tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51930474042523921702024-03-18T21:58:28.927-07:00Ernie and Erica's Joint AdventureErica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-2863983020552493342019-05-28T11:03:00.002-07:002019-05-28T11:03:35.351-07:00Air, Code, and Rocket Mass HeatersAnother rocket mass heater successfully passed inspection in Washington state in 2018. We are getting further details from the owner-builders, and I've asked for permission to share them publicly.<br />
<br />For now, I can say that they followed their local building permit process, and it all went quite smoothly. They submitted plans to the county; got their permit including some detail on ASTM E1602, R1002, and state code requirements; followed those plans and the recommended clearances and thicknesses; and had no difficulties with their final inspection. The building official brought a fire marshal along to see the thing. Both had done their homework and were favorably impressed by the whole project.<br />
<br />
The only help we provided was the initial drawings, and one hands-on session on "cob and natural plasters" to help them get a feel for earthen materials.<br />
<br />
Congratulations to everyone involved. I hope we'll have permission to share some pictures and more details here soon.<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the things that did not occur in this case, thankfully, but still sometimes comes up in other jurisdictions was an obsolete local requirement for "outside combustion air."<br />
<br />
Most experts now agree that outside combustion air is ineffective at its intended purpose, and experienced builders often add that it can be downright dangerous. <br />
<br />
This is the most cogent explanation of why outside combustion air is ineffective that I've seen yet:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://heatkit.com/docs/outsair.htm">http://heatkit.com/docs/outsair.htm</a><br />
<br />
Here are a couple of quotes:<br />
<br />
"An important distinction to make is spillage RATE and spillage SUSCEPTIBILITY. Tighter
doors will reduce spillage rate, but not spillage susceptibility. Outside air can also be
shown to not reduce spillage susceptibility, since it does not lower firebox pressure,
relative to the room - this is the function of the chimney (<b>if outside air lowered firebox
pressure it would, in fact, be a chimney - not a good thing</b>.)"<br />
[My emphasis]<br />
<br />
"Like most building codes in North America, the NBC had included outdoor combustion air
requirements for combustion equipment on the assumption that it was a good strategy to
reduce spillage susceptibility. Unfortunately the assumption was acted upon before
any research had been done to explore how outdoor air supplies actually behave.<br />
....<br />
Although the two studies were conducted by two labs with different set-ups, different
protocols and different appliance types (1. factory-built, 2. masonry), they arrived at
the same conclusion: The susceptibility to combustion spillage due to room
depressurization is not affected in a predictable way by the presence or absence of air
supplied from outdoors, whether supplied to the combustion chamber or indirectly through a
supply duct terminating near the fireplace.<br />
In both studies the reference room depressurization at which spillage was induced was
10 Pa. In 'Fireplace Air Requirements', none of the five tested fireplaces spilled
at 5 Pa depressurization despite the fact that all were very different in their
configurations and features, although all did have glass doors. The tests at the two
depressurization levels were done with and without outdoor combustion air supplies.<br />
Once the research findings were in and analyzed, the underlying physical process became
clear: That is, air flows to a zone of lower pressure through any available opening,
regardless of our wishful thinking. In retrospect, this principle appears rather
obvious, although for most of us it was not, until revealed in the lab."<br />
<br />
<br />
From other sources and builder discussions, some of the intrinsic dangers of outside combustion air:<br />
<br />
There is a real risk of the air inlet acting like a chimney. This is even more likely in cases where the outside air is being brought into a basement, or atop an existing slab, and the inlet hole is above or on level with the firebox. <br />
A wind gust that catches the exit chimney just wrong, or a cold plug in the chimney, can push air/smoke downward. While this is unpleasant and dangerous at any time, in cases where outside air is installed, it more or less allows the house a two-way path to "fart fire." If the wind situation on the exit chimney were particularly ill-fated (such as a chimney improperly installed in a "wind scoop" area below some nearby buildings or roof shapes), the outside combustion air inlet could potentially create a stable new pathway for the downdraft to continue unobserved. <br />
Imagine flames, hot smoke, and embers rushing through the outside air inlet (which in many early examples was no more fire-resistant than your average dryer vent, made of flexible aluminum duct that could melt if exposed to direct flame for more than a moment). The flames and smoke will at best emerge from the vent inlet in the crawl space; at worst, they will destroy some element of the air inlet and create a new opening to escape within the walls or home.<br />
<br />
There have also been problems with heat conductivity of airtight (metal) materials used to create the outside air; sometimes to the point of damaging combustible materials used for chimney-chases and exterior finishes. Experienced fireplace builders have been surprised at the amount of heat transmitted backwards by an outside air inlet, which may reduce the customary thickness of masonry floors and walls where it is installed.<br />
<br />
Outside air is usually brought to the bottom of the firebox (it being an obvious problem if it is brought into the top like a chimney), which means embers and hot ash can fall into it, heating it and/or clogging it. <br />
We are not big fans of "ash cleanouts" generally - complicated trapdoors that are neglected more often than not, with fiddly little doors prone to failure. A combination cleanout/air supply is almost guaranteed to not work well for either purpose over time - if it's collecting ash, it's clogging the air supply, and you definitely want that air supply to continue right through the end of the fire.<br />
We generally prefer a smooth, easily cleaned, easily observed firebox floor that keeps ash buildup where owners can easily notice and deal with it during routine operations. <br />
Inaccessible cleanouts that fill up with ash, and then collect any
dribbling creosote, can create a real mess that doesn't need to be
there. As a fire fighter, I've worked in a crawl space below a chimney fire, where over 4 feet of dead chimney space led to a crawl-space cleanout that was very difficult of access, and almost undetectable to the average person. The door was warped, and a previous occupant had duct-taped the warped part. <br />
In this case, the whole mess inside the chimney was on fire, to the point where some of the chimney masonry was starting to conduct heat to framing members as secondary ignition points, and the cheesy cleanout doors made it difficult to cut off the air to the chimney.<br />
I much prefer a little honest mess, with a tidy metal ash bucket in the room next to the fuel opening, over a hidden and dangerous mess that nobody will see or deal with until it's too late.<br />
Likewise, I'd much rather feed my stove from the comfort of the living area, and have my stove exhaust stale room air and help bring fresh air in for me to breathe, than try to separate it from the house and go outdoors to check its inlets and tend its needs.<br />
<br />
Finally, many owners and builders point out that outside air retrofitted to well-designed fireplaces, stoves, or heaters can substantially <i>increase</i> the experience of smoke in the face (and in the room). <br />
Nobody likes smoke in their face. Our ancestors did a considerable amount of tweaking of the indoor hearth to ensure it didn't happen. One of the biggest drivers of rocket stove development is the reality that many households still have open hearths for cooking today/<br />
In the industrialized world, for the last several centuries, we have used chimneys to solve this problem. A hot chimney pulls room air through the stove and out. Most heaters, stoves, and fireplaces that have been developed since chimneys came into use have openings sized and/or shaped to allow this room air to carry smoke along with it, even when any doors are open for fueling. Now if you swing a door open quickly, of course you can "pull"
a gust of smoke into the room, but most people can learn to avoid that
within a few tries. (We even managed to live with hoop skirts and open fireplaces for a considerable amount of time, albeit with more tragic lessons in many families.) <br />
In case of a Rumford fireplace, a "curtain" of room air continually sweeps smoke back into the chimney throat. In other cases, the whole feed opening may be sized so that the chimney can pull enough air to fill it. Glass doors on fireplaces may be double-hinged to reduce the "fan" effect, and allow users to control the opening size. <br />
Now, if there's outside air coming up in the floor of the stove, how can the chimney pull room air through the opening? The chimney is already getting plenty of air from the main firebox. Any smoke that happens to be on the room-ward side of the air inlet is now free to come outward into the room, any time you open the door to feed the fire. <br />
This problem about competing air inlets and smoke escape into the room is part of why it's so complicated to install an effective, safe, outside air inlet to the stove. The new air inlet more or less needs to be exactly where the old air inlet was, right at the room door, and it will likely be pointing in the wrong direction to prevent smoke escapement into the room. So in many builders' experience, outside combustion air may in fact make the users experience more smoke in the room, instead of less.<br />
<br />
All these problems are intrinsic to outside combustion air.<br />
<br />
The fundamental problem, as with many "solutions to imaginary problems," is that adding a new feature adds complexity. Complexity increases the chances of failure, and guarantees more expense both initially and whenever repairs may be needed to remedy those failures. <br />
Building codes are generally immune to complaints about cost (despite the huge deficit of affordable housing on the market, with homes that raised many generations in good health no longer making the cut today). But at least the code committees do occasionally reverse a bad decision when proof is available.<br />
<br />
Mandatory outside combustion air does not solve the safety problem it was intended to solve, and in many cases the attempt to install outside air would add other safety problems.<br />
<br />
- Outside air is no longer required in Canada, or most US jurisdictions. <br />
Make-up air is allowed (air brought to the room instead of the combustion unit). The only language still in the Canadian and US model codes is along these lines: if outside air is provided, it must be installed according to certain guidelines for safety.<br />
<br />
- Carbon monoxide detectors are recommended, regardless of heat source. (Automated furnaces that meet code, but could leak CO under negative pressure, are arguably even more dangerous than a woodstove die-down leak, since at least the wood stove eventually runs out of fuel and stops producing CO.) A CO detector requirement is a performance-based standard, that deals with the actual problem if and when it occurs. <br />
- In cases where negative pressure problems are real, such as airtight houses with too many exhaust fans:<br />
Many heater installers feel that exhaust fans (such as kitchen and bathroom fans) should be made responsible for their own make-up air supply, to reduce the likelihood of indoor negative pressures over 10 Pa in the first place. There are plenty of air-to-air heat exchangers on the market that supply incoming fresh air while capturing a little bit of the waste heat from exhausted air; both passive (convection driven) and with intake-and-outlet fans hooked to the same electrical supply.<br />
<br />
- Another common cause for negative pressure problems is the common-sense approach to a leaky house: occupants can feel cold incoming drafts, and attack them with weather sealing on ground floors and crawl spaces - but they can't detect the outward leaks in the attic hatches, upstairs windows, and overheads, so those leaks are allowed to continue unpatched. <br />
Overhead hot air leaks can be detected from outside the home with an IR camera. If you don't want to buy one yourself (a reasonable one with software can now be obtained for about $200), most home energy audits include an inspection with a professional-grade IR camera. <br />
For starters, visit your attic in winter. If it's warmer up there than outdoors, and especially if condensation is occurring on the bottom of your roof, you probably have some hot air leaks to deal with.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Startup and Die-Down Phase Management:<br />
It is worth noting that the most common time for solid-fueled
appliances to release indoor CO is during startup (when the chimney is
cold), and during die-down. Die-down is more insidious as there is no smell for owners to detect - but at least with a solid-fueled heater, it only lasts a short while. (Compared to automated furnaces, which might release CO undetected for hours or days in case of a negative pressure issue in the house.)<br />
Priming (warming) the chimney prior to starting the main fire is an old family tradition. We used to use a wad of newspaper, light it and hold it near the chimney throat to "check the draft." (It also allows you to detect if the damper is closed on an unfamiliar fireplace or woodstove). Nowadays I have seen people use everything from a candle to a propane torch. <br />
The startup phase usually doesn't take long to overcome; especially if the house or heater mass is warmer than outside air. In extreme cases, we might wait until the outdoors cools down at night, or in the early morning, to prime a thermal-mass heater that was stubbornly colder than the warm outdoor air of an autumn afternoon.<br />
For the die-down phase, the solution is even easier. Thermal mass in the stove - even firebricks often used in conventional
iron woodstoves - can hold enough heat to help the chimney draft properly through the
die-down phase. A good operator will also keep the fire going, or help it burn out cleanly, without allowing it to linger in this phase too long.<br />
Regardless of the type of heater or stove, a good CO detector can be a life-saver. Combination CO and smoke detectors are now available, and commonly installed in many residences.<br />
<br />
Leaving a woodstove to burn unattended at night
while owners sleep is intrinsically risky, not only for CO but for all the reasons the fire itself is risky. Do you trust all the critters in your house never to drag toys or nesting materials up next to the stove before you awake? Do you let your loved ones stack or hang combustibles near the stove to dry, that might get knocked closer in the night? <br />
"Damping down" the fire, a common practice to get overnight heat from a space-heater woodstove or fireplace that wasn't designed to provide it, makes it more likely to release CO into the room, and to coat the chimney with creosote and eventually cause a chimney fire.<br />
<br />
This is one of the reasons we love masonry heaters. After running the fire responsibly and efficiently for a few hours, the owner can put the fire safely out before going to bed, and still enjoy overnight heat. The time window for smoke-related mischance is much smaller, and the benefits much greater, than with most other forms of wood heat.Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-91754833250403060942019-04-21T22:09:00.000-07:002019-05-07T02:57:45.715-07:0040 Days of Ice and Fire - Conclusion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is Easter. Happy Easter!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking Good Friday evening</td></tr>
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Last night, Catholics and other old-school churches celebrated Easter Vigil. Instead of filing into church, everyone gathers outside by a big open fire. As the evening darkens, the Paschal (Easter) Candle is lit from this fire, and leads the group into the church. Once we are all inside, the flame is passed from the main candle to smaller candles, one person turning to the next, until the darkened church is filled with points of live flame and all the faces within are lit by candlelight.<br />
It's a lovely, amazing ceremony.<br />
And once again, as at all these services I've attended in my life, nobody caught anybody's hair on fire. (People do tend to put out the candles after the initial sharing of the light, so as not to have to watch them during the following parts of the service. The next thing that happens are 9 or so readings, starting from "In the Beginning" on up through Paul's Epistles, during which there is traditionally a lot of squirming and fidgeting from the youngest members of the congregation.) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serviceberry blooming, dusk.</td></tr>
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There are a lot of other New Fire traditions for the turning of the year. I can't help seeing connections even to ordinary burn piles; disposing of unwanted weeds and dead brush before it chokes or becomes a fire hazard against this year's plans. Other celebrations of "freshness and renewal" include the Persian-derived <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/19/17138516/persian-new-year-nowruz-explained">Nowruz</a>, with jumping over seven fires, feasts of specific treats, and household ceremonial displays throughout the old Persian empire.<br />
<br />
(You can argue whether some New Fire traditions are older, or whether they are the same or different. Aztec "new fires" involved human sacrifice, as did many of their ceremonial occasions... and probably some of the old European rites did too. The spiritual process of sacrifice and rebirth is critically important (buried seed to plant, past intentions to present growth), but to illustrate it with murder seems barbaric. It feels like progress on a humanitarian scale that we now celebrate it symbolically.<br />
I do eat meat, and can't quibble about those who raise a Paschal or Passover lamb instead of eating something anonymous. But I shy away from decorating with blood, let alone killing a living person each year, or even driving away a living scapegoat. There may be benefit to bringing communities together; but I appreciate the modern approach: remind us each individually to examine our own hearts, and to atone for our own mistakes by supporting others in solidarity... not just conveniently shift the guilt and sacrifice onto one or two token lives.)<br />
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I started this 40-day series intending to nudge myself to make more artwork. I still have loose images in my mind from the Firefighter 1 courses, and images I intend to create for the Art of Fire book expansion. But that is not the next book our publisher wants to produce; and my extra time is going into a lot of sorting and preparation for our move, spring cleaning, and hopefully also training for wildfire season.<br />
<br />
So this spring's 40 days have turned out to be more of a photo journal, watching winter recede from this fire-prone landscape, and tracking our own wanderings as we look for our next place to live.<br />
This fire-related calling of mine is, unfortunately, not very specific about logistical details like where to house Ernie while I work all over the place.<br />
<br />
I did deliver 40 images, but I don't feel finished.<br />
So today, Easter, I'm resolved to work on a few more hand-drawn sketches and paintings, to see if I can capture some of the moments that have been resting in my head rather than on camera.<br />
<br />
So far, this has turned into yet more sorting, as once again I search for the art materials I have been trying to locate for the last 6 weeks. (I have the dark and mid-tone paper, want to draw on it with chalk pastels, and the box I bought last year is not obliging me by showing itself).<br />
<br />
Finally tried it with fluorescent paper.<br />
It is a very rough draft, but it is probably the best we are going to get for tonight. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scary Corner</td></tr>
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P.S. May 5 - or technically May 6 as it's after midnight:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burn 101 - Recruit Academy 19-04 learns Fire Science</td></tr>
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This is the chalk drawing that I finally accomplished, after giving up and buying a new set of chalk pastels.<br />
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Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-71514955025403998382019-04-08T10:51:00.000-07:002019-04-21T13:30:14.567-07:0040 Days of Fire and Ice - Week 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf5SKzyw6HOIigEiKFN-L86o1gbcyZ7lYivxV4J4CPPq13u2tZRkOZviSY_ac7fb1zR34VxTU_4W8HPACcyFWcVdvBmyCxwaN_9-83d9ZJR0g7oUBUG4neSCam9D_-vMtM402wgrSMgg/s1600/KIMG0119_07_BURST1000119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf5SKzyw6HOIigEiKFN-L86o1gbcyZ7lYivxV4J4CPPq13u2tZRkOZviSY_ac7fb1zR34VxTU_4W8HPACcyFWcVdvBmyCxwaN_9-83d9ZJR0g7oUBUG4neSCam9D_-vMtM402wgrSMgg/s320/KIMG0119_07_BURST1000119.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
I spent most of this week driving down to Oregon to reclaim Ernie from his fishing adventures with his dad. This planting pot was about the only thing I managed to pack up and bring down.<br />
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Academy has shifted over to HazMat mode. We're getting ready for graduation, and in the process, I've been reflecting on some of the experiences. The camera doesn't capture every embarrassing moment or close call; which is probably a good thing. Doesn't stop me from creatively alluding to the alleged incidents after the fact, though.<br />
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I brought Radar to several of the classes, because of Ernie being out of town. He behaved pretty well - arguably better than some of the human students.<br />
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I don't know how IFSTA managed to make the HazMat curriculum <i>boring.</i> Our teachers have a lot of experience, and try to put things in perspective with examples from real life (including the near-obligatory explosion videos). But the course as currently written demands so much memorization of detail, without context or focus, that it's nearly impossible to "teach to the test" yet deliver comprehensible, practical, safe, and effective basic skills. <br />
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Hazardous materials (HazMat) lurk all around us, with the potential to inflict tremendous damages in an unfortunate moment's inattention.<br />
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Maybe it's like traffic; the only way we cope with the daily level of risk is by getting habituated, and then tuning out as much as we are able.<br />
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These images are from last week's trip to Olympia, and returning via the Tacoma area; then this week on the Oregon trip.<br />
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Some of these multi-placard trucks are probably carrying hazardous waste for disposal. Hopefully to proper disposal sites, with safe and appropriate disposal methods. <br />
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Learning about all this stuff makes me really want to reduce my dependence on hazardous materials, for myself and for others. <br />
Thank you to all our readers who boycott or minimize our use of pesticides, toxic cleaning products, paints, batteries, and chemicals generally. If you do need these materials for your home or work, hopefully you use appropriate storage and disposal.<br />
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If you are not sure how to dispose of materials you no longer want on your property for health or flammability reasons, here are some resources for disposal:<br />
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw">https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw</a><br />
