Thursday, November 11, 2010
What about the Extras that make life worth living
Ok, this is a wee bit off topic, but not too far; we are interested in Sustainable Living / Life (SL); to me that is taking an Holistic approach to life, just as Thoreau did; the House may be the main emphasis for some, in that it is geared to sustainable energy use, but what of the rest of a person's life; the areas that make the sacrifices to get the house operational worth while; these could include the Garden Root Cellar, Orchard, Workshop, Craft-room and other attendant areas that would make living the SL worth while; such as a Wine/Beer Cellar, Cheese House, Sauna, and whatever you can think of that has added value to life; some may want to add boat building, while others an artists loft or shed, and others may find that a sewing room come sun room / reading room might be essential; we are all different and we shouldn't sacrifice ourselves totally in the process of building a Sustainable Energy Efficient House;
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Saws and getting ahead of the curve!!
A friend had seen a Mitre saw on sale at Rona (lumber and hardware store), but it wasn't the one I am looking for (De Walt); while the price is good, it is not as accurate or solidly build; I figure I will only have one shot at getting a good one, so want to make the choice count; he is wondering if I am looking at getting one that would be over kill for what I really need for now, but the way I look at it, if I get a really good one, at a reasonable price, for me, then later as life changes, (which is a hope ;-) then I am ahead of the curve, and can deal with much more in the way of building; ie, rather than one that will only do pictures frames and small stuff, get a (basic) one that would be good for building a house, for 100 dollars more ;) paying for it just takes a wee bit more patience, and patience doesn't cost anything LOL
Did the same with the Freezer, when I bought it, I was also recommended to buy a 5 cu ft one, but that extra 2 cu ft made all the difference in what I can store; 15 cu ft would have been a waste for a single person and was beyond my purse ;-) if I need that much more space, I can purchase another 7 cu ft freezer, and unplug it when I don't need it, saving on energy;
Doesn't quite translate to saws, but it is close in that with a good saw, if I need to I can build a table to take a longer piece of wood, ie 12 ft, and with the extra cutting depth of 12 in. can cut rafters and stuff for roof trusses if necessary ;) ok, a real stretch given my current situation, but this is projecting the hope of a better future than I have at present; and a 12 ft truss / rafter would be just about right for the width of a Walden style house ;0 12x30 ft being 360 ft with a loft of 180 sq ft, for 540 sq ft total, basic size house; it would be easy to heat and expand to 1080 sq ft if desired; that is only on possible strategy; other one is a 12x24 with the 24 facing south, and adding another 12x24 in front of it on a floating stone pad, which would be a heat sink, for collecting sun shine from the front row of double paned windows ;-) there are a few other points which would make this a practical solution to building over a 2-3 year period, which I will go into later; but for now will post and get back to living in todays world, not dreaming ;-)
Update Nov 11th
Reality came to Schnee on the weekend, and I am now realizing that the 800 dollar saw (Including tax) (yeah, Reality really takes a bite out of the pocket book ;-) that I was considering was way out of my league for now, so back peddled to the 270 dollar saw (including tax) that will do window framing and picture framing, plus other interior projects, etc;
Did the same with the Freezer, when I bought it, I was also recommended to buy a 5 cu ft one, but that extra 2 cu ft made all the difference in what I can store; 15 cu ft would have been a waste for a single person and was beyond my purse ;-) if I need that much more space, I can purchase another 7 cu ft freezer, and unplug it when I don't need it, saving on energy;
Doesn't quite translate to saws, but it is close in that with a good saw, if I need to I can build a table to take a longer piece of wood, ie 12 ft, and with the extra cutting depth of 12 in. can cut rafters and stuff for roof trusses if necessary ;) ok, a real stretch given my current situation, but this is projecting the hope of a better future than I have at present; and a 12 ft truss / rafter would be just about right for the width of a Walden style house ;0 12x30 ft being 360 ft with a loft of 180 sq ft, for 540 sq ft total, basic size house; it would be easy to heat and expand to 1080 sq ft if desired; that is only on possible strategy; other one is a 12x24 with the 24 facing south, and adding another 12x24 in front of it on a floating stone pad, which would be a heat sink, for collecting sun shine from the front row of double paned windows ;-) there are a few other points which would make this a practical solution to building over a 2-3 year period, which I will go into later; but for now will post and get back to living in todays world, not dreaming ;-)
Update Nov 11th
Reality came to Schnee on the weekend, and I am now realizing that the 800 dollar saw (Including tax) (yeah, Reality really takes a bite out of the pocket book ;-) that I was considering was way out of my league for now, so back peddled to the 270 dollar saw (including tax) that will do window framing and picture framing, plus other interior projects, etc;
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Today the possible, tomorrow the impossible!!
