Arlie Grunseth

You may be an empath. Do you feel others emotions? Some are overwhelmed by groups and cities. They recharge through solitude and quiet. Many people like to unload their heartfelt worries and fears on them, they are sought out as confidants. But for some empaths it is too much. They become reclusive as a defence mechanism. Empaths are on the opposite end of the spectrum from narcissists.

I've been thinking about how feasible it would be to make hydraulic lime from oyster shells with a large rocket stove. Would it be possible to make a rocket stove out of 18" cement drain tile pipe by lining the interior with high temp blanket insulation, coated with a fireproof coating? An additional section of pipe with a grate could hold the shells above the heat chamber and the pieces of "cooked" shell could fall through to a bin below the J-tube.Now that hemp is legally grown the hurds should become more available. I envision having some of those square plastic tanks(with the metal frames around them) full of slaked lime ready to mix with the hurds to build up walls that I frame up with 6" poplar poles which I have in abundance on my small acreage. Yeah, I know I'm a dreamer but,,, Any thoughts? Be gentle

I've considered an earth-bag then earth-bermed house using air-crete as an insulation on the exterior of the earthbags.

A wise architect once said, insulate the outside with the thermal mass inside. Then heat the mass fast or slow, still it will last,,,

I'm interested in this and would like to attend. I live in the Salem area.

Thanks! Good stuff!

I grew up in a hunting family in northern Wisconsin. It was an important part of our food supply as well as our 2 huge gardens. I loved to hunt rabbits with my beagle and grouse with my .410. During those days I found myself spending a lot of quality time alone hunting and fishing. My family liked to hunt as a group with some driving the deer and others standing on escape routes and they were very successful. I really didn't care for it much as I didn't see it as  skilled hunting but rather skilled harvesting, not trying to be an elitist but rather hunting grew to mean more to me than that. So I began bow hunting when I moved to Oregon and took to it like fish to water. What I love about it is the quiet and the need to get close. After hearing about some guys stalking in their socks I got the idea to sew and glue shag carpet to some moccasins. Well let me tell you, now I was hunting! I actually had a sleeping bull elk at 3 feet! I guess my point is understand your effective range of accuracy and enjoy the skills to get within that range. I've never hunted from an elevated stand or a blind or over bait. It's ok for those who like to hunt like that and that's not the point I'm trying to make. The point is learning lost skills of hunting, studying your quarry and using that knowledge to be successful. Deer and elk pick up on movement so my answer is to move so slow, 30 sec/slow motion step, that they never identify you. Use the wind, cover scents most likely work to some degree and you can make your own. Native Americans would sometimes scrub down with sand in the creeks and then rub down with ferns, hard core right? As far as bows go, don't over-bow by trying to shoot more poundage than is comfortable and shoot a bow that fits your draw length. Scouting is important because you can't shoot what isn't there. Some noises can help you, certainly the right call at the right time like bugling or grunts work. But a quiet squeak through your teeth can cause a distant deer to get curious and if done very sparingly can cause them to investigate. Hunting is fun and soothing to the soul, enjoy!

I enjoy making ancient weapons, bows and arrows, slings, atlatls and anything else I'm curious about. One of the materials I have used is hide glue and I'm very impressed with it's qualities especially when combined with dried tendon. I have only used hide glue that I bought and while that was a great introduction to this wonderful stuff I want to learn how to make my own and to expand my knowledge about which hide glues fit which jobs. I want to try laminating wood with hide glue in the future as well as making a special decorative plaster mimicking marble (called scagliola) which uses "animal glue". So any knowledge sharing will be enthusiastically accepted.

First you have to hunt where the animals are. You can contact your state biologists who will point you towards good places of habitat in your area. Preseason scouting is huge towards being successful. Rifle season tends to be more competitive than bow so numerous scouted areas are needed to allow you your own space. We are modern man, we walk like it and animals hear and know our sound and scent. You have to take measures to minimize both of these. Hunt into the wind, learn about thermals in the mountains and how to use them, deer and elk do. Listen a lot, cup your ears and pay attention to even small sounds. Learn patience, sit for an hour so the woods goes back to normal before you begin your slow "still hunt". Hunt every hunt as if you will be successful, by that I mean be prepared to properly care for the animal as in game bags, tarps, ropes, pack frames, saw, anything that ensures the quality of the meat. Hunt up hill pack down if you can. Carry a compass always and check directions before entering the woods, Gps's are great but can fail. Get topo maps and learn how to read them. In areas that are mostly steep locate those out of the way "benches", little flatter areas, again preseason scouting. Big bodied elk like them, deer don't seem to care. Learn to call, with so much info out there you will easily find the calls that work for the season and animal you are targeting, just use them wisely and sparingly. Over calling might work on a mad rutting bull but talking to guys who successfully call will help you recognize when and how. Lastly be a thinking hunter, your brain is your best tool, recognizing a situation and capitalizing on it makes for a happy hunter.

Get a beagle!