tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49639331939075333042024-03-21T11:59:10.277-05:00All My Life's A Circle...Definition of CIRCLE
1. a : ring, halo
b : a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixed
point within the curve
2. an area of action or influence : realm
3. cycle, round (the wheel has come full circle)
4. a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common
center
~taken from the Merriam Webster free online dictionaryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-42216750820411469382013-11-18T21:43:00.001-06:002013-11-18T21:43:49.454-06:00<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Cabin
Fever – A Sure Cure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">“Cabin
fever” is the term commonly used for that “shut in” feeling in the dead of
winter, when you just can't get outside.
Cabin fever has had another meaning for the past years, or possibly even
decades – the desire to own a cabin, a getaway in the north woods, at the
beach, or in the mountains with a spectacular view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Cabins, or
smaller homes, have been with us for a long time. In fact, they used to be our homes until we
began to feel the need to impress others with single rooms the size of a small
house. But when a person wants peace,
solitude, and a cozy, comfortable place to relax...he goes to the cabin!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Full
Circle Shelters Model 180 Polyurt is a cure for both types of cabin fever. Although the Polyurt was originally designed
as a post disaster relief shelter, an architect reviewing it said “it is too
good to be used only as a temporary shelter,” and others immediately saw its
potential as a recreational cabin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">The
Polyurt is a polygon, or multi sided building, in a round shape much like a
Mongolian yurt. The unique construction
and shape provide a building that is strong and very efficient in use of
materials and energy. The Polyurt is also
easy to fabricate and assemble. The
average home handyman can make all the parts for the Model 180 in 3 to 4 days
using simple power tools. The pre-cut
kit version can be fully assembled by one person in less than half a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">To cure
your winter cabin fever, build a Polyurt in a couple of weekends using our fully detailed plans and cutting instructions. Load it into a pickup or small utility
trailer—the full per-cut package fits into a standard pickup truck box. Assemble in the spring in one morning's time
and enjoy your little cabin all summer.
Easily add sheet foam insulation, a small wood stove, and solar electric
for full year round use anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Now that
you have a cure for your cabin fever, all that is left is to decide upon the
setting for your new cabin!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;"><br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-64455286426124587482013-10-24T21:30:00.000-05:002013-10-24T21:30:31.880-05:00<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BASICS—BANISH THE BOX!!!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Building
a house is not complicated. It's a combination of many small, simple
tasks done in the right order. Many owner/builders construct their
own places each year, and of course professional builders...well
that's just what they do.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Building
an affordable house is still not complicated, but it does take more
forethought, and requires thinking outside of the box. Better
yet...banish the box completely. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Most
of today's houses consist of a big box full of smaller boxes.
Banishing the box allows free flow of air and light throughout the
building. Energy experts have been telling us for years that the
basic shape of a building has more impact on its energy use than any
other single factor. Substantial savings in material and labor costs
can be realized with the right size and shape. Openness also fosters
communication and builds family togetherness.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">First,
let's determine what an affordable house is. It's a house that a
couple starting out can afford to buy, or someone on a low or fixed
income can live in comfortably within their means. For a home to be
considered affordable, it should meet the following criteria:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It
costs less to build </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It
costs less to maintain</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Real
estate taxes are moderate</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It
uses less energy than a standard home</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All
of these factors affect the affordability of a home and must be
balanced for its life time cost or true affordability.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When
starting to design an affordable house, wipe the slate clean and
begin with our two previously discussed topics:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Appropriate
Sized Housing—size does matter. Build only what you need, storage
does not need to be in conditioned living space. Plan for future
expansion, and create multi-use spaces such as rooms that do double
duty (i.e. an office that also serves as a guest room).</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Why
Round? The round shape is inherently stronger, encloses the same
area with 15% less material, uses open floor plans, and has no
wasted space.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">These
will get you started with a home that is strong, sized and built for
your needs, and affordable. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
have been many versions and attempts at affordable housing over the
years. While these are good designs and smaller homes, using the right shape and materials we can do even better—a
single level home, built in a round (multi-sided polygon) shape, on a
heated slab, using insulated structural panels fulfills all four of
the affordability criteria above. All of this can be done at about
70 to 75% of the average per square foot cost for new construction.
To those who say this is impossible...consider the Chinese proverb,
“One who says it is impossible should not interrupt the one who is
doing it”!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-74359860762986187632013-09-30T20:23:00.002-05:002013-10-24T21:09:12.623-05:00Why Round?<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Round
houses are not a common sight today, even though most, if not all, of
our ancestors lived in round structures. All around the world, in
many different environments and cultures, people build round houses.
