Re: [GBlist] newcomer reading messages 17570-17577

[Sacie H Lambertson <dlambert@grasshoppernet.com>]

Dear Jones family,
	Your query illicits a much longer response than useful in this forum, but
I would urge patience on your part.  I don't think you'll get better
information anywhere than here, but you will have to thresh it a bit by
simply deleting those messages you will come to know are either not useful,
either because they come from writers who've left a trail of nonsense or
are a subject in which you aren't interested.  Keep reading and you'll come
to know the experienced folks whose words are balanced.  In the last year
or so we've acquired writers who, more than in the past, are polemical
and/or have an axe to grind that has little to do with the business at hand
or are simply young and (overly) idealistic.
	Once you have a fair idea of how you want to build, then ask questions
about the specifics.   And ask again if you don't receive sufficient
response.  I've found this group enormously helpful.  One major suggestion
though, unless you are willing to do the work entirely on your own, stick
to the practices of your community.  There are some excellent suggestions
among the knowledgeable here that simply won't work where you are, either
because there aren't the materials, or more importantly because the subs
won't do it for you.
	More on fat/marine clay off list.
	Sacie Lambertson




At 07:35 PM 25-02-01 -0700, you wrote:
>    I signed on to this looking for common sense  info re. homebuilding,
>heating/cooling/hot water, etc. for a northern plains  working cattle ranch
>. We (age 60's parents, two sons and their families) own  and are the labor
>force providing a valuable, necessary food for the world using  a naturally
>renewable energy source. We need housing for one son and better,  more cost
>effective energy sources for our homes and ranch and personal use 
>vehicles. We are seven to one hundred ten miles from small town and the
>city  where we must go for medical services and ranch supplies and repairs.
>I did not  sign on to read ridiculous political statements re. Catholics,
>Protestants,  Fundamentalists by nature worshipping extremists.Does anyone
>have any practical  experience with straw bale buildings in northern plains
>where the soil expands  and contracts enough to cause problems in most
>concrete basements and  foundations? m.j.