BS: Open Mike has lost her home & contents 2008

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Pistachio
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 04:02 PM

Kat, I've spent the last long minutes reading Night owls' posts... thanks for that link.

I've learnt so much from Mudcat, everyone dealing with what's thrown at them, giving me a chance to adjust my perspective on 'things' and an insight on what 'really matters' in this world.

I was at a funeral today, victim of a broken heart, and another life lesson for me.

((((((((((((((((Hugs to all that need one))))))))))))))))

Hazel xx

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 04:15 PM

Jacqui

Can I let you have a cheque please to pass on?

Blessings
Rhiannon

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Hollowfox
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 06:21 PM

Happy Birthday, Oopen Mike. Really. I'm glad you're alive to read this. I'm sending out good thoughts and prayers now, of course, and when I get home tonight, I'll start up your first #!@$-reduction candle (it'll be cool here tonight, and I'm very careful as regards safety). The check should go out in tomorrow's mail, and someday we'll meet, so I can hug you.
The land itself will recover over time, but yeah, the bridges/water/septic system are gonna need some work. I wish I could run out to help you on that.*g* Take care, Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: My guru always said
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 06:21 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Haven't managed to read all this thread yet as I diverted to Night Owl's and I've gotta take a break. I'm sure when I try to read this thread again tomorrow I'll find that there's a way of sending from the UK, maybe via FoM. 'Fraid it'll be after pay-day though.

Meanwhile I'm sending positive thoughts, love and hugs to Laurel. Also huge thanks to Max and the Mudcat community for being real.
Hil

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: JennieG
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 08:47 PM

Oh Laurel...love and hugs, and slightly belated birthday wishes. Due to a crashed computer (I'm using my son's today) I'm not able to check in as often as usual so I missed the original news.

The ever-present danger from fire is something we in Oz share with the US, and I know some of our firefighters have gone to California.

I shall check out the auction immejetly!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 09:15 PM

Rap...check is in the mail. Left the To: blank....

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 11:06 PM

Lost her own place after protecting others as a volunteer firefighter? Damn straight something's on the way via paypal.
- Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 11:13 PM

And her kittehs as well, Phil. I'd send her one of mine, but the Yenta is just too old for a new home.....besides, I'd have to drive her there, and Laurel has no place for a kitteh just now.

She needs bulldozers, front end loaders, flatbeds, etc. And later, lumber, plumbing pipe, electric conduit, etc.....maybe even seeds too.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 12:13 AM

What kind of boots do you wear on fires in your part of California? When I was working in the Cascades in Washington I wore climbing boots to work in the woods and on fires, since they were typically in steep mountainous terrain.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: sian, west wales
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 06:12 AM

Rapaire, can you deal with cheques in Canadian funds? Otherwise, jacqui's plan might be my alternative route.

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 09:19 AM

Probably easiest to go Jacqui's route. I'd probably get a teller who didn't know that Canada exists.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Big Mick
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 02:25 PM

OK, Paypal is coming in nicely. I have received payments from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and around the US. If anyone is not using it due to service fees on my end, please do not worry about that. I am absorbing those costs, and they are minimal. For those overseas from the USA, this is probably your easiest method.

As an aside, I am always amazed at the generosity shown by Mudcatters. As I receive these, I am knocked out by your caring gestures. Good on the lot of you. I will send you each a PM eventually telling you I recieved the money.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 02:31 PM

Check out the auctions as well. Most are 90% to Laurel/10% to Mudcat.
All sorts of goodies and the list is growing.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Peace
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 03:31 PM

I can't get any CDs until tomorrow. DAMN!

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 04:17 PM

Never mind Bruce - maybe leave putting them on until some of the other stuff has gone - less competition, more bids, maybe?

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 11:26 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Mudlark
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 01:01 AM

Hi Laurel...

Will do what I can to help with all the heavy duty renovation that will be needed. And please keep me in mind when it comes time to refurnish your nest...will happily share what I've got. Belated Happy B'day, you are an amazing woman!

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 10:25 AM

Refresh!

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Marion
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 11:22 AM

I'm very sad to hear about the loss of Laurel's home and cats. About 5 years ago I took a long bus trip around North America which included meetings with many Mudcat pen pals, and Laurel was one of those who took me in for a few days. I have many wonderful memories of her kindness and hospitality.

