By request, building Bard, a build thread - Page 2

mgramann · 10-28-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradthebard

"My Side of the Mountain" was one of the most influential books of my youth. Not it's context, specifically (though the story was great), but the philosophy behind it.

While they are a bit below my reading level, I have rediscovered these books this year, and along with them, what really matters. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are now 5 books in the series.

My wife and I are currently saving up for a down payment on a cottage. It will have running water and power I'm sure, but it will without compromise border the Nicolet National Forest. I see a trap line in my future, and lots of teachable moments with my kids, when we do decide to have them.

Being a very conservative individual, I am not happy where our country is going, Republican or Democrat in office. I want to be able to retreat to simpler times, and above that, have a "plan B." Instead of dumping extra money into a 401k, or savings account that at the whim of a politician can be made worthless, we have decided to invest our extra retirement savings money towards a cause like this. I'm not a moron, and still saving whatever the company will match, but any excess is going to go into something that will never be without value...

**bradthebard** · 10-28-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metaloholic

I didn't mean to be an sound like an *** so you don't have to treat me like one. Maybe my principles are different. I would want to do what is best for my family and provid for them, no matter how many jobs I have to work. You made your family homeless and sold your house that you worked hard for and for probably much less than it was worth, I don't find any pride in that. You have a family and it's not about you.

I sold my house for it's market value. I had no income and if I stayed put and lost the house, my credit would be ruined, making my families future much shakier. Beyond that, the example I set for my children will not be that of walking away from my commitments.
They had a ball out in the woods. There are more ways to provide for a family than to work a dozen jobs. Bear in mind, I owned the land. I was homeless in the eyes of western culture, but to me, I had a 6.27 acre home and a small, enclosed bedroom. By virtue of my actions, I had virtually no housing expense for four years. That allowed me to rebuild life in a time when jobs were disappearing and wages were dropping like a rock. I lived on less than fifteen grand one of those years during which my family ate well and slept warm. If a man has land and an axe, he has a shelter. If he has a shovel and some clay around too, he has a snug, cosy shelter. The rest is just grit and sweat.

mgramann · 10-28-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metaloholic

I didn't mean to be an sound like an *** so you don't have to treat me like one. Maybe my principles are different. I would want to do what is best for my family and provid for them, no matter how many jobs I have to work. You made your family homeless and sold your house that you worked hard for and for probably much less than it was worth, I don't find any pride in that. You have a family and it's not about you.

Where did he not provide for his family? While they weren't living with him, he made sure they had a safe place to live while he worked to better their life. Family helps out one another, including in-laws.

I bet his family learned more during this time than could have been taught in any school. Your principles are the same, but your values are different. What he did is not much different than what the foundations of our country were built around.

You once again are reverting to a luxury mentality that most people in the U.S. consider typical, or minimalist, when, in actuality, is luxury plain and simple. He does not have to provide it, especially if the absence of that is beneficial in the long run.

You also couldn't be more wrong about bailing on a loan. Where is your sense of personal responsibility? If he jumped, the house would have been sold for even less, leaving the bank to make up the difference.

Metaloholic · 10-28-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradthebard

I sold my house for it's market value. I had no income and if I stayed put and lost the house, my credit would be ruined, making my families future much shakier. Beyond that, the example I set for my children will not be that of walking away from my commitments.
They had a ball out in the woods. There are more ways to provide for a family than to work a dozen jobs. Bear in mind, I owned the land. I was homeless in the eyes of western culture, but to me, I had a 6.27 acre home and a small, enclosed bedroom. By virtue of my actions, I had virtually no housing expense for four years. That allowed me to rebuild life in a time when jobs were disappearing and wages were dropping like a rock. I lived on less than fifteen grand one of those years during which my family ate well and slept warm. If a man has land and an axe, he has a shelter. If he has a shovel and some clay around too, he has a snug, cosy shelter. The rest is just grit and sweat.

If you had the support of your family behind you and all is well then I wish you the best. Living on less that 15 grand a year truly is an accomplishment.

**bradthebard** · 10-28-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metaloholic

Living on less that 15 grand a year truly is an accomplishment.

The more you understand, the less you need.

**yjislander** · 10-28-2009, 10:54 PM

I need updates in the story man, I need pictures.........and answers. This is one of the most interesting stories I have read in a while.

iananderson17 · 10-28-2009, 11:13 PM

"As it happens Bud Light freezes at those temperatures. Miller Light does not. Words to live by."

Absolutely classic. Great story, and really inspiring. Congratulations on what you've been able to do, as not many could, perhaps including myself. Incredible story.

Oregun · 10-29-2009, 01:16 AM

Excellent story, Brad

Quote:

As it happens Bud Light freezes at those temperatures. Miller Light does not. Words to live by.

I sense there will be more words to live by, in the upcoming entries.

Based on this story so far, I'd say you've proved yourself as a man, in a world where there are few up to the task

Stoked99 · 10-29-2009, 01:42 AM

Truly amazing. I will be following intently.

corndogduff · 10-29-2009, 02:40 AM

Wow. I'll be reading that for sure.

You should write a book.

**yjislander** · 10-29-2009, 09:18 AM

Still waiting man. I bumping you back to the first page for others to see this.

**bradthebard** · 10-29-2009, 09:32 AM

New entry with a couple pics.

Quote:

Throughout the rest of the winter, work went extremely slow. I spent more time with my family being warm and stopped in every few days to look and plan and take care of the dogs. I built a large strawbale doghouse for them, a sort of tarped off igloo that kept them cozy and warm. I February, needing to get closer to the project, we rented a cheep apartment in the nearest town so I could see my wife and kids while I worked on the cabin.

As spring began to sprung, work commenced. I purposely built a pole structure because I wanted to get a roof on it as quickly as possible. The stem wall and bond beam that would support the perimeter wall was not in and, as it would be a non

I learn to Fly

**Chris** · 10-29-2009, 09:59 AM

Brad that looks alot like the structure I am in the process of building in my yard except a little nicer. Here is a couple of pics of mine. How did you stay sane getting the bark off the logs? I hated it and I still have 4 more to go. Mine is much smaller and I am not putting walls on it but building a BBQ and bar under it, I have more done but no pics. When are you gonna post some pics of the finished product?

**bradthebard** · 10-29-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Chris_

How did you stay sane getting the bark off the logs? I hated it and I still have 4 more to go.

I just picked up the knife and started going. If you focus on the size of the job you never get anything done. It's a battle won in inches. Feels like your getting nowhere and then you look up and you're most the way there!

Here are some teasers as it nears completion. The north wall is tore out again now because of a busted pipe in a wall. I will be rebuilding that wall and section soon. More pics will be in the blog as the story unfolds.

The bricks are from an old schoolhouse in Farmington Mo, the rocks you see were gathered from the creek down the hill. About 80% of the lumber used on the project was salvaged, some of it was purchased new when JFK was president. The roof structure and some of the interior partition wall studs were the only new lumber purchased during the build. The first pic is my youngest "why".

More to come...

**Chris** · 10-29-2009, 10:44 AM

That really cool, Does your state have any requirements or permits needed? In CA I can't build a trash can holder without paying the government.