Archive for category House-of-Chaos

Date: February 24th, 2010
Cate: Great Grey Beast of February, House-of-Chaos, Ohio, Tiny House Projects, china, family, personal, spirit
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FairyGate: The Back-40 at the House-of-Chaos gets transformed into a fae-gate.

Faery Gate

I know I’m not supposed to do it, but I can’t stand it anymore. I completely understand that “no gates, bridges or other thoroughfares are to be built, opened or unblocked to allow the free transfer of beings from fae-to-terrin.”

Bollocks.

I’m building one. In the back-40 of the House-of-Chaos I’m building a fairy gate. It will open on the Summer Solstice of 2010. Just try and stop me.

In preparation, here is a list of plants to make the fae more welcome in the garden. Since this is the last week of February, and I’m convinced that Spring, in all her glory, is right around the corner…I better get crackin’ on the yard plans.

Try planting some of these faery favorites in your garden!

[ from: http://www.afaeryhunt.com/fairyfun.htm ]

BLUEBELLS: Faeries are summoned to their midnight revels and dances by the ringing of these tiny flowers.

FERNS: Pixie faeries are especially fond of ferns. One story tells of a young woman who accidentally sat on a fern, and instantly a faery man appeared and forced her to promise to watch over his faery son and remain in Faeryland for a year and a day. Ferns make nice soft beds for the little guys.

FOXGLOVE: The name “foxglove” came from the words “folk’s glove.” Folks referred to little people, or faeries. One legend says that faeries gave the blossoms to foxes to wear as gloves so they would not get caught raiding the chicken coop. According to another legend, if you picked foxglove, you would offend the faeries. And if the faeries stole your baby, the juice of the foxglove would help to get it back. In some stories, foxglove appears as a faery’s hat. Foxglove can sometimes heal and sometimes hurt. It is a poisonous plant, but it is also used as medicine to treat heart disease.

HEATHER: lights the flame of fairy passions and may open the gates between the fairy world and our own.

MUSHROOMS: Used by faeries as tables and stools. The species Amanita is the red and white mushrooms very poisonous….

PANSIES: These may be used in fairy love potions.

POPPIES: These will bring faeries into your dreams.

PRIMROSES: Primroses are one key into faeryland. There is a German legend about a little girl who found a doorway covered in flowers, and when she touched it with a primrose, the door opened up, leading into an enchanted faery castle.

RAGWORT, CABBAGE STALKS, GRASS and STRAW: All of these were used by faeries for transportation in the same manner as a witch uses a broom.

ROSES: The sweet smell and soft petals of roses attract faeries to your garden. A popular love spell uses roses. Sprinkle rose petals under your feet and dance on them softly while asking the Faery for a blessing on your magic

SAFFRON CROCUS: The stamens from this fall flowering crocus constitute the herb saffron. Any food prepared with saffron is a favorite faery food. Saffron used as a dye will turn cloth a royal gold. Such cloth is very valuable to faeries.

THYME: Wear a sprig of thyme to increase your ability to see the wee ones. Thyme may also be planted by the doors and windows of your house to invite the fairies to come inside.

TULIPS: The faeries like to use the tulip bloom to put their babies to bed.

Some other faery favorites are rosemary, heartsease, and forgetmenots.

Date: February 13th, 2010
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects

My Valentine’s Day present!

No…it’s not slinky or chocolate (sort of chocolate coloured!). But it’s awesome. I got an EZ Composter/Rainbarrel for Valentines Day this year! How cool is that. The Tiny House-of-Chaos has been using a 20 gallon trashcan for composting since last year when we moved in, and that has been working fine, but turning the bin manually is slightly problematic. This solves that dilemma.

7 Cubic Foot Good Ideas Recycled Plastic
EZ Composter and Rain Barrel Hybrid – Oak

* Unique composter and rain barrel combination!
* Tumbler seeps compost juice into barrel for compost tea
* Made of 100% recycled plastic
* Easy turning with recessed handles
* Wheels for easy movement
* 12-inch twist lid and breather holes
* Turn just once per week
* Create fresh compost in as little as 4 weeks
* Brass spigot on rain barrel for easy hose hookup
* Anti-bug and debris screen
* 7 cubic ft./47-gallon capacity
* 29L x 35W x 39H inches

Date: January 14th, 2010
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, inspiration, quote, wisdom

WWII Food Administration had GOOD advice

From the DineInDiva

Date: January 7th, 2010
Cate: House-of-Chaos, family, personal

Yum!: Crockpot Soy-Ginger Chix

Soy-Ginger Chicken

Ingredients

Serves 4.