This is a pass through window, I blocked off with a painting 4 x 3 foot
The canvas came from the last place that I worked, it was painted black and used for a back drop in a play; it is wrinkled and creased, but with a bit of pulling I was able to get it reasonably flat, and while it won't hang in a museum or art gallery, it is fit for purpose ;-) and it gave me my first time attempt at a huge painting ;0 What an experience that was, and it has sparked a resurrection of a dream in that direction as well; what is possible today was impossible a few years ago, and who knows what tomorrow will bring;
I have already eyed out some areas in the back yard for black currant bushes and a fence for putting climbing cucumbers, beans, peas and zucchini;
Around one side of the driveway at the back of the house, I am looking at building a small lean-to for a collapsible work bench for the saw and drill press, to help clean up the area that my brother uses for building his projects for seasonal decorations; I am looking for myself to be somewhat independent by the time I am 65 years old, and this is just a starting point;
Next year I am looking at having a go at replacing the counter in the basement with a home build one, from plans, with a top made from Mexican ceramic tile purchased from:
http://www.allaboutmeportperry.com/
as well as some other projects for sale;
Where it takes me is anyones guess right at the moment; as Thomas says, God knows, and She is only guessing!!
The canvas came from the last place that I worked, it was painted black and used for a back drop in a play; it is wrinkled and creased, but with a bit of pulling I was able to get it reasonably flat, and while it won't hang in a museum or art gallery, it is fit for purpose ;-) and it gave me my first time attempt at a huge painting ;0 What an experience that was, and it has sparked a resurrection of a dream in that direction as well; what is possible today was impossible a few years ago, and who knows what tomorrow will bring;
I have already eyed out some areas in the back yard for black currant bushes and a fence for putting climbing cucumbers, beans, peas and zucchini;
Around one side of the driveway at the back of the house, I am looking at building a small lean-to for a collapsible work bench for the saw and drill press, to help clean up the area that my brother uses for building his projects for seasonal decorations; I am looking for myself to be somewhat independent by the time I am 65 years old, and this is just a starting point;
Next year I am looking at having a go at replacing the counter in the basement with a home build one, from plans, with a top made from Mexican ceramic tile purchased from:
http://www.allaboutmeportperry.com/
as well as some other projects for sale;
Where it takes me is anyones guess right at the moment; as Thomas says, God knows, and She is only guessing!!
