Come have a sit down with me around the Pot Bellied Stove and talk story.

[Carol]

Aloha,

Back in yesterday yore the farmers and local people would go to the local store, that often had a big pot bellied stove in the middle of the store, where they would often have a sit, a cup of joe and talk about the weather, planting, crops and just general gossip.

Since this is a global community it seemed it would be fun to talk story with one another and share what is going on in our real lives.

For example, today it’s overcast overhead and the weather is cooler. We’ve noticed that the entire summer was about 5 to 7 degrees cooler than last summer. We’re currently getting ready to take a course in aqua-hydroponic gardening. This system will grow fish where the water is then recycled and used to grow fruit and vegetables. I’m excited because anyone can become self-sustainable with a small area where they can set up one of these systems and not break their back in conditioning the earth.

I also read where Idaho had the earliest snow on record. Mom, who lives in Northeast Oregon, said they had snow Friday night and the drop in temperature froze her water pipes. Do you think we are really heading into the next ice age?

We also talked with some other close friends this morning who filed bankruptcy because their Radio Shack business was doing poorly with sales and they had to close up shop. I guess this news is a bit of the sign of the times. I'm seeing a number of the smaller businesses close in the towns here as well where they would be lucky to make $70 in sales for the entire day. And now our local surgeon is moving to Wyoming because he can make better money and not have to be on-call 24/7. We’re going to his going away party this afternoon. I feel somewhat sad at how these changes are affecting family and friends. I wonder how others are doing?

Please feel free to share your story of real life events as we continue to grow as an Internet global community and get to know one another.

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Carol

[Trishsgate]

Thanks Carol what a wonderful idea. Let's see just got my java and sat down.

Here in NC it is a few degrees cooler than normal, they say we are in for a colder winter, I don't know. I kind of miss the snow have not seen a good snow storm in several years.
Spent the weekend with friends talking about merging and managing a good harvest. I have roughly 25 acres here and my neighbor 5 with the rest about 2 aces apiece. We are trying to coordinate what we will grow and share next planting season. Shared some ideas about making things that I received from Avalon.

Yesterday went up to Cana VA and got some local vegetables from what I seen their business is booming, they are local people and I know they will survive what ever comes.

Spent this morning making my first jellies and jams as well as canning a few things a first for me. Made my own detergents this weekend as well again a first, so progress is being made, now I am really tired lol. I have a couple solar panels but not sure if I am going to do a dome home or find somewhere to place them here. Water source is no problem have a well and a stream nearby just have to convert it, worse come to worse we can bring it up, just looking for the way to go with it. I hope the rest of the evening is rest time though.

As far as layoff's I think most of our business has restructured from manufacturing to technical starting in the 80's with massive layoff's that has continued almost eliminating most all of the manufacturing but a few still exist. The small businesses in my area are not closing but are downsizing and prices are up.

Love & peace
Trish

[Carol]

Hi Trish. Thank you for sharing. I was wondering if you could explain how you made your own detergent? :original:

[Trishsgate]

Carol,
Here's are a few listing and you can also make your own dish detergent as well, some people don't like borax, but I open the window and use gloves as precautionary means. Enjoy also there are many suggestions on the Avalon forum about how to make things, one suggested soap nuts was not able to acquire these yet. You can really save big time with these methods.
http://natural-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/washing_clothes_for_pennies this is the one I chose
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/articles/detergent.shtml

[Thunderbird]

heads up people.
historical birds eye view here.

this page right here...and the caring and energy behind it, the communal spirit, is the foundation for a new age in human history.

It will be a new Renaissance. Stay strong mates, a wicked storm this way comes....

i honor each of you and wish you prosperity always.

[fastarr]

Today the sky was brilliant blue in northern CA, with big white fluffy clouds. My family and I went for a run/bike ride in the local park. We get veiws of lassen and shata (see links) and I love the golden rolling hills sparatically covered in oak trees.

We enjoyed each others company for the rest of the day, playing cards, eating (our favorite pastime), preparing for our week. My favorite time in life is when I am with my family, not doing much just being together. We are always smiling when we're together:)


http://photos.igougo.com/images/p228704-Classic_Mt._Lassen.jpg
http://www.boboz.us/bluegoose/Mt%20Shasta.jpg
http://blog.marysteinbacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ca_hills_900x.jpg

[Dominic]

This year has been a fruitful one, but it has changed drastically this fall.
I am a Boeing machinist and have been off work going on 6 weeks now.
The strike seems to be planned by the company, everyone I work with voted yes to accept and continue working. It affects 30,000 people up here things are getting tight for all.

My wife's work takes her to county and city offices. she said Pierce and king county here in washington are planning big layoffs this winter.

I see deeper plans of this economic crisis everywhere I look.

We just had out first frost so we are gathering all of the remaining stuff out of the garden.

I bough three expecting Boer goats this summer thay are very happy on our acreage, and getting big.

I am planning a hydroponic vegatable garden in my shop this winter.

I am also building a chicken tractor to move the hens around next year.

Tonight me and my 6 year old daughter cooked a Ascension dinner on the camp fire. She loved it.

Been reading mother earth news on photo voltic solar power. Also just picked up the 2009 farmers Almanac.

We are getting along very well considering.

The local feed store in town that is owned by my uncle has a huge pot bellied stove and it was fired for the first time the other day, man it felt good to back up to.

Great thread, makes me feel right at home.

Peace

[whitecrow]

Here in San Diego County, it's almost always beautiful weather. I live about 25 miles inland, and it has been getting down into the 40s at night - which is cold for this time of year! My wife and I both feel it may well be a cold winter. I was just thinking how in another week or two, I'll have to move all the tropical plants up close to the house or bring them indoors for the winter. Sure seems early.

Signs of the bad economy everywhere. It's sad. We are not the villains in this piece, but we mustn't think like victims. The truth is that we helped bring this on ourselves, we might as well admit it and get that part over with. We invited it with every sweater made in Pakistan, every Japanese car, every Chinese video game. We've all read the statistics on what a small percent of the people use what a huge percent of the resources....and we all know that was us. And we've tried, most of us, to use less. We have: we're decent people. We care about orphans and homeless and poor people.

Trouble is: we're spoiled. We have no clue how most of the world lives. We wouldn't last a sunny weekend. I've joked about how I don't shop at MalWart because I don't want to buy merchandise made by children and political prisoners - but the same thing applies to half the things I own, including parts of my computer.

One of my guiding principles is taking responsibility for everything in my life - because it is MY life. So I have to own my own part in this fiasco. Ok, that was liberating. Now I can move on.

Right now, every day feels precious.

[Carol]

Hi Dominic, Your chicken tractor sounds interesting. The local poultry farm shut down and were selling their hens so we picked up 5 to go with the other 8 we have but they been debeaked so we have them in their own little coop getting used to living outdoors before letting them loose.

When at the feed store someone had dropped off a newly hatched little chick so I brought it home and have it in a cage in the bathroom for now with the light on it. Given how we can't let the little one out with the big ones until it reaches the same size I was thinking of putting it in with the debeaked hens or doing up a chicken tractor, but was wondering how to make one. If you've got any tips on dimensions I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Carol

[whitecrow]

It was a perfect day in San Diego County, the kind of day people envy us for. Was sitting out on the patio in the early afternoon, before the sun came over the peak of the house. The trees are reflecting more yellow and less green now, and beneath the shade cloth the light was a wonderful pale yellow, the temperature perfect.

This afternoon, I drove into work for a short shift. There was no cloud, not a hint of mist in the sky. When the evening turned all purple and golden like one of those rare shells you find on the beach once in a lifetime, a perfect Hunter's moon hung in the sky like a wheel of cheese.

Absolutely perfect. Hard to believe there's anything wrong with the world on a day like today.

I just got back from a walk by the creek...the moon overhead is so bright, you could almost read by it. Each tree is surrounded by a black pool of shadow, and the upmost leaves shine like silver in the moonlight. The mountains are black in the distance, crisp against the purple sky. Overhead, the stars shine almost fiercely, the sky is so clear. The night is warm. Nothing is stirring. I lay back on the rough grass and looked up, halfway hoping to see something moving strangely, some odd cluster of lights...ah well, it's a gorgeous, perfect night.

[MargueriteBee]

I am sitting here with a fresh warm cup of coffee purusing the forum. It's been a beautiful day, the dog is happy and content after her walk. All is well.

[Humble Janitor]

The usual here, unless you count the daily enounters with negative energy/forces.

[Carol]

Well this past week has been really hectic. The weather has continued to be cooler. It looks like rain but it doesn't so our water catchment tank is down to 4 feet. We depend on rain as we do not have county water where we are located. We are hoping for a good raid as we need it for the pastureland where the mini horses are, I looks like our little creme mare is preggers. Of course we will have to build a little shelter for her before her time comes.

