sun-rain-snow... oh no

Straw Bale House Update: The Humanure Hacienda is all done. We got a load of off-cuts of cedar to use as rot resistant walls. It worked out well and gave it a Daniel Boone log cabin look.
The drywall has taken a little longer than expected, but should be all primed and ready for paint next week. Quotes for doors and kitchen cabinets are in the works. The baseboards for the bale walls have been ripped and can be stained next week. The nice weather has dried things up enough to use the tractor for earth moving to establish the final grade. Our drainage is so good that traditional perimeter drainage around the house and garage are not necessary. We'll be directing water from the roof to either cistern water storage or into gravel trenches. Tyler was up for the week to give a hand setting up some perimeter deer fencing. Kari bought a few fruit trees, which have to be protected from the four-legged mooches that maraud the local gardens.
She bought Cherry (with five varietals grafted on a single root stock), apple, Asian apple and nectarine.
A small snow storm ended the week, but was washed away by the end of the day.
Curt and friends came up from Victoria to camp at Fillongley Park last week and lucked out with some great weather. They also got to experience the herring spawn and all the wild-life racket that comes with it. Between the sea lions, gulls and eagles it's beyond noisy.

Straw Bale Construction

Straw Bale House Update: The back of the house (which served as the learning curve) has been "baled". What we've been calling the "catwalk", (a box-beam built above the living room windows made to suspend the bales) is being filled in. Below the living room windows another box beam will form a very long window seat. The picture of the window seat also shows the electrical box detail. The wiring runs within a chase at ground level with the bales on a "toe-up" seven inches above floor level.
Working with the Flax Straw has been challenging. It is extremely fibrous and hard on the saw blades (not to mention the skin on arms and legs) The big advantage to flax is the oil content, which makes it extremely rot resistant.

Kari is off on vacation for a few weeks and is being indoctrinated into the strawbale brother/sisterhood. Not exactly a relaxing vacation.

taxation frustration

What could I possibly have in common with Jaclyn Smith, Hilary Clinton, and Keith Urban? Two years ago on October 26th, I started this blog on their birthday, (and mine). What better way to spend a b-day morning, than to go for a walk on a deserted beach? The storms this time of year make for productive beach-combing. Moon snail shells are in particular abundance. The weather lately, although coolish in the mornings, has been extraordinary.

About a month ago (when oil began it's plunge) BC Ferries announced that they would not be reducing the "fuel charge" because they had based their budget on $78 dollar / barrel oil. Now that oil is in the mid 60's, they've announced that the fuel charge will be cut in half on November 4th.. Our Provincial Government, (the one that has nothing to do with our ferry system) has announced that they be cutting our ferry fares by 30% for the "holiday season", (December & January). Too bad they didn't think of this maneuver while Hornby vacation rentals were sitting empty during the summer. Most people are assuming this is an attempt to buy votes and make us forget about the Olympic Shortfall Tax, I mean Carbon Gas Tax.

Saturday, there was an "all candidates" meeting at the hall. Three potential Island Trustees vied for two positions. All three (it appeared) tried not to differentiate themselves from the others while they fielded questions from the audience. Some questions were more in the form of venting some historical, personal grievance, (which I personally consider the entertainment portion of the program)

Strawbale House Update: Whilst I wait for the heat loss calculation (before installing the heating tubes), I've been puttering on the garage. Some cedar shingle accents have been stained to enhance the cute factor.

All Aboard The Hand-Cart

I can't even talk about it right now. The world is a very strange place. We voted in the advanced polls, before the neo-cons had even released their platform. The elections north and south have taken on a flavour that doesn't deserve attention or comment.... I think I'll wait for the movie.... How can a few individuals screw up the world's economy? It's unfitting, that the players at the core of the problem, will do very well, thank you. Here's my investment advice.
Investment Advice
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Air Lines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today.
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today.
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today.
But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the bottles for recycling refund, you will have $60.00 today.

The first storm of the year blew in to Denman Island last week, with torrential rains and howling winds. Same time, different year. The winds have blown all the clouds away leaving cool, crisp, beautiful mornings. From here it looks like Mt. Washington got a pretty good dump of snow. I'm not sure where it came from.... maybe a passing bird dropped a seed? We now have a 7 foot sunflower blooming on the building lot in near zero nightly temperatures. The deer seem to only like the lower leaves.

Straw Bale House Update: The (below slab) vapour barrier and insulation are down. Next will be the welded mesh (that reinforces the concrete slab) and then the tubing for the hydronic in-floor heating system will be fastened to the mesh.

Don't put all your eggs in one....election

The federal election was announced today and we'll go to the polls on October the 14th. We bought a dozen eggs today... the best before date is Oct 14th. It could be an omen. Maybe all elections should be held within the shelf-life of a dozen eggs. Now for all that Canadian election excitement.... (yawn)

Straw Bale House Update: The roof(s) are now all buttoned up, including the skylight. These two pics show the drainage track that will transfer any water leaks to the gutters. Not that I think the skylight will ever leak... but it's a good safeguard. The final flashing details were worked out on the roof and the ridge caps are installed.

