30 years self-reliant: family $10K/year homestead & dugout
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 янв 2022
- In 1978 the Howards were urban professionals. Wanting a simpler, more meaningful life on a smaller budget, the family-of-4 lived on $18K/year, reducing costs to $10K/year after moving to their "intentional" Colorado homestead.
They moved into an abandoned double-wide trailer on their 35 acre property and began raising chickens and goats for milk, as well as tending a large garden. After 17 years in the mobile home, they began to build a larger home themselves, cutting local trees for beams and collecting stones for the walls. It took them seven years to construct the home which is one big "great room" connected to the old trailer by a small door. For cooking and heating, they use a wood-fired stove, as well as the Rumford fireplace they built from plans found at the library.
Many of their appliances are human-powered which they see as “appropriate technology”. "One thing you'll notice around here", explains Evan, "Is that if you're going to do things by hand, you're got cranking: almost everything cranks". They hand crank: their grain mill for flour, their ice cream churner, their apple cider press, and even their washing machine which Cheri has dubbed her "Pleasure Washer". Evan has used his extensive collection of primitive hand tools to make everything from cabinet drawers to chair legs.
The couple doesn’t feel they are making a sacrifice (except perhaps when dumping the compost toilet in mid-winter) but instead view the extra labor as “play” and something that keeps them healthy in mind and body. The couple generates a minimum income from online classes Evan teaches.
They compare their lives to those of monks and believe the geography of space is important. When Evan found a spot on the property with perfectly-aligned rocks for a dugout, he knew this would be his monastic “sanctuary” or “cell”. He spent six years using a pickaxe to dig the underground hut.
For Evan's dugout hut go to: • 30 years self-reliant:...
spiritualityshoppe.org
On *faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/30-y... - Хобби
13:28
"Do we know what we're doing? No, you get books, you read directions, you ask questions"
That's a pearl of wisdom
I paused and wrote it down!
I too was struck by her deep wisdom! It’s how I raised my children and how I truly view life! God bless this couple AND the creators of such inspirational and fun content!!!
I find it funny that they never mentioned using the internet once lol only books
I am always in awe of people that take risks like this and are self-taught and self-reliant. It's a stoicism that gets harder to find in our modern world. Super interesting couple.
Hola . Pongan taductor en español
Hola muy bueno pero falta traductor en español
Couldn’t agree more :)
Not sure being stoic is part of it but I agree with the rest of what you said!
Isn't it more of a "risk" to just follow society norms and wake up one day full of regrets?
In all of the chaos this world brings on to me in many different layers lately, your channel restores my peace, strokes my hair and pets my soul once a week. By far one of the best channels on RUclips. Thank you, all the best and keep it going... please.
Try the bible. Its great!
This phrase said by Evan brought me well-being: "certain patterns of how we discover truth, those dynamics are the same or similar throughout history"
And another quote of Evan: "that is the space of all spaces ,where i am most me"
I admire these self-reliant people so much, they are incredibly brave to learn as they go. Seems like they face each steep learning curve with great joy. Amazing!
It sounds like you're feeling sorry for yourself, this is a lot of fun period as long as you can handle challenging yourself and wanting to see the world Anew every day and never be bored and be free
The rewards are endless and the happiness is sincere
Certainly shows what a good team and partnership can do together!
-Adam
@@openeverydoor8879 how is the commenter feeling sorry for themselves? Because they admire others? I'd love to live like this, but I don't and I definitely don't feel sorry for myself. I'm so lucky to have the home I have.
Perhaps just more aware of the insanity in society than most folks are.
The old guy doesnt sound like he is old. He s got a very nice voice with a combo of a man and a woman. Very nice to hear.
Salute to this couple for living in a very modest way and debt free
I was wondering his voice sounds quite feminine. Why do you think that might be?
The Dirksen family has got to be the happiest most blessed of all RUclips families. Their children are adorable and you can tell they are so happy. We need more families like this in the world.
Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your travels and adventures with the world.
I've learned so much from your channel. Mainly that you really don't need much to be happy in this life.
**The less you have the more you have**
It is really fun how you include and immerse your kids in these kinds of experiences, and how they become part of the story. Most of the people you interview enjoy explaining and showing stuff to your kids, and your kids are so naturally curious. It turns it from a National Geographic documentary into a really fun family show -- and makes it more relevant and interesting..
agreed, I like how everyone in the fam is chill and curious and respectful
I look forward to their future selves. They’ll be well rounded, thoughtful, idea- filled citizens.
