Stake Outs


 
So many decisions made, but now where EXACTLY should the house go? I needed to roughly stake it out to guide the contractor, and I needed help. So I called my friend and home school teacher, LaVonne, whose four kids were glad to help. She also brought along a 100 foot tape measure, and I brought my compass. Our first attempt was angled wrong, but we talked through my goal, and on the 2d attempt got it right. Aim north--and then set a stake 26 feet east and another 26 feet west. Our end result was not quite square, but close enough. The contractor did suggest moving the footprint one foot east, and assured me the praying mantis and their juniper house would still be safe, and the cabin safe from the growing tree.








The grandsons, visiting from New York, helped John Burleson, Burleson Engineers (Charlottesville VA) with staking as he surveyed and Tony Wittig dug test holes. Ground met the requirements for an alternative septic system (required) without having to use the easement.









Holding the stake tall and straight so John could survey from it. The grandsons, too, are home schooled. They got a break from their inside desk work, and some time outside.
H
Three of my home-school heroes--they received practical outdoor learning experiences of measuring, orienting a compass, and collaboration, and did a good deed, too.

We ended the morning with hot chocolate at the "rock table", which their sister served up for us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you see it now?

Image
The southeast side of the house...crew is laying the porch floor, while waiting for cabin doors and windows to arrive. And, yes! it DOES face the juniper ridge, the border of the bottoms, where the deer run. Cabin with a view Cold, knock-me-off-my feet wind up here yesterday and today. The crew is working on the porch because it was too windy to attach trusses and roof. The far corner, the north corner, and far door is where The Nest, my bedroom is. In the middle is Scat Town (the bathroom) window, and the Werefesteria's door and window are the short and long openings closest  (where mystery will, we hope, lead to art and all sorts of creative projects). Far left window is the "Watering Hole" (the great room where I hope guests will gather for coffee, tea, snacks, and meals. The unusual names came out of brainstorming session with The Maggie. I hope that others will begin building homes with needs and usage in mind and less according to tradition. ...
Read more

Synthesis, symbiosis, synergy, and serendipity!

Image
Synthesis, symbiosis, and synergy, different  appear everywhere in nature. Synthesis. two different ideas or systems forming yet another structure or organism, like the sun shining on a plant and creating glucose, plant food. Symbiosis--two entities living close by and interacting together to the advantage of both. Symbiosis creates lichens. Synergy is just a bit different--two entities creating something greater than what either can create apart.  I think of the three sisters--corn, beans, and squash. Planted together they produce a complete protein that humans eat, and they restore the soil they grow in and protect each other from bugs. According to the book  Braiding Sweetgrass,  by Robin Wall Kimmerer, nature has much to teach us, if we will listen. One thing nature teaches is that collaboration--synergy, symbiosis, and synthesis--creates a healthy ecosystem, and brings serendipity.  Nature's principals have been tested a bit through the Juniper Fi...
Read more

Moved In: July 2021

Image
All photos by Appalachian Log Homes There she is....Juniper Field Cabin,  26x26 feet, plus porch and deck, established July 1, 2020.. Juniper Field Cabin. Completed in spite of Covid's many complications--supply and fixture supply issues, and winter weather, and an unexpected job change. The Unkitchen: I am severely allergic so can't do my own grocery shopping. My shopper buys at the first of the month, and I cook for the month or at least a week--depending on allergy fog. The chest freezer lets me store meals till needed. In front of the window, I can  pass meals through to the table on the porch for outside dining. The stainless steel all-in-one convection/traditional oven, toaster, broiler, dehydrator lets me heat up meals as needed. The counter, enamel, pulls out for food preparation, and hides blender and mixer. Artwork above the Hoosier is mine; between the sink and beverage center is by AnnaMaria Johnson.                ...
Read more