<a href="https://search.earth911.com/">https://search.earth911.com/</a><br />
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If you are looking for good alternatives to avoid purchasing more of this stuff in the first place, such as "edible" (food-grade) cleaning solutions, there are some handy books out there like this <i>Cleaners You Can Eat eBook</i> (<a href="https://permies.com/t/edible-clean">https://permies.com/t/edible-clean</a>)<br />
as well as friendly discussion on forums such as this one:<br />
<a href="https://permies.com/t/3306/permaculture-home-care-cleaning/purity/Home-Green-Cleaning-Products">https://permies.com/t/3306/permaculture-home-care-cleaning/purity/Home-Green-Cleaning-Products</a> <br />
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In the interests of boosting our moving fund, I should mention that the "Cleaners You Can Eat" booklet is part of the stretch goals for this Kickstarter:<br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/better-world-book?ref=7v1cr8">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/better-world-book?ref=7v1cr8</a><br />
and we get a kickback if you use our link.<br />
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We've also contributed a new set of <a href="https://permies.com/t/110333/Homestead-inch-Rocket-Mass-Heater#902670">digital rocket mass heater plans</a> for one of their stretch goals. A lot of the stuff described in Better World are projects we've helped create, or helped destruction-test, or both. If you like <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/better-world-book?ref=7v1cr8">Kickstarters</a>, go check it out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://permies.com/t/110333/Homestead-inch-Rocket-Mass-Heater#902670">Homestead 8" RMH Plans</a></td></tr>
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<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-71037400704463862812019-03-31T10:42:00.000-07:002019-04-21T10:51:33.715-07:0040 Days of Fire and Ice - Week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the weekend drives to Wenatchee, we see the snow receding from the hills. This week's rain produced some spectacular rainbows. (Photo taken by my passenger David P.)<br />
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We have also noticed, in the receding snow, that rodents did a tremendous amount of damage to the orchard trees over the winter. We collected dormant twigs, "scion wood," from each damaged tree, in hopes of bridge grafting later in the spring.<br />
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<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-11346710373439822792019-03-26T19:32:00.000-07:002019-04-21T10:51:33.691-07:0040 Days of Fire and Ice - Week 3Not a lot of things are on fire or frozen this week (yay!), so we have some pictures from the archives.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not a great place or time of year to be handicapped...<br /> thankfully, this is mostly melted away now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy day in the hills (January 2019) <br />I love these black-and-white "branchscapes." <br />Could make a killer jigsaw puzzle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK86hFE3UG_hFtVgCTkM2VRECEXpBGuQA4k33OO45QB2JwPHbDHxdnDYx17JsZFtxqnewG0pqkNqkbc5EC6wZR_3IbFxSLyVXRih_YxqbIlCVREFznOYbtzoLKcv8uePF0yQ5RdwuNks/s1600/KIMG4644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK86hFE3UG_hFtVgCTkM2VRECEXpBGuQA4k33OO45QB2JwPHbDHxdnDYx17JsZFtxqnewG0pqkNqkbc5EC6wZR_3IbFxSLyVXRih_YxqbIlCVREFznOYbtzoLKcv8uePF0yQ5RdwuNks/s320/KIMG4644.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frost</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ptpvQWjgQBqNjvX9_t8zEEhCg1EX8JeHpttNzLWY8JUd873MjCfXs-3C0IcMtFf6KIsCuSFPxZByPFwWG263wLqM_TJou5KGKCRWjUGhR9Vy7MDdon9pNlOQyVoDTsR438dpFpRUqvQ/s1600/KIMG4437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ptpvQWjgQBqNjvX9_t8zEEhCg1EX8JeHpttNzLWY8JUd873MjCfXs-3C0IcMtFf6KIsCuSFPxZByPFwWG263wLqM_TJou5KGKCRWjUGhR9Vy7MDdon9pNlOQyVoDTsR438dpFpRUqvQ/s320/KIMG4437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frosty day in the clouds (early winter 2018)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO7XHBsVfETm5CSYCYFpzytwWd4ubXji6VO2Yi818JygqRpAuQfB6HJs8_LPmwFFSze4V-kER1-AKkbDby5azh9db-q7lBUPxWfh2eeY6HC-3N8r3rrr_GfyIuOPdg7vNxk_Y0BAfEUM/s1600/KIMG4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO7XHBsVfETm5CSYCYFpzytwWd4ubXji6VO2Yi818JygqRpAuQfB6HJs8_LPmwFFSze4V-kER1-AKkbDby5azh9db-q7lBUPxWfh2eeY6HC-3N8r3rrr_GfyIuOPdg7vNxk_Y0BAfEUM/s320/KIMG4440.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lampwork" artist in Coos Bay, OR last winter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sYRV7tLdwpi14HciG3Kd4jzMG3fPqg3tP0lre1PXgPLvaW3xlSGsOgvk8EnYW2YWED2zgqP19hT6oy5SF0kUHp0J8NXMZ2jEWaB9SJTJYYEu6i0DLoLh1YJxwIiE1Ktz4oH0eu-1Pe4/s1600/KIMG4223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sYRV7tLdwpi14HciG3Kd4jzMG3fPqg3tP0lre1PXgPLvaW3xlSGsOgvk8EnYW2YWED2zgqP19hT6oy5SF0kUHp0J8NXMZ2jEWaB9SJTJYYEu6i0DLoLh1YJxwIiE1Ktz4oH0eu-1Pe4/s320/KIMG4223.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hour 20 of a 28-hour shift, <br />day 15 of our strike team "week." <br />Our task force leader stomping out a sagebrush fire.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO61zlwhqxdnm6SuIlH17Z7H1Vp34_iEGA6SfG0FW3ZJilzRhwDIOEnMicikGWBCg_Cw_4IgTxoRNl9jP-HR-XZMARPIbV9heLaxxzC9BkCBJaBFowTCqGhMH5PNo9hdpO4YArtlNrZA/s1600/KIMG4144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO61zlwhqxdnm6SuIlH17Z7H1Vp34_iEGA6SfG0FW3ZJilzRhwDIOEnMicikGWBCg_Cw_4IgTxoRNl9jP-HR-XZMARPIbV9heLaxxzC9BkCBJaBFowTCqGhMH5PNo9hdpO4YArtlNrZA/s320/KIMG4144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from flat-tire adventure, <br />scouting firewood sources. Fall 2018</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQA48j3ytJXQcSgjG89DnTm32_vViNkqk4ooPeMJavFfE2p3ZU8mDgNqmswyWa0jxFQQh9OiIWwe-aaJjimdVZQJGdqU4cZU0d_4peHL8da5jYohknLAEXKrzt7mlMAtFZKPvrigri68/s1600/KIMG3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQA48j3ytJXQcSgjG89DnTm32_vViNkqk4ooPeMJavFfE2p3ZU8mDgNqmswyWa0jxFQQh9OiIWwe-aaJjimdVZQJGdqU4cZU0d_4peHL8da5jYohknLAEXKrzt7mlMAtFZKPvrigri68/s320/KIMG3691.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of current smoke over old burn, <br />on way to Kettle Falls for Boyd's Fire (Aug 2018).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuguQJmuuw-nQsIYoBI2s4Z0yyfj9zNmQl3zpGY1j2nzNigI1AQzIl_6l1Us_N1jzo-BT8qLJjFbDuYG2GhsQ0W7dTNvh2WeUPHgJlJ7_7nZEheTYjh8uDX2PskXamriED0RuSCkkdmwU/s1600/KIMG3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuguQJmuuw-nQsIYoBI2s4Z0yyfj9zNmQl3zpGY1j2nzNigI1AQzIl_6l1Us_N1jzo-BT8qLJjFbDuYG2GhsQ0W7dTNvh2WeUPHgJlJ7_7nZEheTYjh8uDX2PskXamriED0RuSCkkdmwU/s320/KIMG3717.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus sprouting from recent burn, <br />Boyd's Fire (2018)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjVa7vMlsQHlxC4cQlKS7QaNiQMTI9S9rIctGlC2cPkJ6ooN8yC-UqxZdOYmZ59qwY4hFIxdI5Pyjy7NTvlxWfQWsdrzShokJNgLvPEKmMy142zsSOJhK1SuJIxIKoI3nZjmLPhZqVD8/s1600/KIMG3728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjVa7vMlsQHlxC4cQlKS7QaNiQMTI9S9rIctGlC2cPkJ6ooN8yC-UqxZdOYmZ59qwY4hFIxdI5Pyjy7NTvlxWfQWsdrzShokJNgLvPEKmMy142zsSOJhK1SuJIxIKoI3nZjmLPhZqVD8/s320/KIMG3728.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burned-over valley (2018)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE7S60Usy5FmZQ3Ypvbirha9g3bxkbOlu6VNwnAqPN2DQNtS20RaMHXPggav30QbrHHbL7rfFUg9ldip2nk-UJE8js3NnoqhqDiyOKvE65dQUz4oqxWKhkWOpFa6HqWe4XDxkU82hrSY/s1600/KIMG3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE7S60Usy5FmZQ3Ypvbirha9g3bxkbOlu6VNwnAqPN2DQNtS20RaMHXPggav30QbrHHbL7rfFUg9ldip2nk-UJE8js3NnoqhqDiyOKvE65dQUz4oqxWKhkWOpFa6HqWe4XDxkU82hrSY/s320/KIMG3817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree and burned stump holes, <br />Cougar Creek Fire (2018)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8QiEP4DMw7So3jj3SWlZcsVO8w4PR-8rKQ5oeO_gN1LvvkU4mYwHT7CeByVzG2wF1k-Iqymugc_zh6KfFkYXfMup7ko_PiZkkWr0JRCU_yyO_n0_B0fnI8jP80ITeo-vMbVaCLhJCXM/s1600/KIMG3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8QiEP4DMw7So3jj3SWlZcsVO8w4PR-8rKQ5oeO_gN1LvvkU4mYwHT7CeByVzG2wF1k-Iqymugc_zh6KfFkYXfMup7ko_PiZkkWr0JRCU_yyO_n0_B0fnI8jP80ITeo-vMbVaCLhJCXM/s320/KIMG3904.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lingering hot spots on inaccessible ridges,<br />Cougar Creek fire (2018)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8lXoWI1pbNKAlNHTaoIKMGCMHA-O8rOeRAn9gew8ZVolCoDDAH1VwHXkJoAQw0HIYxbvzs32HdRfLqHeW1XEqU5xMUqNpUUXiw4xc8RPB3I5Kj2U-t9mcx-SgzRJrGBGnQtl5kvxFEg/s1600/KIMG3694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8lXoWI1pbNKAlNHTaoIKMGCMHA-O8rOeRAn9gew8ZVolCoDDAH1VwHXkJoAQw0HIYxbvzs32HdRfLqHeW1XEqU5xMUqNpUUXiw4xc8RPB3I5Kj2U-t9mcx-SgzRJrGBGnQtl5kvxFEg/s320/KIMG3694.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose seen on way to Boyd's Fire, 2018</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A7gdUbOUscFJ1WbyM_zDR25vmCatV_98O81I8TRrn1mMhWrnv6JmlG7omu5UklsElis8aGVfChkd4Yhun1UfjT28s_aeQkn600OB9_xr0MLUwcAd0x3HplzJGleUY2hbQPl1BYL8BcA/s1600/KIMG3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A7gdUbOUscFJ1WbyM_zDR25vmCatV_98O81I8TRrn1mMhWrnv6JmlG7omu5UklsElis8aGVfChkd4Yhun1UfjT28s_aeQkn600OB9_xr0MLUwcAd0x3HplzJGleUY2hbQPl1BYL8BcA/s320/KIMG3320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working fire ahead. 2018</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS4DVhs8G8RtRMXuoxwHr6ZhtSmfj18IrnBArhuZfpOLAM-ebPLbc818qFDwjXmFZAet1ITUirOuHiTwUVE8wQ_ohremC1f2FpiCeCJhc-5QCvYZu3iT-6sj5CJq2iMync1WWM2Wcq8A/s1600/KIMG3722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS4DVhs8G8RtRMXuoxwHr6ZhtSmfj18IrnBArhuZfpOLAM-ebPLbc818qFDwjXmFZAet1ITUirOuHiTwUVE8wQ_ohremC1f2FpiCeCJhc-5QCvYZu3iT-6sj5CJq2iMync1WWM2Wcq8A/s320/KIMG3722.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patchy (uneven) burned forest, Boyd's Fire (2018)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5AIdExroapx-GTALjDDIdiKrrGy99QJgHfCPvisVGBud9XyZ9DEg1_K6kYI3X5kvYA3pir7srkz_tHsAvrk5pq0BO2E0d9H1UOSJCK2LpyEmyv3pqyAp29WHT5MYE5z7r-PG4ybDurw/s1600/KIMG3784.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5AIdExroapx-GTALjDDIdiKrrGy99QJgHfCPvisVGBud9XyZ9DEg1_K6kYI3X5kvYA3pir7srkz_tHsAvrk5pq0BO2E0d9H1UOSJCK2LpyEmyv3pqyAp29WHT5MYE5z7r-PG4ybDurw/s320/KIMG3784.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
Finally, a challenge: Can you guess what this is? <br />
<br />
(Yes, we encountered it on a fire assignment.<br />
It's a close-up of something.<br />
Good luck.)<br />
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Email me if you have a guess: erica@ErnieAndErica.info.<br />
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Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-73696954607651543642019-03-26T17:50:00.000-07:002019-04-21T10:51:33.728-07:0040 Days of Fire and Ice - Week 2The badges came. These are the same graphic as we used for the truck decals, now in a nifty 2" woven/embroidered format.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsyZ8Erp44gGGRK295IWxPJsM9NsJzvKwN881ME__5II23FsIKH2CrSbny7pIEKpXi7D_QjilNfyoeib5mWGbO1qSdBeUC0oEwDFmHV_Ru8yRhMXA3gIP7SlLkxKBK7y7P8ue-wwjnJI/s1600/Patch-Ram-OCFD12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="813" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsyZ8Erp44gGGRK295IWxPJsM9NsJzvKwN881ME__5II23FsIKH2CrSbny7pIEKpXi7D_QjilNfyoeib5mWGbO1qSdBeUC0oEwDFmHV_Ru8yRhMXA3gIP7SlLkxKBK7y7P8ue-wwjnJI/s320/Patch-Ram-OCFD12.png" width="317" /></a></div>
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The snow is going. Here are a few more of the pictures from last week's marvelously misty weather.<br />
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Now the snow is receding - all the south slopes are tawny bare again, with tiny green fuzz starting to show.<br />
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Academy continues to go well. All 16 of our classmates passed their practical exams Sunday, for the basic fire fighter skills. We won't know for sure on the written exams until they process the Scantrons in a week or two, but it's looking like Mt. Hull has 3 new structure-qualified fire fighters. We have 4 more weeks to complete the HazMat Awareness and HazMat Operations parts of the course, then graduation is scheduled for the evening of April 14. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OqPgDHkWR0PYZOU0imXGgV2-aYa0IUS2hrHcG6VJVFJlBFTjAA8NFQ5B8AMW97M1trJE-YXw0ndwNl5ouIX5ScqB0SPtUu_h9EupiAKbsnseWJVwBo1FUaQ2PJfb6lHIjaCD5_cf3_A/s1600/KIMG5094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OqPgDHkWR0PYZOU0imXGgV2-aYa0IUS2hrHcG6VJVFJlBFTjAA8NFQ5B8AMW97M1trJE-YXw0ndwNl5ouIX5ScqB0SPtUu_h9EupiAKbsnseWJVwBo1FUaQ2PJfb6lHIjaCD5_cf3_A/s320/KIMG5094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okanogan County recruit academy folks <br />
bunk at Malaga Station Friday and Saturday nights. <br />
Gary keeps bringing steak, so the rest of us try for worthy side dishes.<br />
This week's pot-luck was truly magnificent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEs7TkIvRsE1GbBx-tRcRDRLO3_h8ncPXTzbpjkh9h5Xh4j0xCkWmCp6pIlJUOr6fMPfhlzOUmv59G4-fO4slhr7zXJR2e6Rmr5BHsGrSWEmYEgvVHBvF6MkeRGwlWFy7CfMhDcTLY7Q/s1600/KIMG5049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEs7TkIvRsE1GbBx-tRcRDRLO3_h8ncPXTzbpjkh9h5Xh4j0xCkWmCp6pIlJUOr6fMPfhlzOUmv59G4-fO4slhr7zXJR2e6Rmr5BHsGrSWEmYEgvVHBvF6MkeRGwlWFy7CfMhDcTLY7Q/s320/KIMG5049.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assistant instructor and heat haze<br />
seen through window of burn building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aFcGIm8TCWstpNTTsGHU2s78ueEF_vdUuKNueIokPJdO7ehJLD2lkWF91ZBsw0_RHgcLWiRkmUg9GYiLmj2yGXIe4YQ1sFijpeXpI6p-5IhS29DYrRMDtrqDkSw71JZ9tl0CPMVAy34/s1600/KIMG5044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aFcGIm8TCWstpNTTsGHU2s78ueEF_vdUuKNueIokPJdO7ehJLD2lkWF91ZBsw0_RHgcLWiRkmUg9GYiLmj2yGXIe4YQ1sFijpeXpI6p-5IhS29DYrRMDtrqDkSw71JZ9tl0CPMVAy34/s320/KIMG5044.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructor Don Welch in front of<br />
the Malaga hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXDVkthbUeDskdyNGeUboWfbJ9lzjKHKSct29m6UqwhTRB5BJ_RKaUoCi1oYC_oHW8_Mpr7Kzd4NjYJOEMzP5u4URBDA-zaHsgISP3EK8G8HkuNUnsoohCyHj_f8ZgpJhwRWfbtueiig/s1600/KIMG5104.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXDVkthbUeDskdyNGeUboWfbJ9lzjKHKSct29m6UqwhTRB5BJ_RKaUoCi1oYC_oHW8_Mpr7Kzd4NjYJOEMzP5u4URBDA-zaHsgISP3EK8G8HkuNUnsoohCyHj_f8ZgpJhwRWfbtueiig/s320/KIMG5104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car fire prop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGSuEv0cO-IiKgcq2pplBGwNWRkX18MhuwOU2AX31LTlEBcFC7gx3Hd-NB5iXgBcwHxjeaSWmBmpdjmYnEpxmDwbOhuq9ovckaWbXlEnAuyIy11CjWnBQUeTwO7bOoyGKn3-fUTudUd4/s1600/KIMG5101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGSuEv0cO-IiKgcq2pplBGwNWRkX18MhuwOU2AX31LTlEBcFC7gx3Hd-NB5iXgBcwHxjeaSWmBmpdjmYnEpxmDwbOhuq9ovckaWbXlEnAuyIy11CjWnBQUeTwO7bOoyGKn3-fUTudUd4/s320/KIMG5101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car fire prop - fun, if not super realistic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
The snow remains on some of the north slopes and shaded creek beds, but also on some of the tops of the slopes - an interesting "snow cap" that outlines the whole shape of each hill along the Columbia/Okanogan confluence.<br />
<br />
Not sure what allows this snowcap to remain on the top of the south-facing slopes - air currents? radiant frost? just the slight change in angle that means the flattish ridgetops are not facing the sun as directly as the steep slopes? As you can see, the snow comes down along the ridgetop well below the elevation of bare slopes above, so it's not just an elevation/snow-line thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gXy2umO91Ta-q3I7p2mslUcyYI_eK6_jOiN-_CUR893DvkzulOGCC9JYF-MaY-eMBc19Jk88NY7nUgbckPbQSYkZPuZvvnVhd5zsdvOFQtqjjVEzV112Y36DYJN5NafG56rH1OHCKr4/s1600/KIMG5112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gXy2umO91Ta-q3I7p2mslUcyYI_eK6_jOiN-_CUR893DvkzulOGCC9JYF-MaY-eMBc19Jk88NY7nUgbckPbQSYkZPuZvvnVhd5zsdvOFQtqjjVEzV112Y36DYJN5NafG56rH1OHCKr4/s320/KIMG5112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos taken by David while I'm driving us home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NIpub2UvGzEdq-ArSs7fof2On89CpRpbhGACMKP4YxS0r_0nwONgMBx9gEVMGNTwkihYUvhIzEREmRhZ76n5CHPrv5nS3JrJRdJTnpJBLPH96KXL2nJChrQwIbE2bSUBknGDtnkCt_s/s1600/KIMG5110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NIpub2UvGzEdq-ArSs7fof2On89CpRpbhGACMKP4YxS0r_0nwONgMBx9gEVMGNTwkihYUvhIzEREmRhZ76n5CHPrv5nS3JrJRdJTnpJBLPH96KXL2nJChrQwIbE2bSUBknGDtnkCt_s/s320/KIMG5110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We still have plenty of slush and snow on the roads up here above 3000 feet, but it's starting to melt and drain during warm days.<br />
<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-75889692264266717142019-03-08T11:03:00.001-08:002019-04-22T00:45:19.626-07:0040 Days of Fire and Ice - Week 1Well, it's officially Lent. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMsm7t_JwGyXRk-kFETRRX4HuTO2LpgSrFSVkgLxSDOkAKkr1Yu-L6S9S2EwgEC5sEyfemRX6mJyTN1XLQoaFTPz1NSFpWzwZtl-gyoHvh52CnWji3CypFjsamVBpO8khgZT2OVAEZik/s1600/KIMG5065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMsm7t_JwGyXRk-kFETRRX4HuTO2LpgSrFSVkgLxSDOkAKkr1Yu-L6S9S2EwgEC5sEyfemRX6mJyTN1XLQoaFTPz1NSFpWzwZtl-gyoHvh52CnWji3CypFjsamVBpO8khgZT2OVAEZik/s320/KIMG5065.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
This year as I once again resolve to set aside a few time-waster bad habits, I'd like to make a practice of sharing art each week instead. <br />
<br />
For the next 40 days, I undertake to offer 40 pieces of art: photos, drawings, paintings, fire service insignia, writing, and all manner of love notes to reflect on our snowy and fire-prone Okanogan Highlands, and the fire service teams we will serve with this summer and in future.<br />
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For those who haven't heard, the Wisner homestead was sold last fall, and we are preparing to move from our home of 7 years. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAJBEQwVe0l1CNCfmuR3kGTdmh7S9I884uejNFg2_U9rJqja5p6_iah2z8_K9JNEyrjH_JG3iqFj-jhlUE5HrDXY1Y3KdGMgP49C6_Z3TjLZ4eNKgNy_Hq2ufoHWEr3ULvdpj743ZVhg/s1600/KIMG4796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAJBEQwVe0l1CNCfmuR3kGTdmh7S9I884uejNFg2_U9rJqja5p6_iah2z8_K9JNEyrjH_JG3iqFj-jhlUE5HrDXY1Y3KdGMgP49C6_Z3TjLZ4eNKgNy_Hq2ufoHWEr3ULvdpj743ZVhg/s320/KIMG4796.JPG" width="320" /></a>Distance to medical facilities, and the local VA clinic closing, were big factors in the decision. Both Ernie and the senior Wisners have medical conditions that are slowly worsening, and require regular and sometimes specialized care.<br />
The economics of being here doesn't pencil out very well either - a lot of our work is elsewhere, and the long distances and sometimes extreme weather conditions mean higher costs when we travel for work, medical, or family visits. When you add in the hauling requirements to get a 30-foot fishing boat over the Cascades every time our salty sailors want to chase the salmon, cod, or tuna ... Captain Ron decided it's time to be closer to the ocean again. So Ernie's dad and stepmom have sold the land, found themselves a house in Coquille OR, and Ernie and I are looking for options in that general area.<br />
<br />
It is difficult to leave this place, after getting attached to it all. My sit-spot by our pond, my fire hall crewmates, the gorgeous landscapes.<br />
And there are the dark corners to clean out: unfinished projects and accumulated clutter to sort through. Thinking we would be here a long time, we have allowed ourselves to accumulate half-finished barns full of drifts of tools, materials, and hand-me-down posessions that we will need to deal with.<br />
<br />
It is also difficult to see where exactly our next move will take us, from here. I want to continue in fire service work; I want Ernie in a safe place where he can continue to be as involved as his health permits; ideally, in a nearly-ADA home within redneck-wheelchair (ATV) range of essential services and family/trusted companionship. With room for a 60-lb dog who can jump a 6-foot fence if he feels he's on the wrong side of it. <br />
Selling the property provided just enough to get Ron and Jeanine situated in Coquille, but did not leave any extra for Ernie and me to make our own down payment on a new place. So we're starting over again, hoping the money for the move (and a new residence in a higher-value area) will show up as it's needed, mostly from what work we can do or surplus things we can sell along the way.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd_o9O383BSIjEBReeUffyNaA0pzGCUUwD4vADFOEyUV0iXU4bWm4WZNk0-ATdzJkTr_GUfUWiOcA36PkT3Dsqp-vQibbbMpg9AIyt12Isx7od9aB11Xegs2QqNfQCmoH2hUvnY-5Hpo/s1600/KIMG4907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd_o9O383BSIjEBReeUffyNaA0pzGCUUwD4vADFOEyUV0iXU4bWm4WZNk0-ATdzJkTr_GUfUWiOcA36PkT3Dsqp-vQibbbMpg9AIyt12Isx7od9aB11Xegs2QqNfQCmoH2hUvnY-5Hpo/s320/KIMG4907.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
Once we get our feet on the ground, I do have summer wildfire work lined up, and ongoing plans to keep working toward higher qualifications and pay rates as a fire fighter. My wildland contract crew of the past 2 summers has trucks in Oregon, and are delighted to have me available down there for this season. The boss has signed me up for higher-level classes this spring, that could lead to a pay raise and/or instructor qualifications within the next couple of seasons.<br />
So the daunting thing about the transition is not the lack of a future path; more the speed it needs to happen, the amount of clutter (including Ernie's mom's stuff) that needs to be sorted and cleared; and the risks of overspending and overcommitting on a rental or mortgage in order to find a place that feels right for us.<br />
<br />
I'm seeking inspiration and moral support for the move by celebrating the things we love about our work, and the place(s) we live and will live. Please enjoy these photos, artwork, and other creative reflections on this phase in our lives. <br />
<br />
And if you feel moved to help, or called to share an option with us, thank you. We appreciate your solidarity. <br />
<br />
<br />
What is Lent: <br />
In the Catholic / Western churches, this is a time for fasting, reflection, giving up unhealthy or unneeded luxuries, and instead sharing surplus in solidarity with the poor. Religious themes include Jesus' fasting for 40 days in the desert, and the wild ride of hopes, fears, betrayal, and bewildered expectations that leads up to the Last Supper, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. (Celebrated at Easter.)<br />
<br />These last months of winter, many other traditions also reflect on themes of hunger, solidarity, survival, and the longing for spring's renewal, cleansing, rebirth. I remember seeing a Native American calendar at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, that described February/March as "The Hungry Month." <br />
You might think that the darkest part of winter in December or January would be the hungry times - yet we often coast through the winter solstice with merriment, harvest and holiday feasting. New Year's comes with hopes and grand plans for how well our snowblower will work, how we'll exercise more while still getting everything else done, and how quickly we'll get our tax paperwork done in January.<br />
<br />
February is when we start asking each other, "This might be the last snow, do you think?" <br />March is when we start to think about selling the blamed machinery before something else breaks... until another 6 inches of snow makes us double down and keep it working.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNp1sRUpuuP_dIGtk4EUcyckytcMHyq6j8br9uhNP2TglxYhD6SylRKT1gxsscwhryco7_5DngXXmyRW9dlBZ49huxkoydwyYhJwROshu-UrMpjaWty_vOtpB8S8fCtEvCTQ6YLOFu70/s1600/KIMG4922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNp1sRUpuuP_dIGtk4EUcyckytcMHyq6j8br9uhNP2TglxYhD6SylRKT1gxsscwhryco7_5DngXXmyRW9dlBZ49huxkoydwyYhJwROshu-UrMpjaWty_vOtpB8S8fCtEvCTQ6YLOFu70/s320/KIMG4922.JPG" width="180" /></a>When I sat down to pray recently, feeling particularly sad at leaving my crew, and so
many high hopes, plans, and unfinished projects, this reading came up:<br />
John 13:1-14, the one that starts:<br />
"It was just before the
Passover festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come to leave this
world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world,
he loved them to the end."<br />
The story continues, describing how the Lord took a towel and washed his disciples' feet - while making it clear to them the
role reversal from master to servant was a deliberate example for them