I agree
This video, and the other video featuring Johannes’ hermitage in the Italian alps, are both so interesting! Please continue to feature monastically inclined folks!
Yes indeed!
Agreed! Well said. 💖
I too am really inspired by monasticism. I loved that Evan tries to follow a monastic rhythm. This was a fabulous video to watch. Thank you.
@@melhawk1352 9
Our peripatetic friend, Johannes! loved him too.
Have to say, this life style isn't for me. However, I'm so impressed with this couple, their passion and unending pursuit of learning and growth.
Weakling
Kirsten, you are doing THE ENCYCLOPEDIA of the alternative homes and alternative living. You, your husband and your kids are becoming a legend. Congratulations for showing us some livings out of the beaten track.
I feel both elated and wistful when I watch many of these videos. Elated that people have chosen to live outside the box of "normal" society and wistful that I did not know it could be done this way. This couple are amazing - seekers and learners and do-ers. Thank you as always for
Kirsten, how do you continue to find these amazingly inspirational people over and over again? Great work! Love your channel!
if she told, everyone would start doing it right?
How life should be lived. They both have such vigor, very wise and creative. Living their dream. They will be forever young.
then why do they look old?
@@stevenbarton5949 Because age isn't determined by sight - the way idiots weigh out stuff. Thats why.
I love these people. Part of me would love to live like that but can't because my husband is disabled.
Thank you for letting is live thru these beautiful people.
I learned how to wring clothes like that as a child. So lovely to grow up with a great grandmother
Wow! How many times did you have put it through the wringer many times?
Before I continue watching the video I want to say that I really enjoy your videos.
Thank you!
Yeah, me too. So many interesting people/buildings.
Simple life!
I live in Miami Florida, it's impossible for you to live in a tiny home. So I decided to purchase a sailboat and living it. I've been watching your videos for over 6 years I know you inspire so many people. Please never stop making your videos. I just have one question how was the goat ice cream?
@@FishingwithCristina I'm curious as well as to how it tastes.
This reminds me of my grandparents home in Mexico. I loved their ingenuity growing up but for others this was just considered poor living. So idk how to feel about this one. There was so much shame growing up this way. Glad times are changing and people are being praised now for living in this manner.
appreciate your honesty.
Michelle 🕸 Everything has beauty, bur not everyone sees it. Confucius 😍
Being self sufficient is not being poor... it is the ultimate luxury
Any mention of frugal, anti-consumer living and you get a load of insults hurled at you. I was called a scrouge for suggesting kids receive only three Xmas gifts. I wonder how many low quality gifts end up in the trash before the next Xmas.
I understand completely. They had children when they started this life and only after 17 years did they start building the attached home that took another 7 years.
While their children likely learned wonderful lessons in self-sufficiency, they also probably had to do without a lot of things other children had. ( I don't mean expensive toys and video games, but the basics of say new clothes for school each year. Maybe a bike etc.)
Thank you for your honesty. I sometimes think this lifestyle is romantized to the point that people forget how tough it can be and children never get to choose their circumstances.
But hopefully these college educated people gave their children the greatest gift, an education. With a real education their kids will have the option as they did to decide how they want to live.
This couple are true artists and their home and ranch are works of art in process. Great video, thank you for sharing this interest couple with us. Did my heart good watching :-)
I've lived in a monastery, I miss that kind of pace and loneliness :) this video made me realize I miss my retreat cabin, I'll have to make myself one.
Amazing! How long did you live in the monastery?
Awesome! My husband and I are currently rebuilding a single wide trailer that we bought very cheap on 10 acres in the Appalachians. We are using old barn wood and old weathered fence boards. We are making our own beams and have three cedar trees inside the house to support the beams. We are covering the exterior with a mixture of corrugated metal and Shou sugi ban wood siding. The floors are a mix of shou sugi ban plywood and recycled pallets. We salvaged a stainless steel kitchen industrial sink from our local school system.
Our property is overloaded with river rock and we are using that for the foundation and other touches.
This couple is truly amazing. Living off grid is truly the life. We lived off grid with a composting toilet without running water for 4 years...we would still live that way but are currently taking care of an 81 year old parent who needs amenities.
Great channel!
Sounds interesting, are the three cedar trees living?
Wow, so cool! I love to see people living their own authentic lives, not concerned with societal pressures to conform. Love seeing Western Colorado landscape too! I grew up in New Mexico, Utah, and Grand Junction Colorado, so enjoy seeing the amazing topography of those landscapes, they are like a postcard from the high desert. In their monastic lives, I send them much love and many blessings.