I'll be spending the next two weekends in training for the aqua/hydroponic gardening workshop which I'm jazzed about. However, it conflicts with our daughter's school funraiser of which I'm the PTA president and should be there to. :mfr_lol:

Our little chick, currently living in the bathroom is getting bigger. The other leghorns are now exploring outside of their pen and venturing closer to the older hens. Of course Rosie, our miniture doxi races around and likes to steal their eggs. I guess she knows a good thing when she finds it. She also likes to eat the hens' scratch and the rabbit's food. She is only 8 lbs but totally into mischief.

I also got this very strange email today from the Survival Center. Check this out. These kind of emails, although useful, worry me. Hmmm, they do provide some good links but take a look at the underground shelter one. :mfr_omg: I was really hoping not to have to get a backhoe in here again.

FREE SAMPLE

e-mail News Letter-Alerts-Specials
from The Survival Center
Box 234 McKenna, Wa 98558


October 16, 2008


Awareness & Preparedness


These News - Alerts may contain information on Earth/Climate Changes,
Volcanoes,
Earthquakes, Potential Events, Preparedness, Current Events, Comments, and
More. This
information is provided for our continuing education and building the case
for personal and family preparedness. ( Some of the Reasons Why We are
Preparing )

What would you do if the Electric went off and NEVER came back on?

Are you Prepared to be on You Own for Extended Periods of Time?


Storing Food, Water, and Essential Items Is One of Our Greatest assets in
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This is a sample of The Survival Center's e-mail newsletter. It is FREE.
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Alpine Aire Gourmet Reserves are now in stock.
http://www.survivalcenter.com/foodstor.html

Mountain House Freeze Dried Foods Back In Stock.

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1. On Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 02:41:32 PM (CDT) a large mid-level
magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurred on the subduction zone on the southwest
shore of Mexico. The shaking has continued for more than 25 minutes. The
heliograms near the New Madrid Seismic Zone show a similar disturbance,
although attenuated by distance and time. A tsunami denial was issued.
Any waves from this earthquake would reach San Francisco in about five
hours, or about 7 p.m. this evening.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov:80/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008yfbk.php


So, If you are really, really, really serious about being prepared for
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Link Here: New "Basic Preparedness" The 3 DVD Home Study Course:
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2. Your 'pure' bottled water has contaminants, too Study finds 38
chemicals in 10 brands, including those common
in tap water

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27185076/
Tests on leading brands of bottled water turned up a variety of
contaminants, including cancer-linked chemicals three times higher than
California's health standard, according to a study released Wednesday by
an environmental advocacy group.
The findings challenge the popular impression - and marketing pitch - that
bottled water is purer than tap water, the researchers say.
However, all the brands met federal health standards for drinking water.
And most of the detected contaminants are common in tap water, too.....


IT is NOT a RIGHT if you get on your knees & beg permission! NOTHING that
requires a LICENSE is A RIGHT! It is a form of CONTROL!
The name of the game is Control. Total Control!


3. Longest, hottest drought on record, says Bureau of Meteorology
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24478392-11949,00.html

THE long drought affecting southern Australia is officially the worst on
record.
Bureau of Meteorology head of climate analysis David Jones said the
12-year drought that was devastating southwest Western Australia,
southeast South Australia, Victoria and northern Tasmania was "very severe
and without historical precedent".
Drought has gripped the Murray-Darling Basin since late 2001. It has
worsened this year, as rainfall totals for the past three years have set
record lows in many regions, including many critical to the Murray River.
Dr Jones said the rainfall figures were similar to the severe drought that
lasted from 1939 to 1945, and the Federation drought, which ran from 1895
to 1903.
"Those three droughts, in terms of rainfall, are comparable," he said.
"But this drought is a lot hotter than those two previous droughts. And
those two droughts finished, whereas this one is continuing."
He said temperatures were about 1C hotter than the previous droughts..

4. Eruption of 3 volcanoes has scientists asking questions

PUZZLE: Is there a common thread or were events just coincidence?

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/551521.html

How likely is it that three neighboring volcanoes would all erupt at the
same time -- as the Kasatochi, Okmok and Cleveland volcanoes in the
Aleutians did this summer?

About as likely as a storm that only appears once in a thousand years,
says Anchorage volcanologist Peter Cervelli, who'll deliver a paper on the
subject this winter to the American Geophysical Union.

In other words, seldom enough that Cervelli is now exploring the question
of whether Alaska's triple eruption was only a coincidence involving three
independent volcanoes or whether it was triggered by some common
mechanism......


The Survival Center
Providers of Family Preparedness, Health, & Survival Supplies
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going on around the world and within the USA from sources that are
considered reliable however we suggest you check it out for yourself
before making any decisions with it.

We have sources both locally, nationally and internationally. You are
invited to take the information provided in these articles and
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that it is sometimes impossible to provide detailed sources for much of
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this information. The contents of this newsletter, web page or web site
have not been evaluated by the FDA. Nothing reported in this web page or
site is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[MargueriteBee]

I'm glad you're here End Times. Do you take cream and sugar in your coffee? Pull up a chair and tell.

[seekur3]

Here in Phoenix, AZ, the warm temps are still lingering. We had a cold snap the past weekend, but it's back to 90's for awhile. Having lived here 20 years, the seasons the past couple years do seem different. The spring is cooler longer, but then the fall is warmer longer.
I've noticed the stores have fewer people, except the other 'senior' day (10% off) at the grocery store, was busier than ever before (not being a senior, I didn't know what was going on at first). A neighbor who works for the city said they're going to lay off many people due to major budget cuts. Her position, thankfully, is fairly safe. Our house taxes still went up tho.
I do get out of the city on a regular basis, which helps my sanity. Relatives in a rural area have been preparing for this for several years. I joked about them at first, but soon saw their wisdom. I would rather be with them right now, but have things to do here for a little while longer.

[sylph16]

Hey All

Lets see...i worked today(first time this week, not good), i drive a pilot car and escorted a large piece of a "walking bridge" going over a canal. The truck driver was a nice guy!

The weather was warm today for Connecticut, the trees are at peak color and some are dropping leaves...i love the crunch they make when you walk on them and they way they dance in the air when you are driving down the road.

I hung out and posted a few things on the forum, went to the new gourmet grocery store to check that out...nice!

Other then that, i hung out with the BF and played with my dogs...thankfully i was feeling better today...lately i have been in a funk, something wasn't right earlier in the week...i think i had put to much energy into Oct.14 and that def lowered my vibration...but all is well for the moment!

I wish you ALL well and send my love :)

Peace

sylph

[Circlewerk]

In all of this knowledge, I have found intense comfort in the moments I spend with my children.
They unintentionally help me to stay in the now, and I so appreciate them for that.

When my son was about 2 1/2, he & my daughter were playing at a friends house 5 doors down.
My friend and I were sitting on my front lawn, discussing Buddhism and the self realization center, her mother was an active buddhist and loved the lifestyle.
About 20 minutes into our conversation, my young son comes taring down the street with a sense of urgency about him..
He stops when he gets to me, puts his hands on his knees and while out of breath says, " Mommy?.....Buddha is your friend."
Then ran back to play.
My friend & I were baffled.
I'm grateful for the random, beautiful moments.
We don't subscribe to any religion, but my son, who is now almost 11, has a thing for Buddha's.
Buys them at yard sales, points them out when he see's them, etc..
Interesting, no?
This is a cozy thread, thank you for your warmth, everybody!

With loving energy~
CW

[Humble Janitor]

I'm glad you're here End Times. Do you take cream and sugar in your coffee? Pull up a chair and tell.

I prefer my coffee black and free of sugar and other influences.

Right now, I'm struggling with the idea that I may be lonely for quite a while in this world.

[Carol]

You won't believe it. Take a look at this. http://www.survivalcenter.com/images/ugemail.jpg

Your very own super duper underground shelter. http://www.survivalcenter.com/UG.html
Our Under ground shelters are designed to protect from earthquake, nuclear, biological or chemical events, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, etc., and as a home safe area. Great Idea for VIP or Executive Protection - retreat, Secure Data Storage, Backup Command Post, Remote Protective Location, and more. Our heavy duty steel reinforced under ground shelters are air tight and water tight. Your particular situation may require additional equipment.
http://www.survivalcenter.com/images/ShelterSC1.jpg

This reminds me of an underground motor home. I remember hearing this story from a friend who knew these folks in australia who bought a series of rail cars and buried them using them as an underground tunnel system which they also took their horses through. I guess one could always just bury some good size steel culvert and at least have the basics. I was kind of hoping for a nice simple root celler... but this looks pricy and elaborate.

The Basic Under ground Shelter ( Order Code # UG1) is an internally and externally reinforced ( reminds one of a submarine ) 8 ft diameter by 27 ft long ¼ inch thick steel tank. Includes: Lockable Air valves, entrance with ladder, emergency exit, emergency hatch opening 20 ton jack system, storage shelves, paint inside and out, metal protective anodes ( to prevent rust ), wood floor down the middle approx. 6 inches high. One low volume Flush Toilet, Shower, Double Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, Food preparation area, 4 bunks + hangers to hook up additional hammocks, etc., and lots of storage. Lifting hooks for easy installation.

