Little-Shed-With-Red-Door
We have just purchased our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box for the coming season. Our veggies will be coming from a local farm each week, along with 10 organic chickens and 1 turkey (we did not opt into the duck possibility).
We have grown our own garden and orchard over the years, but with the possibility of draught and with all the penny pinching going on we thought it better to support our local farmers and assist them in paying for their water resources and supporting their families.
I am sure we will still venture to the Farmer’s Market downtown each week; it is still one of our major social events. And we so enjoy the local music being played and the joy of the small children.
We are planning on removing our raised beds and putting in a much lower maintaince yard area to significantly cut back on our water usage. It is not really because of all the folks who pick the beans, peas, carrots, and flowers as they walk on past! Our goal is to create a locally sustainable yard which will celebrate what grows here naturally.
Although we already line dry our clothing, we have cut back at least 4 loads of washing each month also.
The chart on the utilities bill is indicating we have made at least 10 cubic yards of water usage difference from last month, although the rates have gone up and so the actual out lay of funds has increased.
I would very much like to know how others are working on saving money, using less energy and conserving water usage. Would you share?
Wendell Berry is a Southern (USA) writer who has always celebrated the work of the farm and the farmer. He celebrates the lifestyle and mourns the loss of the family farm to Industrial Farming.
I found this poem about water and spring and blossom and thought you might enjoy it also.
The abyss of no-meaning, what
can prevail against it? Love
for the water in its standing
fall through the hill’s wrist
from the town down to the river.
There is no love but this,
and it extends from Heaven
to the land destroyed,
to the hurt man in his cage
to the dead man in his grave.
Shall we do without hope? Some days
there will be none. But now
to the dry and dead woods floor
they come again, the first
flowers of the year, the assembly
of the faithful, the beautiful,
wholly given to being.
And in this long season
of machines and mechanical will
there have been small human acts
of compassion, acts of care, work
flowerlike in selfless loveliness.
Leaving hope to the dark
and to a better day,
receive these beauties freely
given, and give thanks.
~Wendell Berry, excerpt from “Sabbaths, 2007” in Leavings: Poems (2010)
Wine-Berrals
Related Reading you might enjoy:
Hannah Coulter
Ecotopia
Never Build on your Food Supply
Top 10 Reasons to Buy Locally
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Thu, March 11 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
ferry-to-friday-harbor
Bainbridge Island, Washington February 28, 2010 was the first Cascade Bicycle Clubs kick off event for 2010 and I was there.
It was a nice 50F degree day and we had no rain.
I had fallen the week before as a runner ran into me and I into him on the sunny Sunday afternoon, so I was not riding my Orbea but rather my commuter bike – that felt good also.
The Biker Boys met and carpooled to Bainbridge Island for the 32 mile event. It is very Hilly and there were so many riders that on many of the hills one had to get off the bike and walk it up to make progress!
The island residents were out in full force and giving new meaning to lemonade stands – lots of brownies and treats being sold along the way.
Here are a group of pictures from the Seattle Post Intelligencer Newspaper that I thought might give you a great visual of what 6,000 riders look like crossing on the ferry!
After the ride, the Biker Boys drove to Poulsbo, Washington and found a favorite Mexican Restaurant. As luck would have it we got to see the US- Canada Olympics Hockey game and the exciting finish before we headed home.
Was this a perfect day or what?
Did you see the game? Are you starting your training and springing forth?
Here is the story from the Kitsap paper.
Here is the story from 2009 Chilly Hilly when only 3,500 folks rode in the event.
My youngest daughter and I are starting to get our legs in condition for the 200 mile Cascade Bicycle Clubs Seattle to Portland (STP).
See all the events and newsletter.
Thu, March 4 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
An old statement by one of my former partners has been hanging around in my mind for several weeks. He thought, 30 years ago, and stated often that Sustainability was just a passing fad. That is not something that I have found to be true.
I am not alone; I was exploring Brightwork’s new post and found this partial definition from a Professor at Portland State University which I like much better.
sustainability – a concept that recognizes that economic, environmental, and social facets of society are interwoven, with the health of one mutually dependent on the health of the others.
With the concerns I have about what our legislature is doing these days, what I learned from the Tacoma Planning Council, and with my goal to keep my practice GREEN and sustainable, I have been researching keywords and concepts that are resurfacing and need some new attention to their transformations.
