Description
Book SynopsisBuilding a Revolution, one handful at a time.
In the face of widespread burnout and a world gone crazy, how do we find things to say yes to, rather than a resounding no?
On North America''s West Coast, there''s a group of rebel women who ten years ago chose to break free from a rigged economic and social system. They didn''t take to the streets to lobby banks and governments to change their ways - they didn''t have time for that. They had babies to feed and house. They reckoned that if nobody else was going to change the rules to support basic human needs and respect the biosphere, then we are all free to make our own rules.
They chose action. They decided to teach themselves how to build houses using the most abundant material on earth - mud. They''d learn by building, gathering skills and allies. They''d have fun, sharing whatever they learned with whoever wanted to come along for the ride. The Mudgirls revolution was born.
Part story of rebel wo
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART I: A HISTORY WRITTEN IN MUD
Chapter 1: Our Ways of Building
Guiding Principle: We mostly work with unprocessed natural and recycled materials to create and decorate beautiful and healthy structures that are earth friendly.
Guiding Principle: We believe this work is so important that we cannot wait until we are all experts. No matter the level of experience, we value each individual for their contribution and abilities and believe strongly in skill-building on the worksite.
We Went for It: Creating the World We Wanted to Live In
The Measuring Tape: Skill-Building as a Priority. A Non-intimidating Approach to Building
Fast, Cheap and Out of Control: Permits = Limits
Messages from Mud: It's Not About How Much You Know, But How Much You Believe in What You're Doing
Case Studies: Ray and Soozie's Place; Measure Twice, Think Three Times, Cut Once, Because Chainsaws Are Forever
Chapter 2: Women's Work
Guiding Principle: We are a women's collective and seek to empower ourselves with employment and the skills to build homes.
No Boys Allowed: Why We Chose (and Still Choose) An All-woman Crew
We Play With Dollies: Work Smarter Not Harder
Our Heroines: Other Women that Are Rockin' the Natural Building World and Shattering the Status Quo: Athena Steen, Liz Johndrow, and Becky Bee
We Love Dudes: And Dudes Love Us
Case Studies: Chris's Contribution; Set the Men Free; No, Really, She's Doing It; Contribution from Todd Turik (One Man Among Many Women)
Chapter 3: Rethinking Work
Guiding Principle: We are a collective that is human friendly: we recreate our concepts of work to prioritize respect and care for our hearts, our bodies, and our children while we work together. We create a work environment that nurtures us.
Large and in Charge: The Empowerment Inherent in Working for Oneself
It's Our Worksite, and We'll Cry If We Want To: Allowing Space for Emotions, Needs, and Limitations on the Worksite
Bigger Isn't Always Better: Dealing with the Expectations of of Conventional "Efficiency" Versus the Efficiencies Long-term Learning, Safety, Skill-sharing, and Community-building
Baby, I Like It Raw: Maintaining the Connection with Raw Materials and Raw Power
Case Studies: Ode to the Old: Hand Tools and Handy Elders
Soul Food: Nurturing Our Bodies
Recipies: Smoked Tofu Potato Salad; Bethany's Rice Pudding; Coconut Curried Lentils; Energy Balls
Chapter 4: Caring for the Children
Guiding Principle: All our events are child and parentfriendly with quality childcare always provided.
Our Kids Are Your Kids: A Better Model for the Greater Good
Take Your Child to Work Day, Every Day: Why Mandatory, Built-in Childcare Makes Sense, and Why It's Not Always Perfect
The Children of the Revolution: Children as Active Members of the Community
Case Studies: How the Inner Child Schooled the Adult Attitude: Youth Facilitation as a Non-parent; That One Time I Almost Lost My Kids and My Mind, and the Silly Play That Saved Us All; Life After Motherhood; Participant/Mother Contribution
Chapter 5: Rethinking "Business"
Guiding Principle: We seek to do our business in a non-capitalist spirit. We keep the cost of natural building affordable by keeping our wages low, offering our workshops for barter, building for low-income people as much as we can.
Ménage à Trois: The Breakdown of Our Workshop Structure
How Much Is Too Much?: The Quest to Practice Sustainable Idealism
Who Needs Money When There's Mud Everywhere?: A Low Income Plus Resourcefulness Equals Creative Power
Client-friends and Friend-clients: Keeping a Healthy Building Relationship Without Contracts
Case Studies: Molly's House; Trade Ya a Small House for a Website?
Chapter 6: Who's the Boss?
Guiding Principle: We are structured non-hierarchically. Each member is equally valued and has equal say in decision-making. Guiding Principle: We use the teachings of Compassionate Communication to create a peaceful, mutually respectful, and revolutionarily harmonious group process.
The Internal Workings of The Mudgirls: How We Make Decisions
Don't Tell Me What to Do
Mycorrhiza: A Symbiosis Inspired by Nature Keeps the Collective Rollin'
Case Studies: The Voice of Dissent, and How We Hate to Love It; A Model of Our (Ideal) Steps to Resolve Conflict
Chapter 7: Building a Revolution
Guiding Principle: We work together to create this collective as we go, nurturing the creative and inventive and courageously open to the process of transformation.
Build It and They Will Come: The Search for Other Ways of Living
Don't Muddy the Waters: Trying to Live by Example
Case Studies: Our Collective's Babies: Mudmob in Australia and The Good Earth Builders
PART II: THANKS TIPS! (PRACTICAL BUILDING MATTERS)
Chapter 8: Materials and Tools
Clay Sourcing Tips
How to Test Your Clay
Sand, Sand, and Sand
Fiber
Lumber
Mud Tools
Woodworking Tools
What Trowel to Use and Why
Chapter 9: Recipes
Clay Paint Recipes That Work
Paint #1
Paint #2
Pigment
Adhesion Coats
Lime Water, Lime Wash
Starch Paste (Wheat Paste)
Plasters
Manure Plaster
Clay Plaster
Lime Plaster
Chapter 10: Tips to Success (We Screwed Up and Learned Stuff)
Dry Stack Rock Foundation Tips
Dry Stack Rock Foundations for Straw Bale Walls
How to Fix Cracks
Why Cob Walls Fall
Wall Systems Pros and Cons
Build Your House in Ten Steps!
Endnotes
Index
About the Author
A Note about the Publisher
