Ten minutes until I enter the depths of my novel -- a world after death, before the afterlife. Garm, Barry, Faelis, and others will be there, waiting for someone's last breath. Wish me luck!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
It's almost here...
Ten minutes until I enter the depths of my novel -- a world after death, before the afterlife. Garm, Barry, Faelis, and others will be there, waiting for someone's last breath. Wish me luck!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Woodstove Season
Leaves are hanging on trees by thready stems in southern VT; the last rainstorm brought many of the yellow and red decorations down to the ground, collecting in the culverts and ditches beside the dirt roads. It's most certainly woodstove season again. The nights are chilly, and the last flowers are dying back. The asters and mums adorning our front stairs still show bright yellow, orange, and purple, but the marigolds are fading fast as well as the other summer perennials.
As the growing season ends, building season winds down with it. There is still work to be done, but my friends and I are working at a more casual pace. The temptation of sitting by the fire and knitting is much more difficult to resist, especially when the alternative is crawling around under the cabin in the cold. But, it needs to be done!
The cabin is coming along nicely. The crawlspace is 1/2 closed-in, and we have a new deck out back. The front porch is screened in, and the mudroom is cleaner than it has been in a long time. The loft is done, the living room is done, Trevor's study is done (and beautiful), and the kitchen is very close to being done. I'm nearly finished with the 6' counter to install as an 'island'.
Plumbing and septic work is taking time, but it is out of my hands, so it's not nearly as stressful. State paperwork is a bear to work with, but is a necessary evil. We'll be gifted with a full bathroom, a working kitchen sink, and both hot and cold water. Possibly, we'll even have one or two outside spigots! Trevor and I are eager to be able to cook in our kitchen for the first time with running water. Mmmm, the scones, pies, pasties, and stews will be wonderful.
The activities of the last couple months have been numerous, and would be a chore to remember -- but the highlights include building a tree house in the Marlboro forest, becoming Coyote to tell myths and stories to new students, becoming a partner in the new business Ironwood Artisans (go see our work at www.ironwoodartisans.com !), learning to shoot a rifle, exploring old barns in the area, and visiting with a local fox. I'm sure I've forgotten a bunch of things in there, but I'll write about them some other day.
In the meantime, enjoy some pictures:
Trevor's Completed Study, North and East Walls
Trevor's Completed Study, South and East Walls
The Back Deck in Process of being Completed
My First Completed Chessboard (I didn't make the pieces -- but aren't they pretty?)
The Foundation Wall on the East Wall.
As the growing season ends, building season winds down with it. There is still work to be done, but my friends and I are working at a more casual pace. The temptation of sitting by the fire and knitting is much more difficult to resist, especially when the alternative is crawling around under the cabin in the cold. But, it needs to be done!
The cabin is coming along nicely. The crawlspace is 1/2 closed-in, and we have a new deck out back. The front porch is screened in, and the mudroom is cleaner than it has been in a long time. The loft is done, the living room is done, Trevor's study is done (and beautiful), and the kitchen is very close to being done. I'm nearly finished with the 6' counter to install as an 'island'.
Plumbing and septic work is taking time, but it is out of my hands, so it's not nearly as stressful. State paperwork is a bear to work with, but is a necessary evil. We'll be gifted with a full bathroom, a working kitchen sink, and both hot and cold water. Possibly, we'll even have one or two outside spigots! Trevor and I are eager to be able to cook in our kitchen for the first time with running water. Mmmm, the scones, pies, pasties, and stews will be wonderful.
The activities of the last couple months have been numerous, and would be a chore to remember -- but the highlights include building a tree house in the Marlboro forest, becoming Coyote to tell myths and stories to new students, becoming a partner in the new business Ironwood Artisans (go see our work at www.ironwoodartisans.com !), learning to shoot a rifle, exploring old barns in the area, and visiting with a local fox. I'm sure I've forgotten a bunch of things in there, but I'll write about them some other day.
In the meantime, enjoy some pictures:
Trevor's Completed Study, North and East Walls
Trevor's Completed Study, South and East Walls
The Back Deck in Process of being Completed
My First Completed Chessboard (I didn't make the pieces -- but aren't they pretty?)
The Foundation Wall on the East Wall.The foundation walls are complete on the East and West, and have been covered in shiplap and insulated with rigid foam. Hopefully, it will keep the underside of the cabin much warmer (especially because there will be plumbing under there!).
I don't have many pictures of the inside of the cabin at the moment, but I will work on taking more so I can share them in this blog.
In the meantime, peace out.
I don't have many pictures of the inside of the cabin at the moment, but I will work on taking more so I can share them in this blog.
In the meantime, peace out.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Old Memories
I came across some old 35mm photos in my computer this evening. They were from the summer of 2006 -- photos I had taken from my Minolta manual, but hadn't developed until much later. They are a bit grainy, and the color is a bit off, but they are memories, nonetheless. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Raven and Sabertooth from Mission:Wolf
Stone circle, "Goblin's Dance", revisited in late August 2006
Lightning storm in Colorado
The old power house at Staatsburg House near Rhinebeck, NY
Gardener's shed at Staatsburg House
I may go through some of my old wolf photographs and post a few, as I have nearly 1000, and I only have shared maybe 20 or 30. I haven't had a place or a reason to pull them out since I finished with my plan at Marlboro College, but some of them are very pretty, and I'd love to make prints of them someday. Perhaps when I obtain a color printer. In the meantime, I hope everyone can enjoy them digitally.
