| June 2011 Daniel Taylor |
June 4 (Saturday) 12:28 pm
Summer school is going well. The humidity is abusive. The animals are in good fettle. All of the dogs
except for Lu Lu and Willie are sleeping outside now, and quite frankly I believe that they prefer that
arrangement. The cats are still in their room, but they appear to be okay with that situation.
June 11 (Saturday) 9:43 pm
As I have already said, summer school is going well. The humidity continues to be abusive. The animals
continue to be in good fettle. Today I purchased 13 acres five miles out of town. I shall post updates on my
plans for that. In the meantime, school continues to occupy the lion's share of my time and energy. I expect
to enjoy all of July off plus one week of August. I would really like to release another book of animal stories
this summer. We shall see ...
June 16 (Thursday) 5:17 am
Our area is officially in a drought. The temps continue to hover close to or above 100(F). The decision to
teach summer school was a good one: the days have been short and pleasant; the students have been
cooperative.
I am looking to move to the new property in July, hopefully sooner than later. As it is there are no facilities
on the property, but water and power lines are available. I am considering drilling a well, however; and l
have been looking into solar energy. I've studied residential solar energy for several years, and I've always
found it to be too expensive in the long run. Since I use such little electricity compared to the average
person, electricity for me has always been cheaper. The initial investment into solar energy has been high.
Now that I am looking into installing a water meter ($); electrical services ($); I am thinking that a well and
solar panels just might be a cheaper way to go. Hey, I've even looked into the viability of harvesting rain
water!
It's going to be a very interesting month of July.
June 17 (Friday) 2:07 pm
I took a closer look at the land today -- the first time I've actually been able to get a really close-up look. I
can't believe what I saw: whereas at first I thought the property was 13 acres of purely flat, treeless farm
land, it turns out that one side is bordered by a dried-up creek bed, lined on both sides with tall and large
trees: willow oaks! There are about a dozen or so large oak trees on my side of the creek bed. From there I
can set up a cabin and be completely hidden from civilization, yet only be about 15 minutes from school.
Also, the power company runs a power line right down the middle of the property as well as along one side
to service the gas well that is located on the property so that I could hook up to electric service from just
about any spot on the property. I shall have to dig a well, however, if I want water, unless the rainwater
harvesting idea can work. No matter -- I can buy water at $0.25 per gallon on the way home from school.
Alas, the task of setting up shop on the property seems daunting. Money is tight, and I shall have to set up
a building, wire and plumb the building, install electrical services, and so on. Hopefully I can accomplish
these things during the month of July when I have time off from school. Otherwise, I am going to be living
like they did in the age of the cave man.
One of the benefits of being a teacher is the opportunity to mingle with people. I've always felt that
teaching fulfills that natural need in me to be around people without infringing upon the privacy that I so
crave when I go home. At home I prefer just that: privacy. Home is the one place where I make the rules. I
like the idea of sitting in a lawn chair in my front yard, watching my dogs run and play or just lie around,
without having to be nice to the next door neighbor who happens to be sitting in a lawn chair in his front
yard.
| my friend, Fister, ... |
| ... and his friend Shanga |
June 20 (Monday) 3:26 pm
The weather man is calling for a weak cold front to move through this evening or tomorrow, after which the
daily high temperatures should be in the low 90's! We have not yet reached the first day of summer and
already temps are at record highs along with the humidity, which continues to be brutal and oppressive. I
am looking at the possibility of moving to the new property without the benefit of electricity or running
water, but that prospect actually excites me in a way. I have five whole weeks off between the last day of
summer school and the first day of the opening of school in the fall, and that time should allow me to figure
something out. I have decided to build myself a cabin. Basically, I have the knowledge and the skills to get
the job done; I only hope that I have the stamina, and that the weather cooperates. I really need to have
something resembling electricity and running water by the time school starts.
The animals will have more freedom. I shall keep the cats enclosed for a couple of weeks or so until they
become accustomed to the idea as to where their new home is, and then I shall turn them loose. I shall be
greatly relieved to see the cats have access to the great outdoors again. I won't turn the dogs completely
loose: they shall continue to be confined by a fence, albeit my first fence out at the new property will only
enclose about a half-acre.
June 21 (Tuesday) 7:25 pm
We had a torrent of rain today, which delayed some work I had scheduled for the property: I've contracted
with someone to bush-hog (mow) about 8 acres, including the area where I shall reside. First task after that
is to put up a fence. Next I shall purchase a portable storage building and move it into to position, and it is
there that I shall reside. I will add to it, of course, including front and back porches. The dogs will use the
front; the cats will use the back. I shall have a fence separating the cats so that the dogs won't be
bothering them.
If I have to I can move onto the property sans utilities. Surely I can survive like that for the month of July,
and since I won't be occupied with school I can spend that time getting accustomed to the rustic lifestyle as
well as making the needed improvements to the place. I am actually excited by the prospect of "rouging" it.
Can I survive comfortably during the winter months? I will be able to install a propane tank, with which I
can at least have heat and a cook stove, but I shall probably have to heat my bath water on the stove and
use a plactic storage bin for my bath. I shall have to use that arrangement until I can install some kind of
running water utilities. Getting running water is going to be an expensive proposition no matter how I
approach it, but I am not deterred. Also, I have used a "honey pot" before and have no qualms about doing
so again.
If I can remind myself to take my camera I shall get some pictures ASAP.
June 24 (Friday) 2:48 pm
The heat and humidity have returned, and I am making progress on the new Willow Oak. I am hoping to get
started on a fence tomorrow. I am probably looking at a minimum of two more weeks before I can make the
move. Utilities won't be available for consumption for at least two weeks, but barring a major catastrophe, I
should be gone from Riverbend by the middle of July.
I am excited for the dogs, but I am most excited for the cats. The cats have had to be confined for about a
year, and I know that they would love to be free to roam and stretch their legs, and do a bit of exploration.
Even so, I shall confine them for at least a couple of weeks and perhaps a month before turning them loose.
They need to be bonded to home base before they are turned loose.
I shall be glad for a break from teaching and monitoring high school students, but I have decided that the
educational field is definitely for me. I am looking forward to the break, but I am anxious to move on to the
fall term, and get down to some real teaching. I have been informed that biology is in my future, as is
geometry, and a special math course called "Financial Math," which is a course I taught as a student
teacher called "Consumer" math.
| Work has begun on the fence at the new "Willow Oak." |
| From the extreme northern corner looking toward the southeast. |
| This dry creek bed along the northern edge looks like an old and abandoned road bed. |
June 26 (Sunday) 11:31 am
Summer school for me continues through Wednesday of this week at least. Perhaps I shall have to work
Thursday also; but beginning Friday I shall have all of July off and one week of August. This should give me
plenty of time to get moved and somewhat adjusted before school begins. The above pictures include the
extreme northern-most edge of the property and includes about 20 trees of several hardwood varieties,
including a couple species of oak. There are three or four Willow Oak trees, but the remaining 11 acres is
completely uncovered. I like the idea of being able to see long distances unimpeded by trees. That kind of
view enhances sunrises and sunsets.
As for the trees there are several places where large limbs extend parallel to the ground -- ideal for
hanging swings. The dogs will have plenty of shade, and the cats will have plenty of room to roam at night,
and I shall have all the privacy I need. All of that, and I am only a 12 to 15 minute drive from work.