Posts Tagged ‘dome’

Home Among the Trees

Here’s a ‘goody’ that may interest a number :  type in (search)  WATERBOXX  (2 Xs).  Rather fascinating Grow Plants / TREES “way”.
Not only that, but Side Bar related info a WORTHY look too.
One on Homes from Living Trees.  Something I’ve done in the ’60s.  Still there as far as I know.  Made from growing bent willows.  Made it for Christy as her own ‘private cabin In The Woods’.
Even given thought to doing “ditto” on our safe land…using very tall White Birch trees in a grove there.

Anyway, check these places out if you’re interested.

Remember, Willows and willow-related trees (Birch being one) means : SURFACE WATER.

IE ‘ SHALLOW WELL’ WATER!  Aho?  Re

(WS)

Most across the USA are snowed in….or, in general, in Cold.

Wanna see what YOU CAN DO if “homeless”?  Now’s a GREAT TIME to go BACK YARD CAMPING!  Yup, with a tent (or tarp).  A big bundle of Fire Wood….Sleeping bag or several Blankets.

In short : GO TRY IT!

The house is but yards away.  You won’t die if “too much” for you.

A GREAT Time to PRACTICE!

Sky likes to put a “footprint” (cover on the ground and tent set up there, ON IT).  Then put a tarp over the whole (tent is only for 3 seasons).  Once couldn’t get his fire going…so STILL Camped, WITHOUT Fire.

Kid has guts.

There have been a couple of times he a buddy(s) slept in one dome.  TO “MUCH” FOR THE FRIEND(s)!  So ended up coming in. SKY did NOT want too.  If it wasn’t for his buddy(s) “crying” he would have stayed out.

Like I said : “Guts”.

The “safety” of a warm house just yards away helps “newbies”.  Nothing to cringe about “running”.  At least you’ll get a TASTE of HOW PREPARED YOU ARE!
Best to find out NOW, than when Suddenly FORCED too!

With even this SLIGHT try….it can sure give you Insight!

Seriously, GIVE THIS A TRY.  The opportunity is Here ….NOW.  GB   re

(WS)

Hi sister ;  tho Im unable to receive ANY Emails, i can still SEND.
Hope u had a realy good Xmas.  And that uve FINILY been able to try out ur Snowshoes!

Here, pleanty of snow…somewher over 4 feet.

Snowmobils used as safe transpertation (illegely).  My shoes in storage n snowed in.
We drive r 4wd rigs over the parking / driveway area n pack it down to get in / out.  Works fine.
Even with rds cleard by Country trucks (in time), its still hard to see…”white Outs” at certin area.  4wd driveing only, n SUCKS gas! 4 trips to town n the PU has only enough gas to GET gas. Over $70.00 to fill each time. 2 1/2 fillings a wk. on mine n 1 1/2 fillings on Ms car.  LOTS of Money just to get about.  Aho? Our earning streached to the exstrame limit…n Elect. bill due any time now. Then too, Land Taxes.

The 3 doomes r looking “good” right now.  (  :   one undamaged, otker 2 still quit useabel, tho bent in in places with the snow + ice.

Yesterday i had mt eldest grandson circel each dome with his snowmobile (a # of times).  I can now (?) get out to them n get at least Some snow off. (Mite, today).  A real tireing hassel geting to them other-wise. (Im not geting any younger). (  :

As u know, life is an Adventure! Can be FUN….or a Problem.  Its all as one looks at it Ive found.
“Problems” just there to help u overcome.  Usaly with a VERY Simple salution.