Peaceful dreams,
-Adam
Raven and Sabertooth from Mission:Wolf
Stone circle, "Goblin's Dance", revisited in late August 2006
Lightning storm in Colorado
The old power house at Staatsburg House near Rhinebeck, NY
Gardener's shed at Staatsburg House
I may go through some of my old wolf photographs and post a few, as I have nearly 1000, and I only have shared maybe 20 or 30. I haven't had a place or a reason to pull them out since I finished with my plan at Marlboro College, but some of them are very pretty, and I'd love to make prints of them someday. Perhaps when I obtain a color printer. In the meantime, I hope everyone can enjoy them digitally.
Peaceful dreams,
-Adam
August Arrives
August has finally rolled around, and with it come tomatoes, squash, cool nights in the 40's, and clear starry skies. As usual, I'm staying as busy as ever, but I long for a relaxing week of reading and sipping lemonade. We can all dream, can't we? Things are progressing, however, and the cabin is looking more beautiful than ever. The living room and kitchen have been completed, and there are books on the bookshelves and blankets on the window seat. The mudroom is done, but full of furniture and boxes awaiting their new home. The loft is close to completion, only needing a few coats of polyurethane and some cabinets. The only rooms left are Trevor's study and the bathroom. Soon we'll have a house!
My life has been full of distractions, which in some ways have been welcome, but in others have been stressful. I like the occasional day of trail work to take me away from construction and cabinetmaking, but what I really need is an afternoon of music and online games, or a walk in the woods with Shadow. The fire department has been stressful, as usual, and not as gratifying as it was in the past. But these things change, and sooner or later, I will feel more fulfilled. I have spent a great deal of time in therapy, and it has made my life calmer and sensible, but I really need to spend more time working on myself and my mind to be happier, less anxious, and more complete. I have been spending a lot of time with friends and acquaintances, but I could be doing a better job connecting with those people and listening to them. So many things to work on, but so little time. Such is life.
There have been happier moments, though too rare for my taste. Card games late at night with friends, food spontaneously made from the garden, or trips downtown with Trevor for tea make me much happier. Or, ever popular, Shadow's bath time:
For now, I'll hope for more completion of lingering projects, more time for relaxation and friends, and definitely, more puppy hugs.
My life has been full of distractions, which in some ways have been welcome, but in others have been stressful. I like the occasional day of trail work to take me away from construction and cabinetmaking, but what I really need is an afternoon of music and online games, or a walk in the woods with Shadow. The fire department has been stressful, as usual, and not as gratifying as it was in the past. But these things change, and sooner or later, I will feel more fulfilled. I have spent a great deal of time in therapy, and it has made my life calmer and sensible, but I really need to spend more time working on myself and my mind to be happier, less anxious, and more complete. I have been spending a lot of time with friends and acquaintances, but I could be doing a better job connecting with those people and listening to them. So many things to work on, but so little time. Such is life.
There have been happier moments, though too rare for my taste. Card games late at night with friends, food spontaneously made from the garden, or trips downtown with Trevor for tea make me much happier. Or, ever popular, Shadow's bath time:
For now, I'll hope for more completion of lingering projects, more time for relaxation and friends, and definitely, more puppy hugs.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Summertime, but the Livin' Ain't Always Easy
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A Fowl Flock
I'm aware that not much posting is going on... and given the large number of pictures that I have stored on my camera, more posting should be happening.
So! For tonight, feast your eyes on our ten new family members:
They are called Guineahens, and they are native to Africa. Unlike chickens, these guys don't scratch up your yard and they eat lots of bugs! That's good news for our garden! Apparently, they're also very tasty (but don't let them hear that).
Look forward to updates from the cabin. We've finished the siding, and we're doing the last interior work -- room by room. Also coming soon, plumbing, foundation finishing, and real running water!
So! For tonight, feast your eyes on our ten new family members:
They are called Guineahens, and they are native to Africa. Unlike chickens, these guys don't scratch up your yard and they eat lots of bugs! That's good news for our garden! Apparently, they're also very tasty (but don't let them hear that).
Look forward to updates from the cabin. We've finished the siding, and we're doing the last interior work -- room by room. Also coming soon, plumbing, foundation finishing, and real running water!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
An Unexpected Lesson in Auto Mechanics
Let me put it this way: I may have set a record for the longest oil change in history. I could have driven down to Brattleboro and had my oil changed for $30 in ten minutes... well, in theory. Instead, it cost me five times that amount and took the entirety of this lovely, spring-like Saturday. It began when I decided to change the oil in my car by myself....
(For the sake of visualization, think of this part in black and white).