The Eskimos have the igloo, the Plains Indians have the teepee, the
Mongolians have the yurt, and there are several variations of huts on
the African continent, all of which are round. Many of these types
of buildings are still used today. Using locally available
materials, round structures are the simplest and most economical
types of housing to build. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In
the natural world and throughout the universe, the circle is
prevalent, because it is nature's strongest and most efficient shape.
Even time, which we see as lineal, is circular, on an annual basis
that we can easily experience, or sometimes in a much longer time
frame. Life itself is a constant circular process of birth, death,
and rebirth.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Today
we build and live in boxes—big boxes made up of smaller boxes.
This came about mostly as a result of trying to fit more people into
a given space. Houses became boxes as it became more and more
necessary to fit one home tightly to the next, all the way down the
street. When space on the street ran out, many went in an upward
direction, resulting in tall apartment buildings—boxes beside boxes
and boxes on top of boxes. Homes are divided into many small areas,
unlike in the past, when the family unit all lived in the same common
space. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">However,
round houses are regaining popularity for some of the same reasons
that round structures have been used throughout history:</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The
round shape is inherently strong and able to withstand high winds
and adverse weather better than square or rectangular shapes. Look
around and you will see that when we need a strong shape, we have
always used round. A few examples are tank cars, grain bins, and
rockets.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Round
is easier to build—using today's high tech materials to build
round homes makes them much simpler to build than their rectangular
counterparts. Panels can be made in uniform sizes and the angles
are the same all the way around. Round houses built of many flat
panels can be easily prefabricated, making on-site construction
simpler and faster.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The
circle is energy and material efficient—to enclose a round shape
of equal area to a square or rectangle uses 10% to 15% less
material. This means less material cost, less to build, less to
maintain, and less wall area to lose heat through. The round
structure is more efficient to build and more efficient over its
life.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Open
floor plans—a properly designed round home allows for better
natural light and air flow throughout the building, which can lead
to an increase in health and comfort just by using the right shape.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Convenience—round
homes, if designed properly, can be more convenient, with better
access between rooms and to the outside from any room in the house.
In most cases, space-wasting hallways are not needed at all.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ-NhSmNas2rBTVmaYorC-PajLIQpyMst3k0Brin4p9bEDmxPhP1nwzsUoXCfZCQB-XmBLzB3mLrZIzd2GGbqfgOq2r-MfhTD6qI5muq0NnZiIhecLigp2yBY7O_1l9sLzxqBuwVE7YJK/s1600/floorplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ-NhSmNas2rBTVmaYorC-PajLIQpyMst3k0Brin4p9bEDmxPhP1nwzsUoXCfZCQB-XmBLzB3mLrZIzd2GGbqfgOq2r-MfhTD6qI5muq0NnZiIhecLigp2yBY7O_1l9sLzxqBuwVE7YJK/s320/floorplan.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The
round shape goes back to our roots and moves us into the future,
while always working with the forces of nature and the laws of the
universe. Round is the shape of things to come!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-20633462106274116342013-09-15T20:37:00.002-05:002013-09-15T20:37:30.490-05:00COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE – THE “GOLDILOCKS SYNDROME”<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
all know that it is the love of family and friends that makes a house
a home. It takes just a little more to make a home comfortable and
convenient. We are starting to learn (or relearn) that the spaces we
live and work in have a profound effect on our health and state of
mind.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A
house, after providing basic shelter, is useful only if it works
well. It can't be too hot, too cold, too cramped, or have vital
components that break down. A house must be pleasing to the eye, and
it must feel “just right”. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Some
of the factors to consider to make a house “feel right” are:</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Air
– fresh, clean, natural air flow; cross ventilation throughout the
house; high ceilings (vented if practical) to take excess heat out
and draw fresh air in.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Light
– natural light though the day, minimizes the need for artificial
light during daylight hours with proper window and skylight
placement and use. Use appropriate task lighting after dark for
where you are and what you are doing.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sound
– exterior sounds should not intrude into your living space. The
shape and layout of your home, as well as trees and vegetation
around it, can help control sound. Interior sounds vary, with some
being welcome through the house and others needing to be contained
to a very local spot. Sound can be regulated easily, dependent upon
the shape and layout of the home.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Temperature
– a house should be warm when it needs to be warm, and cool when
it needs to be cool. Warm means no cold corners, warm floors, and
as little blowing air as possible. Radiant heat sources can warm a
house evenly, quietly, and cleanly. Cool means moving air into and
through the house to carry away excess heat. Cross ventilation and
ceiling fans can provide easy and inexpensive cooling. Air
conditioning may be needed only in a sleeping room, if at all.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Size
– the size of home that feels right will, of course, vary with
individual needs and family size. A “tiny house” feels cozy for
a while, but for most is quickly outgrown. A very large house also
feels good until the mortgage payment comes due, or it's time to
clean and do maintenance. Building only what you need and keep the
layout as open as possible so that the interior feels big. Store
seasonal or seldom-used items outside of the living space. Those
things do not need the same air, light, and temperature that a
person needs. Build your home the appropriate size for you to live
in.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Layout