All shelters are air tight and water tight. These are tried and proven shelters tested over time. Starting at $59,995.00 plus delivery and installation. YIKES!!!!

Air filtration, septic tank and hook up are optional. Why heavy duty steel? It works the best.

I just read the lifting hooks for easy insultion.. laughing I am. How the heck would we get something like that here. I'd likely be better of with an inner tube and snorkle gear... lathered with copious amounts of sun screen. I guess it's comforting to know there is an underground hidy hole.. but could you get your money back if it didn't work? :naughty:

I guess one could use it as the mother-in-law habitat... or for the teens when they get noisy.. just send them below and lock the door from the outside for a little peace and quiet.

It kind of reminds me of the underground bunker house in the Eureka series. All one would need next is the talking computer to go with it. :mfr_lol:

However, I've decided that my back up plan is to throw my arms up to the heavens and shout take me quick! :thumb_yello:

Well my eyelids are saying... sleep, sleep. England is waking up and our Neatherland mod, Jenny and our UK buddys Kate, mikey, Colin are waking up and getting ready to take over the reins. Hawaii is saying Aloha and good night, while Europe is all bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to carry the tourch. I forgot to add that Mary Lou from the mid US and Contactee77 from New Yourk are STILL UP modding. It's 2:07 am in New York where 77 is. They're the late, late, really late night shift. Shhh, 77 tends to fall asleep on his laptop. Steve from South America should be popping up soon and Johnno from Austraila is here now for their day shift, which is my shut-eye time. Amazing isn't it? We have this wonderful global community watching over both Camelot and Avalon 24/7. :original:

[whitecrow]

I just read the lifting hooks for easy insultion.. laughing I am. How the heck would we get something like that here....could you get your money back if it didn't work? :naughty:

Reminds me of the 60s when my rich friends' parents all built bomb shelters in their back yards.

Well my eyelids are saying... sleep, sleep. England is waking up and our Neatherland mod, Jenny and our UK buddys Kate, mikey, Colin are waking up and getting ready to take over the reins. Hawaii is saying Aloha and good night, while Europe is all bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to carry the tourch. Steve from South America should be popping up soon and Johnno from Austraila should be on board shortly for their day shift which is my shut-eye time. Amazing isn't it. This wonderful global community we have here watching over Camelot and Avalon. :original:

Indeed it is. And now it's my time to shut down, too. Goodnight, Avalon. I love you all!

[McMaster]

Good evening you all!
Hope you have a chair for me left. It's getting warmer here, I think we're hitting 30C° today and tomorrow mid 30s. It's good, it was quit chilly for a while. I've written a couple posts, but never really told how I ended up here and where I'm coming from. I was born in Finland at the end of 70's and had a healthy childhood, lots of playing outside with frends building tree houses and just doing things in nature. Kinda weered of from that now that I have grown older unfortunately, but it's never too late, and I can feel a change coming in my life. I don't know the direction yet, but somehow life has been throwing me around a bit. There has been the lows and highs. Big low happened when between 16 and 17 years of age. My parents divorced when I was 16. It didn't traumatize me but it wasn't a pleasant experience as lots of you would know. So I moved with my mum and little brother and 2 little sisters to a new house. Year later when I was 17 my brother died, when he was hit by an 18 wheeler. It wasn't easy but I have pulled through pretty well I think. After I turned 18 I have been going around quit a bit, neverr really setteled anywhere for longer than 2 years. Always moved from different lifestyle to another, it's been good and I have met lots of interesting people along the road. Most interesting person I have met I met in London, but I might tell about that another time. Now I'm in South Australia and have been here almost 5 years now. Life has been an eye opener and I have allways somehow known that there has to be more to this than we are told. I never really have had an influense in my life that would've told me about these things, so most what I knew about other stuff that wasn't thought at school, was from stuff I randomly happened to find from books and such. I have always been really interested about anything "paranormal" or historically fascinating such Mayans and ancient Egyptians. Or anything to do with space and astronomy and mysteries of our own history. Now in the last year or two I have been reading more and more, thanks to the interent. Ofcourse one has to be critical about what one reads, but in my opinion logic takes you a long way, and common sense. Couple months ago I found Project Camelot through David Wilcok interview, and here I am. For the last 3-4 weeks I haven't turned on TV. Most my spare time I have spent on reading on anything and everything I possibly can. And it feels good, I have been feeling different lately, I can't put my finger on it, but something. Anyhow, it's good to be here and I think I'm ready for a nice strong coffee, full cream milk and 2 sugars please.

Here is a song I would like to share with you all, lyrics in thins song pretty well defines how I feel right now.

Goldfrap - Happiness (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=So93Iny2HWI)

McMaster

Nothing Happens Unless First a Dream

[norman]

Hello Carol,

Where and how you live sounds wonderful. I grew up on a small farm in the 50s-60s and we did quite a few nice things, we had hens and vegetables sheep and cattle, water from a well. I do count myself lucky that I at least had that 'basics' start.

My parents relationship was not good though. My mum was a depressive/anxiety type, which I seem to have inherited either genetically or by other means. The farm was sold in 1970 so that my mum could go back to live where she came from. It didn't do the trick. She got worse.

I reached adulthood with many 'problems' and made quite a mess of things for myself generally. Long story short, I've made quite good progress at working out the ways of the world in my head but as a 'person' I know I'm still a mess and as I start to get 'old' I feel more of 'my mum's' depression setting in.

At this time, I live in a small terraced house, I'm living on 'sick' benefit. I have a small patch of garlic in the back but I failed to dig it up this year, mainly, because of the rain ( we've had a lot of it this year ).

I'd love to just get up close to that pot bellied stove and sit quietly there bathing in that good company and hope I feel better. I know community means a lot even though self responsibility is the mantra.

Very best wishes, norman.

[MargueriteBee]

I prefer my coffee black and free of sugar and other influences.

Right now, I'm struggling with the idea that I may be lonely for quite a while in this world.


Why may you be lonely?

Why is it a struggle?

[Elephant Man]

Nice thread and severly needed. Greetings from denmark. The autumn here is very colourful this year. During the cold winter months a thred like this is gonna be very welcome. I'm not gonna write too much just now, but enjoying reading your stories. Peace to all.:original:

[mudra]

Thanks Caroll for this thread,

Just want to share this little story with you .
I posted it yesterday in the Love zone

" Today I just felt happy !
So I go to the postoffice and there sits a dog next by his master. While I look at
him (the dog I mean) I just can't help myself to tell from soul to soul how much I love
him and that he is really a cute and brave dog. Then suddenly he just comes straight to me and rub
his back on me. We shared love to each other for many seconds. That was just beautifull.
Later on I entered a public place to get something to drink. As I was sitting there watching all the people around the tables in there, I just could'nt keep flowing the same Love and joy . But I realized that it was not good enough yet for them to respond.
The day that I am through with my practice, what a wonderfull experience that will be for perfect strangers to stand up , come to me and hug me.
I could suddenly see everybody just doing this to everybody else on the planet and I just Smiled.."

I am still riding on the same Love and Joy flow today.
All fine here in Belgium. Weather quite cool for the season. It's autumn down here and leaves are starting to fall down the trees. When the wind blows that makes the most beautifull ballet.

Kindness
mudra

[Jebins]

Autumn/Fall approaches in Central Scotland. Already we have planted spring cabbage and leeks. Only three of my hens have survived from a batch of eight...(dogs got three and Mr fox got two). My apple and pear trees (2 of each) produced nothing this year. I am going to plant more in November. I have one 'raised bed' for planting veg but I am making two more as I am surrounded by fields full of rabbitts...munch...munch. Veg in raised bed was great this year....Red onion, leeks, cabbage and turnip...hey guys don't plant lettuce! waste of time and space. My dogs are all doing great (2 Parsons and 1 Border Terrier). My cat (Boris) is eating like a pig but he is too skinny....I reckon he is ill. The pic on my profile is a view from my house on Xmas day 2007....Do you like? .....

[Tara]

What a wonderful thread. As I read through I feel very calm. I am in Michigan. The fall colors are beautiful. I have been feeling quite hopeless lately, but visiting Avalon is bringing my spirits up. I know we have the power to uplift each other, and all of us as a whole. Thanks for the reminder. ps- steam distilled bottled water is ultra pure (via vapor compression still). RO, filtered, etc are classified as pure, but the standards aren't high enough in my opinion.

