GOOD RAIN v BAD NEWS RAIN -WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON AND WHAT MIGHT NEED TO BE CHANGED TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS

Collecting rainwater now illegal in many states as Big Government claims ownership over our water < - click to get this sick news

I think I'd better start digging until I hit what is actually going on with our heavely faucets - and who actually is putting their hands on the spigot. Keeping my ear to the ground and no matter what the law says I'm stepping out with a snazzy rain barrel.
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A partial list of tools I do not own and must acquire

A good claw hammer

A level

Chalk line

Pliers

Work Gloves

Safety Glasses

(gave my black & decker away) need a Screw Gun/Drill (variety of drill bits i.e. 1/8" Drill Bits)

Tape Measure

Ladder (gave mine away) need bigger one and smaller one

Wood Clamp

I absolutely adore cedar, and know it is more expensive than other wood, but I'm going to calulate the difference and consider whether it would be worth purchasing. Termites don't eat cedar, ticks are repelled by cedar, it is beautiful and durable, I'm leaning heavily in the direction of cedar. I'll post those dollar differences, and unless they are super significant I'm thinking nothing but CEDAR!

OFF THE GRID * WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

To me living off the grid means not being hooked up, you know with those lines running from your house to whatever electric co, phone co, cable co, gas co, water company, etc. It means living small in a big way, one that reduces your property tax, keeps you busy growing your own food, building your own house, learning pottery to make your pots rather than buzzing on over to Walmart to buy the imported from God only knows where Pottery. Raising sheep for wool, chickens for eggs, bartering rather than using fiat money, tuning in to the sounds of nature which nuture the soul rather than beat it to a pulp like so many of the urban sounds we are bombarded by. Off the grid means you value your individuality more than being one of the herd. Off the grid is a return to living the way it was before cell phones, televison, electricity, and cable t.v. It is a step back in time to advance beyond the devolution which is rotting America from the inside out. Off the grid is a bold, decisive, couragous step in self reliance. It's not for everyone, but it certainly appeals to me. None of this living off the grid is chiseled in stone, so any combination of the above will work. Everyone is different, thank God for that! I'm currently considering something I read about generating your own electricity. http://www.homemade-energy.com/review.php?:tid=makow But that is only a start, I'll be doing plenty of research to find the most bang for whatever investment I'll have to make.

THE INTERIOR OF A CUSATOCOTTAGE * PERFECT

If my numbers are right the Katrina/Cusato type cottages ring in at around Seventy-thousand dollars. Not bad, but I can't afford anything nearly that costly. I can dream of something equal to that but much smaller.

FIRST I'M GOING TO RAMBLE SOME

Now, that's what I'm talkin' about, but I can't afford even the least expensive strawbale at this point, but a tiny house on wheels is doable.

Anyone purchasing land has some serious decisions to make. I can only afford an acre or so * when I've saved enough to begin haunting the tax lien sales in my county. You can get lucky with these sales and wind up paying the customary fees plus whatever is owed on the taxes, and that doesn't always translate into huge dollars - but you are bound by what is on the block. My daughter lives on a rural road with bottom land not to far from her that is in a flood plane. More than one home owner has been stung with annual springtime flooding, hence the many for-sale signs along this plane. So, even if I could get my land cheap, if it were nestled in a flood plane I'd have to pass. Level land is a plus, with good drainage, and a few trees. My daughter has three acres with not one tree - not a good thing. The next thing my mind turns to is how I'd lay out my acre, and since my tiny house will be on wheels I can put it in the exact spot that will produce the best effect. Since I abhore ticks I've looked into ways to repell them. One ingredient which helps is cedar mulch. Ticks will not cross over a section of mulch. Keeping the grass cut is another way to cramp their style. http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Repel-Ticks-Naturally has some good information on this grissley subject - but I'm definitely doing more research in this area. Anyone who gets ahold of land with a natural spring is blessed, or if a creek is flowing across the property I'd say that's a plus. You can keep things well sealed cool just by laying them in a bubbling brook that is shaded, or you can pop in an umbrella as shade if needed. Also free flowing water is like taking hold of the spigot at the water company, minus the bill. Which brings me to thinking about a rain barrel, or several rain barrels. Which leads me to the proposition that once I become fully ensconsed in my tiny house on wheels I'm going to begin conjuring up visions of a strawbale cottage - bigger but still modest with excellent drain spouts to hold all that free water I'll be gathering and using. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Although don't feel like your off in left field by building those castles in the air, all that is required is a foundation for them, then you can bring them firmly down to earth and be thankful you never let go of those notions. Here is a web site or two about strawbale and the advantages thereof - which are many. http://www.balewatch.com/ or the ever popular, http://strawbale.com/ Come back and visit me and my off the grid dreams, and don't let go of your dreams of living off the grid.

A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN * DESPITE FEELING A LITTLE CRAMPED

We girls just wanna have fun - whether on or off the grid, so leave your muddy boots at the door and step in to a slice of fancy in a small space. I think I could live with that. (This photo is of Ms. Foster's handiwork - the full article is here: http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/victorian-cottage-in-the-catskills/ The thing I love about this slice of Victorian drama is that the dimensions would accomdate a study set of wheels beneath - which I've got my heart set on. I can't think of anything better than being able to hitch your house up and vacation with it. Below is another web site loaded with information to start our journey. Check it out and then come back and visit me.

http://www.offthegridnews.net/