They have the "daily grind" for flour, laundry, juice...great to see someone "later" in life, I always wondered how some of the earlier alternative places managed aging. Inspirational.
I was expecting an entirely different kind of "dugout".😉
But when Evan explained what he does there, I thought of my little meditation/ditty I got when sitting by a camp fire one evening. It goes like this:
"Thank you for the sacred space
Between the words,
To hear the voice of my soul."
Loved their home and all their projects!💗💗💗
Hello dear , how are you doing?
This is perhaps your best video yet, which is saying a lot, as your videos are excellent. The subject matter certainly doesn't hurt. I also love when you involve your children in the background. They add another dimension.
To be able to live in peace and be Blessed by the work of your own hands and ingenuity with your loved ones... Priceless!!
It's amazing to see how your kids have grown. I'm reminded of one of your earlier episodes - the one where you took off on the road in the VW Westfalia - the kids were so little then. Besides the years of inspiration and entertainment you have provided for your viewers, you must have an amazing archive of family movies I'm sure you will cherish forever. Thanks for exploring the lives of these interesting people the world over. Keep up the great work!
I love this stuff & what a place they've created that's grounded in practicality & wellness. I bought a 70's trailer in the former city/town of Charlotte, on Haida Gwaii. Fixed it up with help of an artist with spruce root for holding my 1" Copper Pipe curtain rod over the living room Bay window, with a view of the Charlotte Harbour & bay, one block from the grocery store.
We removed the screened vents above the kitchen & bathroom to get a larger window area for a sheet of ice crystal stain glass in the bathroom & a sweet smaller rendition of my view. Inset a beautiful red-brown streaked on pale inner pith of the Spruce root for support, when exiting or entering bathtub/ shower with a twisted, strong & long slender handle. The baby poop yellow tub had a rusted front, so with White pine planks we covered it. Then built a 4 inch shelf flush with the top of the tub. We foraged for the last bits of sea-worn tree limbs, where the tree & limb meetdisguise
I especially like the Howard's conjecture that physical fitness would ideally be productive activities. It reminds me of the exercise bikes that charge batteries used to power the home.
This is what I can imagine is a life well lived, actively doing what they felt was the right way for them, instead of spending their lives waiting for retirement to then do what they always wanted to do in their lives. They are amazing people.
This couple are AMAZING. they certainly need to teach HUMANITY a thing or 3. Incredibly beautiful couple. It's an honor to have met them. Thank you
Hello dear ,how are you doing?
these folks are some of my favorite ever. truly inspiring. been following your channel for a real long time. much love and blessings and health to the family !
💯
Wonderful family the Howards ...!!
So relaxed. That's what I'm talking about. Gotta make the moves that make u happy inside. Smart moves with animals, solar, etc. Wow. Good work
I have goosebumps hearing their own narrative mirrors mine. Thank you all sincerely.
Such determined to be selfless and joyful, amazing inner tenacity. Wonderful. Thank you for this.
Love this episode. Thank you for sharing these people’s stories. It’s truly inspirational.
What sweet people.
They have it right.
It is wonderful to see people that understand you bring meaning, health, and happiness to your life when you create it for yourself.
This couple are inspirational. I feel like there are lessons learnt from watching this and definitely things that could be adopted and integrated into my life for the better. Will watch this again and take notes. I love how open your kids are to new things. 🙂
00
For people who don't know what they do, they do it quite well!
What a great episode ! Love how this couple are in tune with a hands on working of life , and what great shape they are in !
Talk about your ''cranky'' old folks --
When work is your play, then you've effectively beat the system.
With the nascent (but growing) ''Great Resignation'', maybe a more contemplative work/play instinct will emerge -- And what satisfaction in seeing the beautiful results of all that hard playing!
How many Kirsten Dirksen videos have I watched now? I think they are my favorite series on RUclips. There's one, the adobe house in Santa Fe, that I have watched numerous times. But every one of these videos is simply fascinating. Thank you for all of them.
I feel good. Thanks for another brilliant story and all my respect to this wonderful couple.
I love what you've done. There's a Lady in Ireland you'd love. Colette at Bealtaine Cottage has done something similar all on her own! I'm making plans to do the same at 67! Blessings to you smart people.
Awesome this man and his wife have found the fountain of life, they have so much life force energy. This was a real treat to watch thanks for sharing.
Wow...I wish I was as cool and accomplished as these two wonderful people.
