Cabin Projects

I'm finally getting electricity! Dad had the wind turbine since 1982, but we didn't have a tall enough tower to get the unit above the trees. Modern turbine designs are more efficient, but I couldn't beat the price. It's so satisfying to know I'm getting power when the wind blows! I get a real big smile when I hear the blades lug down, because that means the field circuit has been energized and that's when it's making power. Woo whoo!!!

My pastor built the power shed/mother-in-law apartment for me while I stood around giving him the finger. I wasn't very useful with only one hand, so I had to ask for help. That was hard for me to do; it's easier to bless others than be blessed, in my experience. Maybe it's a pride thing. Anyway, I sure do appreciate my pastor!

There are four 85 watt solar panels on the roof, and interestingly enough, room for four more. . . We'll see how these four provide before I go buying any more panels. All DC inputs go to the batteries in the shed and are inverted at the shed. The ideal power location on the property was pretty far from the house, so it makes more sense to send AC all that distance instead of DC. Good ol' Tesla, huh? I'll have to wait until I get back from the boat before I can connect to the house. I'm so excited to use a toaster! And maybe even a microwave! Crazyness!

Here is the living room with the just completed chimney rocking project. Isn't it awesome?! Since we built the house 25 years ago, we have wanted to rock the chimney, and it is finally completed! Hans from church, a man who makes his living with mortar, did most of the fitting and mortar application. Our family selected the rocks last Thanksgiving from another church family's house on the lake. Luke and Mom and Dad were over here to help start the project, but it took five days, so Hans and I together finished. I learned to use the rock saw, which was a bunch of fun, and I raked most of the joints. It really gives the place a nice look, don't you think? Oh, and did you notice the mantel? Dad and I carved that out a couple weeks ago - JESUS IS LORD

Well, I'm actually sitting outside my power shed right now typing this. (It's where the power is, after all.) It's dark, windy, and cold, so I'm going to go inside and have a nice fire in my "new" fireplace! Maybe I'll take a picture of that, too.