John Craig

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since Sep 07, 2019
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Recent posts by John Craig

Jordan, finding good quality fire brick can be difficult.

Pottery Supply stores will stock insulating fire brick. Many foundry suppliers will stock hard hi temp bricks. Sometimes farrier supply stores also stock firebrick.  I suggest that you do an internet search for these businesses near you.

John
1 month ago
I have planted large perennial gardens in the front and back of my property to attract pollinators, be they butterflies, insects, or bees or wasps, and  many plants that provide for birds during the growing season(for humming birds), insects for birds, and seed pods for overwintering birds. I provide bird seed and suet during the winter, and have birds feeding throughout the winter. By feeding the birds, I also am providing food prey for hawks, and the occasional young bald eagle, that  come to my back yard in search of prey. Unfortunately, the hawks and eagle haven't feasted on my abundant squirrel population!
1 month ago
One of my most useful tools is my broad fork.  I have a smaller one that fits perfectly in my raised beds. I used to dig my beds with a long handled shovel, but find the broad fork to be way more ergonomic and helps to loosen the soil, without destroying all the micoryseal network.  Does the job in half the time and better for the soil profile.
The second most useful, is the hoop hoe. At 75 yrs bending isn't what it  was cracked up to be. For me, the hoop hoe beats the standard hoe hands down. It is light, sharp, and maneuverable. I don't destroy the plants I want to keep, as I plant more intensively than most row Gardeners.
2 months ago
My response to the issue of splitting wood is to build a spring assist log splitter likethr one shown. Mine should be completed by end of summer 2024.
5 months ago
T. blankenship, thanks for the great video and pictures of your build.  Congratulations on being an oven rocketeer!  It looks as though your rocket oven is in a covered area.  If you decide to move it out into the elements, you will need to seal your cob realy well.
My outdoor oven's cob was sealed with waterproofing compound. This spring I noticed that there was some flaking of the cob. Apparently I hadn't sealed it well enough.
My solution was to spray flex seal on the cob, and it seems to have made it weather proof. Time will tell!
7 months ago
Yes please share your video when it is done. We are such a visual culture that seeing it, may inspire others to see in themselves the ability to make a rocket barrel oven for themselves.  Making good progress on yours. The big issue for those not retired is finding the time when we can to keep at it.
8 months ago
I first want to say that living with another person is not always easy. Easy is something that we may want, so that we do not have to do the work that a strong relationship requires. The second thing is that none of us is perfect, and expecting the "other partner" to change to meet my needs, usually leads to disappointment.
I say this as a retired social work counselor who has worked with lots of people and been married to the same person for 50 years. To  me, the foundation to a successful marriage is love. Without it on both sides the odds are slim it will last. But love is not something many people understand. If it was understood my most people, we would have a very different world. When I say love, I am not just talking about the emotion, but about its features like:  non judgement, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, honesty, etc.
To truly love another you must first love yourself and see the beauty and strength within yourself. For if you can't see it in yourself, you likely can't see it in your partner.
Even with love for the other in both partners, that is not enough.  We still need knowledge of the partner's needs wants and beliefs, and an ability to problem solve and compromise and be responsible for our actions.
That is a tall order. So the best one can do is to try to be the best self they can be.
Sometimes, even after both partners give it their best try, perhaps through counseling, or self improvement, it doesn't work. Ending a relationship is perhaps the best outcome for both people.
That would constitute the best advice I could give to those who are contemplating a marriage or long term relationship.
10 months ago
As Jason said, Build It Solar has a whole section on Solar cookers.  I would also suggest you check out Solar Cooking Fandom, for lots of Solar cooker plans.

John
1 year ago
Jason said, Build It Solar has a whole section on solar cooking. I would also suggest you check out Solar Cooking Fandom for lots of info on Solar cookers.
1 year ago