A recent painting of a place that means something to me. Happy 5 week old Birthday to this blog.
Art
The best things in life and the boring details
The best things in life aren’t things; even so, there are some things that you need. Largely, I really want to believe that stuff is not that important. But then I think of those who live on, and with nothing; I submit that existing without stuff would be quite impossible.
In Tiny House Ontario, like in each Tiny House, the stuff that I keep must be absolutely considered. A detailed deliberation must be given to every bit and bob, even if it is as small as a barrette or a box of nails. Food, too, must be closely observed. I like to grow or buy fresh and since there are farm gatepost stores in the area and a some wonderful general stores too, I don’t have to worry too much about storing it, at least for the time being; I am there living only during the growing season but eventually, food storage will be an important issue and by then I believe that a fruit cellar will be an absolute necessity.
Despite the size, there are five storage areas in Tiny House Ontario. On the main level, there is the kitchen and the shelves at the West side. In the loft there is the closet, the dresser and, opportunistically, I bought roll under the bed storage when it was on sale, but I have not put this to use.
The necessities:
Tools for building and outdoor work. Cooking, serving, eating and food (I keep a few gross but easy dry things there all the time, like Mr. Noodles and dehydrated soup, as well as beans, flour, salt and sugar should someone need to survive there for a few days), my grandma’s kettle and dish soap. Water for drinking, cooking, washing as well as survival books and extra eyeglasses so that I can read them.
A reasonably well stocked first aid kit and toiletries, a wash pan, and a couple of buckets, face clothes, towels and throw blankets, garbage and recycle bins, clothing, bedding, candles, matches and lighter
A cell phone, bee’s wax candles, lights, batteries, propane, BBQ, camp stove and a heater if you do not have a heat source built in are also required, as well as a cooler or refrigeration source.
Stuff that I love and believe I require:
Literature including the complete works of Douglas Coupland , poet Sean Moreland, and some family history books. Cards, a few games and puzzles, candy (for the children who come), and chocolate (for me). I also must have art and art supplies, as well as a solid collection of old Harrowsmith magazines which tell me how to do a lot of homesteading stuff so they may well be required as much as I like them because I use them for reference materials.
I also find it important to have some spiritually, emotionally significant and things that comfort me. This collection includes: a justice and safety spell, sweet grass, white sage, and burning shell. A green crystal, the family bible, angel cards, carved boxes, a friendship ball, an Irish shamrock, the ashes of my late dogs, a hat and a salt and pepper poodle shaker set.
I would guess that the stuff I love makes up about 1/10 of the total mass of stuff in Tiny House Ontario, I suppose I could live without it, but I choose not to and I am grateful that I don’t have to make the choice of what to leave behind me, as many unfortunate people have had to do all over the world. It would be interesting to know how this breaks down in the average home. When you look around your home now, I wonder what do you need in there? What do you have just so that your home looks nice when visitors come?
Categories: Art, Douglas Coupland, Materialism, Sean Moreland, Sustainable living, Tiny house, World
Tags: Consumerism, Douglas Coupland, Materialism, Stuff, Tiny House, Tiny House Ontario
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Creative Trades
I had just moved into Tiny House Ontario when my cousin Vernie, who is also a neighbour, called and asked if I could babysit his dog while they went to Maine. I love dogs so of course this was not a problem for me. He offered to sweeten the deal which was not necessary at all, I told him, I would take care of the dog without anything. Still he said he would make me a recycled wood bedside table for Tiny House Ontario. A pretty good trade; of course I said yes.
Vernie along with being one of the smartest and most interesting people I have ever known, is a carpenter. Really more than that, he is a comedian and an artist with a capital A. He probably never had a lot of money to explore his creative side, so he created art out of things that people left behind, way before this recycled art became hype or trend. I am a huge fan of everything Vernie does. Really, if I had an unlimited amount of money I would love to have a big space to have an artist’s collective and I would most certainly want Vernie to be a part of this. Not just for his talent but also for his amazing ability to recall history, family background and make me laugh my head off. The man knows how to do about everything, except for how to train a dog, that is.
So, a couple of days later he and his wife left, a few times a day I hopped on my trusty little steed, and I went to take care of Andy Capp. When I pulled up on my little bike, there the dog would be, large as life, a muscle bound fool, with his tongue hanging out, happily waiting for me to bring him out for a walk. It was not really like that, because every time the fool of a dog brought me on a walk (to remember). Ok, so I am still not telling you the whole truth. Actually, it was more that he brought me for a drag, all over the place, and often it was right down on the ground where Andy brought me and then he would jump on me a few times for fun too. I spent the week sore and filthy from the multiple dragging incidents. Despite the fact that Andy is about half my size he is about 10 times my fitness level and thus he knocked me off my feet into dust, grass, mud. He pulled me into the ditch face first and also escaped my grasp more than once.
