Amy Wilkie

Best Wishes Everyone.  I'm inclined to rant and I'm going to rest instead.  I welcome friendship.  I need it.

Simon, I believe in you.  Simply put, I want to be your friend and share my ideas with you because we are both
on the right treck.  :)  I can help you implement it.  Amy

Hello Permies,

After a long walk yesterday I came back eager to jot down a new design.
Currently I am caring for my elderly Grandmother and she uses a wheel chair and needs assistance
with all tasks.  I'd like to eventually build multiple pallet cobins connected subsurface with earthen
ramps.  Palletized cob breezeways with roofs will go over the ramps allowing movement from surface
to subfloor level with a wheelchair.  Has anyone had experience building something similar for handicap
access?  A geodesic greenhouse will sit over one of the cobins and a heavy duty hammock system will be woven
to allow for those who aren't handicapped to "hang out".  A custom canvas bell tent will be sewn to
create shade as needed and a wooden platform will be built to care for trees/vegetation and create a second floor.
I'm seeking investors to help make this dream come true.  All input and friendships created are welcome!
Really looking for experienced and valuable input.  Thinking of building a prototype and then more.  All who
help build will gain access to visit and spend time in the cobins we use for Airbnb according to how much labor
volunteers invest.

Best Wishes,
Amy

Hi Dan,

I hope you find the right lady for your paradise.  Please do tell more about your land and what you are currently doing to create this paradise.  What are some challenges you have come across and how have you created solutions?  Are you an outdoorsman and proficient with basic construction and permaculture?
Looking forward to your responses.  :)  I'm 49, single, and have lived tiny, love sustainable building, permaculture, and have a deep desire to create a rocket mass heater this winter.  I am currently caring for my 94 year old Grandmother but after I am no longer needed here, my 12 year old son and I will once again be on an adventure to create something new.  We plan to travel a bit and visit national parks.

Best Wishes!
Amy (from Texas)

Hello, I grew some canteloupes this summer but they were not very sweet.  Any tips?

Thanks Jeff, the mushrooms are fun to make.  I'd send you some to Ontario if you like.  I looked up the Sedore 2000 and it seems like a beast!  The one I saw was heating a 1600 sq ft shop.  I like the fact that you can dry out wet wood at the top without it catching fire.  Thanks for sharing!  I'd be interested in the details of how you designed and built your passive solar house.  Merry Christmas to you as well!  

I'm 30 min north of Houston and the weather here is really nice for Christmas (sunny, high of 51, low of 28 tonight).
What sort of permaculture/sustainable living activities are you into around Boothbay?  I agree with you, the coastal areas
are really spectacular.  

Hi Chris, I'm glad you are staying warm during Christmas in New England.  I'd love to visit Maine again in the future.
We visited Bar Harbor and had the pleasure of visiting Acadia National Park while it was snowing.  Amazing beauty!

So, it's getting colder and the wind is picking up here in Texas.  I'm home baking French meringue mushrooms enjoying my pine scented Christmas candle this evening.  Interested in how others may be staying warm and spending their evening.  I won't put in a height, age, or location requirement to initiate a conversation.  Tell me about your wood burning stoves, rocket mass heaters, campfires....  Best Wishes to all of you and I hope you are all safe and sound.

I like to mix a tablespoon of edible diatomaceous earth in a spray bottle with Everclear and spray my legs down with it if I feel an itch.
It will kill those little critters really quickly and the itch vanishes!  Then if my legs feel dry, I rub coconut oil on them.  
Or if you have a bottle of rubbing alcohol, it helps with the itch as well but not as effective.