RECENT E-MAIL MESSAGES

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES WILL BE PRESENTED WITHOUT EDITING

LAST UP-DATED ON JANUARY 14, 2003

Delivered-To: loghouse@mozcom.com
From: "Paul Walczyk" <walcheck@chorus.net>
To: <loghouse@mozcom.com>Subject: Christmas Greetings From PaulDate:
Tue, 17 Dec 2002 19:40:53 -0600X-MSMail-Priority:
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Dear Skip, Elvie, Chip, and Meriam;

I want to begin by saying that I am very sorry your mom died this year.  I read about it on your website and I am sorry that I did not know about it sooner so that I could have expressed my sympathies more promptly.  

Your mom was a great woman and I am sorry that I did not get to meet her.  I know that she was great because she raised you, and you are the most generous soul I have had the pleasure of meeting in this life.   

I hope that all of you are doing well.

I want to wish all of you a great Christmas and a terrific New Year.

Are you going to be in Daanbantayan or in Cebu City for the holidays?

I have enjoyed reading all of the new material you have just added to your website.  It really looks great!!  I cannot wait for additional material to be added to the website.

I think that you made a great decision to offer your Log Home Building Class in the Philippines.  It gives you the opportunity to expose people from around the world to your log home training as well as to expose them to the freedom the Philippines still has.  It will provide an especially good example of freedom for Americans who have had so much of it eroded over the years by the government and the courts.  It also will give you the opportunity to do what you love to do and are so good at (teaching) as well as to do it in a place you love. Nice job!!

Your friend Steve looks like he had a fantastic time with you exploring the Philippines and learning how to build log homes.  Your pictures of the Philippines are beautiful.  I am jealous.

I say this with the utmost respect for you--  Meriam has grown into a beautiful young woman.  You must be very proud of her.  I am sure she will make some guy a very lucky man when she gets married.  Being a father has got to be a very difficult thing.  If anyone can handle it, you can.

I visited Seattle in late October for business and it was nice.  The weather was perfect ( 65 to 70 and cloudless ) for 4 days in a row.  Went to the Aquarium, ate in the restaurant on top of the Space Needle, went to the Monday Night Football game in the Seahawk's new stadium, and toured the city.

I want to thank you for your advice on working so hard and so long.  Because I greatly value your opinion and judgment, I have taken your advice and am in the process of getting the assistant that I should have had for the last 2 years.  I will know how it is working early in 2003.  Hopefully, it will reduce my stress and hours so that my back will heal,  which will allow me to finally visit you in the Philippines.  If it does not, then I know it will be time to find another job.

I hope to see you soon!

Please give my best to Elvie, Chip, and Meriam.  How is my friend Chip doing?

Have a GREAT CHRISTMAS !

Your friend,

Paul  

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Delivered-To: loghouse@mozcom.com
From: "Tsai, Paulus D MAJ IACH" <Paulus.Tsai@us.army.mil>
To: "'loghouse@mozcom.com'" <loghouse@mozcom.com>
Subject: Like the update to your website!
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2002 08:40:41 -0600
X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2656.59)

Skip,

HOWDY PAUL !!!  THANKS FOR GETTING BACK TO US AGAIN.  AS ALWAYS, IT'S GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Was checking your website recently.  Like the updates. 

THANKS, MAN !!!  MY FRIEND, STEVE, RECENTLY TAUGHT ME HOW TO MAKE "CHANGES" TO THE SITE.  I'M FEELING LIKE A REAL "COMPUTER HOT-DOG." 

Got me pretty fired up about your class coming up in March. 

THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR, MAN. 

Will have to think seriously about coming to visit you in the islands, too!

UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE YOU ARE A "MAJOR" IN THE U.S. ARMY, I DON'T THINK YOU CAN VISIT THE PHILIPPINES EXCEPT IN THE LINE OF DUTY (AND UNDER DIRECT ORDERS TO COME HERE). 

ON THE OTHER HAND, MY RANCH NEAR MONROE, WASHINGTON IS STILL DEFINITELY NOT "OFF LIMITS." 

My brother who is an engineer, now applying to go to architecture school, is very seriously interested in coming out from New York City to join me for your course in March, too.

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME. 