1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons dark-brown sugar
5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
1 piece fresh ginger (about 2 inches long), peeled and cut into thin strips
5 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal (1 cup packed)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
4 chicken drumsticks and 4 thighs (about 2 1/2 pounds total), skin removed
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced crosswise
1 tablespoon cornstarch more))

Date: January 5th, 2010
Cate: House-of-Chaos, goetics2.0, life the universe and everything, magick, personal

Furfur 34 T-Shirt

From BlogPhotos

Date: January 5th, 2010
Cate: House-of-Chaos, family, life the universe and everything, news, personal

Collage of the NIHF:STEM school “A Healthy EcoSystem” presentation

Date: January 2nd, 2010
Cate: House-of-Chaos, life the universe and everything

Felize wishes you a Merry Christmas

Felize wishes you a Merry Christmas

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

Ho Ho Ho….may all your holidays be bright.

Date: January 2nd, 2010
Cate: House-of-Chaos, family, life the universe and everything, news, personal
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Cafe DuMorning!!!

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

Cafe Du Monde is on Jackson Square in NOLA. I found a place to but cans of their coffee here in Akron, OH. I am much pleased. That is all.

Date: December 21st, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, family, magick, personal

Good Yule to y’all – Winter Solstice 2009

A lovely Yule poem by Richard De Angelis:

‘Twas the night before Yule, when all ‘cross the heath,
not a being was stirring; Pagan, faerie, or beast.
Wassail was left out & the alter adorned,
to rejoice that the Sun King would soon be reborn.

The children lay sleeping by the warmth of the hearth,
their dreams filled with visions of belov’d Mother Earth.
M’lady & I beneath blankets piled deep,
had just settled down to our own Solstice sleep.

Then a noise in the night that would leave us no peace,
Awakened us both to the honking of geese.
Eager to see such a boisterous flock,
When we raced to the window, our mouths dropped in shock!

On the west wind flew a gaggle of geese white & gray,
With Frau Holda behind them in her giftladen dray.
The figure on her broomstick in the north sky made it clear,
La Befana was approaching to bestow Yuletide cheer.

From the south came a comet more bright than the moon,
And we knew that Lucia would be with us soon.
As these spirits sailed earthward o’er hilltops & trees,
Frau Holda serenaded her feathery steeds:

“Fly Isolde! Fly Tristan! Fly Odin & Freya!
Fly Morgaine! Fly Merlin! Fly Uranus & Gaea!
“May the God & the Goddess inside you soar,
From the clouds in the heavens to yon cottage door.”

As soft & silent as snowflakes they fell:
Their arrival announced by a faint chiming bell.
They landed like angels, their bodies aglow.
Their feet left no marks in the new fallen snow.

Before we could ponder what next lay in store,
There came a slow creaking from our threshold door.
We crept from our bedroom & were spellbound to see
…There in our parlor stood the Yule Trinity!

Lucia, the Maiden, with her head wreathed in flame,
Shown with the radiance for which she was named.
The Lightbringer’ s eyes held the joy of a child,
And she spoke with a voice that was gentle, yet wild:

“May the warmth of this household ne’er fade away.”
Then she lit our Yule log which still burns to this day.
Frau Holda in her down cloak stood regal & tall;
The Matron of Solstice, the Mother of all.

Under her gaze we felt safe & secure.
Her voice was commanding, yet almost demure:
“May the love of this family enrich young & old.”
And from the folds of her cloak showered coins of pure gold.

Le Befana wore a kerchief on her silvery hair;
The veil of the Crone who has secrets to share.
In her eyes gleamed a wisdom only gained by spent youth.
Her voice was a whisper but her words rung with truth:

“May health, glad tidings, and peace fill these rooms.”
And she banished misfortune with a sweep of her broom.
They then left a gift by each sleeping child’s head,
Took a drink of our wassail, and away they sped.

While we watched them fly off through the night sky we laughed,
At the wondrous magick we had found in the Craft
As they departed, the spirits decreed
Merry Yule To You All & May All Blessed Be!

Date: December 20th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, family, personal

HOC: Xmas Tree 2009

Fraser Fir

Every year the strong and sturdy females of the Darrington clan trek into the wilderness to track and hunt the annual House-of-Chaos holiday tree. This year was no exception and China and Mia felled a well-endowed Fraiser Fir for the foyer of the new Tiny House.

