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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 12/10/2026

The water heater has been delivered and installed, and work has started on the installation of an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV). Since the house is so energy efficient, it doesn’t need a traditional furnace but still needs some way to retrieve stale indoor air […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

The mechanical room of the Fredericton north passive house. On the left and right are electrical panels. In behind is an electric water heater on the left and a Zehender energy recovery ventilator on the right. The walls of the mechanical room are plywood.

Two flexible air lines running through the engineered roof trusses to an air outlet in the downstairs bedroom.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 12/10/2026

Oct 6 update on the #fredericton #yfc #passivehouse: Exterior sheathing is complete, including a reinforced section for the awning over the south patio. The house will have a three season room attached for my wife to start her plants in the spring. The framing of […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

A rectangular house with a covered front porch on the right and a three season room attached on the left. The house is wrapped in blue Siga house wrap. The builder had one old role of house wrap so there is a dark blue band amongst the newer light blue wrap. Scaffolding is set up along the nearest corner. The ground around the house is grey crushed rock. In the background are trees with a cloudy sky above.

A closeup picture of the new power meter on the house.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 12/10/2026

Today my family visited the Crabbe Mountain ski resort for the Fall Festival of Colours. You walk down one of the ski runs, enjoying the colours of the leaves, then ride a chairlift back up. In the lodge are various local vendors selling crafts. #fredericton #yfc

A picture of people walking down one of the ski runs at the Crabbe Mountain ski resort. The grass is green but the leaves on the trees on either side have started to change to the yellow, orange, and red of fall. The forest of trees extends across the valley in the distance. The sky has some thin, high clouds although some blue sky is visible between the clouds.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 21/09/2026

Sep 20 update on the #fredericton #yfc #passivehouse: The blower door test came in at 0.3 air changes per hour - well below the 0.6 ACH required for a passive house. Wooden I-beams are being used to form a Larsen Truss. The front porch is framed, the bathtubs have […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

A partially constructed two story slab on grade house. The exterior OSB sheathing has a wooden I-beam attached every foot and a front porch has been added. Scaffolding is erected along the closest side of the house.

This is the view from the south side of the building and the framing for large south facing windows is visible. One of the owners is standing near the house wearing a hat and vest.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 24/08/2026

RE: mstdn.ca/@KenHemmerling/11700623456… Aug 21 update on the #fredericton #yfc #passivehouse: The second floor exterior walls are up, the roof trusses and sheeting is done, and the metal roof is installed. There will be a blower door test on Sept 1st […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

A picture of a home under construction. The house is rectangular and is covered in 4’ by 8’ sheets of OSB where each seam is taped to ensure air tightness. The roof is up and is covered in tan coloured metal roofing. In the foreground is a power pole with a connection to the local grid at the top and a simple subpanel used by the builders near the bottom. To the right of the power pole is a sign for “IJM Builders Built to Lead. Built to Last.” And to the right of that is a portable outhouse. Trees surround the building. Above the house is a blue sky with a single cloud appearing to be right above the house.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 16/08/2026

If you find yourself in New Brunswick and would like a meal that is more elevated than the usual fare, I recommend checking out Gulliver’s World Cafe in Gagetown. It’s definitely worth the drive from the trans-Canada Highway. gullivers.ca

Gulliver’s restaurant as seen from the parking lot. A tan colored building with white trim and a black roof. On the side of the building are a crossed silver fork and spoon and the name Gulliver’s in red letters.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 30/07/2026

Hello #fredericton #yfc, I’m a transplanted Albertan that just moved here and is building a #passivehouse. I’ll post pictures and the project progresses. There’s not much to see so far.

A picture of a home under construction. On the right is a power pole and an electrical distribution box that hasn’t yet been connected to power. Behind is a concrete slab with the first floor exterior walls of the house in place. On the left is a driveway with piles of floor trusses. Trees surround the home in the back with a cloudless blue sky above.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 07/07/2026

Good morning #yegbike people. I’m moving across Canada and have a Thule hitch bike rack that I don’t want to move. It comes with a never used frame adapter for step-through bikes. Open to offers on the two together. Reach out to me here or via Ken(dot)Hemmerling(at)outlook(dot)com.

Thule hitch bike carrier on a lawn, propped up by a lawn chair. The carrying arms are folded down.

A Thule frame adapter for bikes with step-through frames.

Thule hitch bike carrier on a lawn, propped up by a lawn chair. The carrying arms are up in the carrying position.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 20/06/2026

Next up are a pair of clip on tow mirrors that for a 2021 to 2025 F-150. Free.