HE MIGHT EVEN CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT GOING TO ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL, AND DECIDE TO SPECIALIZE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOG HOMES -- IN WHICH CASE ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL MIGHT BE SOMEWHAT REDUNDANT. 

Have a great Holiday.

YOU DO THE SAME, PARDNER !!!

LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH.

YOUR FRIEND ALWAYS,

SKIP

Paul

pdtsai@earthlink.net

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A series of e-mail -- replies -- and forwards from a student to his friend:

Delivered-To: loghouse@mozcom.com
From: "Paul Sedlak" <paul.sedlak@worldnet.att.net>
To: "Drysdale, Derek" <derek.drysdale@honeywell.com>
Subject: Re: Hello and a quick message
Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2003 14:13:00 -0800
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000
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Derek,

I took it [Skip's seminar] in June 2000 and plan on attending again with my
wife. It really is a joint effort and I had so much fun I must
go again.

If I get back in the Northwest I will probably rent a home,
buy some land and get busy. I am also looking at starting
up a business to build then sell log homes. It is allot better
than designing boards and consulting. You could probably do
your home for under 20k. Really. Just takes good planning
and smart use of resources. You will learn all this at the
seminar.

With all the folks in the association, you will have more than
adequate assistance to build your home and these folks will
help for no charge! That includes me.

Good going buddy and God Bless!

Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "Drysdale, Derek" <derek.drysdale@honeywell.com>
To: "'Paul Sedlak'" <paul.sedlak@worldnet.att.net>
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 10:11 AM
Subject: RE: Hello and a quick message


> Paul,
>
> When did you take the seminar? Have you had the opportunity to build
> anything yet?
>
> My wife Jen, has always wanted to build a log home. We are really excited
> about this. We've had plans to build our own home for quite some time,
>but we never thought it was practical to build a log home by ourselves.
>Thanks for the info.
>
> Definitely drop by when you get here.
>
> Derek
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Sedlak [mailto:paul.sedlak@worldnet.att.net]
> Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 9:06 AM
> To: Drysdale, Derek
> Subject: Re: Hello and a quick message
>
>
> Hey Derek!
>
> Great! You will love it! It is major fun and held in Skip's
> log home (7000 sq feet not including the decks). You will
> be in complete awe of the place. It is amazing!
> Now work on Anyan and Aviado! No telling when the next
> seminar in America will happen if ever again. Spread the
> word. This is one of those life changing events and a good
> one.
>
> Skip's targeted schedule is the end of March. He is to
> let me know this week probably the exact date, but it
> will happen. What I would suggest is you go ahead and
> register through his web site http://www.loghomebuilders.org
> Skip will respond to you with all the info you need and how
> to get to his ranch in Monroe.
>
> Please CC me when you register so I know you are going.
> I would also HIGHLY recommend your wife attend if possible.
> The building techniques, life lessons etc are best understood
> when both attend. If you are going to build a log home your
> wife will be a BIG part of it dude. I guarantee you will build
> one because after the seminar you will be jumping up and
> down to do it!
>
> Thank you my friend and God Bless,
>
> Paul
>
> P.S. Hope to see you this month. I should be working under
> Prentis in his team for a few months. I hope so!
>
>