slow down you move to fast
With Travel, if I have to go beyond walking distance, I don't take public transit as one trip would expend 1% of my disposable income after basic expenses and while it doesn't seem a lot, it is a severe tax on anything I purchase; so I wait and if someone is going that way, for instance, the Wal-mart or Home Depot I ask to go along;
When I started this life style change, there were only gift credit cards available at banks, but since the summer I have found out that Shoppers Drug Mart carries American Express, Visa and Master Card gift cards; while this does nothing for a credit rating, it does mean I have access to some purchase power online and in stores not that I have used it a much;
What I am getting at here, in general is a survivalist strategy without the disaster; I don't bake my own bread, though I can; but I do make banana bread, scones and biscuits; if I want syrup for pancakes, I make my own from brown and white sugar adding almond or vanilla flavouring, or half the sugar is cider powder; there are ways to have a pleasant life style without spending a lot of money;
Probably the closest parallel would be the village life, with a home garden, preserves pantry and root cellar; brought up to date, with freezer and pantry shelf; make and mend, doing with what is at hand and not what one wishes she or he had; today, I blocked off the window in my bedroom because it has a bad draft; I used a drop ceiling tile, and put masking tape around the edges; for my bedroom door, which has gaps, I used duct tape and sealed the hinge side, then put sweeps on the bottom edge and the latch side edge to keep out the draft there;
When I started this life style change, there were only gift credit cards available at banks, but since the summer I have found out that Shoppers Drug Mart carries American Express, Visa and Master Card gift cards; while this does nothing for a credit rating, it does mean I have access to some purchase power online and in stores not that I have used it a much;
What I am getting at here, in general is a survivalist strategy without the disaster; I don't bake my own bread, though I can; but I do make banana bread, scones and biscuits; if I want syrup for pancakes, I make my own from brown and white sugar adding almond or vanilla flavouring, or half the sugar is cider powder; there are ways to have a pleasant life style without spending a lot of money;
Probably the closest parallel would be the village life, with a home garden, preserves pantry and root cellar; brought up to date, with freezer and pantry shelf; make and mend, doing with what is at hand and not what one wishes she or he had; today, I blocked off the window in my bedroom because it has a bad draft; I used a drop ceiling tile, and put masking tape around the edges; for my bedroom door, which has gaps, I used duct tape and sealed the hinge side, then put sweeps on the bottom edge and the latch side edge to keep out the draft there;
the 3 R's Strategy
I began this lifestyle change many years ago, when living in the GTA, but it was a struggle because of the credit card debt and the need to have clothes and transportation for work; I was living LESS well than I am now, even though I was earning 20,000 a year; after being laid off and struggling with the debts and unemployment for 2 years and then the two devastating health issues, and bankruptcy, I was left with nothing, and only the one way, UPWARDS!!!
My first strategy began with the purchase of a 7 cu ft chest freezer in the fall of 2009, which at the time I hadn't the money to put any food into; in time, I was able to purchase round roasts, uncut, on sale at 1/2 price from a bargain super market; which I cut into steaks and small roasts, packaging them individually; chicken breasts, boneless and pork chops on sale rounded out my meat needs;
The vegetables from the reduced shelf, cut up and freezing, then later mixing to make my own mixed vegetables; a crock pot for Christmas and I was away to the races ;-) 10 inch round tins, from Wal-Mart that had once held popcorn, from my "landlord" and I had ready made bins for large quantity storage of flour, rice, and potatoes (poke holes in the top for potatoes to get air);
I make 9 inch pie shells and keep 12 in one of the tins, in the freezer; 4 lt ice cream containers and soya margarine containers make great containers for cakes and cookies; bread and milk plastic bags get used for frozen vegetables; twist ties come from kids presents, where they are used to tie the toys to the cardboard liners; at one point I found 10 lb bags of carrots on sale for 2 dollars, I bought 5, cut them up and froze them;
Another time I found flats of 1.05 lt apple juice on sale for 6 dollars, and bought 4, storing them in the coldest room; I used to make wine, but got out of the hobby, but kept the books and equipment; this I have resurrected with the apple juice for a start; later I will purchase other ingredients and work toward a 30-40 bottle cellar by making 4 liter batches for variety; not being a big drinker, a bottle usually lasts me a month; I won't be making a lot at a time ;-)
My first strategy began with the purchase of a 7 cu ft chest freezer in the fall of 2009, which at the time I hadn't the money to put any food into; in time, I was able to purchase round roasts, uncut, on sale at 1/2 price from a bargain super market; which I cut into steaks and small roasts, packaging them individually; chicken breasts, boneless and pork chops on sale rounded out my meat needs;
The vegetables from the reduced shelf, cut up and freezing, then later mixing to make my own mixed vegetables; a crock pot for Christmas and I was away to the races ;-) 10 inch round tins, from Wal-Mart that had once held popcorn, from my "landlord" and I had ready made bins for large quantity storage of flour, rice, and potatoes (poke holes in the top for potatoes to get air);
