by kuri | Dec 14, 2021 | Japan, Personal Reflections
Southern Chiba’s low and rolling mountains are criss-crossed with old roads, ancient cow trails, and other overgrown signs of past habitation. Walking them together is our happy time on weekends. Tod is very good at spotting interesting little mountain turnoffs...
by kuri | Oct 14, 2021 | Household, Personal Reflections
We discussed what to do for our anniversary this year. Travel is traditionally our celebration, but after 18 months of staying home during the pandemic, it’s feels uncomfortable to plan a holiday. So instead, we bought a clock. Because it is our 32nd...
by kuri | Sep 21, 2021 | Cats, Drawings
As often happens, Maura decided to help me at my desk this morning. But today, his assistance created a beautiful composition on top of the armatures I was exploring. Thanks, Maura. You’re a good boy.
by kuri | Aug 13, 2021 | Go-go-go
As you certainly noted from the previous posts, I am not an architect. But I need one in order to build the house. Even if I insist on one of my layouts, I have no idea about structural integrity, speccing systems like electricity and plumbing, how to cost out a plan,...
by kuri | Aug 12, 2021 | Go-go-go
Although the kominka burned to the ground, its 120 year old barn remains. Way back when, it hosted the family’s cows and you will find the remnants of stalls, and a 2nd story hayloft. Right now it is packed with tools, things in storage, and just plain junk. We...
by kuri | Aug 11, 2021 | Go-go-go
With my theories and goals in mind, I was eager to draw some floorplans. I had all the measurements I took from the kominka, so I knew pretty well what sort of footprint I could work within on the site: 16 meters wide by 9.8 meters deep. South facing. After that, it...
by kuri | Aug 10, 2021 | Go-go-go
I am not an architect and that will be apparent as you read further. However, I have a lifetime of interest in architecture, from drawing plans of fanciful castles when I was a girl to studying historical architectural as a teen, and reading architecture theory as an...
by kuri | Aug 8, 2021 | Cats, Personal Reflections
This morning, Typhoon #10 is bucketing down outside and the cats are going crazy, all of their morning calisthenics taking place in the office instead of outside. By the time yoga starts in an hour, I think they will be crashed out and sleeping. But for now, there is...
by kuri | Jun 16, 2021 | Go-go-go, Japan
Recently, Fujii-san acquired 12 tons of tile that was going to be sent to the dump by a construction company. 8 enormous bags of it that needed to be lifted by crane. Each bag is filled with completely random odds and ends from projects. There’s all kinds of...
by kuri | Jun 1, 2021 | Go-go-go, Japan, Personal Reflections
At the end of today, it was done. The kominka is nothing more than ashes and a few piles of straw and rubble. There’s more to do, of course. Those piles of hay need to be moved and the lot flattened out and readied for the next stage. But we’re all overdue...
