BS: Being alone, how?

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 08:34 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Penny G.
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 10:55 PM

Here is a link to an article from today's New York Times/older women pooling their resources...might work well for some old friends.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/27/national/27RETI.html

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: freda underhill
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 05:11 AM

at our co-op, we've talked about using one of the properties to provide free accomodation to a couple of nurses, who could be close and keep their eye on any people who need care, in exchange for the accom.

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 12:40 AM

Amos: Just in case no one has told you this TODAY ... you certainly speak well. Thank You.

Kat: I don't have a clue what you are talking about. You have NEVER spoken "light" of any of my concerns. I always regard your comments highly and respectfully.

Do you know what we are talking about here folks ...a whole social revolution!!!!

With a lot of dedication, committment, money, energy, and stupidity, we might be able to establish a "role model folk singers retirement home." SSSHHHEEEUUUUHHH! I'm tired. I think I'll make some postum and go to bed! Love, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 12:27 AM

Bob, I am sorry, I didn't mean to make light of your concerns. Those are very important. It may be that each of us would have to know, that at some point, we would not be able to remain in the intentional community and make plans accordingly, i.e. when continuous care is necessary, etc. Hopefully it would be close enough so that others could visit from the community.

I know there is a boom here in "assisted" living; if there were a way to fund it, perhaps that would be a way to fund the whole shebang...start an assisted living and independent living community for folk musicians and lovers of folk music, those in the groove, so to speak? I don't know, I am just thinking out loud.

open mike, how will your community deal with such as Bob has brought up? Anyone know how some of the established communities do so?

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Amos
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 12:22 AM

Well, there you go -- the web of dependency is built into some cultures and absorbed like mother's milk. For others it is shock to discover that it is needed and some never know the grace to find those friends. But whether by birth or by friendships built between strangers, the relationship is only there because it is decided on, put in place by the participants -- something I know that seems obviousbut always bears repeating.

As an aside, does anyone know if there were similar post-war booms in population in India or China?

A

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: dianavan
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 11:41 PM

Amos: But the transition on the whole isn't looking graceful from here, and a lot of people are going to be facing the harsh realityof it in the near future, bith in this culture and in others such as China and India (although I confess I am ignorant as to whether they had Baby Booms after WW II or not).

We are in way more trouble than either China or India. In their culture, each family is responsible for their elderly. The responsibility is built into their traditions. The extended family is their safety net. Everyone has clearly defined roles. They nurture dependency on one another.

We, on the other hand, value independence and the notion of romantic love.   Hmmmmmmmm..........

d

d

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 11:04 PM

I have read and I understood all your postings since my previous postings of about four notes ago. I don't care how you cut, it ALL, eventually, comes down to money. It's $$$$ that do or don't make the world go round. Few people, except those like me who have actually gone through this total process, realize the huge amounts of money involved.

At the end of my parent's lives, they both needed round the clock, 24 hour a day, seven day a week staffing. This staffing included: medical nurses, care givers of many types, laundry, food, counseling, dressers, undressers, bathers, toileters, on and on and on.

As I said, the reality of this story is not pretty ... EXCEPT ... that it can be JUST FINE.

As my Father breathed his last, I was there, holding his hand and singing him a song in his native Finnish. He and I went through this experience together.

My point of this very personal story is to tell you all, that with the right circumstances, the conclusion of our lives can be, and should be, just as good. It doesn't get any better than that.

But, and here's where we started, you need to plan now.

I've heard for the last five years that "Elder Care" is the fastest growing industry in America. I hope I'm gone before the "baby boomers" start to go ... I'm 66 years young now.

I'm shut for now. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 10:40 PM

One idea is not to isolate ourselves as a certain age group. People of all ages need interaction with, well, people of all ages. So...younger Mudcatters could also live there and take care of the rest of the Mudcatters!**bg**

Seriously, Bob, you have brought up a very good point and one we need to discuss. I am only half jesting, above. I wouldn't want us to be a bunch of old geezers and geezettes just singing about the old days.:-)

I have another concern and that is how to make the place self-sustaining, hopefully to the point where people who do not have money to put up to live there, might be able to barter/get scholarships, and/ contribute in other ways.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Amos
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 10:36 PM

It is a large-scale problem. Older people as they grow less able need a web of support from others; but we are leading the edge of the multiplying demand called the Baby Boom; always the most assertive and self-centered section of the population, we have collectively done all kinds of impact on the way things are done. Those older than we are scarcely capable; those younger are fewer in number, I believe. So as the Boomers grow needy in their declining years, and those capable of filling those needs are fewer, more demands will be hitting fewer people, until the Boom curve starts to fall off the edge of the Wheel.

