Original Art work of Laura Moreland

I had an MPAC person stop by my project, Tiny House Ontario a few days ago.  If you don’t know, these are the tax assessors that ensure that the people of Ontario pay their fair share of taxes.

I am not opposed to paying my fair share of tax, what I oppose is the way that building codes do not allow people to build as they wish.  I absolutely understand and agree that they need to be put in place so that people don’t just build unsafe, cardboard dwellings in which they, their family and guests could easily burn to death.  What I don’t get is the part where we all have to build 2400 square foot McMansions which are totally disconnected from the planet around them.

I don’t get why I should have to worry about my tiny house being somehow unlawful.  It seems every new house I pass is not facing in the right direction to benefit from the sun and wind.  There is no effort for these homes to be environmental except of course, the compulsory level of insulation.  The codes need to be revisited, deconstructed and rewritten in order to reflect a more modern age in building technology and realistic resource consumption.  At the very least, in a country were the seasons change passive solar should be considered in every single new structure that is built.  Too size limits need to drastically decrease, both in terms of lot size and the footprint of these homes.  I took all this into my mind and more, and believe me THO has as tiny a carbon footprint as she does a physical one!

The woman, who came was very pleasant and I think she liked the tiny house which she referred to as a cabin.  I disclosed everything to her about the house.  No point in omission or in lying.  We wait now to see if all will remain okay with respect to the house in the township where it is located.  So far, while they knew what I was planning because I called them multiple times, I am unsure if they really know about me being there.

For those of you who are just joining me here, you should know that as with most houses, Tiny House Ontario (or any tiny house) is in constant flux.  I am not sure how it happens here.  I very rarely buy new stuff, but I guess, I add more blankets as the weather gets cold and move the mats.  This year, the big addition to the house was the stone patio and I also bought some horizontal blinds for some of the windows, when there was a sale on.  It was not that I was trying to gain privacy from peeping chipmunks.  Rather I thought it would be good to block out the sun in those windows that allow too much heat in during the summer months.  Both of these improvements were felt and I am happy with them.

The house is not finished, there is still no kitchen, no running water, no furnace and no modern bathroom facilities.  There is much to be done in order to make it livable beyond the summer months.  As it is, when I am here, I live in a sort of constant state of “glamping” – a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.  Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t mind this.  I actually love THO with all its little unrefined bits too.  Even so, I do envision a few more comforts in my tiny house.

What I mean to say is now MPAC has been here, so we will find out if the powers that be will allow this little sugar shack to stand and her vision be fulfilled.

A reclaimed antique dresser to put away clothes in. I am sure a high dresser would offer more practical storage, but it would not be nearly as cute as this.

I have a king sized bed in the loft. Actually it is two twins put together in the German style.  This makes for a more comfortable sleep even on nights when one of us fidgets.

This is the East side of the house. Do you see? There is rain barrel out there. This window gives me easy access to the spout.  The curtained area is the closet, should you just now be looking at my the house for the first time.

The doors to the cloth porch are here in this corner. I bought these doors second hand on kijiji for $100. They work fine but are not very air tight. If I was building again, I would buy the doors new. Or at the very least I would be sure they were better made.  I read the Lord of the Rinds trilogy this summer.  I have had the quote on a board for many years and have long been a wanderer, so I thought it was time.  “Not all those who wander are lost”

Dishes are drying inside. Due to the rain outside, they won’t dry on the porch.  I did not get the kitchen put in this summer.  I hoped I would earn a little more than I did with my art at the market, but this is the way that the cookie crumbles.  When you are trying to support yourself and build a home using only creative earned budget, you can only do a little at a time.  No debt gained, and I do have a wonderful now patio too!

This green chair is where Hj likes to sit. I don’t want to air our dirty laundry… BUT in the spirit of sharing what works and what does not… I would like to pitch this chair because he consitantly tilts back in it. This blocks the way to the upstairs, the entry, and the bathroom. A tilting chair (recovered from the road side) is not the best solution for a tiny house, in my opinion.   At least NOT in the “route” corner…  Still, I like the chair, it has a funkiness about it and it is dead comfy.