We’re actually debt free, except for our mortgage. I’m not sure I’ve mentioned that before, but even if so it’s worth repeating lest you think we are spending extravagantly to maintain and develop our dream. Um, no. The truth is that I support nine people (and two dogs, two cats, nine ducks, six chickens, myriad …

It’s a 1998 Ford Expedition. The unspoken Law of the Forest dictates that every citizen thereof have a dog, a gun, and a pickup. Well, when I had the choice, I opted for a Jeep. So no truck. Our neighbor has a pickup, but the second time I ever borrowed it I busted the back …

I’m a busy guy. I’m also a cheapskate; I have to be to support a family this size on one income (and be out of debt, did I mention?). So when I started thinking about designing a new house, and found that it meant either buying and learning house-designing software, or buying a Wintel machine …