Some will have money, or their children will, to cope with it; others have not managed to build reserves and somehow I suspect that 2010 to 2030 will be a rough period as we boom our way over the edge of time. Gawd only knows what we'll do after that -- start a revolution on some distant planet or something... :>) But the transition on the whole isn't looking graceful from here, and a lot of people are going to be facing the harsh reality of it in the near future, bith in this culture and in others such as China and India (although I confess I am ignorant as to whether they had Baby Booms after WW II or not).

A

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: dianavan
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 10:30 PM

Deckman - I am quite close to retirement, but not for the care home (I hope). Sooo - although I am planning retirement, I am also interested in helping to create an independent living situation for myself in the future. As I said before, the idea of the "last resort" with a live-in caretaker seems good to me. Realistically, this will be close to my children.

I will probably keep my place in Vancouver, maybe get a time-share somewhere else until the need for the "last resort". How do time shares work, anyway? Wouldn't we all want to be south for the winter and north for the summer?

I'm still hoping for a cluster of cottages around a green.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: maire-aine
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 10:30 PM

Thank you, Bob. You've brought the thread right back around to what led me to start it.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 09:03 PM

Howdy ... Bob Nelson, here again, with more time. I've been constantly thinking about the various issues that this thread raised. I want to make a major SHIFT in the focus.

I'll warn you right now, this shift will not be pleasant. This shift could well be very uncomfortable for you, but it's still a shift that I feel needs to be made, based on my personal experiences.

Some background: Both of my parents died in 2002, Mother was 88 and Father was 94. Throughout all their lives, I was very involved in their lives, by choice. I have one brother who was not, with damned good reason.

During the last dozen years of their lives, they (we) sold their home and moved in and out of various 'retiremnt homes.' As they grew older, and more feeble, their daily care needs increased. For the last eight years, they lived in a WONDERFUL retirement home four blocks from where I live. This home, bless their souls, is staffed by the most proffesional and wonderful ANGELS that God ever placed on earth. This is not an overstatement. I know whereof I speak.

My Mother died insane, my Father died five months later. Without the care and MEDICAL attention my parents received, no one would have survived, including me.

My whole point is this: As we talk about a possible retirement community of friends/soul mates, singer buddies/ whatever/ we'd better get REAL about what can happen at the end of ones life.

We can all pool our money and have great dinners and hoots in a great housing facility, but what happens after MY physical condition demands that I need more care?

I think this is a very valid question.

Having said all this "bummer" stuff, please understand that I am seriously interested in this issue. And I do hope that you'll all stick with me and let's get the conversation going onto stage two.

CHEERS to you all, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: GUEST,Ely
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 08:56 PM

Perhaps we need a "chain" of communities, like the Shakers. Those of you in frigid climates can come to Texas for the winter, and we can come visit you when things get out of hand here in the summer.

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Jeanie
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 08:15 PM

Lyrical Lady & Dianavan: I am soon coming up to the same situation, and, as you say, Dianavan, I find the whole prospect very exciting and "kinda like being eighteen again". My daughter is 15 and, because she has had to share her time in living in two houses, with me and with her father, she is very keen to establish a base of her own as soon as she is old enough, and then just come visiting each of us. Once she starts college and the delights of student bedsits (!)I will happily 'downsize' where I live (I'll need to, to finance her) and live somewhere cheaper and away from London.

I'm a long way off retiring age - in fact, I don't intend or want to retire, ever. I do a little teaching, but most of my work now is freelance translating, working from home, and none of my clients are in this country. It's the kind of work I can do anywhere, just as long as I can plug in a laptop and connect to the internet. So, the exciting prospect for me is that I could wander around the world and end up anywhere. Needless to say, I rather like this idea of the "Mudcat Time-Shares" !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: dianavan
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 06:24 PM

Lyrical Lady - join the club

There have been lots of studies about empty nesters but none (that I know of) about single parent empty nesters. Are you a single parent?

When my kids were your daughter's age, it was a very difficult time of change. For the first time in years, I had to make decisions based on what was best for me, not what was best for the family. I'm still struggling with this.

On one hand, I want to stay in the city because my kids have easy access to me if needed. On the other hand, I'm sick of the city and want to return to island living. Oh, what to do.

