Posts from — February 2008

More Pix

I took more pix, here they are:

This is Bob up on a scaffold that he made, he was putting up more panels of wood on the south side of the cabin, the scaffold is about 12 feet in the air.

These are in front (south facing) of the cabin.

This is on the west side of the cabin, this is where a lot of activity is going on, you can see one of the concrete (soilcrete) walls, it’s not much to look at, yet, but it’s a work in progress.

This is the same pix as above, I highlighted the concrete wall in red, it is poured in layers, each layer is about a foot deep, the first layer is highlighted with yellow, the next layer we poured is highlighted in magenta. Between the yellow and magenta layers, we poured that layer too thick, the problem that occurs is with the weight of the concrete, if the pour is too thick, it will cause the form to bulge, we got lucky, it did bulge, but not too much. The form for the next layers is the wood panel that is above the concrete, highlighted in orange. This is only part of the concrete work, this is sort of a bump out, the other concrete work is being done under the cabin just behind what is visible in this picture. The bump out is going to house part of the water system, the top will be as tall as the floor on the cabin (about 6 feet in the air), sorry if I’m not explaining it well, I’ll take more pix as we get more done, it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words. :)

This is Bob removing the wind part of the weather station, he had to do this in order to put up one of the panels on the cabin. You can see what is referred to as a radar net or camoflage net, it’s old military surplus, we have several of these, it works good for us to hide the work in progress, we don’t want our few neighbors who can see us to have to look at the half way done work on the cabin, it also helps us to blend in with the natural scenery, Bob eventually wants to place one on the roof so that when Google Earth updates their satellite images, our place will not show, we like being hidden from the world. ;)

I took more pix today of the cabin from much farther away, it will take me a few days to get it placed on the blog, it’s quite a process, I have to take the picture with the camera in my cell phone, I have to send the pix from my cell phone to my email address, then I have to go to my neighbor to check my email and get the pictures, I copy them to a memory stick, take them back to my cabin, I put the pix on my laptop, edit them as needed (crop, resize, highlight…), then it’s back on the memory stick and back to my neighbor’s house, then I can upload them to this blog, one of these days I’ll find my digital camera and many MANY steps will be eliminated.

2 Comments

Oldman in the boonies said…

NICE PICS. What is the tower ( or spire) close to you? Good idea on the combat como netting..Often wished I had done that. Too late they already got me…

March 2, 2008 1:46 PM

Wretha said…

Oldman, I assume you are asking about the pic with the road and the dot as my cabin, if so, that spire is a utility pole, it is not near my cabin at all, it is on the south side of the valley, my cabin is well north of that, the road you see in the image goes down about 100 feet until it reaches the road that I live on, my cabin is about 75-100 feet above the road where I live, I’d say that pic was taken about a mile away. I don’t have any utility poles on my property, there is one on the extreme south west corner of my property, but not on it, that is not the same one you see in the pic. If this is not the image you are asking about, please ask again and specify which one you are talking about.

Thanks!
Wretha

March 3, 2008 8:16 PM

02-27-08

Pizza night went very well, the dough I made rose very well, I love a happy dough! I used spaghetti sauce for the pizza sauce, I cooked some ground beef, I had some left over(cooked) deer sausage, but it smelled a little off, I set it outside well behind my cabin for the wild animals to eat. I used fresh spinach, chopped onion and mozeralla cheese, it was very good and quite fun, everyone enjoyed it.

Today was a good day, we drove into town in the bug, we left out about noon, it is the first time in over a month that we went to town on our own, I have gone to town with our neighbor many times, but this time Bob and I went together, it was quite fun. To my knowledge, we have the only VW Bug in or around town, we are getting to be known a little, I believe people are beginning to recognize the little blue bug, it’s fun! We went to the resale shop, the sales here benefit the local animal shelter. It was full of lots of fun things, I got a couple of shirts (for $1.00 each), Bob got a pair of shoes, and we got a few other misc things.

What better way to go off grid and be cozy then to let the Earth’s own geothermal work for you.

