To anyone receiving this for the first time, I send these newsletters out every few months. They’re different from social media — old-school in a way — in that they go to a select audience (over 5,000 people now), rather than blasting out into the internetosphere.
If you’re not signed up on the list to receive it, you can sign up for email delivery of the Gimme Shelter newsletter here.
Homestead in Spring 2022. See our recent book,
The Half-Acre Homestead: 46 Years of Building and Gardening
Rolling Homes Is Done!
Back cover
Title spread
After a year and a half, dealing with maybe a hundred contributors, thousands (I kid you not!) of emails, many thousands of photos, the book has pieced itself together, as has been the fashion with our building books. The material provided the content, and the book organized itself as it was put together.
I just received (via expensive air mail from China) the first five copies of Rolling Homes: Shelter on Wheels. 7,000 copies of the book are now en route to the U.S.A. and we expect it to be available in mid-July.
Holding it in my hands, I’m seeing it for the first time. And yes, I am prone to over-enthusiasm, and yes, this is my baby — but I think this is our best building book in years. There’s energy, there’s joy, there’s cleverness and craftsmanship and the spirit of adventure. There’s solid information — and fun. The people shine through.
There are time-tested components recommended by these builders, sometimes in great detail. And there’s inspiration — to create, to build, to get out there, to do something different.
But best … check it out in this 50-page flipbook: shelterpub.com/rolling-homes-sample-flipbook
Attention, reviewers:
Want the full book in flipbook form for review? Write rollinghomes@shelterpub.com, telling us where your review might appear, and we’ll send a link (and send us your address if you’d like us to mail you a copy of the book once printed).
Seeking blurbs:
Can you help us publicize the book? We will send you the flipbook version and if you like it, could you give us a few lines we could use for publicity purposes?
Want an early copy? Pre-order with a 20% discount.
Note: Please don’t order other books along with the pre-order.
Coming Books
- Live From California
- Deep in the Heart of Baja
- Barns
I described these forthcoming books in my last Gimme Shelter newsletter. You can read about them here: Books in Our Future
Not Enough Hours in the Day
At age 87, I’ve never been busier. Instagram, blog, marketing of Rolling Homes, running a communication hub for builders, navigating the ever-changing world of publishing, trying to generate enough income to keep Shelter Publications alive (it’s iffy), gardening, homestead maintenance, trying to stay in shape…
“Drop kick me Jesus, through the goal posts of life.”
–Song by Bobby Dare
Connecting
Everywhere I go these days, someone says “Are you Lloyd?” The feedback is phenomenal. In person, email, blog, Instagram feedback. Shelter’s books (that is, the builders in Shelter’s books) have had an impact on thousands of people’s lives — inspiration to create. It’s sure gratifying.
Retiring
Not. I really like working. Communicating. Ever since childhood: “Hey Mom, look at this butterfly.” My high school journalism class with Mr. Patterson gave me the journalism bug. Whenever I see something extraordinary or interesting out in the world, I want to tell others about it. I want to bring you along, riding shotgun. Thinking of communicating when I travel adds a layer of interest. Not only observing, photographing, interviewing, but figuring out how I can share these discoveries with others. (I fear I’ve said all this before.)
I can’t wait to clear the decks so I can get back into working on my book on the ’60s, which is turning out to be sort of an autobiography of my life up until the ’70s. You can see some rough drafts of early chapters here: lloydkahn.com/category/sixties
Getting Older
Inescapable compromises in state of the body. Strength, flexibility, cardio, memory all diminishing.
“…some faculties that you counted on — physical grace and strength and mental agility — these things are being compromised or threatened.”
–Louise Glück, New York Times, October 10, 2020
After a stressful couple of months, I’m getting back out there, riding my Specialized Turbo Levo electric full suspension trail bike, hiking, a bit of swimming, one kayak paddle on full moon night…
If I’m depressed or feeling shitty, it always works to get moving through space (or water). I come back and think, why don’t I do this more often? I always feel great from exercise, and it’s a bonus if it can also be an adventure. A beautiful trail through the woods, hiking the beaches, moonlight on water … sustenance for body and soul…
Stretching guru Bob Anderson says, “You never hear someone say, ‘I’m sorry I worked out.’”
