A Low-Cost Cabin Built with Womanpower!

(Page 4 of 4)

September/October 1979
By the Mother Earth News editors 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

However, Cynthia and I were still the designers and builders, intimately acquainted with every log, notch, and nail . . . and you can't put a price on that!

RELATED CONTENT

AN UNEXPECTED, UNPLANNED BONUS

During the first year of our life in the cabin, the loft created by the steep roof above the kitchen wasn't used as sleeping quarters. . . it was still unfinished, and we needed the extra storage space. Just recently, however, this area got our undivided attention. The little room was given added insulation, a fiberboard covering, and a lot of personal care in decoration.

Once the loft was completed, it became obvious to us that the "need" room was, without doubt, the warmest spot in the house . . . and the most comfortable place to sleep, even on subzero nights. What's more, we found that we were overcome by pleasant sensations and feelings of peace there. Sleep became much more restful, and we awoke each morning unusually alert, happy, and eager to face the day. This puzzled us at first, but now I think I understand:

Months ago, Cynthia—after reading an article about pyramids in MOTHER NO. 48 (page 162)—constructed a small, properly proportioned cardboard model. The miniature version sat almost forgotten in the cabin for some time, as we'd not yet determined the direction of magnetic north . . . which one side is supposed to face in order to make the structure effective.

One morning, we decided that it might be decorative and beneficial to hang the pyramid from the ridgepole. Cynthia suspended the model—by a piece of wire secured to its apex—about 18 inches down into the room.

"Wait a minute, Cyn," I said. "Take that pyramid and push it up into the angle where the ceiling halves meet."

She did, and we could both see that they fit and matched perfectly! We had, without knowing it, constructed a roof with a peak of the same angle as the pyramid. In effect, we were living in one of the supposedly healthful structures!

The cardboard model will stay in the loft where it was meant to be all along and where—on its own—one side not only finds north but aligns itself with one of the loft walls . . . which we had somehow managed to face to the north also!

Needless to say, we'll continue to spend as much time in the "mystic" room as possible . . . enjoying the restful nights and days full of vitality it seems to bring.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

Please note that there is currently a problem with the comments function and your comment may or may not post successfully. We are working to correct the problem and thank you for your patience. 

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Mother Earth News readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Mother Earth News?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.