"A man who owns little is little owned."
I thought it was interesting too. The owner I saw is a builder and I
suspect he may be trying to make a point to generate sales. Maybe not
because he has built many homes under 300 feet. I'll simply say I
favor the idea of simplification. I have too much extra stuff around.
Every time I get rid of something, I find a need for it. But I will
keep working on the reduction plan.
ukie wrote:
--
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Come get your ticket to CyberFROG city
Nay, Art thou decideth playeth ye simpleton games. *Some* of us know
proper manners
Very few. I used to take calls from *rank* noobs,
Hamster isn't a newsreader it's a mistake!
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Using my technical prowess and computer abilities to answer questions
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Regards Tony... Making usenet better for everyone everyday
Just a few ideas. IKEA has demos inside their store at living in
various small spaces, fully furnished with IKEA's goods, of course. The
smallest is about 160 sf, I believe. All seem very livable.
The second is that where I live, there's a group called the Mad
Housers that build small homes for the homeless. They come with a wood
stove made of 4 shop buckets.
http://www.madhousers.org/ajc20021016.htm
Lastly, I have a small trailer that has about 50 SF of floor space.
Not only did it tour the US with a family of up to 7 members, but it has
housed the occasional in transition friend. Although small, it is quite
a delight. You have to live partly outdoors in such a small space and
that can be invigorating.
Jeff
ukie wrote:
--
> You know after reading those comments on the web site i think you'd have to
> locate one of those homes near a lake because you'd have to shit in the lake.
Unlikely given that they handle that fine in RVs.
I think the point in this small home movement is to set down some roots
and as you "save" money you add on.
Hint' get a building permit for the minimum sq. footage and have
additions appear.
Hopefully made of recycled materials and stuff you got "On Sale"
--
Money; What a concept !
I first saw this in an "alternative living" article in Mother Earth
News:
http://hometown.aol.com/lsloanpdx/lsloanpdx/index.html
During my single years after my divorce, I used to daydream about
building a similar houseboat and living on it. I met the guy who
originally built and lived on it. I even ordered the set of plans
from MEN. Still looks interesting to me as a retirement project.
Dennis (evil)
--
I'm behind the eight ball, ahead of the curve, riding the wave,
dodging the bullet and pushing the envelope. -George Carlin
>On Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:34:55 -0700 (PDT), ukie
><U.Betc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>I found this site through reading a news article yesterday. I thought
>>some folks here might get a kick out of it.
>>It's a guy who builds and sells tiny little houses. I've always
>>daydreamed about living in an Airstream trailer or maybe a converted
>>train car, but these homes seem pretty cool too (as long as you're not
>>claustrophobic):
>>
>>http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/
>
>I first saw this in an "alternative living" article in Mother Earth
>News:
>
>http://hometown.aol.com/lsloanpdx/lsloanpdx/index.html
>
>During my single years after my divorce, I used to daydream about
>building a similar houseboat and living on it. I met the guy who
>originally built and lived on it. I even ordered the set of plans
>from MEN. Still looks interesting to me as a retirement project.
>
>
>Dennis (evil)
I think it may have been TMEN that also had an article of a couple in
La. that built a house on a used barge. Solved any flooding issues
for them in the bayous.
The small house idea is common to a lot of people. Google "Heather's
house," or look in the Tennessee forum on city-data.com to see the
thread on the non-electric house in McMinnville Co..
24' x 24' seems to be a good size.
> The second is that where I live, there's a group called the Mad
>Housers that build small homes for the homeless. They come with a wood
>stove made of 4 shop buckets.
>
>http://www.madhousers.org/ajc20021016.htm
Oh great, the slums and shantyhouses of Rio and Haiti move to Atlanta.
Could this be the future?
Very cool! Thanks!
Just not a fan of the showering over the toilet part.
In Copenhagen there is a park divided into small lots where people build and
maintain such tiny houses complete with compact landscaping. Story is that
the local ruler, sometime in the 1800's, set this up to let urban tenement
dwellers have a place to get out in the open on holidays. Nowadays, it
seems to be more a hobby project for the present owners. Most are very
attractive in a cute way and show loving care.
SJF
I've seen this movement as a way to secure the basics and as "things"
improve , it's a base to expand on.
Like don't forget to leave a door in each wall to connect to an addition.
The Pilgrims worked hard building houses, but most of them died before
spring, partly because their houses didn't keep them warm and dry. In
England, houses were built by artisans to last for generations. The
Pilgrims didn't have sufficient expertise and resources for that.
Pilgrim housing improved dramatically when Indians taught them. Indians
moved twice a year, spending summers on the coast and winters inland.
The women built the houses twice a year. They were big enough for
families of 25 and more comfortable than what the English had built.
Pilgrim housing had failed because an Englishman's home was his castle.
In a society where a prosperous family's neighbors might be starving,
a house had to provide security from burglars and mobs. That added
greatly to the cost and value of a house. Besides, a family that kept
more of its possessions and activities inside for security would need a
larger house.
The English noted that in the adequacy of their diet, clothing, and
housing, all Indians in the area had the same living standard as English
aristocrats. Missionaries noted that these heathens practiced Gospel
values better than English Christians. The Indians also showed greater
civic responsibility. The English also noted harmony between Indian
generations that wasn't typical in England. One reason was that the
elders would patiently listen to younger Indians before making a
decision. To the English, that form of government was revolutionary.
The Indians in the area believed people should not be kept in poverty.
Being good neighbors and good citizens was very important to them. The
elders took the time to listen. Their villages may have resembled
shanty towns, but they were evidently excellent places to live.