It was a lovely Saturday morning in Vermont. The air was clear, the daffodils almost in bloom, and the birds chirping. Meet Adam, a cheerful, happy amateur mechanic, excited to change the oil in his car as many young men do on the weekend. Now, this was not the first time he had changed the oil in his car; he had experience in the matter. All of the supplies were lined up beside the car, and with the radio tuned to NPR, he began his work.
The car was blocked and jacked up onto stands, and Adam could easily climb underneath. He looked for the drain plug on the oil pan, which he found with ease. All he needed was a gentle application of force to loosen the bolt, and watch the oil flow gently into his plastic bucket. But, something was wrong! The bolt wouldn't loosen! How could that be? Adam knew that over-tightening the bolt was not good for the oil pan, but his last mechanic must have tightened it too much!
(enter: villainous mechanic with handlebar mustache, sombrero, and dastardly fiddle music in the background)
"Haha!" said the mechanic, "I have tightened your oil pan bolt with my impact wrench of cruelty! I have destroyed the threads on your oil pan! Now, you will have to replace your oil pan! Wahahahahaha!"
(villain rides away on pogo stick waving a 17mm wrench in the air)
You see, really, a shadow was cast on my beautiful Saturday morning. So, instead of giving up entirely, I decided I was going to fix my car. I spent many hours removing the bolts from the oil pan, drilling a hole in the broken bolt to drain the oil, and pulling a heavily dented oil filter from under my car. Two of the bolts on the pan were hidden behind the engine, so I had a choice: remove the engine from the car, or spent lots of time fishing around behind the oil pan with a wobbly wrench and no visual clues as to where the bolts were. I chose the second. I mean, come on! I'm not going to take the engine out of my poor Subaru!
So, after the pan was off, I took it down to the dealership in our truck to see if they could fix the pan. They couldn't, of course, so I had to buy a new pan and gasket. (On my way down, I ordered Trevor's Guinea hens, which is a story for another day). I raced back up to Marlboro in the truck, and when I arrived I assembled the pan and gasket, cleaned up the underside of the engine, and put the sucker back on. It took an hour and a half alone to put in the hidden bolts. But, I installed the new pan, put on a new filter, filled it up with oil, took it for a spin around the block, and behold, no leaks thus far!
I'll check again in the morning to see how the pan is doing, but I think it's fairly well attached. *crosses fingers* The upside of this is that I can now replace an oil pan in a Subaru -- not an easy task! I think that I'll let the real mechanics change the oil in it next time.
The truck, however, is fair game....
Until next time, Yipppe kay-yea!
(For the sake of visualization, think of this part in black and white).
It was a lovely Saturday morning in Vermont. The air was clear, the daffodils almost in bloom, and the birds chirping. Meet Adam, a cheerful, happy amateur mechanic, excited to change the oil in his car as many young men do on the weekend. Now, this was not the first time he had changed the oil in his car; he had experience in the matter. All of the supplies were lined up beside the car, and with the radio tuned to NPR, he began his work.
The car was blocked and jacked up onto stands, and Adam could easily climb underneath. He looked for the drain plug on the oil pan, which he found with ease. All he needed was a gentle application of force to loosen the bolt, and watch the oil flow gently into his plastic bucket. But, something was wrong! The bolt wouldn't loosen! How could that be? Adam knew that over-tightening the bolt was not good for the oil pan, but his last mechanic must have tightened it too much!
(enter: villainous mechanic with handlebar mustache, sombrero, and dastardly fiddle music in the background)
"Haha!" said the mechanic, "I have tightened your oil pan bolt with my impact wrench of cruelty! I have destroyed the threads on your oil pan! Now, you will have to replace your oil pan! Wahahahahaha!"
(villain rides away on pogo stick waving a 17mm wrench in the air)
You see, really, a shadow was cast on my beautiful Saturday morning. So, instead of giving up entirely, I decided I was going to fix my car. I spent many hours removing the bolts from the oil pan, drilling a hole in the broken bolt to drain the oil, and pulling a heavily dented oil filter from under my car. Two of the bolts on the pan were hidden behind the engine, so I had a choice: remove the engine from the car, or spent lots of time fishing around behind the oil pan with a wobbly wrench and no visual clues as to where the bolts were. I chose the second. I mean, come on! I'm not going to take the engine out of my poor Subaru!
So, after the pan was off, I took it down to the dealership in our truck to see if they could fix the pan. They couldn't, of course, so I had to buy a new pan and gasket. (On my way down, I ordered Trevor's Guinea hens, which is a story for another day). I raced back up to Marlboro in the truck, and when I arrived I assembled the pan and gasket, cleaned up the underside of the engine, and put the sucker back on. It took an hour and a half alone to put in the hidden bolts. But, I installed the new pan, put on a new filter, filled it up with oil, took it for a spin around the block, and behold, no leaks thus far!
I'll check again in the morning to see how the pan is doing, but I think it's fairly well attached. *crosses fingers* The upside of this is that I can now replace an oil pan in a Subaru -- not an easy task! I think that I'll let the real mechanics change the oil in it next time.
The truck, however, is fair game....
Until next time, Yipppe kay-yea!
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