Category : Alternative Living

As you might guess, I and M like boats.  We’ve BOTH wanted a small Schooner.  Just ONE and ONLY One:  The TANCOOK WHALER SCHOONER.  She’s STILL a dream to BOTH of us.
The Tancook called Son-Of-A-Gun about our Perfect dream.
Just to have you drool, look up Tancook Whaler Schooner.   Wooden Boat Magazine has HER!  And BEAUTIFUL Shots of her.

She’s a BEAUTY and the Smallest Size we’d want.  50 – 55 ft the biggest.  Both sizes takes 2 to 3 to sail. (the 40 just 2).

Please, satisfy an old man’s love and take a look.  Would ya?   GB    re

(WS)

Not at all sure any here will be interested.  As all know, I’m building a mini “hobbit hut.”  I still have lots of “stuff” to go on and complete more…such as another hut with bathroom, etc.
Still, “stuff” about.  HUGE STUMPS, STONES, etc.  These I intend to incorporate into the wall of #2.
Our property here is DRY.  Sage country. Water hard to come by.  Aho?
I came across an article on a gal (landscape designer) in California.  She too has “problems.” NOW DOESN’T!  Has made a “Magical Meadow” by using rocks, etc. AND IT LOOKS GREAT!
She’s “right up my alley” in REASON of doing.
She DOES have water and now uses Far FAR LESS. Now a “backyard Paradise.”

With my mini in THIS type of setting….WOW!  And I do NOT NEED water to do so.  NOR the MONEY she used to do so.  YOU CAN TOO!

When I started building I started with stone steps up the slope to the entry.  WITH LANDSCAPING IN MIND, as I could.
Her doing on her land an INSPIRATION to me.

With SALVAGED Material and Time…if interested, YOU CAN TOO!

Due to water unavailability I long ago decided to “plant” Plastic “Flowers,” tucked here-n-there in stone “piles.” Wanting to turn a mystical area between Freeway and Side Road.  Getting rid of the “junk” as I go.  This li’l Earth Dome in “her” type “setting” will, in time BE DONE. (My intent anyway…and always  has been).  Aho?
Anyway,  http://www.susansilva.com   if interested.  GB   re

(WS)

A sister sent:
Hi RE,
I found this guy’s postings on YouTube and then went to his website.  And, look — he’s not out for money.  Selling a big ebook for $5, and its got good reviews too.  Really cute place only 14 x 14.
http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/

RE replied:
Thanks sis…..tho I’ve seen similar line “Smallys,” this one I’d rank #2 of all.
Passing this on.
Tho none (but one) I’m sending to ARE looking to build…worth a look.  Aho?  (PS, hope THIS gets to you.  Trying a ‘Forward’ button.  See what happens).  GB   re

(WS)

Over time I have had many Emails from folks who inform me of “dangers” our/other Governments “put out.”  I KNOW some ARE true…but suspect many are Not.  Is this “Fear Giving” from the dark one?

I tell only what I KNOW.  In this I’ve tried my best to share with you to be wise…”Prepare.”  I see what our future holds, and Death is always at the fore.

I have shared that what WE do, to see it as Doing for our Future Generations.  Not for You, so much as for THEM.

ARE we to “spread fear?”  No.  WE are to spread PEACE.  Compassion. CARING.

One can not walk through this Darkness CRINGING.  But with our heads held HIGH….and our Fears abated due to our Relationship with “He” who has always existed.  Our FATHER.

DO you have that FULL BELIEF?  Emails from many seem to show otherwise, mostly.

Consider what I’m writing.  Think HARD on it.

Can you accept “death” WHILE STILL ALIVE?  Are you THAT WILLING?

OUR Big Brother wasn’t so happy that he’d “skip down the road” to the hill called Golgotha.  He knew the horror of the “way” of “passing” and would have preferred another “way.”  Yet, with His blood seeping through every pore…He went on, WILLINGLY, with these words on His lips:  “Never the less Father, YOUR Will be done.”
Now we, Too, must consider OUR “passing.”  Will it be sudden and unexpected?  Or one we’ve been FED Fear of?