This is my recollection of Laurel's habitat... no doubt the facts have shifted in my mind a bit over the years, so do feel free to correct them, Laurel! She lives on a forested area that is jointly owned by many people - the group moved there together in the 60's or 70's, as a part of a "back to the land", communal movement of the times, and have been able to sustain this cooperative model since then. I remember walking around the commune and seeing all the gardens and creative architecture - if I recall correctly, the roads and bridges were made by the group. There was a sauna for everyone's use, and Laurel and I had ourselves a little two-woman a capella song circle in there. I remember that there was a heavy rain and we did some impromptu trench-digging to direct the water away from the houses.

I remember Laurel's house as being very rustic and eclectic, full of animals and instruments, and very ecological and resourceful (ie. wood stove, composting toilet, big jars of dried foods). It fit her very well, as a woman who lives a creative and examined life, and knows how to surround herself with what she needs, and dispenses with what she doesn't need. Right next to her house she had a guest cabin and that was where I slept, and it seemed like an oasis of quiet and privacy. Laurel invited me to come on outings with her and I went with her to a house concert, to her library, and to her friend's house, but there was also one night when I turned down her invitation because I wanted to stay behind and soak up the peacefulness of a cabin-in-the-woods evening.

The fact that Laurel's house was destroyed by a forest fire (as opposed to, say, the kinds of fire that take single buildings) means that this is a bigger loss than just Laurel's house... it's also about Laurel's cabin, and her bridges, and her sauna, and her trees, and her neighbours. I hope that not all of the houses were lost, and that not everybody in the group was uninsured. And I can't help but wonder what this disaster will mean for the cooperative - will most or many be willing and able to rebuild on the same land, or will this be the end of a grand experiment that has outlasted so many attempts at communal lving?

Love, Marion

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Marion
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 11:36 AM

PS. I agree with Mick that Paypal is the most time-effective and cost-effective way of donating for non-Americans.

I used to think that having a Paypal account was like having an online bank account and that you had to transfer money in from a regular bank account (i.e., like the ING model) then spend it online. But that's not the case. Getting a paypal account just means registering yourself with a user ID and password, then you can use a credit card to make the payment. It only takes a few minutes, and the recipient doesn't get your credit card number.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 01:37 PM

Laurel,

Since you have a cooperative group there and several of you will need new homes, you might be interested in looking at flying concrete homes. They are inexpensive (one woman had one built in NM for $5,000) and ecological, etc. Have fun poking around in that site; he's got lots of pictures and is very helpful. He only charges $25 per hour for phone consultation. He started this as a project to provide affordable housing to third world countries.

I didn't realise you'd lost your kitties, too. I am so, so sorry about that. My condolences.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 08:17 AM

kat - have you gone back to smoking those funny cigarettes again? Some of those homes are nightmares - but I guess they wouldn't burn, would they?
Sorry, the whole concept makes me claustrophobic.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 10:37 AM

See the "Little Precast House on the Prairie" section of this article.
Click Here & Scroll Down

"A new technique for making log homes replicates the look of wood logs so well that it might fool termites—at least until they tried to bite into one. ...The concept has been developed by Cultured Log Systems in Missoula, Mont., which worked with Missoula Concrete Construction to create the system and products."

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 11:15 AM

Direct link to their site

http://concretelogs.com/
Cultured Log Systems
honored by "Built Green" Home of the Year

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Cool Beans
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 01:02 PM

Check's in the mail to Mike for Laurel. Thanks, Peace, for bringing this to our attention.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Irene M
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 02:23 PM

The "log" cabins look quite realistic. At least they are going to resist fire, but I can't help thinking it would be a bit a bugger trying to knock a nail in to hang a picture.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 02:54 PM

The interiors look like they are finished with wood paneling or painted sheetrock. I don't think they would leave the inside just the bare concrete wall! But you can attach things to concrete, too.
Photos of homes inside and out

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 02:21 AM

Straw bale houses are less expensive and very well insulated, but you'd need a good vent system (check out the fire code, it is in place now) to keep the embers out and the house intact in fire season.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 10:30 AM

When I had my land in the forest in n.w. Montana, I was interested in building a rammed earth house. The clay and sand soil there was perfect for it, and I made a big test block of rammed earth. Eventually sold the land, though. I don't know if the soil where you are would work for it, Laurel, but rammed earth would be very inexpensive as well as fireproof if you could use it.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 10:41 AM

