Simple Living's topics - tribe.net

I think I’m gonna puke….

LQQK — Sat, 10 May 2008 02:17:04 GMT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080509/ap_on_re_us/18_kids

Happy Mother's Day: Woman pregnant with 18th child

By JILL ZEMAN, Associated Press Writer Fri May 9, 5:25 PM ET
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - It's a happy Mother's Day for an Arkansas woman — she's pregnant with her 18th child. Michelle Duggar, 41, is due on New Year's Day, and the latest addition will join seven sisters and 10 brothers. There are two sets of twins.
"We've had three in January, three in December. Those two months are a busy time for us," she said, laughing.
The Duggars' oldest child, Josh, is 20, and the youngest, Jennifer, is nine months old.
The fast-growing family lives in Tontitown in northwest Arkansas in a 7,000-square-foot home. All the children — whose names start with the letter J — are home-schooled.
Duggar has been been pregnant for more than 11 years of her life, and the family is in the process of filming another series for Discovery Health.
The new show looks at life inside the Duggar home, where chores — or "jurisdictions" — are assigned to each child. One episode of the new show involves a "jurisdiction swap," where the boys do chores traditionally assigned to the girls, and vice versa, Duggar said.
"The girls swapped jurisdictions, changing tires, working in the garages, mowing the grass," she said. "The boys got to cook supper from start to finish, clean the bathrooms," among other chores.
Duggar said she's six weeks along and the pregnancy is going well. She and her husband, Jim Bob Duggar, said they'll keep having children as long as God wills it.
"The success in a family is first off, a love for God, and secondly, treating each other like you want to be treated," Jim Bob Duggar said. "Our goal is for each one of our children to be best friends, and everybody working together to serve each other makes that happen."
The other Duggar children, in between Joshua and Jennifer, are Jana, 18; John-David, 18; Jill, 16; Jessa, 15; Jinger, 14; Joseph, 13; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 10; Jeremiah, 9; Jedidiah, 9; Jason, 7; James, 6; Justin, 5; Jackson, 3; and Johannah, 2.
___
On the Net:
Duggar family Web site: http://www.duggarfamily.com
Discovery Health site: http://health.discovery.com/convergence/duggars/duggarfamily.html

posted in Simple Living - 10 replies

Basically Trying to Converge The Digital Scene with the Sustainability/Green Scene. Anyone into this sort of thing? We need a Web Guru. check it: WakingMinds . Org

(-_-)Jason(-_-) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:46:36 GMT

Basically Trying to Converge The Digital Scene with the Sustainability/Green Scene.

Anyone into this sort of thing? We need a Web Guru.

check it: WakingMinds . Org

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

5 things that made you happy today

Jenn — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:22:06 GMT

It's the simple things... right?

1. vegan pumpkin bread for breakfast
2. watching my kitties play with a fake halloween spider (they go crazy for it)
3. finishing a short video project I've been working on for a few weeks
4. wearing my DIY fashion armwarmers (that I made out of socks)
5. easily finding parking at work

It was a good day! Most days are though...

posted in Simple Living - 30 replies

Permaculture video

Tinkles — Thu, 29 May 2008 05:18:54 GMT

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=495ntje2mt

:)

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

buying from china

Chakra House — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:55:30 GMT

Ever wondered if we just stopped buying "Made in China"? what would happen? Would their economy slow to a more sustainable pace? Would we take better products home from the store?

There are some very ethical companies who carefully manufacture in China. China is the world's best producer of hemp textiles. But does your frying pan really have to be from there? Better yet, is that really what you want to cook your food in?

posted in Simple Living - 5 replies

dishwasher problem

COOKIE MONSTER!!! — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:06:01 GMT

I have a really problem with Los Angeles hard water.My dishwasher don't rinse out well the best brand of detergent....can I turn on the rinse cycle again adding half an onze of the liquid rinse agent..Am i going to be more poisoned with the rinse agent than with the dishwasher detergent?...Please I need your help...

posted in Simple Living - 11 replies

cheap entertainment

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:13:05 GMT

Goodwill provides 2 of my favorite forms of simple entertainment.

1) frisbees 20 cents. Buy all they have. Even if you don't throw yourself keep a few around as spur-of-the-moment gifts for cool kids and dogs. It makes them both smile.

2) jigsaw puzzles $1. I appeared back at the house with one yesterday and was greeted with smiles of eager anticipation from three generations of family. What else can 3 generations get equally excited about doing together?

posted in Simple Living - 11 replies

Looking for an Earth Woman Friendly community?

Temeluch — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:59:35 GMT

Looking for an Earth Woman Friendly community?

There is a Meeting of the Kindred Spirits coming up March 29th! And
we do need to see some more Positive well integrated Female Energy in
this group who can work closely with others.

http://edenvillage.net/18.htm

We are still looking to organize a group of volunteers to
help out some good folks one day out of the week, with some
organic gardening and we still do need someone to take Minutes
at the next meeting.

It would be possible, I would think, if there is a single female or
two out there who is cool about living closer to the Earth then
I may be able to provide a place for you to live, for
maybe 6 months out of the year up where I live in Northern
California.

If you can simply come to our next meeting on March 29th. - T

http://edenvillage.net/18.htm

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Conspiracy History compilation DVDs torrents

History — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:14:31 GMT

**************************************************

Greetings to all my relations.

This is the last step of our project History Watch. If History is
defined and known by the texts, we can now add to this definition the
recorded events of the filmed archives. Animated images are harder to
deny than printed words. Our objective is to spread out freely some of
the little broadcast, even hidden informations about our collective
History.

We put online a collection of 391 documentaries and other selected and
recut videos, to offer to a wide public the best of the infos
available on the net in english and in french. If you are interested,
you have the time, the right equipment and connection, all you have to
do is open the joint document and decompress it if needed (but normaly
your system should do it automaticaly). You'll find therein nine links
that will open the torrents for the nine DVDs we compiled (around 4.6
Gig each, for a total of a little over 41 G, being over 100 hours of
videos).

