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| Cleaning snow off the solar panels |
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| Our new snow blower |
Then: The Rest of December 2010
Traditionally, I start decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving Day, but this year I waited another week, until after JB came back from Seattle. As in the past two years, one of the trees in our yard became our Christmas tree. There is simply not enough room in the house. One of my biggest thrills of the holiday season is getting out the Christmas decorations. Each one has a special meaning and/or memory. And each year I try to make our home look a little different. I have lots of angels, many of them handmade by my cousin, Ann. This year I hung several of them on the deer antlers we have on the wall. One perfect set of antlers we found at a state campground in Illinois, two others we have found Up Here. We have found several at Rose Camp, but most of them had been chewed on by critters, although the buttons are still intact. One of these years I will make something with those.
It was obvious that we would have another white Christmas, just like the ones of my childhood celebrated in Spokane with my Dad's family. Just like the ones JB and his family had in Chicago. And just the opposite of what our son and his family were having in Alabama. Jake never had a white Christmas growing up in Seattle. I am very sad for him about that.
But enough reminiscing. Our new snow blower worked just as advertized. It throws the snow in a high, 20' arc. And I don't have to help JB go up the hill by pushing on him. He can get up to the solar panels using the blower, instead of the shovel. Our old blower never would have made it. However when he goes up to the panels first thing in the morning after a snowfall, he just hikes through the snow to get up there as quickly as possible, then uses the blower to clear the path later in the day. It is amazing how much snow can stick to and build up on the panels when they are almost straight up and down. It is another winter chore, but one that is welcome, as having to do it means we are one step closer to self-sufficiency with solar power.
So another year ends. Another year living our dream. Another year, and we are still in awe each day that this is really happening. We are really doing it and loving it even more than we envisioned.
Now: August 9, 2011
During our BBQ on Sunday, we got even more advice on building our deck on the roof of the shop. Yesterday morning we mulled it all over and decided on a plan of action. As suggested, we are going to put 1"X4" "sleepers" on the roof, laying them on top of where each joist is located. That will give any water that manages to get under the decking a way to run out or evaporate. We will put up a fine mesh at the openings to keep out the wasps and other flying/nest-making insects. And we will start today.
JB and Mike went Down There yesterday to buy the 1"X4"'s and the few other items we needed. Since they were in town during lunch time, they bought their lunch and took it to a park by the Columbia River to eat. One of the best things about going Down There. After they got back, RJ came up and they played Magic Cards. We ate dinner and then they played more Magic Cards. The dogs and I went for a hike.
So today JB and I will get an early start while it is still cool, and maybe, just maybe, we will get this project done by the end of the week. One can always hope.
Traditionally, I start decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving Day, but this year I waited another week, until after JB came back from Seattle. As in the past two years, one of the trees in our yard became our Christmas tree. There is simply not enough room in the house. One of my biggest thrills of the holiday season is getting out the Christmas decorations. Each one has a special meaning and/or memory. And each year I try to make our home look a little different. I have lots of angels, many of them handmade by my cousin, Ann. This year I hung several of them on the deer antlers we have on the wall. One perfect set of antlers we found at a state campground in Illinois, two others we have found Up Here. We have found several at Rose Camp, but most of them had been chewed on by critters, although the buttons are still intact. One of these years I will make something with those.
It was obvious that we would have another white Christmas, just like the ones of my childhood celebrated in Spokane with my Dad's family. Just like the ones JB and his family had in Chicago. And just the opposite of what our son and his family were having in Alabama. Jake never had a white Christmas growing up in Seattle. I am very sad for him about that.
But enough reminiscing. Our new snow blower worked just as advertized. It throws the snow in a high, 20' arc. And I don't have to help JB go up the hill by pushing on him. He can get up to the solar panels using the blower, instead of the shovel. Our old blower never would have made it. However when he goes up to the panels first thing in the morning after a snowfall, he just hikes through the snow to get up there as quickly as possible, then uses the blower to clear the path later in the day. It is amazing how much snow can stick to and build up on the panels when they are almost straight up and down. It is another winter chore, but one that is welcome, as having to do it means we are one step closer to self-sufficiency with solar power.
So another year ends. Another year living our dream. Another year, and we are still in awe each day that this is really happening. We are really doing it and loving it even more than we envisioned.
Now: August 9, 2011
During our BBQ on Sunday, we got even more advice on building our deck on the roof of the shop. Yesterday morning we mulled it all over and decided on a plan of action. As suggested, we are going to put 1"X4" "sleepers" on the roof, laying them on top of where each joist is located. That will give any water that manages to get under the decking a way to run out or evaporate. We will put up a fine mesh at the openings to keep out the wasps and other flying/nest-making insects. And we will start today.
JB and Mike went Down There yesterday to buy the 1"X4"'s and the few other items we needed. Since they were in town during lunch time, they bought their lunch and took it to a park by the Columbia River to eat. One of the best things about going Down There. After they got back, RJ came up and they played Magic Cards. We ate dinner and then they played more Magic Cards. The dogs and I went for a hike.
So today JB and I will get an early start while it is still cool, and maybe, just maybe, we will get this project done by the end of the week. One can always hope.
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