I was brought up on the saying, "If you want to know how to do something, get a book!" I can still remember my mother telling us this every time we asked her how to do something. I'm now 71 years old, bought my very first home (a mobile home) in as-is condition. I have learned every step of the as-is renovation! Thank you for sharing! It helps me to know that while it may take me awhile to get my home completed, I'm on the right track!
This... is kind of amazing. Thank you for sharing the wonderful lives of these fine people.
I always love the interesting ideas of home/shelter/life that you bring to us. Thank you.
Oof, when he said the Earth embraces him, I've felt that hug. These are officially some of my favorite people!
I love this channel! It seems as if covering self sufficient homesteads is a journey along side those who built their journeys in the form of a homestead. Their process leaves me with them on their journeys as much as the artful way you do your visits to them! Thank you for sharing your and their journeys!
I have never seen beams that size before......amazing.....
Been following you for about 4 years and I have to say this is my favorite vídeo.Incredible human beings ❤️!
I enjoy Kristens videos so much. She has enhanced me and my grandsons life 10 fold.
Dirksten family, thank you for all your videos. I consider your work to be very important!
I AM IMPRESSED AND LOVE YOUR BEAUTIFUL, INVITING HOME !!!
i love how theyve spent so much time together that they say the same thing at the same time sometimes, i hope this is my fiance and i in 30 years.
You always give us very interesting videos, but this is my favorite ever! I wouldn't enjoy this lifestyle (or at least, not unless I had a partner who would enjoy it with me), but watching this interesting couple show off what they've built over decades was extremely interesting and entertaining. I also enjoyed seeing your beautiful children. P.S. I love the great room!! I like having everything together in one big room, it makes a family closer.
OMG. The man is full of energy, knowledgeable and above all smart. Yes life is all about activities. Most important activities must make you happy or else we are not living a life of its fullest.
Your children are really growing and you and your husband are providing them an education that few can even comprehend, bravo.
Amazing. So cool and creative what people can accomplish with time and determination.
Doing nearly the same thing! We bought a property cheap with a rundown mobile home. Still have the mobile home, but we’re also just starting year 2. Foundation of the new house is nearly done. Wife has become quite adept with hand washing our laundry. Didn’t bring our washer/dryer, got gifted one (with intent of paying later) only to find out the hose didn’t work. Just recently got a grain mill. Its become an every other day thing, we’re baking more now than when we just bought it pre-ground. I love what he says about manual labor and appropriate technology. I’d rather spend a bit of extra time using a tool that’ll last decades, can be easily repaired and passed down. Than buy a time saving tool I’ll need to replace every few years.
It must be a challenging (but rewarding) lifestyle! Do you have a washer like them?
@@barnabyvonrudal1 by washer you mean water bin or tub. In our case we have 2 galvanized tubs but also mostly use a bath tub. And yes we have the same looking hand wringer they do. We wrung them out by hand for about a month and got so many blisters! Plus every time we hung the clothes and by that time it was in the hallway using some cup hooks the previous owner had placed near the ceiling, it’d drip for the 1st hour making us have to watch our step or dirty towels to clean up the mess. Repurposed an old falling apart fence which conveniently had 2 posts tall enough to make a clothesline outside. You can guess how many people we spotted slowing down and staring at us as we hung our laundry in the middle of the winter. It works perfectly fine btw :D dragging wood fence posts set in place with concrete isn’t fun! Even more so when you have to dig it up later as you stupidly put them in at a 90 degree angle. Angle them away from each other, and place a board in front of the posts under the dirt.
@@stephenleaf3848 sounds like fun (maybe for a few days 😁). How long does it take to dry?
@@barnabyvonrudal1 around 2-3 days. Its called sublimation. This last time she brought out clothes she had to come back in and put on gloves it was so cold out, by the time she got back out they had started freezing in the bin.They were very stiff, but a few hours later we were noticing some of them swaying in the wind, suggesting they had shed most of their water and were not frozen solid anymore. We did have to bring in a sweater the following morning it was nearly fully dry up to around 6” from the bottom where it was still very wet. So it does take twice as long as during the summer, summer time if you don’t collect them around sundown, you won’t be able to collect them in the morning, the condensation (morning dew) makes it so you have to wait till around noon or so.
Really wonderful! Thank you for this glimpse into their magical lives
Hello 👋 dear ,how are you doing?
'Monastic Rhythm'.... this is exactly what me and my wife were talking about today but struggling to articulate. Very timely, enjoyed it a lot. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this inspiring spiritual journey! What a Zen gift these individuals have created for themselves. One of my favorites. I really admire them.