A pair of clip on tow mirrors for a 2021 to 2025 Ford F-150. They are sitting on my kitchen table.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 08/04/2026

Hey neighbours, My family will be moving later this year and we won’t be able to take our bunny “Biscuit” with us. She’s about two and a half years old, has been to a vet and has been vaccinated. She’s litter box trained, comes with a litter box, “Paw Hut” bunny […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

Biscuit the bunny checks out the Christmas tree.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/02/2026

I was just searching for “NDP Alberta” to make a change to my monthly donation and the recommended website that came up is the United Conservative Party. What The Actual Fuck. #yeg #abpoli

The browser search bar on an iPad with “NDP Alberta” typed in and the recommended website is for the United Conservative Party.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 23/12/2025

Biscuit the bunny loves the Christmas tree.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 22/12/2025

Happy winter solstice everyone. The days get longer from here. #yeg

A screen capture from gaisma showing how days are getting longer until, 6 months from now, days will have over nine and a half hours more sunlight.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 03/12/2025

Sherbrooke Liquor beer advent calendar day 2: Well Hello Mr. Fancy Pants, hazy IPA #yeg

A can of Well Hello Mr. Fancy Pants, hazy IPA. The can has a multicolor label with what appears to be the silhouette of a man holding a large gun.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 02/12/2025

Hey yeg cyclists, I bought a panier from Aliexpress and it came with a rain cover that I’ve never used. It measures roughly 40” long and 22” wide. Can anyone use this? Maybe for a bike trailer?Free. #yegbike

A bright yellow cover on the back of a kitchen chair to show the size.

A bright yellow cover with an elastic sewn into the edge.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 02/12/2025

Day 1 of my beer advent calendar from Sherbrooke Liquor. #yeg #SherbrookeLiquor

A large box that is also a craft beer advent calendar. The box has round perforations showing allowing access to the cans within. The upper left corner has a perforation with the number 1 on it with the words “Start Here!”. The different perforations have different fonts, some spelling out the number and others using Arabic numerals.

A can of Duckworth Vienna Lager with a stylized duck on the label.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 12/11/2025

I used to have a neighbour with a cat named Dudley who liked to kill squirrels. They moved away about a year ago. I miss them. #yeg

The engine of a Ford F-150 covered in pine cones.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 11/11/2025

Hey #yeg neighbours, I have two pair of downhill skis (one child and one adult) and a pair of shields downhill ski boots for sale. Atomic Elysian 140 childs skis with Atomic Evox7 bindings. $40 Atomic Nomad 164 adult downhill skis with Atomic ATC bindings. $60 […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

Atomic Nomad 164 adult downhill skis with Atomic ATC bindings.

Head Edge Junior children’s downhill ski boots.

Atomic Elysian 140 childs skis with Atomic Evox7 bindings.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 02/11/2025

Post-election cleanup - the finale. With no place to store the large 4’ by 8’ signs, we took them to an Edmonton Reuse Centre. The staff there were happy to take them.

Several large “Elect Michael Janz” signs in the back of a pickup truck.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 31/10/2025

[Sarcasm on] Picked up this years COVID vaccine from the Alberta government. [Sarcasm off]

Two containers of Ivermectin for Horses on a fall themed tablecloth.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 29/10/2025

I received a pamphlet from Matt Jeneroux, MP for Edmonton Riverbend even though I live in the Edmonton Strathcona riding. I assume that taxpayer dollars went to produce and distribute the pamphlet. Yet another waste of money for the federal Conservatives. #yeg

A pamphlet from a Conservative MP sent to a home outside his riding.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 28/10/2025

Part two of keeping usable items out of the landfill: 1200 metal frames for election lawn signs put into storage.

The bed of a pickup truck filled with more than a thousand metal legs for election signs.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 25/10/2025

I volunteered to help my favoured candidate for councillor in the recent civic election. Today we washed, bundled, and put into storage roughly 1200 lawn signs. It’s wild to think of the waste when someone runs for election one time and never again. #yeg #yegvote

The back of a pickup truck full of bundles of election campaign signs. Each bundle is 50 signs. The stack of bundles is three wide and three deep with the top row only two deep. Total of 24 bundles of 50 signs gives 1200 signs total.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 18/10/2025

Cycling is the fall is one of my favourite things. I love the crisp air and the sound of the tires on fallen leaves. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada #yegbike #biketooter

A pedestrian path that curves its way through some deciduous trees. There are few leaves on the trees and many along the sides of the path.

A pre-sunrise picture showing a pedestrian path with trees silhouetted against the lightening sky. It is a fall picture as the trees have lost most of their leaves yet there is no snow on the ground. Far above is a crescent moon.

A man-made pond in a residential green space. The water is calm giving a clear reflection of the sky and the trees on the far bank. Some of the deciduous trees have leaves that have changed to vibrant yellow while other trees are bare. On the grass of the far bank are some Canadian geese.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2025

Much as I love the spring, the fall in Canada has its own beauty. I love being able to see the sunrise on my ride into work, I love the sound of my bikes wheels when riding through the fallen leaves, and I love watching the Canada geese practicing their V flying […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

A bicycle path through a neighbourhood green space. The sun is still below the horizon turning the clouds orange.

A ravine with the sun just rising above the horizon making the clouds orange. Off to the left is a multifamily housing development.