To those who TRULY “Believe”…this, tho difficult…SHOWS, TO THOSE AROUND US and THOSE OF OUR FUTURE.

It may be OUR turn now to “Face The Lions,” as did our TRUE BELIEVER Brethren of the Original and TRUE Church.

CAN YOU STAND TALL BEFORE IT!???

Think…and do your best TO do so.  Aho?

“Fear NOT, for I am WITH YOU.”

Aho?  re

(WS)

Been thinking…HARD…on making my “Wind Washer.”  Got a strong pole I can cement “set” 3-4 ft into the ground.  Put a “T” at pole top, Hook on each end of that…Heavy spring on that and rope on other end of spring (got ’em, but even a strong Bungee Cord would do).  Then to THAT an “A” Frame (angled apart at bottom).  That in turn to hook onto, say, a 30 gal. barrel PAINTED BLACK (heats water). This laying on side.  Wide-ish slot at upper part of barrel to load/unload. Perhaps 2 windcatching “paddles” towards top of “A” rope.
Spring = BOUNCE.  Paddles = Wind SPIN/TWIST and UNtwist.  So this “Bobs and Waves” about.  One on each end of crosspole.
A drain in bottom end…that drains into a Straw and Sand “filter” (to trap soap in water).  From the filter to garden, etc.  Let the WIND do the washing.
YOU get the general idea.
I’d consider DOG Toy Balls with “Bumps” on ’em.  Toss those in with washing, to help agitate.  Aho?  Hummmmm  GB   re

(WS)

(Note from WS in 2016 – the link is OLD information.  We all know now how things are working, but I thought RE’s answer was important to restore to the blog.)

A brother sent:
Articles like this one make me think that it might be time for me to rapidly come up with a master plan for leaving the country:

http://www.youronlineinsurance.com/health-insurance/will-fed-governments-proposed-mandatory-health-insurance-work-141/#comment-9

Red Elk answered:
Read it…but is this actually TRUE?  Or is it “antsy” folks putting out Fear/Hate tactics?  We WON’T KNOW FOR SURE ’til it “IS.”
I’ve foreseen LONG ago things like this, yet must “wait and see.”
It IS inevitable tho.  Eventually.  ALL added into the time of the Anti-Christ “savior.”

Brother, I’ll take ANY shots “required” BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO MAKE THEM USELESS WITHIN MY BODY.  I DO, BUT HOW MANY others do?

Remember Scriptures telling His Believers (TRUE ones, not the Half A– ones) can take POISON and NOT BE AFFECTED BY THEM?

Well, you either accept HIM (Word) on this Or…………………..

There are ACTUAL Known CHRISTIANS who have PROVEN this to be a Fact!  I myself being one.  Ciggs!  DRINKING POOPY WATER!   Guess its TIME to SHOW…or prove to yourself your UNBELIEF.  One thing for SURE, We TRUE Ones FULLY BELIEVE what is SAID.  No “if, whens,  or buts”….

WE WILL BE HEAVILY TESTED as That “day” approaches.  HEAVY!

Time to Clean Up our “ACTS.”  And MOST   A R E   “ACTS.”   Aho?   GB   re

(WS)

If you have the time and will:  Please type in BUILD A SURVIVAL CABIN ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET in your Seach Mode (aka Google – WS).  I’ve shared (Heavy on my “spelling”) there.  A LOT that may interest you.  This is a Hub Site that belongs to “Ghost32” (in the link list on the right – WS).  What HE has is quite interesting.  What I share….???
As for your Container “Home”…OTHERS HAVE BEEN DOING (and showing) as well..on various sites.  Most are not IN-GROUND but a few are.  Look up (search) TINY HOMES/CABINS…..BUDGET HOUSES….SMALL DIGS…and similar wordings.  Aho?

