!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

BEL #724

Saturday edition...!

I made my first batch of sauerkraut fermented cabbage of the year on Friday night. It went super-smooth, and I think it was due to two things:

1. I took my time and didn't rush the process at all (about 90 minutes),
2. I accurately measured the salt instead of "winging it."

In a couple weeks, this ought to be scrumptious...!



Opalyn also paid us a visit...! Thanks for the conversation and for chipping in on these rug repairs, Opalyn!



Today, I repaired my tent by installing another tent pole. It still has some significant water intrusion so I am letting that dry out another day. I'll clean more of the waterlogged stuff out of there tomorrow. I think most of my books are fine, it's just clothes and old letters from penpals that were affected. I do think ordering a replacement rain fly is in the works, as well.



[insert risque' jokes about "pitching a tent" here]



Paul suggested that giving a solid wooden pole a chance might be worthwhile. I've replaced these hollow pipe-style tent poles twice now, within the course of three winters, so maybe it's worth a try.



Even so, I'm a bit wary of the idea of installing the tent up at the Lab once I move onto the acre. I think a cabin of some sort is a better choice, overall. It's something to think about. While traveling these past couple months I tinkered with drafts of possible cabin designs, and maybe I'll post something about the current plans. I love tent life, but I guess I'm just becoming too tired about tents collapsing due to snow weight when I'm not looking.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:Even so, I'm a bit wary of the idea of installing the tent up at the Lab once I move onto the acre. I think a cabin of some sort is a better choice, overall. It's something to think about. While traveling these past couple months I tinkered with drafts of possible cabin designs, and maybe I'll post something about the current plans. I love tent life, but I guess I'm just becoming too tired about tents collapsing due to snow weight when I'm not looking.

If'n you're spitballing ideas for a natural, concrete free foundation for a cabin, I'm your huckleberry...

BEL #725

Bit of a mixed bag today. I spent the first half of the day playing in the mud up at the Lab, the second half driving a desk. I want to share stuff about the second half of the day first, because it's pretty exciting and I finished a draft not too long ago.

So, there are two refrigerators at the Fisher Price House here at Wheaton Labs. Paul has been calling them by different names since before I arrived, I think: the Murray Fridge (with magnets featuring Bill Murray on them), and the Zappa Fridge (with a Frank Zappa magnet on it). He wanted larger labels for each, and asked me to come up with something. The laser cutter was put to use today...!

Here are the portraits I made for each of the signs that will label the fridges. I found public domain photos of these two gents online, then traced them in my art program. Here's the result:



I then transferred the Murray portrait (from his early career, in "Caddyshack") and a text layout to Paul's specs into the laser cutter, and here's the first draft. The two small circles will be used to hold strong magnets that will hold the signs on the fridge:



Provided Paul approves of this version, I'll move on to Zappa tomorrow.

Now here's something completely different. I visited one of the older cabins up at the Lab today, and noticed that some of the slipstraw was made with pine needles.

Does anyone else have experience with this? How does it hold up over time? Seems like, at least in this instance, it's doing well enough. Pine needles are so prolific round here that if it's an advisable practice, using them for material in slipstraw is a no-brainer.



Finally, there's also been a lot of talk about GAMCOD 2025. I'm personally quite excited about it...! I was looking round for some prospective sites for another hugel berm for our gardening project, and it seems at though space inside a fenced-in area that's not already gardened is at a premium. I think this spot - not too far from last year's entry - will be next. Some discussion is in order before we push the button on it, I think.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Coydon Wallham wrote:If'n you're spitballing ideas for a natural, concrete free foundation for a cabin, I'm your huckleberry...

Once things start to come together for this, I will definitely flag you down. Thanks!!!

Classic Caddyshack...love it...I have a hate-hate relationship with ground squirrels, but have more recently come to a grudging acceptance...you know, diversity and all.