In the midst of this review I recalled David Korten’s fairly new book: Agenda for a New Economy and his premise about how this crisis is truly an opportunity to make the world a better place.
Trying to solve the crisis with the same tools that caused it is the definition of insanity….
Real wealth is, first of all, the tangible things that support life-food, shelter, clothing. Of course, the most valuable forms of real wealth are those that are beyond price: love; a healthy, happy child; a job that provides a sense of self-worth and contribution; membership in a strong, caring community; a healthy vibrant natural environment; peace. Our Wall-Street-driven economic system makes fantastic amounts of money and actively destroys all these many forms of real wealth.
Wonders never cease, one of my favorite books ECOTOPIA has just been re-issued. This is Ernest Callenbach’s 1975 vision of a sustainable community formed after Northern California, Oregon and Washington State ceded from the union.
The Brightwork’s article has even more links worth exploring and finds a slick way to add Ecotopia to their thinking also.
Good to know that I am not alone in my thinking. I enjoy keeping my contemplations up to date and moving forward.
One other resource I like to keep up with is YES! Magazine
Keeps me feeling positive and connected.
Have you read either of these two books? Have you changed your thinking on sustainability? Or refreshed you knowledge base?
Thu, February 25 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
Last night was our local chapter meeting of the AIA (American Institute of Architects). It was our annual meeting and we enjoyed a lovely evening with dinner at the Washington State History Museum.
It was great to hear how the Grassroots Conference progressed in Washington DC and about how much attention was paid to our delegates by our representatives and senators – even during the major Nor’easter Snow Storm. Fascinating to see who ignore us and who just sent token folks to participate.
The major program for the evening was a presentation by the very knowledgeable folks from the Tacoma City Council and Planning Department talking about all the major city changes and the planning being done for future projects; the nuts and bolts of how to have a successful and completed project within their city.
My brain just wrapped around our local lobbyist’s presentation and how our State Legislature is working right now.
I had no idea such gigantic amounts of money is being spent to overturn the Green Codes and Policies of our State and who was spending all that money.
The assumptions are that if they defeat these codes then any one can draw up a set of plans and be “shovel ready” with their next project or junk construction concept when the money arrives.
There is a lack of education here – because just this kind of action will keep the state from getting any of the money to reboot the economy and get us back up and running.
Shovel Ready means we have all the design completed within the GREEN CODE and POLICY regulations. All the engineering work has been completed, all the workers assessments, and all the paper work completed.
Projects without LEED certification and architectural design and planning will not be funded and will not be shovel ready. Thus delaying recovery by as much as 2 years per project; one needs to think of the backlog and logjam of paperwork to receive the funds.
Since this is a short session, we need to get a group (PAC) of architects meeting and teaching our legislators right now.
Architects should be incredibly busy right now preparing cities and counties and local businesses to be shovel ready and know the Green Codes.
Because we are switching from a Greed based construction model to a GREEN Based construction model and creating jobs and work for years to come.
The stimulus money is coming to GREEN PROJECTS and CONSTRUCTION.
People need help getting the vision; ARCHITECTS are the visionary experts and planners.
This begs the question how am I going to create and teach the vision of GREEN CONSTRUCTION and the future?
Shovel
Thu, February 18 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
all-in-a-row
October 22,2009 We had our Enphase program on the computer and we were able to see how we were doing for our first month with the program.
Here is what I wrote then: October 22,2009 Stats
We have had a day with heavy, dark rain and some noon time sun breaks – so I chose a 3pm cut off time to share our Stats.
System started producing in the rain at 7:50 am.
At 3 pm the 12 panels looked like this:
#1 =49w #4 = 97w #7 = 75w #10= 102w
#2 =90w #5 = 58w #8 = 101w #11 = 97w
#3= 62w #6 – 99w #9 = 80w #12 = 102w
These are on easy to read graphs which are color coded and moving at a readable pace.
Energy Produced = 58kWh
This could power: 176 light bulbs; 58 computers; or 2 homes for one day
Carbon Offset so far produced = 100 pounds
Offset equivalencies of: Planting 1 tree; not driving 3 cars for 1 day; or not consuming 5 gallons of gas.
We find ourselves nearly giddy to check out our stats for each day and relate them to the weather and we have a new found enthusiasm of bragging rights until we sit down with someone with 36 panels and no tree problems.
I thought you might be interested is seeing how we are doing on 11 February 2010
The day started out rainy and windy and then about 11am we had a glorious sun break….685.6w at the peak. Now the sky is covered in black clouds and you can feel the pressure of the rain about to begin again.
