way.
• Birdy and Tom have tea and cookies with Mrs. Breen. That is, after she decides not to shoot them for nosing around her barn.
• Birdy commends Tom on making his way home safely in a snowstorm. His brain is a-churnin' about how to help Tom have a safer trip back in the future.
• Birdy stays overnight at the Dolan's because of the storm, and he helps Tom and the girls sneak Polly Ann's Christmas present in by creating a distraction in the kitchen. The escapade makes Tom think he ought to get Birdy a Christmas present too in case he comes by on Christmas.
• Birdy drives Tom up to the mill because of the snow. On the way, Tom asks about the Breen barn, and Birdy says it's as good as ever. Whew.
• Birdy does stop by the Dolan's on Christmas. He brings snowshoes for Tom. That's how he'll get to and from the mill in winter weather. They're secondhand but excellent quality; Birdy even made some special modifications himself. He shows Tom how to use them, too.
• Tom gives Birdy the tobacco he bought for him. Supports a bad habit, but at least he'll enjoy it.
• Birdy attends Widow Breen's burial with Tom. He tells Tom that people have been poking around the Breen property looking for Bert Breen's money. No damage to the barn, though.
• Tom asks Birdy what will happen to the property. It's pretty bad as farmland, so Birdy explains that no one's likely to buy it.
• He then explains the county's process for selling abandoned property like the Breen place. He thinks it's a good idea for Tom to see a lawyer about rules on moving the barn.
• Tom gets Birdy's advice on fixing up his family's house. Birdy helps Tom track down secondhand ladders—they'll come in handy for the house now and the barn later. Yes, even though Tom doesn't technically own the barn yet.
• Christmas comes again, and Birdy gives Tom a good-quality secondhand saw that he had sharpened. They're on their way to a whole carpentry kit.
• Birdy is more comfortable with the family that Christmas, but he becomes uncomfortable when Mr. Hook arrives. Despite Polly Ann's protests, he moseys on home.
• Tom and Birdy measure the Dolan property to find the best place to put the Breen barn when it's moved.
• Birdy and Tom gather stones from nearby abandoned properties for parts of the walls.
• After they finish gathering the stones, Birdy and Tom drive to the Breen place to check up on everything. Birdy brings his gun in case of trouble with the Flanchers.
• They run into the Flanchers on the way back, and Birdy stands them down with his gun. He tells Tom not to go up to the Breen property alone, but assures him that they'll get the barn just the same.
• Christmas rolls around again, and this year Birdy stays when Mr. Hook shows up. Aw. The two exchange old stories with each other and Polly Ann.
• Tom drives to Birdy's the same day he purchases the farm to talk plans. Needless to say, Birdy is thrilled.
• They work every day for a few hours after Tom's job at the mill and all day on Sundays. Birdy teaches Tom about the different parts of the barn, shows him how to do the work, and encourages him when he's tired.
• Eventually, they begin building the barn back up on the Dolan property, with Birdy doing nearly all of the stonework.
• Under Birdy's leadership, they're ready to schedule the barn-raising. At long last!
• Birdy arrives very early the morning of the barn-raising, wearing a new shirt for the occasion.
• Recognizing Birdy's expertise, the other men quickly elect him to be their caller, i.e., the dude who will yell out the instructions so no one gets crushed by a heavy piece of wood. Yes, it's an important job. And he does it like a champ.
• When the raising is done and the men gone, Birdy stands in the middle of the barn admiring it and thinking about its history. Tom and Polly Ann give him their heartfelt appreciation.
• Fast-forward. Birdy finds out that Tom has found the Breen money, which makes him glad, and that Tom has set up a savings account with $500 in it for Birdy. This moves Birdy almost to tears.
• Birdy goes with Tom to order the shingles and siding. He sticks up for Tom when the office questions how a boy like Tom would be able to pay for such an order.
• They finish the shingling and admire their work.
• Tom takes Birdy to the bank to get his bankbook.
• They go to the Breen place to get the floorboards. Birdy suggests they fill in the hole where the chests had been.
• Tom has been obsessing over a cement floor, but Birdy finally convinces him to wait on it. If he waits until spring, he can lay pipes to run water from the nearby hill into the barn and even into the house. Genius, Birdy!
• Tom and Birdy go to the Breen place one more time to demolish the house.
• At Christmas time, Birdy and Tom trade stories from their time taking down the barn. Cissie-Mae and Ellie give him neckties and make a big fuss over him trying them on.
• In the novel's last paragraph, Tom remembers the first day he went to see the Breen Barn with Birdy.