– a well planned house layout makes your life much simpler. Keep
to a clean, open, single level home for the most convenience. A
good kitchen will mean fewer steps during meal preparation. Keep
the kitchen open to dining and living areas. This helps to foster
family conversation, without having everyone physically in the
kitchen. Make your laundry space close to your bedrooms – no
bedrooms on the second floor and laundry in the basement! Some
people prefer large open spaces and some small cozy spaces. A good
layout can provide for both. Use light and furniture placement to
create a cozy “corner” in a larger space, or use natural light
and air to create space in a smaller footprint. </span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
are many options and opinions of what will make a home comfortable
and convenient. Think through your daily routines and chores, and
find what it takes for your home to feel “just right”.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-63123573051726675092013-08-14T20:17:00.001-05:002013-08-14T20:17:23.404-05:00It's Not Easy Building Green!<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">To
paraphrase a well known popular frog...it's not easy building green! In fact, it can be complicated and
confusing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">There are
many choices of materials and methods that claim a “green” label. Green comes in many shades, and any
particular material may be included or excluded on the “green list” depending
upon who you ask. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Trying to
find a standard, universal definition of “green building” is no simple
task. It starts by defining “green” not
as a particular product or process, but as a lifestyle, which people from all
age groups and stations in life are moving toward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Several
points must be taken into account when building a new home, and they become
even more important when looking at the new home from the perspective of living
a green lifestyle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><i><b>An appropriate-sized house</b></i><b>.</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">“Appropriate sized” means a home that fits
the owner's needs.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> While a "tiny" 120 square foot home may be appropriate for one person, it may take 800-1000 square feet to be appropriate for another--this is truly a personal preference and decision. But keep in mind that e</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">xtra space that is
used only occasionally raises property taxes, and costs more to build,
maintain, heat, and cool.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Keep spaces
small and multifunctional.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><b><i>Efficiency.</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">The shape and configuration of a house determines its comfort and
convenience.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">An open floor plan and easy
access into, out of, and through the house make daily routines easier.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Round shapes are the most efficient.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Avoid long rectangles and offset or “bumped
out” exterior walls.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><b>Energy.</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><b> </b> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">How
can energy needs be reduced while insuring a comfortable environment?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Build the tightest, most energy efficient
envelope you can afford.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Structural
Insulated Panels (SIPs) are a reasonable cost method for walls and roofs.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Choose and size windows that allow natural
light in while having as high an R value as possible.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Appliances, lighting, and water heating are
high energy users.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Get the most
efficient models available and manage for minimal energy use.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Minimizing energy use through proper
insulation and sealing, natural light, and air flow will significantly reduce
monthly utility bills.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Reducing energy
needs pays – a savings of $100 per month total on utilities adds up to $24,000
over 20 years at today's rates, without future increases.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Alternate Energy.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">
</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Adding solar electric generation, solar domestic water heating, or
simply passive solar heating is much easier and cost-effective in an
appropriately sized, low energy use home.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Siting and landscape plantings can be used to block winter winds and
provide shade in the summer.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Work with
nature as much as possible in making your home comfortable.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Even the
most appropriately sized, well built, and energy efficient home must be lived
with, not just in.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Window shades or
thermal shutters operated to match the changing conditions of the day, hot
water use at the end of the day using solar heated water, turning off, or even
better, unplugging appliances that are not being used...all of these are little
changes that add up to a “greener” lifestyle.</span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">While
building green may not be easy, it is easy to live a green lifestyle. Soon, just like that little frog, being green
comes naturally.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-65789632419279341172013-08-06T20:30:00.000-05:002013-08-06T20:30:01.345-05:00<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Appropriately Sized Houses</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been said that the next big
thing…is small.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have seen it already
in automobiles and meals.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now we are
seeing it in our houses.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is already a growing “tiny house”
movement. Houses in the 100 to 120
square foot size are built on a trailer frame for portability, which allows the
owner to work around current zoning laws requiring a minimum home size. Tiny houses do, however, have their
drawbacks. They are a little too small for most people. Storm resistance on a
trailer frame must be taken into consideration.