Otherwise, you can go directly to btjunkie.com and search for these titles.

11 Septembre 2001 - 9-11
Bush family & friends
Capitalist & Communist regimes
Capitalist conspiracy
Mind Kontrol - Secret Programs
New World Order - Secret Societies
Secret services - cover up - covert ops
Secret weapons - UFO
Terrorism Theories propaganda

Torrents are a system of peer to peer data transfer. The more people
download a torrent, the faster it spreads and the longer it stays on
the net. If you don't have a bittorrent software, we suggest that you
download uTorrent on utorrent.com. If you want to participate in
facilitating the diffusion of these infos about our collective
History, download these torrents on as many computers as possible,
whether it is in cybercafes. It takes one or two minutes to open up
the links and the downloading will keep proceeding on its own.

Please spread this out, take part in this action for social education
on a planetary scale. Thanks.

For more info: watch.history@gmail.com History Watch

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

"Too Much Stuff"

Margi — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:39:05 GMT

Please join my new tribe, "Too Much Stuff" about our relationships to material possessions, how we think about them, how we justify them, The pros and cons of hoarding vs. getting rid of them, etc., anything relating to our "stuff". Here is the URL:

tribes.tribe.net/asceticsandpackrats

Thanks!
Margi
Moderator of "Too Much Stuff" tribe

posted in Simple Living - 3 replies

2008 Communities Conference at Twin Oaks Community

Suede — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:19:31 GMT

My name is Suede and I live at Twin Oaks Community in Louisa, VA. This year I'm co-organizing the Communities Conference at Twin Oaks for my 2nd year, though the conference has been happening for many years now. Thought I'd post some basic info on the conference for those interested in learning about community, expanding knowledge or just meeting new people. Feel free to contact me with any questions about Twin Oaks or our conferences.

In Community,
Suede Machete

Here's the info:

The Communities Conference is a networking and learning opportunity for anyone interested or involved in co-operative or communal lifestyles. Join us for a weekend of sharing and celebration!

Friday August 15 through
Sunday August 17, 2008
$85 (sliding scale) includes
meals and camping

With workshops and events focused on
~ Intentional relationships
~ Group process
~Collective child raising
~ Creating culture
~ Forming communities
~ Sustainability
~ Appropriate technology
~ Community economics

Music
Dancing
Slide shows
Campfires
Swimming
Magic
More!

Respond to:
Twin Oaks Communities Conference
138 Twin Oaks Road, Louisa, Virginia 23093
540-894-5126

conference@twinoaks.org

For More Information, check out our website:

www.communitiesconference.org

Twin Oaks also hosts a Women's Gathering! Check that out at :

www.twinoaks.org/community...index.html

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Stuff

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:57:57 GMT

check it out!
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

posted in Simple Living - 7 replies

Less is the new more.

LQQK — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 04:49:14 GMT

SSIA

D~

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Food for the future

Zen — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:13:28 GMT

Aloha,
The Eco-Ark Project - growing a diverse assortment of useful (food, medicinal,
fiberous)and threatened plants in order to ensure the
continuation of their species into the future.
I am Zen. I have a small 3 acre place out in the rain forest on Hawaii. I am interested in making a botanical garden/ nature preserve/ food producing park and joining with my neighbors new and old in forming a loose and independent community out there. There are a few other families out there with similar community goals and I am offering my place as a stepping stone for others to live and hopefully purchase other lots in the area in order to grow our community without having to rule and control anyone (Freedom rules)

http://members.fortunecity.com/fbush2/hnf.html

http://members.fortunecity.com/fbush2/guide.html

I'm putting a small group together that want to give Hawaii a try and help plant trees and make trails and garden areas. It only requires one short day a week to cover camp space and with even a lousy job (The biggest town on the Island, Hilo, is only fifteen miles away) you can save enough to buy your own 3 acre lot in the neighborhood. Water falls from the sky out here (180"/yr) and when the changes come we have the resources to survive.

Launch date is early November, and space is limited. So contact me early if interested.

posted in Simple Living - 1 reply

survey

Thu, 24 May 2007 04:34:51 GMT

For all tribe members...
Please respond with the 10 most significant things you have done/do, big or little, that has made your life more in harmony with simple living!
thanks..I look forward to the responses.

posted in Simple Living - 22 replies

The Story of Stuff

Bobzilla — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:52:19 GMT

20 minute internet film that was passed along to me.

http://www.storyofstuff.com

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Its getting cold.

william — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:21:46 GMT

When taking a shower in the a bathtub, put in the plug and let the heat radiate to the room. Drain when cool.

posted in Simple Living - 1 reply

Get satisfied and Simple Living America

Jenn — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:05:00 GMT

Perhaps the simplest idea of all- be satisfied with what you already have and the life you're living.

http://www.getsatisfied.org/main/index.php

And there's a book, and stories, and house parties where we all talk about how awesome we are. Deservedly so, I guess. :) My friends and I do regularly congratulate ourselves on how awesome we are and how much we love our lives.

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

buy nothing year!

Jenn — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:33:11 GMT

Check this out- these folks have decided to not buy anything for one year. Well, it’s not entirely true- they can buy food (preferably from local sources), and can buy things they need if they find them used. The idea is that you’re not creating the amount of waste that the usual American does- all the resources that go into creating your new clothes, new car, overly-packaged food, etc. If you buy something used, you’re not contributing to waste the way you do when you buy something new. Not to mention all the money you would save!

http://www.moneyunder30.com/buy-nothing-year-could-you-do-it

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thecompact/

I love this idea and am really inspired by it. I am starting small so it doesn't seem totally daunting- I'll start with one month.

posted in Simple Living - 20 replies

A new group for Eco Sustainable Alternative Tech. Mud Junkies

Zen — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:57:47 GMT

Well, I have pulled myself out of the Hawaiian rain forest once again. With months of computer time ahead of me as I write my second book, I decided to finally start a gr
oup focused on the Eco-Ark Project. Its multiple purposes include raising awareness of the Eco-ark being built in the Puna Rain Forest, encouraging others to start similar projects in their own area, sharing ideas and methodologies for accomplishing these goals, spreading ideas concerning sustainable, Eco-friendly technologies and off grid community living. Spreading knowledge of organic permaculture techniques, to encourage the building of community gardens and the growing of food in publicly accessible places (Green Ribbon Project). And helping each other to restoring this planet to its divinely intended Edenic state before it is too late.

