Dez Graduate Program (Second Quest)

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:That's a big change in your life, Dez! From 'one of the boots' to permanent living on your own plot at Wheaton Labs (or is it Ant Village?).

So you have a sleeping bag that will keep you warm in the tent during cold Montana winter nights? Will you build a small RMH there? In the tent, or in a future house (or Wofati)?

Inge! Hi!
It’sa big change indeed. Yes. I still wear your wool beanie on cold nights. So not too different somehow they make these -35 (yes, that’s ‘minus thirty five’) degrees sleeping bags that keep plenty warm.. it’ll be a wofati like structure, and until the structure is built winters will be in warmer climates.. currently I’m in California.. ultimately I’d like to winter through a structure that I’ve built.. sounds pretty fun!.. and definitely an RMH somewhere in the mix!.. I’d love a heated floor via RMH… hmmmm.. nom nom.. sounds like a cozy winter.. —but I digress! Heh -hem.. we shall see, my friend.. we shall see
Honestly though it’s just in my head for now right?

How are things in your permaculture experience darling??

Nicole Alderman wrote:I'm seriously so excited for you, Dez! I look forward to the abode you build and all of your adventures. Your plot is very well deserved. Here's hoping the cold weather holds off long enough for you to build a cozy home!!!

The abode must wait for the next season—alas!.. or the next.. or the next.. but I’d like to take my time with it because that’s how I enjoy most things.. so it’ll be a bit of a time lapse photography and then.. eventually, I’d love a cozy sheep skin rug near a batch box RMH all covered in cobb and a Christmas tree, etc…… hmmm maybe a kitten here and a dragon there.. lol

Rebekah Harmon wrote:Awesome, Dez!! Now you get to live the dream. Let us know what kinds of things you need 😁 jars? Seeds? Water filter? Tools?
I'm excited for you!

Rebekah!!
I still have that essential oil thing you so generously gifted me.. it’s so wonderful for me.. thank you.
At the moment I don’t need much.. other than a great place to park my rig that’s near a warm bathroom.. Like most people, I usually go visit the throne in the mornings and such, so 30degrees or higher is a comfortable region.. anyways!—once I get settled at camp (which is currently undiscovered!! #adventure), I’ll let you know if some of those tools might come in handy.. for now I’m in a minivan and trying to stay lean.. but once camp is set up—ooh baby! Well.. you know where to reach me homie!

Jason Manning wrote:This looks like it could be a very interesting thread over time.

Maybe, perhaps consider responding to people who have taken the time to reply to your thread and offer advice? It's more rewarding to have a small community of your own than live at the end of a long one-way lane...

Hi Jason!
I’m Not sure if I’m doing exactly what you are suggesting.. man being on the road has been quite tiring for some reason, I just want to sleep a little more or sit a little longer.. haha—well, I still usually do that, but I mean even more so now that I’ve been driving~! I might be starting to catch my breath a little since I’m replying finally!..

—-
Well here’s a little more about this phase of my journey.. I’m at a place called “Los Gatos”.. this means “the cats” in Spanish.. so I think I’m in the right track!

Someone told me one time that I need “direction” in life.. so i went about searching for my direction, and found that I just start by choosing and then course correct along the way.. so it’s relieving to know that, in a way, I’ve always had a direction after all..

This phase consists of reprogramming my mind to understand money differently than what I was taught.. the way it should flow into and out of my life, the priority of its importance in my decision making, and how I would design my day if the main currency was energy instead of paper notes..

Some lovely folks have come into my life path in the last two years via the internet (I’m talking about you permies! <3).. and I’ve recent had the privilege to meet some of them in person for the first time! What a lovely change of energy and good vibes there past few weeks have been for me..

I’m in my fifth decade of earth-hood.. the last two were decades centered around the accumulation of money.. my takeaway is that this I’d likely not my area giftedness.. it’sa replied to understand this finally because if there’s another way that I could help to row the boat, maybe there’s something in good at and inspires me to experience I excel..

So here I am.. searching one day at a time.. asking.. and digging deep to accept that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so all we have is each other.. still learning.. each day humbled by the honor and privilege of the kindness of people..

I appreciated your your face to face visit.  Part of permaculture planning is community which is cultured in diversity; if it is cultivated only by monetary exchange it is about as viable as monocrop farming.  Taxes on the monetary exchange for six decades now provide for most of my monetary needs.  The diverse voluntary work that I have don over those decades has given me much more to exchange with the community.  You and the rest of the community are welcome to continue the exchange here or through the links in my signature line.

Dez Choi wrote:Pps. We finished the deck at Josiah’s.. what a feeling..!

I just spotted this (my life's been busy with homeschooling my kids!), I'm so glad you got a chance to see Josiah, and got to help with his deck! I hope he is doing well!!!

Leif Ing wrote:Wow! Congrats Dez! I’ve enjoyed seeing pics of and from you over the last couple years. THANK YOU!! :) I hope you keep this thread alive and share your journey and build and news with us.