We aimed, took our shot and together we carried the lucky fir tree back to 8th Street were we mounted it, dressed it and trimmed the heck out of it before loading up the presents underneath.

and here is our final product!

Date: December 20th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects

HOC: Bird Feeders & Houses

I have fed the birds for a long time. At our last place, in Timber Top, our loft was surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park system and we has a wonderful array of wildlife, including birds. Last year I took a 15 second video clip on my cell phone of the massive activity occurring at the 3rd story patio feeders:

So naturally we were going to continue feeding the birds at our new place. Then when Mister Bird showed up in November we wanted to get him a nice shelter before it got bitterly cold. After a trip to Wild Birds Unlimited we were outfitted nicely with seed, feeders, houses and suet. Then Mister Bird brought a friend.

Now, the houses are hung, the feeders are filled and the suet is sloshing. I hope all the birds enjoy.

Date: December 19th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects

HOC: Breezeway

The weather is turning cold and I’ve finally gotten the breezeway into good condition. I have, in the past five months:

stripped and refinished the windows
replaced the back storm door
painted the ugly gray paneling to a blue (extra paint I had from Mia’s bedroom project)
painted the molding and ceiling
replaced the front storm door
installed a new, push-button lock on the entry door.
installed a new lampshade and painted the old light fixture

That’s a lot! Yay!

If you would like to see more photos from the breezeway projects:

Flick’r Breezeway Tiny-House-Projects for the House-of-Chaos

Date: December 19th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects
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Red Lantern lampshade for Breezeway

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

This is the red paper lantern lampshade that I used to cover the bare bulb fixture in the center of the breezeway at the Tiny House-of-Chaos.

I got it at Cost Plus World Market for $19.99:

Yoko Red Square Paper Lantern (SKU #381930)

It’s hip to be square. The signature lighting in Asian homes and festivals for centuries, paper lanterns today provide casual lighting solutions for everyday decor as well as special occasion illuminations. Triple square silhouette with in crushed red paper with wire framing. Use with World Market cord kit. 15″Wx16″L.

Date: December 19th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, family, life the universe and everything, news, personal

Pamplemousse the Hedgepiggy

Pamplemousse – All Curled Up

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

Mia’s new hedgepiggy and the newest member of the Tiny House-of-Chaos, I introduce “Pamplemousse” the hedgepiggy, showing off his “defensive hedgepiggy position” which protects his soft underbelly.

I’ve done this position many times myself! Welcome to the family Pamplemousse!

Date: December 6th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects

HOC: Dining Room Re-Do

The Curse of the Evil Beige Paint

When I moved into the tiny House-of-Chaos in May 2009, the walls were painted with that cheap, beige paint that you can get for about $50 for 5 gallons. Ick. Ugh. Ooof.

It had to go, but to what? I know I have a lot of work in all areas of the house, so what to tackle first? One of my goals is to do all of the renovations out-of-pocket and not to gain any additional financing to support a remodel.

So I got an idea one day: The ugly gray paneling that was in the breezeway, well it extended into the dining area up to the chair-rail. What was behind that paneling?

The hole behind the paneling

Ah. There are holes behind that paneling, and water stains from where the roof leaked. Now that the roof has been replaced I’m not worried about water continuing to damage the walls, but I’m also not really into replacing all of the walls quite yet.

So I took the paneling off:

Removing the Paneling

Gave her a new coat of gray paint:

Cut in the windows with a sharp new white after sanding them down as best as I could:

Original Window Yuckiness

New Window Yumminess:

Installed new nickle-finish hardware on the window sashes and latches:

Old Latches

New Latches

Installed new birch plywood project panels which I stained ebony with my magick molding stain (now expanded to just “magick stain” since we’ve extended past the molding):

And installed new molding for the chair-rail:

White composite chair-rail molding

and the baseboard:

To finish we stripped the extra paint from the registers and air intake vents and repainted them a satin black:

and ta-da! It now looks like this!

Dining Room - after

Dining Room - After

The whole set of images from the entire project can be viewed:

The first grilled meal at the House of Chaos

Date: December 6th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects
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HOC: Breezeway – Simplex Pushbutton Lock

We installed a new Simplex push-button lock onto the entry door from the breezeway. Nice. That way we don’t need to hustle with a key to get in. Just know the uber-secret pass-code and clicky-click you’re in!