This group will also act as a central meeting place for individuals wishing to join in the continued building of the ark on Hawaii Island next summer.

Check out http://tribes.tribe.net/ecoark? to reach Builders of the Arks! Poke around and see if it sounds like a group you would be interested in participating in. We would enjoy input from all positive, creative souls in resurrecting the balance between humanity and our planet. Aloha!

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

A simple idea that works

william — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:03:58 GMT

A national "big box" home improvement center had a sale on 4 solar yard lights for $9. I set them in the sun during the day and bring them in to light my apartment at night.

posted in Simple Living - 24 replies

Fall Ecology and Harvest: An Intergenerational Exploration

nathaniel — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:43:51 GMT

Scholarship and Worktrade available. Please call 541 937-2567 ext.116 or email nature@lostvalley.org for more information.

October 13-14, 2007 (Saturday-Sunday)
at Lost Valley Educational Center, Dexter, OR

We invite people ages 12 through 112 to join us to learn about fall ecology, indigenous tradition, and the harvest season here in the western Cascade foothills. Throughout this weekend of presentations, discussions, and activities, we'll explore how we can learn from one another and pass ecological wisdom and insights back and forth between generations. The schedule (subject to change) is as follows:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 morning: indigenous traditions and their modern applications
9-9:30 am: introduction/welcome circle
9:30-10:30 am: Esther Stutzman (Kalapuyan storyteller)
10:40-11:30 am: presentation and discussion circle featuring Bill Burwell (Kalapuya researcher), Jerry Hall (ethnobotanist, Lane Community College), Dharmika Henschel (ethnobotanist/musician), Jude Hobbs (Permaculture teacher and designer, Agroecology Northwest), and Rick Valley (Lost Valley land steward, Permaculture teacher and designer)
11:30 am-12:10 pm: break-out groups
12:10-12:30 pm: concluding morning circle
12:30-1:30 pm: lunch

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 afternoon and evening: seasonal harvest activities, ecological restoration, ecovillage development, youth initiatives, and bioregional culture
2-4:30 pm: tour (Rick Valley) and hands-on harvest- and land-related activities
4:45-5:45 pm: Alison Rosenblatt (NextGEN--Global Ecovillage Network)
6-7 pm: dinner
7:30 pm on: music (Dharmika Henschel and others), sharing circle about traditional seasonal celebrations, stories, poems, networking

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 morning: school gardening, youth, and horticultural exploration
7:30-8:30 am: breakfast
9-9:30 am: morning welcome circle
9:30-9:50 am: Sharon Blick (former director, School Garden Project)
9:50-10:10 am: Jen Anonia (Food for Lane County Gardens Program Manager)
10:10-10:30 am: Heiko Koester (Permacultural landscaper, Eugene Permaculture Guild)
10:40-11:20 am: Sarah Kleeger and Andrew Still (Seed Ambassadors Project)
11:30 am-12:30 pm: discussion
12:30-1:30 pm: lunch

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 afternoon: autumn ecology and ethnobotany
2-4:15 pm: talks and walks with Dave Kofranek (lichenologist), Tobias Policha (ethnobotanist, Institute of Contemporary Ethnobotany), Heiko Koester, and others
4:30-5:30 pm: closing circle

Conference registration fees, including four organic vegetarian meals, are $105 for students 12 and above, $135 for non-students. Overnight lodging ($30) and camping ($10) are also available. We are offering a $10 discount/rebate from your registration fee for each paying registrant who first heard about the event through you, or who cites you as his or her primary influence in considering attending. A limited number of worktrade scholarships are available (for an application, follow the link within the online registration form at www.lostvalley.org/fallecology/registration). If space allows, we will also accept single-day attendees for $80 Saturday only, $65 Sunday only (or, for students, $65 Saturday only, $50 Sunday only.) See www.lostvalley.org/fallecology for updated event details, or contact Fall Ecology and Harvest Event, 81868 Lost Valley Lane, Dexter, OR 97431, (541) 937-2567 x116, nature AT lostvalley.org.

brochure: www.lostvalley.org/files/Fall%20Ecology%20and%20Harvest%20brochure.pdf
poster: www.lostvalley.org/files/Fall%20Ecology%20and%20Harvest%20poster.pdf

Cosponsors:
Lost Valley Nature Center
Lost Valley Educational Center’s 87 acres include oak savanna, natural meadow, stream and riparian areas, ponds, extensive forest lands in various states of maturity, gardens and orchards. Our diverse habitats and several miles of nature trails offer unique environmental education opportunities. Lost Valley Nature Center sponsors walks and public events (like May’s Native Plants and Permaculture Gathering) to help nature-lovers learn from the land and from one another.

NextGEN
NextGEN is a global network organized by young adults concerned with issues of sustainability. We hope to inspire you with examples of viable and positive choices for the future. We offer opportunities for action through conferences, educational workshops, and direct experience in communities. Our international support network develops connections among activists and encourages resource sharing.

Excerpts from May’s Native Plants and Permaculture Conference Proceedings:

Bill Burwell: At the start of each harvest season the Kalapuyans would have a first gathering ceremony. The spiritual leader of each winter village site would harvest a few articles of each resource, bring it back, prepare it in a ceremonial way, bless the plants or animals that were responsible, and then the regular harvest could begin. The first gathering ceremony was very important to them, and it was practiced all throughout the Kalapuya culture, religiously. Their belief was that all plants and animals, including humans, were part of the same format. As above, so below. Just like humans, plants and all animals had families, and then beyond the families they had communities.

