Esteban Ademovski

B.E.L. Post # 14

October 31st

🎃 Today had that eerie, crisp Halloween chill in the air — the kind where the fog clings to the treetops and even the birds seem a little quieter than usual...

With the High Commander away on mysterious missions unknown, the Duke took charge of the day’s operations. After our morning gathering (no cauldrons, but close enough), I set out to replenish a box of processed cardboard and deliver three crates of burnable goodies to the Duke’s quarters — fuel for the fires that keep our permie spirits alive. 🔥

Then it was time to bring some order to the chaos — I ventured out to place sunchoke signs at both the Turtle Berm and the Tipi Berm, marking their domain like a druid labeling his potion jars.

But the day’s true horror awaited at the Abbey… 🦌
As I arrived, I caught sight of the destruction, left by the mischievous deers tearing through like ghosts breaking through old wards. In their desperate flight, they managed to shatter the handles of two gates — perhaps their idea of a Halloween trick.

After cleaning up the aftermath of their ungulate uprising, I returned to Basecamp, where I took to refortifying the garden’s gate and reinforcing the junk pole fencing — no deer, spirit, or ghoul shall breach these defenses again!

As dusk fell, I closed the day by widening and leveling the berm paths, turning rough ground into smoother passageways — perhaps for us, or perhaps for whatever wanders these woods when the moon rises full and bright tonight... 🌕

Happy Halloween from the wilds of Wheaton Labs — where even the deer have tricks up their sleeves! 🕸️🛠️👻

Post # 13

    Today began as any other day — with our daily morning meeting and then feeding the dragon its fair share of firewood (gotta keep that fiery belly happy).

    Once the flames were content, I shifted to processing cardboard.  Afterward, the High Commander and I made our way to the Abbey, only to find the gate knocked clean down! A closer look revealed deer tracks all around the scene… those pesky deer sure are determined to test our defenses.

    After assessing the situation and resetting the gate, we ventured over to the "Dances with Pigs Meadow" to collect mulch — a task always made better with good company and good dirt. Back at the Abbey, we harvested about half a pail of sunchokes, which we then started planting around the berms at the Tipi site.

    Lunch came as a welcome break before diving right back into the rhythm — more sunchokes went into the ground at the Turtle Berm, and we wrapped up by crafting a few sunchoke flags to mark the new spots. Finished the day by laying mulch on the Berm Shed — a fitting end to a solid day’s work.

    All in all, a full day of dragons, deer, and dirty hands — just the way I like it. 🌱🔥🦌

Post # 12

Started the day the usual way — with a match, a bit of kindling, and that familiar whoosh from the shop rocket mass heater. There’s no better morning greeting than the sound of fire waking up for duty. 🔥

After that, Stephen and I headed over to the Abbey for our routine rounds — fed the cats (who, as always, acted like they hadn’t eaten in years) and walked the perimeter. Spotted a few telltale signs of deer sneaking around again — those rascals never rest. 🦌

While there, we replaced the handles on the gate that leads from the Abbey to Cooper Cabin — a small fix, but one of those satisfying little upgrades that makes things smoother for everyone who passes through.

Back at base camp, we turned our attention to deer-proofing the garden area. Added some extra fortifications and even crafted new handles for that gate, too — apparently, it was “handle improvement day” across the labs.

Rounded out the afternoon by processing a healthy stack of cardboard — the kind of behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t look glamorous, but sure keeps the whole permaculture engine running.

All in all, a solid day of tending fires, feeding friends, and keeping the deer (and the chaos) at bay. 🌲🔥🐾

Post # 11

October 28

Yesterday kicked off the usual way — with a little spark of warmth. Lit up the fire at the shop to get things rolling (because no day really begins until the rocket mass heater says so). 🔥

After that, Stephen gave me a proper walkthrough on how to attach the backblade to the tractor — one of those tasks that looks simple from afar until you realize there’s a whole dance of pins, angles, and a bit of tractor whispering involved.

Once we had that sorted, we shifted gears and added a few more cages around the young trees. The deer out here seem to think we planted a buffet just for them, so every cage feels like putting up another “keep out” sign for the four-legged freeloaders. 🦌

Then it was over to the Abbey, where I cut a few more lengths of scrap wood and stacked them neatly — future firewood for future chilly mornings. There’s something satisfying about a good woodpile; it’s like seeing next season’s comfort lined up and ready.

Wrapped up the day working on the junk pole fencing — a classic mix of teamwork, sweat, and creative problem-solving. By the time we called it a day, it felt like one of those quietly productive days that make life at Wheaton Labs so rewarding.

All in all — a fine day of fire, fences, and figuring things out. 🔧🌲

Post # 10

Bootcamp Log – October 27th

After our daily morning boot meeting, I went over to the shop to light up the rocket mass heater and get the day warmed up. Once the shop was nice and cozy, the High Commander and I headed out to the Abbey for our usual rounds — fed the cats, checked on things, and inspected the fence line.

While walking along, I spotted a pretty large V-gap along the fence — looked like the local deer union was planning another entry point! Stephen and I tackled it right away and got it handled before anyone with hooves could sneak through.

While we were over there, I also took some time to chop up a pile of firewood — nothing like the sound of splitting logs echoing through the cool morning air. It’s one of those chores that somehow feels like a workout and a meditation session all at once.