[THE eXchanger]

This is a good idea CAROL :)

love/susan

[rhythm]

to day i saw the old gentleman , who regularly sit on a bench outside the older people home where he lives. he does not here to well , and he seems to be completly blind ,he either heres me coming or senses your about to walk by ,and he always has a beaming smile , and a cheery word or two . i want to stop but i never do , next time i will .
i have so many ? to ask of , what has your life been did you have a lady love did you have children , do you think he will mind ,im sure he wont .he is the shining,Budda .

[conjuredUp]

I have become throughly enamored of you all now. Thank you for sharing bits of your life with me (us). The day to day stuff is actually the MOST important part of who we are. It is what we vibrate. How the universe responds in kind to what we are thinking about.

I live in the Husdon Valley in upstate NY. About 70 miles north of NYC. It is peak leaf season here. The mountains appear to be blanketed. It is lovely.

I get to share my life with my soulmates. My two children, both boys aged 7 and 3 and my husband. They are each awake (as the boys were never programmed to go to sleep). We lead a quiet, tightly knit life.

I used to spend too much time sitting in front of this Mac. Especially when Avalon first launched. I slipped out of my NOW and started trippin' on the future.

I've regained my creativity. I am an artist. I create.

I am blessed. I am grateful.
I focus on love at every turn.
Been doing it for years now.
My turn around time from being upset, or mad is down to a few minutes now.

Thank you for this thread, Carol.

LoveLoveLove,
C

[rhythm]

i met that old gentleman today , and i did stop and we did chat .i even went to his little flat. he was so thrilled that i had taken an interest in him and his life . he told me he is 97 yrs old , but to me he was like a young boy ,still full of the zest four life . we chatted for quite awhile , and im going to go along with him on a walk soon , he was so excited .
im looking forward to our next meeting ,will let you know how it goes .
proof that age in nunbers means nothing ,
this man has a big heart , a real treat to meet this beautifull soul .:cup::original:

[whitecrow]

I live in the Husdon Valley in upstate NY. About 70 miles north of NYC. It is peak leaf season here. The mountains appear to be blanketed. It is lovely.

What a wonderful part of the country! I fondly remember a summer spent with cousins in Cold Spring in 1968. Met Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger at the Hudson Valley Folk Festival that year. Had a wonderful time, but I belong out west where the spaces are big.

Here in San Diego County, the summer doesn't want to quit. Each day he's a little weaker, but the weather continues warm and sunny. The nights are getting chilly.

It's still fire season, but this year the fires have not created widespread damage. Last year at this time, we lived under a cloud of smoke, and we went out to our cars every day and wiped off the ashes so we could see to drive. Sometimes the light was dim and orange all day. I knew people who lost their homes. This year we've been blessedly free from the destructive fires of recent years.

I often sit on my patio at night at watch for the Feyn...the elementals. I have the feeling something's up with them - lots of buzzing back and forth, as if they too have work to accomplish during this time.

The group I meet with has been productive. We are in the midst of starting a small company to market some of our sustainable ideas. The income is to be shared communally between those who make the project work. We have established a base camp in Arizona, and one in our own area. It's great to know people who enjoy the challenge of brainstorming and meeting current trends proactively. We're also developing a survival manual for those who ignored the signs and may find themselves in deep doodoo when it all hits the fan.

Also, for the first time in many years we've been invited to spend the holidays with someone...gosh, that's nice!

Here and now feels like a good place in the timeline to me. I find I'm not only contented but genuinely happy. I know I don't have the whole picture but the part I do have is real. What I've learned in this life is working, not just for me but for others too. It's so great to know you all. It's great to see that ole stove fired up, friends and neighbors gathered round, and to drop my old bones into old wicker, kick off my boots, prop my feet on an old dog, light up a pipe and a smile. I'm lovin' the thread. Rhythm, I'm lovin' your story of the old man.

[Dantheman62]

Wow rhythm, good for you, and will look for your next post on him. I'm very sure you made his day,week,and or month just by stopping and spending time with him.

[Labratinaz]

I, too, think this thread is the best.

I live in Northern Virginia. Rainy and cool for the most part of today. I often sit at the kitchen table with my laptop reading. I just love learning and boy, am I learning!

As I sit at the kitchen table, I look out the window and watch the finches nibbling at the sunflower seeds I put in the hanging feeder. The doves sit on the ground and pluck away at whatever the finches throw down on ground for them. Watching the birds is always calming. Like looking at fish in a glass tank. The birds have been going through a full tube of sunflower seeds a day during the summer. Now that the weather has changed they are feeding during the early mornings and afternoons. Like they have other places to go during the middle of the day. Interesting.

Seekur3: Since I have lived in AZ, the weather is a dry heat, right?! ha ha ha only an Arizonan would know how funny that is! Especially during the Monsoons. However, it seems that water is the major concern for living in AZ. Actually, now is a good time for growing broccoli, lettuce and winter tomatoes. I just love this time of year in AZ!!

I am interested in starting a small garden inside. Plant a few vege's this winter. It certainly would be a new fun thing. I have a bunch of house plants, so I figure I could try a tomato or lettuce. There is a roof window that gives my plants morning sun. Plus supplemental light, I might be able to grown some eatibles.

Thanks for starting this thread. Love it.

[Topper]

I live in a sleepy little town on Long Island. I wake just prior to the sun. I find my way downstairs in the darkness and light a fire just before I brew a pot of coffee.
I call out to my girls, Tallulah Belle and Daisy Mae, and let them out through the mud room door. Into the rear yard they romp, their paws swishing the dew covered grass, as they search curiously through the fallen leaves that have now darned their autum colors. The steam from the coffee nuzzles my nose as I rock on the porch swing and enjoy the serene morning my life has afforded me.
Peace and harmony to all....Topper

[Carol]

Aloha everyone. Well I've spent the last two weekends sitting on my bum from 8am to 5 pm learning all about aquaponics and have thought of a design systems that dirt cheap and easy to build.

One can easily have a green tank of water if they want to breed fish... but the more interesting tank is the one that feeds the fish poop to the water beds where the vegetables are grown.

I've got all the plans for a commercial system but was really thinking of what would work for a simple family. These systems have to be designed so the air bubbler gets oxygen to the fish to keep them alive, but the commercial system can cost in electricity. We were looking at both solar and wind generator to cut down on th electrical bill, however solar is also expensive. I want something, cheap, low maintenance and exceptionally effective.

The commercial system is made out of plywood and fibreglass, then coated with latex paint on the outside.. I have to check on the inside. Basically it is like building a boat inside out for the fish tank. But we also came up with a way of using stakes, rebarb, hogwire fencing or another type of flexable fencing to set up for a circular tank where a roll of foam, felt of some type of insulator could be used on the outside of the tank and then cover in gardner's shade cloth because it holds up to UV radiation and then there would be the 100 milimeter liner inside with the netting to prevent the fish from putting holes in the liner.

The fish breed when the water is warmer.

The fish water is pumped out of the fish tank into the water beds which are 12 inches high and 30 feet long. The waterbeds are covered in 2 inch foam insulation with circular holes cut into them to hold the little 2 inch basket that holds the soil and two newly sprouted seeds. Using the fish water production time is cut in half for both fruits and vegetables. One can even grow sweet lettuce successfully, tomatoes, leeks above water where the root system is down beneath the float, onions, beans.. almost anything. So these systems really work. One just has to keep the Ph right for the fish. There is no fertilazation ever needed and the kicker is one can grow prawns under the floats as well. They get huge 8 - 12 inches. The fish we use is Talipia or catfish. We were thinking of doing an experiment of growing rice and Taro as well. One method would be to use organic cotton and place over a coat wire mesh roll directly over the water instead of the float rafts and see how that work. The fish tank has to be covered either with shade cloth or some type of roof to prevent algea buildup.. just as the waterbeds need to be covered with the rafts for the same reason.

What is exciting is how easily it is to grow one's own food and have it filled with nutrition. One is producing their own fish to eat, prawns, vegetables and fruit in a very small space. This system can also easily go into a green house in cold climate areas as well.

While I was away in the trainings my husband made a leg band for the young chicken that has been living in the bathroom since she was a hatchling so he can take her out for walks without fear she'll take off and get attacked by the older hens. So he comes home for lunch today and puts her little leg leash on and off they go outside for a walk. It is too funny.

[Trishsgate]

Good evening everyonel hope all is well and you are enjoying life. I need to get close to that stove tonight as it is 41 degrees right now.

A little hectic week for me I have been printing out recipes of how to make things for quite a large group of people in the business community as well as locals, some talks with the community on sustainability, they are very excited on saving money in these times.

Spent this day mostly inside. We are prepping the garden for next year clearing some additional land and getting ready to plow it under. We are also looking at designs for a large greenhouse that we can heat through the winter months. Also clearing the land for a dome home. Lastly donated some food Saturday to the needy in our area.

I can sense worry and uncertainty within the people of our community many are definetly concerned, I try to calm as much as possible and to give some tips that may restore calmness and contentment to their lives that is the best I can do right now.

