Persimmon Glen

I have been distracted lately with different types of Earth Homes. Some are called Hobbit Houses because of the way they look.They're for the most part a mix of cob, straw sticks and stones. Some above and some below ground. Everyone is unique.

These homes will last through the ages. They can be passed down through generations. They are made from the earth, made from materials that surround us, free for the taking. Homes that seem to rise up from the ground, completely in harmony with their surroundings. Homes that have stood the test of time, homes that have been around for thousands of years. They are made from all types of materials, depending on where you live. In the desert they  are made from clay and sand, in the woodlands they are made from mud and straw and stone and stick. Wherever they are they reflect their surroundings. If you haven't looked in to this type of building, let me introduce you. I want to prove the point that you don't have to have lots of money in order to get back to the land. What you do need is dedication and a strong back, or friends with strong backs. I've had plenty of time lately to do some web surfing and here are some great sites and photos.

 This house is amazing. At a cost of about $4,000 dollars these people have a beautiful and unique home. Here's alink to the website for more info: Low Impact Woodland Home

This home is about an hour away from me, I'd like to see it.It's a combination of rammed earth, earthbags and cob. Here's a link to the website Hobbit House Homestead 

This one is way cool Gary Zukers Hobbit House   

 Another from Fine Home Building

By the way, here's a very interesting article about using human waste to power vehicles:

The Norwegians really have it together!

The Cob Cottage Company has some great info and pics

Bear Bells

In Alaska's National Forests, a tour guide was giving a talk to a group of tourists about hiking in grizzly bear territory: "Most bear encounters occur when hikers, being extra quiet along the trails in hopes of viewing wildlife, accidentally stumble into bears. The resulting suprise can be catastrophic." 

To avoid this, he suggested that each hiker wear tiny bells on their clothing to warn the bears of their presence. "Also," he said further, "be especially cautious when you see signs of bears in the area, especially when you see bear droppings." 

One tourist asked, "How do you identify bear droppings?" 

"Oh that's easy," the guide explained, "its the ones with all the tiny bells in them!"