Don't forget - city living isn't much good for anything but jobs and education. Once established in the city, however, its mighty hard to get out of it. Best wishes for your new life. Its kinda like being eighteen again.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 06:10 PM

I'm refreshing this thread ... not because I have the time to say anything right now ... but because it's a vital topic and I want to return to it in a few hours. (I sure hope the mudcat police don't come over to my house and paint bad words on my walls ... but I know that catters are far too nice to do that). Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 01:41 PM

I live on Saltspring Is BC and yes it can be very dreary and depressing in the winter. I have a teenaged daughter going into gr 12 and then I will be on my own. The thought of it scares the hell out of me...I don't do well on my own. I don't think I will stay in the Gulf Islands..too expensive for one thing and I'm very tired of depending on BC Ferry's. The cost of riding the ferry prevents me from doing so many things I'd like to do on the mainland.

LL

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Bobjack
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 10:39 AM

Buy two glove puppets, insert hands, have a three way conversation with yourself. Err....... I'll get my coat!

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: freda underhill
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 05:01 AM

being alone can be a thing that happens to people as they age. and in this western society, people who age are not surrounded by family as they are in other cultures.

it is easy at any stage of life to get spooked and become a cardboard version of yourself, keeping polite and fitting in with what's happening. you can end up reflecting other people'sagendas and being a part of someone else's plans. as i write this, my cat is sitting on my right arm - her plan for me is that i will be her cushion!
                              
living close to other people is good - and close to transport, entertainment etc - maximum independence is also good.

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 02:14 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: dianavan
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 09:07 PM

Alaska Mike - I like that lifestyle, too, but what are you going to do when you're (you know) older? Won't that cold start to get to you? Or perhaps, its not so rainy and damp. Maybe cold but sunny? What part of Alaska are you talking about? I just can't see a group of geezers relocating to Alaska.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 07:45 PM

SOunds like heaven, but isn't it 'sposed to fall off into the ocean someday?**bg** Really does sound lovely!

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: open mike
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 03:45 AM

The owners of the neighboring 80 acres (with year round stream) called yesterday to say it is definately going to be put on the open market
soon. I am open to giving tours to any one interested!! It is above the valley fog and lower than the elevation where heavy snows are regular.
There are 3 towns within an hour from here, and many oportunitiese to make and hear music...we are 3-4 hours from the Pacific ocean , and
the national forest is in the "back yard" here and mountains, rivers and lakes are found nearby. We could do a time share and have a city house and a country house!

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 02:49 PM

Now don't exclude Alaska from the possible locations folks. It is possible to follow a completely subsistance lifestyle up here. Land with good forest and water is plentiful, taxes are low, the state still gives residents a share of the oil revenue each October, and the long winter nights make for fine music around the fireplace. The air is pure, the water is clean, the fish and game are abundant, and we have all four seasons (June, July, August and Winter).

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: kendall
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 03:29 PM

I could never live anywhere but Maine. If only they could do something about those 9 months of winter and 3 months of hard sledding...

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Feb 04 - 10:45 PM

Allan, thanks for taking the time to assemble the geographic issues. Am I the first one to think of this: several mudcatter communes, for lack of a better term. These would obviously be founded where the assemblage of persons, and monies, and lands would occur. But then ... think "time share here" ... perhaps various members/residents could move from location to location, as their seasonal needs dictated. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Allan C.
Date: 18 Feb 04 - 10:00 PM

Let me take a moment to summarize what I have seen so far with regard to location and then I'll add my two cents worth.

As was said above and elsewhere, it seems unlikely that any one site would suit all. In the USA the Mudcat membership, which is the only representative means I know by which to estimate the geographical census of folk music enthusiasts, is not at all spread evenly. In general terms, the number of folkies parallels the overall population numbers, with certain notable exceptions. Over all, members become more and more sparse the further west you go until you get to the western, coastal states where there is a dramatic increase. (Consider for a moment that the huge state of Texas only has four active 'Catters at last count; whereas there are probably five times that many within fifty miles of Philadelphia, alone.)

It would appear from this that, at minimum, the USA would require both an eastern and a western site, which would have the additional effect of accommodating visitations to and by relatives and friends.

Clearly, there are some major issues with meteorological climate. Some folks who are quite happy with long winters and short summers have little wish to live where things are somewhat, if not entirely, the opposite. The reverse is also true. For some, there is no middle ground.