Geothermal, GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps are all use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature. By doing that this system has a much higher efficiency (300%-600%) on cold winter nights then air-sourced heat pumps (175%-250%) on cool days

Since many areas if the US experience seasonal temperature extremes, from scorching heat in summer to sub-zero in winter, a few feet below the ground the temperature remains relatively constant. This temperature ranges from 45°F to 75°F (7°C to 21°C) depending on the latitude. Think of a cave, it’s warmer then outside in the winter, while cooler in summer. These GHP systems take advantage of that when they exchange heat with the earth through their ground heat exchanger

Geothermal and water-source heat pumps are able to cool, heat, and supply the home with hot water (if equipped). Models available of geothermal systems can include a two-speed compressors and variable fans to increase comfort and energy efficiency. Another plus is that compared to air-source heat pumps they last longer, need less maintenance, are quieter, and outside air temperature has no effect

The dual-source heat pump uses both geothermal and air-source heat pumps. By combining both systems best aspects you get a higher efficiency then the air one alone, though not as efficient as the true geothermal unit. The lower cost of the dual-source system and ability to work almost as well is a strong plus for this system.

The cost of a geothermal system is several times that of the air-forced system with the same capacity. This additional cost is recouped in your energy savings over the first 5-10 years. Since the internal components have a life is estimate of 25 years, with the ground loop at 50+ years, you will be reaping those energy savings for a long time to come. There are four distinct types of geothermal systems, three of those are closed-looped and 0ne is open looped.

The horizontal closed-loop type of installation is generally most cost-effective for residential uses, especially in new construction where land is available. It requires trenches to be at least four feet deep. The most common layouts are either to use two pipes, one buried at six feet, and the other at four feet, or two pipes placed side-by-side at five feet in the ground in a two-foot wide trench. The Slinky™ method of looping pipe gives more pipe in a shorter trench, which cuts on the cost of installation and makes horizontal installation possible in areas where conventional horizontal applications would not fit.

For schools and large commercial buildings vertical systems ar e often used because the land area required for horizontal loops would be a problem. Vertical loops are also used where shallow trenching isn’t possible or a disturbance to existing landscaping is called for. For a this system, holes (about 4″ in diameter) are drilled about 20 feet apart and 100–400 feet deep. Two pipes that are connected at the bottom with a U-bend to form a loop are inserted into each hole. These vertical loops are then connected with horizontal pipe and placed in trenches, which are connected to the heat pump for building.

The last closed loop sytem needs an adequate water body, though this may be the lowest cost option. A supply line pipe is run underground from the building to at least 8 feet under the water and then coiled into circles to prevent freezing. This can only bee done if the water source that meets minimum volume, depth, and quality criteria.

The last geothermal system is an open loop system which uses well or surface body water as the heat exchange medium that directly circulates through the GHP system. Once it has circulated through the system, the water returns to the ground through the well, a recharge well, or surface discharge. This option is only usable where there is an enough of relatively clean water, and all local codes and regulations regarding groundwater discharge are met.

There is definitely a growing interest here as there is around 40,000 geothermal heat pumps installed in the United States each year.

All pictures are courtsey of The U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

The shrinking village of Kivalina, Alaska is suing 9 oil companies, 14 power companies, and one coal company for damage that has been caused by global warming to their island. This suit was filed Tuesday, Feb 26, in San Fransisco’s U.S. District Court on behalf of the city of Kivalina and it’s federally recognized tribe, Alaska Native village of Kivalina. The suit is claiming that the large amounts of greenhouse gases these companies have emitted has contributed to global warming and that is now threatening their communities existence.

The traditional Inupiat Eskimo village of 391 is located on an 8-mile barrier reef about 625 miles northwest of Anchorage. The community has been traditionaly protected by sea ice. While their economy is based partly on the fishing of salmon and hunting of seal, walrus, and whale. Since the sea ice is now forming later and then melting earlier becuase of higher tempatures due to global warming. This leaves the village unprotected from fall and winter storm surges and waves that pound costal communities.

