Ok--give me 3 cheers---today was the day I got out there and dug the thing. I've avoided this project because for me it is a sign that I have "crossed over" from eccentric to weird. Somehow all the stuff stashed away doesn't label me but the idea of teetering on a platic bucket (with seat) over a huge hole in the ground because of a suspicion of y2k problems does it!

-- catherine plamondon (sorebuttriumphant@outhouse.com), November 28, 1999

Answers

catherine: congratulations, you did well( I mean pit) ... Sometimes it takes a project like that to really make us realize something is realing changing our lives. I hope you didn't forget to vent the pit/outhouse ??? And DON"T SMOKE while enjoying the fresh outdoors. If you would be from Hoboken, They would say " YA done Good "

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), November 28, 1999.

Ok, why cant you smoke, while enjoying the great outdoors????? Is there a methane gas situation in outhouses? Is that why the vent?

-- syzy (suzy@nowhere.com), November 29, 1999.

After I read this post it occured to me that the Rubbermaid garden storage shed I bought could be used as an out house! It's tall enough and with a few changes turns it into a great out house,that does'nt look like one.

-- Maggie (song bird@iwon.com), November 29, 1999.

Hmm, I read that as "Sore Butt Triumphant", and had to find out what your butt did that was so magnificent yet hurtful. During the time I waited for the thread to pop up, my mind was wandering freely. Thanks for the little vacation.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), November 29, 1999.

OK. So I NOW have to explain my sore behind! Try digging a hole in cramped quarters and figure out----well, maybe I should just leave imaginations room to soar! What a hoot---(sitting here with a red face.) On the serious side--how would I vent this thing? I've seen those fancy ones with stacks, but mine is down and very dirty--a hole in the ground covered by a sheet of plywood with a bucket on top---fill the bucket, lift up the board, pour contents into hole and cover with sawdust and drop board very quickly. The enclosure is about 5x6 with a shelf to store gasoline.

-- catherine plamondon (sorebuttruimphant@outhouse.com), November 29, 1999.

Gezze Catherine, why not build a box over it and put a real toilet seat on it? Vent that out the top of your, I hope, roof?

-- CT (ct@no.yr), November 30, 1999.

Impaired carpenterwise. Kneck injury. Few tools. $$ depleted. Alone and doing this alone. The bucket has a seat on it---a box would be much better. Yep, it has a roof AND a door. Was built into my wood shed last Spring when I had the $$ to purchase the help. Didn't want to have them know what I was doing. I had and have a fear of exposure of my level of preparation (and strong dose of avoidance of ridicule.) Can't tell you at this point which is the strongest.

-- catherine plamondon (sorebuttriumphant@outhouse.com), November 30, 1999.

Just started thinking about this situation and how the five of us will take care of business so to speak.Had an easy solution-friend works at hospital,I'm going to see about getting five of those deals you use when it's nessasary[soon to take spelling class]to measure contents.Like after having a baby I remember being told to use one.You just put it between rim of toilet and seat and the nurse takes it away when your done.Every one gets theire own bucket to empty contents into and then take out to woods with a shovel.Fortunately we have a backhoe to dig hole.I feel really silly saying all this but I think it's a pretty good idea so thought I'de share it. Will be especially helpful to my elderly mother.Also am stocking up on Lysol spray and Purell for sanitizing hands afterward.

-- tress (tress59@aol.com), December 01, 1999.

I have lived in Hawaii for years, often in "non-modern" conditions. Also in Northern CA. To get to the point - if you don't live in a freezing cold area, trench latrines are great if you have enough space. You dig a trench - say 1 foot wide (or a little less) and 1 foot deep - narrow enough to squat over. Can be as long as you like. You perform your ceremonial function on one end, and use the loose dirt left conveniently on the side to bury the evidece, along with any lime or whatever you want. Then the next person to use it (or you) just use right next to the filled area, and so on. By the time you get to the end, you start a new trench. When me and my kids dud something like this in CA one year, the s**t composts in a short time - weeks or months, depending on rain and maybe temperature. You can even build a portable little shed and just move it along. PS - squatting's good for you anyway. Aloha, Pram

-- Pramada (pram108@yahoo.com), December 04, 1999.