We had another thread years ago where I posted links about rammed earth. One of the most successful companies building with rammed earth in the USA is in Napa, CA.
Rammed Earth Works

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 10:43 AM

I like the Arts & Crafts Style look that a lot of rammed earth houses have. I can see you nestled at home in one of those, Laurel!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 10:49 AM

Photo

Rammed Earth Works house

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Irene M
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 11:00 AM

The cottage I grew up in was made of cob. This is a mixture of earth, cow dung and anything else, including bracken and gorse that came to hand. At the bottom, the walls were 4 feet thick, and at the top, about 18 inches.
It was fan shaped, to fit the available space. Not a right angle in it anywhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 11:10 AM

thanks for all good wishes, ideas, etc.
at this time my plan is to get a motor home
large enough to live in long term (i have a
very compact one for weekend outings and
travelling in, but it is not large enough
to live in....but then, i do not have that
much stuff any more.

yes, there is a lot of work ahead to clean
up the site and get water and other systems
and infrastructure back for all of us. of 8
partners, onluy one house remains.

i am glad that some of my mudcat friends
were able to visit and enjoy that house
and land...marion, kendall and jacqui.
and that a few others have seen the area
when they attended the camp out i hold in
the local camp ground. i believe there will
be many who will reside at that camp ground
while re-habilitating their homes.


yes, we are in process of re-building our
communal family as well as the entire neighborhood.
a daunting task. this weekend i have the
opportunity to attend a music vestival and a
wedding, so am able to celebrate these events
and that is a positive step.

one thing i would requewst from mudcats is a
copy of the baby lullaby disc...bottle(??)
as i will be a grandmother soon and would
like to share this with the little one who
will arrive this fall!

o.k. luckily i have wireless internet in the
campground at the www.worldfest.net
wish you all could be here....i am soaking in
lots of hugs.

Laurel

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: gnu
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 12:00 PM

Hugs are good. And so is your attitude. It's comforting to me to know you are "okay". You are gonna be fine.... great stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Alice
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 12:18 PM

More HUGS to you from here, Laurel.

Love, Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 02:24 PM

So good to hear from you Laurel.

That motor home sounds like a very good idea!

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Bert
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 10:19 PM

Rachael has some surplus building materials from her remodelling business. We could load up Sorcha's trailer and relay it down to California.

Off hand there are some doors, a bathtub or two, a bidet, a vanity sink and a kitchen sink.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 08:37 AM

Bert! Capital Idea! I've got some sheet rock/dry wall in the garage too! Uh, I don't pull this trailer.....need a driver or drivers plural. I could also donate some chairs, a desk, and a futon bed.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 09:04 AM

The Big Sur fire has encompassed an aread the size of Rhode Island as reported on npr this morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 11:21 AM

With the cost of gas, it might be cheaper to just send the gas money as a donation, esp. hauling some heavy stuff...?

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 11:48 AM

There is that, kat, and I've already sent some money.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Amos
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 02:24 PM

Laurel:

PM me an addy and Blue Bottle CD will be en route.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 10:45 PM

For those who need an address again:

Mike Doellman
PO Box 4905
Pocatello, ID 83205-4905
USA

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 11:07 PM

.... and if you need a Paypal, the addy is micklane at comcast dot net.

C'mon folks, let's show them our heart.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jul 08 - 02:56 PM

Might be a little soon to deliver anything into the area. Fire season has a ways to go.

Meantime, there are a number of items in the auction specifically for the Open Mike fund. Bid high and bid often.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: jacqui.c
Date: 21 Jul 08 - 03:55 PM

Mary - Laurel actually asked for that CD so I reckon that it's safe to send it.

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: Peace
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 09:05 PM

I've just placed 10 CDs in the auction, fyi. I think you folks have been and continue to be wonderful.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 10:28 AM

Right Jacqui - I was referring to Bert's offer of a bathtub and Sorcha's dry wall.
eantime - REFRESH!

Subject: RE: BS: Open Mike has lost her home and contents
From: open mike
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 02:12 AM

i do beieve my claw foot tub survived the blaze

it was in theroom

yard...waiting to be put in the bathroom

one that is large enough to strecth out in

no more scrunching..


i went to the land today to try to get some
water on the plants that survived the blaze.

i got 3 rolls of 500 feet of 1/2 " drip line.
after i got thru stretching it up the creek
i was stomping thru ashes, and soot and burned
trees, but there is water flowing thru the ashes.