Love & Peace
Trish

[Labratinaz]

The coffee is steaming. The sun is peaking out from between the clouds. The kitchen is warming up as the sun light comes into the window past my houseplants. It is supposed to be a rainy windy day today. Maybe the sun is only saying "Howdy" for a short while.

Anyone here try indoor vegetable gardening? Any tricks?

The finches are back. They are fighting with one another for a perch. Doves are on the ground picking and poking for seeds.

What a glorious day in the neighborhood!! Enjoy!

[Topper]

keep plants far enough from the window that they don't feel the change in temp. Keep your room temp constant. It's hard, but manageable.

[rhythm]

hi all love this thread soooo much , its a real plesure to read your post .
you may remember ,i was to meet with the elderly gentleman that i recently had a bit of a chat with .
well we had an arangement to meet today at midday to have lunch in a nice quay side
pub . i whent to his bench where i aranged to meet hom and he wasnt there so i walked round to his little flat , but no reply .i went back to the bench still not there .was just about to leave and i saw him a little way off , waited thinking he was on his way but he whent off in another direction .called after him , remember he is blind ,he turned to me and seemd suprie sed i said hi jo ., and he said how do yuo know me .well folks not ony did he forget our lunch date he didnt even remember me. so with a little sadness ipassed a few minutes with him and came back home .
he seemed happi so will keep it simple and stop and talk when i see him .isaid i would tell you how it whent , so alls well , maby let you know when we have another chat .lov yer

[Ms. T]

I stumbled across this link by accident. I would like to say that it is a very nice thread. I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts. I am in Louisiana where the weather changes every five minutes. LOL!!! I have my cup of community coffee enjoying the brisk air this morning and the sunshine. I will look forward to reading more here.

Ms. T:cup:

[Trishsgate]

I have made some homemade lemonade today that I am drinking, no coffee today. The weather is rather warm here we have had a few warm days and I am enjoying the sunshine and outdoors. I feel great and have felt this way since the election is over. A new opportunity exists now a time for change to begin. It all starts within each individual, and I am focusing more on what I can do individually than what my government will or will not do, really it does not matter to me. Of course I will still correspond vocally\monetarily when something is done that I do not agree with.

The home is in total disarray I never knew how much "stuff" I have accumulated over the years, do I donate some of it or hold onto it for future needs is a big question right now. It started with my dad repairing my home, he has replaced the carpet a few doors, doing new wallpaper in the kitchen and bathrooms plus redoing the ceiling and painting. I appreciate the gift but IMO it was not needed I have to admit it does look great now the work of putting all this stuff back begins. I still do not understand why he does these things he knows how I feel about it. I do like the fact he is going to build an encased greenhouse for me and a place to keep chickens\animals these are things I feel important and a great asset not only for me but I feel to help him and the neighbors. Excuse me for not knowing the terminology with farm life, I was a child reared in the city and have never had to do these things but I am learning and willing to learn. I look at these things and see hard work but feel it is necessary. The field is plowed for a big garden next year and I have my non gmo seeds. I am looking into having a storage area for the supplies to make our products which the neighbors and myself can utilize keeping it near the home there will be less cost involved in a centralized location.

Oh well back outside for a little while to enjoy this beautiful day then back to work. :sweatdrop:

Love & Peace
Trish

[JohnWdoe]

Today i woke up and looked outside, WE HAVE A FOOT OF SNOW HERE!

:( no more late nights sitting outside in my spot with my protection circle (circular rocks blessed by a native shaman in my town) so i guess ill have to set it up in my basement.

Tonight we are cooking some chicken (eh, i will eat the tatters and corn) so im helping the family cook tonight, we just bought 2 bottles of whine (one from Germany and the other Canadian) so we are going to put that to the taste test! :) should be fun.

i just finished my last few bits of the Halloween candy left over (the first night i went ALL out) woke up the next day feeling bloated lol, still it was fun to indulge in the candy :P.

We just recently got a new dollar store in town here that sells alot of cool stuff, it really helps us because we can go buy by the bulk for cheap, good stuff.

Aside that everything has been peachy :) that reminds me, i have been playing my old Nintendo 64 with Mario Kart (who remembers that?), to make a long story short Peach rocks in that game, great times.

[Carol]

As some of you may have noticed I've had this overwhelming urge to clean house.. here and where I sit. In between brooms so-to-speak.

I even learned a nifty trick on how to move all the treads of one page all at once. Now if I could just manage the same trick with the floors here.

Our little chick has disappeared and our daughter was grief stricken. I'm hoping it hopped through the fence to join the chickens next door. We do have a nest of chicken hawks with a nest in th gultch next to us... but are hoping she is okay hiding in the tall ginny grass.

Saturday we went to a brithday party for our friends grandchild.. Hawaiian Cowboy style. Since we raise mini horses they were hooked up to these amish carts and took all the children for rides up and down the road. The cowboy band was excellent and we took off our shoes and had a good time dancing, twirling and spinning around.. afterwards we thought it really would be fun to learn the two-step.

This coming weekend is the construction class on how to build the aquaponic system.. we were told to wear grubby clothes. Hmmm, that seems like a serious hint there.

The weather has been very windy.. and I've been wondering if some solar flares are in the offing..

However, I did pause to wondered if something like comet might happen (which it isn't because we have ET protection) that there isn't anything in my life that I would change. I'd still get up and help our daughter get ready for school, feed the animals, sweep out the kitchen and do all of those little chores that makes up ones life.

And then.. to add a bit of zest an email was sent to me stating "We're watching you." to which I replied, "Delightful." Life is just to dang short to get caught up in being fearful when there is so much wealth to be enjoyed.. beautiful sunsets and sunrises, plants, animals, family, friends and.. chickens! It got so chilly last night I let the dog back in bed with us and the kitty crawls down under the covers too. We have our very own living FOOTWARMERS! However, for those who would like something that you don't have to feed, flax seed and rice in a 24 inch long 6 inch wide flannel bag heated for 2 or 3 minutes in the microwave is great.

[Tuza]

I haven't posted on this thread before but I feel the need to pour out a complaint about the world, well not the world as such, just the people in it. I have bi-polar, OCD and anxiety attacks, if I don't take the darn medication and I can get so low I cannot stand being in my body and have to fight off suicide, my husband and kids love me a lot (bless them) and would be devastated if I did that. A lot of people I know who suffer from depression can be quite nice souls.

Having said that I am getting really, really, terribly depressed about other sick people who are obviously not on medication and are prone to act out on other souls because of their illness.

I read yesterday on the internet, that a beloved four year old cat was found in a school playground and by police and forensic investigations looked like it had been mutilated by a chainsaw. The owner is devasted and wants the culprits found. I pray to God and the angels to help stop this, and I know these people are sick, but I cannot cope with these things going in the world, it is just too painful. Sorry for venting.

Sometimes I think the sooner that people demise the better, sorry again.

[THE eXchanger]

i am in ontario too...
but, only a few sparkles of snow in the air, but, it is cold...
i did a little moon bathing, earlier tonight...
and, the clouds were amazing...
i hope they skip town, and, deposit their goodies,
elsewhere

ahhh...winter, the time to stay in and, get stuff done

and, the time to go out, and, ski

love/ susan
the eXchanger

[TranceAm]

This is a fun thread.. :-) Will read more on the other pages. But I think I got a hopefull and fun story to share.

Today, lazy, tired, and didn't feel like cooking, Beside that one has to open the fridge or freezer and choose........ something..
So I went to the greasy spoon..
It is a joint couple a miles down the road.. Named the Huddle House (I think.... :-)
<Insert verify web, Yep it is, the huddle House.. :-) > http://www.huddlehouse.com/imagesSidebar/HHSign3.jpg
They have decent food, for the price one can afford. The waiters aren't Hooters style and lacking the attitude, same with the clients so it is more like comfy place to eat some food.. (Am I boring already?) So I have some coffee, a salad, the sirlion and some sweet potato fries.. This is the only place i know, they have sweet potato fries, and I love sweet potato fries..
I am sitting by myself, enjoying me dinner, and on occasion, but not to often the friendly waitress request whether the cop of coffee needs a refill.. (Yes Europe.. Here you get a mug, and they keep refilling the damn thing like they get it from a never ending well... Instead of charging by the cup.. Talk about capitalism.. ;-)
I took 1/2 a refill to rewarm my coffee during the dinner, and noticed that shift change was nearing... So I put the tip on the table.. I felt good, the dinner was enjoyable, the waitress was friendly. I tipped 5 bucks between the astray and the empty cup.. Normally I don't go that far, since the dinner was only 14 bucks.. But I thought after this weekend... What the Hell, she makes half my pay an hour, lets have her something extra.... So I walk with the ticket to the cash register, and noticed she forgot to count the salad in the total price for the food. When I told this to the Girl at the cash register She said, well I will give you 10% discount and the salad is included in the main dish, how does that feel? Hmmmmm, Wait a sec, I want to pay for what I ate, and they give me a discount? Am I missing something here? So I said, Yes, it is alright... I payed something 13+ and was still pondering why... So I asked, Why did I get the discount? Because I pointed to what I thought was a mistake from the girl? Or that I was that honest to mention it? She laught and said.. The last... I told her, so honesty DOES pay... She answered.. Now don't be a stranger, come back again.. I answered, I will I will... In the car I remembered, the tip.. That they couldn't have known about...

