Monthly Archives: September 2010

Archaeology under the staircase

In the back corner of the front hall closet, I discovered a small square section of the wall that had been cut out and then nailed back together. I pried it out and peered into the space below the staircase … Continue reading

Posted in Inventory | Comments Off on Archaeology under the staircase

Modeling the first floor’s structure

With the foundation and its framing in the SketchUp model, there’s something to hold up the first floor. So I’ve modelled the floor (including holes for heating vents), the framing of the exterior walls and the interior walls (see below). … Continue reading

Posted in Inventory | Comments Off on Modeling the first floor’s structure

Modeling our building using Google Sketchup

Our property’s value is split unevenly between the land and the house — the land is worth much more than the house. On paper, at least. To the people who live on the property, though, the house gets the lion’s … Continue reading

Posted in Inventory | Comments Off on Modeling our building using Google Sketchup

Rectifying local maps from 1876 and 1881

Barbara, our neighbor who has lived here for several decades, very kindly invited me to photograph two of her historic maps of this locality, one from 1876 and the other from 1881. The maps show roads, buildings and significant topographic … Continue reading

Posted in Inventory | Comments Off on Rectifying local maps from 1876 and 1881

Unearthing more old jars and bottles

Many more jars and bottles have followed the initial discovery, all coming from the same, but now larger, 3′ x 3′ section of the woodlot, shown below. Below are a few examples of unbroken glassware with design patents imprinted on … Continue reading

Posted in Inventory | Comments Off on Unearthing more old jars and bottles

Archeology in the backyard woodlot

The very back of our property is a small woodlot. While most of our land is level or gently sloping, the woodlot’s terrain is uneven and lumpy, as if the trees and vegetation grew on top of piles of trash. … Continue reading

Posted in Inventory | Comments Off on Archeology in the backyard woodlot

What is neighborhood ecology?

What is the carrying capacity of my neighborhood? Beginning with my own property, I’m investigating whether my neighbors and I can sustain our lifestyles exclusively on the resources already in our neighborhood — sunlight, rainfall, flora, fauna, buildings, etc. I’m … Continue reading

Posted in Plan | Comments Off on What is neighborhood ecology?