This is what we ordered (but in nickle):

Simplex 7000

The Kaba Ilco Simplex 7108 Lock is Stylish, Compact, and adds the security that you are looking for. Because of it’s sleek body and wide variety of finishes, Simplex 7000 makes for the best residential push button lock that Kaba Ilco has to offer. Fully Mechanical with a rugged housing that is also weather-resistant. The dead-latching feature locks every time the door is closed, while the deadbolt lock is locked manually.

Features:

Rugged all-metal construction is weather resistant, providing added strength and durability.

Easy to maintain – no batteries to replace.

Optional model features include spring latch and deadbolt.

Easy Installation and Code Changing Instructions

and this is how it looks installed:

Date: December 6th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, life the universe and everything, personal

HOC: Exterior Xmas Decorations

New House…some new Xmas decorations. Now, avoiding the discussion of Xmas as a commercial holiday and the competition of homeowners with their seasonal decorating displays, we wanted to put up a little bit in the way of outdoor lighting and display just to celebrate the season and get us into the mood. We also wanted to be responsible and efficient in our choices. So…a little research tuned up the following:

Benefits of LED Lights

When compared to conventional incandescent lighting, LED bulbs have numerous benefits.

Energy efficiency: LED lights are up to 90 percent more efficient than incandescent lights.

Long lasting: LED lights consist of solid-state construction, making them sturdier and more resistant to damage than conventional lights. According to the Department of Energy, the best white LEDs have been found to have a useful life of about 35,000 hours, or four years of continuous operation. Also, when one light goes out on a string, the others stay lit.

Safety: The epoxy plastic that encapsulates the LED bulbs is cool to the touch.

Read more at Suite101: Save with LED Christmas Lights: Decorate on the Cheap with Energy Efficient Holiday Lights | Suite101.com http://familyfinances.suite101.com/article.cfm/save_with_led_christmas_lights#ixzz0Yv9W8yNz

So we went to get solar, timed and LCD lighting for the house. Now remember that the Tiny House-of-Chaos is only 768 sq. feet, so there isn’t much “outdoor” for us to light. But we wanted to make informed choices and shop responsibly for the long-term. This is what we got:

50 Light LED Solar Net Lights, White

Solar LCD Lights

Product Features

23.0 ‘ LED String Lights
Comes Prelit with 50 White Solar-Powered with Rechargeable Battery Lights
Plastic 20%, Solar Panel 20%, Wire 20 %, LED Lights 40%
Features LED Technology for Vivid Colors and Whiter Whites, Up to 88% Less Energy Use than Standard Bulbs
Light Modes Include Blinking, Continuous
Up to 20x Longer Life than Standard Bulbs
Recommended for Outdoor Use
Wipe Clean with Dry Cloth

Power Center T28011

Westinghouse Holiday Outdoor Digital Power Center with Built-in Dual Timers

All Weather 6 Outlet Safety Power Station. Switch for Digital Timer or Photo Cell Timer control

Features
*Power On/Off Switch
*Built-in circuit breaker
*Rain tight housing
*GFCI protection w/ test and reset button
*Auto turn off power when GFCI detect water penetration

SOLAR NET LIGHTS

Solar Net Lights

Product Features

Creates a dazzling display without wires
Easy to set up and maintain
Charge by day lasts up to 8 hours
50 bulbs per net, stretches to 45 x 36″
Requires 1 AAA battery (not included)

Date: December 3rd, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, funny-bone, life the universe and everything, news, personal

Mr. Bird brought a friend

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

Mister Bird has brought a friend home to roost. Could it be all the good birdie stuff I bought from Wild Birds Unlimited?

Mr. Bird in his Tiny-Perch-of-Doom

The $94 Question… (Birds Gone Wild)

Date: December 3rd, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, life the universe and everything

Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

This is my new beautiful stainless steel composting bin for the kitchen. She is sleek and sturdy (like many of the Darrington women).

This stainless steel compost pail is perfect for collecting food scraps for my compost pile . I won’t be embarrassed to have it sitting next to your sink while telling visitors to the House-of-Chaos about the benefits of composting.

The stainless steel compost pail has a carbon filter to keep any smells contained when the lid is closed, and a handle to easily carry it outside to the compost bin.

The fluted, polished body is made of durable 18/8 stainless steel, and holds 1 gallon of kitchen scraps and other organic materials. It measures 11 inches tall, with a 7 inch diameter.

http://www.cleanairgardening.com/pail.html

Date: December 2nd, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, funny-bone, life the universe and everything, personal

The $94 Question… (Birds Gone Wild)

Wild Birds Unlimited

Question: “How, China, did you manage to spend $94 for Mister Bird’s bird house?