I make 9 inch pie shells and keep 12 in one of the tins, in the freezer; 4 lt ice cream containers and soya margarine containers make great containers for cakes and cookies; bread and milk plastic bags get used for frozen vegetables; twist ties come from kids presents, where they are used to tie the toys to the cardboard liners; at one point I found 10 lb bags of carrots on sale for 2 dollars, I bought 5, cut them up and froze them;
Another time I found flats of 1.05 lt apple juice on sale for 6 dollars, and bought 4, storing them in the coldest room; I used to make wine, but got out of the hobby, but kept the books and equipment; this I have resurrected with the apple juice for a start; later I will purchase other ingredients and work toward a 30-40 bottle cellar by making 4 liter batches for variety; not being a big drinker, a bottle usually lasts me a month; I won't be making a lot at a time ;-)
Survial Strategies: introduction
it has been some time since I actually sat down with this blog to think about the future; much has happened and is still in flux since January of 2008; to be brief, I had a heart operation, declare bankruptcy and encountered a patch of ice at 6:33 am on a dark February morning, resulting in a knee operation to reconstruct it and then learn to walk again, though I will never walk as well as before;
I have had to sit down and think through the future and accept that building my own house is not going to happen, without a lot of money to hire people to do it for me; but that has not stopped me from dreaming and working out my life as if I were living the dream;
In one way I have been forced to by my circumstances, [living on a minimal pension, in my brother's basement, with 3 rooms and a shower / toilet,] to become more conservation minded; the 3 R's of Reduce, Recycle, Reuse; which to me means reducing my life style to the basics, but still living well, though at a slower pace and with fewer outside perks;
For the next few blog posts I will described a couple of the strategies that I have incorporated into my life so that I can attempt to live well, and try to get positioned to move beyond the present struggle to live a better life;
You may be wondering why I use the term living well and what it means; simply put, it means to eat, travel and experience a quality of life beyond my means without spending beyond my means or borrowing to make up the difference; in my case it means specifically, to purchase, store, and process food stuffs, such that my food expense is low on an average month; to keep my travels to walking distance, my other purchases to the absolute necessities (other than the occasional bottle of wine)and to be able to put money into purchasing items to make living cheaply easier; as well as to purchase tools or technology to give me a hope of advancing my chosen life style; more on that as we move along;
I have had to sit down and think through the future and accept that building my own house is not going to happen, without a lot of money to hire people to do it for me; but that has not stopped me from dreaming and working out my life as if I were living the dream;
In one way I have been forced to by my circumstances, [living on a minimal pension, in my brother's basement, with 3 rooms and a shower / toilet,] to become more conservation minded; the 3 R's of Reduce, Recycle, Reuse; which to me means reducing my life style to the basics, but still living well, though at a slower pace and with fewer outside perks;
For the next few blog posts I will described a couple of the strategies that I have incorporated into my life so that I can attempt to live well, and try to get positioned to move beyond the present struggle to live a better life;
You may be wondering why I use the term living well and what it means; simply put, it means to eat, travel and experience a quality of life beyond my means without spending beyond my means or borrowing to make up the difference; in my case it means specifically, to purchase, store, and process food stuffs, such that my food expense is low on an average month; to keep my travels to walking distance, my other purchases to the absolute necessities (other than the occasional bottle of wine)and to be able to put money into purchasing items to make living cheaply easier; as well as to purchase tools or technology to give me a hope of advancing my chosen life style; more on that as we move along;
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Walden Dream Part 2
Walden Dream Part 2
ok, to the nitty gritty: What is the Walden Dream about
it is made up of:
Housing:
In the old days, it was about creating your own house, building from scratch, and with the least expensive materials... whatever came to hand, or foot... literally... things haven't changed much since then... the only difference is, that most people want to have a modicum of conveniences, such as inside toilets and running water, with an order of electricity on the side... And Technology has said, sure, we can get it to you, for a price... now 40 years ago, that would have meant HIGH price, but over the years this price has decreased as the World has had to learn to grapple with Global Warming, and the Demise (ok, perhaps prolonged death rattle) of the Fossil Fuel Society, and is dropping yearly... nowadays, we have access to Solar Electric Technologies, Waste Converting Technologies, Home Heating Technologies, that are on a human scale, fit for purpose, in our individual homes... people can chose to go small c conservationist, or go BIG C… or in other words, they can buff up the house hold expense account save a few bucks a month, or go and cut out all ties to the city grid, and save a whole bundle of money, after expenses of course...