A man-made pond in a neighbourhood green space. The water is very calm and reflects the trees on the far side - some of which have started to change colour. On the far side are several Canadian geese.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2025

I had company while digging up carrots today. #YEG

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 16/09/2025

Monday Sept 15, 2025. A beautiful morning to ride into the office. #yeg #yegbike #biketooter

A picture of a very orange sunrise. On the left is a road with a white car, on the right is a bike path that slowly curves away from the road. Between the road and the bike path is a grassed area with what appear to be young-ish elm trees. There are some clouds in the sky and what appears to be a vapor trail.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 14/09/2025

Tomato and chili pepper harvest. I foresee a good fall for pasta sauce. #yegfood #yeg

A kitchen counter with three types of tomatoes. On the left are orange cherry tomatoes, in the middle are black “indigo rose” tomatoes, and on the right are traditional red tomatoes. In front of the tomatoes are several red chili peppers.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 08/09/2025

Today I drove a rented Hyundai on the ocean floor… at low tide to visit Ministers Island NB.

A grey Hyundai Elantra on the ocean floor at low tide - coming back to the mainland from Ministers Island NB.

A screen capture of the Maps app on a phone showing the location to be in the middle of the water.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2025

@chad My wife and I are visiting New Brunswick right now. Today we stopped by the Magnetic Hill Winery. magnetichillwinery.com

An indoor “covered bridge” that leads to a balcony. The sign on the bridge reads “Worlds shortest covered bridge”.

A close-up picture of the “Worlds shortest covered bridge” sign.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 21/08/2025

Lithium batteries are _supposed_ to look like little pillows, right? RIGHT? #yeg

A lithium battery from a 2015 MacBook Pro. There are six cells in total with the two outer cells being the smallest and the two middle cells being the largest. The leftmost cell and the two rightmost cells are swollen and look like little pillows.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 03/08/2025

For those in Canada, Canadian retailer Simon’s has a collection of bicycle themed T-shirts. Recommend you check them out. #yegbike #biketooter

The author in his back yard wearing a navy blue T-shirt which has a drawing of a bike with the components labeled. The caption underneath says “Bicycle Anatomy”.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 13/07/2025

Dogpatch Bistro Pub, Riverdale, Edmonton. I recommend the River Valley Sangria: Strawberry, Rhubarb, Lemon, Triple Sec, White Rum, Chardonnay. So tasty. Also, quite dangerous. #yeg

A glass of River Valley Sangria at the Dogpatch Bistro Pub.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 30/05/2025

That was quite a wind this evening. I hope everyone is safe.

A picture of 116 St between 48 and 49 Ave. The wind has snapped a 60 year old spruce tree in half and the tree covers the entire road.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 25/05/2025

My wife went to an antique store and bought me Snoopy valve stem caps as a joke. I’m old enough to have had a Snoopy bedspread as a child so I’m more than happy to actually put them on my bike. #yegbike #biketooter

A very old (1970’s?) packages of two Snoopy bicycle valve stem caps. The package reads “Snoopy Valve Caps. Fits most valve stems. Screws on easily.Protects valves. Stops air leakage.” As a product sold in Canada, the package contains both English and French. The package contains two valve stem caps with Snoopy wearing goggles, a helmet, and a scarf which is blowing in the wind behind him.

The back of the Snoopy bicycle valve stem caps package. The package reads:

“SNOOPY” is one of the best known characters in the world. Kids love “SNOOPY” and kids love to ride their bikes. “SNOOPY” horns, bells, streamers and baskets make bicycling more fun than ever!
“SNOOPY” Bicycle Accessories are a result of AC International working together with Charles Schultz’s (creator of “SNOOPY”, “CHARLIE BROWN” and the rest of the “PEANUTS” gang) staff to gain his personal approvals on all products. Parents can trust “SNOOPY” to provide the best quality, and most unique bike accessory products available.
“SNOOPY” BICYCLE ACCESSORIES, FUN FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES!
Made in China
Distributed by Concordia, Ontario L4K3C3
SNOOPY: (C) 1958, 1965 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

As a product sold in Canada, the package contains both English and French.

A Snoopy valve stem caps on the back wheel of my bike.

A Snoopy valve stem caps on the front wheel of my bike.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 15/05/2025

I saw some wildlife on the ride home from work. #yegbike #biketooter

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/04/2025

Icing on the cake is that Telus suggests I use the Telus app - which doesn’t work.

A screen capture of the Telus app that shows “Sorry, something went wrong on our end”.

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Ken_H @kenhemmerling.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/01/2025

Would you rather live in a place where the media is heavily regulated, people are heavily monitored, but the crime is extremely low, the cities are clean, the technology is advanced, and the people are generally healthy and live deep into old age? Or… From […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

I’m seeing a lot of posts about China and people realizing that maybe we were being fed propaganda. I don’t have an option, but I was in China a few weeks ago and have Chinese colleagues. (I’m American.)

Let’s play would you rather:

Would you rather live in a place where the media is heavily regulated, people are heavily monitored, but the crime is extremely low, the cities are clean, the technology is advanced, and the people are generally healthy and live deep into old age?

Or

Would you rather live in a country with access to several types of media, people can say and do almost whatever they want, industry is not heavily regulated, but healthcare costs can bankrupt people, kids have active shooter drills, drug deaths are high, homelessness is in every city, not all citizens can afford to buy a home or rent an apartment or buy groceries?

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