“We are seeing accelerated erosion because of the loss of sea ice,” in a statement from City Administrator Janet Mitchell. “We normally have ice starting in October, but now we have open water even into December so our island is not protected from the storms.” The damage that global warming has caused has been documented in official government reports by both the General Accounting Office and the Army Corps of Engineers.

This lawsuit invokes the federal common law of public nusiance so that every entity that contributes to pollution that is now harming Kivialina can be liable. Part of the lawsuit is also cliaming a conspiracy among some of the defendents by publicly misleading the public on the causes and consquences of global warming.

Since the island is shrinking relocation is the only option left to the people of this village. The estimated costs to do that is at $400 million if not more.

The oil companies named are : Exxon Mobil, BP, PLC, BP America Inc., BP Products North America, Inc., Chevron Corp., Chevron U.S.A., INC., ConocoPhilips Co., Royal Dutch Shell PLC, and Shell Oil Co.

The energy and power companies named are: AES Corp., American Electric Power Co. Inc., American Elctric Power Service Corp.,DTER Energy Co., Duke Energy Corp., Dynegy Holdings, Inc., Edison International, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., Mirant Corp., NRG Energy, Pinnacle West Capital Corp., Reliant Energy Inc., the Southern Co., and Xcel Energy Inc.

The single major coal producer named was Peabody Energy Co.

This will prove to be an interesting case to follow.

Don’t blame cars, blame drivers

You can take them anywhere. You can live in them. They can earn you money dragging logs or whatever. 4x4s are an indispensable part of off-grid life for many of us. Ideally I would like a stretch Land Rover (as in stretch out and go to sleep), but I couldn’t afford it even if one did exist.

It�s fair to say that 4x4s don�t get the warmest of receptions in the green movement. They�ve been blamed for global warming. But, I’m willing to cut them some slack, even if the world�s hardcore tree-huggers aren�t. (more…)

Have you been thinking about visiting Washington DC to see the sites, enjoy the great entertainment, talk with your representatives, advocate for a better environment, or maybe just join in on some interesting events, then this April seems to be the time to do it.

• The Alliance to Save Energy will be hosting its’ Great Energy Efficiency Day for 2008 on Wednesday, April 16th. It will be held on Capitol Hill at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G-50, from 8:00am – 3:30pm. It was first held in 2004 and is propertied to have become a “must attend” , drawing more than 400 stakeholders from different sectors, such as industry, business, government, academic, media and public interest. It is designed to be a “discussion” on the need for, and benefits of, energy efficiency. This event will feature leading voices in energy and energy efficiency, addressing current and timely issues and provide insight from Capitol Hill itself from congressional members. This is a free event but you must register as space is limited. The Off Grid Home is planning to have a presence there so if you can’t make it we should be reporting about it shortly after the event, if all goes as planned of course.
• April 19 is Children’s’ Day at The Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park. This is a chance to learn not only about colonial farming but organic farming with your children. You also will be able to hike through the park and purchase seedlings from the museum garden. They are offering free membership to 25 visitors. This event is free for members.
• The Earth Day Network will be sponsoring Earth Day on the Hill on Sunday, April 20 as well as events in 7 other US cities. The event at the National Mall is to be their flagship event and as such is scheduled to include A-list celebrities as well as elected officials/candidates, community speakers, and major musical performances. Educational displays and voter registration is also to be included. They are hoping for hundreds of thousands participants for their combined events in DC as well as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas and Miami. These events are being sponsored by Chase and produced by Green Apple Festivals, they are FREE to attend. They are encouraging everyone who can to walk, bike or even row to an event near them to show your support for dealing with global warming.
• Earth Day Network is also calling for a day of action following these events. On Monday, April 21 they are asking for Americans to contact their elected officials and let then know how important improving our environment is to us. If you are in the US you are able to call the White House at (202) 456-1111 and/or Capitol Hill at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your elected official. Their goal is a million calls, I vote to help them get it. Don’t forget it’s an election year so they may actual listen.
• For our youth The Student Conservation Association’s will be holding a multi-day national conservation summit April 24-27, called EarthVision. This will offer our youth a unique opportunity to meet and influence today’s environmental policy makers. It will will bring together the best and the brightest of young conservation leaders along with government agency directors, elected officials, corporate executives, scientists, media personalities and others to craft citizen-driven solutions to today’s environmental challenges. Over the course of the event they’ll be able learn new ways to minimize your environmental footprint, lend a hand in preserving National monuments, and hear from world’s leading authorities on “green” living. This event costs from $95 to $345 please check their website for more information
• It will also be Gardening Days at Mount Vernon April 12 through May 11. You will be able to see and join others as Mount Vernon hosts its annual outdoor garden and gift sale which includes ornamentals, perennials and annuals, garden items, books, and heirloom plants propagated from historic cuttings. Guests are also invited to enter Washington’s historic “orangerie,” or greenhouse. This event has a fee to enter visit their site for more details.