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Drysdale, Derek" <derek.drysdale@honeywell.com>
> To: "'Paul Sedlak'" <paul.sedlak@worldnet.att.net>
> Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 6:29 AM
> Subject: RE: Hello and a quick message
>
> > Paul,
> >
> > Do you know when the next seminar is? I am very interested.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Derek
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Paul Sedlak [mailto:paul.sedlak@worldnet.att.net]
> > Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 6:50 PM
> > To: Susan Sellers; trwa425@aol.com; Paul E Warns; Don Whalen; STEVE
>> WHITE; thorner; Leslie Stanton; Crystal Prins; paul.ferguson@honeywell.com;
> > mark.kirchner@philips.com; EUGENE J J KIRCHNER; ken_snyder@agilent.com;
> > Tracy Kaiser; Steve Johnson; john.spence@honeywell.com; Steve Hudson;
>> John Horner; Hanzelka, Dale; derek.drysdale@honeywell.com; Dan & Deb Clapp;
> > Michelle Cass; brent.brewer@philips.com; Brian.Atkinson2@honeywell.com;
> > Aviado, Luis; Anotter1@yahoo.com; Santos, Reggie; Jay Vanni; Anyan, Jeffrey C
> > Subject: Hello and a quick message
> >
> >
> > Greetings all and God's Blessings on you this new year!
> >
> > I will keep this short and direct (something different for me).
> >
> > Many of you previously received an email from me outlining
> > a seminar on log home construction. I understand it was long
> > but I get excited about this. Some said the font was goofed up
> > and they could not read it. So to explain things much better, I
> > would ask you to please visit this website:
> >
> > http://www.loghomebuilders.org/ <http://www.loghomebuilders.org/>
> >
> > This seminar I vouch for is worth every cent 10X. The instructor
> > is one of the finest and most fascinating people I have ever met.
> >
> > Each one of you that registers and mentions my name as the
> > referral will also be helping the street children in the Philippines.
> > Please consider you will learn a skill that can change your
> > life and be helping some kids lives very far away. Just to make
> > even a small difference anywhere in this world is worth it!
> >
> > The number of spaces for the seminar are limited, but if we
> > get enough to sign up, Skip may be able to hold an additional
> > session. Please send this on to your friends! The more that
> > go the more homes built by their owners and kids helped out!
> >
> > I guarantee you will truly enjoy this seminar. It is exceptional.
> > Own your home, not the bank. Build your vacation cabin. You
> > will learn how.
> >
> > God Bless,
> >
> > Paul Sedlak (see you there!)

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Dear Skip,

Saw your ad in Little Nickle, east side, managed to pull up your website and here I attempt to e-mail you back. Technology is great! Anyways, my name is Margaret Serva, and I work as a loan originator/coordinator, financing primarily log home construction . Have been for over a year now and love every second. This is my niche!!! I have people all over the country calling for log home construction financing. It's a 'One-Time-Close' construction loan/mortgage that really supports the future home owner, owner- builder/builder, and log man. It's taken awhile to get this program together, but finally, here it is. I would love talk with you sometime to exchange more info to how we could be of service to each other. Hope to hear from you in the near future, Sincerely, Margaret Serva.

Skip,

Howdy from Texas! I referred a gentleman by the name of Gordon Dickinson to you yesterday for your class and emailed him your hyperlink this morning. I have returned to the mortgage banking business with Countrywide Home Loans and I will be helping him with his home equity line of credit so that he can build his log home. He lives in the Seattle area. I work out of the corporate office here in the Dallas area. We make loans in all 50 states by telephone and have over 100 home loan related products (overwhelming). The great part about this is that all loans are made by telephone application----sit back in your lazy boy and grab your favorite beverage and crank up the speakerphone. We offer a number of different loan products for people who want to borrow on the equity they have in their homes including one product that gives the borrower a line of credit at prime that only accrues interest when funds are drawn out. and then is paid out as interest only for 10 years, then is converted to a 15 year note for normal amortization-----perfect for someone building a log house, (we don't care what you use the money for either). I do the application over the phone and closing is set up with an escrow agent convenient to the borrower. It occurred to me yesterday, when talking with Mr.. Dickinson that there might be a big need for this product with your students, I realize that many of your students, do not currently own or may not have equity if they do; just another option for you guys to consider. Here is my direct TOLL FREE 800 number: 800-669-5198 ext.. 6748 Hope all is well. Brian Collins

The following note is a direct quote taken from a website that was set up by one of Skip's students. This student is now building a log home in the Ellensburg area.

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Johnny > SKIP ELLSWORTH > LOG HOUSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA > TELEPHONE: (360) 794-4469 > WEBSITE: http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse/

From: Johnny Williams <chinafist@rocketmail.com> > > To: loghouse@premier1.net > > Subject: Contact, and the Seattle days > > Date: Thursday, August 06, 1998 3:48 PM > > > >

Hello Mr. Ellsworth,

I can not bring myself to presume to call you `Skip' unless you tell me that it is okay.

My name is Johnny J. Williams Jr. I am honored to be able to tell you that I am a friend and student of Jesse's (have been for a few years). I have also been involved with Jim's and Ed's teachings for some years now as well (learned from students of their's).

