compost pile

Last year we bought a compost container and put it out by the wood pile in a practical spot, far enough from the house. Then this past winter we discovered that this is smack in the middle of the band of snow deposition. There were weeks in which it was completely hidden. Now we might finally have access to it again!

Various

In knitting news, I finished my red sweater. It's 11.5 balls of Dale Svale with ideas from several sources.

I don't know what's up with the blog software, but this image is now tightly linked to the one below. Weird.

Sun pillar over setting sun - seen from the airport. We were on our way to Toronto for a Tai Chi workshop, heading out in the evening for the red-eye.

The gang at health recovery week. It was a small group so we all got plenty of attention from the two instructors.

Chanting stations in the temple. I went chanting each morning, always the same one for health and longevity. New is some attempt at the tones on the last word of each phrase.

The Center's pond. We were in the practice hall in the upstairs with the high ceiling.

Today we got invited to a bonfire, Rob's favorite. This is the morning shot.

Several hours later, the snow has melted back and there's quite an ash pile. Rob burned a hole in his shirt.

Off grid system update

Remote Power, Inc installed some new batteries for the generator.  The batteries and charger are on an A, B or A+B switch.  We also installed a separate inverter and batteries to power the data logging and control system.  Now to work on the temperature monitoring and control relays.

Had our first night or so above freezing.  Breakup has been very mild so far -- nice and slow melting of the snow pack.  Snow depth at the airport 4/11/2012 was 19 inches.