There’s one word I know of that was utilized all the way up and down the Willamette Valley, the lower Columbia, and into the Salish area in Washington: Tamanawas. It’s been translated as spirit power. People who went out on a vision quest were looking for their Tamanawas. I think what it really related to was a person’s ability to interconnect with all the rest of nature. I’ve collected a number of tales of the people going out into the woods to find a particular medicine, and their ability to find this medicine came from the ability to plug into that certain plant and interact with it. The plant actually was the teacher of the person who was going out on the search.

Jerry Hall: When we started learning our language, songs began coming to us. There is the belief that songs are just in the ether or in the air, and they select somebody to come to at a time in that person’s life. … My experience is that singing evokes something from us that is beyond talking and gives expression to prayer.

I feel that nature is really part of the home and that people related that way five hundred years ago. People knew where everything was and they took care of it.

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

What Would Jesus Buy? - Tonight at the Roxy in SF

Bobzilla — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:54:15 GMT

Reverend Billy is here. Tonight at 9P. The show is followed by a Q&A with the Reverend himself.

http://roxie.com/events/details.cfm?eventid=F6146B75%2DF1F6%2D5CD4%2D1490805760FC3232

I saw this last night and very much enjoyed it.

************************************

Take heed brothers and sisters! The shopacalypse is upon us! America is fat with greed and addicted to shopping. Luckily, Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir are here to save our souls from overspending! In the weeks leading to Christmas, Reverend Billy and the Choir board a bus headed from advertising-thick Times Square through the heartland’s shopping malls to the commercial mecca—Disneyland. Part performance art, part spendthrift evangelism, they cross the US singing and preaching to spend gently. With the average American holding about $8,500 in credit card debt, his work is overdue. Reverend Billy is serious in his message. He doesn’t preach the impossible task of never buying again, but encourages us to be mindful of where our dollars go. We visit a Main Street men’s clothing store struggling for customers against the Wal-Mart up the road and a line of Christmas shoppers waiting to buy an Xbox 360 lest they feel the wrath of their consumption-addicted children. Billy and the choir go caroling to incite ‘change-a-lujah!’ along front porches in gated community and from church pulpits. They’re making trouble, evading Mall of America security, and just like the rest of us, they’re fighting the urge to buy for the sake of spending. By the time they get to Disneyland, you may find yourself converted, ready to buy American and swear-off big box stores in favor of your local merchants.

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

A third simple idea that works

Jenn — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:30:08 GMT

I just bought a clothesline! Yay! I live in Southern California, so there really is no reason to use the dryer. It is pretty consistently sunny around here.

Did you know that your dryer is the appliance that uses the 2nd highest amount of energy in your home (next to the fridge)? It can account for up to 10% of a household yearly energy usage? Plus, hanging your clothes makes them last longer and smell nice. And hanging the clothes up slows me down for 10 minutes, and brings back happy childhood memories of being in the back yard with my mom while she was hanging our laundry.

Good idea all around. I bought a fancy removable, umbrella-style pop up one for $50, but in the right situation, you could buy $6 of rope and string it up. If it's rainy or snowy where you are, you could string ropes across your garage (what I did when it became freakishly rainy here a few days ago).

If you haven't already, consider joining the movement. :)
http://www.laundrylist.org/index2.htm

posted in Simple Living - 14 replies

Another simple idea that works

william — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:40:53 GMT

Cheap AC. First take 2 or 3 of the 2-litre sodapop bottles and fill them within 2" of the top and place them in your freezer. Next find an old ice chest. Cut a round hole in one end the size of a small round <Honeywell or other> turbo table fan. In the other end, cut a hole for a plastic vent <available at hardware store>. Cut a small hole somewhere in the fan end for the power chord to run thru. Place the turbo fan inside thru the hole you cut. Once the water bottles are frozen, place them in the ice chest with a damp towel on top. Close the lid and turn the fan on - Cheap AC. Replace bottles every couple of hours.

P.S. - Always keep frozen 2-litre frozen water bottles in your freezer to cut down on refrigerator cycling.

posted in Simple Living - 19 replies

OT: New Freegan Tribe forming

H.P. Meow Meow Meow — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:38:07 GMT

http://tribes.tribe.net/ef0f2448-2f81-4704-a66a-fda79c08384f#

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Junk Mail Management

rorybowman — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:12:25 GMT

There are a variety of ways to decrease the amount of junkmail in your life, some of which are detailed at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt063.shtm I also tear the labels from unwanted mailings and wrap them in a polite "no thank you" form letter I keep for this purpose, which explains that I would like to be removed from their lists and will certainly not be sending them any money if they don't do so. The trick isn't perfect, but goes a long way. Lastly, I have some blank "counter checks" from my credit union which do not contain a return address which I use for charity donations. "Anonymous" donors may not be modest but just want to protect their privacy...

Direct Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

posted in Simple Living - 2 replies

... simple _thinking_

John Michael — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:08:25 GMT

Hello, all ...

I generally like to be rather light in terms of possessions, though some of my friends say i've gone to far -- I own a home, but don't own a bed and prefer to sleep on the floor; I really like the beauty of a completely empty room, etc. One of the biggest things i'm still working on, though, is simplifying my thought patterns / processes. For instance:

1. Avoiding "black holes on the brain" -- thoughts that grow exponentially and start to consume so many cerebral cycles such as to leave precious few for anything else ... "making mountains out of molehills", downward spirals of self-doubt, thinking too much about other people's motives and agendas when interfacing with them, etc.

2. Adopting a pragmatic, rational way of looking at life, based on reason and critical thought -- and avoiding avenues of thought that depend on or ultimately lead to beliefs in superstition, unfalsifiable / untestable forces, gods / devils, etc. I found that these thoughts raised questions that no diety had acceptable answers for, and a lot of these questions (as well as the answers that were given) were really disturbing.