I have watched and enjoyed as your website has expanded and grown. It is quite possibly the best Bruce Lee related website on the net, but then I have a bias for the Seattle guys given my tuteledge and lineage. Anyway, I am at present involved in writing an article for Inside Kung-Fu magazine on Bruce's Seattle days and the students of his thereof. I have been published there already, and my editor, Dave Cater has given me the go ahead to do this article.

I so far have the blessings, support, and cooperation of the following people. You just might recognize some of these names, hee hee hee. Jesse Glover, my Sifu has given me the high sign to do this. He contributed a picture of he and Bruce working the lop sao bong sao cycle. Taky Kimura has stated that he likes the idea of Bruce's Seattle days being highlighted and has agree with this article as well. He is allowing me permission to use photos of he and Bruce working out in a field that were given to me by the next guy. Joseph Cowles liked the articles idea. He has given me several pictures of himself and the aforementioned pictures of Taky and Bruce as well. Jim DeMile was interested but wanted to see what Jesse and Taky thought (he told me). After finding out that they both supported my efforts he too joined in. He sent me an excellent picture of himself to use. As well as pictures, all have supplied anecdotes and/or stories relating to their relationships, training, and times with Bruce. I do not expect for you to take my word for any of this so please contact each and every one of them to verify my story. This leads me to this e-mail. I want to include you in this article as well and needed to make contact with you towards that end, and also to express my gratitude for sharing what you are sharing on your website. If you are interested in contributing anything to this article (after you have checked out my story of course) please e-mail me and lets talk. Oh yes, one more thing. Can you tell me how to get in touch with Mr. Pat Strong? I'd like to bring him in on this as well. I'm going to ask Jesse how to get in touch with LeRoy Garcia. Well thank you for your time. Whatever you decide, please contact me when you have some time. I'd be tickled to hear from you. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Johnny J. Williams Jr., ChinaFist@rocketmail.com

-------Skip Ellsworth <loghouse@premier1.net> wrote:

Howdy Johnny !!!

Please forgive me for not responding to your e-mail more promptly.

Last week I was busy preparing for a two-day (11 hours on Saturday and 11 hours on Sunday) log home building seminar which occurred this past weekend. The last person walked out the door this morning at 1:30 AM.

Yes... I would be more than happy to help you with your article.

I perceive that you are a friend of Bruce's (even though you may not have  known him personally)

-- and therefore, I will help you in any way possible.

As you probably already know, LeRoy Garcia was recently injured and is currently recovering. He was at Providence Hospital at Everett, but I believe that he is probably at home by now -- in the Monroe area.

If we meet at my house (which is relatively easy to find) we can then drive out to LeRoy's place.

Please give me a call anytime -- or e-mail me at your convenience. We are looking forward to the pleasure of meeting you in person.

Your friends,

Skip, Elvie, and little Chip

------------------------- From Skip

Howdy Johnny !!!

Hopefully, things are going well for you and your family.

Once again, I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I have been up to my ears in seminars.

I have a black-and-white photo that you might be interested in using. The photo is of Bruce Lee, Jesse Glover, and I -- and it was taken in approximately 1961.

This photo shows us on stage, giving an exhibition of Kung Fu. I can't remember exactly where it was taken -- but I believe it was at the International Trade Fair, or the Seattle World's Fair (which means it would have been taken in 1962), or at a New Years celebration in Seattle's Chinatown.

The photo is on the log house website, so you can check it out. It shows Bruce and Jesse sparring -- with me in the background (waiting my turn).

The photo has never been published. If you use it in your article I would want it understood that I will always retain ownership of it. I have done a "Common Law Copyright" on all of my photos, but I would gladly give you permission to publish this one in the article you mentioned as long as it was clearly understood that I retain all rights to it and all ownership of it.

I am in the process of transcribing my notes regarding Bruce Lee, etc. Some of these notes were taken as early as 1959. I wrote them down on napkins (as we were eating at the Tai Tung Restaurant), on matchbook covers, on small pieces of paper, on paper towels, etc., etc. I have a lot of these notes, and I am currently entering them into the computer.

So far, I have typed 14 pages (legal size), and it looks like there will be over 100 pages when I am finished typing this stuff.

When it is finished typing, I will do a Common Law Copyright on the material and then dump it all onto the website.

Some of the stuff is pretty sophomoric (Bruce and I were only 18 and 19 years old) -- but none-the-less it has been interesting for me to reflect upon this again after all these years.

