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

BRK #88

First off: thanks to everyone who showed some "boot love" today. Didn't expect to be included in the daily-ish email, and it was a pleasant surprise as well as an honour. If you're seeing this thread for the first time: hello!

I moved into the tent officially earlier this evening, speaking of which. I plan to be here for a while.



The rest of Wednesday was a mish-mash of Pump House project and event prep for the upcoming Rocket Mass Heater Workshop. Here's a snapshot of Grey and Caleb as they secure the second "story" of the pump house framework. We used ratchet-straps to tighten the rebar fittings we put into all the corner braces.



Just around the corner from the Pump House is the animal pen, where several of Samantha's animals are currently staying. While checking-in on them earlier today, I noticed these interesting, puffy mushrooms. Never saw anything like them before. They look kind of like roosting, white owls, don't they?



At the end of the day, I was heading back down to the Fisher Price House, and had to stop for a moment to take in this view. The moon is waxing again, making even the early morning hours bright with the moon's glow. This is a preview.



Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:BRK #88

Just around the corner from the Pump House is the animal pen, where several of Samantha's animals are currently staying. While checking-in on them earlier today, I noticed these interesting, puffy mushrooms. Never saw anything like them before. They look kind of like roosting, white owls, don't they?

Oh, judging by the picture, Shaggy manes at their best! Very tasty!

They love the fertility all the animal manure is bringing to the soil.

By tomorrow tho, they *might* look very different.

BRK #89

One last Thursday before a new event. Fortunately, our small team isn't preoccupied with too much in the gardening department these days, so we can focus entirely on event prep.

An item of note from this morning: we have a portable cement mixer! We'll be using it this coming week for the Rocket Mass Heater Workshop, in an effort to mix cob. Sure beats being forced to stomp the mix... It's good to have options, at least. We picked this up from the Boneyard and then tested it before lunch.



In the afternoon, we were milling about Basecamp, primarily around the classroom. A cat wandered up the driveway. I looked at it, gave it a second look, and then said, "That's not Choco." Choco is one of the cats here at Basecamp, and although he and this cat look a lot alike, there's definitely a distinct difference between the two.



Still, this cat seemed rather sociable, if not physically formidable (is it part-Maine Coon?) We also couldn't tell if it was male or female, at least upon casually observing. Fortunately, the cat seemed friendly enough for a more in-depth examination...



To sum it up: we learned it's a neutered male. According to Paul, his name is Worf (apparently named after the Star Trek character, not the boat parking place), and he shows up for a while about every six months or so. Also according to Paul: "He's great with people, and terrible with the other cats." So that explains a lot... Anyhow, guests for the RMH Workshop may be able to hang out with this rather large, super friendly kitty while visiting us next week.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

worf in a movie from a while back