to follow. Love and serve one another, as I have loved you.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBsmH0VCJy8pASyBfW48ct56eMKX1sdAL9mCrQEnFwDHWiWbGaXY39lbCyEZ9WFNkZhZMF_KfOwyb5YAcpA6lTCpTZkAFrV5m0Gw1HGYqxl1VupC5fqCUbqVAZ4cxWJtJY0pQvkwq03Q/s1600/KIMG5070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBsmH0VCJy8pASyBfW48ct56eMKX1sdAL9mCrQEnFwDHWiWbGaXY39lbCyEZ9WFNkZhZMF_KfOwyb5YAcpA6lTCpTZkAFrV5m0Gw1HGYqxl1VupC5fqCUbqVAZ4cxWJtJY0pQvkwq03Q/s320/KIMG5070.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took some time yesterday <br />to apply the decal <br />onto another fire truck. <br />Technically counts as art <br />because I helped design the logo. <br />Definitely counts as supporting and serving <br />alongside my fire chief and crew.</td></tr>
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That's a pretty basic message, coming from a pretty extreme situation. Comforting, direct.<br />
<br />
So as we pack, I will be reminding myself that moving is not the hardest sacrifice, not by a long shot. But it is a transition; and an opportunity to find ways to finish our time here in a way that honors all we've loved about being here, and supports those we care about as we go.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7pQyfuvg0qU7a3M3bPRcMd4nlsqF3xuBuprDy2hOSczC7yPNQV_aq6AuOW9Svk8iesocyd5nHmFWR8UIrm9xBCqHhhnrOkAJsDgDhKBRK8y7VZZPvH8zogXBMkJRMJfCiwt8XAGN7zE/s1600/RA-1904-BW-Flag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7pQyfuvg0qU7a3M3bPRcMd4nlsqF3xuBuprDy2hOSczC7yPNQV_aq6AuOW9Svk8iesocyd5nHmFWR8UIrm9xBCqHhhnrOkAJsDgDhKBRK8y7VZZPvH8zogXBMkJRMJfCiwt8XAGN7zE/s320/RA-1904-BW-Flag.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag and shirt design <br />for this winter's Wenatchee fire academy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rfrp6zwKA_nkV_Fb1BhR7w4V-mfPkz8MN5pm_YPwJrTjjTzvWq3zYuKk_umzvMoYE6ql8Ua825VCN9kNsWFnVIjqhZ-vhEcmf3qrF1IEZUSdWQiuTXy0fplq1fypPWWltvNiO6QT5ac/s1600/RA-1904-FrontMedallion-Ladders-page001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rfrp6zwKA_nkV_Fb1BhR7w4V-mfPkz8MN5pm_YPwJrTjjTzvWq3zYuKk_umzvMoYE6ql8Ua825VCN9kNsWFnVIjqhZ-vhEcmf3qrF1IEZUSdWQiuTXy0fplq1fypPWWltvNiO6QT5ac/s320/RA-1904-FrontMedallion-Ladders-page001.png" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ladders on Ice" <br />was an alternative proposal for our motto.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-5430044283308962462019-02-27T13:07:00.001-08:002019-02-27T13:08:31.390-08:00Stil enjoying winter?Me and Radar on a snow day:<br />
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<a href="http://pebbleandwren.thebookofbiff.com/comic/150/">http://pebbleandwren.thebookofbiff.com/comic/150/</a><br />
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I haven't been writing to you much, with everything that's been going on. I have been keeping my eyeballs out of the slush, however.<br />
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Radar and I have gone skiing once or twice most weeks - sometimes at home, sometimes at the sno park. Skiing with a weighted pack is a great way to keep in shape for everything I plan to do this summer. And, you know, ever in my life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our eyeballs not frozen but camera is </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deep enough to push like a bow wave on a boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bow wave surfing</td></tr>
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I sometimes go with friends like Karen (who took these pictures) or Ton. Nice to have a winter wonderland all around me, when I take the time to enjoy it.<br />
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I get to see spectacular hills under snow on the road to Wenatchee each weekend lately, too. We took this snapshot of Turtle Rock while carpooling, but it doesn't do justice to the vast, blue-and-white, etching-textured quality of the surrounding landscape.<br />
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We are pushing through snow to practice with ladders and other tools for the Fire Recruit Academy. Every weekend from mid-January through mid-April, we carpool down and practice structure fire techniques and tactics with some awesome trainers from the Washington State Fire Training Academy, Chelan County #1, and Douglas County #2.<br />
I will hopefully have photos to share once we swap images and permissions - right now, all mine are of other people, and some of them don't want them published. But I can share a logo I drew for our class flag:<br />
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As the snow clears, we'll be doing more outdoor training for our wildland fire crews, and for several new drivers for Okanogan County FD #12. This was my third EVIP training since being certified as an instructor, and it's getting smoother (next step: how much shorter can I tighten it down?). <br />
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And I'm collecting fire-related quotes, notes, photos, and original artwork for an upcoming project. Check out this version of the Fire Triangle:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Triangle - the real thing.</td></tr>
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How is winter treating you?Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-51214695381188987612018-06-25T22:58:00.000-07:002018-06-26T14:06:01.481-07:00Rocket Ovens - and Sugarless Strawberry Shortcake recipeWe just got back from Montana - me for 6 weeks, Ernie bookending our course with a week-plus on each end.<br />
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We had some utterly delicious adventures.<br />
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Our friend Paul was eager to launch his <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31" target="_blank">Rocket Ovens kickstarter</a> (now live!), which was a great excuse to bake some delicious treats for our Off Grid Kitchen team, the Peasant PDC, and anyone who happened to stop by.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Shortcake: <br />
I still use my mom's 8th grade Home Ec biscuit recipe, sugar optional. <br />
This recipe is designed for single-serve or a couple. <br />
We multiply by 4 for a family with 4 kids, or for most get-togethers.<br />
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Preheat oven to 450.<br />
Sift or whisk to combine dry ingredients: <br />
<b>1 c flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder</b>.<br />
Cut in shortening: <b>2 tbls butter</b>, margarine, lard, or coconut oil. <br />
I like to use frozen shortening and a cheese grater for larger batches; speeds up the process of cutting in.<br />
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<b>Double check</b> all dry ingredients are in, before adding liquid. <br />
(Handle the flour as little as possible once liquid is present; <br />
that's the main secret to fluffy biscuits.)<br />
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Liquid: <b>3/8 cup milk</b>. <br />
Mix briefly to form a loose dough ball - add more milk if needed.<br />
Roll on floured board, or drop wetter biscuits by spoonfuls <br />
directly on baking sheet, 1/2 inch apart. <br />
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<b>Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.</b><br />
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For a larger batch: 4 c flour, 1.5 to 2 tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder, <br />
8 tbls (1/2 cup) shortening, 1 1/2 cups milk.<br />
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For a pretty, scone-like shortcake: <br />
Add 1 tsp to 1 tbsp fine sugar to the dry ingredients, prepare as directed. <br />
Before baking, coat the top with milk or egg, sprinkle with 1 tbsp coarse sugar <br />
(or nutmeg/lemon zest). <br />
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For no-sugar shortcake: Use original biscuits, or add a touch of lemon zest and vanilla. <br />
I don't use sweeteners much anymore, but some folks might enjoy a 1/4 tsp of stevia, or substituting a fruit juice concentrate (like apple or white grape) for part of the milk.<br />
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Whipped cream: Good enough by itself in my book, but if you must: <br />
For 1 cup whipped or double cream, try <br />
1 tbsp honey, <br />
OR 2 tsp real maple syrup, <br />
OR a vanilla no-sugar sweetener (like stevia drops) in discreet amounts. <br />
You can always add more to taste, or drizzle honey/syrup over individual portions, if needed.<br />
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Fruit:<br />
Wash, then pit/chop/slice the fresh fruit as needed. <br />
Some people like to
sprinkle sugar in with berries, and soak them together, to extract the juice and make a sweet goo. <br />
I usually just get very ripe fruit and eat it
fresh. <br />
If I'm feeling decadent, I might drizzle or braise the fruit with a
sweet-ish liqueur like rum, amaretto, or Cointreau. Or I might mix with an all-fruit jam for a sweet goo effect.<br />
Each fruit has its own favorite spice partners.<br />
Ripe strawberries or peaches are great with vanilla, a hint of nutmeg, honeyed cream.<br />
Other berries - blueberries, raspberries: try 1/4 tsp of real Ceylon or Vietnamese cinnamon, a grain of nutmeg (size of a rice grain), a whisper of coriander or lemon zest. <br />
Cherry shortcake - try hitting the whipped cream with 1 tbsp amaretto, or 1/4 tsp almond extract, or pre-soaking the cherries in rum or amaretto + lemon zest.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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If you, too, want an off-grid rocket bake oven, please check out this Kickstarter, which will not only provide you with delicious details on the whole process (from building the oven to baking the goodies), but will also support our ongoing work.<br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31">Affiliate link*</a>:<br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31</a><br />
<br />
(*Full disclosure: "Affiliate" means your patronage directly supports us here at Ernie and Erica
with a modest kickback, as well as supporting our creative
collaborators who designed, built, and filmed the whole thing. A lot of the up-front work on these prototyping projects is volunteer, so we are heartily in favor of folks making money off the best success examples.)<br />
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In other tasty news:<br />
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Montana experienced some major wildfires last summer, and this spring's intermittent rain brought on flush after flush of delicious morel mushrooms.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Teaching my first Permaculture Design Course was a tall order. Permaculture is a whole connected system of nature-based design, building regenerative systems that feed each other, provide sustainable food and livelihood for people, while supporting a resilient future for life on Earth.<br />
Turns out, the details of how, why, and what are a lot to cover in a 70-hour classroom course.<br />
Nothing that left me sleepless, but definitely some late nights and some first-time teacher flops along the way to a modest success. (Teaching nature-based design is much better done outdoors than in a classroom, especially an after-lunch classroom with limited AV and a bunch of tired campers!)<br />
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I have to say, I find it a lot easier to recommend <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31" target="_blank">an oven design that bakes a good pizza</a>, than to troubleshoot a hypothetical self-sustaining food forest for a Zone 4, semi-arid climate!<br />
At least my home garden is looking lush after a 6-week absence. So I must be doing something right. Time to plant some sprouted potatoes, wash and pack my laundry, and get ready for fire season.<br />
<br />
With summer finally here, we're getting into moderate fire dangers. Burn bans are going into force across the western USA. Please be careful with your wood-fired projects.<br />
Although indoor, properly vented and screened cookstoves are often exempt from burn bans, please pay careful attention to proper screening. Recommended for spark arrestor is 1/8" mesh or finer. Due to the possible clogging effect of screen, allow 3x the chimney CSA flow area for screen surface area, to avoid choking the usual draft for most stoves. This can be as simple as a tube of screen about 1 foot long, extending from the stovepipe to the rain cap. <br />
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<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
If I'm off on a fire before this gets updated again, wish me well, and stay safe this summer yourselves!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Erica<br />
and Ernie<br />
<br />
p.s. That Kickstarter link is:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/rocket-ovens-feature-length-documentary?ref=28qt31</a> If you love this sort of thing and want your own link, please let me know.<br />
-EKW Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-18235876966756736092018-04-15T21:27:00.002-07:002018-04-15T21:27:27.967-07:00Rockt Off-Grid Kitchen Workshop (free!) May 17-19Paul made this lovely image set to show the cool off-grid kitchen tools and prototypes we've been playing with in Montana.<br />
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<a href="https://permies.com/t/84414/a/60011/thumb-Rocket-kitchen-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="700" height="250" src="https://permies.com/t/84414/a/60011/thumb-Rocket-kitchen-collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We'll be warming up these kitchen devices ahead of the Peasant PDC, and combining the best ones into a couple of off-grid kitchen facilities. And visiting some of Missoula's great resources for prototyping some more off-grid tech.<br />
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You're invited to join us:<br />
<br />
- The Off-Grid Rocket Kitchen Workshop: Free, limited to 6 people.<br />
<a href="https://permies.com/t/rocket-kitchen">https://permies.com/t/rocket-kitchen</a><br />
<br />
- <a href="https://permies.com/t/schmoozaroo" target="_blank">The Schmoozaroo</a>: No charge for returning guests of Wheaton Labs, small fee for first-time visitors. <a href="https://permies.com/t/schmoozaroo">https://permies.com/t/schmoozaroo</a> <br />
<br />
- The Peasant PDC, May 21-June 22: Affordable, project-based PDC for participants willing to bring their own food and work-clothes. <br />
<a href="https://richsoil.com/ppdc.jsp">https://richsoil.com/ppdc.jsp</a> <br />
<br />
Yours,<br />
Erica and Ernie<br />
questions@ErnieAndErica.infoErica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-89640840471686357982018-04-11T21:09:00.001-07:002018-04-11T22:27:46.671-07:00Connecting the Gears<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56468ce7e4b0c85596a70361/t/56be3fcb0442622c7f42add2/1455308751536/?format=750w" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56468ce7e4b0c85596a70361/t/56be3fcb0442622c7f42add2/1455308751536/?format=750w" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from FreeCycles.org, Missoula MT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have a fire under me again.<br />
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Our recent Oregon visit introduced me to some living legends from Ernie's family lore.<br />
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Our mutual friends at <a href="http://www.7fires.org/" target="_blank">Seven Fires</a> are still cooking up powerful community collaborations around natural building and sustainable skills. I'm excited to work more closely with them come fall.<br />
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On my side, we had a great conversation about sustainable business life lessons, and making a living doing what you love, with the remarkable Bill Campbell of <a href="http://eq-cap.com/" target="_blank">Equilibrium LLC</a>. <br />
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It all ties back to our personal and big-picture goals: resilient communities, adaptive problem-solving, giving ourselves permission to thrive <i>by </i>supporting a thriving future for life on Earth.<br />
<br />
So what's on our plate today, to do all that? <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56468ce7e4b0c85596a70361/t/56be405720c6474e15be7638/1455308893662/?format=750w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56468ce7e4b0c85596a70361/t/56be405720c6474e15be7638/1455308893662/?format=750w" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from FreeCycles.org, near Missoula MT</td></tr>
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<h2>
Peasant Permaculture Design Course, May 22-June 21, near Missoula MT:</h2>
Design principles and on-the-ground realities of what it takes to create a resilient, Earth-friendly lifestyle.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://permacultureprinciples.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/principles_menu.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="524" height="320" src="https://permacultureprinciples.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/principles_menu.gif" title="Image from permacultureprinciples.com" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from permacultureprinciples.com</td></tr>
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<br />
We have lined up some wonderful field trip hosts and guest speakers, and I'm still pulling more strings to bring back some of our favorite past students and collaborators to join us for this course. Plus, the marvelous Boots program manager will be co-hosting the projects for this course, for a lot more hands-on practical experience than most PDCs have time to offer. <br />
<a href="https://richsoil.com/images/eco-cabin-wofati-rocket-stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="73" src="https://richsoil.com/images/eco-cabin-wofati-rocket-stove.jpg" /> </a><br />
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This permaculture adventure is going to be amazing. And it's surprisingly affordable - so if your friends are balking at the usual PDC price tag, point them our way.<br />
Read more, or <b>sign up here:<a href="https://richsoil.com/ppdc.jsp"> https://richsoil.com/ppdc.jsp</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://richsoil.com/images/rocket-mass-heater-eco-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="66" src="https://richsoil.com/images/rocket-mass-heater-eco-home.jpg" /></a><a href="https://richsoil.com/images/free-permaculture-design-course-Montana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="73" src="https://richsoil.com/images/free-permaculture-design-course-Montana.jpg" /></a>Our host Paul has also invited returning guests, former students, and collaborators to drop in while we're in the area for what he's calling the "<a href="https://permies.com/t/schmoozaroo#697389" target="_blank">Schmoozaroo</a>." Basically, if you've ever been part of our collaborations at Wheaton Labs, you are welcome to drop by for free, camp or join in some of the land projects or just stargaze, and be part of the vibe. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtRgFLjkQde0CwOv00X3loeBJuibjHhbQs8dsZ6ckmLYviePnRWmFm4gXchZZ1Fo0hXeKJd8kbnL3IX1smPEa1KisAml_3YGEHN_Ri83xEgFV8qb1n-A1wW2SCb2ugFMmXS9rkcNjacU/s320/DSCN1994-cabin-sidewinder-morning-glow-600px.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtRgFLjkQde0CwOv00X3loeBJuibjHhbQs8dsZ6ckmLYviePnRWmFm4gXchZZ1Fo0hXeKJd8kbnL3IX1smPEa1KisAml_3YGEHN_Ri83xEgFV8qb1n-A1wW2SCb2ugFMmXS9rkcNjacU/s320/DSCN1994-cabin-sidewinder-morning-glow-600px.JPG" /></a></div>
And as a special component of that, we are discussing a FREE 3-day workshop, <a href="https://permies.com/t/84297/permaculture-projects/Grid-Rocket-Kitchen-Build" target="_blank">Rocket Off-Grid Kitchens, May 17-19</a>. (That's Thursday through Saturday, with the option to continue playing with the kitchen we've assembled on Sunday 5/20 if your time allows.) <br />
<br />
This workshop will be no charge, but limited to 6 participants, hand-picked for their skills and past contributions to our work. Please get in touch ASAP if you're interested in applying for a spot.<a href="https://permies.com/t/84297/permaculture-projects/Grid-Rocket-Kitchen-Build" target="_blank"> Rocket Off-Grid Kitchens, May 17-19</a><br />
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<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56468ce7e4b0c85596a70361/t/57a27fe6cd0f6870016155ad/1470267373480/?format=750w" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="750" height="194" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56468ce7e4b0c85596a70361/t/57a27fe6cd0f6870016155ad/1470267373480/?format=750w" width="320" /></a>We're excited to spend time with our friends and collaborators. And to take at least one trip over to <a href="http://www.freecycles.org/" target="_blank">Free Cycles</a> in Missoula, for some creative bike-recycling to prototype Ernie's latest appropriate tech inspirations.<br />
<br />
(No, it's not a giant bicycle-wheel dome. Guess what he's going to make?)<br />
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Yours,<br />
Erica and Ernie<br />
<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-63183951551385570882017-12-21T12:06:00.001-08:002017-12-21T12:06:21.206-08:00Shortest Day SALE - Living Legacy and last minute giftsHappy Solstice!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LnGJXI8PaIOyIFTfmfw1zighmiy_b0LqTSoiZOg0ztWhgFGR8Um29XVt5mEoHHbXzEGePoHpncxd3Reg17myznBharb5bqw6uT091v89AIqyRC4FPsdmLHD0rbN5yX7_C22_fX7yiLM/s1600/starry_card-EE.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1301" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LnGJXI8PaIOyIFTfmfw1zighmiy_b0LqTSoiZOg0ztWhgFGR8Um29XVt5mEoHHbXzEGePoHpncxd3Reg17myznBharb5bqw6uT091v89AIqyRC4FPsdmLHD0rbN5yX7_C22_fX7yiLM/s320/starry_card-EE.png" width="320" /></a></div>
If you are still not done Christmas shopping, or need a few quick cards that won't get delayed in the mail, we've got you covered.<br />
(More below.)<br />
<br />
If you have completed your seasonal obligations under budget and ahead of schedule, congratulations. <br />
Are you ready to think about giving something that means more than one person or one season?<br />
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When the 'givers' in our world stick together, we make things better for everyone.<br />
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<h2>
Living Legacy Project</h2>
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We get excited when we get an invitation from the Himalayan foothills, or refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon, places where DIY heaters that are thrifty on wood could be life-saving and livelihood-saving.<br />
However, as fellow 'highlanders' and economic refugees (we live in the back hills of the poorest county in our state), we can easily spend all of our time on these volunteer projects. And we don't have the independent means to fly ourselves all over the world to give the best chance of success to these critical requests.<br />
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We do what we can through public forums, online consulting, and the occasional sponsored project. But these skills are best learned in person; a single weekend workshop, or a 2-week series of projects, can save a new builder years of trial and error.<br />
Wouldn't it be great if we had a not-for-profit support base, where we could tap donated funds for worthy causes, give scholarships to promising students, and invest in the research needed to find appropriate solutions at all levels?<br />
<br />
Enter Seven Fires, an Oregon 501(c)3.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://www.7fires.org/images/sevenfiresheadertest4.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.7fires.org/" target="_blank">www.7fires.org </a></td></tr>
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Their charter is "providing opportunities for children and elders, and preserving traditional cultures." The director is a longtime friend, with ties to Cob Cottage Company, and a couple of rocket mass heaters in her guest rooms.<br />
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Seven Fires enthusiastically supports our work in education and traditional skills, whether that's building with earth, burning smokeless fires, or sharing with new generations the joys of traditional craftsmanship. <br />
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That means you can donate to support our work, and get a tax write-off if you need it. It also means we (and our colleagues and students) may be able to reduce the taxes we pay to Big Brother for the portion of our work that's really charitable in intent. Here's the details.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sevenfires.org/" target="_blank">Seven Fires:</a> (Tammy Van, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.7fires.org/&source=gmail&ust=1513966573354000&usg=AFQjCNEtMRQ0PQrYI4aN9eCXnAZP-nPyKg" href="http://www.7fires.org/" target="_blank">www.7fires.org</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"> 541-347-7801</a>). <br />