As was indicated by the reference to "the Bible Belt" in one posting, (which, by the way, is usually defined as relating to states in the deep south, with Texas as the keystone,) the issue of local sentiment could also be an important issue. There are some communities that simply would not look upon such a thing with open mind. A somewhat related issue is that of zoning regulations.

In view of these considerations along with those listed in my previous post regarding hospital access and folk venue availability, one could hardly be arbitrary in selecting a prospective site. My own sense regarding an eastern USA location is that certain areas in Virginia or in northern North Carolina might have the most to offer. I would have to bow to more knowledgeable folks regarding the western states, Canada, the UK, Australia and elsewhere.

If you are as serious about this as I am and if you are interested in pursuing a location such as I have proposed, please PM me. Who knows? We may be onto something!

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: dianavan
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 07:50 PM

Good pics, Daylia! But please, lets not give everyone the impression that all the roofs grow grass for the goats. The market at Coombs just did that to draw the tourists. Looks like you had a great time though and The Englishman River is one of my favorite places to swim.

Deckman, Campbell River may be wetter and colder than the Seattle area but Campbell River is quite aways north up the island. If you stay mid-island or in the Gulf Islands there its hardly any different than Seattle.

Mary Garvey is right about S.W. Washington (I was born in Kelso). I really miss all that pasture and the many rivers. The Comox Valley on Vancouver Island is very similar. Real horse country. But the Comox Valley has pastures, the sea, rivers, lakes and mountains!

Yes, I love it here. The beauty is unsurpassed. I'm still trying to figure out how to hang on to what I have here and be able to spend Jan. and Feb. in the sun. I guess I just want it all.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: mg
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 02:32 PM

southwest washington is great...still fairly cheap land, not bad weather...I am thinking the Toledo/Winlock area..good farmland...not too bad sprawl yet....close to good hospitals in Olympia, Seattle, Portland....mg

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 02:26 PM

Daylia, I certainly can not fault you for your comments regarding British Columbia, both the positive and the not so positive. It takes a certain kind of person to survive and thrive in six months of gloom and wet. But I, fortunatly, am one of those people. Here in the Seattle area, I live a couple of hundred miles South of Vancouver Island. That latitude change makes quite a difference.

Wherever I choose to retire, I plan on NEVER leaving it. I am NOT a travelor. As a youngster, I did not have a predicably pleasant place to call home. I've seen all the world I care to see. I spend my energy making my home as pleasant and as stimulating as possible. Fortunatly, I carefully explained this to Bride Judy before we married. Anytime she wants to travel, I smile, give her money, wish her well, and say that I'll have the fires burning when she returns. You couldn't pay me enough to get on a plane and go anywhere else.

I realize this might make me appear dumb and boring to others, but so what. And, if circumstances dictate, and you and I and others end up co-habitating, I promise I'll have the home fires burning when you return from your Winters journey! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: *daylia*
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 02:09 PM

Oops, that last link won't show the photo, so here's another ... Goats on the Roof -- Coombs BC

He looks quite content in his solitude, huh?

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: *daylia*
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 01:58 PM

I had the pleasure of spending a winter on Vancouver Island a couple of years ago, in Deep Bay (about half-way between Nanaimo and Campbell River). What an absolutely gorgeous place! Between the mountains, the ocean, the beaches, the humungous trees, the eagles and salmon and wildlife, (not to mention the mild weather), I really fell in love with the place.   And I'd go back for a visit anytime, but I'm not sure it would be the ideal place for a retirement community, because:

1) Although the winters are mild, hardly any snow to speak of, it's cloudy and gloomy and rains EVERY DAY from about Nov-April. NO kidding. Also, it's quite far north, so the days are very short -- sun rises around 8am and sets around 4pm for most of the winter. This aggravates any tendency toward SADS (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

In other words ... ITS D*** DEPRESSING! I was shocked to find I really missed the whiteness and brightness and cleanness and beauty of fresh-fallen snow (although I did NOT miss the shovelling!)

If it hadn't been for the rainbows I saw nearly every day, all that gorgeous scenery ... (Ooooo, here's some more (that's Englishman River Falls, near Parksville/Coombs) -- and the family of bald eagles nesting atop the huge fir tree outside my door, I'da been stir-crazy by the end of Feb!

Look how wet it is there ... people's roofs actually start growing grass and moss. In fact, in the quaint little town of Coombs, people actually graze their livestock up there!

