By Patricia
This is what I have been thinking about while the Biking Architect is off cycling. I have been thinking that the architectural providers need to look closer at water and the earthly relationship to water.
I know that there is a worldwide shortage of clean drinking water. I know that we use clean drinking water to shower and flush our wastes away. I know that our local treatment plant (LOTT) has a new Platinum LEED building and a huge education center and they clean the water and then use it to water the grass and gardens in the city. And, I was just in a building in Tacoma, Washington that had reuse water in the bathrooms.
I want to look at water from another view. I am a very sensitive person. My body speaks to me with headaches and inflammation and pain when it breaths in, lives in, and ingest things which it will not tolerate.
I grew up on clean, pure artisan well water. I believe this is why I survived my childhood. Seriously, I think this was a vital element in what helped me to grow and become.
Now our water comes from a spring a few miles away and there are so many people that the water is chlorinated and I have purchased an expensive charcoal/ electric water filter to clean this chemical out of my drinking and cooking water. I have a chlorine restrictor shower head also. I can smell and get a headache from chlorine outgasing from people’s clothing (laundry products) and house cleaning products. My children suffered allergy attacks from cleaning products. My ovarian cancer was formaldehyde consequential and my fat is storing toxins.
We are allowed in the USA to bring anything into our own homes that we want to – and apparently people want to, because toxic chemicals and cleaning products are purchased at a high rate in this country – along with the perfumes to cover up the chemical smells. Then we drink caffeine to dull our senses and make us artificially feel better – or create a sugar high.
Many bottled water companies just use regular tap water in their products. BPA in the bottles.
We are chasing feeling good, but we have lost the definition.
I have detoxed my system of mercury - and now even wild, fresh caught salmon is too toxic for me to eat.
I have another concern surfacing: synthetic estrogens. I have been researching for nearly two weeks everything I can find on the subject. Now estrogen occurs naturally in the environment and our bodies sometimes have trouble dealing with it but synthetic estrogen is another problem area. We know that it increases the risk of breast cancer for women and men. Many industrial and agricultural chemicals are synthetic estrogens. We know it is in chicken to plumb them before sale. We know it is in birth control and hormone replacement therapies, and we know that it is used in other prescription drugs and medications. We are creating new learning problems in children; a new dementia.
What we may not be aware of is that it is a huge pollutant factor to our water and it is not easily filtered out - Our Sound and waterways are being inundated with this carcinogenic pollutant.
Then add farm runoff, industrial runoff, and chemical runoff and our water ways hardly stand a chance.
I believe the architect and the planners need to add this information to their information systems for clients. I know this will be hard…
I just listened to a family member who constructed a permanent structure on their beach property and had to use special products and plant hundreds of beach preserving plants shout out: “No Governor is going to legislate whether I can use my chemical fertilizers on my roses or that I have to remove my roses from the beach property!” “ I am not going to pay someone to learn the environmental rules they are enforcing.”
So I would just like to say that some of us on this planet are already having major issues with our water and the pollutants. We are being sickened and our children are being denied health and are having learning problems.
I think we need to insist on more green – more living buildings more education and as a group architects need to blockade any building of more toxic sites. No matter the complaint about expense – we need to educate for the future as often as possible.
What did you do today to make the water cleaner? To Educate? To Inform?
I am living the experience and I want my children and grandchildren to have a future and I fear it is almost too late.
Estrogens in Plastic Water Bottles Effecting Boys
What Dow Does Not Want You To Know About Your Water
Thu, August 18 2011 » Discoveries » 1 Comment
Bike tour shirt front
Wow one of my biking tour teammates made us all T-Shirts to wear as we go over the mountain passes and we are going to attempt to take at picture at each crossing along the way…
FRONT Of SHIRT
2011 Sierra Cascades Tour
2191 Miles
20 Mt. Passes
49 Days
4 Old Fools
BACK OF SHIRT
August 2011
Bend, OR.
Burlington, WA 45 feet
Rainy Pass 4,855 ft
Yakima
Mt. Rainier NP
Columbia River Gorge 600 ft.
Ashland
Crater Lake 7,100 ft
Lake Tahoe
Tioga Pass 9,945 ft
Yosemite
Sequoia Nat. Park
Santa Barbara
Carpinteria, CA 15 ft.
October 2011
Bike tour shirt back
I want to extend a hearty Thank You to Paul who designed and presented us with these nifty shirts.
I also want to say that getting everything into 4 panniers is quite a feat! And takes some organizational prowess. Now we need to add Bear Boxes to the trip also – who is going to squeeze those into the packs?
Ride safely and have fun along the way!
I’ll keep you posted on our endeavors…Happy Trails to you all
Thu, August 11 2011 » On the Road » 1 Comment
After making 5 trips to the City Planning Department to get all the right paperwork and permits submitted for review and becoming concerned that each person on task wants something different, one can get discouraged and frustrated – even architects.