<br />
Please mark any donations "Living Legacy Project"<br />
Seven Fires Foundation<br />
89001 Highway 42 South<br />
Bandon, OR 97411<br />
501(c)3 Tax ID 16-161-7279<br />
PayPal to: <a href="mailto:dir@7fires.org" target="_blank"><span class="il">dir</span>@7fires.org</a><br />
<br />
If you'd like to be a little more specific/restrict your donation, you could say <br />
- "Living Legacy Village Project" (to directly support hands-on skill building, educational and economic opportunities for people on the margins), or <br />
- "Living Legacy Mainstreaming Project (for research and development aimed at proving sustainable projects meet the highest global standards, such as emissions testing and case studies). <br />
<br />
You can also donate gently-used or new items. What is not needed for
children and elders served directly by Seven Fires will be re-sold for
their general fund.<br />
<a href="http://www.7fires.org/getinvolved.html">http://www.7fires.org/getinvolved.html</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
And here are the gifties and goodies for you last-minute holiday shoppers:<br />
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Printable cards or e-cards:<br />
<br />
(click on the image to see it full-size, then "save image as" to your
own device.)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJVt-gD9ZdUgzQMpu25IW53yx2Gk1jAzvZneLySxQbSS0cYpDrEN0m522iKK6HzaPPA_4zor7mm3mWhdEmuULn-oUzDxUTtR4FkAwrCvFy17oAD137UyKsuo-pDgu1XvjakzqwA5MzaU/s1600/Warm-Rumford-EE.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJVt-gD9ZdUgzQMpu25IW53yx2Gk1jAzvZneLySxQbSS0cYpDrEN0m522iKK6HzaPPA_4zor7mm3mWhdEmuULn-oUzDxUTtR4FkAwrCvFy17oAD137UyKsuo-pDgu1XvjakzqwA5MzaU/s200/Warm-Rumford-EE.png" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_Q9f-awVEiAZ3R3Q1yE0Ce81PPkClAdK4rKaaXnKD_eG5JL5pTiw9gYKDkDMT4JmMBlfXnCjRmjyqsdF3yS4G8MTlsW2eUS0G9nq2auj3LsbnN5wNw0Xe_s1SGDGCA3I-0gPtC4S3_E/s1600/starry_card-EE.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1301" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_Q9f-awVEiAZ3R3Q1yE0Ce81PPkClAdK4rKaaXnKD_eG5JL5pTiw9gYKDkDMT4JmMBlfXnCjRmjyqsdF3yS4G8MTlsW2eUS0G9nq2auj3LsbnN5wNw0Xe_s1SGDGCA3I-0gPtC4S3_E/s200/starry_card-EE.png" width="200" /></a><br />
If you email a link to your local printer for a photo-print or paper cards, here is a copyright release for them. (Copyright release: The artist (Erica Wisner) hereby
allows reproduction of these images for non-commercial purposes.<br />
Images dated 2005-2014, release dated 12/21/2017, effective until further notice.) <br />
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The image above is a printable card. <br />We also offer DIY craft patterns, classes, and custom decorative cutouts.<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
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<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td>How much paper snow do you want?</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="One paper snowflake">One paper snowflake $5.00 USD</option>
<option value="Set of 3 snowflakes">Set of 3 snowflakes $10.00 USD</option>
<option value="Set of 5 themed flakes">Set of 5 themed flakes $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="DIY instructions (PDF only)">DIY instructions (PDF only) $3.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Theme request (optional)</td></tr>
<tr><td><input maxlength="200" name="os1" type="text" /></td></tr>
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Available for Purchase:<br />
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<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="6SZ3NCTZ9VSVG" />
<br />
<table>
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<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Digital or Paper?" />Annex 6" Plans - Digital or Paper?</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Digital Plans - PDF">Digital Plans - PDF $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper Plans">Paper Plans $27.00 USD</option>
<option value="Digital Plans + support">Digital Plans + support $60.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper plans + support">Paper plans + support $67.00 USD</option>
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<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="JZLE7KCSA3VEC" />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XdDkpoH7hmC1Vmj4RmG49aXHxE_caqlNjGlbsWkiQur8mdkBG-9dxnRGdIW6t863EU3IzzEBBBvyQdcIEwfO-5VH4TP_hSAg1cXZDkOkOOZBXafHDkGEQ94onesUuwQM3KUhZSSo2DA/s1600/Bonny-IMG_3773-600px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XdDkpoH7hmC1Vmj4RmG49aXHxE_caqlNjGlbsWkiQur8mdkBG-9dxnRGdIW6t863EU3IzzEBBBvyQdcIEwfO-5VH4TP_hSAg1cXZDkOkOOZBXafHDkGEQ94onesUuwQM3KUhZSSo2DA/s320/Bonny-IMG_3773-600px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Bonny 8 RMH - digital or paper?" />Bonny 8 RMH - digital or paper?</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Digital Plans - PDF">Digital Plans - PDF $25.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper Plans">Paper Plans $32.00 USD</option>
<option value="Digital Plans + support">Digital Plans + support $65.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper plans + support">Paper plans + support $72.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
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<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" />
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<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="CVM43DVCLW5A4" />
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<br />
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Cabin 8 RMH - digital or paper?" />Cabin 8 RMH - digital or paper?</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Digital Plans - PDF">Digital Plans - PDF $25.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper Plans">Paper Plans $32.00 USD</option>
<option value="Digital Plans + support">Digital Plans + support $65.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper plans + support">Paper plans + support $72.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" />
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</form>
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="4CJF397RQQGUC" />
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Ely 8 RMH Plans - digital or paper?" />Ely 8 RMH Plans - digital or paper?</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Digital Plans - PDF">Digital Plans - PDF $25.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper Plans">Paper Plans $32.00 USD</option>
<option value="Digital Plans + support">Digital Plans + support $65.00 USD</option>
<option value="Paper plans + support">Paper plans + support $72.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" />
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<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="UPG2PLYH8X3RQ" />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FjLQpONFdwAPBsQDj1-Q21pbqfIFrPaZdeEn_yyYG8hCevm6iJvCDr7PBqicbaIKbJ-70K9GmOwUeM-zaZ9z3aKDOuJRG0k9PbT_4LysiM4eTiZ2l8HG-uF8iForfUxRaGQuMqQ4pcI/s1600/ArtofFire-Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FjLQpONFdwAPBsQDj1-Q21pbqfIFrPaZdeEn_yyYG8hCevm6iJvCDr7PBqicbaIKbJ-70K9GmOwUeM-zaZ9z3aKDOuJRG0k9PbT_4LysiM4eTiZ2l8HG-uF8iForfUxRaGQuMqQ4pcI/s320/ArtofFire-Cover.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Art of Fire - Digital or Paper?" />Art of Fire - Digital or Paper?</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Digital eBook">Digital eBook $6.75 USD</option>
<option value="Paper Book">Paper Book $10.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</form>
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<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7-----
" />
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Thanks for taking the time to visit our blog during this busy season. Warm wishes for holidays full of comfort and good company.<br />
<br />
Yours,<br />
Ernie and Erica<br />
<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-21364640855888387612017-12-05T23:11:00.002-08:002017-12-06T00:09:52.243-08:00Winter fruit countdown - 5 days until Ernie's Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9DwA1wtvFuJVMJH6poFZX210h8ER7CqawV9k-quN87qOodBlwLkHx7ebzdQg1ezbCICULt3T-YDCMnO3RRRSqnBPEZDSQ-vGT3BlBTGfTgjHmaI54QizF_zx0ixhyphenhyphenaboOk79wTXsc-g/s1600/IMG_20171108_144800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9DwA1wtvFuJVMJH6poFZX210h8ER7CqawV9k-quN87qOodBlwLkHx7ebzdQg1ezbCICULt3T-YDCMnO3RRRSqnBPEZDSQ-vGT3BlBTGfTgjHmaI54QizF_zx0ixhyphenhyphenaboOk79wTXsc-g/s320/IMG_20171108_144800.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Most people pick their apples before the snow is ankle-deep, but these ones were plenty sweet for apple butter and pie. "Water-core" apples may even have extra juicy flavor, they just don't keep as well.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PEjN0T2fmnJ_Hg2hhcJeZkG5wbGKqBaaoqRKcA_KtYu4Q9BM_7cRYNx6ekn2_P4BRFoRF0ap14T0X4xqVNOrPHqJ-KxT0Oxlux7BGlsZQU5bsvBuLB83bZ6RJcLBVF0Lak6TKpbto4o/s1600/20171129_111620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PEjN0T2fmnJ_Hg2hhcJeZkG5wbGKqBaaoqRKcA_KtYu4Q9BM_7cRYNx6ekn2_P4BRFoRF0ap14T0X4xqVNOrPHqJ-KxT0Oxlux7BGlsZQU5bsvBuLB83bZ6RJcLBVF0Lak6TKpbto4o/s320/20171129_111620.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
While in Portland, we paid a visit to Uwajimaya, and among the Dungees and lobster was one king crab. We did not buy it, but got some other frozen seafood to take home for Ernie's birthday.<br />
<br />
<br />
It is not allowed to be Christmas around here until after Ernie's birthday (Dec. 10). So I tend to use it as a deadline for business-related things, too. Since afterward the holidays do tend to take over.<br />
<br />
This year, I'd really love to have our online store back up and functioning.<br />
Since our old, well-appointed digital delivery service closed down, we've been selling our digital goods on Permies.com, but I keep thinking we should have our own online store set back up again, for folks who want an easy way to compare plans and books.<br />
<br />
Or even to pick up something for the holidays ...<br />
<br />
I've been experimenting with making PayPal buttons. The buttons themselves seem to work OK (I've used one for someone to pay an invoice by credit card), but the process of handing inventory, and delivering digital goods automatically, is a bit more cumbersome.<br />
<br />
See if this works for you:<br />
<br />
The same button is displayed twice, once as a caption to this image: <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_wJWBz83WxM3F1YnOg6_ruogZmEMzrnsQO-PSa9tL685gcYKYZDSfHFoJfA7ya6kvOMOb6t475q02TG-9SELrbu5bcY6tMWJyCD0kd9aedbMtdDneQr4FCjzmMAA9eBKBsnGoHHZznI/s1600/PaperLace-600px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_wJWBz83WxM3F1YnOg6_ruogZmEMzrnsQO-PSa9tL685gcYKYZDSfHFoJfA7ya6kvOMOb6t475q02TG-9SELrbu5bcY6tMWJyCD0kd9aedbMtdDneQr4FCjzmMAA9eBKBsnGoHHZznI/s320/PaperLace-600px.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="56XT5AHTE463N" />
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<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="How much paper snow do you want?" />How much paper snow do you want?</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="One paper snowflake">One paper snowflake $5.00 USD</option>
<option value="Set of 3 snowflakes">Set of 3 snowflakes $10.00 USD</option>
<option value="Set of 5 themed flakes">Set of 5 themed flakes $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="DIY instructions (PDF only)">DIY instructions (PDF only) $3.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
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Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-9844191346250078292017-11-22T00:05:00.000-08:002017-12-05T23:12:15.739-08:00Apple Canning Blitz
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2017 Canning Notes</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Coming home in
late October, we found a bumper crop of apples, made juicier and sweeter by
some light frost. Then found local,
organic cranberries for sale in town. I couldn’t resist taking a
few “snow days” to turn this harvest into a year’s worth of
family-style treats.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For those who only care about rocket mass heaters: The only connection is that I did use the barrel top to
simmer a few of the applesauce batches over our evening fire, before taking it to the kitchen for canning. You are now free to leave this blog entry for something more interesting, like this:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For those who love cooking, canning, eating, homestead harvesting, and in particular if you're into doing these things with little or no added sugar, read on. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
All Fruit: I don’t
use sugar or honey, so these recipes are sweetened with fruit juices
and juice concentrates. For safe canning,
I work from recipes in the <i>Joy of Cooking</i> or <i>Fanny Farmer</i>, using the natural substitutions they have tested (fruit juice in place of sugar syrups, lemon in place of citric or other canning acids), and their recommended batch times and head space. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My tastes also run a bit to the tart side. I enjoy eating sour fruit
“relishes” with meat or cheese, as well as sweeter jams and
spreads. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you like your
treats sweeter, feel free to drizzle on some honey or maple syrup,
sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon-sugar. Or adjust to taste when
cooking these into your own desserts or barbecue sauces.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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<br /></div>
<br /><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here’s what I’ve
made so far. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pink Applesauce:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ingredients:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apples (mostly
Gravenstein),</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apple juice
(organic)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
White grape juice
(concentrate)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lemon juice</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
lemon zest</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
cinnamon</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
May contain
additional water*</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested uses:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eat it – try with
breakfast or dessert (cottage cheese, yogurt, pancakes, crepes),</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great with pork
(chops, roast, sausage)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bake with it (look
for applesauce cakes, muffins, strudel)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apple Slices with
Cranberry</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ingredients:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apples, apple juice,
cranberries</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested uses:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eat it (as for
applesauce)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great with pork,
turkey, or brie cheese</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Quick Brie and
Compote Snack-wiches:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On your favorite
bread or crackers, (I like English muffins), spread a layer of apple
slices with cranberry, top with about ¼ inch of Brie cheese. Toast
lightly in a toaster-oven or under the broiler; enjoy warm.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The juice left in
the jar is good to drink, or for fruit punch, or for sweetening up a
vinaigrette for a fancy salad. (There are a lot of good salads with
fruit, nut, and cheese over seasonal greens – like arugula, pear,
bleu cheese, and pecans, or you can do something similar with apples,
walnuts, and cheddar on a young mustard-greens blend. Or a regular
chef salad with ham, egg, and bleu cheese over lettuce.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This juice, or the
Cran-Orange goo from the next one, might also be good in
harvest-themed cocktails. Try as substitute for the simple syrup in
a Whiskey Sour, Apple-Tini, or Old Fashioned.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’ve been making
cider-lemonade with the leftover apple or grape juice between
batches. It’s not exactly lemonade, and not exactly cider, but
it’s tasty.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cranberry-Orange
Relish / Sauce:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ingredients:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cranberries (fresh
and frozen, organic)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Orange juice
concentrate (organic)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Zest of orange
and/or lemon (organic)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
May contain white
grape juice concentrate</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested uses:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is a very tart
version of cranberry sauce. Add honey or other sweetener to taste.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great with roasts or
sandwiches (turkey, chicken, duck, Brie or cream cheese, or use it
like marmalade)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Try it with plain
yogurt or ricotta, or eat it with a spoon.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Blender Cran-Orange
Julius:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
¼ to ½ cup
cranberry relish, 1 to 2 cups cream or milk, 1 banana, 1 tsp vanilla,
½ to 1 cup ice (shaved or small cubes). (Add 1 raw egg for the
traditional version, optional cinnamon or nutmeg to taste). Blend
until smooth and thick, enjoy immediately.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(Servings: 2 to 4
small cups. To share with more people, use the larger amounts, and
add some orange juice concentrate and fresh berries.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apple Butter:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ingredients:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apples, apple juice
(organic)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
lemon juice,</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
lemon zest,</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
cinnamon,</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
cloves,</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
allspice,</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
may also contain
grape juice concentrate, port or red wine, ginger, and/or additional
water* (varies by batch)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Uses:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eat it with a spoon,
on toast, or with your favorite breakfast foods (see “applesauce”)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Use as base for
sweet-and-savory sauces</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Quick Apple-Butter
Barbecue Sauce</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Combine equal parts
fruit-sweetened apple butter and Worcestershire sauce.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Season to taste
(some cooks may wish to add a hotter pepper sauce, white vinegar,
salt and pepper, anchovy paste, garlic or onion. If you have a
favorite barbecue sauce recipe that starts with ketchup, try using
the apple butter as a substitute, and work from there.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apple [Pie] Sauce:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ingredients:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apples, apple juice,
white grape juice concentrate, cinnamon, salt. May contain
additional water*.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is a cross
between applesauce and apple-pie filling. It is a little on the tart
side; depending on your family’s tastes, you might sweeten it up
before serving, or offer a cinnamon-sugar shaker at table.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Uses:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eat it with
breakfast, with pork, or as a snack (see “applesauce” above).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Especially good with
hot, buttery biscuits: like apple pie for breakfast, but less work.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Use as the filling
for apple pie, cobbler, or crisp</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apple Pie:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 quart (2 pint
jars) Apple Pie Sauce.</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a “proper”
pie filling, you need the thickeners we omitted for canning. You
could mix them in before baking, or try this method – like making a
‘roux’ except quicker.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Melt in a large
saucepan or skillet:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 to 3
tablespoons butter</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stir in:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 to 3
tablespoons flour (or starch</b> such as corn, arrowroot, or
tapioca),
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>(Up to ½ cup
white or brown sugar if desired)</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stir in the Apple
Pie Sauce, keep stirring over medium heat until just bubbling, then
remove from heat and set aside. This is your Pie Filling.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pie Crust: You can
use a storebought crust, or your own recipe, or add cheddar cheese or
butter and cinnamon sugar on top, if you like. This is the pie crust
I usually make. It’s strong enough to serve as a ‘handle’ for
cold pie for breakfast, but tender enough to please most eaters.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Flour Paste Pie
Dough: (from Joy of Cooking, circa 1975)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mix together in a
largish bowl:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 cups flour</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 teaspoon salt</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Remove 2/3 cup flour
mixture into a second bowl (cereal bowl or 2-cup size).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Into this, mix about
½ cup water** to make a smooth paste.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>(**In the humid
Willamette Valley, Mom reduces the water to ¼ cup. In the semi-arid
Okanogan Highlands, I often add ¾ to 1 cup of water, making the
paste more of a soup to hydrate the whole batch of very dry flour. </i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>This variability
is probably why </i><span style="font-style: normal;">Joy of Cooking</span><i>
no longer includes this recipe. It takes a baker’s “feel” to
get it right, and not everyone has time to practice and adjust a
recipe anymore. If your dough is too dry to hold together at the
end, you can fetch another ¼ cup of very cold water, and dribble in
a little at a time until it comes together. Make a note of how much
you use, in case you want to do this again sometime: it does come out
better to include all the water in the paste stage.)</i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now back to the
larger bowl. Grate in using a cheese grater, tossing occasionally to
integrate with the flour mixture:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2/3 cup chilled
butter (1 and 1/3 sticks)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(Notes: Easiest to
do with frozen butter.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or use 1 stick
butter + 2 to 3 tablespoons lard, for a lovely flaky crust.)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mix the butter
lightly into the flour, just enough to ensure there are no massive
clumps. (The original recipe called for “grain the size of small
peas,” and I could never bring myself to stop before it was
cornmeal-grain sized. Little chunks of butter or lard will make it
flakier, so don’t over-work it.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now make a well in
your buttery flour bowl, and pour in the flour paste. Fold and mix
it briefly, by hand or with a large spoon, just until it clumps
together into a dough. Roll out on lightly floured cutting board.
