Lyn McConchie interview

My interview with Lyn McConchie is in the July issue of the writing e-zine, Expressions: Expressions 61

Sub floor problem (link)

"We recently pulled up the carpet in our 1903 home to find the sub floor in bad condition. Not only does it have gaps, but it goes "downhill" towards the walls,  ..."

Link: Uneven sub-floor - Topic Powered by Infopop

Oasis 18 con report link

My Oasis con report is available at the Other Worlds Cafe website: O*W*C : Resources : Conventions : Reports : Oasis 18 '05  , and it will be in the next issue of the Southern Fandom Confederation Bulletin.

Sales glitches

In Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook, I mention some of the problems that can hamper home building or sales.  For instance, the eagle nest that delayed the building process and cost the builders money.  Recently I learned of another possible problem.  In Washington state, Snohomish county, it's illegal to sell private property that had a known, but lost, grave site.  Especially if it was a native American.  America's Indian laws on burials are much more strict than any other race of people.  Proper burials for ancestors is a priority and enforced with multiple national laws.".  A lot of people from the previous generation (at least out there) just buried their loved ones 'out back', many never kept records of precisely where. One guy, desperate to sell, brought in bulldozers and backhoes and tore up his whole back yard before finding it.  (This was on the Tulalip reservation.) 

What's Your Design Style quiz link

Fun quiz: Home & Garden Television: What's Your Design Syle? Quiz

Concrete exterior framing

What is the most pratical and economical concrete framing method?  Link:

most economical concrete exterior framing practice? - Topic Powered by Infopop

From HGTVPro.com

 

Building a Cool House is hot!

Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook is # 8 on the Barnes &Noble list: Barnes & Noble.com: Books / Home & Garden / House & Home / Home - Do-It-Yourself / Architecture, Domestic->Amateurs' manuals

Tropical Depression Arlene

Arlene has made landfall, and the last advisory has been issued.  We got a lot of rain and some wind.  There appears to be minor damage in our area.  And there doesn't seem to be any real potential in that newest wave in the Caribbean..

Helpful house book

My book, Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook, was on the Barnes & Noble's new house book best seller list and got a rave review from The Midwest Book Review;  it was on the Reviewer's Choice list in the February issue of "Small Press Bookwatch."    This helpful book covers the building process and what’s involved in building your home; it includes diary excerpts, photos, and advice from planning to punch list and beyond.   It can be ordered online from  Amazon.com: Books: Building a Cool House for Hot Times Without Scorching the Pocketbook and  Barnes & Noble.com - Building a Cool House for Hot Times Without Scorching the Pocketbook 

Tropical Storm Arlene

Arlene is giving us even more rain; and flood watches are up.  We're fine here; the pond still has a way to go before it overflows; and we don't have to worry about flushing the toilet because our septic system--The Mesa--is way high.  If it ever floods here, it'll probably be covered with critters.

Starting Small

The High Ground column in the August issue of Horticulture is about the benefits of planting small trees and plants--something we've always done because one of the benefits is that it's cheaper!  

Fabulous outdoor rooms link

Home & Garden Television: Small Space

Your dog's home

Puppies prefer to be outside, don't they? Many people believe that given a choice dogs would prefer to be outside. This isn't true - not of adult dogs or puppies. Your puppy is pack-oriented and if you're inside he doesn't want to be left in the backyard on his own. However, if you're outside, he's happy to be in the backyard - because that's where you are. If you're at work your pup will feel more secure in the house, which is his den. If your pup is left outside for extended periods other animals, or storms that he has no protection from, may frighten or injure him. Some puppies develop behavioral problems when they are turned out of their den on a daily basis. Get more information on puppies that live outside. From: Your PEDIGREE® Puppy Scoops newsletter

Greener Choices link

Greener Choices: Products for a Better Planet: GreenerChoices.org

Top Ten Short Story-SF (Preditors & Editors poll)

My short story, To The Last Drop! (published in pseudoSF), was #10 in the Preditors and Editors Poll: Short Story: SF

 

Saving water

Green Tip: Saving Water Saves Our Rivers
A leaky sink can lose 50 gallons of water in just 24 hours. Likewise, hosing down patios and sidewalks wastes water and can carry contaminants into rivers and other waterways. Fix leaks as quickly as possible and sweep patios and sidewalks in order to minimize this unnecessary use of water.
Learn More about Protecting Our Rivers>>
Get More Green Tips>>

From The Nature Conservancy e-mail