10/08: Our Dream

IMAGINE ... ... a secluded several acres at the foot of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, near Denver.

A small section of woods shelters deer, rabbits and other woodland creatures. An orchard we've planted produces beautiful apples, cherries, pears, almonds... and more! Walnut trees tower over the bayberry bushes and berry brambles. Honey-bees buzz on by, intent on their mission to create a loving elixir of nutrition and sweetness. The sound of goats, miniature cows and chickens permeate the sounds of children's laughter. Small fields of cotton, corn, and wheat wave in the breeze. Bright red dots dark green of gardens where tomatoes grow prolifically, surrounded by squashes, greens, peppers, beans, and more. Greenhouses produce organic and fresh produce, even in the blustery Colorado winter.

In the midst of these greenhouses is the common building made from energy-efficient straw-bale or monolithic dome where our family and guests gather for fellowship, huge homegrown meals, dances, musical jams, game-time, and where we and our guests enjoy green living.

Nearby, an herb-and-meditation garden creates a calming atmosphere where one can sit and think, listen to the breeze, and enjoy a partner's company.

A homemade playground provides our children with hours of shaded fun, fresh air and exercise. It's obvious we and our guests love and care for our children, believing strongly in guiding them to live the core values of honesty, awareness and responsibility. We also encourage them to BE themselves, and to explore their gifts and interests.

This is our dream. What about you ... do you also have this dream? Of living with the land and providing for basic needs? Of running an off-the-beaten-path retreat for like-minded people? If you are interested in making this dream a reality, e-mail us for more information. We will need people with all kinds of gifts: weaving, farming, animal husbandry, carpentry, etc.

Vikki http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/

7/11: Another Scorcher. Again.

As of July 7, gas per gallon is $4.11 and the price per barrel of oil was $147. This week's grocery circular for King Soopers (Kroger's) shows asparagas is $1.28 per pound, 80% lean ground beef is $1.99 per pound, and one pound of fresh fruit salad from the deli is $4.99.

The temperature in Denver was 100 degrees, and at 4 p.m. the top floor of our house was at 93 degrees.

We decided enough was enough. So we gathered 4 more additional fans from throughout the house (blended family = extras of everything!) and put them upstairs, in nearly every window. Between 6:30 and 8:50 p.m. (2 hours 20 minutes) it went from 93 to 85 degrees! Only thing is ... with all of these fans plus swamp cooler, besides the huge electric bill we can expect, they simply make so much noise that we can barely think!) Tomorrow's projected temp of 80 should help cool down the house too. Just gotta get through the night.

Still watering our "new dirt patch" in the front yard. Side benefit - the spillover watering is starting to make long-dead grass turn a bit green! In addition, I planted about 6-8 mammoth sunflower seeds near that dirt patch by where the aspen had stood. Maybe it will lend a bit of cheer to the yard when get big enough to produce those huge flower seedheads. Think we'll do some more "lawn seeding" tomorrow and I'll plant some more sunflower seeds where the dead fir tree stood - by the mailbox.

However, I think I overdid it. My fibromyalgia is in full gear. My legs, esp the left, is so painful that I can barely walk. I gotta keep it in my mind that I'm not invincible.

Looking at house plans. Found some green pre-fab houses. One we really like - the solar passage with piecehomes but it would cost5 $35ok-$400k - and that doesn't include the basement or garage! Monolithic Dome Institute has a wonderful floor plan for a 3 bdrm at approx $208k but that also doesn't include the garage or basement. I like h-haus, the Cube 9 but can't get a hold of them to get a price - DOES have garage but no basement. Then there's the Pair 3br through Alchemy Architects - it will cost $219k, has the basement stairs but the basement and garage is extra. No matter ... we definitely want a one story with "low" ceilings (8') plus basement. No more vaulted ceilings!!! Too hard to cool. Vikki

7/10: A Scorcher

Today, Denver got up to 101 degrees. Here in Thornton, a suburb of Denver, it may have been one degree less. Our top floor thermostat read 96 at its highest - we can't seem to cool it down even with two fans, a swamp cooler and a ceiling fan plus all of the windows covered with multiple layers. Our main floor was up to 92 degrees - with two fans and a ceiling fan. Even tho I watered the garden yesterday, everything seemed to be wilting by the time I looked at 3 p.m.

Internet wasn't working on my computer today so I worked on my writing, and planning for our next house. We're hoping to build our dream home - looking for a green home builder. Solar panels. Wind turbines. Renewable resources. Vikki