Raising the Beams

I've watched a lot of things being built on Culebra. Sometimes it's a small home, built by friends and family over weeks and months, no trenches dug for straight lines of concrete block, just one atop the other in wavy rows that somehow end up straight. With plaster and paint, you never see it again. Then there are straight proper builds, measured with snap lines. Sometimes it's just some T1-11 over a wood frame of 2 x 4's.

Then I saw the tree log posts for Susie's garden room. I've talked with Susie and Jacinto about the vision of it, but the reality is something else. It leaves me a little breathless.

I can watch men and machines at work all day...but that's just me

By this afternoon the concrete floor will be poured. Very exciting!

Some builds however, are very very different. It all depends on what is needed. It's pretty simple for these guys.

If you look closely at the holes land crabs dig, they know how to make an almost cement hard mud. I don't know if they have super spit or what does it, but if you have a land crab hole and want to get rid of what they dig out, do it fast before it hardens.

Raise high the roofbeams, carpenters!

Have a take it to the top Thursday. Do something terrific!

Little Sunshine

“Did you know that there are over three hundred words for love in canine?”  

 ~ Gabrielle Zevin

"This is Max. Beautiful, sweet ball of energy. 

We think Max might be part goat, leaping jumping prancing."

That's what I wrote about Max back in  2012 when looking for an adoptive home. But I think we knew he had already jumped right into Teresa's heart. He was already home, he just knew it first.

“You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, 'My GOSH, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!”

~ Dave Barry

Thanks for the smiles, Max. We'll miss you.

Edited to note: There are plenty of unhomed dogs out there and they all need the love Max got...and the love to give. Everyone who can needs to pitch in and help with fostering dogs and cats if they can. Remember, it's not 'someone else' who will take up the slack here, it's everyone who possibly can. Consider opening your own home...it is desperately needed.

Timy Home Tuesday ~ Escape!

By now, anyone interested in tiny or small homes is familiar with the trailerable tiny home. Some designs are better than others, but they all have about the same idea, a basic living space with a loft for a sleeping space and storage. And then there is Escape where there is something real different going on. In fact, I had to read it to even know it was on wheels and read more to believe it. But it is and it's true. Amazing.

All photos are from the Escape website.

This is on wheels? Really? Really.

The bathroom area is not enclosed, but it could be easily done

There is such a good feel in here, much more like a cabin.

The porch comes on the pricier versions

I'm imagining water outside that window, but a forest isn't bad either

Full size appliances are a plus

The light! The light!

Yes. On wheels.

This, not surprisingly, doesn't come cheap. The basic version is 79,000, which is still in the sane price range, going up to 124,900 for the Limited version. The big shining the light aspect to me is new thinking, way outside the box of moveable small homes. If you have the skills, or wanted to learn them, the idea would be do-able for less, without doubt, especially if it wasn't on a trailer. Considering repurposed windows, doors, solar, well, there are plenty of ways to change it up to your own creation.

Of course, having wheels does have its benefits. This is just one of the Q & A's from the FAQ on the Escape website. 

"What about property taxes? By law, ESCAPE is a Park Model RV and therefore is not subject to property tax. You simply buy a tag from the DMV every year. If ESCAPE is a modular home in your area using a permanent foundation then it becomes real property and subject to taxation."

There is a lot more information on the website as well if you are interested. Having watched the whole idea of tiny homes grow from not much at all going on less than ten years ago to it being a recognized movement, I'm just super impressed with this build, as it is a quantum leap in a big new direction. 

Have a trailer this! Tuesday. Do something transcending.