[Cob] recent pejorative postings regarding my earlier postings...yawn...

[Ocean Liff-Anderson]

For clarity, one more time (!) I was not throwing "shit", but merely  
suggesting that we "cob-listers" should consider the wisdom of our  
cob "elders".  Neither am I "afraid" of cob building if it is done  
well, but I must say I am getting little bored at the silly,  
inconsistent discourse of this list.

Certainly, Cat, a child can build a snow cave and have a cozy  
afternoon drinking cocoa in it.  But would you want an infant to  
build your house, or our bridges or highways?  Naivete has its place,  
but so does education, training and expertise.

On the other hand, lets recall those recent posts so concerned with  
securing permission from the all-powerful Building Department to  
build our cob masterpieces.  In my option this will never happen,  
since "official" authorities will never respect what we do -  
grassroots construction, off-the-grid housing.  Then again, I don't  
feel I need their permission to build either.

There is a middle ground of authority in the emerging cob field which  
has earned my respect:  Ianto, Linda and Michael have decades and  
literally hundreds of building in their portfolio, and they have  
earned my devotion as the leaders of the field.  Their workshops are  
thorough, incredibly fun and inspirational.  And if you don't have  
$600, they offer "sustainable lifestyle" discounts, work trades, etc.

For anyone who can't get to Oregon for a Cob Cottage workshop, I also  
recommend their primer, the "Hand Sculpted House", undoubtedly to  
best researched and detailed "how-to" manual on earthen building.   
The book explains rather well why straw is needed, as well as  
economic and ecological motivations, and the healing aspects of cob.   
It's available through most online book sellers, and also through our  
online store at http://www.woodfiredeatery.com

BTW - its OK to used hay or straw with seeds - the wall sprouts the  
first season while its wet, looks like a chia pet, but then once dry  
no more growth.

Cobbing always,
Ocean Liff-Anderson

Steward, Ahimsa Sanctuary
http://www.peacemaking.org

Proprietor, Intaba's Wildfire Restaurant
http://www.woodfiredeatery.com



On Jul 16, 2007, at 7:53 AM, Yun Que wrote:

>
>    Cat here!  That was funny made me laugh.  Nothing like humor to  
> clear
>    the air of fear.
>
>     Speaking of fear it's a great deterrent.  the media ,government
>    religions have been using it for centuries!  Keeps the mob in line
>    running on the wheels they provide and feeling good about  
> themselves.
>    They pass the fear on like an infection and control is  
> accomplished!
>
>    When I was a wee one in Ohio, I made some mud-men on the front  
> porch.
>    As my project developed I noticed that the mud-people cracked up  
> when
>    they didn't "feel right" and the ones that "felt right" didn't  
> crack
>    as they dried and were impossible to break up, as my mother will be
>    witness to.
>
>    i was a child with no information but my ability to observe what  
> i was
>    doing with complete purpose and without criticism.  Within the  
> limits
>    of my interest I learned what worked and what didn't.  Why, became
>    superfluous.  the best of life's little issues are more often  
> than not
>    answered by the simplicity of natural exploration.
>
>    Why did the igloo of snow that winter stay happily over our heads?
>    Haven't a clue?  maybe it was because we didn't have a bunch of  
> scared
>    grown ups telling us all the things that could happen if we didn't
>    make it according to code.  We did have neighbors that watched us
>    play.  And I am sure if the dome had collapsed on our little  
> heads the
>    cavalry would have dug us out and we would have enjoyed the  
> excitement
>    again over hot chocolate and buttered toast.
>
>    If your afraid, be afraid but don't try to pass it on.  Start  
> small,
>    Until you can feel your fear disappear with your intuition
>    and wisdom.  Build a tool shed, or a tea house, play!!! no one is
>    afraid to play!
>
>    So in short have fun with the mud just quit throwing shit....straw
>    dries the clay a bit and acts as a binder, hemp stalk, or maybe rag
>    strips could do the same??  I don't know haven't used that. avoid
>    anything that has seeds.  they will take root and grow.
>
>    Life is like that whatever you plant grows.  nuff said!
>
>
>    for the good of all C.
>