So the moral of the story

:-) Friendliness and Honesty do pay for everyone :-)


I don't feel like spell checking and in this sharing mood.. Any grammatical errors you find, are yours to keep.. :-)

[Antaletriangle]

Autumn/Fall approaches in Central Scotland. Already we have planted spring cabbage and leeks. Only three of my hens have survived from a batch of eight...(dogs got three and Mr fox got two). My apple and pear trees (2 of each) produced nothing this year. I am going to plant more in November. I have one 'raised bed' for planting veg but I am making two more as I am surrounded by fields full of rabbitts...munch...munch. Veg in raised bed was great this year....Red onion, leeks, cabbage and turnip...hey guys don't plant lettuce! waste of time and space. My dogs are all doing great (2 Parsons and 1 Border Terrier). My cat (Boris) is eating like a pig but he is too skinny....I reckon he is ill. The pic on my profile is a view from my house on Xmas day 2007....Do you like? .....

Absolute quality my friend!!!!!!!!!!
You are the place and the 'issness' in "my little book"!!!
Scotland,for one,LEEKS are a must,you and yer personality obviously fost;i have a couple,(leeks) not growin' but in me fridge at the mo. ready for a big,beauttiful stew with some chayze an' stuff,also dogs;i love,animals generally,me being one of the family,i'm sure?!
Crikey Charlie nice s**t this-i would love to sit with you and yer family and have a Lagavullin after a good nosh up and play with yer dogs an'get some photies an'stuff.Then get me ed dine on yer settee in front of a good fire,wind howlin' away,dreamin'of the tomorrow that yesterday sang.:mfr_omg:

[Alexandra]

Wonderful and relaxing thread. Thank you Carol.

[Antaletriangle]

http://www.projectavalon.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=17&pictureid=4687
Last autumn in Keswick,at The Carles/Castlerigg before a storm front straight off the atlantic gave us a bit me ducks.Selective colouring on The Carles.

[Carol]

Thanksgiving 11.27.08
ModChatBox is as good as sitting around the pot-bellied stove. Please come join us for our last evenings musing.

Carol: If someone had the extra money something like this would work too. http://projectavalon.net/forum/showt...ed=1#post88210

Baggywrinkle: Able to withstand 300mph winds? Do you have a link? Then there is the matter of the tsunamis

Carol: woops, wrong link

Baggywrinkle: petromax lamp ran out of kero. Got real dark all of a sudden. Had to steal debs hurricane lamp...

Carol: Steel Farm Building
http://cgi.ebay.com/Steel-Farm-Build...ayphotohosting
It has to be buried 8 feet under ground

Baggywrinkle: Moore maintains you need to be at least 500ft above sea level. My home is 624 feet, cutting it very close.

Carol: http://www.backcountryedge.com/kelty...utm_medium=cpc
We have one that has two rooms with a connecting passage between. Yes, who knows where really it will be safe. The Brazil area has weathered it the best during all of previous the pole shifts

Baggywrinkle: I start to overload when I think too deep into earth changes of that magnitude. Everything else I can deal with...

Carol: MP2 and I were discussing some of the issues earlier. http://projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8281

understood..

Baggywrinkle: Part of the Saints prophecy is being forced into tent cities. They are preparing seriously for this eventuality and like the tuttle tuff shelters http://turtletuffshelters.com/

Carol: Oh, I really like that Baggywrinkle

Baggywrinkle: AVOW has group buys on those things

Carol: That looks like the way to go depending on the price.
We're also looking at protecting our mini horses.

Baggywrinkle: and for ventilation, check this out from the rubicon. These guys actually do everything they talk about http://www.alpharubicon.com/basicnbc/safefanwar.htm

Carol: oh, this is good

Baggywrinkle: Sol Invictus seems like a serious outdoorsman. He had a problem with my cut and paste articles. I say why reinvent the wheel. I think he's alright. There's a reason he's up in those Scottish hills alone...what did he tell you?

Carol: Off grid by July.. CMEs? headed here by September.
I posted the info in the other thread.

Baggywrinkle: Where did he get his info?

Carol: http://projectavalon.net/forum/showt...ed=1#post88210
friends in the know

Baggywrinkle: This is in keeping with JR Moore's info about govt moving operations to be completed by Jan 2009. But it appears they are preparing for high water Google CIA & Denver together

Also the time-table for completion of the Svalbard doomsday vault

Carol: yes.. it all tends to dovetail quite nicely

Baggywrinkle: Cheese and crackers! That's an invitation to go seriously into debt. Talk about digging a hole for yourself. Do you get the feeling you will be able to come out of your shelter to hand pump water?

Carol: My water currently is above ground. Who knows? Somehow I have a feeling I will be bypassing all of this. The future is not made in cement and there will be a harvesting of souls through the portal.

I think there are other plans way beyond my limited imagination yet to unfold. As Jim Marrs says, Hope for the best and plan for the worst. So the planning gives me something to do while waiting to go back (heavenly) home.

Life is a gift and I'm just enjoying my present.

Baggywrinkle: well, on that CHEERY note. I need to get to bed. Have thee a blessed evening and may Providence light your path

Carol: Thank you.. I'm headed to bed too.

Aloha from Hawaii and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Gareth luv.. it's your shift now.

Online: 525 (176 members and 349 guests) All is quiet..

[happyhollergal]

Carol, thankyou so much for this, as it is one of the main reasons I came to Avalon, to become part of a wonderful community of people caring about each other. I remember growing up in south Georgia, where folks gathered round at the old donut shop and talked about life. I miss those days and the sharing/caring that were considered "normal", before everyone got so paranoid of others or busy with their own lives.
As for my little space here in North Carolina, we have 7 acres that we've been clearing, getting ready for Spring planting. I grow and sell specialty flowers. I (humbly admit) am only one of two in the US approved to sell the Biltmore Estate varieties. This time of year I usually sell my beauties at the flea market near Asheville. Unfortunately, there have been few travelers to Biltmore who have stopped in at the flea market, and the regulars that do come every weekend are 95% hispanic. They tend to purchase what they need to live on, which is understandable. As a result, I've had to close my shop there and try to rethink my business.
I will say that having time off from being busy working has given me an opportunity to learn so much about our world, that I would not have had time for otherwise. I spent yesterday (Thanksgiving) watching 8 hours of video from Nassim Haramein, and was extremely excited to learn about his work. His personality is wonderfully refreshing in the presentation of his research. For those out there not aware of him, they can find info at theresonanceproject.org or watch his videos on google video. You may know him since he lives in Hawaii. I'd love to meet him in person one day. We certainly need more like him.
Anyway, I'll stop rambling. Just wanted to thank you and all the others who responded to your post here. Have a wonderful weekend!

[Carol]

Thank you so much for your input and informational link happyhollargal. We are just trying to figure this out together and help each other along the way.

This chat is from this mornings exchange 11.28.08 Enjoy.

Colin: http://www.projectavalon.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=8287

Carol: Indeed Colin. I wonder if we can get a server from down under? When they refer to the grid going down the other question is this local or planetary?

Myplanet2: Morning Carol. Just reading George Ure's morning update on Urbansurvival.com interesting.

Baggywrinkle: Sol's message is very similar to Ed Dames Kill Shot

Myplanet2: this India deal is really starting to smell bad. Several reports of "whiteish" "blondish" terrorists, in this supposed Pakistani originated attack on India. I doubt it.

Baggywrinkle: wearing BATF jackets no doubt

Myplanet2: The Half past human work is showing some pretty big reactions coming from that situation from now through dec @14 or so. We could be seeing the option on one of their "gettin something started" scenarios being exercised. Morning Baggywrinkle.

Baggywrinkle: Good morning, drinking coffee getting ready to get my butt kicked at work and taking Sol's message with a very large grain of salt

Carol: But it's such a nice butt Baggywrinkle.

Morning Myplanet2. What's his link?

Baggywrinkle: Carol, I found a place for you and your horses... http://www.silohome.com/

Myplanet2: http://www.urbansurvival.com/week.htm
http://www.infowars.com/?p=6222
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5248664.ece

Carol: That looks pricy BW and lots of work.. it was that comment about your butt, wasn't it?

Myplanet2: http://www.infowars.com/?p=6212
Those are the hints I saw, Carol

Carol: Thanks MP2

Myplanet2: I recall a Pakistan/India exchange being one of the triggers to a broader conflict. The Georgia operation not having worked out as planned.

