After journaling the construction progress of our Straw bale retreat centre and home in Craik over the past three years on our company website, I've had some time to take stock of our lives and have decided to stop putting God and myself in such a small box. My journal and excitement to share has always been from a technical side of construction of what works and what doesn't balanced with sharing the frustration of lacking the time and finances to get our house built.
Audrey and I originally set out to build a home and studio that would be different, unique, artistic, energy efficient, and self sufficient. This included passive solar design to minimize heating and cooling bills, wind/photovoltaic power generation, and natural landscapes for clientele to enjoy. What ensued was the beginning of a journey that has forever changed us and our kids.
So many people have asked us, "Why do you want to go back to the dark ages?" or, "Why do you want to work so hard?", and to be honest, I've always had a hard time answering people. I don't anymore though. You see, people who ask those questions are walking in their own shoes, not in ours, and I can't possibly begin to trace the steps that led them to their decisions in life, just as they can not possibly step into each print left by our family's feet. What I can say though, is that I would not change a day in my entire life...nor any to come. I have no regrets for the man I am, nor for the father and husband I am becoming.
I thought this journey was about building a house...what I found was something else. It was discovering that most of the products we use on a daily basis are made from products that were originally developed to kill people during WWI and WWII. And that many others are made from waste products of other processes...not necessarily because they are good products or "good for you", but because they are "cheap". I've also learned that anyone who has a stake in financial gain, does not necessarily make decisions based on what is best for the environment, or for the people. People might think we're a bit crazy, and that's OK; but here are some convictions that I have:
Formaldehyde: Accidentally invented in 1859 and then rediscovered in 1868. It is one of the most widely found chemical compositions in your home:It is used in fiberglass insulation to bond the fibres together, mixed with urea (ammonia) to produce OSB (subfloors, I-beam floor joists, outer wall sheathing, roof sheathing), K3 particle board (kitchen cabinets, most furniture, most laminate flooring), MDF (window casings, baseboards, interior doors (press board)), Plywood (bases for kitchen counters, some furniture). As well, it is widely used as a fungicide for new clothing you buy (that was manufactured overseas). For such a widely used product, it should be safe, right? To see the "health benefits" of this widely used product, click here and here and here Some people will experience cold like symptoms that last 2 to 3 years after moving into a new home. This is typical of Formaldehyde poisoning through inhalation.
Audrey and I originally set out to build a home and studio that would be different, unique, artistic, energy efficient, and self sufficient. This included passive solar design to minimize heating and cooling bills, wind/photovoltaic power generation, and natural landscapes for clientele to enjoy. What ensued was the beginning of a journey that has forever changed us and our kids.
So many people have asked us, "Why do you want to go back to the dark ages?" or, "Why do you want to work so hard?", and to be honest, I've always had a hard time answering people. I don't anymore though. You see, people who ask those questions are walking in their own shoes, not in ours, and I can't possibly begin to trace the steps that led them to their decisions in life, just as they can not possibly step into each print left by our family's feet. What I can say though, is that I would not change a day in my entire life...nor any to come. I have no regrets for the man I am, nor for the father and husband I am becoming.
I thought this journey was about building a house...what I found was something else. It was discovering that most of the products we use on a daily basis are made from products that were originally developed to kill people during WWI and WWII. And that many others are made from waste products of other processes...not necessarily because they are good products or "good for you", but because they are "cheap". I've also learned that anyone who has a stake in financial gain, does not necessarily make decisions based on what is best for the environment, or for the people. People might think we're a bit crazy, and that's OK; but here are some convictions that I have:
Formaldehyde: Accidentally invented in 1859 and then rediscovered in 1868. It is one of the most widely found chemical compositions in your home:It is used in fiberglass insulation to bond the fibres together, mixed with urea (ammonia) to produce OSB (subfloors, I-beam floor joists, outer wall sheathing, roof sheathing), K3 particle board (kitchen cabinets, most furniture, most laminate flooring), MDF (window casings, baseboards, interior doors (press board)), Plywood (bases for kitchen counters, some furniture). As well, it is widely used as a fungicide for new clothing you buy (that was manufactured overseas). For such a widely used product, it should be safe, right? To see the "health benefits" of this widely used product, click here and here and here Some people will experience cold like symptoms that last 2 to 3 years after moving into a new home. This is typical of Formaldehyde poisoning through inhalation.
Chlorine: Used during WWI as "mustard gas", Chlorine gas has since been the poster child of "safe" drinking water campaigns in the Western world. What I don't understand is why the Canadian military along with Red Cross, don't use chlorine when purifying drinking water in disaster zones. They instead use sand filtration, charcoal filtration, UV sterilization, or RO filtration. To see the "health benefits" of chlorine, click here and here.
This is just the beginning of what we discovered about products we use and come in contact with each day. There is so much more that we are convicted of, but I need to emphasize that these are our convictions...each of us makes our own decisions, and we never started out to change the world...in fact, we still aren't out to change the world. What I can say though is that we can begin with changing our own paradigms about what is good or bad and that will in turn - change the world around us. There are certain things that happen such as PG&E's total lack of regard for human health or well being that was accidentally uncovered and made famous by Erin Brockovitch - Events and people like this need to be stopped, but the decisions we make with our cheque books day after day have a profound effect on the world. If no one buys a product, it will be gone...and if there is a demand for another...companies will line up to supply it. The most power we have as a population is with our economy. That economy must come into line with our beliefs about God, our family's well being, and the community around us. Alexander Hamilton once said, "Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything"........So what do you stand for?
Great, great post. We are sometimes so naive and clueless about what is surrounding us. Personal responsibility and taking care of your own family is critical. Once you accept that it is YOUR job.... it changes the paradigm.... forever.
ReplyDeleteGoing back is not an option.