3. Subscribing to a more self-sustaining "personal responsibility" ethic -- believing in the power and potential of the human individual above all else to effect positive change in his / her own life, accepting responsibility for my own emotional state (and endeavor, when I can, to make a conscious choice of how I will feel given any set of circumstances life will throw at me).

4. Trying to live more "in the moment", vs. taking #1-3 above so seriously that I miss a lot of the simple pleasures of life ... i'm still working on this one, and i'm naturally introspective, so I sometimes don't realize when i'm thinking too much and not living enough.

I'm really interested in hearing other opinions about simple thinking as well ... de-cluttering our physical space is one thing (and I think i've a fairly good handle on this), de-cluttering our hearts and minds is something else entirely. I'd love to hear about how other people approach this.

Regards,

John

Falling You - exploring the beauty of voice and sound
http://www.fallingyou.com

posted in Simple Living - 3 replies

Open-Source House Plans?

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 16:31:07 GMT

Does anyone know of a resource for free or low-cost building blueprints? With the increasing standardization of building codes, there seems a strong need for architect-approved, California-seismic-standard, bulletproof-approval housing designs. Not necessarily cutting-edge PV-and-graywater stuff, but something like Thoreau's cabin that would meet code.

Surely there are folks around who could churn these out by the dozen for groups such as Habitat for Humanity or use in cohousing developments and working-class infill. An affordable New-Orleans-style "shotgun" for example could help a lot of people about now, if they had the plans. Heck, entire sections of an economy could be built this way. The plans must be out there.

Where are they?

[ Cross-posted to http://sustainability.tribe.net, http://simpleliving.tribe.net, http://greendesign.tribe.net , http://greenbuilding.tribe.net ]

posted in Simple Living - 16 replies

Tiny Tumbleweed Houses

Holly — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:53:25 GMT

I just wanted to steer everyone to some links for small, affordable, "transportable" houses. Jay Shafer's designs are really well thought out. As extremely small as the houses seem, they actually feel bright and spacious inside. I have been inside several now. The first link is to the company website and the second link is a gallery of interior shots of a Tumbleweed house. Just goes to show, small spaces can be kind of swanky. BTW, I dont' work for, nor am I affiliated with the company, I just find the small living concept extremely appealing from my anti-consumer standpoint Cheers.

http://tumbleweedhouses.com/home.htm

http://markopolo.smugmug.com/gallery/3060553#166744962

posted in Simple Living - 2 replies

would this be of interest?

Scottica — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:41:58 GMT

Hi Tribe,
I have been asked to help produce a 9 day natural building/permaculture event on a new piece of land just south of the Baja border.
I am looking for feedback on all aspects including value,interest and curriculum.
please respond to scottankenypdx@gmail.com
Here are the details...

Oct 27 – Nov 4

Imagine a revolutionary oasis built with your very own hands
as you exercise in natural building and whole system design principles.

Imagine a community of passionate people learning what it means to be human beings,
immersed in an environment of self-expression, of listening, and of appreciation,
while they build beautifully and sustainably.

Introducing GiraSol (Sunflower), a new permaculture settlement breaking ground in November 2007. We invite you to be a part of this amazing experience by participating in a nine-day course designed to bring you competency in Permaculture and Earthen Building Methods.

Imagine yourself as part of that community…Living. Building. Playing.

This nine-day intensive design/build studio will combine natural building techniques (cobb, adobe, stone, straw/clay, passive/active heating systems) with presentations, discussions, exercises, and fun field trips.

GiraSol’s ground-breaking workshop will provide training in regenerative village design, natural construction and permaculture theory while establishing the GiraSol information center through hands-on work. The design will integrate a century-old adobe structure into a whimsical new building, seemingly sprung from the canvas of a Maxfield Parrish painting.

Led by mOceaN (Mark Lakeman), Lydia Doleman and Martin Shulke of Portland’s City Repair Project, the GiraSol Intensive will take place from 10/27/07 to 11/04/07. We will be camping as a group in the beautiful Baja desert, and all meals will be provided.

Basics

Location: GiraSol is a 200-acre parcel situated in Valle de las Palmas (Valley of the Palms), about 20 miles south of the U.S./Mexico Border and 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean between the major cities of Tijuana, Ensenada & Tecate. This new Center is on a vast tract of beautiful land in the valley, along a road from Ensenada to Tecate which is currently under construction. This road will bring unprecedented real estate development to this relatively undisturbed agrarian area. GiraSol strives to be a jewel in the Baja landscape by providing an example of sustainable community design.

Course Description: You will receive training AND become competent in the following areas:

1. regenerative village design and earthen building methods
2. biomass accumulation and use, plastering
3. roof framing
4. integrated landscaping
5. water catchment, re-use, and finishing methods.

Construction will be accompanied by discussions of the ecological features and benefits of each building phase. Through two field trips we will explore the local community by travelling to a wildlife preserve and taking part in Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Daily Activities

6 a.m.
7 a.m.
8 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
Noon
2 p.m.
4–6 p.m.
6:30
8–10 p.m.
Moving Meditation
Breakfast & Daily Overview
Discussion of Daily Work Focus
Begin Field Project Work
Lunch and Siesta at the Lunch Palace
Village Design Discussion
Resume Filed Project Work
Communal Dinner
Evening Presentation/Discussion, Fire Circle

Dates: 10/27–11/04, 2007
Cost: $450

Reservations & Questions: Contact Scott Ankeny at 503.853.9376 or e-mail: scottankenypdx@gmail.com
Curriculum

There will be two tracks of education running at the same time.
Each student will be involved in both activities of building and landscaping

Day 1: Check-in, Orientation, Dinner, Campfire/Permaculture & GiraSol Overview
Day 2: Foundations, Biomass Accumulation*, Dialogue—Strategies and Practices
Day 3: Building Adobe Walls/Other Earthen Building Methods, Village Design & Community Building
Day 4: Adobe Walls, Water & Biomass Accumulation, Swales, Dialogue
Day 5: Plastering Walls, Swales, Natural Building
Day 6: Roof Framing, Tree-Planting in Biomass-filled Swales, Dialogue
Day 7: Field Trip (Ocean), Food Systems, Village Ecosystems, Spa & Special Places
Day 8: Roofing and Water, Water Catchment/Systems, Eco-Intervention
Day 9: Finishing & Systems, Visioning
Day 10: Completion, Afterparty, Departure

*Biomass piece will include the whole process — from mulching to retain rainwater
to improved soil structure resulting in increased food potentials.