2) The dampness aggravates any tendencies towards arthritis too, a concern for many people as they grow older.

3) The cost of living is relatively high, as a sizeable percentage of basic commodities have to be brought to the island by plane, ship or ferry. And I ask you sincerely ... could you bring yourself to shop at a grocery chain called "Overwaities"??? Couldn't believe that when I first saw it ...

On the up side, the Island is an absolute HAVEN for folk musicians and craftspeople and artists and new-agers of all types, who want to live and practice "alternative lifestyles" without raising too many eyebrows. No problem finding recording studios, coffee-houses, and LOTS of other folkies!

I was told by an old-timer on the beach out there one morning, there's only two kinds of people who are attracted to the Island -- newly-weds (on their honeymoon) and nearly-deads. Ha ha HA!! Yuppie-ville it is NOT!

Anyway, just some thoughts about Vancouver Island -- and thanks for the memories. The Pacific Northwest is probably similiar, right? And Virgina/Kentucky sounds good, but there's something about the "Bible Belt" that makes me a bit nervous. IS it really as much of a hassle to live there as some people make it out to be?

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 12:08 PM

I grew up in Vancouver and love it dearly, but Deckman, you might consider arranging for some desert time. You might be amazed, as I was, at how beautful it is, *including* the biology of it. I suppose I just aged faster than dianavan, but I can't take the full time rain anymore. My aim in retirement is to travel up and down the coast repeatedly.

(open mike's 80 acres of meadows and (year round?) creek was tormenting me all weekend. I very nearly went to scope it out on a whim.)

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Penny G.
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 07:05 AM

I love Virginia and it has all of the seasons..it is familiar and it's easy to get to just about anywhere..urban and/or rural..from Charlottesville to Blacksburg...many wonderful little places to hang hats...this is an interesting topic..I think native pride helps some of us lean toward old and familiar surroundings... (there is an interesting article in latest AARP Magazine on older people flocking to Mexico to retire

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: maire-aine
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 11:16 PM

I've thought about a smaller city in Kentucky or Virginia or Maryland, maybe. They still have winter, but spring comes earlier.

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 11:08 PM

AHHHH yes. The wonderful British Columbia area. Growing up where I have, I am somewhat familiar with your neighborhood, the Campbell River area. And, it's true, the air is cleaner and the salmon are bigger, to say nothing of the halibut. But to move to a bone dry desert, just for winter warmth, is just too bizzare for me. Perhaps the answer is to establish TWO communes ... one North and one South! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 11:08 PM

I know of a 36 acre plot in North Central Florida. Anyone interested in starting an old folks commune?

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: dianavan
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 10:56 PM

Well Deckman, I agree that the Pacific N.W. is a wonderful place (I grew up there) but the coast of B.C. is even better. Cleaner air and water, more abundance of seafood, more trees, etc. Vancouver Island is sooooooo big with lots of fertile valleys and all of those little islands are just too beautiful for words.

As the years go by, the winter months seem to be getting harder and harder. The grey seems to drag on and on. When my mom sold the family home and moved to Arizona I thought she was crazy. Somehow it doesn't seem that way anymore. I look forward to some time there very soon and even play with the idea of retiring there someday. I can't imagine being so far from the sea but the warm weather and the easy lifestyle is looking better all the time.

Still - My vote would be Vancouver Island.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 10:35 PM

Allan C ... Here's where our fanciful dreams get real sticky. The ONLY place I would ever consider retiring is right here in MY beautiful Northwest ... where there are clams, and salmon, and mountains, and steelhead, etc. And, most likely the ONLY place YOU would ever consider retiring is going to be someplace where I would never go.

Then, let's add some other issues besides where. Let's start talking about things like: how large a group; hetro sexual; homo sexual; pets; broccoli eaters, accordian players, on and on and on.

And yet, I have witnessed some successful communes, but I 'gotta tell you ... it takes a lot of dedication and it takes a lot of work! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Allan C.
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 09:24 PM

maire-aine's recent post along with some of the other thoughts expressed here, bring up an interesting question that I have tried to answer for myself with only limited success. Let's just say for the sake of argument that a plot of land were available at no cost. Let's add that on that land there could be a central building that could house a few people either temporarily (until they built a place of their own) or possibly permanantly. Then let's pretend that it could be on the same continent upon which you currently reside - unless you would want to make an even greater change. Where would you want it to be?