On the second visit before I knew better, I brought him into Vernie’s house and he tore the mattresses and bedding right off the beds. He peed on my handbag too, that day, just for good measure. It was a week of tomfoolery and chaos and I was mighty glad to see Vernie arrive home! I have actually never met a dog as busy as Andy; it is a good thing that he is such a beautiful animal. Part Akita with all this gorgeous fur colouring, eyes and confirmation. A stunning, and stunningly stupid, dog for sure.
Turns out that Andy hurt Vernie’s wife more than once. She says that they are ‘not friends’ and I am sure that she means it. She is older than me and he was able to hurt me too. He does not mean to; despite the pee on my purse, he is not a mean spirited creature at all, but rather just an excited and very strong, goofy puppy. I suspect that he is not the right dog for retired people.
Anyway, as for the bedside table, Vernie carved the door and built this gorgeous little cabinet. I asked him to stamp his name on the back of it. Since I am a huge fan of Vernie, I could not be more thrilled with this fantastically whimsical and creative piece. Then who would not love to own this gorgeous creation? Honestly, every time I go up the ladder stairs, I admire it. I think this lovely little cupboard is totally and absolutely worth the week with Andy Capp.
Still, I have to admit, I will hold my breath for a moment if they ask me this summer to babysit Andy. Before I agree, I will of course hope that Andy will have calmed down a little with age; or at least that I got a little smarter and more prepared over the winter.
Categories: Art, Dog, Environmentalism, Sustainable living, Tiny house, Tiny House Ontario, Trade
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Surviving, The Artist’s Way
In my real life, I made my living (mostly) in the academic world as a writer and a magician of sorts for contract after contract. I am a creative, conscientious and organized person, which is why I was good at the work that I did. Still, I found that once each of my jobs was done, that I often felt less than comfortable with the outcome; further, I always felt that I had sold my creative side for nothing and that I was only ever really being paid and recognized for the organized side. Sadly, my creative self’s stuff was always being claimed by the people who I worked for; their idea, their process, their stuff. Most creative people who work for others find this and I can tell you that this was not easy on me.
The consequence of all of this is that my creativity has a very difficult time letting itself out. I am not just a blocked creative, I am a stomped on, squashed up, used badly, and dried up creative.
I belong to a writing group in Hamilton, Ontario and I spoke to the group about how painful it is for me to write and three of them suggested that I try The Artist’s Way program. Sort of a 12 step – and 12 week program for blocked creatives.
I knew, before I built Tiny House Ontario that this was both an expression of creativity as well as a place for me to open up to creativity, both in myself and in others. I worked The Artist’s Way program all summer and found that I accomplished a big boost in my creativity. Still, I earned nothing at all, which is not so excellent! So, how do I live creatively and make money too? I learned this summer that eventually, Tiny House Ontario would allow me to live very inexpensively. The question is, I could live an off grid life there without depending on the economy, or any real 9-5 or even part time gig?
I suspect that once everything is bought and paid for, (I still have credit line debt on my land) I could live well at Tiny House Ontario for $5,000 a year, but realistically I think that $8,000 a year would allow me to have a little wiggle room, for art supplies, travel, vet bills, clothing and extravagancies.
My aim is to figure out exactly how to make this $8,000 without actually having a job. Paintings are difficult to sell. There is no guarantee that someone will actually publish my novels, or my Tiny House Ontario book; even if they do publish me, will my books sell?
I intend to start a small bee colony, but who knows if this will make any money or if it will simply be another fun little creative hobby for me?
I am a wicked good seamstress, but I actually hate to sew and with no electricity as well as very little space, a treadle, seems both huge and dreadful!
I plan to put in a few hundred asparagus roots, which is a good crop, but I am also not sure if this is feasible in the forest, or if I can actually produce enough crop to make this investment pay for itself, let alone pay for future living costs.
I have great administrative, computer and organizational skills, as I already mentioned, but this stuff typically means job, transportation, clothes, heels, make-up, being away from home. I don’t mind getting all gussied up but the idea of a job; simply put, I would really rather not.
So, here it sits! I am person with many talents and many skills. Still, I have not figured out if I can make $8,000 by either earnings or trade, and live without a job.
I strongly hope that time will tell me more!
Categories: Art, Dog, Environmentalism, Materialism, Money, Off Grid, Sustainable living, Tiny house, Tiny House Ontario
8 Comments
Warm bed, in Canada’s cold
It was minus 3 at Tiny House Ontario for the two days that I was there. A small propane heater brought the temperature up to the place where you could not see your breath, not exactly winter camping but mighty close. Still, I had known this before I went and packed a lot of bedding. Up in the loft I used 2 blankets, 2 comforters, and a fun fur covered (non-animal) duvet. I also slept in fleece with long underwear. Sexy eh?
This was cozy and though I could see my breath in the morning again when I woke up, I slept well and the bedroom is really cozy. Here is what it looks like there.
Tiny House Ontario 