I live in “2 worlds”….SALUITION “worlds”.  This house (and ALL it takes for its constent up-keep), and the “World” of SIMPLCITY.  The last, FAR cheaper!
Admittiably, less “Comfortabel” tho.  Little rm. for exspensive “add ons”.  This makes “Small” rather “Cabin Feaver(ish)”.  U and about 4 others) have learned to overcome alot of that by going out and gardening n “hunting”.  Not as easy when one has 3 OTHERS…and so many PETS, tho.  U have another advantage as well ; Shorter trips.  Here a “short” trip is 8 1/2 miles (to Skys school).  10 1/2 to one town n 16 1/2 to another.  ALL are on some ruff hills.  WIND allways, on way back.  Bikes not feasabel (ok if uve the time to do so tho).  When liveing far  closer to town, n i used the bike, it took me 40 minits to n hr. to get to town….and ALWAYS at about 3 HOURS to get back (wind).  Never a pleasent doing.  Today Im ALOT older n these hills ALONE can “kill” me.
Frankly, I prefer useing one of our Foot Scooters.  Takes even longer, but FAR MORE relaxeing.

Ive a small Back Pack on the handel bars of my main one, and carry a biger one on my back.  Good enough for grocery runs.
My bike has so many bags they act as “STOP Sails” when rideing home. REAL Work!  (To the point Ive often wanted to camp out overnite and doing a 2 DAYER on each trip)! (Searisly).

Car is best, but gas….n UPKEEP….UGH!

Cant “car pool” easily. Most in our area ‘stock up” n make far less trips.  We’ve not the rm. nore enough money to do so.  Tho I call others to tell “Im headed to town. Need anything?”….none dos so with us. sigh.

These same people all will be asking US “how do u DO it?” b4 much more time.   Seems no one WANTS till its JUST TOO LATE…then, “Panic”.  And wanting ME to do the work, as well!

I feel like Noah as he built his God Orderd boat!  Musta MADE himself “hard hearted” to be able to hear the pleads and screems for HELP, as he floated away.  Many from those he knew.  FAMILYS.  All pounding on his hull. ALL ; SCOFFERS and NON-HELPERS…..screaming as they cling to anything that would float.
People watching thier own children n loved ones slide away n slowly sink.
Now ALONE and clinging to servive themselves.  For what?

No boat to rest in, no stocked clean water….not enough food…AND NO PLACE TO LAND.
(NA USED to “be ready”…till the “civilized” SAVAGES slowly made them dependednt on THEM).

Now again we ALL “Face the Seas”.  At least you and a few others are gardening and stocking up. Naturely.  NATURE(ly).
Still, u cant feed every “pleader”.  U TOO witll have to become “hard Hearted” i guess. U will be NEEDED, “After”.  THEN, u can HELP.  (Same here).  sigh.    (Least, if WE “make it”).  Aho?

Yup, Im seeing THIS faimily cought between many deccissions.  SIMPLE…or “As Is”.

It looks like only “Dad” will be able to show us (my family) it “AINT GONNA BE “YOUR’ ” WAY”.  M and all here will be FORCED to the SIMPLE Domes…or parked, sleeping, in a car like so MANY r now needing to.
RIPED into a deccession.

At least Ive a “small boat”…n You ur own.
GB    re

Readers : my wife and I are ‘spatting’…..over WATER!   She’s “gone white” on me…I’m a ‘savage’ to her (at the moment).  Buster water pipes….Frozen water source.  “I WANT MY MORNING SHOWER!!!!!”

That and this:  “and YOU want to move up to even WORSE (conditions)!”

Yes, I do.  “WORSE” will look DARN GOOD before to long.  “Savage” will look DARN GOOD soon, too.

We two are VANGUARDS…running AHEAD of the masses.  ALWAYS ‘In Front’.

This is just ‘another case’.  Aho?

Water will be the least of the problems, but one worthy of being told about (family disagreement).

THINGS LIKE THIS WILL BE THINGS YOU WILL BE FACING!

So, 3 against 1 in this house.  Sky (Grandson) ‘half n half’…so maybe more like 2 1/2 against one.  ALL over WATER “WANTS”.

Many (reading) have teens…or a mate who DONT WANT  A  N  Y  HARDSHIPS. Want the ‘sweet SOFT life’.  THIS WILL CREATE HEAVY STRIFE In Your Marriage / Etc.

