This was a while back. Actually, more than a year now…jeez I can’t believe it’s been that long.
I documented this project as I worked on it, just taking photos and storing them in a spreadsheet with the day’s date in the left column. I had hoped at some point I’d use the images to do a write up, and today I decided to begin that effort.
If you followed along through my multi-part introduction (#whoisalbuslucimus), do you remember Talking about continuous area improvement in The Rucker? What I am about to unfold is a tale of exactly that concept in action. There were days where all I could spare was 15 minutes, but on those days, I did do 15 minutes worth of work. Every step towards improvement is a step towards completion, and every 15 minutes wasted is gone. Anyway, let’s get started.
27 August - 06 September 2020
Something told me to make a fire room. An underground space with ventilation where I could make ceremonial fires and play the flute, without arousing the curiosity of my neighbors at 3 am.
I picked this spot behind my shed. I deliberated a ton about leaving that tree where it was; I knew digging a tree out would be a lot of work. But in the end, I knew the vision was of a room too large to accommodate leaving the tree, so I cut it down and dug a perimeter.
Next time I had a free moment, I dug out the inside of the perimeter to a depth of roughly 1 ft. The tree trunk and roots were going to have to be a high priority if this was going to be a reality.
It looks easy in pictures! Looks like that tree stump just flipped over and gave up! I assure you, this was not the case. I used a pick axe and shovel to clear the trunk, but the roots would have to come out a little at a time.
Realizing my roof would create a visible hump if I laid my struts directly on the ground, I dug recesses on either side to support the roof temporarily.
This was all fairly covert. I didn’t really want to draw attention and have government officials showing up asking for permits I couldn’t afford; I just wanted an underground fire pit and flute playing area - is that so much to ask!?
Anyway so the plan was that I would dig out deep enough to leave an air gap once the roof was placed. Then I would make a full depth tunnel up through the floor of the shed and hollow out the room from within, adding supports when I got to my target depth. It was risky, but I’m all about that shit.
Looking at it at this stage, I still somehow knew I would reach my goal, I just had to keep digging.
Stick with me as I unravel the story of the fire room. To this day it has not been completed, but I made some pretty good progress before giving it a rest, and I’m just awaiting my next opportunity to take it further. Anyway, I made it further than this I just have to write it up in smaller bursts or I won’t do it at all.
See you next time!
You can find the links to all the Fire Room posts, here.
For an indexed view of (most) of my works, don’t forget to check out the Albus Index! Quickly search through my content or browse for what available by topic!
- - : GO TO THE ALBUS INDEX : - -
Use my Coinbase referral link to get started with Coinbase! I’ll get $10 in Bitcoin but, more importantly, you will get $10 in Bitcoin too!
Here is a post I did recently about using Coinbase with HiveWallet to get Hive in the US. If you’re wanting to buy Hive and are having difficulties, this may be helpful for you!
