Hello everyone, and Happy New Year. Technically, according to our Roman dominated calendar, its still 2009. The year has started anew, however, no matter what any glossy photo-rich wall hanging says. Neither Pope Gregory or Julius Caesar, for that matter. Amy and I had a really nice solstice dinner last week with some new friends, tamales, chile verde, and my first attempt at mead. Good, but bound to mellow by the next twirl around the sun. As one of our guests noted – it’s time to make a new batch, let this one sit until next year; keep the cycle going.
I know it’s been an age since I last wrote anything here. Since we returned from England in July, in fact. I had my doubts at times whether or not that would have been my last posting. Here I am though –and here’s what’s up. I am currently convalescing from a visit to the vein doctor, who removed the major vein in my right leg. It’s really no fun given I am restricted in activity, mainly, alcohol, somewhat, and don’t listen too well to my doctor. I really overdid it yesterday. Amy and I are on break right now. I’ve been baking bread –exploring French sourdough methods – and enjoying the results. I am making a shedua (a dark Honduran hardwood) side table for the living room. It’s a bit of a challenge as I want to make the top round and apply an edge, it’s cold in the shop, and I can’t stand too long after “overdoing it”, as I am known to do. I’ll take a phot when completed. Amy has been enjoying the time off but is now grousing about having to plan and grade this week. She is thinking of growing her pony tail again. No hiking, but lots of reading, movies, and time to write this. We’re to see Young Victoria tonight. I saw Sherlock Holmes yesterday and really enjoyed it. I think there may be a place for all of these over-the-top special effects in situations like: placing you in London, circa 1900. They can set a broader stage by bringing the audience into a detail rich landscape. The relationship between Holmes and Dr. Watson is experimented with well and it was fun to see Holmes’ relationship to Mary developed.
The Nieces – and one Nephew.
How about a little photo interlude? I have collected a few photos of the relations and thought I’d share them out. Let’s start with a nice one of Tom, Leslie, and Amy.
I know it’s been an age since I last wrote anything here. Since we returned from England in July, in fact. I had my doubts at times whether or not that would have been my last posting. Here I am though –and here’s what’s up. I am currently convalescing from a visit to the vein doctor, who removed the major vein in my right leg. It’s really no fun given I am restricted in activity, mainly, alcohol, somewhat, and don’t listen too well to my doctor. I really overdid it yesterday. Amy and I are on break right now. I’ve been baking bread –exploring French sourdough methods – and enjoying the results. I am making a shedua (a dark Honduran hardwood) side table for the living room. It’s a bit of a challenge as I want to make the top round and apply an edge, it’s cold in the shop, and I can’t stand too long after “overdoing it”, as I am known to do. I’ll take a phot when completed. Amy has been enjoying the time off but is now grousing about having to plan and grade this week. She is thinking of growing her pony tail again. No hiking, but lots of reading, movies, and time to write this. We’re to see Young Victoria tonight. I saw Sherlock Holmes yesterday and really enjoyed it. I think there may be a place for all of these over-the-top special effects in situations like: placing you in London, circa 1900. They can set a broader stage by bringing the audience into a detail rich landscape. The relationship between Holmes and Dr. Watson is experimented with well and it was fun to see Holmes’ relationship to Mary developed.
The Nieces – and one Nephew.
How about a little photo interlude? I have collected a few photos of the relations and thought I’d share them out. Let’s start with a nice one of Tom, Leslie, and Amy.
We had a Hutchinson Thanksgiving this year as opposed to our long-standing Larson holiday. Jennifer, Jeff and the girls were not there, sadly, but we had a very nice weekend nonetheless.
Here are the rest – a really pretty pic of Anja, Meghan and Makenna Henry with Beck Mueller, and her Royal Highness the Princess Auroroa.
Anja
Meghan, Beck, Makenna
Addie
Finally – an update on Chives. We had to remove his eye about 2 months ago. He’s doing fine, just looks a little strange at times. Here he is snoozing, as usual.
One eyed Chives
One eyed Chives
The House
A little on the house. I am mid way right now, ready for all of the inspections. We are done with the framing and the mechanical systems are being installed over break. I have received a little press since my news release – two TV news stories, a couple of publications, a promise of a Statesman story in the spring. The school district made this video, posted it on their website and shared it around. I tried to upload it without luck. Here is a link to the one online - http://www.boiseschools.org/newsltr/news/student_built.wmv
The interior picture is a bit technical. I have framed the structure using a new method that reduces the amount of wood required and increases the amount of insulation potential. The windows are really efficient. The heating and cooling system will be high efficiency and installed so as to minimize energy loss. There will be a ventilation system that recovers heat (or cool) and delivers continuous fresh air. The plumbing system insulates and minimizes hot water line length, and will have low flow fixtures. All of these features, plus many more, are what makes this a green house, and will allow it to be LEED certified. It’s crunch time from now until June for me and the kids - I’m a little behind and there is a lot to do.
2 Images
I have come across a couple images lately, saved them, and would like to post them here. They strike me as interesting. The first – scanned from a post card, was taken here in the recent past. I think there is a defunct gas station there, if I have the skyline triangulated correctly. This would have been the Shoshone, part of the Snake tribes, but I don't know their dress well enough to say for sure.
The other is such a perfect image of what Costa Rica is to me that I copied it and thought I’d post it here. I feel an obligation to remind the empire that the place is not always the adventure traveler’s playground so often exploitatively depicted lately.
The Winter
I will try to take a few photos and post a line or two this winter. Amy and I will hopefully get to McCall and Ketchum again. I am taking a 9 month course on Sustainable Building Design that will end in June at which point I will be “certified”. Provided I pass the test. I am going to make prototype wooden storm windows, for our house, that will serve as demonstration models for anyone who wants to order a set. I need to find a glazer. Where would you begin if you needed to find a glazer? I am also tied into prototyping a solar air food dryer, which will involve fabricating a plastic injection mold I imagine. I’ll keep you posted.
Scott
