Ever hear of POTATO TOWERS? Interesting. Check it out on SEARCH (Google – WS).  re
Tags : advice, Future, gardening, gardens, generations, home, Mother Earth, natural, nature, plants, survival living, survival skills, Tribal, tribal living
Red Elk Speaks
Medicine Man "Tellings"
Posts Tagged ‘survival skills’
Kelp-ol of the Bells
Filed Under : Alternative Living,Handy Tips,Humor,Mother Earth,Natural Living Tips,Nature,survival skills,Tellings by Whale Sister
Nov.15,2009Anyone here ever get to an ocean beach?
If so, one that has BELL KELP washed ashore?
For those that don’t know this kelp, it has a big “ball” on one end, the stem goes to a “point” at the other.
It’s edible, but that’s not why I’m writing this. IT MAKES AN EXCELLENT “Deep FOG HORN” SOUND!
Small ones higher pitched. The bigger the deeper.
All are “3-pitched.” The more you blow (harder) into it, it changes the tone. Aho?
To make, all you need is a knife:
Cut the “ball” half off (leaving a “horn” “mouth”).
Go to the small end and start cutting that end towards “horn” end. SMALL sections at a time…’til you hit HOLLOW within. Now, at that hollow inner, begin getting it bigger ’til that hollow can fit your pursed-up lips, then Leave it there (like blowing on a Trumpet).
ALL SET. BLOW!
The sound will amaze you.
Once, my brother and I were out in a small aluminum boat in Puget Sound. In the SHIPPING channel. BIG Ships passing by. Our little 14-footer just a piece of flotsam to those guys. Aho?
Well, FOG SET IN. My brother Jim looked for his bottle Air Horn (Carried for just this type of situation). HADN’T BROUGHT IT!
He was Worried (rightfully so).
We were trolling for salmon and now “Fog Locked”. Could take 2-4 hours for the fog to lift.
As we were trolling I had noticed riptides here and there. MOST CARRIED THIS BELL KELP.
I told Jim, “Watch for rips, Jim, and cruise along it, I’ll show you something. Nature provides If you “know.” Wasn’t long before I had a kelp aboard.
Jim was perplexed. “WHY?”
“You’ll see in a minute,” I told him.
Knife in hand and about 6 minutes later I was done. Raised the “Horn” end and blew into the other. YOU’D HAVE THOUGHT WE WERE A BATTLE WAGON! DEEP and LOUD!
No ship problem. Never got any salmon but DID make it safely through the fog.
I was at a Family Reunion, walking the beach with M and C and M’s dad. Walked to the shoreline, and got a “horn.” Cut it and began blowing it “3-pitch.” Beach had MANY strollers. All turned to see.
Father-in-law intrigued…wife and daughter too….so I got them one. Different lengths. All 4 of us now a “musical band” as we walked.
2 men approached. Asked “HOW DO YOU DO THAT?”  Showed ’em and they got their own and whittled away. Me “supervising.”
Turns out they were both Horn Blowers from a Big City California orchestra….out on vacation. They got to wondering… WHITTLED FINGER HOLES ON THE STEAM, and LO! Had “REAL” Horns! One TUBA and one TROMBONE! Man, could THEY PLAY! FanTASTIC!
So, any ever get to the beach…………………………
Enjoy.   GB  re
(Next to GOD, KNOWLEDGE IS KING). Ho
(WS)
Tags : advice, children, creative, creativity, family, grandson, lessons, life, Mother Earth, natural, nature, survival, survival living, survival skills, Tribal, tribal living
The Embrace of Trees
Filed Under : Alternative Living,dome home,Gnome Home,Handy Tips,Mother Earth,Natural Living Tips,Nature,Skydome,survival skills by Whale Sister Been looking at local trees as I drive by….thinking “survival shelters.” Has dawned on me that many’s out-reaching big branches could form quick and easy…and INTERESTING structures IF PLACED UPSIDE-DOWN with trunk straight up. “Pre-Made” Wall BRACES!
A “Future Experiment?”  Anyway, something to “Brain File.”
Would be easy to plant these and cover with rush leaves/Long weed “sheathing”/tarp “wrap-around”/etc. to hold heat (SAFE fire) IN and Snow/Rain OUT.
Thought I’d pass this possibility on to you as a fun backyard possible project for a Garden “shed”/”Tent”/etc.   GB  re
(WS)
The Dome Report: ‘Scaping Your Land
Filed Under : Alternative Living,dome home,Gnome Home,Hobbit Hut,Mother Earth,Natural Living Tips,Nature,Skydome,survival skills by Whale Sister Nov.13,2009Not 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)
The Dome Report: Another Small House Way
Filed Under : Alternative Living,dome home,e-mail,Gnome Home,Hobbit Hut,Mother Earth,Natural Living Tips,Skydome,survival skills,Tellings by Whale Sister Nov.12,2009A 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)
Let Nature Do Your Laundry 2
Filed Under : Alternative Living,Handy Tips,Natural Living Tips,Red Elk Speaks,survival skills,Tellings by Whale Sister Nov.4,2009Been 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)
Tags : advice, contemplation, health, home, survival, survival living, survival skills
(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:
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)
Tags : advice, healing, health, life, survival living, survival skills
The Dome Report: Many Mighty Minis
Filed Under : Alternative Living,dome home,e-mail,Gnome Home,Handy Tips,Hobbit Hut,Natural Living Tips,Skydome,survival skills,Tellings by Whale Sister Nov.2,2009If 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?
GBÂ Â Â re
(WS)
Tags : advice, dome, dome home, Future, life, survival, survival living, survival skills
Let Nature Do Your Laundry
Filed Under : Alternative Living,Handy Tips,Natural Living Tips,Nature,survival skills by Whale Sister “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)
The Dome Report 3
Filed Under : Alternative Living,dome home,Gnome Home,Handy Tips,Hobbit Hut,Skydome,survival skills by Whale Sister Oct.19,2009Thinking 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)