Is that Kane Co. IL? The sale at the fairgrounds? We used to sell antiques and junk there about 20 years ago when we lived up that way. A great place to sell and buy. Wish I could have been there. There's not many things like that go on right around here. I really miss it. Just curious do you remember the price range of their plate flowers and stuff? I hate it when the recycling and trash places won't let you have anything. Won't even let you buy anything.

I know this is way late for the original post. Good luck in whatever you do. Trying to get governments to accept composting toilets and grey water systems is still something of a challenge here in the US. There are a couple places that do but they are rare. About a complete greywater system, I would probably be edgy about using such a "system" even if I could find one. The main rule about greywater is each situation is specific so there are very few general rules that can be of use. The more automatic and complex a system is, the less likely it is to survive and the more costly in manufactured parts. The simpler and more manual a system, the more functional. When I say simple, I'm talking like a hose from the washer to the mulch pits around the orchard and carrying the dish pan out and watering the plants with it after doing the dishes. Most of these simple methods are more appropriate to places that probably have a septic system but people want to make use of the water rather than wasting it. I know there is some one posting on the humanure handbook forum about problems they are having because they don't have a septic system installed on a property somewhere in Ohio. Any updates on your situation?

Ladena, thank you for enjoying my yard with me. And I'm glad somebody else was inspired by Felder's pictures. The great thing about seeing them is realizing how there is no right or wrong way to make a bottle tree -- 'anything goes'. When you get your bottle tree done, or even part done, we'd love to see it. We're calling on all bottle tree'ers to show us their stuff ... :-)

Warning-grumpy vent/rant ahead! "I don't consider it a priority for me, it's just something I do. It is much easier since the kids are grown and of course the house was not neat when they were in the house." Allison, sorry to pick on you; I noticed the same sentiment from a couple of other folks who have responded in this thread. Frankly, people without kids living at home, IMO, are living in a different universe as far as ease of keeping a home clutter free. I'm a neat and tidy person myself. So is my husband, with one important exception (more on that later). When I lived alone, and after we married but before kids, it was not a huge or impossible task to keep my living area clutter free and serenely tidy. Now, after 19 years and 2 kids and with those 2 both teenagers...forget it. I would like to hear from some folks in this topic who are experiencing life at its 'fullest', ie living with children, pets, a couple of fulltime jobs for the adults in the house, no household help. I want to learn how THOSE folks are living the dream of a house with empty horizontal surfaces :). As for me, I have all the above clutter creators in addition to living in a house built in 1950 with a single (not walk in) closet in each of 3 bedrooms and one (narrow) linen closet in the hall. No other storage. I sort mail and throw it away. I have places for everything. Etc etc etc. My house is also filled with stuff and between the kids and my packrat husband (who loves to bring home stuff OTHER people have thrown away-arrgh) clutter free is not happening. And it won't for a long, long time. Sorry to pick on ya, Allison and the other neatniks. But to make amends, can I ship a couple of teens and maybe a husband to you? That would free up a LOT of clutter around my abode! Ann