Makes 2 crusts: enough for 1 covered pie, or 2 open-faced pies.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Baking: since the
filling is pre-cooked, pre-heat the oven to 350F, load the filling
into the bottom crust, and cover with a pricked or lattice top crust.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the crust is well browned and the
filling is bubbling.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fanny Farmer’s
Apple Crisp:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mix with a fork
(works best if you melt the butter):</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
¾ cup flour, or
alternative <br />
(O<i>r</i>: ¼ cup oats, ¼ cup powdered milk,
and 6 tablespoons flour. <br />
<i>Or:</i> 1 cup corn flakes,
smashed. )</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 cup sugar (white
or brown)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 teaspoon cinnamon</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
½ cup butter</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
¼ teaspoon salt</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Spread over the
apple filling. Bake at 350<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;">°</span>F
until the crust is brown (up to 30 minutes).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Serve with cream,
whipped cream, or ice cream.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apple Grunt:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Spread the apple
filling in a pan, top with your favorite biscuit recipe, such as:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Baking Powder
Biscuits:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sift together into a
mixing bowl:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 cups flour</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
[1 to ] 2 teaspoons
double-acting baking powder</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 teaspoon salt</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Work in with your
fingers:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 [to 4]
tablespoons shortening (I use butter, and I like to freeze it and
grate it in for easier mixing)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
With a fork, quickly
stir in:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2/3 [to 3/4] cup
milk</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Add more milk,
little by little, until the dough is soft and light but not sticky.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>(Because flours
differ, exactly how much milk to add is your judgment call. Some
recipes call for ¾ cup, some for 1 cup, others for the baker to
adjust by feel. If you go too far and it gets sticky or soggy, you
have ‘drop biscuits’ that can be spooned onto the apples instead
of rolling them out, and they still bake up lovely.)</i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Turn out onto a
floured board, pat down, knead a couple of times if needed. Roll
lightly ¾ inch thick. Shape with a biscuit cutter (or upside-down
cup), cut into diamonds, or use the whole sheet as topping for Apple
Grunt.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Original baking
method: put the apples and biscuit topping in a deep baking dish, and
put this baking dish in a larger dish filled with boiling water.
Bake hot enough to keep the water boiling, adding more from a hot
kettle if needed to keep the water within 1 inch of the top of the
dish.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bake/boil for up to
1 hour, until the biscuit topping is golden brown and cooked through.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Serve with
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> heavy cream</b>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(Fanny neglects to
specify an oven temperature; and you probably don’t need to bake
this long with pre-cooked apple filling. I suppose you can watch to
keep the water boiling, if you’re into “active oven management.”
You might try between 350 and 450, and see what works. Based on
similar recipes like apple cobbler, I’m going to try 425 for 30
minutes.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a quicker result
with less guesswork, bake the biscuits alone, at 450 for 10 to 15
minutes, and then split open and serve with hot apple filling and
cream.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(Like a hot, apple
version of strawberry shortcake.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
*What does this mean “may
contain additional water”?<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I really enjoyed the
pink color and rich flavor from the peels and cores of this year’s
apples. (The Gravensteins responded to our fall frosts by turning
“winesappy” - they filled their cores and sometimes all the way
to the skin with juice, to the point where they became translucent
and intensely flavored – very similar to the extra-sweet and aromatic flavors you get in an “ice wine” made with super-cooled grapes.)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, even though the cores
and peels do have great flavor, I don’t love pushing soggy cores
through a food mill after stewing (to remove the seeds, stems, and
seed-guard-shell-thingies, and most of the stewed peel).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This year, I
processed a lot of the apples using a peeler-corer, started the main
batch of applesauce or apple butter with the clean white chunks.
Then I stewed the peels and cores with water and a little lemon juice
(for anti-browning), to extract some of their color and flavor. As
both batches softened, I pressed out a pinkish “apple juice” and
sometimes a pinkish pulp from the peels. This was delicious by
itself, but usually I added it back into the main batch of apple
butter or apple sauce to boost the flavor and color. I also ate a
fair amount of the stewed apple peels as my late night snack after
removing the last batch from the canner.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am tempted to do
“apple strings” in the dehydrator – coated with cinnamon, long
spaghetti-like apple peelings might be a fun winter treat. Or a base for "instant apple fritters" (really just some nutritional justification and structure to hold a deep-fryer batter or donut dough). </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or fun to
turn into crafty things? </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or just overkill?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-19058562172211960062017-10-26T20:00:00.002-07:002017-10-26T20:02:18.383-07:00Our rockety friends in a lovely video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ck-jpu0lt0s/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ck-jpu0lt0s?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Ernie and I laid low for this one, but you can see the heater we slept next to, and some of our goofball friends.<br />
<br />
<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-92107659740633725052017-10-25T14:01:00.000-07:002017-10-25T14:01:00.751-07:00Well, that was an adventure ...August 31, 2017: Call Bill Duguay of Methow River Wildfire, ask if he'd be interested in another crew member for the tail end of wild fire season.<br />
<br />
September 4: Finish new hire paperwork for Methow River Wildfire<br />
<br />
September 5: Dispatched with MRW engine 10 to Norse Peak Complex, Snoqualmie WA. Serve 11 days under engine boss Clayton, mostly structure protection. (Soundtrack: Reggae, hip-hop, and chainsaws...)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE59JtOhbmMZH-KZeRoH7aTa6mmBIcGERfy6C5g90NCKLb91KYH6Ou2QVbIMNvsgdGufOcCNIQTjZQAHvhjjTFhOVsXo_BFsFWAad84Y2TyKhacloRuFxsWUrqhHFNEwiPtCGyrRgQbA/s1600/KIMG1424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE59JtOhbmMZH-KZeRoH7aTa6mmBIcGERfy6C5g90NCKLb91KYH6Ou2QVbIMNvsgdGufOcCNIQTjZQAHvhjjTFhOVsXo_BFsFWAad84Y2TyKhacloRuFxsWUrqhHFNEwiPtCGyrRgQbA/s320/KIMG1424.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing fuels back from structures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_z78Q4_JvM9uS0hntZCddse-_ihF2-W4k1BPjkUhc2rI7J9-_i09RsrMI0BKOvt3G8sGUqFWeKx5lIgW-7SH5j-SWv5D9i82fI6nQqBXvSrP07KHoPpfKDNmSWDPGIJot-MLiKl_4aY/s1600/KIMG1426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_z78Q4_JvM9uS0hntZCddse-_ihF2-W4k1BPjkUhc2rI7J9-_i09RsrMI0BKOvt3G8sGUqFWeKx5lIgW-7SH5j-SWv5D9i82fI6nQqBXvSrP07KHoPpfKDNmSWDPGIJot-MLiKl_4aY/s320/KIMG1426.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A charming bark-clad structure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7oPyw51WYrt5yZhEfqki3Ckn4TAR9O1j3KvpUnlJ6IaBrksM9pmcfzT7MgzLbpcw-EF9jQLcVubkX7aksWZi6kh3C8eCoTBPeiVO8CtjNEKGwjtNE1vxcCfnLjk0wubSPZgD0hUKrog/s1600/KIMG1431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7oPyw51WYrt5yZhEfqki3Ckn4TAR9O1j3KvpUnlJ6IaBrksM9pmcfzT7MgzLbpcw-EF9jQLcVubkX7aksWZi6kh3C8eCoTBPeiVO8CtjNEKGwjtNE1vxcCfnLjk0wubSPZgD0hUKrog/s320/KIMG1431.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family cabin with Mom's garden and Swedish wood stack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpncdttOvG-gCSzAAFu3BfZlgwuW9aHZbsRnJ8bwV_iT1-6q5YIePu6cXaI9xTt7igXavgc9VSlJ-AYM6w_laDzUdVLrP-hF8jW6jV8QJ-jWRHzYP5I5yDAhy14EV6u3ipRn6EK0aIHt8/s1600/KIMG1460-zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="627" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpncdttOvG-gCSzAAFu3BfZlgwuW9aHZbsRnJ8bwV_iT1-6q5YIePu6cXaI9xTt7igXavgc9VSlJ-AYM6w_laDzUdVLrP-hF8jW6jV8QJ-jWRHzYP5I5yDAhy14EV6u3ipRn6EK0aIHt8/s320/KIMG1460-zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver fox says, "This is poopy."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Lkuli53iIjMrqzJlq6_auXkiDoUr60qKKjg9UyPTCuABYtfxzL0vgFOINLCB6rawVOZWAfRLizHAHoL6NcVSuAjStbX8otWDsBuJhKdO2KNpsJktrAS6c1rgKAZFrpRGNFJixDhF5c/s1600/KIMG1495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Lkuli53iIjMrqzJlq6_auXkiDoUr60qKKjg9UyPTCuABYtfxzL0vgFOINLCB6rawVOZWAfRLizHAHoL6NcVSuAjStbX8otWDsBuJhKdO2KNpsJktrAS6c1rgKAZFrpRGNFJixDhF5c/s320/KIMG1495.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning briefing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoglxTM3Z1Kc4eLXr62RT6VZwgclR5GB9Dp-MER0IHvzYLSE8gB4wUzCcV9qq75vS9dv55pfuac_ZVWwgmJkZS1oYS_lE-oDqyjCZcL_zJZQU97jtdcLNpsUBn8wjpi_dLNk-nN0HgVbA/s1600/KIMG1510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoglxTM3Z1Kc4eLXr62RT6VZwgclR5GB9Dp-MER0IHvzYLSE8gB4wUzCcV9qq75vS9dv55pfuac_ZVWwgmJkZS1oYS_lE-oDqyjCZcL_zJZQU97jtdcLNpsUBn8wjpi_dLNk-nN0HgVbA/s320/KIMG1510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing by for structure defence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOxx_bI13ScVB3NO5rXuaMrXUxvmweVgomHC2QS36-KOMg4JOZzIxkSFK9u4MMi6Hzx0Oi4ZvbDl6NPFJnZvWDmkv1ARgpSbGciLWoAJKkym3stT2vVK1Yxj4yoOo5M0wsFFzNFCJnQ0/s1600/KIMG1511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOxx_bI13ScVB3NO5rXuaMrXUxvmweVgomHC2QS36-KOMg4JOZzIxkSFK9u4MMi6Hzx0Oi4ZvbDl6NPFJnZvWDmkv1ARgpSbGciLWoAJKkym3stT2vVK1Yxj4yoOo5M0wsFFzNFCJnQ0/s320/KIMG1511.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helicopters run water to steeper slope areas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Lkuli53iIjMrqzJlq6_auXkiDoUr60qKKjg9UyPTCuABYtfxzL0vgFOINLCB6rawVOZWAfRLizHAHoL6NcVSuAjStbX8otWDsBuJhKdO2KNpsJktrAS6c1rgKAZFrpRGNFJixDhF5c/s1600/KIMG1495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUxPB3dJTWGzBRQQZ9wqPO6HOw_k-Ee_ItLTrbtJUVX6PEZ31cadITLwAUOboj1v7xKF-cTsEuZG7q4Jof7Oi240HInoWGCxW_2sHScyhs5q5MVn6EW_ZTU2sAQi3fc4Ef6dKSvGC1LQ/s1600/KIMG1468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUxPB3dJTWGzBRQQZ9wqPO6HOw_k-Ee_ItLTrbtJUVX6PEZ31cadITLwAUOboj1v7xKF-cTsEuZG7q4Jof7Oi240HInoWGCxW_2sHScyhs5q5MVn6EW_ZTU2sAQi3fc4Ef6dKSvGC1LQ/s320/KIMG1468.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire rolls down toward our previous location; <br />the structure-defence lines hold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sept. 18: Relief crew replaces us; caravan 6+ hours home to central WA.<br />
<br />
Sept. 19: Sleep, wash socks, eat<br />
<br />
Sept. 20: Dispatch calls regarding Umpqua North Complex, southern Oregon. Proceed in the morning to Wenatchee, meet engine boss Judy and crewmate Damien. Long, funny, 10-hour road trip down Route 97. Last 4 miles to fire camp, we are passing by snow on the ground. Boss suspects we may not work very long, if at all. *My cell phone quits getting service for some reason.<br />
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5rFy-EDyiBa7Ol8yhRXwkiJwS8jg3jYuDlOS13-OZaWxEIsLG3OR-Juh3KZ7sYqq3fSefZWyEPKSFJiV0oObnYJM1Gobv1x_M0DPAPXqtrmRa_7NcRb9sLeVOrWOLaSfSZLxhpkcnnA/s1600/KIMG1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5rFy-EDyiBa7Ol8yhRXwkiJwS8jg3jYuDlOS13-OZaWxEIsLG3OR-Juh3KZ7sYqq3fSefZWyEPKSFJiV0oObnYJM1Gobv1x_M0DPAPXqtrmRa_7NcRb9sLeVOrWOLaSfSZLxhpkcnnA/s320/KIMG1565.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning frost, flagged-off muddy road, and a chipper</td></tr>
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Sept. 21: Staging/IA = wait out the rain, and sometimes snow, in a gravel lot near the temporary heli-spot. On the third day, I become restless and collect some of the larger rocks into a stone chair. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AOHbKNRuJOMzDMBBRd4P0Sl2e-6kES5vKAzu520DBkGg5Wceh2Sf1DuBP1rSV-IrcaIgRfL1akA_wHOIeWLe8a31uU0Ra5mdslsViLU_4KZVDOXIgDU2yYfy0Sc7VYg_AoHtBx5siKQ/s1600/KIMG1557.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AOHbKNRuJOMzDMBBRd4P0Sl2e-6kES5vKAzu520DBkGg5Wceh2Sf1DuBP1rSV-IrcaIgRfL1akA_wHOIeWLe8a31uU0Ra5mdslsViLU_4KZVDOXIgDU2yYfy0Sc7VYg_AoHtBx5siKQ/s320/KIMG1557.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crewmate Damien tries out the stone chair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPOWYJjjvGNfGCqSSa4B-oRYOMhO-v_4uMevgulXJT6bSBBgk0LjH53OYI1aQklIIYhzjQPlntR5FFsQFOmtXV4BO08uyd0uOAq6EzQsjA09oDYlcBn6Czs6TZILpHxPjwiJ3bwRBXe8/s1600/KIMG1571.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPOWYJjjvGNfGCqSSa4B-oRYOMhO-v_4uMevgulXJT6bSBBgk0LjH53OYI1aQklIIYhzjQPlntR5FFsQFOmtXV4BO08uyd0uOAq6EzQsjA09oDYlcBn6Czs6TZILpHxPjwiJ3bwRBXe8/s320/KIMG1571.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking into burn area </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the fourth day, they send us out to unwrap "cultural sites" and repair hand lines. By day 6, we are working 8 to 12 hour days feeding wood chippers; along with another MRW engine and crew. When most of the trails are repaired and the management team times out, they disband the camp and send us home. Total of 10 days. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG4073HoBY7l7dk34OE6zD9qiU4T9kkphFxGlpyRivEO0b7sj7CiKu6Wake75ImneXBepHlhrrgAi8DdUEB1_F73v9bLdhCiM6ouvWdGhfydtYh9wd3KhTA-fub4QaBaeKkrorLHIS2g/s1600/KIMG1595.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG4073HoBY7l7dk34OE6zD9qiU4T9kkphFxGlpyRivEO0b7sj7CiKu6Wake75ImneXBepHlhrrgAi8DdUEB1_F73v9bLdhCiM6ouvWdGhfydtYh9wd3KhTA-fub4QaBaeKkrorLHIS2g/s320/KIMG1595.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle fall covers charred ground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9RU6kDsIPzrLPSKAg52AwOattu43WovwcLN8ww3WP5n_efaZlv_4nOLmKvsALnO14pnjdxAk7jb5l-j0qNlX80bU-o7tVJt2EG0lSCjWrnSwizREXdZv1sBUhsDca7WtnvCeOlaSl7c/s1600/KIMG1644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9RU6kDsIPzrLPSKAg52AwOattu43WovwcLN8ww3WP5n_efaZlv_4nOLmKvsALnO14pnjdxAk7jb5l-j0qNlX80bU-o7tVJt2EG0lSCjWrnSwizREXdZv1sBUhsDca7WtnvCeOlaSl7c/s320/KIMG1644.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masticator \ excavator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nicknames earned:<br />
