Sustainable SW Blogs

Matthew 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

This cell missed me by about 5 miles...but I ended up getting three tenths of an inch out of another cell that I just caught the edge of.  I like lighting...when it is far away.  This photo is pretty grainy because it is a still from some video I was shooting during the storm.  86,95,74,0,B

video tomarrow...85,96,75,0,B

Had a couple of rain days off.  Got the roof sheathing up over the living area today...porches tomorrow. 84,91,66,0,C

Are you a true off-gridder? Here is a test. My "rain gauge" has 150 gallons of rainwater in it after the last 24 hours. This was caught off a roof surface that is 352 square feet. How much rain actually fell? 80,86,63,?,B

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

The Field Lab version of the classic BLT:  bacon, cole slaw, field lab tomato, melted muenster cheese, course ground pepper, on pita bread. 91,103,73,0,C

I made good use of construction down time waiting for storms to pass by clearing the front of the greenhouse.  The inside is a whole other matter I am just beginning to attend to (again).  In other news - the doves have left the nest.  89,98,63,0,B

Started sheathing the casita now that the threat of severe afternoon thunderstorms has passed... 64,98,87,0,B

Well it looks like the dry season is finally over.  Got an inch of rain over the past two nights.  Up until last week, TFL got only a half inch of rain over the past 6 months.  My total storage capacity is 20,000 gallons and I was down to 9,225 gallons as of Saturday.  All my catchment surfaces combined yield 2,000 gallons per inch of rain - and if the arroyo runs, I can pump an additional 3,000 gallons after a good rain event.  Sunday night I got 1/2" of rain and caught 1,000 gallons off my roofs and pumped 2,500 gallons out of the arroyo.  Monday night I got another 1/2" of rain - so another 1,000 gallons off my roofs...but it was too late to pump the arroyo again.  As of today, I now have 13,725 gallons on tap.  Chance of more rain tonight so this might get updated.  83,91,66,0,B

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

All feathered out now...ready to leave the nest in about a week.85,99,71,0,B

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From Aaron's mother on Facebook:  Aaron was released from Cho Ray Hospital last Friday in Vietnam where he has spent over 8 weeks.  We just finished up our exit arrangements...taking care of visa and passport issues and are flying back to the states via Manila.  Aaron is heading to a nice beach town in Florida where he is going to continue his recovery.  People here have NO idea how lucky we are to have the type of healthcare we have in the states.  72,97,89,0,B

A little rain prep. Took awhile, but I finally got the ol' water pump started in case I get a rain event that allows me to pump extra water out of the arroyo. I have two 3,000 gallon tanks waiting for a refill. It has been 2 years since I had enough sudden rain to do this.  A fast half inch will cause the arroyo to run for about an hour which is enough time to fill a 3,000 gallon tank with this pump.  89,99,65,0,B