By special request, I'll post a picture of our cats. (Boo insists on sleeping on his back.)

100TH BLOG

Last evening, we went to a free stress relieving acupuncture session. About a dozen students were here training on a new technique and "volunteers" were needed to be the guinea pigs. Now that my chi is centered, (thanks to thirteen needles in my ears and forehead), I can get on with the 100TH BLOG"

Straw Bale House Update:
Things to research:

1- Humanure Hacienda location. I can start on building the humanure bins anytime, but the perfect location must be found.... sun or shade... near or away from the house.

2- Lime Plaster: Sounds simple, but there are multiple options for lime plastering.

3- Greywater System: Drain grades must be determined and basic layout mapped.

4- Rainwater Collection: Collection pond and/or cisterns locations have to be planned.

5- Hot water Heating: System planning for domestic hot water and radiant in-floor heating.

6- Generator feed system for power outages.

7- Mason Heater facing material: Rock, brick or plaster? We like this one.....

Here's a short YouTube of a Humanure Hacienda.

Gettin 'er fired up

October 26th is the one year anniversary of the hit counter which clicked over 3500 on that day.... it was also my B-day, and was marked by an excursion to Sidney-by-the-Sea for a visit with my Favorite Sibling. On the way back we visited the big-box centre of Langford. I've gotta say, I don't miss city shopping and crowds of people. Although the Everything Wine store was quite interesting... I picked up a bottle of J.Bouchon Reserve Cab that I'd been trying to find (to no avail). This may prompt a wine review... it's been a while.

Denman Island Wildlife.... (Not meaning the Halloween Dance, which we were to tired to attend), we (again), have a cougar prowling the island. As you may recall the last cat lived here for some months before swimming to Hornby Island, (where he met his demise). Hopefully this fella has no appetite for sheep, (or house cats) and he can eat his fill of resident deer and return safely to the Big Island. The turkey population seems to have exploded in our neighbourhood just in time for Christmas. These aren't the brightest of fowl as shown by the picture taken out my windshield. Even after safely crossing the street some of these turkeys decided to turn back.... there's a joke there somewhere. Eventually they picked a side and I was able to continue without any Tom fatalities. BTW- a group of turkeys is called a "rafter".

Straw Bale House Update: The framing crew Bob & Bob have started on the loft and are ready to finish the floor joists as soon as I have the post and beams in place. Thanks to two band-saw mills here on the island, I have 2 of the beams required to finish the upper floor framing. (One beam I had ready to go turned out to be a foot short.... but only on one end.) Truss delivery is scheduled for Thursday but the weather may push that back til next week. Five gallons of gas and a lot of patience resulted in the burning of the huge slash pile which accumulated when we cleared for the house. Burning of this size required authorization from Forest Services as well as a permit from the local Fire Dept., then you wait for a good venting index and you're good to go. Straw supply is now very good in Alberta... there is plenty of flax, (the preferred crop), to be found at a nominal price. Transport of said straw is another matter. Shopping for a reasonable freight rate begins tomorrow. Still no sign of BC Hydro and the generator keeps racking up the hours. As there is currently no electrician on the island, I'll apply for the permit myself, stretch my limited knowledge on the subject and beg advise where I can. We do need an electrical permit here....septic is also regulated, and Island's Trust requires a siting permit.. no other building permits are required. The picture on the left is a cut-a-way sketch of the lower floor of the house.

A Tale of Two Islands

Friday, we took possession of our new 5 acre lot. We celebrated with Sue & Bill. Lawn chairs and cooler were arranged approximately where the deck will be and we enjoyed an afternoon sunning with appies and bubbly.

It was the Denman Island Home and Garden Tour this weekend. Although the weather didn't cooperate Saturday until early afternoon, we enjoyed visiting our old favorites, as well as some new additions to the tour. There are some hidden gems

down those dirt driveways! With emphasis on sustainable living practices, there were lots of unique ideas for our new property. The pictures are from various island gardens.

Sunday, we ventured down to Salt Spring Island

for their Home Eco-Tour. This tour was more about alternate building styles and we were able to see homes of rammed earth,

cob/cordwood, and even two bale homes.... one under construction, (which was of particular interest to me). There are many different views on bale construction and there is no proven method for construction in this climate. There is one main rule: Don't get it wet.... and yes, we live in a rain forest; therefore, it must have the best hat and shoes available.

While on Salt Spring, we ran into Valdy. See March 2007 Blog. I told him that I was going to call his agent to see if we can book him here on Denman, (he's never been here) .... Hmmm he said, I'm sure I'm booked there already (in October). You heard it here.... Valdy on Denman October '07.

