Tiny Homes On the Move Getting photos in from all parts of the world is slow going. Right now we’re trying to get large enough photo files on the Vaka Moana sailing canoes from the South Pacific. Three of these 66′ catamarans sailed into our bay here in 2011, and we’re doing the story of our local fishermen going out to visit them, and of their mission with the Pacific Ocean. They’re navigating by the stars.
I’m also working on a story on The Moron Brothers, two good-ole-boy Kentucky bluegrass musicians who drift along the Kentucky River in a shantyboat, fishing, eating, telling jokes, and playing some really good bluegrass.
This morning I just put together two pages on a 54 sq. ft. gypsy vardo with beautiful wooden interior; it’s on a trailer and can be moved at speeds up to 60mph.
Right now we’ve done rough layout on about 40 nomadic units — on wheels or in the water. Slow moving, but the more days that pass, the better it gets.
The Half Acre Homestead I’m doing presentations on this subject at the Maker Faire in San Mateo this May and at the Mother Earth News Faire in Puyallup, Washington June 2nd. It will cover all the tools we’ve settled on after decades of building and raising and preparing food on a small piece of land. Also photos to give you ideas: kitchen setup, raised garden beds, bantam chickens, foraging, etc.
You needn’t own a piece of land to utilize some of these tools or techniques. You may live in a city and want to grind your own grain and make your own bread, or carve a wooden spoon, or grow chives in a window box.
These are tools for people wanting to use their own hands in crafts, or in providing some of their own food and/or shelter. Country, suburban, or urban. There are a lot of things you can do yourself.
We’re working on URLs for each tool or technique, and we’ll post them on our website. If I really get organized, I’ll pass out cards at my talk with the our website URL and QR code.
Lately I’ve been thinking of making this into a book. Right now I can’t see what form this one will take, but it should be smaller and cheaper than our color building books. Black & white? I’ve been looking at Sears and Wards catalogs from turn-of-century.
Music de Jour Marian Janes: “I Know a Good Time;” Magic Sam, “I Feel So Good.”
Lloyd, what you say above re Half Acre Homestead sounds interesting..will look forward to it.
wondering though, might you consider a book on same? for myself, i appreciate having a book (to keep or give), and it gives me a reference. ???
okay okay…i was in a rush, hadnt read your last bit on you ARE considering a book…(blush blush)..
however..now that i have..i sure hope you do..and , frankly, not smaller and cheaper…i, personally would love something size/quality lines of the Tiny Homes…
with some white space for my own notes/thoughts…
as for you thinking it needs be cheaper, i dont see that..
if one buys a quantity of your books at once, there can be a fairly significant discount..
myself, i would pick it up with others, maybe pick a couple extra and have them on hand for gifts…
Hi Lloyd, I found your blog a couple months ago and haven't missed a post. I like your idea about the half acre homestead. I have read a couple books on the subject and have more on my shelf. I am a thirty-something and I think this movement is just beginning. Maybe a e-book would be the right route. I have been expirementing myself and like the format. I think you would be targetting the right demographic with that format as well. I'm sure you have all you need, but I would be willing to help with the project.
You might want to check out Lindsay Clark's blog about her adventures on her boat and surfing along the way, her boat is called swell. http://www.swellvoyage.com/category/blog/
Taylor, Thanks! I'm now trying to contact her. She'd fit perfectly in this book.
E-book! Seriously, a mini-book or bare bones pub might be a lot more efficient to send out in e-form. I guess it depends on how your audience might be willing to read it.
Yes, an eBook for sure. Each of our new paper books will also be an eBook. Also thinking o youtube video of this material.
I would buy a book on this topic from you regardless of the formatting/cost. I know you probably consider yourself more journalist/reporter, but your unique perspective has been as much of a selling point for me as the content of the books. It could also help a lot of people, there are a lot of generic/junk books out on homesteading now it would be nice to hear from someone with experience rather than a collection of rehashed theories flung together in the hopes of making a buck.
Lloyd,
My wife and I have devoured your books and can't seem to get enough. So we bought a trailer and started building this past summer. We're building up on a friend's farm in NH and sometimes farm chores take stock over getting some progress done so it's taking a little longer! We enjoy the chores almost as much as building. Would have loved to get it completed before winter, BUT, didn't. Still loving it and can't wait to start draggin' it around. Building is as much fun as anything else.We lived in a van in NZ for awhile and have tried to live small ever since. Thinking of picking up an OLD silp(1911) thats in perfect shape and converting it.
We're taking it down this weekend to move it.
I just wanted to reach out and say THANKS! We love your stuff and the way you pull peoples lives together across the page for us all to drool over and sift out ideas!. We've got plenty of great spots in NH,ME and VT so if you're this way we'd love to show you around to some cool dwellings.
So happy to hear about your new book coming and thanks again! Hope all is well!
Thanks Bob!!