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America Could End Homelessness In One Year By Doing This

If America really cared about solving the problem of homelessness among it’s citizenry, here’s an idea that would work. Oh- and that opening line references the fact that as far back as 2011 empty houses in America outnumbered homeless families by five times, according to Amnesty International.
Anyway, let’s say the problem with homeless people in America was a result of not enough housing. Then, this idea would work.
Did you know that you can make houses out of plastic bottles? By filling them with sand, and molding them together with mud or cement, the walls created are actually bullet proof, fire proof, and will maintain an comfortable indoor temperature of 64 degrees in the summer time.
And it’s not like there is any shortage on used plastic bottles out there. Here are some statistics from treehugger.com:
“The United States uses 129.6 Million plastic bottles per day which is 47.3 Billion plastic bottles per year. About 80% of those plastic bottles end up in a landfill!”
To build a two bedroom, 1200 square foot home, it takes about 14,000 bottles.
The United States throws away enough plastic bottles to build 9257 of these 2 bedroom houses per day! That’s just over 3.35 million homes, the same number of homeless people in America.


Many people in third world countries have taken up building homes out of plastic bottles, from Africa to Asia. Perhaps the trend will catch on in America and all of those bottles will stop ending up in the landfills. Wouldn’t they be better off housing the homeless? Kinda like all those empty houses scattered all over the country?


Follow The Free Patriot contributor and Iraq War veteran Kevin E Lake on Facebook.



How To Make A Solar Powered Lighted Walkway



http://homestead-and-survival.com/how-to-make-a-solar-powered-lighted-walkway/

Beautify your yard with a lighted pathway using solar lights in glass pavers.

10 Easy Pieces: Rain Chains

Downspouts are one of those items that homeowners like to ignore. And who can blame us? Downspouts are not very attractive. They can be loud when they are effective, and troublesome when they aren't (think leaf clogs).
Why not consider a rain chain? No clogs. No Dents. No water-rushing-through-a-pipe sounds. In fact, rain chains are like a built-in water feature: visually appealing, they offer a soothing sound when water cascades down. 
 Kim-Hoyr-Architect-Brooklyn-Rain-Chains-Gardenista
Above: Brooklyn-based architect Kim Hoyt hung rain chains in a townhouse garden in Boerum Hill.
How do rain chains work? It's easy. They attach to the gutter outlet with a connector spout that directs the water down the chain into a water receptacle or drainage bed where the bottom end of the chain is secured. This highly effective rainwater device has been used for centuries in Japan. Not ready to replace every downspout on your home? Consider updgrading at least those at your home's entry and other well-used outdoor areas where the downspouts are visually conspicuous. 
Here's our roundup of favorites:

Link Style Rain Chains

(Note: Link style, rather than cup-style rain chains, are recommended for climates with heavy snow.)
Stainless Steel Rain Chain ; Gardenista
Above: I am partial to the simple and utilitarian Stainless Steel Link Rain Chain. Made of very high marine-grade 316L stainless, the links are welded for maximum load capacity. Available in four thicknesses ranging from 1/8th inch to 5/16th inch, the stainless chain is from $98 to $139 (depending on thickness) for a 9.5-foot length at Gutter Supply. 
Zen Loop Rain Chain, Gardenista
Above: The Zen Loop Link Rain Chain is handmade of 3-inch copper rings; $119 for an 8.5-foot length at Gutter Supply.
Copper Rain Chain diamond links ; Gardenista
Above: Made of copper, an 8.5-foot length of Diamond Rain Chain is $108.95 from Japanese Style.
Copper Rain Chain ; Gardenista 
Above: A Copper Link Rain Chain is appreciated for the patina it develops over time. The Extra Links Copper Rain Chain features an extra link inset into the chain for improved water flow; $20.95 per linear foot at Rain Chains. 
Oval Loop Rain Chain, Gardenista 
Above: The aluminum Double Oval Loop Rain Chain in a metal gray finish is $49.95 for an 8.5-foot length chain at Rain Chains Direct.
Tearcrop Copper Rain Chain, Gardenista
Above: Monarch's Copper Teardrop Rain Chain; $75.99 for an 8.5-foot length chain through Amazon.

Cup Style Rain Chains

Channel Link Rain Chain, Gardenista 
Above: The Channel Link Black Rain Chain (L) is made of high quality aluminum finished in flat black powder coating. The Channel Link Rain Chain (R) is also available in 100 percent copper. Each is $49.95 for an 8.5-foot length chain at Rain Chains Direct.
Square LInk Rain Chain, Gardenista
Above: The Square Link Black Rain Chain (L) is made of high quality aluminum finished in a flat black powder coating. The Square Link Rain Chain (R) is also available in 100 percent copper. Each is $49.95 for an 8.5-foot length at Rain Chains Direct. 
Take Japanese Rain Chain, Gardenista 
Above: The Také Rain Chain is a modern play on the bamboo shape. A refined and expensive option, it's $657 for a 9-foot length with 24 steel segments at Goods from Japan.
Vintage galvanized rain chain ; Gardenista
Above: A one-of-a-kind Vintage Industrial Galvanized Rain Chain is 31 inches long with 2-inch-square cups; $55 from Green Cycle Design LA via Etsy.
Are you working on an interior remodel as well? See our archive of Remodelista: 10 Easy Pieces.
We've solved the problem of clogged downspouts; now it is time to consider Gutter Guards.

Homestead & Survival


How To Make A $10 Fire Pit From A Washing Machine Drum

http://homestead-and-survival.com/how-to-make-a-10-fire-pit-from-a-washing-machine-drum/

Invite the neighbors to a backyard bonfire. Here's a simple way to make your own $10 fire pit from a washing machine drum.

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams



Bags of fresh air sent to one of China's most polluted cities as smog worsens

Details: http://nbcnews.to/O92CcC l Photo: China Stringer Network/Reuters


Take A Guess What’s Inside This Rock Structure. You’ll Probably Be Wrong… It’s That Awesome.

#1 The mass was buried in soil and allowed to harden.

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How to Grow Chocolate M&Ms - Free Chocolate from Your Garden! (+playlist)

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