Baggywrinkle: http://www.projectavalon.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=8287

Myplanet2: And Russia taking steps in the mid east with showing support for Syria. Options are thinning a bit.

Hey BW. Have you seen the first index draft yet that I jotted down in the researcher sub forum?

Baggywrinkle: http://www.sputnikmonroe.com/newimag...oomedcover.jpg

That's a pretty good start... re index

Myplanet2: Thanks. Just go ahead and add whatever you want

Carol: Depressing news MP2. I will spend the day checking out where to buy seeds and get the garden supplies for my aquaponics system. I may spend the day on ebay checking prices there too.

Myplanet2: I see it as grist for the data mill. It seems that virtually all of their attempts to get something started have been thwarted and contained.

Carol: very cute cartoon.. just worked my way down the list of links

Myplanet2: hopefully this one will fizzle out too

Myplanet2: If there really has been a changing of the guard in Washington, and lots of evidence leads that way, then they've got to be desperate to get something going before Jan 20.But there are also several questionable appointments too. So I guess it's wait and see as per usual. hope for the best while preparing for the worst.
And stay mindful of how our input feeds one outcome or another.

I watch what these guys do more so I can revel in their being thwarted, than to feed fear.

Carol, I found a pretty interesting PDF on ventilation that I could send you.

Carol: To be perfectly honest, I just view all of this as distractions to keep folks from focusing on getting ready to go off-grid. It is just a big distraction game.

Myplanet2: I have no link because it just showed up in google search as a PDF

Carol: That would be great.

Myplanet2: I see that aspect too. Where should I send it?

Carol: email

Myplanet2: OK. on it's way

Carol: Thanks

Myplanet2: It's got some diagrams of passive systems-useful info. And goes into condensation. another issue especially of you're thinking about open water in the space. Like a big fish tank.

I also started trying to conceive of some way to have the incoming water drawn through the aquaponics system to oxygenate it. My thoughts are that if you assist the exhaust, air can be drawn into the intake side and in some sort of "u" arrangement, into the tank. A fine screen covering the intake outlet in the tank could spread the air bubbles out throughout the tank.

Just some preliminary thoughts.

[Carol]

Aloha, I'm costing out food supplies and ran across this site. http://efoodsdirect.com/products.html

Food Storage
800-810-4441

The Freedom Unit Contents $1,682.00
Wheat 6 resealable five gallon buckets (222 lbs) $174
Grain Mill uses low temperature, frictionless milling $259.95
Garden Seed Can Contents $35
Berkey Light Purified Water Filter $100
Air-Aid Emergency Mask $39.95

Total: $2,290.90 plus shipping

[Carol]

2/5/10

Well today was amazing. I actually learned how to use a smoker in this incredible bee keeping course taught by someone who makes the most healthful delicious honey. At first, when I was stuffing pine needles into the smoker I was worried about getting it started and keeping it going. Inwardly, I was thinking 'I'm going to flunk getting the smoker going 101'. However, once it was going it worked great. Of course my husband had removed my boots from the truck so with clogs, socks and ties around ankles of the bee keeping suit, wide brim netted hat, and gloves that go up to the elbows ! we all trekked out to the hives for our lesson on how to open it up, use the smoker, lift out panels filled with bees to check for honey and such. We saw a baby bee being born as she crawled out of her little space and start to work.

Bees vibrate at a really high frequency and are very sensitive. As we had the top off of their hive they were getting agitated so it was time for more smoke to help calm them down. When bees smell smoke they think there is a fire so they tend to go down into the hive to suck up honey to take out to a safe place. Weighted down with honey makes the bees heavy and slow.

This was really the first day the 10 of us were out working the hives and there is so much to learn... yet so worthwhile. Everyone likes something sweet. With honey one can also make mead. With the wax make candles and replace the honeycomb panels inside the hive. One can also collect pollen to eat or save later to give back to the bees. Bees truly are fascinating creatures.

Our group is in the process of forming a little collective of about 20 of us who will be doing beekeeping so that we share expenses and costs by shipping our orders together.

And those folks who are doing this are also very interesting because it takes a certain type of person to go beyond fear of being stung to do something like this.

[THE eXchanger]

one of my customers came last friday, to get product

he lives on a farm, they were about to convert an old out building
on his family farm, that hasn't been used by anyone in the past 40 years
(except, when they tried to get into the building)
they were amased, but, there where
lots and lots and, lots of bees)
and, guess what - the bees, have completely taken it over
there's enough honey in there to put someone in business,
for the next 40 years - honey, apparently, does NOT spoil

looks like he has a ready made-organic bee farm :mfr_lol:

along with supplies to make candles, etc.,

[Carol]

Hi Susan glad you're here.

How kwel is that! Honey and candles make great bartering items. I was just checking out wicks on another forum and bees wax candles smell so good.

[mudra]

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p247/falk80/Friendship%20Quotes/Friendship.jpg

Come friends .. let's sit around Carol's stove as the storm is raging in Avalon .
Let's gather and share a last cup of tea while warming each other with
our stories.
Mine is one of a long friendship with you all .
As I opened Avalon's gates the joy to find you here has been tremendous.
It always felt to me like finding my soul family here.This has been a proven fact all along.
You have helped me open my heart and it's thousand petals .
My life has become richer from coming to know you better as time went by.
I'll miss you more than I can say .
We shared so many things together .
The love we created is much stronger than the current dissents .
This is what I will carry in my heart from now on when my thoughts will drift
over the old Avalon .
I know our paths will cross again for this was not the first time we met and it won't be the last one either.
Time is running now and my last chance to tell you I Love and appreciate all of you I take now .

Bless you all
May you walk in beauty and the Light guide your steps .
Until we meet again hugs for you :wub2:

mudra

[ellie]

Now you Mudra, dear sweet inspirational soul you are, are the real deal in my honest opinion.

Enlightenment is what I would say you are to me. :wink2:

[gita]

Thank you Mudra for the link. Sorry to hear you're leaving - I will not say goodbye as I shall keep in touch with you through rhythm.:wub2::wub2:

[rosie]

As doors close, and others open, one thing is for sure, love will always prevail,
with Mudra leaving, the love she has opened here, will not close, only get bigger.

I ride storms very well, one of my better qualities they say, but I find riding this storm a tough one, as I sense a dividing, where there need not to be.

Time can be our friend or enemy, and can be filled with love, or uncertainty, we need to choose well now.

As I sit here, having a cup around the pot belly stove, I remind myself that no matter what, we have time, an eternity, to love and learn the secrets of this universe of ours.

http://i40.tinypic.com/35n1lxh.jpg

love & light

[burgundia]

we'll all be in touch...so don't be sad...
here is my e-mail for all interested
burgundia4@poczta.onet.pl

[Malaros]

Thanks for starting this thread.

Today I went to town to get a bin. There was a market for local producers so I bought some foccacia bread and black pudding. Yum yum.

I am listening to Poetics by Aristotle on my mp3 player. It is because I am still trying to educate myself in the Trivium - the arts of grammar, logic and rhetoric. I am finding it life changing.

It was sunny until recently. It is now overcast.

I am going to do some work now.

[kriya]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Flower_heart.jpg

Thank you Mudra for reminding us of this beautiful thread.

Much love to you, and wishing you all the best.

Take Care,

Love,

Kriya

[bushycat]

Nice gathering, Carol. Nothing like being around the fireplace to talk story.



But even if we don't get the chance to share the cup of tea and look into one another's eyes,
I'll see you in light.

Love,
Bushycat

[Kulapops]

Just listening to 'Everything' by Alanis Morrisette, while reading this last post.

And I quote...

"You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here"

As for me, love never dies. So there are no goodbyes in that sense, only partings of the ways.

The fire is the centre of the community. So it may seem surprising to some that we have not spent more time around one.

I went to see Embercombe today in Devon, Uk... A community of sustainable living. Some say "Tree hugging hippy-cr*p" (to quote Cartman from South Park) is not where it's at, but then neither is pointelss name-calling and specultation over which brand of toilet paper Avalon is now using. :winksmiley02:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7zyFFD1GTPo/SMUAkDx6bpI/AAAAAAAAAwM/QF63R7jDXtU/s400/Embercombe.JPG

Peace. There is no need for anything to be anything other than it is. How can we argue with reality?

So in my heart, there can only be gratitude for the things I love and the experiences I've been blessed with.

I am grateful to you Mudra, for showing your consitent approach, and your presence here.

We will do well to remember that it is people and fires that make a community.

I hope most of us will be lucky enough to find ourselves in a true community one day.

Blessings and peace,

K

[Carol]

This indeed is one of my favorite threads. I hear the coffee grinder in the background and know a good cup of fragrant coffee is soon at hand. This morning my husband walked in holding an old gourd I had grown a couple of years ago. Actually around the time Avalon started. I forgotten about it and had tossed it off to the side of the guava tree. This morning he brings it in and the side has a small hole that looks as if a baby chick had pecked it open, only instead, there was a beautiful vine that was growing out of it. New life, green and beautiful. Two of our hens started brooding this last week and have 7 eggs under them each. Again new life.