Lots of DIY homeowners try to skip this process altogether – It is better if they do not skip it.
Recently we listened to a home owner complain about all the “right” codes and regulations that he had undertaken to build his new beach house on his family heritage property. It took him 4 years to get everything taken care of and the project finished. He was required to add 250 new native plants and a rain garden on the beach facing side of the property and was now waiting for approval. Over the course of the weekend, he told many variations on the problems he faced and solved growing angry with each frustration recounted. The owner had used an architect on one project and then followed through on that expensive experience with a drafting person to complete the second phase of the project. He never stated whether or not the architect or the drafting individual were LEED certified – from all the problems encountered I would conclude not.
The week before, we had gone to hear and get training at AIA (American Institute of Architecture) lecture on the new Living Building Challenge Project completed or underway. Those firms were all LEED certified and the Institutes were focused on what the requirements would be to go beyond the greatest LEED certification. Both projects that were detailed involved hours of time by a professional group which was creating a data base and tracking down the products that would comply with the regulations and the RED LIST. It took 22 researchers over a year to create the data base for the new University Building in Portland. 22 people working full time.
The room was not full enough of architects, engineers, developers, and construction people to consider it more than just a baby step in the educational right direction. Continuing Education credit was offered. The applauded and were grateful for the new data base of products and code definition; including exceptions.
Our Do It Yourself (DIY) homeowner was rightly frustrated and right to believe that folks are just learning what all this means.
He was particularly nasty about our current Governor’s role in all his learning curve of projects and was very vocal. We thought he needed to become proud of his efforts and celebrate how much he learned by doing these projects and reclaiming his beach. His grandchildren may very well still have a homestead and beautiful view in their futures.
One of the frustrations for the DIY fellow was that on several bills he was charged for the time the city official had to sit down and LEARN how to use the new codes and regulations. He did not want to pay for someone to learn – the county or city should pay for that. What do you think?
The DIY homeowner did not wish to become an environmentally solid citizen – he just wished to comply and do what he wanted to do and finish his projects. So he is doing that – he got his less expensive windows and now lives with out-gassing (PVC- top of the RED LIST) throughout the projects. They use an extremely environmentally toxic laundry detergent and dryer softer and they have eliminated their solar clothes line.
Education Education Education Education Education Education – NEEDED
Do you think he learned anything that will be useful or will his anger at Architects, the Governor, the City-County people, the Shoreline Management Folks – outweigh the benefits to everyone and especially the future of the environment?
Change is a process and sometimes very hard with the first steps.
Thu, August 4 2011 » Discoveries » No Comments
Composting Toilet
I have heard it said that 3 times something comes up in one’s life there should be some response or action taken. Composting Toilets have been part of my life 3 times in the past week. So I thought at the very minimum I would write about this threesome here.
My first encounter was at a friend’s lake front 100 year old cabin, with electricity but no running water. At my age, I was a bit concerned that I was about to encounter a pit latrine of some form or other. But this was not to be the case, for in the area that might have been a bedroom at one time, was a lovely, modern composting toilet. Quiet. Clean. Efficient. I was relieved.
The next night I went to a program on the completed Living Building Challenge 2.0 projects in the USA. Very exciting experience and I wrote about it at PatriciasWisdom I was thrilled to hear about the completed Science Building at the Bertschi School in Seattle, Washington and how elementary school children are learning this is the NORMAL way buildings can be and how healthy their environment can be. I asked a question about the composting toilet there and the architect said, “Right after the ribbon cutting the children raced to use the composting toilet to see how it worked – they were fascinated!”
My original encounter with a Composting Toilet was at a local county park also on the water front and a bit more isolated, but still a huge success for keeping waste out of the ground water and Sound. I thought it quite good foresight for our community.
Wikipedia has a fabulous definition and I found a thorough diagram of how the systems functioned which answered most of my questions.
Now I am wondering about how one gets a whole community to begin thinking seriously about these issues and retrofitting what is already here but needs a whole treatment facility to deal with these issues- it is located in an amazing energy efficient LEED designated building - So how do we get more people involved and making changes to their thinking and to their waste outcomes?
Thu, July 28 2011 » Discoveries, Products » No Comments
Our 5 week Mountain Passes trip from Canada to Mexico is just 3 weeks away ( August 15-September 25,2011). My front panniers, which my children gave me for my birthday and Father’s day have arrived, along with another back pannier for my tent and sleeping gear and that made me happy. It will be nice to have water proof equipment on my good old bike.
I did an 85 mile trip alone through rain and wind last weekend because everyone else was off doing other things and I have 3 weekends full of weddings and family visits between now and departure.
