The first part of the 1980s left me feeling desperate. That’s what happened when, after four years of methodical searching, I was giving up hope of ever finding the kind of rural place I wanted to live in. I’d grown up…
If you care about optimizing your health and energy level, you’ve probably come to realize that little lifestyle practices can sometimes deliver big health benefits over time. The energy level and pizzaz of a person in their 70s or 80s,…
Question: Can I safely leave the heat turned off in my cottage over winter when I’m not there? The floor is hardwood and I’m concerned about warping. I’m retired and don’t want to spend the $200 a month it costs…
Many people in the world long for a life in the country, lived on their own terms, close to nature, honest and hands-on. This is more true today than ever, I suspect. A few of these adventurous people take this feeling…
As some of you know, my wife, Mary, was suddenly diagnosed with an advanced case of chordoma in May 2024. That’s a very rare, slow-growing cancer that affects the spine and lower skull. Only one in one million people are…
Got a water line that needs to be protected from frost? Watch an actual installation video that I made a while back showing a smart heating cable on a cottage country water line. This system is so efficient you don’t…
Back in the 1990s, I learned a valuable lesson that I haven’t forgotten. It happened over a ten year period while I interviewed dozens of construction company owners and executives for ongoing articles I wrote for a magazine called Carpenter. The…
Ever thought of building a country life for yourself? Join Steve for part 2 of a 3-part conversation he had helping a young man with questions about setting out to build a modern homesteading lifestyle for himself.
Adding daylight to your home is one of the best things you can do and it’s the ultimate green energy source. Here’s how to make it happen with sunlight tunnels when conventional skylights aren’t an option.
Does your water well let you down with chronically insufficient water? Do you run out of water whenever the weather gets dry? Click below and watch (for free) what might be the most valuable part of my online video course…
Question: How should my husband and I choose an architect? We’ve bought five acres of waterfront property that’s blessed with interesting topography. We envision a small, green home, perhaps using water reclamation technology and solar energy, incorporating local materials. How…
Watch the transformation of day-old Leghorn chicks into full-fledged free-range laying hens. Besides being cute, there are key things you need to do to raise these birds properly.