Oh my goodness, this is my dream! I’d love to do this here in Oregon! 🥰🥰🥰
Our family did. But it was at about the same as these folks, and we aged faster!
A beautiful film, thank you for your work.
I love all of your videos but this one is by far my favorite. The couple that you are interviewing, they give me such peace and harmony when watching and listening to them, simple enjoy this video. Thanks for sharing
This is absolutely brilliant. 'We got an Architect to approve what we were doing. Did we know what we were doing? No'
What an absolutely imspirational, focused, intelligent and free-thimking couple these two are!! Their home is friendly, energetic and peaceful.....what a joy it must be living and loving life here! Thanks to all of you for sharing this amazing home with us....Peace to all...♥︎♡♥︎♡♥︎♡♥︎♡
Glad you two found the way of life that fit your philosophy. Keep on cranking.
I love these little life vignettes, inspiration at its most divinely beautiful. Thank you for sharing, your perspective never disappoints.
This was fantastic! Expanded my ideas about what my future could be like. Also their eldest daughter is so tall now! Lovely to reflect on the kids when they were small.
You bet.
Fantastic! I’m from Colorado and the area you built your home is one of the most beautiful areas in the state.
This is one of the best of the Videos you have made...and that is saying a lot.
Your children have been blessed in growing up this way.
This was so interesting. Your kids are having a wonderful experience visiting all these homes and lifestyles. It will be interesting to see if their future home is influenced by any of these homes they visited in their youth.
Exactly. My middle son used to love bike riding so that's what we did. Sometimes a10 hour day. On one of these trips we ended up in a little town by a lake. He loved it so much he bought a house by that Lake that looks like a little log cabin when he married his sweetheart of 10 years. What children experience can effect their life decisions later on. I'm so glad I made all that memories with him so long ago.
These are gorgeous people! Very special. Young, creative, intelligent, active, thoughtful, the list goes on. Thanks for sharing their story.
This couple is very young at heart.
prayer is speaking and listening, AND the space in between. LOVE THAT
Wow- Most younger people I know couldn’t accomplish all of this let alone 60 ish people myself included. This is fabulous.
I really love how these people live 👍 I especially liked the video of the monk in Italy, living on the mountain. I was hooked 👍 I crave this peaceful existence.
You find the most amazing people. Thank you.
Definately an A+ couple !
Never doubt simplicity !
Such amazing people. Love their spirit
Your videos often offer a breath of such refreshing down to earth sanity
Been watching this channel for a couple of weeks. This, by far, is my favorite.
What an inspiring couple. I am awe-struck by their relationship and approach to weaving values, family, Earth, and life. Thank you for this!
I feel like I just met my people. These are the people I would love to hang out with and help them build. So cool 😎
FLYING BY THE SEAT OF THEIR PANTS
JUST PUTTERING AROUND
THEY CREATED A MAGICAL PLACE
DIGGING INTO THE GROUND
DON'T LET YOUR MIND YONDER
OR SCATTER AND FADE
LIVE IT WITH EMOTIONAL VIGOR
LEARNING EACH AND EVERY DAY
IN THE MOUNTAINS OR WHEREVER
OFF GRID OR ON
RESOURCE YOUR ABILITY
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
BUILD AND READ
LEARN AND APPLY
HOLD TIGHTLY TO YOUR FREEDOM
AND TOUCH THE SKY
one of the greatest channels there is! ❤ thank you so much, I love all your beautiful videos. I've been following since the kids were tiny, they are so big now! ❤
So interesting and inspiring. I'd love to do something like this one day. Did anybody else feel like the gentleman's voice totally didnt go with his body though?? Couldnt get over it!
THIS is what I've been looking for! That is, somebody (or a couple) living in a spacious one room home featuring a large fireplace (their type of fireplace is usually found only in old movies in a castle) and plenty of light. Wonderful couple - truly an interesting pair.
This is outstanding in every way.
I enjoyed every second of watching your video thank you for sharing it with us
I absolutely love it when she says "we fly by the seat of our pants!" These two are fantastic, my kinda style... Well done!
i just love this couple. i would love to retire and live sustainably and intentionally like them.
Really loved what they're doing here, caring for every detail and seeing it as fun and experimentation, not only hard work.
Very inspiring! Thanks for making such good content and sharing the experiences of others for everyone to see and learn from.
Outstanding. I wish I had the opportunity to stuff like this. This is one of your best finds.