Rico Loma

New research uncovers an advanced water system in the Jordanian desert, and we are again amazed how this civilization prospered.  I did hike around Petra with my friend Genvieve, a month after 9-11, stunning.  Please check out their mastery of saving, organizing a complex society.

Your region is lovely, I once had friends there and joined them for alpine skiing, with some superior snow.  If I was walking in your shoes,  I would use a lime based plaster for flexibility
One question:  how long will the foundation be exposed to the elements after plastering?

A couple

Must say I'm not alone in my admiration for Mr. Chickadee and his instructional help.  It is a singular pleasure. They really embrace all   the hand tools, with skill,,,,,,,,, proving that a steady hand and a sharp edge can be superior to a machine finish.

Just last night I thought of  his stove builds, maybe three in total, and discussed with a friend.  Once again, he brings  focus on handiwork and tradition, it seems a gateway to stoves of iron/steel and also RMH. A pioneer style.  
Would you recommend one to a friend to build?

Opinions please,  we are  feeling curious,  the Mini stove looks almost impossible to fail.  The new builder could also buy fireclay and skip 3/5 of the labor. I can show two of the stoves here,
asking also for a friend about to rough it, monastic existence
in deep woods for the next 12 months , clay local, and traditional bricks nearby in a village.  I might stop by Lowes for my supplies.  Thanks y'all

Apologies, I should have said 'maggot bucket' from P Wheaton's comments

A bright idea that could be actualized,  best of luck.

For this effort.  

"So i am curious what other kind of containment might work well and how to make the system self harvesting. and how to arrange the seat and urine diversion. i guess my main question for those
in the know would be 1. would this be downright too stinky to attempt indoors? ......."

...I think you might use a compost bucket system with largish (1/2 inch?)  holes underneath (similar to Paul Wheaton black fly larva feeder for chickens).
For our chickens, that was close to self feeding.  Ask others please about size of drilled holes

Hi Ellen, just one suggestion , could you try Mizuno, arugula, dandelion, turnips, sorrel, et al
Having plants that reseed and compete along the margins, that are also edible, is good for us. They might not vanquish the devilish Bermuda but will try...

God bless the balsam fir, amazing medicinal benefits in a lovely tree. Thank you, my only Maine camping trips involved kayak ventures near Deer Isle and Isle de Haute, what a glorious coast.  

I try to respect all living things, but I struggle,  can't actually feel benevolent towards ticks.  I have form with them, not at all pleasant.  More than one outdoorsman I know have life changing problems from tick borne diseases.  Could I buy essential oils from this tree?

Not sure if this posting is in jest, I don't detect recent activity......?

Glad to hear that Daphne, I love my camping axe, a bit of an heirloom. Firewood gathering is a primordial instinct, perhaps.  BUT i emphatically agree with you enjoying the humble, predictable bow saw.  In our barn are  hanging  four, keep very sharp blades in 2 of them.  It does help to have a remedy for roots and stump work, the older blades might be sacrificed but other blades remain clean and honed.   Travis, I agree. Everyone needs a fine axe, but it takes more practice to swing one accurately every time, gosh i have seen ample blood upon the snow, from poor axemanship  or icy terrain

Any cutting , splitting by hand is a chore
,  yet a gift that keeps on giving.  This keeps us connected to the cave dweller of old , searching and wood gathering