Will  I   “fold”?  Nope, I intend to get as ready as I can.  ALL here will NEED what I’m striving for…..A PLACE TO LIVE.  That’s IT!!!  An ABODE to keep warm in.

Showers be Damned.  BIRD BATHS and DRINKING WATER,  THAT WILL BE A BLESSING, in time.

I will continue on the ‘path’ given…and those here will be THANKFUL I DID SO…..LATER!

SOMEONE MUST BE “SMART”.

Will it be YOU?

Well, expect “disagreements”.  DONT “Push”.  Simply grit your teeth and go on GETTING THINGS READY.

You are NOT alone!      re

“Downsizing”?  Yes, but more like STRIPPING!

(WS)

Beautiful out.  Going to “broom off” the domes and shovel snow off porch.  14 to maybe 16 inches and still coming down.  “Brooming” is using a broom to push upward from inside.  Did this when in my TiPi.  All snows fall to base and goes up-ward.  INSULATING the whole.  FAR WARMER inside, then.  LOVE IT!

The whites kept their roof nails sticking above the shingles, to CATCH snow.  Today we put out Big Bucks to insulate the daylights in the attic.  Just another way to make someone rich.  Aho?

The common man is so STUPID (in my eyes).

My domes have old blankets over the frame (Sweat Lodge way), with tarp over those.  Snowfall is “broomed” off from INSIDE (push against the inside).  It then slides down and slowly collects all around.  Insulating the ALL.      I LOVE THE STUFF!  (Guess you can call this “Snow Berming”)

Folks, why FIGHT winter?  USE IT and be COMPATABLE with it.  Aho?

Gonna get our snowshoes out and take Sky for a Walk-About.  Get him used to these.

If any are interested, I’ve owned / used a number of styles.  I WON’T USE BUT THE “OJIBWAY” STYLE now.

FANTASTIC “All Around” design.  IVENS SNOWSHOE Co. is where I get ours (3 or 4 pairs).

Decided best to make Tire Rubber “Chaps” instead of full Mukluks.  High enough to strap above the knees.  LESS SWEAT PROBLEMS.  Aho?

Plenty of good SNOW ICE CREAM makings, right outside our door.  (  :

Also got out my Converted Water Ski.  LOVE THIS like you wouldn’t believe!  I took off the skeg and foot “step-in”.  Screwed in good metal “eyes” at top sides.  Drilled a hole at tip (pull rope) AND the BACK.

(Going downhill I walk behind it and hold it back / steer)

I load this with my winter camping gear (AND Fire Wood).  Keeping the load VERY low.  Try to go 10 inches high.  Never above 16 inches.  Use the “eyes” to crisscross rope over the load.

This sled FOLLOWS LIKE A PUPPY!

My NA Ancestors did this.  Theirs tho were often 20 ft. long.  Steam Bent the tip.  Glides behind like a breeze.  10 to 15 inch width.  THIN single board.  UNDULATE as you go along….”fitting” the contour of the land.  Aho?

Bought my ski at a ‘cheap shop’.  $5.00.  “Eyes” another $4.00.

Used a Like Ski to make a DOG SLED.  Used an old Lawn Mower Handle.  Ran Cocker Spaniels with our daughter aboard. Gave it to a ‘cheap shop’ after I got malamutes and a freight sled.  THEY SOLD IT IN 4 DAYS!  $25.00 !!!

I’ve taught a number how to make DOG HARNESSES out of old jeans.  Each leg does one dog.  This “doing” from the way the Eskimo in Greenland did, long ago.

Other then having CRAZY coast livers pass by (freeway)…Winter CAN BE FUN!

Why not try it?  GB    re

(WS)

A sister wrote:

Saw the new pics today.  Wonderful.  How in the world did you do that entry way?  What is that?  Can’t quite make it out in the photo?  Boy, is that place looking sharp or what?!!!!!

