Estar Holmes

Does anybody know where I can look up the temperature for my area (E WA) at 6 feet (or so) down? I've been searching around for hours and haven't been able to figure this out. Thanks!

My favorite solar shower in summer is to place a 5-gallon black bucket full of water in the sun. Then around 4 p.m., take it, some soap, a dipper and your towel to a private spot where you've placed a pallet or piece of wood to stand and take your "shower." I usually bring an extra container to catch the grey water.

I realize I'm late, but wanted to share a few thoughts re DYI yurts. My ex built and lived in one through several winters. He had pallets on the floor and carpeting. Any of the plant materials mentioned by people would make abundant habitat for critters. He strung a cable through the tops of the lattice wall pieces and rested notched rafters on it. He cut up a 2nd hand Army tent for the roof and walls. The roof pieces were layered on and tied down, which eliminated the need to sew fabric into a circle. Don't remember how he attached the wall, but he didn't do any sewing. He had a med sized Pentagon stove in it which held a fire for at least 8 hours. He insulated the walls with moving blankets. People who lived in drafty old houses said his place was warmer than theirs.

Looks like a lot of great info. How much storage space does the tiny SD download require? Is it even still available?

Idaho county ID is still one of the freest remaining in the entire PNW. Most all others have caved to draconian Growth Mgt. rules that make minimalist thrival/survival impossible. Only others I know are Boundary county in ID and Mineral County MT. The ID County commissioners were FORCED last year, under threat of personal lawsuit, to adopt minimal codes after decades of resistance backed by property owners. But land values are skyrocketing so the only way most of us can afford to buy is cooperatively. The upside of richies moving in is that it provides work options for people who need to make money while creating a self sustaining life. Ferry County WA has some of the cheapest land but they now also have GM rules that complicate simple off grid living. Rural idaho is Red, so if that doesn't phase you and you have $30k+ land fund saved to throw in the pot txt me at 2oh8-5ate22for-oh7.

After researching popular online on demand services, I ended up working with a local (Spokane) small press, Gray Dog Press to print my annual guidebook. Owner Russ sat with me for an hour discussing my book in detail. He made me feel like I was his only customer in the world. I did the layout in an old version of Pagemaker, and cover art in Photoshop, and saved it all as a pdfs. He handles printing and distribution, including Amazon and regional book sellers, payment now is via PayPal. I also presell about 250 books at a discount to vendors I cultivated on my own and can re-order for them on demand. Money wise, my printing cost has gone up a little as the page size increased annually. Generally, I pay about $3 per book. (B&w inside. Color cover). They retail for $9.95. Presales are $5.50. Regular wholesale is $6 ea. I also sell some to people at full retail. For my other book, an ebook, I use Smashwords, which has worked fine.

Two of us are hoping to come for a few days end of May. Sorry, I don't know exact date because May is for shrooming, so will be going with the fungi flow.

I have seen the 50 gallon drums filled with poop set aside to compost for a couple of years. I would like a blow by blow description of the scenario when the lids are removed. Thanks much.

The cabin looks great! Congrats on all the progress.

In my experience, freeze drying works to a point in E. WA. The clothes dry to an amazing degree in the freezing cold outside. Then, I have brought them in, waited for them to unstiffen, and draped them around the house to finish up.