March 6, 2022: Hi Tech/Lo Tech

One of several “one-rock dams” or ORDs. This only shows a small part

Yesterday we achieved both a wonderful high tech project and started a major low tech improvement: Alan finished the first solar array, which is now online and working, and I started to build one rock dams (ORDs) and zuni bowls to help control the flow of water as it melts off the road and races down the arroyo. (There’s links to explain these in earlier posts)

Essentially, while Alan spliced wires, attached surge protectors and set up monitoring apps, I spent the day playing in the mud, a pastime I now remember I used to love. Did you play in the mud as a kid? Yesterday, I even floated a bark-boat down the creek (unfortunately, it sank when Clair tried to eat it). I felt about 6 years old. I need a new pair of rubber boots, as mine are not tall enough and I ended up wearing bathtubs instead of boots, along with the 10 pounds of mud on the outside. I know that most people will be horrified to imagine doing such work, but I swear, it’s fun. I don’t have to do it, I don’t overdo it, and I quit if it starts to feel like a chore. Who needs a gym?

Alan contemplates the layout. This will be enclosed in a cabinet once completed

This is the worst spot on the county road by our property. (It’s worse closer to the highway). I’m building a “water bar” to drain it more quickly

The snow is melting fast here, and it astounds us how much damage it can do in a very short time. It also dries out quickly, thank goodness.

This is the “waterfall” coming off the road, above. About 10 gallons/minute. A zuni bowl will get built here, once it slows down, and a small pond will be dug into the side of the arroyo to hold the water for a couple months.

I can’t emphasize enough how much pleasure there can be in small achievements like moving some rocks and changing the flow of a rivulet. While there is so much more to accomplish, I want to take joy in the every day stuff.

Next, Alan will run some wires for lights and hook up the FrostKing fridge, which we’ll move indoors. It’s not pretty, but it’s large and made for off-grid living: so well insulated that it can go for 10 days without electricity, even in summer, and uses only a tiny amount of power. We plan to enclose all that ugly compressor stuff on its top.

The FrostKing fridge, which has been living on the back porch for years, about to be moved indoors. I think they had planned on walling it in?

It’s been snowing off and on and we are expecting a few inches more through tomorrow. Being Sunday, I imagine we will have a quiet day of reading and writing.

May all beings everywhere be safe, be healthy, be happy and live in peace.

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