Back at base, we rolled up our sleeves for some chainsaw maintenance, sharpening and tuning so the saws stay happy and humming. Afterwards, we got started on the gutter project, which might sound simple until you realize every piece insists on having a personality of its own.

We wrapped up the day making more protective cages for the little trees, giving them a fighting chance against our four-legged salad enthusiasts.

All in all, another full and satisfying day — a little smoke, a little sawdust, and a lot of good work under the Montana sky.

October 25–26

This weekend was one of those rare stretches of calm and quiet that make you fall in love with the land all over again. I took the time to wander a bit farther than usual, letting curiosity guide the way. The air’s been getting that crisp edge that whispers of winter on the horizon, so I figured I’d better take advantage of the mild days while they last.

Little Chapito was my adventure partner as always — tail wagging, nose buried in every patch of grass and pile of leaves along the way. We covered some new ground, following deer trails through the tall pines and watching the shadows shift across the hills as the sun made its slow autumn descent. There’s something grounding about those moments, where you’re just walking, breathing, and noticing.

In between our treks, I spent time journaling — scribbling thoughts about the rhythm of the place, the small victories of the week, and a few dreams for projects to tackle before the snow comes. There’s a quiet satisfaction in capturing the mood of the season on paper — like bottling up a bit of fall to open later when the world turns white and still.

All in all, a weekend well spent — exploring, reflecting, and soaking in the last golden glow of October before the boots get traded for snow gear. Chapito agrees — though I think he’s mostly in it for the extra walks and the chance to chase every rustling leaf.

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:I think we did some excellent work over there at the lumber mill today.

Yes we did and thank you for explaining the plans/processes of the saw mill project to me .....

Post # 9

🔥 Three Days of Adventures — Oct 22–24

Wednesday – 10/22

Started the morning like any proper Wheaton Labs day — by firing up the work shop’s rocket mass heater. There’s something deeply satisfying about hearing that first whoosh as the dragon wakes up.

After warming up my hands (and soul), I headed over to the Abbey with the high commander, to check on the junk pole fencing. Found some fresh deer tracks, which means our four-legged freeloaders are still keeping tabs on our progress. Those sneaky critters always seem to know when the buffet is open.

Next up, we played "Wheelbarrow Doctor" — two patients, both critical. One with a misaligned axle brackets,  the other with a busted handle. After a little creative surgery and a few chosen words, both are rolling again and ready for duty.

Rounded off the day fencing in a few baby fruit trees and tossing down some alfalfa seed around them — a little protection and a little green goodness for the soil.

Thursday – 10/23

First task, same as always — fire up the rocket mass heater at the shop. (I think it’s starting to recognize me by now lol)

We headed over to the Abbey and added another round of mulch to the roof — it’s starting to look like a cozy blanket up there. If roofs could purr, this one would.

Also put up more cages around the young fruit trees, keeping the deer at bay — or at least making them think twice that this is no free salad bar.

Then gathered a big batch of foliage for the main base rocket mass heater, because winter’s coming, and those dragons get hungry.

Friday – 10/24

Guess what the morning started with? That’s right — another rocket mass heater lighting. (At this point, I could probably do it blindfolded.)

Then it was back to the Abbey, where we finally finished mulching the roof — mission accomplished! Always nice to see a project come together layer by layer.

The High Commander showed me an upcoming gutter installation project — looks like it’ll be a fun one, with plenty of ladder-climbing ....

After that, we went to the boneyard to gather some gravel and finished up the rock socks for the sawmill’s in-ground supports.

Wrapped up the day by helping the High Commander with the junkpole project at basecamp, then gave our faithful work rig “Roy" some overdue love. A full vacuum job on the floors and seats — he’s practically blushing now.

Three solid days of fire, fences, and a fair bit of dirt under the fingernails. Every bit of work out here feels like it adds a little more heartbeat to the land — and there’s always something new on the horizon.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I think my next appointment is with a warm mug and a long sit by the rocket mass heater

Nancy Reading wrote:

Esteban Ademovski wrote:     Next stop was the Abbey, where I joined Stephen in laying mulch over the greenhouse roof - a simple but deeply grounding task.

Oh this made me laugh - not many places where this would be a regular task!

Oh I bet so 😆  .... but I'm highly glad this is the case over here, certainly builds character and I marvel at the genius reasoning behind it .

Post # 8

After lighting up the rocket mass heater this morning and checking on the dehydrator repair job with my high commander, we made our way to the Abby to kick off the usual routines.

Once the daily rhythm was rolling, we dove into adding a whole lot of mulch up on the greenhouse roof — it’s starting to look like a proper living blanket up there. It’s always satisfying to see how much difference that layer makes in insulation and moisture control.

Back at base camp, I tucked into lunch and then got the tomato sauce put up from the latest batch of ripe reds — nothing beats that deep summer aroma filling the kitchen. Afterwards, it was time to harvest some of those delicious plums that have been calling my name for days. Juicy, sweet, and absolutely worth the wait.

Rounded out the day by getting ready for the famous Taco Tuesday feast — because after a solid day of lab life and good work with the crew, tacos are the perfect victory meal. 🌮😄