Monday we can file our building proposal to the Island Trust. Although we don't need a building permit, Islands Trust must approve where the building(s) will be placed on the lot. It's not unheard of for islanders to be somewhat mistaken on property boundaries. Homes have been built, and wells drilled on adjoining properties in error. I'm not sure what Islands Trust do with the proposals other than file them for future reference (and collect a couple of hundred bucks to do so.)

Hummer TV Cont.....

Hummer TV is still going strong with escalating action. The feeder is so busy now that we have to fill it twice a day (when the weather is cool). Perhaps there is more need for energy to keep warm. The fledglings now come to visit, when they are allowed by the dominant males. They don't have anywhere near the same flying ability as adults and so will often rest on the deck railing. They are totally oblivious to people, so it is now possible not only to stand close to the feeder, but to hold it and actually touch the young hummers. The parents are a little more shy, but once they see they are missing out on the goodies, they become much braver. I am trying to master holding the feeder in one hand while taking a "macro" picture with the other. These pictures were taken about ten inches away from the brave subjects. These are the youngsters.... I'm still trying to get a similar shot of an adult male that has much more impressive plumage. The pictures are in a larger format this week.

Straw Bale update: Work on the power lines continues this week. Some huge rocks showed up in the easement, so the large machinery was brought in to pulverize the sandstone bedrock. We may be able to excavate soon. Drawings are nearing completion, with structural, plumbing, and electrical details to be worked out. As there is no building code here, we don't have to apply for permits and fall prey to the cash grab. We do have to adhere to septic and electrical codes. A call to the regional district electrical inspector was reassuring; it seems they are familiar with straw bale construction and everyone should be clear on what is acceptable.

Friday evening we attended a talk and presentation on pesticide free gardening. We're getting a little ahead of ourselves I know, but the talk was very informative. Curt & Denise are visiting this week. Curt had his upper wisdom teeth extracted on Tuesday and is currently recouping from that ordeal. We switch shifts on Thursday as Sue & Bill arrive for Home and Garden Tour Weekend. Saturday, we'll take in the Denman Island H&G Tour, then on Saturday, we'll do the same on Saltspring Island. We're especially looking forward to seeing the bale house on the tour there. The weekend should provide many photo opportunities.

Life in the Trenches

For the most part, it has been T-shirt weather, which means the weeds need to be cut twice a week. I can't say we have a lawn, but the front and back yards are a combo of wild grass, weeds and wild flowers. July, being our driest month of the year slows the growth of the "lawn" and, of course, we cannot water it.

After not seeing the elusive Alligator Lizard in three years, I've seen two this year... unfortunately, the second was at the working end the the gas powered weed-whacker. The snakes are very good at getting out of the way, but it seems the lizard, (although extremely fast) prefers to hide out in the tall grass and hope for the best.

We finally take possession of the property on the 15th. The delays have been due to lack of power. The power trench has now been dug and the conduit installed for our underground power lines. The underground part may turn out to be a huge asset given last years winter storms. The picture to the right shows the trench running from one end of the property to the other...about 345 feet at this point, (the narrowest). Sienna is about where the front deck will end up. The picture on the left is the driveway, which will see improvement only after all the cement trucks etc., have done their worst. Sometime this week, there should be a power trench dug along the left side of the driveway to take the power to the last building site on the line. Our nearest neighbours are 10, 12 and 40 acres. We're by far the smallest at just over 5 acres.

There's a steep learning curve when it comes to building straw bale homes. I'm in the process of absorbing all the information I can get my hands on. Our floor plan should lend itself well to straw bale. The construction will be a hybrid of new and old construction methods. Materials will range from insulated concrete forms to mud and lime plaster. It may be possible to have a foundation in, post & beam in place, and a roof on before the rains come. This will provide a skeleton framework and dry storage for straw and tools etc. Further to our "enviro" undertakings, we are looking at a septic system that utilizes a secondary treatment plant and a "wetlands" rather than a traditional septic leach field. The treated fluid in this case is virtually pure. As we're at the top of the hill this will be appreciated by well users below.

Tyler stayed for the weekend for some R&R. We were going to walk on the north-east beach on Saturday, but the logging road to reach it, has now been gated by the Northlands Owners. (A very petty move, in my opinion, to take away beach accesses in hopes of gaining support?) Anyway, there are plenty of beach walks, so we switched to plan "B". Curt and Denise come for a return visit next week, followed up by Sue and Bill on the weekend, to take in the world famous, Denman Island Annual Country Home & Garden Tour. If you have never been to the DIACHGT, I highly recommend it.

Friday Night at the Backhall featured Bob Wiseman. It's hard to describe Bob... a, songwriter, movie making, accordion, guitar, keyboard playing kinda guy. He alternated short movie clips and sung story songs.... although hard to describe, it was entertaining.

Oh ya, Happy Birthday Curt!!!