When reading my notes it is pretty obvious that even in 1959 the "seeds" of Jeet Kune Do were already planted in Bruce's mind -- and they were in the process of germinating.

What are your thoughts ???

We hope to hear from you soon.

Your friends,

Skip, Elvie, and little Chip

SKIP ELLSWORTH LOG HOUSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA TELEPHONE: (360) 794-4469 WEBSITE: http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse/

Received by e-mail from Angie Busch on July 8, 1998:

This message is for Skip Ellsworth, because I understand he was one of Bruce Lee's original students in America. I am a high school student, and I am writing a report on Kung Fu. I need to know what Kung Fu is in the simplest of terms.

Angie Busch

Bob Johnson's reply to Angie:

Dear Angie, Skip is out of the office and won't be back for a few days. However, I have known Skip for many years, and I have often heard him talk about Kung Fu and say a lot of things about it. Mostly he talks about it only in a relatively humorous way.

Throughout the years, I have heard him say the following types of things (I will paraphrase);

For a more detailed and accurate answer, you will need to wait until Skip returns.

In fact, for an in-depth answer to your question, I recommend that you call Skip by phone when he returns to the office in four or five days. His phone number is (360) 794-4469.

Yours truly,

Jerry

Dear Suzi,

It saddens us to hear about the unfortunate experiences you have had with your log home.

The situation is made even more unfortunate because most of your problems could have been avoided if you had obtained even a rudimentary education regarding log homes prior to purchasing one.

As you have found out, a poorly constructed log home can be your worst >nightmare. On the other hand, a log home that is constructed properly can be one of the best and most practical and investments a person can make -- and it can be a dream come true. For example, my own log home has more than 6,500 (+) sq. ft. of floor area, and I built it for approximately $35,000.

After my home was completed, I ran into it repeatedly (on purpose) with my bulldozer -- to show the other members of the Log Home Builders Association how structurally strong my home is. The dozer caused absolutely no damage to my home.

My home has been written up in MANY newspapers, and magazines -- and has been shown on TV on many occasions. For example, it was used as the log "mansion" on Northern Exposure.

At this time I have been offered well over one million dollars for my home.

I mention the above facts only to demonstrate to you that a very good log home can be yours for a very small investment -- if you take the time to learn a few things prior to giving someone your money.

One of the basic tenants of roman law was "CAVEAT EMPTOR" ("let the buyer beware"). Unfortunately, because of our public school system (and our courts) people in America have been encouraged to "shut off their brains" and buy stuff without thinking -- in the assumption that they will be taken care of by "big brother."  Unfortunately, this generally leads to a bad end -- making the "cure" worse than the "disease.".

None-the-less, we would be very interested in hearing more about the troubles you are having.

Yes... we would also be interested in seeing your photographs.

Please e-mail us any time you have a specific question about log homes. We will be more than happy to help you (free of charge) in any way possible. Good luck with your problem.

Your friend,

Skip Ellsworth

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loghouse@premier1.net > >http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse > > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Suzi Nutter <twiga@access.mountain.net> >To: loghouse@premier1.net <loghouse@premier1.net> >Date: Friday, January 15, 1999 9:49 PM >Subject: Wisconson Log Home > > >>Can I send in MY PHOTOS!!? >>Suzi Nutter

Dear Mr. Ellsworth,

Thank you for your response--I haven't figured out how to work my scanner yet, but when I do, I will send some photos.

I'm really not vindictive. I'm just so depressed, I'm unable to live with my adorable husband, and I really don't see any future. The worst part is, I have no place to work, no place that's really clean, and no way to entertain, and no place for retreat after a day of work. The place was going to be an "artist retreat" and arts and crafts center. My husband is a self-made man from WV whose family had been on welfare. We wanted to make it possible for all the crafts people to market their crafts they create in their home or free time without a middle man gouging the profits. Offer classes on sewing, painting, natural crafts, etc. on a sliding scale--I've learned my past mistakes that if I give "free" classes, people assume they're not worth anything. So I set a fee, but I'll barter for anything--word is out that I like "old rusty stuff" and I want the children to write a little paragraph or story about their experience or draw or paint a picture. I miss working with children SOOOO much.

