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#volcanicash — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #volcanicash, aggregated by home.social.

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  1. Mount Etna ash forces popular Italian airport to close again

    Italy’s Catania airport was forced to suspend flights again on Monday due to volcanic ash from Mount Etna’s…
    #Italy #Europe #Europa #EU #airportoperator #ashemission #ashemissions #BorisBehncke #Cataniaairport #MountEtna #volcanicash
    europesays.com/italy/47687/

  2. "Volcano eruption leaves 170,000 passengers stranded in Indonesia" by @BBCNews - Some airports closed in Indonesia due to #VolcanicAsh from eruption of #AnakKrakatau. The ash made of pulverized rock is a hazard for jet engines which can melt it into glass which abrades and clogs the machinery. Anak Krakatau is feared for growing in the caldera of Krakatoa which exploded in 1883, similar to 2022 explosion of Hunga Tonga. bbc.com/news/articles/cvgy5k4n #volcano #geology #weather #aviation #travel #avgeek

  3. "Volcano eruption leaves 170,000 passengers stranded in Indonesia" by @BBCNews - Some airports closed in Indonesia due to #VolcanicAsh from eruption of #AnakKrakatau. The ash made of pulverized rock is a hazard for jet engines which can melt it into glass which abrades and clogs the machinery. Anak Krakatau is feared for growing in the caldera of Krakatoa which exploded in 1883, similar to 2022 explosion of Hunga Tonga. bbc.com/news/articles/cvgy5k4n #volcano #geology #weather #aviation #travel #avgeek

  4. "Volcano eruption leaves 170,000 passengers stranded in Indonesia" by @BBCNews - Some airports closed in Indonesia due to #VolcanicAsh from eruption of #AnakKrakatau. The ash made of pulverized rock is a hazard for jet engines which can melt it into glass which abrades and clogs the machinery. Anak Krakatau is feared for growing in the caldera of Krakatoa which exploded in 1883, similar to 2022 explosion of Hunga Tonga. bbc.com/news/articles/cvgy5k4n #volcano #geology #weather #aviation #travel #avgeek

  5. "Volcano eruption leaves 170,000 passengers stranded in Indonesia" by @BBCNews - Some airports closed in Indonesia due to #VolcanicAsh from eruption of #AnakKrakatau. The ash made of pulverized rock is a hazard for jet engines which can melt it into glass which abrades and clogs the machinery. Anak Krakatau is feared for growing in the caldera of Krakatoa which exploded in 1883, similar to 2022 explosion of Hunga Tonga. bbc.com/news/articles/cvgy5k4n #volcano #geology #weather #aviation #travel #avgeek

  6. "Volcano eruption leaves 170,000 passengers stranded in Indonesia" by @BBCNews - Some airports closed in Indonesia due to #VolcanicAsh from eruption of #AnakKrakatau. The ash made of pulverized rock is a hazard for jet engines which can melt it into glass which abrades and clogs the machinery. Anak Krakatau is feared for growing in the caldera of Krakatoa which exploded in 1883, similar to 2022 explosion of Hunga Tonga. bbc.com/news/articles/cvgy5k4n #volcano #geology #weather #aviation #travel #avgeek

  7. From the GeologyHub YT channel: a good briefing on the current Anak Krakatoa eruption. In summary: it's a significant eruption regionally speaking, but not of global concern.
    #volcano #VolcanicAsh

    youtu.be/GFdRyNeKcxU

  8. From the GeologyHub YT channel: a good briefing on the current Anak Krakatoa eruption. In summary: it's a significant eruption regionally speaking, but not of global concern.
    #volcano #VolcanicAsh

    youtu.be/GFdRyNeKcxU

  9. From the GeologyHub YT channel: a good briefing on the current Anak Krakatoa eruption. In summary: it's a significant eruption regionally speaking, but not of global concern.
    #volcano #VolcanicAsh

    youtu.be/GFdRyNeKcxU

  10. From the GeologyHub YT channel: a good briefing on the current Anak Krakatoa eruption. In summary: it's a significant eruption regionally speaking, but not of global concern.
    #volcano #VolcanicAsh

    youtu.be/GFdRyNeKcxU

  11. Anak Krakatau ash reaches 15km, Japan rules out tsunami impact

    Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano sent ash approximately 15 kilometres high during an eruption that continued into Saturday, September…
    #EuropeSays #Japan #JP #BreakingNews #Indonesia #Nihon #tsunami #volcanicash #volcaniceruption
    europesays.com/japan/86437/

