Aach...ye speak like a poet, but ye punch like one too...

PUNCH LIKE A POET

Thursday, May 18, 2006
  
Green houses and other diversions

Lately (as in the last two weeks) I've been devouring a series of books on various green/low-energy home construction techniques. This covers a lot of ground--everything from passive solar design to composting toilets to rainwater catchment systems. Fanny and I intend eventually to build our own house, and right now my lack of job or educational responsibilities allows me the freedom to learn as much about this as possible. The ideal home would be a zero-energy house--it provides for its own energy, water, waste disposal, and climate control. Lots of fascinating stuff--probably too geeky and detailed for me to talk much about on this blog, but if anyone is interested in these sorts of things don't hesitate to chat me up next time we talk. The goal is to learn enough through research and workshops to be able to do as much of the actual construction ourselves as possible. And I'll make a standing offer now that when the time comes anyone who shows up to lift straw bales or dig holes will be treated to burgers and beer (Boca and wheatgrass for more enlightened readers).

In other news, we're slogging through the visa process for Fanny. Right now the first stage of the application is off at the Dept. of Homeland Security. We're hoping to have it back in the next couple of weeks so we can submit the second half of the required paperwork.

I've also been turning my poems "Speed" and "Rainboy" into kids' stories, as well as getting the Seamonster story back on track and coordinated with Carrie, who is doing the illustrations. These all seem to be coming along nicely.

Not a whole lot of poetry of late, but lots of other productive activity. And tomorrow I turn 27, which is a good age. Divisible by three and all. If you want to send me something send money to a charity instead. I recommend Canadian Food for the Hungry.

# posted by Daniel at 3:18 PM.