I have JUST talked to a good friend.  A gal.  She’s an artist (and exceptionally GOOD).  Quite recently lost her job but NOT HER LIVING Bills!   Wanting to go FULL Time with her artwork.  Make This her ‘living.’  Presently on Unemployment and our area hard hit “work wise.”  Soon will be “hurting” and knows it.
Her parents (also very good friends of us) are tiny land “ranchers” and live less then a mile from where she is renting.
She has been to my Mini Dome and absolutely LOVES it.  “Would make a WONDERFUL Studio for me to work in.”
In our chat I presented a $$ saving (rent/living expenses/etc.) possibility…SEE IF SHE CAN DO A SIMILAR Low Cost “Dome” on her parents property!
She has long ago learned to live on “bare essentials.”  Her small rental has more room than more “STUFF”.  SHE CAN EASILY LIVE IN THIS SMALL DOME WAY!
She IS INTERESTED.  “Can’t build till after winter tho.”  (CAN, but not without misery.)
Suggested a Storage “dome” with the Living Dome.  “Get what you need from this, use it and PUT IT BACK INTO THE STORGE “SHED.”  She immediately said “I can RENT a storage unit.”  I agreed BUT said, “WHY PAY A MONTHLY FEE when you can BUILD a space for “I OWN IT AND NO MORE $$ OUTLAY AFTER BUILDING.”
Her eyes “clouded” in deep thought.
“You’re RIGHT.”
So left her contemplating.  Aho?

She’s a “doer” AND THINKER.  Now let’s see what she comes up with.  Aho?

Anyway, look into the various sites mentioned.  Also consider NO “In-Ground” building, BUT instead WELL EARTH-BERMED.  At least as I’ve done my Mini…1/3 !n-Ground and THEN BERMED.  Your container has the strength needed to top it with Earth…so, “Completely” “In-Ground”.  Building as I, the Free Dirt is set ON the ground but dug ONLY to just above the land’s slope.  THEN bermed.  NO SLOPE. Hole filling AND ITS COST.  Aho?

GB    re

(WS)

“Dreaming” Sweet Dreams of PASSIVE Power “ways.”  Not just of House Use but also houseHOLD needs.
M and I use to wash small loads of clothing in a 5 gallon bucket of soapy water…lidded…and in the trunk of our car.  Letting a drive slosh and vibrate out the dirt.
Here, as told, MUCH Wind!  And TREES.  1 on 1 = Let NATURE Wash our cloths.  Hang buckets from strong tree limbs and allow its Bounce and Swaying do the job.  No trees?  A “Gallows,” fit with long arm and SPRING on end of rope.
Anyway, having fun, thinking.  GB    re

(WS)

Thinking of 2 – 3 coats of Acrylic Paint over dome net.  Acrylic is like a plastic and has some “movement” allowed.  Will soak into the net and the tiny holes of it as well (I think).  If, will go WHITE, then maybe some soft gray-like paint to give it a winter camo look.  Then maybe lay some leafless willows here-n-there about the shell.  Winter “woodsy”.
Received a donation today…enough to buy a 10 gal bucket of paint (maybe 2 of ’em).  Will ask a paint company if this is a viable thing.

Put it on THICK!    Hummmmm    Ideas / Comments?  re

(WS)

Ok, spent some time on dome again.  Took OVER AN HOUR to finally cut away excess netting at back window.  Don’t know WHAT that thing is made of BUT Totally RUINED one serrated edge knife…ANOTHER pair of M’s GOOD scissors…and wore a hole in my thumb knuckle with scissors handle.  My GOOD Hunting Knife had to be Honed every few strokes AND I ended up finishing by using BOLT CUTTERS on it!
After that was done I put Bubble Wrap across the window…and everything so DULL I had to RIP it to the shape needed!

Then went inside and custom fitted one side of bamboo curtain I’d cut to separate the bed area from the living area.  Finished by cutting a few “Tarp Hole Possibles” protrusions on the willow framing.  All this took over 2 1/2 hours and now I’m POOPED! But I’M GETTING THERE!

Now to light a fire and HOPE that bubble wrap is far enough way from the Chimney!   Sure HOPE so!  ????

Anyway, IF all is ok, she’s ready to cover with Ferro Cement and/or dirt.  WINTER TIGHT.

Got “tune-up” work inside to call it a Completed Hut yet, tho. Still, if I’m persistent IT WON’T BE LONG.  Ho   re

(WS)