  12. Band forced to cancel Glasgow show due to volcanic ash grounding flight

    A band due to play in Glasgow was forced to cancel its appearance after volcanic ash trapped them,…
    #Glasgow #UnitedKingdom #UK #GB #Scotland #Headlines #News #Europe #EU #Britain #GreatBritain #holidaytravellers #MountEtna #volcanicash
    europesays.com/uk/1152169/

  13. Mars orbiter watches mysterious wave of darkness spread across red planet’s surface

    Volcanic ash is creeping across the surface of Mars with startling speed. The European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Mars…
    #NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Space #EuropeanSpaceAgency #lightanddarkness #MarsExpress #Science #Volcanicash
    newsbeep.com/us/591660/

  14. Mars orbiter watches mysterious wave of darkness spread across red planet’s surface

    Volcanic ash is creeping across the surface of Mars with startling speed. The European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Mars…
    #NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Space #EuropeanSpaceAgency #lightanddarkness #MarsExpress #Science #Volcanicash
    newsbeep.com/us/591660/

  15. Tokyo releases AI-generated video of Mount Fuji erupting

    The Tokyo metropolitan government has released an artificial intelligence-generated video of Mount Fuji to raise awareness about what could happen to Japan’s capital city in the event of an eruption. This is the first time officials have used AI to …
    #Japan #JP #MountFuji #capitalcity #MountFujiNews #news #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #volcaniceruption #富士山
    alojapan.com/1467168/tokyo-rel

  16. Tokyo releases AI-generated video of Mount Fuji erupting

    The Tokyo metropolitan government has released an artificial intelligence-generated video of Mount Fuji to raise awareness about what could happen to Japan’s capital city in the event of an eruption. This is the first time officials have used AI to …
    #Japan #JP #MountFuji #capitalcity #MountFujiNews #news #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #volcaniceruption #富士山
    alojapan.com/1467168/tokyo-rel

  17. alojapan.com/1467168/tokyo-rel Tokyo releases AI-generated video of Mount Fuji erupting #CapitalCity #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #VolcanicEruption #富士山 The Tokyo metropolitan government has released an artificial intelligence-generated video of Mount Fuji to raise awareness about what could happen to Japan’s capital city in the event of an eruption. This is the first time officials have used AI to raise awareness and educate people on pot

  18. alojapan.com/1467168/tokyo-rel Tokyo releases AI-generated video of Mount Fuji erupting #CapitalCity #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #VolcanicEruption #富士山 The Tokyo metropolitan government has released an artificial intelligence-generated video of Mount Fuji to raise awareness about what could happen to Japan’s capital city in the event of an eruption. This is the first time officials have used AI to raise awareness and educate people on pot

  19. alojapan.com/1464243/tokyo-use Tokyo uses AI to warn residents to prepare for the worst with simulation of Mount Fuji erupting #ActiveVolcano #eruption #JamesHickey #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #Tokyo #TokyoMetropolitanGovernment #VolcanicAsh #WorstCaseScenario #富士山 Tokyo could be buried under volcanic ash in just two hours if Mount Fuji erupts for the first time in 300 years. Japanese officials want residents to prepare for the worst. The Tokyo Metropolitan

  20. alojapan.com/1464243/tokyo-use Tokyo uses AI to warn residents to prepare for the worst with simulation of Mount Fuji erupting #ActiveVolcano #eruption #JamesHickey #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #Tokyo #TokyoMetropolitanGovernment #VolcanicAsh #WorstCaseScenario #富士山 Tokyo could be buried under volcanic ash in just two hours if Mount Fuji erupts for the first time in 300 years. Japanese officials want residents to prepare for the worst. The Tokyo Metropolitan

