Think Big, Live Tiny - Part 12
Before the next chapter of how my TIny Home came to be, allow me to continue my ‘Saga of the Rat’ this morning…
My Berkey water filter sits on the far end of my lanai, next to the sink. Unfortunately, the light from the fixture beside my front door doesn’t extend that far, but no worries, I walk out in the dark every morning to get water for my coffee. I know the route. But this morning, as I reached beyond the perimeter of dim light I stepped on something large and squishy. What on earth was that? My pre-coffee brain was just beginning to run through the alternatives when I switched on the light over the sink and saw the latest present Chandler left for me this morning. This big, fat rat, lying belly up in surrender, was now looking decidedly flat in the middle. Thank god I wasn’t barefoot. I briefly considered throwing my expensive slippers out, but there was no gore, so I just dropped them in the laundry basket, shaking my head. #farmlife
RETURNING TO 2011 – continuing to find a home for my home…
“There is this area with lots of macnut trees,” Joseph says pointing to a gently-sloped grassy spot. “Oh, that’s very sweet.” I say, “Yes, a definite possibility.” We continue to a gate that keeps the three mini horses and two donkeys contained, the driveway is on the other side. I quickly do the math. I would have to open and close the gate every time I left my house, that would get old fast.
We walk down the driveway and near the entrance to the Ranch is a large, open, grassy area. It’s surrounded by tall trees giving it privacy and it looks inviting also. But I don’t have the strong ‘Yes’ I’m waiting for in my body.
Then he takes me to an area just above it. It is situated on a small hill, surrounded by wild guava and several old, tall Ohi’a trees. It is waist-deep in pasture grass, scrub brush, and tall weeds. In some ways, it is the least remarkable of all three sites, certainly the most overgrown. It’s definitely the one most in need of some love to make it suitable. But a rush goes through my body. I know right away this is the spot.
I turn to look at Joseph, he has a slight smile on his face. He feels it too. “You knew, didn’t you?” I say.
His smile widens. “This is a very special place. And you could put a circular driveway around this tree. Also, could you please paint the house green, so that it blends in with nature?”
“Oh, sure,” I say hesitantly. Not my favorite color, but I can live with it. “I will tell the builders to paint it a light green.”
I will soon discover that once Joseph envisions something, it quickly becomes reality. Don’t be fooled because it is mildly posed as a suggestion. Time and again he will wear me down with his ideas and recommendations. Fortunately, I’m not attached to many things, especially transient, physical property. I will cheerfully paint every freaking thing green to appeal to his artistic eye that wants everything to blend in with nature. My argument that there are many other colors in nature is brushed off as inconsequential.
*****
Well, now that we have the site sorted, I have my work cut out for me. One step at a time is how I keep this process manageable.
It’s time to get my friend Nancy’s help again. I ask if she and Gerry would come over and look at my proposed homesite, listen to my plans, and see if they think it’s feasible. I especially want Gerry’s input as I know he has firsthand experience living off the grid. They park their car and we walk through the tall grass to the hillock where I plan to put the house. We stand and admire the view as I ask their opinion on house and solar panel placement, and where to put the catchment tank.
“Angela’s going to have a big learning curve here,” Gerry murmurs to Nancy with a gentle smile, as they walk back to their car after my impassioned tour. I stand out of earshot, waist-deep in grass, lost in a dreamy fairytale of solar panels and composting toilets.
I laugh when Nancy shares his comment with me later. I’m not one to back away from a challenge and part of me knows I am in way over my head. What fun would that be if I had it all figured out anyway?
