FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Our lives are filled with "FIRSTS"—from your first tooth, your first kiss, your first car, to your first forgetful moment. Throughout life there are many firsts, some of which we remember and some of which we forget. There are probably many that we would like to forget.

Last week I was working inside  the cabin and it was a bit cold outside, so I wanted to run the propane heater that I have. I have used it before and there was not any problem with it.

However, this time was different. 

I got it set up and ready to go, but I could smell propane, which is not something I really wanted at the time. I felt around the connections, and could feel it leaking out of the connection at the 20# tank.

I got the wrench and tried to tighten the POL nut, but it was tight. Checked again and it was still leaking.

After turning the tank valve off, I disconnected the hose to inspect the threads to see if maybe I had cross-threaded it. Nope.

Close inspection revealed a tiny black particle stuck in the threads. It was so small I couldn't get my thumbnail down into it to remove it. Using my utility knife, I was able to remove the tiny speck of apparent trouble. Sure enough, after reconnecting the hose, there was no leak. I found it really hard to believe that just a tiny little speck of dirt could affect the sealing of an inch of brass threads, but it did.

Convinced now of the safety of the tank and connections, I hooked everything back up and started the generator. (There was still a little bit of trepidation, so I put the tank outside.) Within less than three minutes, my eyes began to burn.

I wasn't too concerned at first because of all the things I am working with trying to get our cabin established. However, no amount of rubbing or dobbing with tissue could stop the burn. I turned the heater off, put my sweatshirt on and went to work.

That was last week. Today, as I was moving things around to continue with insulating the ceiling, I discovered something that set my heart to pounding. 

I picked up the tank and the heater at the same time and felt the hose twist in my hand. I turned the heater over to reveal the connections and found that the connector to the heater had come loose.

That had to have been leaking and was the cause behind my burning eyes. It was leaking propane just under the heating unit which was throwing flame for the heat.                     IT DIDN'T EXPLODE!!!

It had never occurred to me to check that connection. Why it should have come loose is beyond me.

That is the FIRST time I have ever run a propane heater with a leaky connection and lived to tell about it. It will also be the LAST TIME!!

In this next picture you can see the progress we were making with putting insulation in the ceiling. My helper is sitting on the steps with her back to the camera. There is absolutely NO WAY I could have gotten the insulation up in that center section without my lovely lady.

The FIRST, though, is the light hanging from the ceiling. 

That is the FIRST TIME in all my years of construction that I have made a cutout for a ceiling and gotten it right the first time!

I couldn't contain my excitement that Gracie didn't have to go through waiting for me to "get it right" and I danced a little jig of happiness.

If others were to view us from a distance during the day, they would swear that we were just having too much fun.

We are loving this journey together.

There are many "firsts" we are experiencing during this trip, and it made me think of all the people who are also starting this journey for the first time in their life.

Enjoy the ride.

Learn as you go.

Celebrate your "FIRSTS"!

A LEARNING CURVE

The desire and effort to move to a more independent lifestyle and self sufficiency is becoming a world-wide phenomenon as more and more people are discovering their discontent with their current situation.

The reasons for this are as varied as the types of people who are contemplating or making the jump. One of the more common reasons that shows up is the desire to know where their food comes from and what is in it. This is not always the beginning reason, but it will eventually rise to the top of the list as a rationale.

However, since many of us doing this have little to no experience in growing our own food, we are faced with a huge learning curve that can become overwhelming if not approached carefully.

Many are trying to learn by joining various groups dedicated to the independent lifestyle. There they pose their questions—and their sense of overwhelm is only magnified. In a group of more than 800k people, the likelihood of getting the same answer twice is almost nil.

Everyone has their own opinion. Sometimes this opinion is based on experience and sometimes it is not. Regradless, the information given is almost useless for at least two reasons.

