Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Loss..

Back on Rancher Bob's place, we have lost the best working dog I have ever known. She unfortunately became overheated, and just could not recover. She will be sorely missed..

And here again I am reminded as to why I don't want pets of my own, or in this case, even a wonderful working dog/pet: I cannot take the loss. Call me weak, or unrealistic in this regard, but ever since we lost the very first dog I knew, a dog that was actually part of the family before I was, a dog that I sat with keeping flies away from as she passed, I just cannot take dealing with the death of a pet.

Still, I get close to the animals I am around (well less so with the cows, though I still feel badly when they pass) and so still must deal with such passings.

Good bye Star...

Monday, May 24, 2010

Enjoying some stormy weather

Though the primary project is not yet done, I am very much enjoying some unexpected storms this evening (okay late night), which almost compensate for being away from the build site..

I simply love what others call "foul weather."

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Still away from the site

I am growing increasingly frustrated with being away from the site, knowing that I am missing a great time to be building, however I must be realistic, knowing that since this is the one step I cannot do myself, the dig that is, that I must work to pay for it. I am also fulfilling a promise to my mother, to design and remodel one house for her once she retired. A short while more and it will be nearly complete. Perhaps one more trip in the fall and I will have not only the entire interior, but the remaining exterior landscape design as well.

On the upside, I am further developing my agorist life by accepting more work in yet another city, which will happen after a stay back on site during which time I hope to get the rest of the earth (read "rock") moving done, so I can begin the build for real.

Spent the evening with some dear friends and two beautiful young ladies.. A fun night was had by all.. one of those rare great days..

Hopefully not too long and I will be back on site..

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Freedom of Movement

I know that I have been quite bad about keeping up posts while I am traveling, and for that I apologize. For the most part there is little to inspire me as I am in my old stomping grounds, doing a great deal of work, and of course thus I am making no progress on the homestead.

That doesn't mean that I stop everything though..

Tonight I was catching up on a blog I have read for some time about a gal and her husband living off grid. Many of the posts are quite helpful, even where I disagree with the approach she takes, for she documents some of the experiments that they are undertaking. I've been inspired by a few, sought out research from others, but the latest two are not only not helpful, sadly they are hateful.

That in and of itself is rather trivial of course, though it is saddening. What prompted me to write tonight is the issue on which these hateful posts addressed. They were emotional appeals to bigotry and the power of the state. They embraced an attitude better fitting the USSR than the tradition of the US. In essence they called for a new Iron Curtain to come to be around the US to keep out the undesirables (tan people).

So to this attitude, I pose a few simple questions: Where in the Constitution is the federal government granted the power and "authority" to close the borders?

If the government is to have the "authority" to regulate movement, then do you oppose internment camps? If so, on what principle as you have abandoned any right to movement?

What about the ideals of the sovereignty of the individual? What about reason? What about honesty, compassion, tolerance?

And finally, why on earth do you want to decrease the standard of living not only for the immigrants, but for virtually all of us here? Restaurants would have to shut their doors by the hundreds.. Housing would be so expensive none but the wealthiest could afford it.. what manufacturing that remains would disappear.

So if you are going to rant about immigrants, you must either be inconsistent, else drop the economic claims, the pretense of any appreciation and respect for the founding of the US, any hope of moral justification, and of course any hint of the basic respect for persons that is necessary under morality. With all of that removed, all that will be left is the bigotry and hatred bared for all to see.

IF that shames you, or the suggestion angers you, then rather than lash out at others, why not drop the hatred and bigotry in favor of reasonableness, compassion, justice, and economic prosperity?

All individuals are inherently morally worthwhile, regardless of sex, skin color, language spoken, even religious leaning (at least until they act on it, such as the Crusades).

Support liberty, not internment camps regardless of how large the fence is..

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Remodel update

The new floor is in on the Great American Desert kitchen/living room remodel. Took longer than I wanted, but it looks great. Next step is the finish work, caulking, shoe molding, touch up shellac on the existing trim, etc. Then back onto the island design/creation.

Sounds like everything is pretty well ready to go on my own build once I return. With luck the month plus I will be back on site will lead to several posts going up, and perhaps even a couple of roof girders going into place. Because of the all too necessary work schedule, I expect to be building into the fall this year, but as long as I can get it closed in, and get a wood stove installed, I will be spending the winter in my own home, rather than in my tiny caravan.

Monday, May 03, 2010

Brief update

I am still working in the great american desert.. The remodel has grown, and I have thankfully picked up a little more paying work to help cover the costs of the U-house build. The main project is coming along nicely and will result in a modest home looking exceptional, a goal I often have with my work.

Finished The Old Man and the Sea.. good, interesting, but lacked some of the depth of some of the other Hemingway works..