Where it’s sunny, cold, and rocky.

Featured by NapsWithCats-ScubaMan, posted in Assembling-Disassembling, Gentleman Woodworking, North Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, Odd thoughts, small business, small businesses

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I want big water masses AND mountains. Unfortunately, I could never get that in British Columbia and still have sunny days (I’m looking at you, Haida Gwaii [Queen Charlotte Islands] with its rugged coastlines). My forestry industry in Ontario are not saints, however I could also never forgive BC’s fire suppression policies. The several foot-deep pine needle buildup in the northern interior? What the hell was that?! So, I now live on a peninsula jutting out between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay (thus there’ll be plenty of water for the next wildfire). I have some limestone bluffs nearby. They’re the closest I have to mountains.

thursday, november 14 2024 rock ranch report

Yesterday afternoon, EM from the North Bruce Peninsula Municipal office assessed the site and signed off on the latest rounds of inspections. EM expects some kind of ground-cover planting on the septic system leach field and beyond the house’s river rock skirt. We have bags of wildflowers ready to go! Here’s what still needs to be done before we conduct a Tarion Home Warranty pre-delivery inspection:

  • firm delivery date for the propane backup generator. Otherwise, it’s an Ontario ESA conditional-certification.
  • touch up painting & repaint irregular spots.
  • tutorials for all the home’s mechanical and electrical systems.
  • repair that f**king kitchen window.
  • perimeter site cleanup.
  • a solution for the passive dryer exhaust.

If Tobey and I were not so bloody sick with a rhinovirus (common cold), we’d be thrilled to pieces and parading around town (and begin the moving-out-of-Lion’s-Head process). I’m taking advantage of the living arrangements and relocate bit by bit.

To my family back west.
Epic, with a windchill.
A pallet’s being shipped to WBC.
TS, remind me to grease those axles.
Different factories.
Keep it away from ANY arc sources.
Cooks Mechanical made a hell of an impression!
Luke’s the owner of COOKS.
Our local furry dingdongs.
Cold, blue sky.
I’m privileged to have SB onsite.
Ecological harm-reduction on the farm.
GIF before the shit flows downhill.
Last time it’ll be this clean.
Design Electrical’s work.
Re-seated & caulked.
For bunkie roof ONLY.
Bunkie roofing orientation.
Foam inserts kept safe.
PDI prep.; not shown, IR thermometer.
Do all the receptacles work?
Tim Casson’s southern creation.
Safe and secure.
Zipping up for foul weather.
Dramatic, very low kWh “usage” dark-sky-respecting lighting.
Click on the image for higher resolution and meta-captioning.

And I would like to signal boost the following corporations (in alpha order, regretting the omissions of other subcontractors):

  • Aamcott Pest Control (keeping ants away from our delicious natural fibre structures). Wiarton, ON.
  • Cooks Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning. Owen Sound, ON. — cool-tempered Luke & a damn fine crew.
  • Design Electrical Services. Owen Sound, ON. — I promise, NV, I won’t plug in any arc welders into the system and I’m grateful you will be monitoring our e-farm.
  • Evolve Builders Group. Guelph, ON. — it’s been a hell of a rollercoaster ride, like you said.
  • Goetz Contracting, Mildmay, Ontario. — river gravel supplier [thank you, Lane].
  • Gorilla Gutters. Grey County, Central Ontario. — You also gave us an elegant way to harvest rainwater for our forest-gardens. Nice!
  • Hastie Small Engine Ltd. Springmount (Owen Sound), ON. — You keep treating me with respect as a new arrival to the Peninsula. More patronage to come, eh.
  • Home Hardware, Wilsons Building Supplies Inc. Lion’s Head, ON. — Amanda, Peter, and crew. My store-loyalty keeps getting reinforced with every visit.
  • Hunter Haulage and Excavating. Lion’s Head, ON. — You chopped & chiseled into our limestone for our septic systems and cisterns. A professional operation. Nice!
  • Making It Right. Mike Holmes. Book. — The fastest-way-to-piss-off-trades-people-and-developers-so-use-it-carefully, eh. And it molded my core beliefs on significant capital projects like this one.
  • Mayne Piping and Plumbing. Markdale, ON. — Bluewater processor & pipefitter.
  • The North Bruce Peninsula Municipality. — I’m optimistic about my continued community engagement.
  • The Old Barn Stone Polished Stone Creations. Hanover, ON. — I used those granite countertops to cool my head. Stunning pieces.
  • Owen Sound Glass. Owen Sound, ON. — I’m looking forward to trying that shower enclosure.
  • Peninsula Appliances. Lion’s Head (Ferndale), ON. — We met when you serviced our rental dishwasher. And I’m pleased we purchased our new home appliances from your business. I’m relieved we purchased brands that you can service, eh.
  • Peninsula Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation. Wiarton, ON. — Injured shoulders need mending. You gave me a self-care routine. I’ll use it (or else).
  • Peninsula Septic Service. Lion’s Head, ON. That vigorously-monitored outhouse kept morale high, and the stink low.
  • Randy’s Lock, Safe and Alarms Inc. Owen Sound & Hanover, ON. — I’m optimistic your system will provide us with peace of mind in the bush.
  • Rydall Contracting. Lion’s Head, ON. — Cory started this process for us 5-10 years ago, with the road & rough-in. Thank you for gently recommending me to put the sewage system downhill from the home.
  • Sparlings-Parkland Fuel Services. Wiarton, ON. — If I have to use fossil fuel, I’m willing to try you out as our supplier.
  • Starlink Satellite Internet Service Provider. Planet Earth. — Oh evil-Tony-Stark. Be sure to read your history of the Roman empire.
  • Steve Balla, Tranquil Solutions. Wiarton, ON. — I also enjoy sharing venue space at local markets!
  • The Sustainable Home Design Workbook. Chris Magwood. Book & 1-day seminar. The Endeavour Centre. Peterborough, ON. — Those rubrics helped me make tough choices and think of the project as a series of interlocking systems.
  • TimberFrame Sheds and Gazebos. Tara, ON. — we’ve now tried 3 different strategies: kit building, custom-milling and craftsmanship, and prebuilt-plus-delivery. Your solidly built 8’x8′ garden shed is a fantastic addition to our home. More business to come your way.
  • Tim Casson Timber Frames. Miller Lake, ON. — I’m glad I stopped by your home a few years ago and marveled at the wood frame structure you were installing on your front rock garden, as a showpiece.
  • Tarion New House Warranties. Ontario. — Dog, I hope we never have to put in a claim.
  • Whitemud Drywalling. Grey County, Central Ontario. — Those walls are looking mighty fine.

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