Income vs Expenses:
And that is where Income vs Expenses comes in... ‘cause make no mistake, even though these technologies have come down in price, they are still going to cost, and you ain't going to get them by trading all the chestnut jewelry your better half made last winter, or that wheel of Cheddar Cheese... nope, your going to have to have hard cash... and then there is the upkeep... nothing lasts forever... sooooooooo your first going to have to get a bit of money together, and two there is going to have to be some form of yearly income... but how much income and how much expenses... well that will depend on how much technology you want... or how much you want to give up... and how much you can make do for yourself or without...
The Philosophy:
Putting those two together is where the philosophical debate is going to lie... ‘cause when it comes down to it, that is what you will drag your sorry ass to do to get yourself set up... if you don't know the answers to the philosophical questions, when the rubber hits the road, you may find one or t’other of you (if there is a partnership) may be heading down that road to the big city, with a 'I won't be coming back!' sign printed on their tie-dye t-shirt....
The Art of The Possible:
So it all comes down to the art of the possible... and that my friend, is where you will have to determine where you draw the line... what you are willing to do, what you can do, and if that weren't enough, what Mother Nature and the Government is going to allow you to do...
Sure seems a bit daunting doesn't it... makes you want to turn around now and head for that condo in the sky on Bay and Front, and your cozy office in the 34th floor of the tower next door, with your 6 figure salary and the high blood pressure to go with it...
ok, to the nitty gritty: What is the Walden Dream about
it is made up of:
Housing:
In the old days, it was about creating your own house, building from scratch, and with the least expensive materials... whatever came to hand, or foot... literally... things haven't changed much since then... the only difference is, that most people want to have a modicum of conveniences, such as inside toilets and running water, with an order of electricity on the side... And Technology has said, sure, we can get it to you, for a price... now 40 years ago, that would have meant HIGH price, but over the years this price has decreased as the World has had to learn to grapple with Global Warming, and the Demise (ok, perhaps prolonged death rattle) of the Fossil Fuel Society, and is dropping yearly... nowadays, we have access to Solar Electric Technologies, Waste Converting Technologies, Home Heating Technologies, that are on a human scale, fit for purpose, in our individual homes... people can chose to go small c conservationist, or go BIG C… or in other words, they can buff up the house hold expense account save a few bucks a month, or go and cut out all ties to the city grid, and save a whole bundle of money, after expenses of course...
Income vs Expenses:
And that is where Income vs Expenses comes in... ‘cause make no mistake, even though these technologies have come down in price, they are still going to cost, and you ain't going to get them by trading all the chestnut jewelry your better half made last winter, or that wheel of Cheddar Cheese... nope, your going to have to have hard cash... and then there is the upkeep... nothing lasts forever... sooooooooo your first going to have to get a bit of money together, and two there is going to have to be some form of yearly income... but how much income and how much expenses... well that will depend on how much technology you want... or how much you want to give up... and how much you can make do for yourself or without...
The Philosophy:
Putting those two together is where the philosophical debate is going to lie... ‘cause when it comes down to it, that is what you will drag your sorry ass to do to get yourself set up... if you don't know the answers to the philosophical questions, when the rubber hits the road, you may find one or t’other of you (if there is a partnership) may be heading down that road to the big city, with a 'I won't be coming back!' sign printed on their tie-dye t-shirt....
The Art of The Possible:
So it all comes down to the art of the possible... and that my friend, is where you will have to determine where you draw the line... what you are willing to do, what you can do, and if that weren't enough, what Mother Nature and the Government is going to allow you to do...
Sure seems a bit daunting doesn't it... makes you want to turn around now and head for that condo in the sky on Bay and Front, and your cozy office in the 34th floor of the tower next door, with your 6 figure salary and the high blood pressure to go with it...
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