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Post by steev on May 4, 2017 19:05:48 GMT -5
Um, you're not suggesting I shower with them, are you, for "bonding"?
I would note that I only have help in town, not on the farm, unfortunately.
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Post by prairiegardens on May 7, 2017 20:35:02 GMT -5
. I've no intention of climbing ladders to crawl into bed on a mattress on the floor, that's a younger persons gig. I can't imagine trying to make the bed in such a space in any case, or scampering down a ladder to visit the bathroom in the middle of the night..Also, I have no intention of having outside facilities. On paper at least, I've got a decent layout with the essentials that looks cozy but hopeflly not cramped in a 16x16 area, so I suppose not a truly tiny house as it is nearly 200 sq feet. including space for couple of bookshelves and a hideabed type couch for visitors. All on one floor. No room for a tub, but I loathe cleaning tubs anyway, so a shower will do fine
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Post by prairiegardens on May 7, 2017 22:30:34 GMT -5
Was talking to a guy a couple of weeks ago, said he was a carpenter by trade, and all eager to help with the build. Last I heard he was in a different province, still claiming he intended to come help. People are weird. Found one who helped move the first load of mulching hay and seems to be ok, will see if he gets around to helping move the rest of it this week or not.
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Post by steev on May 8, 2017 3:45:23 GMT -5
Best of luck to you; it is a struggle, stepping away from increase/excess, to enough. That you intend bookshelves and guest facilities shows admirable optimism and continuing interest; bathtubs become difficult to navigate as we age (thinking of myself only, of course).
That "helper" called at 8:58PM to ask whether we're working tomorrow, Monday, having flaked on Thursday and Friday. Sure, and as soon as I can get a decent replacement, you're toast, pendejo.
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Post by mjc on May 8, 2017 8:19:13 GMT -5
My father-in-law used to do tree trimming/yard service in Long Beach...he had very similar stories about his 'help', until he finally found one helper that was definitely worth his weight in gold...and then some.
My father-in-law's least favorite word...mañana.
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Post by steev on May 8, 2017 20:22:30 GMT -5
As expected, the lack of help is starting to reduce the workload/need for help; two accounts bailed today; the silver lining: scored a new client, very advanced gardening, not something I can bring a tyro to; this client is a rare plant enthusiast who orders stuff world-wide; I'll get to learn while I earn (at a premium price); she dumps anything that fails to work out to her taste (gave me a very uncommon rose that hadn't bloomed quite the color she'd expected, poor thing; well, I'll see that it gets to The Home for Orphaned Plants, as PlanT Farm is also known).
Is this the sort of deal that appeals to me? Is the Pope from Argentina?
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Post by steev on May 8, 2017 20:57:33 GMT -5
Wow! The third shoe/client just dropped; am I dealing with a centipede, here? Might not be bad; the less work I have, the more time to work on my house/farm; I don't have need of much work-income, having to pay no alimony, child-support, debt, gambling or drug habits.
I think I'm starting to salivate when the phone rings.
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Post by SteveB on May 8, 2017 21:18:10 GMT -5
Seems as if the stars are pushing you to the homestead. Outdoor cold shower's and all.
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Post by steev on May 8, 2017 21:36:32 GMT -5
If I can spend more time on the farm, I'll be able to organize hot showers; actually, I've long known how I could manage that, but it's not been a priority; any turtle comes out when there's reason to.
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Post by walt on May 9, 2017 16:39:25 GMT -5
When I moved to a farm about 20 years ago, I bought a camp shower at walmart. It was just a plastic bag that held about 4 Gallons of water. One side was clear and the other side was dark blue to absorb heat. That was back when I was living in a greenhouse. I'd set the bag of water, clear side up, on the dirt first thing in the morning. When I got home from work in the evening it was hot. I'd throw a wool sweater over the shower bag, and that would keep it warm until I quit gardening about dark. The water would still be warm. So I hang up the bag and shower with it.
That camp shower costs about $10. Not bad for a year of hot sun heated showers.
So why are you taking cold showers?
When I left the Peace Corps, I didn't forget the motto. "I didn't come here to suffer." Real mottos never make it into the advertising. Then everyone would join.
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Post by steev on May 9, 2017 16:53:06 GMT -5
Actually, except for the initial shock, cold showers aren't bad; when I'm showering on the farm the cooling effect is welcome because the day is very hot; I admit I miss the flattering acoustics of a tile shower-stall, but I'll also have that in the house.
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Post by SteveB on May 9, 2017 17:14:58 GMT -5
Ah cool showers have their place. I take them in my fancy tiled unit... But occasionally a hot shower is worth it. Cold showers are invigorating and less likely to overuse the water source.
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Post by jondear on May 9, 2017 20:07:27 GMT -5
Run a coil of pex tubing throughout a hot compost pile, creating a redneck water heater. 😀
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Post by steev on May 9, 2017 21:54:37 GMT -5
Were I concerned about the temperature of my showers, I'd long since have rolled out 100' or so of black tubing exposed to the sun, live from the well, connected to a Y with cold well-water, with valves to control the mix to my taste; apparently I've never given a husky; I deal in "most interesting/pressing work for my purposes", not most cushy; I'll worry about cushy when I can no longer work, since I have restricted time on the farm.
Wouldn't do that "redneck water heater" for the same reasons; it would make working the pile with my fork too fiddley; not that it's not an idea worth keeping; when I had a huge slow-compost pile, when we'd shift/turn it, there were parts we wouldn't want to put our hands in, they were so hot.
When I knew I was going to be foreclosed out of my house and the water-heater died, I saw no point in replacing it, so I took cold showers all Fall-thru-Spring; didn't hurt me; I had a nice fire in the fireplace for after; shampooing my hair was the least comfortable part. I don't quite get the apparent need for "comfort" in transient things. When I was shaving (back when I was beautiful and wanted to be seen so), I never used lather or an electric razor, just cold water and one of Grandad's brass razors and double-edged blades; I never quite "got" adjustable razors (I admit that I'm not heavily-bearded; "Chinaman", as my Dad put it when he agreed that neither of us could grow one good side-burn even if we could put both sides together; guess we're just too highly evolved (smug attack).
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Post by steev on May 9, 2017 22:20:57 GMT -5
Returning to "inadequate help" (from inadequate side-burns), my helper never takes off his cap; when I'm driving, this can be a problem, as it can block my view of on-coming traffic when I'm attempting to enter a curving roadway; I told him that it would be better if he doffed his cap; he didn't respond, seeming put-upon; I pulled over and asked "Did you not hear me?", pointing out that If I pulled out in front of an on-coming car, his side is the one that would be hit; he turned his cap around.
It's a long, steep, learning curve. Do I have the stamina/patience to shepherd him up it; is he willing to climb it? He's young, ignorant, and macho. Time will tell. I'm sure he has no idea how fragile his job is.
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