Answer: “Easy! I went to Wild Birds Unlimited.”

more))

Date: December 2nd, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, family, life the universe and everything, personal

Lucifer; Happy in the Sink

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

This is where Lucifer sleeps. In the Tiny House-of-Chaos bathroom sink! Of course, he prefers a minion to place a freshly laundered, warm towel in the sink before he retires for the evening.

Date: December 2nd, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, life the universe and everything, personal, spirit
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Mr. Bird in his Tiny-Perch-of-Doom

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

This is Meester Bird. He’s been hanging around for a few weeks now. We get home after dark (which happens around 4:15 p.m. right now) and when we come through the breezeway, occasionally we hear the flapping of wings.

I knew it wasn’t Death coming for me. I knew it was just a bird. Yeah, right! That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

But yesterday I collected evidence of this bird.

Date: December 2nd, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, funny-bone, life the universe and everything, news, personal

My entry to win the “Yanko Claus” Yamaha Speaker Dock

I never enter contests. Because I never win. It’ s a viscous cycle; don’t win, so I never enter, thus reducing my chances of winning.

But today my beloved RSS feed informed me of a Yamaha PDX-60BL portable player speaker dock that was being given away by the fine fellow at Yanko Design. The joy and spirit of giving! Huzzah, huzzah.

I wanted it. I covet it. I formulated an entry for the contest.

The rule stated that one should add a comment citing a reason why they should receive this speaker dock. The responses were predictable:

I just bought a house and can’t afford anything else.
I only have my poor, poor ear-buds that came with my $400 iPod Touch or iPhone and I need speakers to add to sustain my luxurious standards.
I live in Ireland and I can only listen to music from the sheep.

So I formulated my entry:

I need the Yamaha PDX-60BL speaker dock because of the distortion in the fabric of time and space caused by the Large Hadron Collider being turned back on.

This particle accelerator was created to observe the “Higgs Boson” particle (also known as the “God particle”). Some have theorized that the problems with the LHC (it broke the week after it was initially turned on) have been due to time-traveling scientists, responsible for creating the LHC, who have come back to disable their project because of the destruction and peril it creates.

My personal theory is that they are doing this to prevent a zombie apocalypse.

A few months back, they wanted to turn it on again, but were foiled by “a piece of crusty bread” which was dropped by a bird. Now, referring to the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” which tells us that giant ships could be fueled by improbability drives, I propose that this bird, carrying this “bit of crusty bread” decided at this moment, not to *eat* the crusty bread, but to drop it…now, in such a spot to disable the Large Hadron Collider, had traveled back in time and space and was originally carrying a Yamaha PDX-60BL Speaker Dock and it was originally intended to be dropped at my house.

So…please, for the sake of all mankind (and bird-kind), correct this great cosmic wrong, and prevent the zombie apocalypse, by making sure the Yamaha PDX-60BL Speaker Dock arrives in the place that the universe has designed for it. The Darrington Tiny-House-of-Chaos!!!

It’s all about pinpin’ the LHC. The HOC for the LHC. Heeeeyyyy! Hoooo! Fer’shizzle! Indeed. Keep your fingers crossed that the Tiny House-of-Chaos will be bumpin’ the large sounds from the Yamaha speaker dock courtesy of Yanko Claus.

Yamaha PDX-60BL

PDX-60BL Portable Player Dock

Date: December 1st, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects

HOC: Sleeping Pallet for Master Bedroom

I’ve been sleeping on the floor. Well, not the actual floor, but the shikibuton I purchased a few months ago has been resting on the floor while I decided if I was going to install tatami mats or a platform bed or a futon frame for my main sleeping quarters.

Now, I love my bedroom. I think it’s a sanctuary and it needs to be a place that I feel instantly comfortable. I am comfortable with a mattress on the floor more than I am comfortable making a major purchase that turns out not to be correct.

But last week I brought a load of lumber home and constructed a quick-and-dirty sleeping pallet which raised up the shikibuton about 6″ from the floor. I still think I’m going with the tatami mats, eventually. But those suckers aren’t cheap so I’ll need to save my pennies for them.

So, I built this sleeping pallet:

It brings me 6″ off the ground, allows space for a nightstand and bookshelf and I’m considering adding to it in a little bit of time.