Month’s energy produced so far 19.3kwh
Aren’t those sun breaks good?
We have generated 357# of carbon offset. Which is the same as: 630 light bulbs; running 208 computers; 6 homes; planting 4 trees; not driving 11 cars for 1 day or not consuming 18 gallons of gasoline.
With the loss of our microwave oven we can see the energy usage of our household going up about $40 a month. We had 9 people here for a week between Christmas and New Years and that entailed lots of showers, cooking, and laundry. Our bill for the month of January 2010 was $206 dollars, which included a rate hike. December was the highest energy use of 2009 (and it was very high as we were in deep freeze) and September was the lowest month’s use for 2009.
We do purchase most of our power from Green Power and Wind farms and that is a bit higher in cost than traditional rates too.
We are still using drying racks and not the dryer – well the kids use the dryer when they are home!
We did not fly to any place exotic and feel like we put our funds into the right spot.
Have you tried some new changes in cutting your energy usage or going greener?
Thu, February 11 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
Waterfall Over Rocks
I have watched several documentaries that have made me think and act in new ways. I am exercising my thinking, and squeezing in a bike ride when the sun comes out.
I think they are important consideration in my architectural work and in attempting to act locally while thinking GREEN GLOBALLY.
The first film is FOOD, Inc. My partner owns a copy of the DVD and is hoping to share it with 100 people. Although we already eat locally and organically, this film ends in very positive path finding for voting with your food dollar, saving money and being responsible to one’s community.
My daughter is watching Food, Inc on the streaming video feature of Netflix on her computer, although parts are hard to watch the ending is so helpful- positive. I also see that it has been nominated for an Academy Award.
Documentary Wire is a spot to watch free documentaries on one’s computer. I have added the FUTURE OF FOOD to my must see list. I think these add to my concepts of design, saving money and keeping it green.
FLOW: FOR THE LOVE OF WATER which I watched for free was a reminder of what is happening all over the world about water and a look at who owns water. I did not know that the Nestle company is attempting to own all the water in Michigan, did you?
3 companies are attempting to own all the water rights in the world and they are making lots and lots of money. Some more GREED.
HOWARD ZINN I saw interviewed on Bill Moyer’s Journal this week. He reminded me that the people have all the power – not government! But I need to understand history – the people’s history and not text book history in order to find and foundation that power into action. Netflix has a 5 star documentary about Mr. Zinn and his book THE PEOPLES HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Next on my list: Ken Burn’s National Parks
What would you recommend?
Thu, February 4 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
I am working on exercising my brain and part of the rainy season is doing some reading. I was reviewing mostly architectural articles and then my family persuaded me to read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
The Day I finished the book Greg Mortenson was on Bill Moyer’s Journal on PBS promoting his new book and schools. He is also coming to speak at a local high school as a senior project in May 2010.
I enjoyed reading this book.
Why did your whole family want you to read this book?
- It was a different look at Afghanistan and the effects of war.
- Mortenson looked at the people and their need rather than the politics first
- Mortenson came to Afghanistan because of Mountain Climbing – my earliest sport
- I was amazed at his willingness to volunteer at such an extreme level
What was the most significant idea you took away from reading this book?
- His vision of the people of Afghanistan was very eye opening and personal
- Others haven’t presented this vision
- Understanding people’s goals and helping them accomplish THEIR goals and not dictate our goals.
- How important educating women is to a society and the development of that society to its fullest potential.
Why is this book an important read for an architect?
- Totally new way of looking at a green building – simplicity, no luxury
- Not a great deal of accuracy about architecture – codes very different
- Good to understand the diversity and situation/culture
- Green Seismic concerns – bomb concerns – maybe just green because not using so much stuff and computers etc.
How will the read change you?
- It changes how I view the country of Afghanistan and the war – escalation is wrong.
- Wanted to change how we assist the people of Haiti in recovery
- I am reminded to look at Green buildings with greater care and deeper observation. Mortenson did not think so much about design and greenness; he based his concerns on meeting the people’s needs and assisting the meeting of those needs.
- Working with women and educating women his greatest priority.
- I am reminded of how important listening to people is – reinforcing how hard I work at this skill.
Why would you recommend this book to others?
- Exceedingly important because we are at War in Afghanistan
- Understanding the way to get OUT and how to treat the people as humans
- Women’s rights and how to negotiate with closed minded people while advocating for others.