Order of Construction
Foundation, Walls, Windows/Doors, Plaster, Framing, Roof

Evening Presentations
GiraSol: Story and Overview
Global Challenge, “Anti-Virus” Plan
Village Design
Inherent Nature
Case Studies of Successful Eco-Centers

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Finally Made it!

Beth — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:59:59 GMT

Well I made it!

My husband, daughter and I have been in our new rural town for 2.5 months and finally catching our breathe. We bought a 40 acre farm, with cash we had saved up. How do you do this you ask? Hard hard work, and not ever spending a penny for years, lol. We don't believe in debt, so it's a huge goal we've now realized. The house is nothing fancy, but we have an apartment in the shop, a horse barn, orchard, gardens and trees and pastures.

The garden was in terrible shape when I arrived in June, and I've only managed to take back part of it. I brought my tomato plants here in 5 gallon buckets, and those went in the ground. I have onions, garlic, and several squash varieties. The raspberries were being choked out, so I got those cleared out and managed to put away a few pints of jam before the hornet epidemic set in here. I am making grape jelly this weekend from my grape vines, and the blueberries went in the freezer as did the rhubarb.

My big purchase was a craigslist find of 2500 pounds of organic hard wheat, soybeans, beans, rice, etc. I paid only $300 dollars, and I've been a bartering fool out here. So far I've gained 18 laying hens, two milk goats, half a cow, and my pasture is being used by a neighbor to put their horses in.. lots of compost there! I am now looking to trade more of it for rototilling services to finish taking back my garden. (I weighed the whole.. do I get a rototiller or just have someone come out and do it, and I just couldn't justify the cost). I have plums almost ready, and pears and peaches too!

Everyone I meet here seems to have the same values. People mean what they say, and they go out of their way to help. Both our cars died on the same day and we had a half dozen people offer to take us into town and run us around while they got fixed.

The challenge has been, when you have a new house, you want to buy things to put in it. I just keep telling myself.. I don't need new furniture when what I have is just fine. And I'm too busy enjoying life to worry about where to hang "just the right" picture.

And then there is the eating out thing. We used to eat out fairly frequently in Portland. It was convenient and we were always busy. Here, No One eats out. No one goes to lunch, they bring in dishes and everyone shares (oh and they say homemade.. no store bought). People drive older cars, not because they have to, but because they paid cash and they don't want payments. There is still a sense of community everywhere.

We just missed the cutoff for the local CSA, but have made friends with all the local growers and buy all our vegetables from them right now until my garden is ready. Neighbors carpool to town because no one wants to spend the money for gas. Or we run errands for each other.

I do miss my lattes. But everytime I drive by that little coffee shack, it's easier to just say.. My Money or My Life.... and I go into work where we have a hot pot ready.

We do have a netflix account, but no TV, and no papers, and no internet at home(to speak of). We don't go out to eat, we are wearing all the clothes we had, using the library instead of the bookstore and taking fewer trips to town, and buying less and less. And each morning, I wake up to the most incredible view of the sun rising over the mountains for 100 miles. I've seen at least one deer everyday since we moved here.

I can't believe not only how easy it is to make healthier, simpler choices here, but also how much everyone around you is doing the same thing and everyone is working for the same goals. I wrote here six months ago about how frustrating it was to be pinching every dime. And now here I am, and it just doesnt get any better.

Simple living, and I love it.

posted in Simple Living - 5 replies

what is necessary?

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:21:09 GMT

So in my quest to live simpler, 'cheaper', and in harmony with earth rhythms I contemplate what is truly necessary and what is not and what can be done about any of it.
I ask myself is cable necessary? Is Netflix? Is driving as much? Going out to eat? Buying more books when I still have plenty to read? More music cd's? The occasional bag of chips or 6 pack of beer? How about all that yogurt with all its throw away packaging? The longer than necessary showers? What else?
At the same time what do I find necessary, at least to function effectively in my present modern day situation and career?
Shelter (getting solar installed and have a clean burning wood stove!), water (have a filter but would like get rain barrels and caches outside as well as a inline heater), transportation ( have feet, several bikes, a old truck which honestly should be fixed up and replaced, and a new model Suzuki which though dependable still eats up more gas and payments than I think is appropriate), Food of course (I eat fairly low on the food chain, have a garden, but whole food organic is not cheap nor are two teens who are ALWAYS hungry, and a spouse who bless her heart loves to eat out WAY more than I do), Computer/Internet, (Required for my online Personal Training business), Training gear, (I am a coach and Professional Fitness Trainer...and both kids are athletes...nough said), Phone (so far no cell phone though if I didn't need the phone line for the internet I would probably switch over), Entertainment (I have music, books, dvd's, my own guitar and how much of all those are really even necessary?) Medical (what a sham. Have health insurance though have been sick once in 7 years yet dental for kids and even the simplest treatment is insane as is even one procedure, plus contacts for the whole family year round...plus deductibles and premiums...ya know this is where we are likely ALL getting screwed), Education (kids in school and let me tell ya tax dollars don't even come close. The fee's and expenses are hundreds of dollars a year for just two of them and I know teachers are not paid well either. Obviously remains a low priority in this country).
So there are some thoughts...I like to hear others reflections, insights, suggestions, all.

posted in Simple Living - 5 replies

Walk Score

rorybowman — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 14:51:07 GMT

Saw an interesting article in the local paper about http://WalkScore.com, a web site that uses Google data to calculate livability based on access to local services within a mile or so. It assumes that most folks live a fairly urban or suburban lifestyle, but was definitely interesting. I won't brag, but it is a useful tool for folks who need to consider new places to live. http://www.WalkScore.com

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Time Management and Cruft Cleaning

rorybowman — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:27:29 GMT

Howdy, All!