So besides packing and practicing with my bike loaded, besides getting the chain cleaned and adjusted, and besides purchasing 2 new armadillo spare tires, I thought I needed to excite my brain by shifting into gear with some Mountain pass videos and pictures.
I thought you might like to come along for the ride?
Hope you enjoy these:
Andy Scholl cycling mountain passes in WA
Cycling North Cascades Highway before cars allowed because of the snow – beautiful ride
Highway 20 North Cascades: NW Bikers
Unbeatable Bicycling: Prairie City Oregon
Could You Help Me Gear Up for my Bike Tour?
Tags: armadillo tires, bike tour, cycling, excitement, gear, Mountain Passes, panniers, video rides
Thu, July 21 2011 » Discoveries » No Comments
By Patricia
Not only do I get constant remarks about the cost of adding solar panels to the house, or new construction, but most folks never mention the extra work involved in maintaining such a house. No one ever seems to want to know how much money our solar panels are making besides all the hot water and electricity.
Yes, it is more work to hang the clean clothing out on the line or on drying racks. Yes, it is an advantage to having me work at home so that I can open blinds, close blinds, open doors, close doors, open windows, and close windows as the day progresses. I can also clean gutters, lint traps, refrigerators, and bird droppings right away and keep them from disturbing the systems. Yes, I know that Bill Gates house has computers to run all his systems and an operator to reprogram systems as need be, he also has a swimming pool for his exercise and I get mine by getting up and doing the work.
I also grow and prepare 95% of our food which brings us health and balance and even more exercise.
The big LEED Platinum buildings in our cities all need a new kind of maintainer person on staff. These new employees need to be computer savvy and be able to reprogram building space for 5 folks or more using that space, to be able to make sure the computer run systems are working at optimum efficiency and to be able to program the changes made evident by the data the building generates. All these things save tons of energy usage, keep people comfortable, reduce pollution and make money for the building’s owners.
And people are willing to do this work and are excited about doing this work – and are getting trained to do this work – whole companies are being developed.
So how do we convince the “common man or woman” to make these changes to their homes and schools? Apparently, talking about how much money you make and save still keeps fear levels too high?
It does not seem like it would be as easy as hiring a cleaning person or team to come to your house once a week or month. We all like the idea of an easy button.
The neighbors down the street have just retro fit an older house adding about a dozen solar panels and a wind ball to their rebuild. People will start getting used to the visual of that structure now – then they will start asking questions. Then a few, maybe 20 out of 100, will attempt to make some changes.
People still do not understand how to put out their recycling buckets, yard waste cans and garbage cans correctly and just indicate no care or responsibility for their carts. Will they be able to make these changes?
I have added to my wish list tanks and secondary plumbing to this old house for flushing toilets, showering, and watering with rainwater and a wind ball for generating power from the wind off the Sound.
I am not worried about how much work it will be – I want to make money and keep the earth clean and provide for the next seven generations. Big Picture Stuff!
Did you know that there is enough snow pack in the mountains this year that the wind turbines in our state can be shut down and are not needed to produce power for California? – We have abundance this year. We do not need our coal processing plant at all, and we certainly do not need the pollution and health risks.
All of this effort has been achieved by individuals willing to understand and do the work.
What are you willing to do, what are you willing to change?
Some information resources:
American Wind Energy Association
Whidbey Sun and Wind LLC
Home Power
Wind Ball or Energy Ball
Thu, July 14 2011 » Inspiration, Links » No Comments
On the last weekend in June of 2011 the Capital Bicycle Club sponsored a Two County Double Metric Century Bike Ride. About 350 riders participated and our biking group was among those along for the ride and the good spirits.
Ready To Ride
CBC wrap up
We wanted to test ourselves for our 2200 mile ride starting August 15,2011 from the Canadian Border to the Mexican Border – 5 weeks through the Mountain Passes. It was good training and tested our legs.
I did not know if I would be able to participate as our puppy swallowed something smooth and large and had to have emergency surgery in Tacoma the night before the ride. By morning, our puppy was resting easy and they had removed the object and were keeping him sedate and under tight watch. It relieved my tension to get out with a group and ride.
It turned out to be a bit cloudy – sunny and just an amazing ride and I was so glad to have gone and completed the event. I was also grateful for a hot shower and a nap afterwards to regroup.
Fourth of July weekend we did 80 miles through the Capital Forest Area on our own and in glorious sunshine – definitely feeling like summer.
We are off to a good start!
How about you have your summer activities started are you re-creating yourself? What is your pleasure?
Tags: 100 miles, bike tours, biking, capital bicycle club, double metric century, recreation
Thu, July 7 2011 » On the Road » No Comments
Stockholm Library Render
Just some other thoughts about our solar panels:
March 2011 was a very, very rainy month as has been since the start of 2011, but the stats for my solar panels was so telling – with no snow cover during the month at all we still saved 322 pounds of carbon offset which is similar to planting 4 huge Evergreen Trees. Our electricity bill was not huge even with the flash flooding on our street one day and the sump pumps running continually for nearly the whole of the month – and the heat pump. Our panels were still producing power.