- The importance of personal conversation and listening to others – hearing them
- All needs are the same for every person….
It was very interesting to me how this man found his life’s work and mission and how it just came to him.
Have you read a good book you would like to recommend? Thank you for sharing.
Thu, January 28 2010 » Inspiration » No Comments
~Patricia
Over at Patricias Wisdom I was recently asking the question, “What Woman would you stay up all Night to have the opportunity to meet?” and the Biking Architect popped up with Maya Lin and Zaha-Hadid.
I just had to wander over and figure out who these fascinating woman might be, who would jump into a guy’s head so quickly. I have very much enjoyed discovering the range and body of work accomplished by these two women architects.
I find myself wandering back today to the Maya Lin website. Studying all the pictures and enjoying the chime as my cursor passes over each mark. Just the home page is a work of simple beauty. It is contemplative and restorative to me today.
Maya Lin Webpage
I can tell that this designer is drawn into the environment with all her art, architecture and memorials. The natural world and her designs are seamlessly intertwined.
I am listening to Debussy’s music as I pause on each work and stay there to recognize the feeling.
From her biographical material:
“Maya Lin has been drawn to the critical social and historical issues of our time and addressed them in her memorials, including the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC, the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, AL, and the Women’s Table at Yale University. Currently she is working on the Confluence Project, a multi-sited installation spanning the Columbia River system in the Pacific Northwest that intertwines the history of Lewis and Clark with the history of the Native American tribes who inhabit those regions. With a critical eye toward the environmental changes that have rapidly occurred, Ms. Lin’s Confluence Project has brought significant ecological restoration to six state and national parks along the Columbia River Basin. It is an ongoing project with three of the six sites completed. For more information visit.
I was so drawn into this project and the words shared on the several linked sites that I now wish to go explore each of these sites – on the ground.
That she uses the rules of nature in the products and materials she chooses is also an interesting discovery.
Yes indeed an inspiring and impressive body of work, worth exploring and inspiring our future.
Who would you choose as a strong woman to inspire you to stay up all night to meet? Who would be another inspiring architect, engineer or planner to explore their work and learn more about?
We have updated our website: http://www.msgsarch.com/
Thu, January 21 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
~by Patricia
Piggy Bank
I heard about this Move Your Money Group on the news. It was first publicized by the Huffington Post. I did not think too much about it because our family decided to move our Money out of the “too big to fail” banks nearly 30 years ago and have felt good about supporting our community banks and credit union instead. We have supported them and they have supported us.
It is also a suggestion made by David Korten in his book Agenda for a New Economy. It is a noteworthy action because it certainly is a move that has assisted us in building our local community.
I have had at least 10 people ask me just in the past week how to help green up the environment besides just recycling garbage, growing a garden, and taking shorter showers. I have now added Move Your Money to the opportunities’ list.
Two individuals and one organization have also overtly stated that they did not want to learn about banking problems, food production and related health issues, or how to make changes to find resolution – “Other people will figure it out.”
What is the Move your Money movement?
“There is no official organization here. It’s a volunteer project. If you have ideas about how this idea can grow, send us a note and we’ll display the best ideas in the Comments section of the site.”
“People all over the country are choosing to move their money out of bigger banks and into smaller, community-oriented financial institutions that generally avoided the reckless investments and schemes that helped cause the financial crisis.
“Fueled by the personal initiatives of thousands, it’s a grassroots effort that has the potential to shift power in the financial system away from Wall Street and to Main Street.”
~ From their site.
This site has a place to put your zip code in and find out the local banks and credit unions in your specific area that are worthy of your funds – well rated.
This is not a new story and I thought the site video was very good and informatively entertaining.
And there was a wonderful story of someone making the move on Salon.com
I wanted to share this idea and see what you thought about this kind of voting with your money to resolve an issue.
I thought it put the money back into the people’s hands. Money the people already gave to the banks and they are not sharing?
What do you think? Did you like the video?
Thu, January 14 2010 » Discoveries » No Comments
I have been working with these folks on the Rainer Building. They are the LEED consultants and do very fine work.
Thought this was an interesting blog you might want to peruse.
Lots of good information sharing on the New Year’s Challenge for Brightworks for 2010.
Related Posts:
Learning More About Green Roofs
Works in Progress – Pierce College
Thu, January 7 2010 » Inspiration » No Comments
Celebrating the Farm
