Florence




 * Notes on Client brief for Sara and Jim Anderson August 26, 2011 --- Excellent - 96%**

__The Clients’ Vision__ – Upon five acres of land, it is the desire of the Andersons to build a two person Vastu home - The home will be built in support of nature – both home and professional - To build small (self-built) - Must be sustainable – energy efficient, cost effective, in coherence with the land, easy on the eyes - One story building to blend in with the present landscape - Post & Beam construction with straw-bale fill - Structurally insulated walls of R-42 with higher R-value ceiling - Foundation – no basement, no concrete – something like earthbags - Desires off-grid system __Details__ – Infrastructure of electric, gas, roads budget $120,000 - Home will measure 32 X 32 ft. outside or 900 sq. ft. on interior - With wrap-around porch will measure 42 X 42 ft. - Earth foot print = 1600 sq. ft. - Main entrance NORTH with vestibule greenhouse - Double doors EAST - Maximum Vastu size 60 X 60 sq. ft. with garden space - Desires rain water catchment system - Has not decided which system to use for heating home - House will be on NORTHEAST end of property - Must enter property on WEST from existing driveway- will cross creek - House will be on second main nole - South of house some farming – good drainage, sun - Will have one milk cow- functions as lawnmower - There will be one small barn/carport/one stall for milking to WEST of house - Has agreement to lease northern right-a-way from neighbor to add Gazebo - Questions PV or Wind for energy needs (uncertain at this time),also possible gas generator - Will use propane to cook - Will have heat tubes in floor - Passive solar on south side of house - Garden on SOUTH side outside vastu perimeter on high ridge to start, may expand to grow for local Vedic City - Greenhouse garden for experimental purposes to begin – greens, carrots, radishes - Plans for WEST landscape- wild flowers and forage for cow - Home base for the rest of client’s lives, but will be traveling often for professional purposes

__Tuesday August 23__ - **Leopold Field Trip** - Awesomely Amazing!! Three Main Points --- **Excellent 93%** 1) Leopold had the spirit at a very young age, prodigy perhaps, to love, appreciate and want to preserve nature. As he matured, he became a hunter because he felt like predators should be eradicated, only to find a sense of loss of species and loss of the beauty caused by man sparked the realization that predication is fundamental in nature in order for nature to continue its romantic process. He began his mission to poetically write to get people to "understand what they see and to enjoy what they understand." It takes humility through loss to comprehend nature at its deeper levels. 2) In continuing Leopold's work, Steve Bower coined the term "Landscape Metaphor". It is a way of teaching all people, especially the youth, the art of collecting knowledge of native plants on an individual level, which will make them want to share with others which sparks the human reaction to have desire for more of what they "see". This aspect of human intention can be seen as the soil for the Almighty Creator to recreate abundantly a solution to saving the Mother Earth. This theme of collection resonates within human nature, which manifests as the Hunter-Gatherer. 3) In sustainability, Landscape Psychology is of utmost importance. The human response or how we react and interact with the environment depends on how conscious creative minds, usually technological minds, present the material to create mindset. Every decision or cause made by these minds must take all effects into careful consideration. Sustainability is complete only when there are the elements of the process of renewal and wildness, combined with mindset or consciousness of the people.


 * Noticeable Pattern in Nature** - I noticed the tree patterns that grow abundantly along the river...even in the MUM prairie land. This seems so ominous to me personally, that it's beauty commands my attention. It feels mediterranean to me and evokes my reading of the success of tree crops on the hillsides of Corsica...why are we not mimicking this possible solution? Nature tells you where you flourish best...without a doubt!!

Welcome, Cash-flo. I am honored to be a part of this course!! Looking forward to our adventures together!!



__Monday August 22 --__ **Section one excellent. Section two is I think about you more than the text. 87%** Reading from the Sand County Almanac P. 95- 101 - 1) Aldo Leopold conveys his thoughts in a poetic nature that drives the experience of the land with use of the sense and also unites the anatomy of the human with the beauty of nature. This makes nature an extension of man or perhaps man an extension of nature? 2) The author uses familiar human experiences as metaphors to express the the Divine essence of design. He demonstrates the elements of rhythm, sequence, magic, mystery, and freedom as stated by my newest dear friend, Steve Bower. 3) Leopold contemplates the passage of time by observing the details of nature. He also eloquently speaks on the adversities against nature to educate and spawn interest in change in one's thoughts or contemplation.

__Thinking Like A Mountain__ - The human spirit is resistant in the long haul to all the fears and hopes that we encounter in the real world, but with each unseemingly, unsurmountable obstacle, we stand tall as our troubles pass and are sometimes forgotten. Each time we overcome, we begin to objectively observe our mind and these at the time "horrible" experiences do not seem so bad in hind sight. Experiences prepare us for the next and we gain the wisdom of insight, not to be defeated by our fears and hopes. "This too shall pass" is the mantra of those of optimistic faith. If it does not kill us, it will only make us stronger...really if it kills us, then we have the eternal life, thus fear is eradicated.