As houses age, repairs are needed. I have been living in the Log Home for nearly 14 years, and it is no exception. We originally installed a propane water heater reasoning that we would have hot water without electricity, and modest amounts of … Continue reading →
It’s been very hot here this summer, with very little rain, and we’ve had to take steps to shelter animals and any plants and trees that we value. With temperatures rising to around 105 degrees nearly every day for the … Continue reading →
We like music at Roy Creek Ranch, and some time ago I decided to get one of my pianos rebuilt. There are two pianos here, an 1893 Weber (originally purchased at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1893 — but that’s … Continue reading →
In the post of April 17, 2008, I mentioned the addition of a second rainwater tank to the north tank farm. It was actually purchased and delivered last spring and has been sitting on a decomposed granite pad since then. … Continue reading →
There are various strategies for keeping the rainwater in your tanks clean, including filters, “roof washers” and so forth. No matter what though, you find that the water collects debris over time — especially when it’s stored for a while. … Continue reading →
In an earlier post, I alluded to “bins” or “pens” That I constructed in the greenhouse. Something of a cross between a raised bed and a giant pot, these miniature gardens are very efficient, and easy to construct. Here’s how: … Continue reading →
The greenhouse has been in operation for a couple of months now, and beginning to show some results. Since this is my first real experience with one, I’m learning as I go along, and there are some surprises along the … Continue reading →
This morning marks the completion of a long-standing project here at the ranch. You may recall the construction of a greenhouse last year, one made of PVC and plastic sheeting. Well, now for the rest of the story: it was … Continue reading →
Saturday dawned clear and warm. The perfect day for completing the greenhouse! I had a nearly square frame to use for the foundation, done the previous weekend, and now it was time to level the ground and anchor the frame. … Continue reading →
One of the problems we have periodically here in the Hill Country are hard freezes. Given the length and heat of the summers, it’s a surprise to some and it catches many off-guard. Folks with tropical plants in their gardens … Continue reading →