In the spirit of DIY I have started two tribes that I have dearly wanted for the better part of a year, and I would invite you to take part (Cat, please delete this post if you feel it is inappropriate). A huge part of my own psychic simple living seems to revolve around these two things, so I thought they were worth sharing.

http://tribes.tribe.net/cruftcleaners is to encourage folks to tidy up tribe by retiring or making old tribes private. There are two many scamster needles on the basketball court of Tribe, and our little trailer park has more cars up on blocks than is sightly. Please consider what you can do to make a simpler, tidier, more joyful Tribe for us all.

http://tribes.tribe.net/timemanagement is a place for folks to exchange information and ideas on getting organized not just in the physical world, but also the mental and temporal ala "Getting Things Done" and "Lifehacker" without necessarily carrying around an Italian leather Filofax.

Apologies if this seems off-topic, but many hands make light work, and all of us is smarterer than un of uz.

Cheers!

posted in Simple Living - 5 replies

Communities Conference Aug 17-19. Ecovillages, Communes, Coops, CoHousing and More.

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 17:54:16 GMT

August 17-19, 2007. Ecovillages, communes, coops, CoHousing and more. A weekend of workshops, community-building and culture creation. We will explore topics such as group decision-making, intentional relationships and sustainable living. $85 (Sliding scale) includes food and tenting. We welcome community seekers and members alike. Communities Conference, 138 Twin Oaks Road, Louisa, VA 23093. 540-894-5126 conference@twinoaks.org . Check out our interactive website! http://www.communitiesconference.org

posted in Simple Living - 0 replies

Want to moderate?

frykitty — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:53:16 GMT

Speaking of cruft-cleaning, I am slowly backing away from Tribe. I'm looking for someone to take over here. Volunteers?

posted in Simple Living - 7 replies

too busy!

Ilana — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:51:20 GMT

what to do?? I know a lot of you have ways that you are able to do the stuff you gotta do + the stuff that is fulfilling and still have time to rest, read, play guitar etc- please share advice!

Some of the things I fill my schedule with:
1. work 8-6 M-F with every other friday off
2. Post-grad Classes (usually one at a time) in graphic design & marketing
3. volunteer (board) with 3 Jewish environmental groups (who knew so many could exist?!)
4. See my parents once every week or 2
5. Kayak or bike when I can on the weekend
6. seeing friends, dating
7. going to (Jewish) community events/holiday celebrations/dinner parties
8. environmental happy hrs or lectures,discussions- rarely have time left in the schedule to attend these
9. work-related after hrs functions, speaking engagements
10. Life planning- job stuff, buying a home stuff
11. declutter apartment, deal with old filing, etc

thanks for sharing your ideas!
ilana

posted in Simple Living - 3 replies

odor neutralizer

COOKIE MONSTER!!! — Fri, 04 May 2007 05:26:02 GMT

My dog are peeing all around my carpet....Do you know a cheaper alternative odor eliminator or neutralizer against the smell of dog urine from the carpet..

posted in Simple Living - 7 replies

Distilled water or No?

Chopper22 — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:28:10 GMT

My friends are debating against distilled water due to their own experience with bad teeth while drinking it. I, in no way, doubt their experience but simply disagree that the distilled water alone was the cause. If this can be proven then, of course, folks should be made aware of it

Has any new scientific evidence come out against distilled water that I'm not aware of? If there is peer reviewed scientific proof demonstrating this, then we should all be made aware of it & the EPA, FDA & WHO should issue a warning & bottled distilled water should have a warning label on it.

One reason folks drink distilled water is to stay away from fluoridated water. Darlene Sherrell tells her story of being sick due to water fluoridation http://www.rvi.net/~fluoride/s23.htm

Question # 23: "Does fluoride inhibit the activity of enzymes in humans?"

"...Yes, Fluoride poisons enzymes. All the chemical reactions necessary to the life and function of the body depend on enzymes. Continuous depression of enzyme activity by fluorides produces alterations of function and symptoms of disease. Professor Hugo Theorell, Nobel Prize winner, (Medical Nobel Inst. Biochemist, Dept. of Communication to Royal Medical Board, Sweden, Mar. 1, 1958) based his opposition to fluoridation on the fact that fluoride is an established enzyme poison and potent inhibitor of many enzyme systems. His research, together with that of others in the Nobel Institute, had much to do with the unanimous ruling of Sweden's Supreme Administrative Court, Dec. 1961, that fluoridation of water supplies was not permissible under the "Swedish Health Act." (See 23-1: "Fluoride Poisons Enzymes," by Harvey Petraborg, M.D., 9/6/64). http://www.fluoridedebate.com/question23.html

"The Fluoride Deception" by Christopher Bryson
http://www.fluoridealert.org/fluoride-deception.htm

Enjoy the online video & DVD - http://www.fluoridealert.org/bryson.htm

Anyway, folks tend to quote Mercola.com to prove their case against distilled water. So I sent mercola an e-mail a few years ago with no response. Here it is...

"I am very concerned about the information on these web pages on your site

http://www.mercola.com/article/water/distilled_water.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2002/may/8/distilled_water.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2002/may/8/distilled_water.htm#
http://www.mercola.com/article/water/distilled_water_2.htm

I have spoken to water experts at awwa.org. I asked about these quotes from mercola, "Distilled Water leaches minerals from your body" & "Fasting using distilled water can be dangerous because of the rapid loss of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and trace minerals like magnesium, deficiencies of which can cause heart beat irregularities and high blood pressure. Cooking foods in distilled water pulls the minerals out of them and lowers their nutrient value."