And vehicles large enough to tow the trailers tiny houses sit on, along
with the resulting transportation costs, are not tiny by any stretch of the
imagination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A logical step up from the “tiny house”
is what we call an “appropriately sized” home.
What is an appropriately sized home?
It’s a house that feels big but is not; a house that is secure on a
permanent foundation; a home that can be expanded as future needs change; a
home that is affordable for singles, couples beginning their lives together,
and empty nesters who want to downsize.
It’s a home that is efficient in the use of initial building materials
as well as long term energy use and maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smaller, appropriately sized homes are
the future. A smaller house offers
substantial savings in building and maintenance, lower taxes, and lower energy
consumption. At the same time, owning a
smaller home means more time and more freedom, and the money to enjoy them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider all the options for your future
housing needs, whether small or tiny, and find what is appropriate for you and
your lifestyle. It is true that size
does matter. And the future is clearly smaller.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-64469090429356867612012-06-22T21:50:00.000-05:002012-06-22T22:07:19.159-05:00May in Haiti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a while. One of the cardinal rules of blogging is to post regularly. I have broken that rule, but give you my pledge to try to do better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The circle of life keeps turning, season to season, year to year. March in Wisconsin brought June-like weather, causing everything in nature to ramp up almost a month early. April put everything in the fridge, but that had the advantage of preserving the daffodils, lilacs and cherry blossoms, among others, for longer blooming. Now in mid-June with the solstice just past, the landscape looks like August. Here in southwest Wisconsin it is dry and the grass has browned. We have mowed just a couple of times, unusual for this time of year. The pool was up at least two weeks ahead of normal schedule, and the water is now in the mid-80 degree range. Summer lies ahead and it seems it may be a hot one.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhyphenhyphen_UmI5OTCt-GKGIqcBsy8VUnEBq4K9oSqscP8J4FtgmIXyRubSBa2Fez3f6fnxa5v5-Mt_fxg9jVcXi81te7JI4zkvPq2tF8HxKQ5qKzPIkWjSjzoLfofLUE0RTHbQcXp-psrH4mZF0/s1600/Shantytown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhyphenhyphen_UmI5OTCt-GKGIqcBsy8VUnEBq4K9oSqscP8J4FtgmIXyRubSBa2Fez3f6fnxa5v5-Mt_fxg9jVcXi81te7JI4zkvPq2tF8HxKQ5qKzPIkWjSjzoLfofLUE0RTHbQcXp-psrH4mZF0/s320/Shantytown.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Along the way</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In May, my husband Dennis traveled to Haiti with a group from Ireland called the Haven Partnership. The original plan for the group's trip was to build new housing near Port-au-Prince through a connection with OxFam. The land was purchased and foundations were ready for the "Build It Week" team to do their magic. However, at the last minute some land ownership issues arose, and the venue changed to work on an island just off the south coast of Haiti called "Ile a Vache" (island of the cow...quite appropriate for a Wisconsinite!). The crew of nearly 50, which included a couple of Americans, a Canadian, one from the Dominican Republic, and the balance Irish, completed repairs and upgrades at the orphanage and boat dock on the island. They worked all week in 95 degree heat and humidity, building ramps, making repairs, and creating a soccer field and volleyball court from a rock strewn patch of earth.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbajZR_VaGQbDO3CxOgX-5x1nJDENZkiHr4oLH6CtPBBKRjb4-8lDPdfD82OmJNRZXvgusxPUkTHi6U_d4STXdLUfmhkX9naz0GTvqVmvPZBPmVqDYXAhVSpSTNZPqI9deoVBkXF06Cig/s1600/DSCF1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbajZR_VaGQbDO3CxOgX-5x1nJDENZkiHr4oLH6CtPBBKRjb4-8lDPdfD82OmJNRZXvgusxPUkTHi6U_d4STXdLUfmhkX9naz0GTvqVmvPZBPmVqDYXAhVSpSTNZPqI9deoVBkXF06Cig/s320/DSCF1205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Building a ramp for students in wheelchairs</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF85b1pLL4vvm-ZigEPR2Z9Bfr57M8VXRDRFqRX4ndPMcEk8ijVDI0bgH_Xu8TqoqC7Fqa1klnxWT73x-Xpnn3XQziMdzOexL3mi7Kd1qqHjoPGds2_oDY2-QAwl4uhqeNGB5YaNnJhZda/s1600/DSCF1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF85b1pLL4vvm-ZigEPR2Z9Bfr57M8VXRDRFqRX4ndPMcEk8ijVDI0bgH_Xu8TqoqC7Fqa1klnxWT73x-Xpnn3XQziMdzOexL3mi7Kd1qqHjoPGds2_oDY2-QAwl4uhqeNGB5YaNnJhZda/s320/DSCF1188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Outdoor seating in the shade for recess and outdoor classes</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z200clnWAaT3ZJ19HR0yhQrtZO_wqX3tKEtAZKkdbz2Gz_55MItQhv434cYuKp-6antayyKfSHT-GqlVfJ1Ij7KCW9b5Z-wLMagP56FTOLEbnJofW5IxhaxnOXcPYB7k3qimQgGKyl2L/s1600/Soccer+Field+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z200clnWAaT3ZJ19HR0yhQrtZO_wqX3tKEtAZKkdbz2Gz_55MItQhv434cYuKp-6antayyKfSHT-GqlVfJ1Ij7KCW9b5Z-wLMagP56FTOLEbnJofW5IxhaxnOXcPYB7k3qimQgGKyl2L/s320/Soccer+Field+Before.