Date: December 1st, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects

HOC: Dining Room Window Re-do project

Dining Room – Window

Originally uploaded by chinagrrrl

In November 2009, while trying to write 50,000 words in 30 days or less, I also decided to re-do much of my dining room. This entry covers the refinishing of the old, wooden windows.

more))

Date: November 26th, 2009
Cate: Tiny House Projects

Re:post – Bunkies avoid building permits

Michael Janzen over at Tiny House Living posts about the tiny “Bunkies” that avoid building permits:

I always like to hear about folks finding creative ways of solving housing needs. It’s not the beating the system part that interests me, although too often it seems like that is a requirement, which is really sad. Shouldn’t building codes be designed to protect folks… not limit or exclude folks? This article on Tiny House Blog describes one such work-around situation at Lake Ontario, Canada.

These Bunkies Avoid Building Permits

Date: November 25th, 2009
Cate: Tiny House Projects

Re:Post – 1962 Airstream EcoConversion/Restoration

Oh. My. Gods.

I love Airstream. To me it is a cultural icon. I used to have a recurring dream in a post-nuclear time of me and my family/brood (in this dream I had six kids) who traveled in that apocalyptic time in a converted Airsteam trailer which had been retrofitted with gun turrets/flamethrowers and all the fashionable bio-hazard accoutrement.

Jon and Kate’s Airstream looks much nicer than the one from my dreams and I will be following their travels.

From This Tiny House:

more))

Date: November 24th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, spirit

HOC: Garden – Hibiscus

I purchased two red hibiscus plants at the end of the summer for the front patio of the Tiny House-of-Chaos. They were about $10 bucks a plant and I wasn’t sure if I would get much in the way of foliage from them, but they have produced literally hundreds of flowers that I’ve enjoyed. more))

Date: November 24th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, spirit

HOC: Garden – Gardenia

I love gardenia’s! I love the smell. I love that they are “finickey” plants that need a lot of specific needs. I think that’s awesome. I’ve killed previous gardenias (Harry gardenia, may you rest-in-peace) but I was able to tend to some of my family’s flowers while they wintered in Florida and received one for Mother’s day this year.

I learned they like to:

drink coffee
receive regular misting with distilled water
and have an evening or two a week by a humidifier.

In return they gave me a steady stream of these:

Gardenia

Wasn’t that sweet?

Date: November 24th, 2009
Cate: House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, family, life the universe and everything, magick, news, personal, spirit

Griffin’s Passing

Griffin - My faithful familiar

On September 26, 2009 my 13-year-old familiar and faithful kitty Griffin passed away.

In July of 2008 he has something akin to a stroke and was all wobbly for about a week. He had stabilized by the time I took him to the vet a few days later, but inside I knew that I was living with him on borrowed time.

MardiGriffin

I got Griffin as a spindly-legged Louisiana Swamp Cat. I was living in New Orleans in 1996 and was thinking about getting a kitty. I was actually talking to a friend aobut this when outside the window of Kaldi’s Coffee House on Decatur in the French Quarter I see this wispy little orange ring-tail sauntering past a window. Since the window was about five feet off the sidewalk I ran out to see what it was doing. Outside were some gutter-punks spanging on the corner and I asked if that was their kitty and could I hold it.

They told me that some friends came through town with him and left him there and that there were trying to find a home for the little guy. I told them not to worry that I’d take him. So Griffin rode down Esplanade with me, riding inside my scooter helmet and covered in fleas.

In those first days he got no fewer than five flea baths with different products, but every time I dunked him in a bucket of dip all the fleas would just climb up to his head. So dense were his fleas that they literally would fall off his head into the water because they had no more real-estate left up top.

And so, on day five we went to the vet and invested a couple of hundred bucks in a brand-new flea medication called “Front-line” and “Advantage”. It was the first time I had ever a significant chunk of my own money in taking care of an animal. And with that, the fleas died, his shots were up to date, he was registered to me on his rabies tag and I had my first baby!

It was just him and me for the first two years and he moved with me from NOLA to Colorado, where I followed a guy. That relationship quickly deteriorated and I moved back to Ohio, with Griffin to recollect during the summer. I learned I left Colorado with more than myself and Griffin when I learned in July that I was pregnant. Griffin and I had many deep conversations on the back patio and I decided that I was going to undertake the responsibility of being a single mom. As I bought baby stuff, Griffin thought I was buying him elaborate cat toys.