independent scholar

I have to admit that since I have moved to this area it has been difficult for me to find a group of like minded people (though I know partially this is due to the fact that I often enjoy my hermit time at the farm). I recently started to more seriously attend the Independent Scholar evenings arranged by Narveen Aryaputri at the Moline Club/Quad City Institute in Illinois. I really couldn't help going out, the topics are just so interesting.

We talked about consciousness and the evolution of computers recently. The group recently invested in a projector to show the movie The Secret Life of Plants, which inspired me to buy the book. Anyone who works with plants or eats food should seriously consider reading that book.

This week--tonight--I am going to talk about the basic concepts of Earthships and how they have inspired what we are doing on our land, as well as plans for building in the future. Here is they eflyer that Narveen sent me.

April 26th. 2012

Independent Scholars' Evenings.  7.00 p.m.

EARTHSHIPS: Sustainable self-sufficient homes. 

By 

Krystal Hamilton Case.

Krystal Case will be giving an overview of Earthships, and their style of sustainability.

Ms. Case will talk about the basic concepts behind Earthships, her experiences building with them, and plans for the future.

At the end of her presentation, Ms. Case  will talk briefly about how she and her husband are in the process to retrofit their home to this style. 

About the topic:

Earthships are eco-friendly and sustainable homes that take care of the environment and people in a responsible manner.

 The basic six components of Earthships are:

1   Build with recycled materials

2   Use thermal and solar heating and cooling

3   Use solar and wind energy

4   Harness water from the sky (rainwater catchment and cisterns)

5   Contained sewage treatment

6   Food production

I pulled these six concepts out of one of the Eartship books (or was it the seminar dvid?).

Narveen has also very kindly agreed to display Maria's goods at the store downstairs next to the Phoenix art gallery. Maria is the woman that we built the Earthship in Guatemala for last November. Her Earthship is still under some progress and Maria still has some money to pay back so that another house can be built for another family. Maria and many of the women in Comalapa do amazing weaving, but do not have a large market near home. I have tried a bit to help get her stuff out in this area and am excited to help her pay off her house while people in this area can enjoy her purses, table runners, blankets, and more (a local cafe called Julie's in Albany IL has agreed to place her things as well, but more on this later).

I am looking forward to some good discussion tonight.