Shannon Freed

what about assignments where a list of issues are chosen and a person chooses X number to “solve” and creates an appropriate remedy for that. People might be able to do things that are relevant to them in their everyday life like if they or a friend gets the flu, they can make a remedy or if someone is stung by a bee they have a poultice or salve for it.

Jim,

I sent you an email. Posting here to make sure you see since I know internet access there is spoty.

Best,

Shannon

We have 2 natural house structures on our sustainable homestead model site and education center, but we are not modeling lime plaster very effectively. The west walls on both structures are severely damaged (this is the main place the wind/rain hits). There is cracking throughout and my helpers haven't seemed to figured out how to get one solid coat on. On one building we did repairs to plaster that had been applied in 2010. The repairs we did lasted better than if we had done nothing but still are not adequate. On the second structure. We added it new last summer. The helpers decided that it is not possible to apply one thick layer and have it look finished so applied 3 layers. First a thick layer, to cover everything up. Then a second less thick but not too thin layer (purpose unknown) lastly the "finish" layer that makes the whole thing (basically) look finished.

We are using 3 parts sand (from our local sand dunes, roundish/fine) and 1 part lime. We made sure to apply in the coolest part of the day and shaded the west side as well as misted it with the hose throughout the first and second days of application.

Any suggestions?

ps. I think we could use the book.

Best,

Shannon www.earthtipi.org

the kids and i just got smoked out again…..really need to get some dialog going and see who can come help as soon as it warms a bit… I can't do this for another winter

@Erica,

Extenuating circumstances prevented me from replying before. We do still need help. RMH we built does (pretty much) keep house warm but still getting smoke back problems and self feed does not work, we are stuck cutting wood pieces into tiny size to shove under barrel. This is the only way to prevent smoke back (although if wind is blowing just right even that doesn't help).

Hoping we can take this off line for background of project update and post publicly resolution/suggestions (reason for delay, I tried messaging you privately before but a message came up as I was about to send that no one checks the admin email).

I am flexible in time frame, there is not much we can do to change anything until weather warms and volunteers are available to come help make changes.

Hopeful for your response.

Best,

Shannon

Where were the cards shipped from?

BIG AL: I'm confused... first you said to check out a video about burning off the paint on the barrel (which I didnt find) , but these videos are about building the burn chamber and heat riser from scratch and have 8' pipe... mine is already built and has 6"... please advise.

We are in Manderson on Pine Ridge Rez... we have a fruit tree orchard that we hope to turn into a food forest, 2 hugelkultur beds, 2 natural houses (1 light straw clay, 1 cob/strawbale hybrid). This sumer we are working on rainwater catchment, rocket mass heater and swales.

www.earthtipi.org (website badly needs updating but has good info none the less)
www.facebook.com/earthtipi (has relatively up to date pics)

I see this is quite a late reply, but wanted to chime in anyway... we are in Manderson on the Pine Ridge Reservation 80 mi southeast of Rapid...hope you survived the winter and are getting your garden going. We just finished preparing beds in our annual veggie garden and planted a few things yesterday.

www.facebook.com/earthtipi -- current project pics
www.earthtipi.org (website that is in dire need of updates but has good background info on our project)

Best,

Shannon

@BIG Al: will post a pic tomorrow (do you need me then to take off the barrel?, feeling a bit apprehensive about doing it but will). Looked for the video link you suggested but can't find it. In regards to burning... everything seems to go fine if it is small sticks and newspaper. We cleaned out the burn chamber so there is not any build up of ash... added small more chunk like piece of wood... it burns ok for a few mins then the flame starts to go up the chunk (which is longish) then starts smoking.