I have thought about it and have come to realize that, although I would want the sense of being removed from the city, I would also want easy access to a good hospital. I think I would also want to be within reasonable driving distance to a folk venue, be it a pub or coffeehouse or whatever, where professional, performing artists might be seen. (This may be a moot point if one of the communitys' "industries" were to operate our own coffeehouse.) My own personal preference is for a place that has all four seasons; but I can foresee a time when dealing with three feet of snow or more could be much more of a problem than it is at present.

My own idea of where to locate this plot of land is something I will speak to at a later date. I am curious to see what thoughts you might have.

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: maire-aine
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 06:35 PM

Dear folks,

WOW. I never imagined that this little post would take off like it has. Thank you, everyone for the encouraging words. The whole idea of communal living is an interesting idea that I'd never considered before. And I guess, like they say in real estate, location is everything. On the one hand, I can't imagine living anywhere but Detroit, but on the other hand, the winter weather gets less attractive every year. But, in the meanwhile, if you're ever in the neighborhood, you'd be most welcome to stop and visit for a while.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: *daylia*
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:24 AM

I feel that we need more intelligent building systems. I'm looking for a home that lasts 200 years, that you can maintain and remodel easily, and that uses mostly locally available, abundant materials.

Locally available, abundant materials? Great!! I really love the look of those houses, kat, and I was wondering how they'd stand up to the climate up here in the Great White North. Now I see that with a few minor alternations, the same designs could probably be used for houses built of snow, ice, and those great Ontario car-boogers!

Only problem is, they'd melt every spring .....   :-(

Deckman, kat and others ... I love these ideas! Funny I was just thinking last week how the solution to the problems the single life brings for older people would be to pool money and resources, buy some land with some like-minded folk and create a self-sustaining community.
And then this thread showed up! HA!!

Keep it going, folks ... there's hope in these here words!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:13 AM

Laugh if you will, Roope, it works, even for a nail-pounder like you!**bg** Read on:

"All concrete isn't ugly, hard, cold and difficult to work with. There exists a whole range of light weight concretes "which have a density and compressive strength very similar to wood.They are easy to work with, can be nailed with ordinary nails, cut with a saw, drilled with woodworking tools, easily repaired . We believe that ultra-light weight concrete is one of the most fundamental bulk building materials of the future." A Pattern Language

Most lightweight concrete has a good R-value and is a good insulator of heat and sound. It is used as soundproofing in subway stations.

It has tremendous sculptural possibilities and is ideal for monolithic, wall-roof construction.

I feel that we need more intelligent building systems. I'm looking for a home that lasts 200 years, that you can maintain and remodel easily, and that uses mostly locally available, abundant materials.

Lightweight concrete fits the bill.

Concrete Manual

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Teresa
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 01:15 AM

Just had to revisit this thread. thanks for all the candid discussion.

Well, I don't know whether I'll be alone or with someone in my life, but I intend to enjoy it, whatever happens. Right now, I am alone, and I had fun just doing what comes to mind. Last night I couldn't sleep, so went to various websites and played with learning Welsh and Irish. Stayed up till 4:00 am. This time alone has been fun, and I've had wonderful times with partners, too.

Teresa

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: freda underhill
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 12:25 AM

woow - antonio gaudi meets fred flinstone - I want one! these are my dream come true.................

freda flinstone

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 12:16 AM

Kat ... how would you hang pictures on the wall? (((BG))) Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 11:51 PM

dianavan, I love the smell of cedar, too, but...the fellow who has that site, started out in Colorado and has said he could figure out the thickness, etc. it would take to make them energy-efficient for colder climes. Heck, we've got adobe all over in Coloradoa nd New Mexico, some in high up and cold places and as far as I can tell, with his mix, rain is no problem. I understand about the cheapest and easist, though.:-)

I just want something with all of those soaring gothic arches and round roofs, nooks and crannies, etc. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: dianavan
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 11:30 PM

kat: Wow! Lightweight concrete houses are amazing. If I lived in a warmer climate I, too, would build this way. As it is, the islands in the Gulf of Georgia get lots of rainfall. The cheapest way for us to build is to mill the fir and cedar when we clear the site. I'm not complaining, though. I love the smell of cedar.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Being alone, how?
From: Amos
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 06:41 PM

GUEST- 01:37 PM :

Is "being thrown away because one is old and infirm" something likely to happen to you in the present? Or are you contemplating some uncertain point in the future? I am not disagreeing with your sentiments, but it would be a waste to exercise that choice prematurely, I think.


A