- They explained to me that it is only a theory & has never been proven. They went on to say that this does not make sense because the human body works in reverse of this theory. We absorb what we eat or drink not the reverse as is suggested here. They said that it did come up as a theory from a doctor that fasting & drinking distilled water could deplete the body of minerals but, still no proof of this ever happening to date... only a theory.

I have spoken with the EPA to find out the truth one way or the other. They didn't have anything on the dangers of distilled water. The EPA does not regulate distilled water. So they sent me to the FDA & they have no record of distilled water being dangerous documented at that time. I've spoken with water experts from around the country & they ALL tell me that this is only a theory. One does not need to be a health fanatic to want to know the truth on this issue. Many of my friends drink distilled water to steer away from fluoride poisoning. Distilled water is one of the best and cheapest of only a few ways to avoid fluoride poisoning. Please provide me with a peer-reviewed study proving these theories or please take these pages down before more people get poisoned by water fluoridation for fear of drinking distilled water. Note that I have no affiliation with any distiller company or water service whatsoever.

MYTH # 2: Distilled Water leaches minerals from your body.

What the proponents of this myth want you to believe is that because distilled water is so pure, drinking it will leach minerals from your body, thereby robbing you of good health and nutrition. There is no basis of fact to document this claim. The national best-selling health and diet book, : "Fit for Life II: Living Health" by Harvey & Marilyn Diamond, answers this question. The following is an excerpt:

"Distilled water has an inherent quality. Acting almost like a magnet, it picks up rejected, discarded, and unusable minerals and, assisted by the blood and the lymph, carries them to the lungs and kidneys for elimination from the body. The statement that distilled water leaches minerals from the body has no basis in fact. It doesn't leach out minerals that have become part of the cell structure. It can't and won't. It collects only minerals that have already been rejected or excreted by the cells...To suggest that distilled water takes up minerals from foods so that the body derives no benefit from them is absurd."
~ "Distilled Water Myths" - http://www.durastill.com/myths.html

Here's what other folks had to say when I asked them about this issue -

"Your question as to whether distilled water leaches minerals out of the body reflects another persistent myth. While pure water helps to remove minerals from the body that cells have eliminated or not used, it does not "leach" out minerals that have become part of your body's cell structure. Neither does distilled water cause your teeth to deteriorate, a false claim made by a filter manufacturer looking to boost sales. As far as acidity goes, distilled water is close to a neutral pH and has no effect on the body’s acid/base balance.

I hope I've set your mind at ease. Distilled water not only isn't dangerous, it’s the purest form of water. It’s also the kind of water I drink." ~ Dr. Andrew Weil
http://www.drweil.com/app/cda/drw_cda.html-command=TodayQA-pt=Question-questionId=21181

* "Does distilled water leach minerals from our body?

- "No, in fact, just the opposite has been found to occur in cellular research studies. It is a mistaken belief that drinking pure distilled water reduces valuable minerals from living human tissues. If inorganic minerals (and other substances like chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, etc.) are removed from tapwater, by converting it into pure distilled water, the result is improved absorption of all nutrients, including minerals, and improved elimination of wastes at the cellular level." http://www.nutriteam.com/distil.htm

"The water that you drink must be pure or else you are doing more harm than good by flooding your body with toxic chemicals. Tap water, which usually contains chlorine, radon, arsenic and other toxic chemicals, is not healthful. Filtered water, mineral water and spring water still contain some chemicals. In fact, some bottled water is even worse than local tap water. The minerals in mineral water are not organic and not used by the body, energy must be used to excrete the minerals, and they can be unbalancing and harmful. Pure water is distilled, and only a vapor compression distillation process will purify your water and make it healthy to drink. Another benefit of distilled water is that it transports out of the body inorganic minerals that would be rejected by the cells and tissues, adding to the purification of your internal environment."

"Let's look at natural distillation. The earth is constantly recycling its water. Water is vaporized from the bodies of water on the earth and drawn up to the clouds where it condenses and drops as rain or snow. The water from the clouds is pure distilled water, but collecting rainwater is not always practical, plus most of our atmosphere is so polluted that the water becomes contaminated before the rain hits the earth." http://www.livingnutrition.com/water.html

"Distillation is as old as the earth. Nature uses a form of distillation called "Hydrologic Cycle"... "
http://www.naturalsolutions1.com/ecodist2.htm

W.H.O. (World Health Organization) Guidelines for Drinking-water

The potential health benefits of bottled drinking water

In European and certain other countries, many consumers believe that natural mineral waters have medicinal properties or offer other health benefits. Such waters are typically of high mineral content and, in some cases, significantly above the concentrations normally accepted in drinking-water. Such waters have a long tradition of use and are often accepted on the basis that they are considered foods rather than drinking-water per se. Although certain mineral waters may be useful in providing essential micro-nutrients, such as calcium, WHO is unaware of any convincing evidence to support the beneficial effects of consuming such mineral waters. As a consequence, WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality do not make recommendations regarding minimum concentrations of essential compounds.

On the other hand, in some countries, bottled waters with very low mineral content, such as distilled or demineralised waters, may be offered for sale. While a large number of people have traditionally consumed rainwater which is similarly low in minerals without apparent adverse health effects, WHO has no scientific information on the benefits or hazards of regularly consuming these types of bottled waters.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs256/en/

Again, If there is any peer reviewed scientific proof demonstrating that distilled water is dangerous, then we should all be made aware of it. The EPA, FDA & WHO should issue a warning & bottled distilled water should have a warning label on it.

;

posted in Simple Living - 7 replies

Favorite SL Quotes

rorybowman — Tue, 22 May 2007 12:30:30 GMT

Over on FlyLady.com I notice a sentence which echoes a lovely quote of William Morris that is absolutely worth knowing, and thought that most folks have a few of these that are worth sharing, so howzabout a thread where one can post favorite simple living quotes, perhaps with links to the original texts or relevant, interesting articles. To begin, here is an 1880 quote from Arts & Crafts hero William Morris:

"If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

"The Beauty of Life," as cited at http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Morris

posted in Simple Living - 2 replies