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I love this place - but

I love this place we’ve been staying - there are so many things about the house that I have not enjoyed in some time. Nice clean place, spacious, tall ceilings, you’ve got to love it. There are many things that are less than desirable however.

I once read that if you are considering a purchase of land or real estate that includes a house, you should spend time there before deciding to purchase. I had never quite thought of it that way until then. I have found that sometimes when you think you have found a great place, you won’t find out if it is not so great until you have spent time there.

Whether it is a particular city, or an exact location, over the years I have seen great home sites otherwise ruined because of a nearby train or airport. This particular place has very close and nosy neighbors. It’s tough dealing with the need to keep music low and it really cramps my lifestyle.

So the next time you think you’ve found the perfect pace to live, or person, realize that the initial greatness can often be ruined from issues found later, and sometimes it’s harder to get rid of a piece of property than a bad human relationship. Not that there’s anything wrong with my relationship . . . I love you, honey!

Tags: Home by Jim
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Learning About Wines

I don’t know much about wines but I do know what I like when I drink it.

We had dinner at the local Olive Garden the other night. Just wanted something different and we were out that way, so we pulled in at a few minutes before 5:00. There was already a wait list, so we took a couple seats at the bar and on a lark we each ordered a glass of red wine. The bartender brought me a glass and I had a quick look at the bottle. It was Fuedo Arancio, by Nero D’Avola, from Sicily.

It is considered “lively and fruity.” I consider it very good and it goes well with anything Italian with a red sauce. If you have the chance to try a glass, do so at my recommendation. I wrote down the name of the wine and took it to the wine shop the very next day so I  could buy a couple bottles to have on hand.

Tags: Food, General Interest by Jim
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Sustainable building project in New Orleans with Brad Pitt

I was pleasantly surprised to see this sustainable building project in New Orleans, and with Brad Pitt on board and the recent news story with former President Clinton, it seems that this project with lofty goals is going to be a reality. A great web site and a greater cause, rebuilding in New Orleans with a focus on

  • Safety
  • Affordability
  • Sustainability
  • High design quality

Makes me happy today. I am also loving several of the featured designs that have been submitted by a bunch of design firms from around the world.

From the Make it Right Web Site:

The architects were given a typology study that included traditional New Orleans housing types such as the Shotgun, the Camel back and the Creole Cottage along with current ideas and recommendations for the target area in the Lower 9th Ward. The MIR team produced a set of guidelines for the houses that set metrics for the final design to insure that the specific goals of the MIR organizations were met. The team is also using Cradle to Cradle thinking to guide and inspire design and materials selection for new homes in the Lower 9th Ward.

There are really some great designs that have been submitted by several architectural and design firms. I particularly like the curved style roof of this design house design from trahan architecture curve roof house design from trahan architecturefrom Trahan Architecture

My favorite design is this one house design from Kieran Timberlake Assocaites house design from Kieran Timberlake Assocaites3from KieranTimberlake Associates - The garden design is progressive in my mind, and practical. I can envision this design being attractive in many parts of the country. Keeping the sun at bay in the summer and letting in the rays for the winter is a great idea and done right quite attractive. I would love to build some of these style homes in many parts of the country for affordable sustainable living.

house design from Kieran Timberlake Assocaites3

Tags: General Interest by Jim
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More about Ethanol

Did you know you can get a permit from the government to distill your own ethanol?  You can.  You have to go through the Department of the Treasury.  There are links to everything you need on that site.  But just like everything else to do with the US Government, they’ll keep you tied up in so much red tape and taxes that it won’t be worth it in the end.  I will not be surprised if old moonshiners don’t start cranking back up ther stills and start selling their grain alcohol they used to sell for people to drink to people for their vehicles.  They’ll make more money that way and we would pay less too.  Wait and see, I bet it’ll happen.  They’ll be busting boot leg ethanol stills like they used to bust moonshine stills.

Tags: Food, going green, government by Jim
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Armed Forces Day

With the mess we are in with Iraq, today is a day to make sure each and every soldier knows how much we appreciate the sacrifices they have made for us.  Not just the soldiers of today but anyone that has ever served deserves our respect, our appreciation, and our thanks.  I’m not saying I’m for or against the war of today but I am saying I’m for the soldiers.  I salute each and every one of you.  The families of the soldiers need to be saluted too because some of them have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost a loved one for our freedoms.  Here’s to all of you!!!!!!

Tags: General Interest, Holidays, government by Jim
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