"SuperNanny" (due to frequent provision of spare paper napkins, map/route details, snacks, and hot cocoa for mocha upgrades when the food tent ran out)...<br />
"Stonewall" (from a charming equipment driver who enjoyed watching the armchair masonry).<br />
<br />
Sept. 30: Another 10-hour road trip home: engine to Cashmere, convoy to Wenatchee, drive myself home from there.<br />
<br />
Oct. 1: Sleep, wash socks, pack.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV6pwxS9jMdADN0O1qRpHWV-2h-pUEmW_yzlSpU8QiQAb9GXeb1HiMtnKBtOaWTSU6FlR-zEYpCWBwB8pCVYRvLwhxmBkqjuLvGSVC_UE2k8Kyi5fQ9vYQD05D06eluJbbpiGZ1LuD84/s1600/KIMG1680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV6pwxS9jMdADN0O1qRpHWV-2h-pUEmW_yzlSpU8QiQAb9GXeb1HiMtnKBtOaWTSU6FlR-zEYpCWBwB8pCVYRvLwhxmBkqjuLvGSVC_UE2k8Kyi5fQ9vYQD05D06eluJbbpiGZ1LuD84/s320/KIMG1680.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadow of deer in dust</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oct. 3: Load myself, Ernie, and Radar in the station wagon, head for Montana. *6:30 pm: stop in Colville to buy a pre-pay cell phone for travel safety.<br />
8:05 pm: Large, white-tail buck emerges from the darkness - takes out 3 panels, driver side mirror, and windshield of station wagon. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqf467U694yMVj9K79nMqCJlBgvLfZcw-546b8lTzDOi6O0yvvgMK9BAI0qe2cN9RWCzhbP0ZcTaSQ7rY2L-OS3EkT5VE16d15LkgAJKikua5en2N9xpkdofM5wQ65xaWKXL20v3Rz40/s1600/KIMG1675.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqf467U694yMVj9K79nMqCJlBgvLfZcw-546b8lTzDOi6O0yvvgMK9BAI0qe2cN9RWCzhbP0ZcTaSQ7rY2L-OS3EkT5VE16d15LkgAJKikua5en2N9xpkdofM5wQ65xaWKXL20v3Rz40/s320/KIMG1675.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White tail hairs, dog leash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
8:10 pm: Call insurance, lash rear door on with dog leash, limp back to Colville, find motel, call home.<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
Oct. 4: Phone calls, body shop, backtrack. <br />
Estimator warns it is likely totalled, describes the car as non-drivable despite apparently intact engine, wheels, and drive train. <br />Highlight: he explains to insurance claims agent, <i><br />"Technically, if zombies were coming and we had to get away, we could use her car ... but [describes damage] ... short of a zombie-level emergency, I would not recommend taking it on the road."</i><br />
<br />
Load car contents into Ernie's dad's pickup, say goodbye at body shop. <br />
3 hour drive back home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqQWoM-hTPoLsNl1OT-HacDZ7bfVhVs8uN7cas3gWepmfVM73-8ERu_HdKP1q3kW7lzUy2zV-_nlgwuzbp3OFrEFtLGPer_yWDlt8h3EpgharZ3wLig2dJPyLAyQ2CWPYvtBClIpauK0/s1600/20171006_101141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqQWoM-hTPoLsNl1OT-HacDZ7bfVhVs8uN7cas3gWepmfVM73-8ERu_HdKP1q3kW7lzUy2zV-_nlgwuzbp3OFrEFtLGPer_yWDlt8h3EpgharZ3wLig2dJPyLAyQ2CWPYvtBClIpauK0/s320/20171006_101141.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New car, as seen in daylight </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oct. 5: Phone calls, carry water, chop wood. Discussion; Internet; more phone calls. Get final numbers from insurance and bank, call dealer, pile back into pickup, drive 3 hours to Wenatchee. Decide on a new car 5pm-6pm, load gear, paperwork. Reserve hotel near Spokane, drive 3 hours, sleep.<br />
<br />
Oct. 6: More paperwork until 1pm, finish drive to Montana. Arrive 4:30 pm, prep, present our first session on schedule 6pm. (Fire Science Theater).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUipASjXanmErBUBSmh9PAv40UmzXyQqptqQ1B-drC-KHiJlOxiJGq2Q47XegjRJxiERqVFc4t9Z9SRb8Ipw3ZEbx57fOVXSWDWf4jvZMTg9uE0kPfHtqZs-21T_qmkuazXJxlH5-PBk/s1600/KIMG1706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUipASjXanmErBUBSmh9PAv40UmzXyQqptqQ1B-drC-KHiJlOxiJGq2Q47XegjRJxiERqVFc4t9Z9SRb8Ipw3ZEbx57fOVXSWDWf4jvZMTg9uE0kPfHtqZs-21T_qmkuazXJxlH5-PBk/s320/KIMG1706.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casserole-lid door: <br />thanks Uncle Mud!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oct. 7-17: Rocket Mass Heater Innovators' Jamboree. Enjoy watching Donkey and Uncle Mud get to know Paul & co. Build unique slider door with extensive bubble-gum welding; help it be upstaged by a thrift-store casserole lid.<br />
<br />
Paperwork continues (taxes, notaries, etc). <br />
<br />
Oct. 19: Field trip to Missoula Fire Science Lab, take colleagues to airport, shop for hardware and fire gear. <br />
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFq6bRCUYrQhHcyqkcvBSJG_ZYAR5vtI5yIxVYZpk8-c5JXjSMHjBQ2vxLZSFNK-tSDsBVMhIf2lBdyQIap5AwiRbHSOw5TK5fmgR7Kt2IWhX1FF0j718V4cwRCzRIU5SLUSmJzHQ-O-Q/s1600/KIMG1747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFq6bRCUYrQhHcyqkcvBSJG_ZYAR5vtI5yIxVYZpk8-c5JXjSMHjBQ2vxLZSFNK-tSDsBVMhIf2lBdyQIap5AwiRbHSOw5TK5fmgR7Kt2IWhX1FF0j718V4cwRCzRIU5SLUSmJzHQ-O-Q/s320/KIMG1747.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire service quilt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f8DySRncUpfXViNB211NZVrULbZ0hHpNeSLyQllxsC9m0mymOHv8kNz-P6QJew9ygls8g0Sh6Vd9lBIAazYjCUNlIl0OY0UafA2eyvlJ4Kg3dWNfo2PCIWlOB54E-2My7fhlx2sh0OE/s1600/KIMG1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f8DySRncUpfXViNB211NZVrULbZ0hHpNeSLyQllxsC9m0mymOHv8kNz-P6QJew9ygls8g0Sh6Vd9lBIAazYjCUNlIl0OY0UafA2eyvlJ4Kg3dWNfo2PCIWlOB54E-2My7fhlx2sh0OE/s320/KIMG1765.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire behaviour test bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDvdQMqOwFcesoDDk6tYVRQJdw62PoaTF08yTt1nN1hznoIbv2DlUa8Ur_nBadOBOMgSv_XC6xzlJNFw4YFVCusnXb3pET3b-2otD-uz5GPz14JjSZkPGvGwcSH7puysXBqV2xLB9u1w/s1600/KIMG1768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDvdQMqOwFcesoDDk6tYVRQJdw62PoaTF08yTt1nN1hznoIbv2DlUa8Ur_nBadOBOMgSv_XC6xzlJNFw4YFVCusnXb3pET3b-2otD-uz5GPz14JjSZkPGvGwcSH7puysXBqV2xLB9u1w/s320/KIMG1768.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Recorder tree' marks historic wild fires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Oct. 20: Pack, clean up, Spokane VA, then home.<br />
(6.5 hrs road time + 2 hrs medical/food stops).<br />
<br />
Oct. 21: Sleep, wash up, eat, finish book. <br />
Fire chief calls with update, next tasks for fall.<br />
<br />
Oct. 22: Work on commission from Spirit of Grace. Trap 6+ mice. Take Ernie's dad shopping in new car, obtain mouse-resistant storage containers and enzyme cleaner.<br />
<br />
Oct. 23: Formally declare War on Mice, first battle: the bathroom.<br />
<br />
Oct. 24-25: Back to work: office, wintering in/repairs, meals, dishes. <br />Catch up with all you lovely folks.<br />
<br />
<br />
What's next?<br />
- Remodel experimental rocket stove in northern CA<br />
- Set up Portland visits with family, friends, colleagues, clients<br />
- Catch up on fire hall business<br />
- Line out winter work.Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-15600993092007056832017-09-05T13:16:00.002-07:002017-10-25T16:01:51.704-07:00Smoke, Fall, and Fire<br />
Where is that smoke coming from?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ8C0iBMb-LeKgtEbOuFA0R49hp7LcCIL0q4E5R6V1W8qNprLALuYlvMEjPNXR0tfFQgzhayhzi5U15-qXbDIAXlPiNwuZ27tkhgRDpKNUUSV0PZrzh6aISgkl8h1bsY2o-7yrje7Q38/s1600/KIMG1391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ8C0iBMb-LeKgtEbOuFA0R49hp7LcCIL0q4E5R6V1W8qNprLALuYlvMEjPNXR0tfFQgzhayhzi5U15-qXbDIAXlPiNwuZ27tkhgRDpKNUUSV0PZrzh6aISgkl8h1bsY2o-7yrje7Q38/s320/KIMG1391.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking west from Mt. Hull, 2pm Friday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipecytRFLecD1D6Z4cg1FYMfmijZ0cxdnc8NcJa0yyzLyIczBrKV81mbbczOZDE5JJvGN63AS_CZHc5lwPXFKvrM7mu2TdkKL2r0VxBptoKmot6B88jboe0ig6zEIdIWUX2JVFI9agMs/s1600/KIMG1395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipecytRFLecD1D6Z4cg1FYMfmijZ0cxdnc8NcJa0yyzLyIczBrKV81mbbczOZDE5JJvGN63AS_CZHc5lwPXFKvrM7mu2TdkKL2r0VxBptoKmot6B88jboe0ig6zEIdIWUX2JVFI9agMs/s320/KIMG1395.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to our west, about 6pm Friday</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That particular smoke is coming from the Diamond Creek fire, over a few mountains from ours. <br />
To geek out on smoke patterns, I love this site: <a href="http://earth.nullschool.net/">earth.nullschool.net</a><br />
Use the "earth" menu to see particulates, chemicals (CO shows wildfires very distinctly), hurricanes (wind speed/temperature), etc. <br />
To get updates on specific fires, this is my go-to: <a href="http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/">inciweb.nwcg.gov</a><br />
<br />
<br />
What's new with rocket mass heaters?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vLQTK4Gc19M/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vLQTK4Gc19M?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
PermaEthos is starting to put out some videos, showing my wrap-up of our June Appropriate Tech course in Montana. <br />
<br />
Like batch boxes? You might enjoy this one. <br />
(It is an update on the first 8" batch box that Peter Van Den Berg ever built, the one that turned out to make less smoke emissions than a candle for most of its burn cycle.)<br />
<br />
The Rocket Mass Heater innovators will be gathering in Montana again in early October, for what Paul Wheaton is calling the "Jamboree." A lot of good folks are signed up already, but I believe there's still room if you want to come. <br />
<a href="https://richsoil.com/rmh-workshop.jsp">https://richsoil.com/rmh-workshop.jsp</a> <br />
<br />
...<br />
I am trying out my wildland fire fighter chops:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyVn9XM2ObbgdpegwgWdg2-LwKrZWlmCj7weyMpKNKSq78jJwPb1gVNfFjaACvCb0vr_ItYS6zLmbxBM1bobhVdsQ2-H1PXTFPFTFlBPgDB4ZyE3qs2lu37GFr8lymP44SLuw3p7D29I/s1600/KIMG1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyVn9XM2ObbgdpegwgWdg2-LwKrZWlmCj7weyMpKNKSq78jJwPb1gVNfFjaACvCb0vr_ItYS6zLmbxBM1bobhVdsQ2-H1PXTFPFTFlBPgDB4ZyE3qs2lu37GFr8lymP44SLuw3p7D29I/s320/KIMG1393.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
And with the rest of my crew, learning structure fire-fighting tactics: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKr5jQxQ9EyLlpPesLH3ROQhFdsHkUkPE9IM3gP96Jc3PeilQ42IRgVVLCrI9Ce9BaURU5BWlWR7ijspWQ4o3n6e09jKzHKQSXR4c_1yryT4L0mGjA5lTCAUUec0kvYGKnaxOx6GYwkk/s1600/KIMG1402.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKr5jQxQ9EyLlpPesLH3ROQhFdsHkUkPE9IM3gP96Jc3PeilQ42IRgVVLCrI9Ce9BaURU5BWlWR7ijspWQ4o3n6e09jKzHKQSXR4c_1yryT4L0mGjA5lTCAUUec0kvYGKnaxOx6GYwkk/s320/KIMG1402.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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If you want a Mt. Hull Fire T-shirt, we're letting our crew send extras to family and friends for a $15-20 donation. Let me know.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5YmMSPUrxpOIpaW3RHgX_k88kIX5VLzTU-bfjY02_s7fOCTZ3ad6TXQDjxpVndGPV4lJYpMZeaTY2i2-h5YcaeLBaBSsMbOnJ2-7kR4842ooka7mXqYimtOtdB8-mgsIUT3QADUH7QA/s1600/Medallion-MyMountain-green-on-yellow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1461" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5YmMSPUrxpOIpaW3RHgX_k88kIX5VLzTU-bfjY02_s7fOCTZ3ad6TXQDjxpVndGPV4lJYpMZeaTY2i2-h5YcaeLBaBSsMbOnJ2-7kR4842ooka7mXqYimtOtdB8-mgsIUT3QADUH7QA/s320/Medallion-MyMountain-green-on-yellow.png" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of 2017 T-shirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Part of wildland chops is, of course, filling the woodshed for winter.</div>
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I prefer to do it a year ahead, but in these extremely dry conditions, I'll take having it done before the fall rains start.</div>
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<br /></div>
Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-27786135111482834602017-06-15T19:23:00.000-07:002017-10-25T16:01:51.709-07:00Burn Season and No Burn SeasonStay safe this summer! <br />
<br />
Back home in the Okanogan Highlands, we typically enter our seasonal Burn Ban between June 1 and June 30th each year. (I'm writing this post just before our Montana trip, so I'm just guessing on this year's date.) <br />
<br />
The wet spring has been wonderful for us, overwhelming for some neighbors' culverts. Yet summer's warm winds and intense sunshine will dry that lush grass out quicker than you think. <br />
<br />
If you notice windy and sunny days starting to increase, consider ways to reduce fuel loads, or chop down easily-dried-out fuels like dry grass and pine branches to make a moisture-retaining mulch.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimATNF_LBPvV5VFGRcWFOXjKlcGXgaGoHlP54IyAIWZ9jHXgi3W1_rcW1XaPspHDIDkCR9xnWYgign2E1i7wtgYwJkIzHCJi76oA8wjpxtsNbJsIOJPZNhprK5cHl9lCpw-S0UPLmXQ3I/s1600/SAM_1133-Pine-Flames-1200pxSQ.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimATNF_LBPvV5VFGRcWFOXjKlcGXgaGoHlP54IyAIWZ9jHXgi3W1_rcW1XaPspHDIDkCR9xnWYgign2E1i7wtgYwJkIzHCJi76oA8wjpxtsNbJsIOJPZNhprK5cHl9lCpw-S0UPLmXQ3I/s320/SAM_1133-Pine-Flames-1200pxSQ.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Ernie and his dad ran a burn pile this spring, for the first time in several years.<br />
("We've had these dry springs" says Ron, "it's raining and too wet for anything to burn, and then it's too dry [and dangerous] to burn.") <br />
<br />
It's amazing how fast pine needles will burn. They are called "one-hour fuels" for a reason - it takes an hour or less, sometimes only minutes, for them to dry out in the sun.<br />
We had very heavy rains earlier this week, then hauled wet brush out to the close-cropped part of the meadow near the pond. This set of branches had been sitting in the sunshine, on green grass, for ... not even an hour. It didn't even wait for the fire's heat to dry it out - flames popped up like there was turpentine in there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...</div>
<br />
As a tool-using fire ape, you are accustomed to riding around
in literal chariots of fire. (internal combustion powered vehicles).