1. The person asking the question did not specify such things as location.
   Knowing which growing zone one lives in is a major step forward to understanding what can and cannot be done on your property.
2. The person answering the question fails to specify such things as their location.
   Answering a question from a viewpoint of northern Canada does not help the one who asked a question based in northern Louisianna.

A third reason is the non-specificity of the question. I'm referring to such questions as, "How do I begin?" There is nothing in that question that an intelligent person would be able to answer, but it is a question I often encounter.

As you begin your journey of learning, remember this lesson. ALWAYS be specific with your question and ALWAYS specify where you are located. If the answers do not specify their location, ask before taking their advice.

Asking questions on social media seems to be the new way of trying to learn, but given the difficulties mentioned above coupled with people's willingness to spout whatever pops into their mind as if it is the gospel truth, it should be evident that a more structured path may be desirable.

If social media is your go-to resource and you know of no other way, then by all means learn how to use the media properly.

There is Wikipedia. There is Youtube. There is Google.

Using these methods will help you to focus in on exactly what it is you are wanting to learn.

My go-to learning resource is webinars and books.

A webinar helps me to zero in on what it is I am wanting to learn. A book gives me time to absorb whatever I am learning.

I have recently completed a book that was recommended to me after I asked a question about my poor soil conditions on the property.

It is titled "Dirt to Soil" by Gabe Brown, and it contains his personal story of learning through tribulation and a wealth of information which can be applied for the home gardener or the large farm or ranch.

I am now able to begin an intelligent process of amending the sandy ground I have here in sothwest Missouri.

If growing your own food is important to you, then I highly recommend this book. It is an easy and enjoyable read filled with things you can do 'right now' to begin improving and utilizing your growing space.

NOTE: If you order the book through the above link, I will receive a small commission. The price to you for the purchase is not affected at all.

THE SPEED OF A TURTLE

Progress is slow as we begin the work of getting everything ready for us to actually function on the property. Here it is a full month after the cabin was delivered and all I've got done is steps on the front, electric complete and the walls insulated.

INSULATION--it is recommended that you wear a mask when working with fiberglas insulation. It should be REQUIRED!! 

They need to make it in such a way that if you don't have a mask on, then the insulation will not cooperate. I have no idea how to do that, though. Also, I am generally opposed to all the rules we have just to protect us from ourselves.

The best teacher is experience and what we observe from that experience. So, go ahead and do like I did and decide that the mask is too much of a hassle. Hang the insulation without wearing a mask. You will only do that once or twice before you realize the foolishness of such an attitude.

The steps were a fun build. I tried to buy pre-cut stringers, but they weren't high enough, so I had to cut my own. I bought two 2x12x8 and cut the stringers from those. I used what lumber I had left from other projects to cut the steps.

The last step is just a little higher than the others, so everyone trips the first time going up. Since experience is the best teacher, they don't make that mistake a second time.

Wiring for electric has always been a problem for me. I can do the rough-in of drilling the holes and snaking the wire through to each of the outlets. I can connect the simple outlets of a plug-in and a light switch. However, when it gets beyond that, I'm lost.

Without my having to ask, my step-son came through for me and offered to do the connecting, which he did on a Saturday morning in less than three hours. It would have taken me a full day with trying to learn from Youtube or a book.

We've been adding things to our Amazon cart that we will need as we move forward. Right now the cart is at almost $2,000.

I've ordered a wood-fired cook stove that Gracie wants as our source of heat. We went through a lot of searching and reading reviews before we could find something that fit our desires and needs. I've ordered a Cabin Tender from an Amish dealer where it will be custom made for us.

We will have a propane cook stove also for use in the regular day-to-day activites and for the summer. The wood stove as a source for heat allows for putting on a large pot of water to have on hand throughout the day, as well as slow-cooking a soup or stew.

There is much more to come in this project about which we keep asking ourselves, "What are we doing?" We are in our mid-70's and striking out on a new adventure of subsistence living. What we have before us will take us longer than we probably have time left on earth--but, so what?!? We are having a ball making the attempt.