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The soccer pitch before...kids used this as their field, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">with rolled up plastic bags as balls...playing in their bare </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">feet.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMR6pTkae-lMXBY5nDYoCi1mxAWBAGv7NFgcYrsxNtY78sg6AaTOXabqBjW-ekDEqSTLATFGizhYNm5Gk9IWmGYmdcUPsyFLR3eNxBgIMux1egF7Voqa0tMFyxdCdS1qLT-FxmLuCgH2ki/s1600/Soccer+Field+Before+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMR6pTkae-lMXBY5nDYoCi1mxAWBAGv7NFgcYrsxNtY78sg6AaTOXabqBjW-ekDEqSTLATFGizhYNm5Gk9IWmGYmdcUPsyFLR3eNxBgIMux1egF7Voqa0tMFyxdCdS1qLT-FxmLuCgH2ki/s320/Soccer+Field+Before+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Work on the pitch</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq3lBCnZhNd7SnnpT9CBSaz9A6iEatYqq0MYl2d0uVUPtKpGst-IuZX40z48mCCPFInKQddikJFvwm37g45YO6zDHXkSkpq1ATBsQo-lGdE-jcmUrMjGwJ-gOj5kFLymZ6WuA89GoZehP/s1600/Work+on+the+Field.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq3lBCnZhNd7SnnpT9CBSaz9A6iEatYqq0MYl2d0uVUPtKpGst-IuZX40z48mCCPFInKQddikJFvwm37g45YO6zDHXkSkpq1ATBsQo-lGdE-jcmUrMjGwJ-gOj5kFLymZ6WuA89GoZehP/s320/Work+on+the+Field.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCTdZfSWYqV5lsYlY-1sbR3r77yQI0HnJNR-Rz-YoemIKcP7kXicZA3eC-6uF_65HRabbgKvm49Hw5NXO66UHbeeuU_phYKDx6urgPMSUzgy2Ir7_NGnAM1yfjcjA2Q0bNX6AesI7yemn/s1600/Soccer+Pitch+After.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCTdZfSWYqV5lsYlY-1sbR3r77yQI0HnJNR-Rz-YoemIKcP7kXicZA3eC-6uF_65HRabbgKvm49Hw5NXO66UHbeeuU_phYKDx6urgPMSUzgy2Ir7_NGnAM1yfjcjA2Q0bNX6AesI7yemn/s320/Soccer+Pitch+After.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Progress...kids using the pitch before it was completed</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAjVfcWekUdrwSAYW7ttwyF_Rk_XRcnZKbH30OvDNz6unMm3LoshtZLK1_k5rpfCYzRWpR6swIg7Q2U-1wVxIY1SZda5t-6u0rGbd8hGelAV2Mn51rCwFsnuJWRcFpYMdsfzm05OK4Nts/s1600/DSCF1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAjVfcWekUdrwSAYW7ttwyF_Rk_XRcnZKbH30OvDNz6unMm3LoshtZLK1_k5rpfCYzRWpR6swIg7Q2U-1wVxIY1SZda5t-6u0rGbd8hGelAV2Mn51rCwFsnuJWRcFpYMdsfzm05OK4Nts/s320/DSCF1219.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebration on the last day...completed soccer pitch and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">volleyball court</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">At news of the change of venue, Dennis was a bit disappointed that he wouldn't be building homes as was first planned...but the trip turned out to be an extremely rewarding experience in many ways. The faces of the people, especially the children, tell the story.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKHZyKI_QpQFYK-YahLRyDST0-IGuqNHEvbBAHMphjZacrq_zLYLh3EYaJV8rGazYb12zZUh-Q8CDjIVXlg-gEuYj8ZlfpWUl7XdhxifInAjebytj44uMdnDQPJr2_g9iw-qzAGCopPv8/s1600/Amy+from+Calgary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKHZyKI_QpQFYK-YahLRyDST0-IGuqNHEvbBAHMphjZacrq_zLYLh3EYaJV8rGazYb12zZUh-Q8CDjIVXlg-gEuYj8ZlfpWUl7XdhxifInAjebytj44uMdnDQPJr2_g9iw-qzAGCopPv8/s320/Amy+from+Calgary.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Canadian and an American in Haiti</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Children of the island</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">School kids going to lunch </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haiti is recovering...but it still has miles to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tent cities still stretch on for miles...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> ...and miles...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Housing in village on Ile a Vache</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We are both hoping to be able to make a trip to Haiti in the near future to help in the rebuilding efforts.