Pentagon Roof

The roof has an overhang of appx. 3 feet. It is 12' high at the south end and 8' at the north end. Holes were drilled from underneath at the point of each corner, a chalkline was snapped between each of those and cut with care. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME - one should ideally be roped in. Toe boards helped to safely walk on the roof.

Chagatron

Some friends were recently sick, I referred them to a friend, (Glenn Esterson of Smoky Bowl farm in Sam's Gap) who harvests chaga nearby. They made up this great brew that tastes like chickory - great mixed with fresh grated ginger.
Chaga grows on live birch trees and is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-candida & has the highest ORAC value (antioxidants) of any known element. It's curious how one of the ugliest things can also be one of the healthiest things on the planet.

Top Plate Placement

Matt and John spent their Sunday helping me get the roof up - good times.
Bruce Shelton, my neighbor/sawer/mill owner, wasn't around any of the three times I went to pick up wood for the second story, he said to get what I need and keep count. Now we're ready for the rafters.

El Pentagono: 2nd Floor - Raising the Roof

The hammer was dusted off the other day and we filled our pockets with nails to resume construction on Shelton Laurels latest (and only) skyscraper. More to come . . .

Milling a Paulownia Trunk

Paulownia Barn

Rod is here with the 7'2" blank he joined and planed for me. He said he dries the wood in the most energy efficient electric kiln on the market (at 120 F). The board is 18" wide and featherweight: (Once I shape it I'll weigh it).

Speed Wood

Photo: http://www.mesurf.com.au/ProductDetail.aspx?id=317&name=alaia-surfboards

Over 90% of the wood that Glenn grows is used to make surf boards. Many of which are modeled after the boards that the ancient Hawaiians rode: Alaias. These fin-less boards are fast and a completely sustainable option over the conventional petroleum-based boards. Another benefit that Paulownia has over other woods is its resistance to salt water.

Paulownia elongata

Paulownia elongata is a fast growing shade tree that produces an extremely light weight wood that has a great strength to weigh ratio. It also grows fast - a healthy tree can reach full maturity in 10 years and sell for around $5.00 a board foot. Glenn Mayor first heard about these trees 15 years ago. At the time he was growing pine trees on his 25 acre tract in the South Carolina piedmont, once he realized he could be growing Paulownia in nearly half the growth cycle he made the switch.

Off-Grid Luxury

I am very grateful to be able to reap the full benefits of the sun's power, and hopefully never have to pay a power bill EVER.

Avens Springs Wildlife

Pizza in Paradise

Surprise pizza topped with figs, pesto, buckwheat greens, pesto, french lentil sprouts and who knows what else. Definitely my kind of surprise.

New River Camp Spot

We found this great camp spot on the New River, outside of Floyd.

Floyd Fest

Filthy Report

If only she could tell us her stories. She visits in the morning for breakfast and comes back at night for dinner - then leaves again. In between bites of food she likes attention. Cool with a capital Ool.

D.L.T.'s Forever!

A woman at the market told us about this great combo. Emily made some incredible buckwheat bread (sprouted buckwheat, tons of fresh basil, carrots, etc) and topped it with great local heirloom tomatoes and local lettuce (all of which we bartered for at the market). The dulse is from New Brunswick (I sell it at the market). Outrageous!

Reishi Grown by Carol

Carol grows these and sells them at the North Asheville Tailgate Market every Saturday. She can explain how to tincture them, or just brew up a sun tea and let them do their thing (anti-candida, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, etc).

Cocktail Hour!

All Hail Chia!
On busy days I'll have one in mid-morning, and one in the afternoon. It's easy to make and is powerful. I'm not a big fan of all the powdered "superfoods" but this is one time when they are practical. Emilita wanted a mix for her adventure so we did a proper mixing session.