Thursday, November 27, 2008

almost ready for the Monks







Number five is getting near the "Dried in point". Monks are due next thursday and the sauna/kuti will be ready. Got the sheathing and felt on the roof today and moved the wood stove in. Tomorrow I will finish the walls and install the stove and give it a "smoke" test. Still need to install one window and build a door and install the insulation in the walls and ceiling. Then of course there is also the interior panelling as well as the shingles on the roof and the benches inside the sauna and the porch roof and the privacy screen and the....and the....and the.... and on and on and on.

There is 20 acres for sale right next door to use with some beautiful building sites and a spring as well. Wish we had the $49,000 they are asking........actually a pretty good price. This piece would make a great monastic area.

Pictures are of number five/sauna and from the front porch.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

still working







Even though the season is winding down I am still working. Trying to get the fifth building up and ready for the Monks that are coming in early December. This building will also double as a dry heat sauna.

I am doing most of the work with help from the three yogis only when I can't lift something by myself.

Siding goes on tomorrow.
the view is from the porch of number five.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

End of the Building Season, 501(c)3


The snow is flying at OGM and our meditators are buttoned up in their kutis. The building season is pretty much over, save for some bits and pieces here and there. Looking back it has been an amazing season - we went from one half-finished kuti to four kutis using all volunteer labor and a shoestring budget. We're broke and exhausted, but very happy.

Many thanks to all who contributed, especially the volunteers poured their personal time into the place. Without your help we would be still working on the 2nd unit! A special big thanks to Mischa and Brendon who stuck with it all season and became fine builders in their own right. I hope you guys build your own houses someday.

I also want to mention that very recently we received the official IRS paperwork affirming our 501(c)3 status. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the tax laws permit. It was harder than we thought, but now it's done. If you've been holding back making a donation for this to happen, now is the time!

Hopefully we'll get some photos of snow and mountains up here now, and not so much shots of folks wielding tools.

May all beings be happy.