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-17445601437101698892011-12-26T19:50:00.000-06:002012-01-04T22:14:52.350-06:00Circle Dwellings<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I live in a circular house. Well actually it's a dodecagon (12-sided). When we were building it, the kids HAD to know what a 12 sided structure is called, so we looked it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The circle is the most common and resource-efficient shape in the universe. It's also an inherently strong shape, as is evident by its wide use in the building of storage tanks, train cars, grain bins, rockets, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So why not live in one? Perhaps the question should be, "Why live in anything else?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Take a look back in history and you will find that what we commonly think of as a 'typical' dwelling is only a relatively recent development in housing. When humans began building shelter for themselves, it's possible that they were simply imitating other creatures or observing what already existed in nature. The circular shape was easy to make. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Structural supports could be made to support each other and skins or grasses
could easily be laid over the shape. Wind and rain resistance could readily be
obtained without corners to cover and seal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Round or polygonal (many-sided)
buildings were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, through medieval and
Renaissance Italy, in Russia, northern Europe and into colonial America. Thomas
Jefferson and Frank Lloyd Wright were among the many in more recent times who
favored this building shape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A building's shape is reported
by energy experts to be the first important factor affecting energy
consumption. A round building has about ten percent less wall area exposed to
the elements than a square building of equal floor area. The savings approach
fifteen percent when comparing a round to a rectangular shape of equal area. A
round building's reduced wall area means additional savings when you consider
that ten to fifteen percent less exterior wall needs to be paid for and built
initially. The same applies to the foundation walls and footings required.
Taking all into account, savings in initial building costs and future energy
costs can be substantial.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Why don't we see more round dwellings? It takes a bit of thinking outside the box (pun intended) to come up with a good design for the interior rooms in a circular building. But there are some great designs out there. Circular homes are perfect for you if you like open floor plans and efficient use of space. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <img border="0" height="225" src="http://207.190.82.172/fullcircleshelters/FCS%20new%20webs/round%20building%20photos/1120%20interior%201.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-47599444306660540372011-12-19T22:42:00.002-06:002011-12-19T22:45:30.536-06:00The Power of the Circle<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves. Our tepees were round like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop.</span></blockquote>
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Chief Black Elk of the Oglala Sioux, 1863-1950 </i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963933193907533304.post-70785595295734079292011-12-18T21:48:00.001-06:002011-12-18T21:48:54.460-06:00Welcome!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First post on this new blog! Where to begin...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Circle. I looked up the word online in the Merriam Webster free online dictionary. Quite a few meanings were listed there. <i> Ring. Halo. The orbit of a celestial body. An area of action or influence. Cycle, round. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably my favorite definition<span style="line-height: 20px;">: <i>A group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Think about how many circles you are a part of in your everyday life. Work. Family. Church. What are the common threads? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Lots to think about.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The name of this blog, All My Life's A Circle, comes from a Harry Chapin song. There are lots of references to the "Circle of Life" in art, in music. But Harry sums it up best, in my opinion:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>All my life's a circle</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Sunrise and sundown</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>The moon rolls through the night time</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Til the daybreak comes around</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many circles to be explored...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09588099627794161320noreply@blogger.com0