This April DC is not only giving all of us the chance to learn, have our voices heard, but also enjoy yourself with family. All this while advocating to improve our environment not only for ourselves but for our children as well. This is list is only some of the many events that will be happening in April you can check them all out at Washington DC’s official tourism site here. This April let’s not just have one day dedicated to reminding us how important it is to take care of our home, Earth, let’s take the whole month to think of what little or large changes we can make in our everyday lives to impact Earth in a more positive way.

02-26-08

The month is almost gone, time goes by so fast here, it seems like we just got here and it also seems like we have always been here, I can’t say that I have forgotten my life before this, but it is fading. Before we moved here, I didn’t know how I would be able to leave all of my responsibilities, I felt a great responsibility to do the jobs I had, both at Best Buy and at Curves. I did a lot of key things at both places, things that no one else did for the most part, and I enjoyed working at both places. I enjoyed the people I knew there. I know that I did a good job at what I did and I cared about it, I am afraid that things aren’t getting done as well as I would do it because I did care about what I was doing. The few weeks (or was it months?) that I was still in Irving after I quit both jobs, I felt like a fish out of water, I felt like I didn’t have anything to do, in reality there was lots to do with all the last minute packing and keeping the items on the trailer safe from the weather… well, once we got here, that all changed, I do not worry about things back in town like I thought I might, I do miss everyone I knew there, but I am pretty busy here, and what I do is so much more enjoyable and rewarding, I do not regret making this major life changing move.

Tonight is pizza night, I am making the dough, I make a yeast dough and right now it’s rising on the wood stove, the stove is still warm from this morning and it’s the perfect temp for the dough. I have some hamburger meat that needs to be cooked and I have some left over deer sausage that needs to be eaten, that will go good on the pizza. I am making the dough here in the cabin, but I’ll cook it at our neighbor’s house, it’s pizza night for him too! :)

Bob just scared me to death! I am inside the cabin, he is outside on a very narrow scaffolding attached to the house, he is putting up more siding, he is up pretty high, I heard a crash and other sounds that you don’t want to hear in this situation, I had a vision of him falling, I jumped up and ran to the door while calling out to him, he answered that he was OK, I still went out to see what happened, he had nearly fallen, the scaffolding he is using is a ladder with some boards on it to walk on, he said he was focused on what he was doing with his hands and took one step too many to the side and stepped off into the air. I heard him scrabbling to catch himself, he dropped the board and the drill he was holding, that was the crash I heard. So far we have done very well not to get injured, just a few minor bruises, scrapes, cuts, blisters, splinters and the occasional cactus thorn. We have to be and have been very careful here, there are no doctors or hospitals very near by, there is a volunteer fire department, and I understand they are in the process of training EMTs as well, the little community here is trying to be as self sufficient as possible. Our neighbor has some medical training, so if anything bad happens he will be our first stop for help.