  21. An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

    My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

    by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

    "With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

    "When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

    "I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

    "It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

    "I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

    "For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

    "Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

    "Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

    "Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

    "I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

    "I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

    "In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

    Source:
    timberjay.com/stories/my-carpe

    #SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

  22. An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

    My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

    by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

    "With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

    "When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

    "I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

    "It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

    "I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

    "For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

    "Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

    "Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

    "Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

    "I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

    "I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

    "In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

    Source:
    timberjay.com/stories/my-carpe

    #SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

  23. An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

    My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

    by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

    "With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

    "When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

    "I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

    "It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

    "I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

    "For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

    "Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

    "Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

    "Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

    "I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

    "I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

    "In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

    Source:
    timberjay.com/stories/my-carpe

    #SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

  24. An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

    My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

    by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

    "With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

    "When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

    "I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

    "It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

    "I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

    "For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

    "Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

    "Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

    "Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

    "I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

    "I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

    "In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

    Source:
    timberjay.com/stories/my-carpe

    #SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

  25. An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

    My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

    by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

    "With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

    "When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

    "I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

    "It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

    "I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

    "For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

    "Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

    "Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

    "Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

    "I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

    "I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

    "In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

    Source:
    timberjay.com/stories/my-carpe

    #SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

  26. A massive volcanic ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is moving across western and northern India, raising air travel and health safety concerns, especially for asthma patients. english.mathrubhumi.com/lifest #HayliGubbi #VolcanicAsh #AshCloudIndia #EthiopiaEruption

  27. A massive volcanic ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is moving across western and northern India, raising air travel and health safety concerns, especially for asthma patients. english.mathrubhumi.com/lifest #HayliGubbi #VolcanicAsh #AshCloudIndia #EthiopiaEruption

  28. A massive volcanic ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is moving across western and northern India, raising air travel and health safety concerns, especially for asthma patients. english.mathrubhumi.com/lifest #HayliGubbi #VolcanicAsh #AshCloudIndia #EthiopiaEruption

  29. alojapan.com/1361481/see-what- See what would happen to Tokyo if Mount Fuji erupted ‘without any warning’ in new AI-generated video #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #TheVideo #Tokyo #TokyoMetropolitanGovernment #video #ViralVideo #VolcanicAsh #VolcanicEruption #富士山 When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Officials released an AI-generated video of a Mount Fuji eruption on Aug. 22 for Volca

  30. alojapan.com/1361481/see-what- See what would happen to Tokyo if Mount Fuji erupted ‘without any warning’ in new AI-generated video #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #TheVideo #Tokyo #TokyoMetropolitanGovernment #video #ViralVideo #VolcanicAsh #VolcanicEruption #富士山 When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Officials released an AI-generated video of a Mount Fuji eruption on Aug. 22 for Volca

  31. alojapan.com/1359741/japanese- Japanese Government Used An AI Video To Show How A Mount Fuji Eruption Would Disrupt Life In Tokyo #LifeInTokyo #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #TheGovernment #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #富士山 Situated only about 60 miles southwest of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is an important tourist attraction for Japan. The popular landmark is also an active volcano (not to be confused with dormant volcanos), so it could erupt at any moment. Most visitors and eve

  32. alojapan.com/1359741/japanese- Japanese Government Used An AI Video To Show How A Mount Fuji Eruption Would Disrupt Life In Tokyo #LifeInTokyo #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #TheGovernment #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #富士山 Situated only about 60 miles southwest of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is an important tourist attraction for Japan. The popular landmark is also an active volcano (not to be confused with dormant volcanos), so it could erupt at any moment. Most visitors and eve

  33. alojapan.com/1359058/tokyo-rel Tokyo releases AI-generated video of Mount Fuji erupting #CapitalCity #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #VolcanicEruption #富士山 The Tokyo metropolitan government has released an artificial intelligence-generated video of Mount Fuji to raise awareness about what could happen to Japan’s capital city in the event of an eruption. This is the first time officials have used AI to raise awareness and educate people on pot

  34. alojapan.com/1359058/tokyo-rel Tokyo releases AI-generated video of Mount Fuji erupting #CapitalCity #MountFuji #MountFujiNews #MountFuji #news #Tokyo #VolcanicAsh #VolcanicEruption #富士山 The Tokyo metropolitan government has released an artificial intelligence-generated video of Mount Fuji to raise awareness about what could happen to Japan’s capital city in the event of an eruption. This is the first time officials have used AI to raise awareness and educate people on pot