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Steam heat saves the day
 There's a very interesting thread on the Wall right now about how well an often-disrespected (meaning old) system of heating really came through during an ice storm. Sometimes, the old ways are the best ways.
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Camping in?
 We bought a small play tent that looks like a castle for our granddaughter, Dempsey, and she doesn't want to come out of it. Looks like that tent might always have an added bonus when it comes to heating the house, well at least according to this article. |
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Greening the U.K.
 Here's a nice photo-essay about 11 U.K. homes that are anything but usual. I like Crossways (the next to last). Which is your favorite? Or maybe you hate them all? Hey, want to live in a container? |
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And toward the other extreme
 Nice bit of writing here about how difficult it once was to just keep warm. Reminds me, once again, about how we do our jobs so well that most folks just take warmth (and our industry) for granted. We make it look easy, which it's not. Remind someone of that today. |
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Nothing to do with heating
 My daughter, Kelly (Dempsey's mommy), shared this story with me and it made me smile. Isn't it nice to know there are people in the world who can think up this stuff and then actually go out and do it? |
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Independence day?
 It looks like we're about 10 years away. That's when the experts predict the U.S. will be an energy-independent country. Thanks to subscriber, Ray Frechette, for sharing this column with us. My first thought was that we're probably now going to stop looking for ways to save energy, but that's just me being cynical. What do you think? |
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Wood
 Subscriber (and my favorite architect), Jodi Smits Anderson, sent me this video, which has nothing to do with heating but did get me thinking about wood. It also got me thinking about how I wish I could draw like that. I was reading a book about old Russia when I came across the story of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior on Kizhi Island. Russia has lots of wood and the people who built with it used just one tool - the axe. The carved each piece to fit the next. As you look at the photos of that magnificent, 300-year-old church, consider that there's not a single nail or screw in the whole building. Such incredible skill. I'm not worthy! |