Yesterday was a good day, our other friends out here just bought a property just around the mountain from us, there is a mobile home and a travel trailer on it, both were fully furnished, everything was from the 70s, and in pretty good shape, they allowed us to go through some of the kitchen stuff and take what we needed, we got a small 3 burner stove with oven from the travel trailer, it’s so cute, it’s turquoise blue, and it should be set up for propane already, if not, Bob can change what needs to be changed to make it run on propane. We also got a lot of other misc kitchen stuff, one of my favorite things is a set of coffee mugs, bright orange, made by Fire King, I love free stuff! :)

Well, I think I’ll go back out and see if I can help more, at least try to get Bob to knock off for the day and get cleaned up to go eat pizza.

3 Comments

Anonymous said…

Have you considered cooking in a solar oven? From what I understand, they’re pretty easy to make and use.

TheMajor’sLady
lornkanaga.livejournal.com

February 27, 2008 12:48 PM

Oldman in the Boonies said…

I hope your Pizza night went well. It sounds like you still need to work out an oven. Well I am sure you will. Nice of other folks to help you guys out.

Just a short story here. When We were building our house 24 years ago, I was putting up the steel beam in the basement. My son was 14 at the time and had an 8 ft section of the beam on a chain hanging from the tractor bucket. Well it slipped, he yelled and I looked up. Good thing I did because all I got was a bad cut instead of a smashed skull. 3 stiches but no death….. Be thankful and BOB BE CAREFUll !!!!

February 27, 2008 3:23 PM

Wretha said…

TheMajor’sLady, yes, I am familiar with solar cooking, it’s something I have been interested in since I was a teenager, (that’s a LONG time… grin!), check out my earlier messages on the blog http://wretha.blogspot.com/2007/12/solar-cooking-first-attempt.html, you will find what I have done so far, not much, but it is a start, and I have heated foods in it. My hubby used to own/run a restaurant equipment repair business, he is well versed in cooking equipment, with his knowledge about that, and my knowledge of solar cooking, we plan on making several solar ovens, I’ll write about them as it happens… thanks for your comment, keep them coming! :)

Oldman, scary story! I do worry about Bob, but he is careful and so far, so good, no injuries or problems, we are both very careful, we know there’s not much help if we get hurt or sick out here. Oh, and pizza night went very well, thanks! Keep the comments coming, I appreciate each and every one!

Wretha

February 29, 2008 12:14 PM

Stressed? Never!

It’s all been happening at Mission Improbable HQ since I last wrote.

First of all, I had an operation to fix a hernia. The operation itself went like a dream, probably because I was asleep at the time, other than attempting to talk to the French nurses in Italian when I woke up, and being somewhat confused by seeing double, the whole thing went without a hitch. (more…)

Home Depot has Eco Optionsbrand that was introduced during their Do-It-Herself Workshop that I attended. The Smarter, Warmer, Eco-friendly Bathroom was the latest in their clinics designed to give women the knowledge they need to make their own home improvements.

Last night, Monday (Feb 25), I was lucky enough to attend the clinic. It was run by my local store’s experts on installing toilets, ventilation fans, lighting fixtures, as well as tiling. Along with the on-site demos and helpful advice dispensed booklets on what was shown as well as how to choose the best options not only for our personal tastes, but to save money and help the environment at the same time.

Eco Optionsbrand is designed to make it easier for the average consumer to identify products that make a positive difference to our environment. To have the brand a product must have one or more of these benefits: sustainable forestry, energy efficient, healthy home, clean air, and/or water conservation.

To make things easy for everyone to learn how making small investments of time and energy can improve both the environment and in the long term our pocketbooks Home Depot has an online portal designed with those of us concerned about going green in mind. You can access it here. They have online clinics, videos, home energy audit, and products they offer. Their product guides are divided into how using them benefit us through sustainable forestry, water conservation, clean air, being energy efficient, and a healthy home.

While a lot of retailers have jumped onto the “green” bandwagon lately, that doesn’t mean we can’t use and learn from them, especially when they offer free useful information, clinics, advice, etc. Though just because retailers, businesses, and corporations claim they are green, helping the environment, products are natural or good for the environment, it is up to us as consumers to make the final decision. We are bombarded with advertising, product and service marketing, viral marketing that we must take anything about being eco-friendly with a grain of salt.