Overloaded in the Electronic World
I’m maxed out: iPhone / iPad / MacBook Air / Passwords(!) / TV Streaming / Zoom / Blog / Instagram / Google / Amazon / Netflix / Podcasts / Speakers, on and on…
I’m barely keeping up with it all. Rick saves my ass almost daily. I try to solve stuff on Google, but often can’t figure out how to get in with an unknown (or forgotten) password, or why the blog format is acting weirdly, or the Epson is locked up and I can’t get in to try to repair it…
Declaration of independence from cell phone protocol: I’m just not up to date, iPhone-wise. If I don’t reply to a text or phone message, it means I don’t have the phone on me. I like the periods of being non-connected electronically.
Hail Rock ’n’ Roll!
It’s a paradise for music lovers these days. You can listen to anything. Here are songs that got me moving, feeling happy and creative recently:
A Brilliant Artist/Engineer/Architect/Painter/Writer from the Italian Renaissance
Facsimile (actual size) of notebook of Francesco Di Giorgio Martini of Sienna, Italy, 1439–1501. He preceded and probably influenced Leonardo da Vinci, 1452–1519.
Shelter’s Book Collection
We have maybe 500 books, collected over 50 years, on homes, small buildings, barns, the history of building, vernacular, natural materials, green building, windmills, Native American architecture, tiny homes, nomadic homes, treehouses, log cabins, homesteading, gardening, small scale farming, etc.
This is a unique collection of books, and I’d like to make them available to the public in some way. If you go into an architectural bookstore, most of what you find are monumental buildings or work by famous architects, but very little on owner-built homes, local materials, vernacular genius, or simple, straightforward utilitarian structures.
If anyone has any ideas how we might make these available to the public — selling them if possible, but donating if not. The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley comes to mind, or the Stanford Library. Contact me at lloyd@shelterpub.com if you have any thoughts.
The Family Raccoon
This is our long-time friend Ratty Raccoon (so named because he doesn’t have a tail — probably lost in a fight), acting cute. For some time I would get him to take dry cat food from my hand. He would pat his paws on the ground groping around, as if he couldn’t see until he got to my hand.
I read that a raccoon’s brain is “…highly specialized to interpret tactile impressions,” so it seemed like he was seeing with his paws.
(See: Raccoons’ Amazing Sense of Touch.)
I eventually quit doing this, as it doesn’t seem right to get wild animals dependent upon food from humanoids. But once in a while now, I’ll get him to take peanuts from my hand, marveling at his dexterity. He’s my best animal friend these days, now that my scrub jay has disappeared. It’s such a privilege to interact with animals, if you keep it in perspective.
Skating
My favorite two boards. L-R, a Loaded board with a slightly up curved deck that makes it bouncy and fun, and my Santa Cruz low-deck speedster. Gifted me by Loaded and SantaCruz — my “sponsors.” Helmet, kneepads, Vans skate shoes, and gloves with hockey pucks. Legendary skater Cliff Coleman told me, “When you fall, remember four words: Get on your hands”, i.e., the hockey pucks will save you from losing skin when sliding on pavement.
I got pretty traumatized after fracturing my arm a few years ago, so I’m more cautious, but working to regain composure, grace.
(One day, after the accident, I was walking down by the post office and a young skater pointed to my cast and said “Respect, man.” One of the nicest compliments I’ver ever received.)
“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?”
–T.S. Eliot
My Amazing Mercedes
I mean, I never dreamed I’d be driving a ’Cedes. But this 1999 320E was only $3K, so thought I’d give it a go. Drives like a dream, gets 22–24 mpg, first automatic shift I’ve had in 70+ years of driving, and I love it. I’m not worthy of this car.
I also like the design: simple, clean lines. Big trunk. I’ve taken out rear seats so it’s kinda like a pickup truck. It’s an under-the-radar gem, selling for $3-4K. Was $40K new.
My Instagram
In addition to this blog, you can check out my daily activities here at instagram.com/lloyd.kahn
Over and out and on into the summer,
i sometimes wonder “how can i sustain my interests when there no one around to share them?”
then your posts arrive and i realize there is!
thank you
Any info about the book’s arrival?
Wow! Perfect timing to trip over your Rolling Homes! I am in the midst of purchasing a towable trolley bus to convert into a shelter. So many clever ideas in your book!!