Good job.  Re, please get some rest though, ok?   Want you around for a while.  love you

That entry EXTENSION are 2 LATTICE “Wind Breaks” any can buy at lumber yards and many bigger “all around” stores (Costco / Bi-Mart / Fred Myers / Etc. I got those at Habitat For Humanity ($4.00 for 2 big ones (those) and 2 smaller ones. 8 ft. long by 5 ft. high.  Just turned on end and bent ‘em over a bit to create a better “gnome” entry.  To the right side (inside) is a large space I call “the mud room.”  Simply a place to leave your boots / etc. there and not mess the floor inside.  There is a larg(ish) opening there, next to the right side of the main doorway.  That allows even more light inside.  Will cover that in clear Shower Curtain plastic.

At the top of both lattices I have a thick branch connecting the two at the top.  (This not well defined in the photo).  Bent at the top outside end.  Looks good and adds an “outdoorsy” (Gnome-Like) look.

I intend to line outside with LARGE stones around the whole dome…then toss dirt berming from those, up.

I’ve now got all I need to complete the inside (I THINK).  Just a matter of doing, now.  Putting on linseed oil on all wooden furniture / etc.  Spray paint the small round galvanized “shower tub”….seat the flagstone tiles and other general small things needed.  Will add 1 shelf to the side and above the kitchen shelf…another at the head of the bed.

In short, VERY close to done INside.  Still to clean up OUTside and start rocking / berming.

I will seed the berm with grass and wild flower seeds as I do this.

This dome is DOUBLE Trenched.  INSIDE along wall and OUTSIDE along wall.

So, as you can tell, still much to do to be what I “see” as totally complete.

The only thing I wish I had is a chimney through the top.  Even with double insulated chimney pipe, it doesn’t stop the excessive heat that passes by.  Melting my pvc pipe and willows that meet up there.  So …. SMOKEY Inside when fire is started AND DYING.  Between…FINE.

Any similar done I will use the frame of an “Apartment Trampoline”.  Setting the pvc and willows at its EDGE.  Leaving plenty of space at the top there.  Double Insulated Chimney will then be a safe option.  Either do THAT or build up the frame like a giant inverted “funnel”.  An African Hut “way”.  Our BIG dome (other property) is on that “line”.  Heat rises…and SMOKE is HEAT…the inverted “funnel” will catch this and guide the smoke out.  Trapped and “guided” to smoke exit opening.

You learn by mistakes.  Always improving on the next being built.  Aho?    re

From one of the brothers who worked:

More work was done on Sky’s dome. This little dome home is really taking shape. The doorway was expanded and now has wind and snow protection. A second tarp was added to make the dome weather tight. There is more work needed to secure the tarp from blowing off but we used sand bags and rocks to hold it down for now. A hole was added to the new tarp so the side window is working.  Some tile work was done on the in side.

SkyDome Adam John Red Elk - 7 Nov 2010

Sky's Side window - 7 Nov 2010

SkyDome Front Door - 7 Nov 2010

SkyDome Tile Work - 7 Nov 2010

Think I don’t work?  Dome work, then answered 2 snail mails and ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY SEVEN EMAILs AND 3 Needed runs to town.

(OOPS, one HEALING “Work” as well)

To top it all off…STILL  have a Few HOURS before GOING TO BED…..Other Emails DUE!

Oh, Don’t forget the PHONE CALLS!  Them too.

Any wonder I get a bit cranky and am almost always tired?   (  :   re
(WS)

The other parts are here.

–WS

THIS REMINDS ME OF YOU. WOW!
Red Elk, M and I just watched this YouTube video about a man who builds houses and teaches others…out of scraps, and other people’s throw aways. I got tears in my eyes and lump in my throat. It’s wonderful. You gotta see his “windows” made out of flat clear glass salad plates, and the broken mirrors, and broken tiles. YOU WILL LOVE THIS.
Titled “Recycled Houses” posted by Texas Country Reporter

You’re RIGHT ! Guy on the “right track”….in GIVING.
May not be my “style” but CERTAINLY in my CORNER!

Good to know Ghost and I are not alone. HO!

Adam and Canada John are here. Will have THEM watch as well….then put this on my Blog 4 others to see.
THANKS!
re