Ferne Reid

The meeting was ... interesting. That's probably the most positive word I can use lol.

I do feel like I was heard and taken seriously, but I don't know if it was enough to sway the planning commission. Another non-public meeting is scheduled and I think they'll vote at that time. Thankfully my pastor is on the commission so I have a little insider info.

Anne, I love you! Thank you! A whole bunch of stuff came up that I'm sure I can use.

Help!

I have just learned that my county, which up to now has pretty much left us alone, is meeting this Tuesday (June 2) to consider new sanitation regulations. This has come about because over the past few years, several large farms have been split up into 10-20 acre parcels and sold to those of us who are content to live in tiny houses and haul our water in. Certain people have complained. Surprise, surprise.

I will be allowed to speak at this public meeting and I need a few credible, scientific studies that speak to the safety of composting human waste. Quotes from books and articles on how to do it aren't going to cut it. If we can't sway the powers that be, we will likely all be forced to install expensive septic systems.

Anyone have any links?

Since my Wonderwood turned out to be less than a wonder ...

I'm heating a 300 sq. ft. tiny house in southwest Tennessee. Our coldest nighttime temps generally hit the mid-teens and our heating season runs from mid-October through the end of February, although on many of those days I only need a fire at night. Obviously I'd like to get away with as little money as possible, but I don't want a stove that is so cheap as to be inefficient and a pain to deal with.

What should I buy?

*Edited to add that I love the idea of an RMH but don't have the ability to build one. I need something I can purchase ready to install*

Thanks, guys. Guess I'm going shopping.

Hi all,

First I want to say that I am NOT new to heating with wood. I understand air flow and dampers and the importance of decent wood and a clean chimney and all that stuff.

I was gifted a Wonderwood stove that had been sitting out in the back of someone's property for years. IOW the electric thermostat mechanism is trashed and I don't have sufficient power to run it here in any case. I've researched the stove online but haven't found any answers to my problem.

The fire is not getting enough air. I can get a hot fire going, but unless I leave the door cracked open (obviously not an ideal situation) it fizzles down to glowing coals and not much heat before long. Yes, my chimney is clean. Yes, I am burning aged dry hardwood.

Ideas from those who have experience with this stove are appreciated.

Thank you! I had read somewhere that sealer is only effective if the concrete is new. I'm glad to hear that's not the case! This is why I come here ... you guys know everything.

I am converting a room in my large barn (probably intended to be a feed/tack room) into living space. The walls are concrete block and the floor is what seems to be poured concrete with various sized pebbles/rock embedded in it. I have insulated and finished off the walls. I'm having trouble with the floor.

Whatever one is supposed to do to keep moisture from coming up through the concrete, the original builder did not do it. The floor is always damp. Anything on the floor (rugs, dog bed, etc.) will quickly grow mildew under it if not taken up often to air it out. Let's not talk about what's going on with my sofa.

Is there anything a woman alone on a small fixed income can do about this, or do I just resign myself to dismantling my house every other day to air things out? Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi all,

I'm turning a concrete walled room in my barn into a tiny home. I need to insulate the walls. Since I probably won't have help, I've decided that the easiest thing to do is to use the foam panels that are available at Lowes and put it all together with construction adhesive. Can I put the foam right up against the concrete, or do I need to create a space?

I don't really know what I'm doing with this project, so any tips or tricks would be appreciated!

We're trying to reclaim a section of poor, overgrazed pasture. The dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) is taking over the world! For one brief second, the Roundup looked pretty good ... no, I'm not actually going to do that, but I'm getting desperate. Any ideas?