Now we just have to give warning that the solar hot water tank when the sun is shining – is so hot and the water comes right away that we need to keep turning it down so that no children will get burned!
There is so much snow pack in the mountains this year, that several of the state’s wind farms are being turned off as there is enough energy even for California!!
How are you doing with your power bills with all this unusual weather? I would like to know…
Tags: architecture, design, energy consumption, flooding, hot water, rain, snow pack, solar, weather
Thu, June 30 2011 » Discoveries » No Comments
Bill Sloan
Bill Sloane took us on a sail boat ride out to Boston Harbor this past week so that I could show our part of Puget Sound – AKA The Salish Sea – to our Danish friends. Although cloudy with almost no wind, it was one of the most relaxing days we have experienced out on the calm waters.
The children were delighted with the Harbor Seals resting and showing off and we enjoyed seeing a Blue Heron take flight and I was amazed at the huge build up of houses along the shore line. It had been 12 years since my last boat trip this direction! What a change and what huge monster houses!
Lots of jellyfish floated by.
On the way back home a dolphin began breaking through the water going the opposite direction from our boat and everyone was delighted. I do not think I have ever seen a dolphin in Puget Sound. The only Orca whales that come into our shallow bay are coming to die. This one was quite alive and well.
Then Sightline Daily had this article posted just today: Boston Dolphins spotted off Boston Harbor – Puget Sound
I was born at a little cabin at Boston Harbor because C-Sections were not allowed then at our only hospital which was Catholic! I loved hearing that foghorn and seeing the light from the lighthouse as a child.
I have been reading and gathering a slew of articles on ocean pollution and know that synthetic estrogens are truly creating a problem for the wild and ocean life in our area – but sometimes I seem to be alone in my concerns. Does your laundry soap contribute?
Then I found this poignant article by Al Gore in Rolling Stone Magazine. Have you seen or read it? Al Gore’s Climate of denial
So what did you do for the solstice? Are you thinking about water and the oceans these days?
I think folks have been too distracted by a Congressman’s underpants and missing the environmental issues.
Tags: dolphins, environment, inspiration, oceans, Puget Sound, sailing, Salish Sea, solstice, wisdom
Thu, June 23 2011 » Discoveries » 2 Comments
Our neighborhood is busy with tree pruning and removal this year – partly because of so much rain and the problems this is causing for the trees.
Our huge evergreen trees drink about 500 gallons of water a day, but will send roots into sewers and buckle the sidewalks getting enough space and fluids. Our city has been taking out diseased and dying trees and replacing them with hybrid street trees. These new trees may change our environment too because they are created trees and not just nature’s plantings.
Some of the 100 year old cherry and plum trees have just fallen down with so much rot within.
One or two of our neighbors have filled their yards with even more trees and with planning and care they have created some beautiful, restful, private space around their homes. They got help, suggestions and free trees from our fabulous Urban Foresters
Then again, daily I walk past a house that has yet to mow the grass or repair the roof or indicate any sign of care for the space. The apple trees in our neighborhood are so full of coddling moth and apple maggot that we can no longer afford the organic sprays to keep our fruit edible and usable. We use homemade traps but they are not doing a big enough job.
I think some of my neighbors will just wait until a diseased tree falls down. A local Mountain Ash tree came down fortunately while everyone was at work; it pulled down the fence and heavily damaged the garden. If the remaining parts of the tree come down too, it could take out the garage next door. I would think a penny spent on care would provide more peace of mind and value than waiting for home owners insurance to rebuild a neighbor’s garage.
Not everyone’s vision is the same, so where do we draw the ultra fine lines of what is properly maintained, being a good neighbor, and intervention? Is it not the role of the architect to teach within the community ongoing management of buildings?
The teaching role of the architect seems to be huge and maybe quite neglected currently. Folks do not understand their relationship to trees and the environment that surrounds them – and they appear to be not interested in learning. I do not think that many understand their responsibility to an energy efficient home and how to use proper cleaning and caring techniques to keep the building at optimum function. Even more toxic chemicals are being put in the washing machines and on yards than ever before, even with the efforts of educators and government officials.
How do we teach and promote understanding even after the design? How do we develop the sense of our integration with our environment – responsibility?
How will people ever understand living buildings or will it take the trees falling down and the polluted waters flooding, with not a drop to drink?
Do you think it will need to go that far before there is major correction?
Tags: apple maggot, architects role, care, coddling moths, education, environment, living building, planning, teaching, trees, urban foresters
Thu, June 16 2011 » Discoveries » No Comments
Just My Thoughts About Water