We’re building a house right now too, but with a family and at 53, my wife helped me decide that Bootcamp (a third time! IM GLAD YOU WERE CONSIDERING BOOTCAMP! AND ALSO GLADDER THAT YOU LISTENED TO THE TIMING.. SO MANY THINGS COME DOWN TO TIMING DON’T THEY? :)  Last two were for Uncle Sam though) wasn’t a path right for our family. Totally digging what you are doing though, and looking forward to seeing your progress.

Are you planning to overwinter on your plot? FOR THE MOMENT, NO.

What sort of tools or supplies would be helpful? SINCE IM TRAVELING LIGHT, (a phrase I thought I’d never say:) TOOLS HAVE TO BE ON PAUSE.

If you need a sleeping bag, by far the best investment I’ve ever found is from Wiggy’s in Colorado, if you don’t mind synthetic fiber/fill. Same for socks, fishnet long underwear, mittens, coats, etc. I own all of those and have sleeping bags for the whole family in case of multiple day wintertime power loss. HAVING BACKUP SYSTEMS FOR WEATHER CONTINGENCIES IS MY KIND IF BAG, BABY~! (AN OBSCURE MOVIE REFERENCE.. CAN YOU GUESS THE MOVIE??)  I HAPPENED TO FIND A DECENT -35 degree SLEEPING BAG (BY TETON SPORTS).. CURRENTLY ITS DUAL FUNCTIONING AS MY MATTRESS IN THE VAN!

The new house is getting a Walker style/brick bell RMH next in a few weeks when I get home. Bricks and flagstones are already sitting in the yard, waiting… didn’t see if you are planning a RMH or starting with just a wood stove for winter number 1? NO HEATER BUILD FOR WINTER 1.. THE TINING JUST WASNT THERE..

Leif! I put my responses in all caps.. but I’m not yelling! Lol.. what state are you guys in?

Alana Rose wrote:

Rebekah Harmon wrote:Awesome, Dez!! Now you get to live the dream. Let us know what kinds of things you need 😁 jars? Seeds? Water filter? Tools?
I'm excited for you!

Yes, let us know!

Many Blessings,

Hi Alana!!
At the moment I’m in need of a good camping spot in a warmer climate.. I’m realizing that NorCal Bay Area climate is super.. been here a couple weeks ish.. also thinking it’s be — somewhere that has bathroom facilities and drinking water is probably ideal.. I was thinking about going to slab city in SoCal or camping somewhere near the Bay Area.. I’m doing research and trying to find my center at the same time, which is turning out to have a learning curve for me.. so help is certainly welcome.. (where did my center go? You ask?.. I let my routines get kinda squishy for the past year or so and I thought I’d be fine, but here I am.. and now I get to relearn that it’s not actually fine for me.. the universe is taking me one day at a time.. and I have faith.. that something remarkable is happening..

ultimately, I’d like to steward land and build tiny homes.. exit the money game.. and have lots of funny sweet kittens around.. im so curious to see what miracles are in store.. as much as I’d like to think my plans are the best, we both know who (Whom?) directs the footsteps.. where are you these days???

Coydon Wallham wrote:

Dez Choi wrote:.... on the drive over, we camped two nights at bear lodge in wyoming..

On my ride home from the PTJ, I was wowed by the eastern parts of Yellowstone, but floored by the presence of Bear Lodge. Were you camping in the actual park?

If you might be taking your adventures anywhere near the back waters of Wisconsin, I'd be glad to show you as much as you can stand of what you have foregone by not living in a tent through winter, assuming I can keep up the living part of that formula until then...

Well apparently they’re busy all the time!.. We camped two nights on a paid tent pad at bear lodge.. the food was surprisingly pretty good.. they have fizzy bubbly.. Plenty of warm clean bathrooms and shower.. a swimming pool and hot tub.. it was a very nice camping site.. $12/night I think..

I think a visit to anywhere cold in the winter freaks me out a little bit honestly.. that’s not to say I wouldn’t.. I guess my main concern is road conditions for getting into and around the city.. but maybe that’s something to be determined by the actual visit? All that said, I’d like to see what we might arrange! :)

Dez Choi wrote:You summed it up very nicely beau.. Your graphics is now my vision board! Let’s see how amazingly permies show up :) my main objective, again, is service to the people.. so no matter what I’ll be grateful..

Frankly, I Haven’t been able to serve much to the people in the past 1-2 months.. I’m experiencing a general doubtfulness or lack of confidence in how to approach living life.. I wasn’t anticipating the crash that I seem to be having due to a lack of routine.. it’s a long story, but basically each person that so graciously hosted me met a very tired version of me.. only really wanting to sit or sleep for nearly all waking hours.. just letting folks know here at least that I’m going to need more time to be at my best.. I’m at the gym stretching and meditating with plenty of positive input throughout the day so I know I’m on my way to getting better.. and you’ll see me again soon with hopefully a bit more energy..! :)