Some of you probably breathe fire (smoke) on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
It's easy to forget the power we hold, to cause or prevent fires. <br />
<br />
But
we also have phenomenal ability to communicate, in detail, and that gives us access to a wealth of expertise that other animals have to learn by instinct. We can learn from others' experience without repeating
the tragic consequences.<br />
<br />
Places to get good information about the state of the weather, fire danger, and burn bans and Industrial Precautions:<br />
<br />
<br />
What are Burn Bans?<br />
Fire is fun and useful, but not always safe. When seasonal conditions turn dry, windy, and fire-prone, fire-fighting and land management agencies may issue a partial or total "Burn Ban." This may mean no fire works, no wood-fired
smoker or barbecue, sing-alongs but no a campfire, and no more burn piles to
dispose of yard or agricultural wastes.<br />
Other times, fires may be restricted to designated (supervised or wetter-area) campgrounds, certain times of day, or certain areas in a larger park or landscape.<br />
<br />
Find burn bans<br />
State of Washington, here: https://waburnbans.net/<br />
Anywhere in the USA, try this site: https://firerestrictions.us/<br />
<br />
What are Industrial Precautions?<br />
Equipment with combustion engines, electrical discharges, or even just steel blades striking rocks can start a fire in dry conditions. Industrial Precautions tell you when it's legal to operate equipment in the woods (like chain saws, track hoes, harvesters, etc). Sometimes industrial forestry activities are fine in the morning (cooler hours) but not afternoons.<br />
<br />
State of Washington: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ifpl <br />
For other local areas: regarding woodcutting in national forests: search the forest service site using your specific forest by name + "IFPL": https://www.fs.fed.us/<br />
Or go to your local ranger station or forest service office.<br />
(If you already know your geographic zone number, you can use a touch-tone phone to get Industrial Precaution updates: 1-800-527-3305.)<br />
<br />
Why do I care?<br />
Track current wildland fires here: <a href="https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/">https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/</a> <br />
<br />
Sure, I'm a tree hugger.<br />
I'd rather noodle around taking photos of wild flowers than drag hose through the smoke and ashes where they used to be.<br />
<br />
My first year in training as a fire fighter, I made this T-shirt design to sum up most of the ways I heard of fires starting. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyvgRU2ypokwDtMk6j0wNPAKWAj2XiwMajn67geVwKIW4bSiNapUC1r_yADqhUcieyXUAicIUtqkXuLBRPjDpnBYTVGU9N6iFY_XwagDGbH1b8yW4yRPZUPEEt9FtwdW-nctEBeRzMdM/s1600/Great-No-Fire-Summer-crop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyvgRU2ypokwDtMk6j0wNPAKWAj2XiwMajn67geVwKIW4bSiNapUC1r_yADqhUcieyXUAicIUtqkXuLBRPjDpnBYTVGU9N6iFY_XwagDGbH1b8yW4yRPZUPEEt9FtwdW-nctEBeRzMdM/s320/Great-No-Fire-Summer-crop.png" width="320" /></a></div>
(This does not include the trailer dragging chains that made sparks that
caused multiple fires, or mysterious roadside fires well outside the
range most people can flick a cigarette butt, or many of the other
things that happened. There were thousands of fire reports in our wild
Highlands that year.<br />
<br />
Maybe a third to a half were 'natural causes' - we had a lot of dry lightning that summer. So rather than include more categories of human error, I felt it was only fair to mention the Excessive Smiting there at the end.)<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would wear this T-shirt, or order a few to hang on the wall in your camp store / fire hall / school info center, please let me know! (You are welcome to print a copy of this design and pin it somewhere to see what kind of responses you get.)<br />
<br />
If you're interested, email questions@ErnieAndErica.info, or leave a message at 509-556-2054. The prices will depend on how many we order at once. Realistically we are looking at printing them mid-summer, not before the end of June.<br />
<br />
Here's to a great summer! Green and gold, pleasant, breathable, with distant purple mountains visible all day and clear starry night skies.<br />
And every time we hear thunder, showers of pouring rain. :-)<br />
<br />
Yours,<br />
Erica WisnerErica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-74979531198355504672017-05-30T16:45:00.000-07:002017-05-30T16:45:00.421-07:00Mycology and Human NetworkingWhile we're hip-deep in projects in Montana, I thought I'd share this essay that I started in late winter. (What a gift this year's birthday inspiration has been!) <br />
<h3>
Where we are weak or broken, </h3>
<h3>
<i>there</i> is our best chance to connect with a greater whole</h3>
<br />
I'm writing this post in March, but scheduling it for May. I hope you are smelling those intoxicating healthy-dirt smells as you work in your garden, hugel-kultur, or start hiking the back woods. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mycelium-Running-Mushrooms-Help-World/dp/1580085792/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li1&tag=hubp0636-20&linkId=e70d3a7fe3271173f26931fcf438b8eb" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1580085792&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hubp0636-20" /></a>Paul
Stamets has a lot to say about mycelial networks (the hidden webs and
channels that support fungi and soil health, transporting nutrients long
distances to feed mushrooms, trees, plants, and healthy soils). See <i>Mycelium Running</i> if you want a truly geek-out version of that story.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hubp0636-20&l=li1&o=1&a=1580085792" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/20100815_1818_Mold.jpg/220px-20100815_1818_Mold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/20100815_1818_Mold.jpg/220px-20100815_1818_Mold.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: Wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The image from those lessons that's resonating for me this week is the
weird, observable fact that individual mycelial cells, in those
networks, are busted open.<br />
<br />
Most plant cells, animal cells, and
single-celled organisms are little sealed bags of carefully-portioned
living matter, guarding their "guts" and nutrients from a presumably-hostile outside world.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80BuloWzS_EW2p2NeBhNrI0BjYFn2bQZCBGp9g0wOXfyw_h91G7uufN798alT7Gr5hgscuXeyB46H418gm3tGipUR_we7GRXUd4zIi76ISGETunc5KohOc68E8PJ5weJzBtc1q46R-w4/s1600/single-cells.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80BuloWzS_EW2p2NeBhNrI0BjYFn2bQZCBGp9g0wOXfyw_h91G7uufN798alT7Gr5hgscuXeyB46H418gm3tGipUR_we7GRXUd4zIi76ISGETunc5KohOc68E8PJ5weJzBtc1q46R-w4/s320/single-cells.png" width="320" /></a>A diatom, amoeba, bacterium... in fact most living cells ... have a
carefully-guarded perimeter. Symmetrical shells, cell walls (sometimes multiple layers and armor, in the case of woody plants and diatoms), and/or additional defences like chemical-detecting cilia or toxic slime coatings. Yet the amoeba can just about
give us dysentery, and requires pretty cushy watery conditions for
active survival.<br />
<br />
Our own cells - muscle cells, blood cells, nerve cells - maintain a pretty good perimeter despite all the specialized ports and exchanges they make for vital nutrients and waste. It's not a bad recipe for staying alive. Much of life on earth goes with it.<br />
<br />
But what about alternatives?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxr8eagUV3-TAP1kAlky5zsM8pr3_ZZ6PjQtKEzSWgGm9r-Tcqd0yMWExaQTeo9Q3-gBfsQoSEFbPNzTNsi22Tsvz9gH6Yzz2OvygOwttLgDu4IhxcpUhBc0csYega03FetqQ28ANnms/s1600/Mycelial-Cells.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxr8eagUV3-TAP1kAlky5zsM8pr3_ZZ6PjQtKEzSWgGm9r-Tcqd0yMWExaQTeo9Q3-gBfsQoSEFbPNzTNsi22Tsvz9gH6Yzz2OvygOwttLgDu4IhxcpUhBc0csYega03FetqQ28ANnms/s320/Mycelial-Cells.png" width="320" /></a>Mycelial cells have wide-open gaps at both ends, and their nuclei and organelles may flow back and forth
along with nutrients and fluids. One mycelial cell alone would be a
blue-plate special, spilling its guts into the cannibalistic
micro-ecological void.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmvGpn0ij96y3vdm3Cnrqj9o1bzA6agz-WXfT-KsCT8m4XDyU84etfFWn2kdeXg9Ym_hc1ULRfnfJ4qmCAFjAxRF_h3gBu8MtyApPgSsW4ef6S1f7RQocpKNrrE1X9SwDVdAbsbVFZSQ/s1600/DSCN2046-Fungal-Rounds-600px.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmvGpn0ij96y3vdm3Cnrqj9o1bzA6agz-WXfT-KsCT8m4XDyU84etfFWn2kdeXg9Ym_hc1ULRfnfJ4qmCAFjAxRF_h3gBu8MtyApPgSsW4ef6S1f7RQocpKNrrE1X9SwDVdAbsbVFZSQ/s200/DSCN2046-Fungal-Rounds-600px.JPG" width="200" /></a>But a mycelial cell is almost never alone. The mycelial networks of underground fungi can
support whole forests, overcoming mineral and water shortages that would
kill a crop-farmer attempting to raise the same biomass on
chemically-sterilized soils. Some species can convert "dark, dank, and
stinky" toxic petro-chemical dead zones into food for bugs, birds, and new
life. Other specialists can turn the most rot-resistant trees into long-lasting
nurse logs for huckleberries, mushroom soup, and wild honey.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fungi.com/tl_files/V1/images/about-pages/blog-hwarang/micrograph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://www.fungi.com/tl_files/V1/images/about-pages/blog-hwarang/micrograph.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mycelial Network, Electron Micrograph<br />
Image Credit: <br />
Fungi Perfecti blog, fungi.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What
you can do with a network of "broken" individual cells is pretty darn
amazing. The more selfless each cell, the more the whole network can
speed the flow of goodness. A mycelial network (or similar
self-organizing networks like the Internet) is a pretty great way to
combine limited organisms into a meta-structure.<br />
We animals require specialized channels (veins and arteries) to carry blood and nutrients to individual cell areas, and when our oxygen and waste removal can't keep u with our activity we definitely feel the burn. Worse, we are highly susceptible to arterial bleed-out or heart attacks when one area gets damaged or blocked. With vast webs of cooperating cells, mycelial networks can bypass unproductive channels and grow new 'main routes'. <br />
<br />
It sounds like a pretty effective
way to handle "drinking from the fire hose" rates of transfer - both of
vital fluids, and of vital information. The Internet functions in a similar way, with many self-developing channels of information instead of a single, centralized broadcast system.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm using the power of mycelial networks as a metaphor for dealing with my own weak points. Where I have a weak point, like
procrastinating my bookkeeping, or letting bedtime routines slide to finish "one more thing," it's not healthy to sit alone with
it.<br />
<br />
I've been more or less
trying to hide those weak spots, or use "willpower" to overcome them. Press that weak spot up against a wall, beat myself up about it, worry that all my business
"guts" might spill out and show that I'm not perfect.<br />
<br />
Instead,
lately I'm learning to show my weak points to trusted friends. To watch others' strengths and weaknesses, and to ask people for help in areas where they really shine. Or even just to ask.<br />
<br />
Barbara Greene recommended
an excellent local accountant from Brewster, WA (a few hours south of us
in the same county). Skirko Business Services helped me learn the WA state sales tax system for destination-based sales.<br />
<br />
Mariah recommended a helpful young lady as a potential virtual assistant.<br />
<br />
Our new neighbor gave our Facebook page a makeover, with some edited graphics so you can see our whole logo: <br />
https://www.facebook.com/ErnieAndErica/ <br />
<br />
During my February sleepless-euphoria experience, I
even broke down on the "grownups go to sleep on their own" myth, and
asked my sisters, mom, and favorite aunties to take turns calling me at
9pm and "put me to bed."<br />
(See earlier posts from February 2017, such as "Erica Turns 40 and Levels Up.")<br />
<br />
My wonderful sister Teresa reported feeling a series of emotional reactions when she saw that email:<br />
"What? You can't do that... grown-ups can do that?<br />
"How come she gets to do that?<br />
"Why can't I do that?"<br />
<br />
Such
personal coddling is NOT a long-term substitute for basic adulting.<br />
After about 8 days of much-needed sisterly support and advice, I'm now back to a self-managed sleep cycle that is better than my old 'normal'. Because when I need to, I'm using all my sisters' tricks: everything from
mindfulness, physical activity, serotonin-boosters like Vitamin D3 and
melotonin, and just plain regularizing my schedule with 9-6 office hours
and a 10pm bedtime.<br />
<br />
I notice that I didn't get here
by toughing it out, or by making it Ernie's job to cover for me. For a health or mental crisis, it's a pretty good practice to let trusted friends know what's going on. It's part of the adult, responsibile communication skills package, you might say it's "<i>reaching out instead of burning out</i>."<br />
<br />
And I think this sort of reaching out could be good for everyday business, too. I'm watching for ways to build a team, where each person has good lines of communication, connection, and support at their weak points.<br />
<br />
So is your main ambition in life to be an "I got mine" giardia cyst, or are you ready to open up and become part of something larger?<br />
... one link in acres of mycelial soil networks..<br />
... a sensitive eye with a whole glowing jellyfish to call upon for response<br />
... a connected link in a larger community of co-creative intelligent life?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I should be clear that I'm using "you" very loosely there. <br />
Because this is probably not news to YOU, personally.<br />
<br />
This feels like an insight that I'm finally articulating after experiencing it most of my life. I have the good fortunate to have a LOT of inspiring collaborators - family, friends, and on-the-same-wavelength "strangers".<br />
<br />
We have always been part of this larger collaboration. <br />
We just forget sometimes.<br />
<br />
Hope your week brings you plenty of wonderful reminders!<br />
<br />
Yours,<br />
Erica<br />
<br />Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-46552453899669573932017-05-22T15:10:00.003-07:002017-05-22T15:14:18.439-07:00Getting our wild geese in a row<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZQRNvKnKx2xC0Dw3t-7kZXCQUK4VCj9szCZVasbhyphenhyphenamAXlrZFp9oZQGewh-h38jFr0nnZ5v4SMR57L4sWoxWwyjTk4UWo5CztpSA9RYpH_-wixqmMeUpw9n9JyKefyC-Bda_5awofyY/s1600/SAM_1114-gosling-LAUNCH-900px.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZQRNvKnKx2xC0Dw3t-7kZXCQUK4VCj9szCZVasbhyphenhyphenamAXlrZFp9oZQGewh-h38jFr0nnZ5v4SMR57L4sWoxWwyjTk4UWo5CztpSA9RYpH_-wixqmMeUpw9n9JyKefyC-Bda_5awofyY/s320/SAM_1114-gosling-LAUNCH-900px.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready... set... LAUNCH! <br />
(the lead gosling is already in over its head)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are getting ready to head to Montana for most of a month.<br />
<br />
Arranging for things to thrive during our trip - Ernie, me, Radar, and whatever else fits in the car; and the plants and homestead while we're away.<br />
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Taking a few more pictures of goslings before they outgrow the adorable fuzzball stage.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7LdohO5Yp1J_DpyXLAR2ed4BhZL1a7Cbgo4GaUPkVzGSjDQ_Kras9gWdV-7Eonoc7K1IXpF9MSgpfOmqvP5YOvBGoKGFj9ARHpJl0cIxsDVwYu3_dq7vMaKPQGI_44ZDqRL6YfHuC_U/s1600/SAM_1113-follow-mama-goose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7LdohO5Yp1J_DpyXLAR2ed4BhZL1a7Cbgo4GaUPkVzGSjDQ_Kras9gWdV-7Eonoc7K1IXpF9MSgpfOmqvP5YOvBGoKGFj9ARHpJl0cIxsDVwYu3_dq7vMaKPQGI_44ZDqRL6YfHuC_U/s320/SAM_1113-follow-mama-goose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All lined up and taking care of business...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8thraRssrNCHx1nZVE183ulZ06gSWwhqIhVsmX4o-0x033axlcNHbY3pmPINzkhVUi-6L-9CtpFBfkJAHFANmoDegEHCTzjk2-gK7LM1miOQ9kmHjNnzZcShcHxgtcpD88sE6Vzk-ivo/s1600/SAM_1115-Flotilla-with-Goose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8thraRssrNCHx1nZVE183ulZ06gSWwhqIhVsmX4o-0x033axlcNHbY3pmPINzkhVUi-6L-9CtpFBfkJAHFANmoDegEHCTzjk2-gK7LM1miOQ9kmHjNnzZcShcHxgtcpD88sE6Vzk-ivo/s320/SAM_1115-Flotilla-with-Goose.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flotilla in excellent formation</td></tr>
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(Ernie is getting pretty good with that new-to-us camera, these are all his photos.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H2shgzKbdxASgZqFlP51flhWMPUYUHnNm3oYYNsjkNSC63KDHH660-iDihgkiaZ_W84w73LymGkzIrzYqs6NIlIpbdgS1Epipqcz0Q8QFA8NaQcACYNiYotK9hksPVO2THlMf8t1Dlc/s640/permaculture-design-course-KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H2shgzKbdxASgZqFlP51flhWMPUYUHnNm3oYYNsjkNSC63KDHH660-iDihgkiaZ_W84w73LymGkzIrzYqs6NIlIpbdgS1Epipqcz0Q8QFA8NaQcACYNiYotK9hksPVO2THlMf8t1Dlc/s320/permaculture-design-course-KS.jpg" width="320" /></a>Paul's Kickstarter for our Permaculture Design and Appropriate Tech courses has less than 48 hours to go. They are installing a dedicated, separate internet link for streaming live video and chat from these courses to online supporters.<br />
<br />
We have been warned that with over 40 people on site for these courses, the regular internet for other business may be slow. So I likely won't be able to post in-person updates from Montana. I've pre-loaded a couple of things for you while I'm gone.<br />
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If you'd like to follow along, now's the time to sign up for that Kickstarter before it closes.<br />
<br />
Here's the link: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3</a><br />
<br />
<br />
...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvbmadwZlj6MtfHJfm5ujJQJAoo5RW0yer5IMKHWfP5OAcrMw30Uujjg4yyL2SnqolTGwhbpf8lV0_jVqCZXA7BhVr8nPpsOaeeF3ZRmVLhRc9AnUrLRGl5E8M89dzfnynBwCFubTUPo/s1600/SAM_1087_LI-Form-Two-Lines-Goslings-900px.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvbmadwZlj6MtfHJfm5ujJQJAoo5RW0yer5IMKHWfP5OAcrMw30Uujjg4yyL2SnqolTGwhbpf8lV0_jVqCZXA7BhVr8nPpsOaeeF3ZRmVLhRc9AnUrLRGl5E8M89dzfnynBwCFubTUPo/s320/SAM_1087_LI-Form-Two-Lines-Goslings-900px.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Please form two lines as you exit the flotilla..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ernie's dad paddled the canoe out today, and measured the deeper part of the pond. 7'6" of water.<br />
It's within a couple of feet of the highest he's ever seen it... and probably twice as deep as I've ever seen it, as it's been during the past 6 to 10 dry years.<br />
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Which means the gees actually have TWO islands, although the moat for the new one is a lot shallower than the old one. <br />
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Yay!<br />
Water in abundance, and a good place to put it.Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-44788298964281945662017-05-16T17:51:00.001-07:002017-05-16T17:52:09.012-07:00One Week Left + More Friendly RocketeersWorth mentioning again, with one week to go:<br />
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H2shgzKbdxASgZqFlP51flhWMPUYUHnNm3oYYNsjkNSC63KDHH660-iDihgkiaZ_W84w73LymGkzIrzYqs6NIlIpbdgS1Epipqcz0Q8QFA8NaQcACYNiYotK9hksPVO2THlMf8t1Dlc/s640/permaculture-design-course-KS.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3" target="_blank">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3</a></div>
Only seven days left on this Kickstarter for virtual access to the Permaculture Design and Appropriate Tech courses. This is a pretty amazing team coming together in one place for several glorious weeks, it will be a LOT to take in, so I'm glad it will be recorded!<br />
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If you want a taste of all this, from the comfort of your own Internet connection, please click on the link above or below. (Full disclosure: We do get a small kickback if you use our link to pledge, so please do!)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3</a> <br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
Speaking of documentation:<br />
More evidence that our book is working!<br />
Fouch-O-Matic gave us a lovely plug in their Rocket Mass Heater Building episode (this link should take you to about where our book comes in): <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/x2M3pMQLTYo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x2M3pMQLTYo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
Later episodes document how their project worked out. Nice to see!<br />
...<br />
<br />
And this week also brought a friendly note from Jami Gaither, who also supported our 2016 Kickstarter (early and often, as I recall): <br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's a link to a radio show we were featured on last week. Thought you'd like getting a shout out. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://beta.prx.org/stories/203798&source=gmail&ust=1494910942358000&usg=AFQjCNFWNjzBfOxuBustxUdZG-YwPfAMEw" href="https://beta.prx.org/stories/203798" target="_blank">https://beta.prx.org/stories/<wbr></wbr>203798</a> Milt was fascinated and entranced by our RMH."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jami</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.jamig4.wordpress.com&source=gmail&ust=1494910942358000&usg=AFQjCNEKp5qYUljDIcCVO38nivrKmjw5xA" href="http://www.jamig4.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">www.jamig4.wordpress.com</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZcwdxIbsSbKuDKyAQuuG6g&source=gmail&ust=1494910942358000&usg=AFQjCNEvjnDyI4cltBJrEGAJPaaAZUbtCg" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZcwdxIbsSbKuDKyAQuuG6g" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>channel/<wbr></wbr>UCZcwdxIbsSbKuDKyAQuuG6g</a></span></span><br />
<br />
We are excited to see Jami and Dan in Montana, not this trip but in early October, for the Rocket Jamboree. <br />
There is a super-early-bird deal going on for folks who register before they finish the official website for the event:<br />
<a href="https://permies.com/wiki/63312/permaculture-projects/Rocket-Mass-Heater-Workshop-Jamboree">https://permies.com/wiki/63312/permaculture-projects/Rocket-Mass-Heater-Workshop-Jamboree</a><br />
<br />
Hope your year offers as many fun people and projects as ours is doing!<br />
<br />
Yours,<br />
EricaErica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-63766432459100258252017-05-14T14:35:00.000-07:002017-05-14T14:35:16.134-07:00Happy Mothers' Day 2017My mom will be giving some reflections on motherhood at <a href="http://www.motaspirit.org/" target="_blank">church</a> today.<br />
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A few weeks ago, she asked me about whether I had any particular thoughts on the topic. After posting about this all last May, I didn't have a lot new to add... until I got back indoors.<br />
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Then I went on a sort of treasure hunt, finding the places in my life that a 'mother's touch' makes things so much nicer, cosier, or more functional.<br />
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Here are some images. See if you can find the little sticky hearts on particular items from my Mom, grandmas, stepmom, great-grandmother, mother-in-laws, etc. <br />
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(I ran out of sticky notes before I ran out of "motherly touches," so there are some 'secret', unlabelled elements my family may recognize.)<br />
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If you were looking Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-83928367489029369002017-05-10T21:23:00.003-07:002017-05-12T20:57:24.976-07:00Rocketing into Spring: Frog Ponds, Stoves, Garden Goodies<br />
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Heading outdoors for summer?<br />
Consider these fun projects for outdoor kitchens, camping, and greenhouses.<br />
<a href="https://permies.com/t/65450/Rocket-Spring-Combo-Pack-Ernie" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://permies.com/t/65450/Rocket-Spring-Combo-Pack-Ernie" target="_blank">Rocket into Spring Combo Pack</a>:<br />
<a href="https://permies.com/t/65450/Rocket-Spring-Combo-Pack-Ernie">https://permies.com/t/65450/Rocket-Spring-Combo-Pack-Ernie</a><br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
People are not just reading our book, they are building cool things with it!<br />
("My Creation... It's ALIIIIVE!!! Mwa-ha-haha....")<br />
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Check out this cute little mini-bench project:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKlYKIOnmELu9VQ0uAgwogJ-HSgXcqr1qiumzjtEKeOX_ZoViPysMvl108DsngEh9f0zHmsKsy8RjxImy0f5lsiFLtWyduj3Ria33-jbvAmCIER0zSXES8RyXSuOlne_zMPjtTNYDNfM/s1600/RocketMassHeaterBuilderGuide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKlYKIOnmELu9VQ0uAgwogJ-HSgXcqr1qiumzjtEKeOX_ZoViPysMvl108DsngEh9f0zHmsKsy8RjxImy0f5lsiFLtWyduj3Ria33-jbvAmCIER0zSXES8RyXSuOlne_zMPjtTNYDNfM/s200/RocketMassHeaterBuilderGuide.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RMH Builder's Guide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://mypermaculturesite.wordpress.com/2017/03/05/rocket-mass-heater/">https://mypermaculturesite.wordpress.com/2017/03/05/rocket-mass-heater/</a><br />
<br />
(To buy <a href="http://www.newsociety.com/affil.mvc?Affil=ERWI&Page=../Books/R/The-Rocket-Mass-Heater-Builder-s-Guide" target="_blank"><i>The Rocket Mass Heater Builder's Guide, <br />click HERE</i></a>.)<br />
<br />
We are going to be <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3" target="_blank">video stars again in Montana</a> next month!