This past week with everything going on has been very sad for me. In fact, when I realized just exactly what was happening (as of last Thursday), I was stunned. This forum has been an amazing adventure with incredible people from all over the globe. Where else could we have all met and shared such heart opening experiences? Indeed, we have had our challenges, just as Bill and Kerry have had their challenges. I does sadden me that the doors are closing as I and many others have invested hours and hours of our time and heart-felt energy here.

These past few weeks my whole intention and attention has been on getting a ground/dirt garden prepared. As I hate dirt gardening you have no idea what a challenge this has been. The first time I tried the dirt and grew potatoes I ended up with weeds as tall if not taller than I am. Then we had to start over and I said, SCREW THIS and decided to to cover up the dirt with weed cloth and do the garden in small containers. Again, this requires constant watering (containers are small), not too much weeding and fertilizing. Again, I'm such a failure at this whole fertilize on a regular schedule and watering when.. thinking the dirt holds water forgetting smaller containers need watering frequently. Needless to say it was time to look at another way to get a ground garden going for those plants and veggies that need something to grow in.

Currently the blueberries look sad, very sad and the bell pepper plants need help along with the rhubarb. Needless to say after more then two years its time to get on the stick and figure out how to do this successfully.

Ahh, the coffee is here. hmmm, good.

So now the storms have been brewing.. on Avalon and outside, but we still need to find ways to nourish ourselves.

Back to the problems at hand. After a visit to a friend, she showed me how she had built this huge wooden container - maybe 16 to 20 feet long, 4 feet wide and at least 2 feet deep. It was filled with beautiful produce they had grown from seed. I have to say I was inspired. She shared how her husband had conditioned the soil and believe me the results just would make you all drool.

Okay, back to the internet for more research and the purchase of multiple garden books However, while researching what type of garden books to purchase I ran across this lasagna method of soil prep that looked pretty good to me. Basically it was layering peat moss , grass clipping or green stuff (I used alfalfa for the nitrogen), manure over a few times until it reaches 24 inches. Newspaper is suppose to be the first layer but we used cardboard to keep the grass from growing up and letting the worms to have something to feast on.

Anyway, I drew up some plans for the container layout and decided on a L shape in full sunlight. The containers were 8 feet long, 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep using 8'x12"x2". We purchased the wood and put it in the horse trailer to bring home. Those suckers weighed a ton. The previous weekends we had to build a fence to keep the chickens out and just used 5 foot stakes and wire fencing.

As the area was on a sloping hillside there were other challenges with digging out the areas for the various boxes and terracing them down to the large triangular box in the corner. Digging in dirt is back breaking work, but the various storms and rain made the soil soft. (Much like how we are being softening up here on the forum.) We finally got the boxes built and nailed re-enforcing the ends and sides to hold the dirt. (Kind of what the mods have to to when working the forum with various problems that surface.)

Yesterday, after many hours we finally got the last box completed. We could finally begin to fill them using a method that allows the materials to compost itself so I wouldn't have to remember to fertilize every month. This container has no dirt in it. We did all of this in the course of moving the horses around, giving the dog a flea bath and then next, pouring peat moss over the cardboard and draining the duck pond water over it all. Then came the layer of hay and layer chicken poop over it. Blech... reminded me of the poop that has been flying around here lately only this stuff have that very sour smell to go along with it. It was icky stuff. And then it was time to go gather up composting horse poop and not composted horse poop. Each layer needed to be watered down and leveled out.

By the end of the day, tired, stinky and achy I come in to relax and see what is going on with the forum and am stunned with how swiftly the changes are occurring and how folks are just spinning from their core center trying to figure out what on earth is going on and is there a place for them somewhere in the midst of all of this and what is it.

I too have been grieving as I realized my angel thread would be closed. This was the thread I put my heart and soul into and would search on threads and the net for images to add to it. And then I realized with the forum closed all of the amazing images that have been posted on the individual profile pages and in people's personal albums will all be lost. All of it as if it were never there. I felt so profoundly sad. All those lovely images were the love being shared among the members toward each other. All of those images represent the positive intention and force of this membership in action. And then I had this scathingly brilliant idea. But I need your help. I need everyone's help to do this if we hope to be successful. I want us to remember us as we are and what we have done together during this time in this special space. I want us to create an Avalon album from our profile pages to leave for posterity. To leave for those who were here and those who follow.

I would wish and request that each person search through their profile page and post what messages and images sang to their heart.. and uplifted their spirit givng credit to those souls who took the time to reach out and touch their spirit. I would like our Avalon album to include links to our individual members and other forums they visit. By now we know that there will be 3 spinoff forums from here (Project Light Warrior/Kerry; Avalon 2/Bill and Avalon Mist/avalon members). There may be more forums but it will never be the the same. I've already been through this with GLP and other places. You see, the garden we planted here is like my gourd. Some of it was hidden only to be discovered that something amazing happened when no one was looking. New life.

So please, please help me remember all of you. Please come together for this special project by posting images, special messages on our Avalon membership album. I will start in in the Spirituality forum because after all, we are true sisters and brothers in spirit and of one family. So my friends.. come join me in a cuppa and share a bit of your treasures with us to have and to hold in our hearts when the doors close to this lovely, lovely space. :wub2:

http://www.projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?p=256863#post256863

[Zeddo]

Ah, home at last! Darn it’s been a tough summer hasn’t it? (Winter for you northern hemisphere folks).

Carol, THIS is PA, in every sense of the word. Right enough of that.

Just to let you know who/where/what I am, in between the foolery, the rants and raves, I am just an average Joe, who loves his family. I have 3 boys and an incredible soul mate/partner/wife. (I may share the story of our meeting on day, quite interesting).
Currently I am involved in a project that keeps me far from home for 5 weeks at a time with a one week break between. This is not ideal but one has to do what is necessary to keep food on the table and a roof over-head.
As I write this in word to copy and paste to Avalon when done, the office around me buzzes with multinationals all in a similar predicament to me. We are for the most part all expats on an island building a nickel refinery and plant, complete with port facilities. There are a substantial number of locals here too. If I knew how I would post a few pics, (any ideas?) the project is huge and will most likely end up costing in the region of 4.5 Billion $’s.
The irony is that whilst being stuck in “paradise” on this tropical Island, we are confined to camp purely out of the company not wanting us to use their vehicles. Oh, you can BUY one and use it and go anywhere but costs here are rather prohibitive.
The mine itself sits atop a massif and we have to build a conveyor of approximately 16 Km’s (10 miles) all the way down the mountain to the facility. Well, that is part of what I am in control of anyway, however there is lots more.
My part in this? I am a planning engineer. Do I like what I do? Not anymore, I used to love it but things have changed. I think the “things” that have changed are in the main the way I think and see things these days.
The island is sort of a miniature New Zealand in aspect but a LOT warmer. The warmth factor has knocked my health for a 6 (cricket term for our American friends…meaning out of bounds, maximum score) and I have had a torrid time of it for the last 2 weeks. I need some of that natural honey being spoken about with fresh lemon, yes that would do the trick.

More later……thanks for the splendid company around the stove…..

Love

Z

[Nenuphar]

I love this thread! Thank you!

Put another log on the fire, and I take my coffee with a bit of sugar and lots of milk! :thumb_yello: :cup:

It's a sunny, mild day in northern British Columbia. Our Spring came early this year. I am so grateful, the sun feels fantastic. Our winters here are long and get pretty darn dreary and cold. (My record for "walking to work in unreasonable weather" happened several winters ago, in -55 degree temps. Arrived with iced up eyelashes and frostbite on my nose. Not something I will do again!)

I was feeling homesick this morning (though I've lived here for almost 11 years, I am from Nova Scotia, and still think of it as Home). So out I went this morning, with my cup of tea, to sit on the front doorstep in the sun and listen to the birds. Even *they* are happy it's Spring. Very peaceful. :original: I did some clearing out of the flower beds (as much as I could...the ground is still frozen *L*) and then started some seeds indoors, in our plant room, to put in the garden this summer. (Things I've never tried: eggplant, chocolate peppers, celery, and silvercup flowers. We have a short growing season, but I am optimistic. Fingers crossed!)

...odds and ends...am enjoying my new business, though also missing the students (and, I admit, the regular pay cheque) from my old job...craving a cafe au lait, now that we've mentioned cozy conversation and coffee...broke out the juicer this morning and made carrot/celery/lemon juice, it's like drinking liquid sunshine...wondering, with some dismay, how to rid myself of the winter hibernation weight I have put on :shocked:...love getting to know people on this forum in a more personal, down-to-earth way, so please keep these posts coming.


Have a great week, everyone!

Nenuphar