<a href="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/016/291/533/266f15d1623297a51c591e7359b20643_original.png?w=1024&h=576&fit=fill&bg=000000&v=1492541005&auto=format&q=92&s=d6c84e5d651773dd5cd3dcd9b519e45e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/016/291/533/266f15d1623297a51c591e7359b20643_original.png?w=1024&h=576&fit=fill&bg=000000&v=1492541005&auto=format&q=92&s=d6c84e5d651773dd5cd3dcd9b519e45e" width="320" /></a>
<br />
This year's Permaculture and Appropriate Tech courses are sold out, so jump on Kickstarter quick if you want a taste. Any pledge will get you great project resources from many different instructors. The full-price video access options will include something over 200 hours of instruction (likely to be streaming or thumb drive, not DVDs, because the full two weeks of each course would take too many discs). <br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/live-stream-permaculture-design-course-and-app-tec?ref=ap8ze3</a><br />
<br />
<br />The pond is filling - most water we've had in 15+ years!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvZn9Pv5pcQg65cxxxGbLg2YNqK3fFIQzxyH-ojDF0XqD8_GHO28xJgf1esZV9aIBMX-8lqtsW6zmPL2MF8fSY0znaWFk-JVc9U-w_IJer4ss9-RorIkBBV6aOAfsfxm_tmK_Pt4WhrM/s1600/KIMG0989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvZn9Pv5pcQg65cxxxGbLg2YNqK3fFIQzxyH-ojDF0XqD8_GHO28xJgf1esZV9aIBMX-8lqtsW6zmPL2MF8fSY0znaWFk-JVc9U-w_IJer4ss9-RorIkBBV6aOAfsfxm_tmK_Pt4WhrM/s400/KIMG0989.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The island, dock, and grazing horse...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCYYKmG8dv0sWubM_bL5Fm99cAYb9uC-Jq-Pq08yWGEh7Cy4njqjwYNbrdrQmo1w-m-pKVBgpncGIvR7JMgOF2FBNkj2c_z3FGKFRtQ4Cv-6ZhC09YX5pe4UiQoNO581Frq-PDmT3PDc/s1600/KIMG1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCYYKmG8dv0sWubM_bL5Fm99cAYb9uC-Jq-Pq08yWGEh7Cy4njqjwYNbrdrQmo1w-m-pKVBgpncGIvR7JMgOF2FBNkj2c_z3FGKFRtQ4Cv-6ZhC09YX5pe4UiQoNO581Frq-PDmT3PDc/s320/KIMG1009.jpg" width="180" /></a>While I was attending Flood meeting led by the county's Emergency Management Director, Ernie and Ron spent about an hour and a half sitting on the dock, letting their feet dabble in the water. <br />
<br />
They reported seeing a LOT of ecology in this pond. Even though it has been shallow for so long, the culvert allows little fish and other critters through from the lake. Ernie reported some little fish, maybe sticklebacks, as well frogs, newts, water-striders, boatmen (beetles that swim with legs like oars), two or three kinds of ducks, and our resident Mr. and Mrs. Goose Goose.<br />
<br />
(Ron has been visiting the pond regularly each morning and evening, training the dogs not to bother the Canada geese. As a result the geese are also now getting less panicked around us, when we mind our manners. And they have what passes for names, in dog-training language.)Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-45191121621292045722017-05-02T21:56:00.001-07:002017-05-03T14:28:31.213-07:00Spring Woodshed Challenge: 2017 Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu9eAyw2WVULsPmm3qsBeEcX6yHJcxHl8SshpQW1zlpCxxMqiKOULXiHzakFT3gvATpjTm4RADnQcDWKhkZH6zbwJeu8ALsj4lAW2qXbY78FMtUEla2zLT5ghsacJarMKYv5lBut_rSA/s1600/KIMG0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu9eAyw2WVULsPmm3qsBeEcX6yHJcxHl8SshpQW1zlpCxxMqiKOULXiHzakFT3gvATpjTm4RADnQcDWKhkZH6zbwJeu8ALsj4lAW2qXbY78FMtUEla2zLT5ghsacJarMKYv5lBut_rSA/s640/KIMG0960.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
How early is your wood stored and ready for winter? Most experts
recommend a full year in advance.<br />
<br />
I've set myself a challenge to post
pictures in spring as I improve and fill my woodshed. (Think of these as the "before" pictures if you like... we can go back and look at the improvements over time.)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Md0uQqxYgrJfmYXIq6ZzSCSZUFs7avgaT76S8Uxq3VQNbBXnAfa1j32m-c8n4mTkH4_TIZKqkwnXMJzeS9O_hc2xgqLq32nHCPh8343SOLSTePO7v8uqyu77gzyR0Kz_cnr75PFgng/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Md0uQqxYgrJfmYXIq6ZzSCSZUFs7avgaT76S8Uxq3VQNbBXnAfa1j32m-c8n4mTkH4_TIZKqkwnXMJzeS9O_hc2xgqLq32nHCPh8343SOLSTePO7v8uqyu77gzyR0Kz_cnr75PFgng/s200/IMG_3918.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpSnUJzm5JJSaBdzQrX7QmtWe9Q3knmZMmygsAuPeeVNIqBya25fj93a6yg9j5Ul2kXQtBAA0ixG_IXIrtBlcP0uyZ2OnYI5RTP7F7UP-y8YHln5XOUAIe0PifOCIl4a7L5L9TriXMDU/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpSnUJzm5JJSaBdzQrX7QmtWe9Q3knmZMmygsAuPeeVNIqBya25fj93a6yg9j5Ul2kXQtBAA0ixG_IXIrtBlcP0uyZ2OnYI5RTP7F7UP-y8YHln5XOUAIe0PifOCIl4a7L5L9TriXMDU/s200/IMG_0104.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year 2 (tarpaper roof)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ3_E0Ky1DfohWtEKFjxlmEzI8oGJgVy82EOp6X9SNFko-qub1aOSpOm4iVJ0IycK3ojWmslmeUJzuNbonSLOI1UOu_3G9pU6-rc7MRznSoObk81Ye4dybSsLaIMjjRSmInto7XKYsYY/s1600/DSCN2235.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ3_E0Ky1DfohWtEKFjxlmEzI8oGJgVy82EOp6X9SNFko-qub1aOSpOm4iVJ0IycK3ojWmslmeUJzuNbonSLOI1UOu_3G9pU6-rc7MRznSoObk81Ye4dybSsLaIMjjRSmInto7XKYsYY/s200/DSCN2235.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year 3-4: shingled</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDP8a9p0FC7p9oK9R9pbct4xHtzNK4NprmS4weL9VdyDJAJDWDYBSIdp3L3x8YReLCx-xRtRxOQytdT9Y40eLEh6kInbCZ51Ad7z2C0ZaayDgeje-hCCV1a7QxJ7-18_4T1pwjyAEprg/s1600/DSCN2128-Winter-Wood-Pinecone.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDP8a9p0FC7p9oK9R9pbct4xHtzNK4NprmS4weL9VdyDJAJDWDYBSIdp3L3x8YReLCx-xRtRxOQytdT9Y40eLEh6kInbCZ51Ad7z2C0ZaayDgeje-hCCV1a7QxJ7-18_4T1pwjyAEprg/s200/DSCN2128-Winter-Wood-Pinecone.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year 4 (experimental stack)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7XeHwGZZGMAT4oFLXFEVOgpA1w6Rd2vxv9Ria13am73f8pmlMIXSR5BijzKHcXSKJJX3ymMcF1SGhStJAWIdZAEoN4kP40cC8jOU4ZjIMrTFBiAr351j3DzvG_8FOWb99mfxHaqWuo0/s1600/DSCN2509-Woodshed-March16-600px.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7XeHwGZZGMAT4oFLXFEVOgpA1w6Rd2vxv9Ria13am73f8pmlMIXSR5BijzKHcXSKJJX3ymMcF1SGhStJAWIdZAEoN4kP40cC8jOU4ZjIMrTFBiAr351j3DzvG_8FOWb99mfxHaqWuo0/s200/DSCN2509-Woodshed-March16-600px.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This year's
project: a DIVIDER. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1PF566QPBV0rVE3MmWfZt7SE6Dw3qfwg_FzDhr2MKF3laGzi_VXYU9bwyVUn3Blsj1DwK8JB_my0h_F789SQF7l4anNUTlMnNhvS6QKxTktUYrQhi61pAhSVqULZc3E8Fshfn9OYe-w/s1600/KIMG0979.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1PF566QPBV0rVE3MmWfZt7SE6Dw3qfwg_FzDhr2MKF3laGzi_VXYU9bwyVUn3Blsj1DwK8JB_my0h_F789SQF7l4anNUTlMnNhvS6QKxTktUYrQhi61pAhSVqULZc3E8Fshfn9OYe-w/s320/KIMG0979.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
To stay a full year ahead (or more) on drying time, I need to be able to separate the cured wood from the drying wood. And I need to start stacking wet wood somewhere to dry, in fall or mid-winter, while still having full access to my cured, dry stash. <br />
<br />
I do NOT want to re-stack wood back to front every time I start processing a downed tree.<br />
<br />
The tool for this job is simple: a divider, like stalls in a barn. <br />
<br />
Now I can start the winter with two sides full. I use the older, drier side first. Whenever one side is empty, I can clean out and re-fill it. <br />
<br />
We seem to use a little over a cord per winter, and this shed is 8' by 12' inside. So I've made the divider a little taller than 4 feet. That gives us a cord+ on each side, plus 4 feet of semi-dry space for the chopping block and junk ... *ahem* ... "useful barbecue stuff". <br />
Maybe I will build a "stuff shed" onto the side of the wood shed, so we have a shaded place to store gasoline and other goodies without losing wood space. But I suspect that no matter how many sheds you have, there will always be more stuff that drifts in there... it's like a junk magnet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZNPJw8Ou2T1YsADJJW1q-hrGYuRTBg7LLC7bucm7DzsgvdkuBz4s8bya6jb8W1A4erJBv7IjSaqiNr-tsnrZBl2YyacDZMnH5TmYdtDEsSEPGvXAUp1JMPPqoW87NuILxqv3lCHNk9I/s1600/KIMG0980.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZNPJw8Ou2T1YsADJJW1q-hrGYuRTBg7LLC7bucm7DzsgvdkuBz4s8bya6jb8W1A4erJBv7IjSaqiNr-tsnrZBl2YyacDZMnH5TmYdtDEsSEPGvXAUp1JMPPqoW87NuILxqv3lCHNk9I/s320/KIMG0980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The divider is ... "ghetto chic." <br />
A recycled pallet would have worked, but I am "saving" my palettes for a bigger project.<br />
So this divider is made almost entirely of wood scraps that are crappier than pallet wood. Stuff I prefer not to burn - pressure treated, OSB, painted boards. It is gappy to allow air flow. <br />
<br />
It is REALLY messy looking because I got fed up with trying to find where I'd squirrelled away all my outdoor tools last winter. (I am already a couple months behind the time I started stacking wood last year.) <br />
I ended up taking the scrap to a borrowed saw, cutting a few useful-ish gussets (little angled chunks of OSB), and just gobbing it together. <br />
I finally found my saw, safely tucked away in our new carport, about 20 minutes after I screwed the last board onto this mess.<br />
<br />
But it works!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_X_6ApHe2HRCpg0Y7AMyMmAbqIBFskbyeFgE612SRnhyphenhyphen50UMzRrsX2fxGN446DQZCFegUCHeqqNg0HihabEuJ7ZgvgyCzI30ApHireKpX3HrBb8sSZDAGULliuFAQ-ITsGqt0Yk9mJ0/s1600/KIMG0935.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_X_6ApHe2HRCpg0Y7AMyMmAbqIBFskbyeFgE612SRnhyphenhyphen50UMzRrsX2fxGN446DQZCFegUCHeqqNg0HihabEuJ7ZgvgyCzI30ApHireKpX3HrBb8sSZDAGULliuFAQ-ITsGqt0Yk9mJ0/s320/KIMG0935.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As of May 2: <br />about 1/3 cord <br />(1 face cord).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It makes it MUCH easier to quickly stack a pile of wood. And it gives me a thrill of hope to see the disappointed look on the faces of our two dogs. <br />
<br />
These two eager squeak-hunters have been tumbling the wood rows into piles, and eating chunks out of the woodshed itself, following the scent of long-gone squirrels and the sound of each others' scrabbling around.<br />
<br />
Maybe with this divider in place, they won't be able to mix the wet wood quite so thoroughly into the last precious stacks of dry wood.<br />
<br />
Maybe I'm being optimistic. Two 60-pound dogs, one full-blooded terrier and one mutt, can rearrange a lot of wood when they are in the throes of "squeak-hunting." <br />
<br />
So if I can't stop them eating my wood shed, at least I can look forward to the chewed-up corners giving a little bit of improved ventilation. <br />
<br />
<br />
As long as they don't chew through the support posts, we're good. ;-)<br />
Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193047404252392170.post-6574874327914467712017-04-12T15:44:00.000-07:002017-04-12T16:22:48.779-07:00April 29 - Rocket Mass Heater Intro Day (annual event, Okanogan Highlands)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJyu9XqUIyxF-o-SWGXYQyrSW_ffbqAr6okuHIeWrkiOfK8Dq1ixWv1UFsKMgi5GpBwNrOENlHasGTEMYvutpn8pOw0o9X_jX1zvs3fAUkN0TFdarKF2M2bBYeBXYBNUbqgnKwyOev9I/s1600/DSCN2079-Viking-Brass-1200px.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJyu9XqUIyxF-o-SWGXYQyrSW_ffbqAr6okuHIeWrkiOfK8Dq1ixWv1UFsKMgi5GpBwNrOENlHasGTEMYvutpn8pOw0o9X_jX1zvs3fAUkN0TFdarKF2M2bBYeBXYBNUbqgnKwyOev9I/s320/DSCN2079-Viking-Brass-1200px.JPG" width="240" /></a>Our sixth annual Rocket Mass Heater Intro Day is coming up fast.<br />
<br />
When: Saturday April 29th, 10:00 am- 3:00pm<br />
<br />
Where: Okanogan Highlands, 35 minutes from Tonasket WA.<br />
(Please register for driving directions.)<br />
<br />
What: Play with fire, mud, and bricks. <br />
<br />
<br />
Registration Contact:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAKTnw60IAzorcM9s4niL5zSuTFUOqt3wS9eNFA8Ew_lqA8YZ7_EN3Cd26ncJVpLmaHVcZuN6dZehuLq5C6fVl9Lfgoy0kDI43opHvDDD1xLcDcqaEV28-tyS0ygNRA357BBeHddY8R8/s1600/DSC_0097_ernieandErica_cropped-90px.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAKTnw60IAzorcM9s4niL5zSuTFUOqt3wS9eNFA8Ew_lqA8YZ7_EN3Cd26ncJVpLmaHVcZuN6dZehuLq5C6fVl9Lfgoy0kDI43opHvDDD1xLcDcqaEV28-tyS0ygNRA357BBeHddY8R8/s1600/DSC_0097_ernieandErica_cropped-90px.JPG" /></a>Erica Wisner, 509-556-2054, questions@ErnieAndErica.info
<br />
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Price:<br />
-$25 per adult, $12.50 for youth*,<br />
FREE to emergency responders** <br />
(*Youth: age 15 and under; those under 12 please bring a participating adult)<br />
(**Any emergency responders (fire fighters, EMS, etc) whether volunteer or professional may register and attend at no charge.) <br />
<h3>
The Details:</h3>
What is a Rocket Mass Heater? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_L6f1GSBCQEe-QLhA4nos24w2bssVPAzmEH-1fId5hqeDHsFnoblXasSgFb8kvJxsaaxj_0RonL7_tXeDJjxuBCrXX5xeEHXpOIQCGIAwEUEu4NsNTfiOchp6UZUoUTuamBZXd-HcMM/s1600/RocketMassHeaterBuilderGuide.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_L6f1GSBCQEe-QLhA4nos24w2bssVPAzmEH-1fId5hqeDHsFnoblXasSgFb8kvJxsaaxj_0RonL7_tXeDJjxuBCrXX5xeEHXpOIQCGIAwEUEu4NsNTfiOchp6UZUoUTuamBZXd-HcMM/s200/RocketMassHeaterBuilderGuide.jpg" width="159" /></a>Rocket mass heaters are a clean-burning, super-efficient, affordable way to heat with wood. They are also a fascinating real-life example of some very weird fire science. <br />
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Make flames burn upside-down and sideways. Learn clean burn methods, so you can safely use ladder fuels as free firewood. Peek inside the smoke-eating dragon that lets us heat on 1 to 2 cords of wood per winter at 3200 feet.</form>
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Non-Suicidal Wood Heat:</form>
At least one fire marshall has called rocket mass heaters "the first non-suicidal wood stove I've seen." Burning all the smoke not only gives much higher efficiency, it helps prevent chimney fires. Storing heat in a masonry bench creates overnight comfort without the risks and hassles of overnight fire. While they are not yet legal everywhere, they're increasingly popular as a common-sense alternative, and many jurisdictions will permit them under masonry heater codes or local rules.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWFfhh23e-U_o6Lgc4Lh5cjEnSsRxXYbO7Hl4aIz_ZiB6uEq-g2YwDYjO4HtbIXTDc1lCJBNlcHNfWntIl4sOx4HcLRIymJ5WgzDmj63pJWSDgnuJTVOfPm4WA5xaHN0MNXu8t0w6I3M/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWFfhh23e-U_o6Lgc4Lh5cjEnSsRxXYbO7Hl4aIz_ZiB6uEq-g2YwDYjO4HtbIXTDc1lCJBNlcHNfWntIl4sOx4HcLRIymJ5WgzDmj63pJWSDgnuJTVOfPm4WA5xaHN0MNXu8t0w6I3M/s200/IMG_4054.JPG" width="150" /></a>Fire Science, Survival Skills, and "Magic" Tricks:<br />
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Even if you don't care about safety or efficiency... there's something awfully fun about upside-down fire siphons, flame vortexes, and the ability to throw together a sneaky stove that is virtually undetectable. </form>
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What Would We Actually DO on Saturday?<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DYIkKYf3yco/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DYIkKYf3yco?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe>This is our local 'taster' to share our work with friends and neighbors. You will not see everything we offer in a full 3-day weekend builders' workshop (nor pay the $350-500 sticker price). Instead, <br />
- inspect and run an already-working rocket mass heater<br />
- choose from a selection of live, hands-on practice projects.<br />
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The specific hands-on activities are chosen by the group on that specific day. We have materials, tools, and fire-safe space on site for a wide range of practice activities and small projects.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliwSPLQUSvFBHMznUDcLGZ_eQ3_FrwR_zdmFFGAjX-p5ows9MRfEsW08-CdqoIeI1ANZZM0SvBTgzW5EP8GPTIKpTvDJrFRL7uN5XaHMBBOzPqUikal9oAhsAvvxoSG1X5e8PTxcf5io/s1600/DSCN1979-Caddisfly-bricks-600px.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliwSPLQUSvFBHMznUDcLGZ_eQ3_FrwR_zdmFFGAjX-p5ows9MRfEsW08-CdqoIeI1ANZZM0SvBTgzW5EP8GPTIKpTvDJrFRL7uN5XaHMBBOzPqUikal9oAhsAvvxoSG1X5e8PTxcf5io/s200/DSCN1979-Caddisfly-bricks-600px.JPG" width="200" /></a>Past groups have built modified full-scale rocket fireboxes, split up into teams for survival fire-making or primitive stove cooking contests, learned Erica's favorite green-fire magic trick, and built practice projects with non-toxic fire clay mortars and fire brick. This year, we could do any of the above, or something else.<br />
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You will always get a chance to see fire burn upside-down and sideways, and you will have the option to make it do tricks yourself.<br />
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What to Bring/Prepare:<br />
All necessary tools and materials will be provided. <br />
- Personal Gear: Wear your grubbies. You may wish to bring rain gear, work gloves, and/or boots for muddy and sooty conditions.<br />
- Food and Drink: Bring pot-luck lunch/snacks. We'll provide at least one main dish, and coffee/hot water will be on from 9:30 am before class starts.<br />
- Road Conditions: Consider 4WD, AWD, and printing the directions. When you register with a valid email address, we'll send you driving directions following the local school bus route. These are gravel roads, generally well graded (by Highlands standards, anyway). Your GPS may mislead you onto ill-maintained back roads at your peril. Cell phones have poor reception up here. Please let us know if you'd prefer to carpool or have someone shuttle you up from Tonasket or Ellisford. <br />
- Emergency Responders: to attend free, please wear your colors (hat, shirt, etc) or bring a badge to show at check-in.<br />
- Pocket Money: We will have books and videos available for sale, if you're looking for training or self-study resources.<br />
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About the Hosts:<br />
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This private event is hosted by Ernie and Erica Wisner of Wisner Resources, and not sponsored by any agency or fire district. Fire demonstrations will be small scale, suitable for family and public participation as entertainment/cooking/campfire activities.<br />
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For questions, larger groups, or for wait list registration after the event is sold out, please email us at questions@ErnieAndErica.info, or call 509-556-2054. <br />
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<option value="Paid-In-Full">Paid-In-Full $25.00 USD</option>
<option value="Youth (50% off)">Youth (50% off) $12.50 USD</option>
<option value="Family of 4 (20% off)">Family of 4 (20% off) $60.00 USD</option>
<option value="Reserve My Spot">Reserve My Spot $10.00 USD</option>
<option value="EMS/Fire/crew (free)">EMS/Fire/crew (free) $0.00 USD</option>
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To look for a full-length workshop this year, please visit <a href="http://www.ernieanderica.info/upcoming_workshops">http://www.ErnieAndErica.info/upcoming_workshops</a>.</form>
Erica Wisnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210113328460188860noreply@blogger.com0