Unfortunately, we did not research log homes well enough before we purchased one. We checked for guarantees, read about the different types of construction. We drove to different log home dealers in Massachusetts, ordered brochures from dozens of companies, had several companies design our home from our sketches and finally flew out to Wisconsin to meet with the "architect" and the principals and the salesman at Wisconsin Log Homes. We drove 4 hours through a blizzard to look ata large home which was "similar" to ours, talked with the builders (a minister and a carpenter) They made suggestions to change some specifications -- The 8" wall instead of 6", plus others. We then drove back 4 hours to eastern Wisconsin to design the house.

We had a fortune in log home books and 2 years of back issues of LOG HOME LIVING. We decided to have stick frame construction (2x6), but 2x8 on the huge wall of windows. My husband insisted on "overkill" when it came to construction--well over the codes of WV and the national building codes. The kit was over $135,000. The gentleman we negotiated with for pricing was later fired on a "morals" charge!!! As I mentioned before, the salesman and the draftsman were no longer there either--so it was difficult to resolve the many problem with incorrectly drafted plans, etc.

Nineteen months of construction.............Unbeknownst to us, the contractor quit working, called our bank -- claiming to be my husband -- and informed them to release the rest of our building funds based on the contractor's submitted invoices), sold the business, hid his assets and left the state. When we finally complained to the bank they called in the note!!!!! We had to get new financing, our insurance was cancelled etc..

Image the shock of driving down with our dogs in one car and a van full of furniture to a house that didn't even have logs all the way around it (over the framing) with NO support columns in the basements, nothing but a utility sink in the basement, not even a toilet!!!!! Not even a stairway to the second floor.

We had friends who came up from Virginia in a camper and put in temporary supports in the basement and first floor just before the snow hit--hours before. Neither one of us was bright enough at the time to realize how close we were to losing everything. For the next month, I worked with them on the porch roof, helping with the logs while they attached and caulked them to the house--up to this point, not a tube of caulk had been used! It was extremely cold in the house and without any insulation or drywall on the 1st or 2nd floor I spent a great deal of time fueling the fire in the fireplace. We later discovering from the second heating contractor that the heat venting systems to the second floor only looked functional!!! and had to be completely redone. I hated the insulation board anyway--we wanted the metal venting initially --

I spent my first spring, bagging and carrying over huge contractors garbage bags down the "mountain" to the road for trash pickup. Eventually, it would be over 200 bags--every contractor was a pig--soda cans, lunch bags strewn in with trash as well as good building materials which I saved. The original contractor and mason preferred beer.

Jumping ahead several years.... while contractors, #2-5 were swindling us, we had to go through mediation on our $250,000+ claim against the contractor. The mediator, a former circuit court judge, informed the contractor that if we did go to court, it would probably be the biggest punitive damage claim in the history of WV. He then threatened to file bankruptcy and our attorney wanted $17,000 additional to take it to trial--in addition to the original $9,000 we gave him. Exasperated, we agree to accept the $4,000 along with a letter to my parents advising them that he was sorry that he was responsible for lying, cheating and stealing from us and tricking them into sending him an additional $40,000 for the first heating system, the worthless plumbing, the second decks, the chimney which was torn down, an electrician who never did the work, etc. and the other cost overrides along with a disclaimer that he could not be sued to the additional $40,000. My parents wouldn't speak to me for almost three years for being so stupid.

Sounds like we sue everybody, doesn't it. We are not litigious people. We never went after the people who stole copious amounts of building materials from us, gutter man whose work fell down (5 different specific times) over 6 months, and the interior contractor (at the time of our medication proceedings) who stole my antique colt revolvers, other guns, antique tools and vandalized my planed, jointed wormy chestnut (outbuildings on this property that I paid a neighbor to take down, remove all the nails, check it with a metal detector and then I bleached, scrubbed (by hand), washed, planed, jointed, stickered) and the Charmaster wood and oil furnace I had outside my home--replaced with a propane furnace system when our chimney flue was blocked (mason used terracotta drain pipe.) Chimney was condemned after I tried to stabilize it with expanded wire lathe and fiberglass reinforced concrete.

I already owned a lot of scaffolding because the electrician said I needed to buy it so he could do the wiring because of my cathedral ceilings and a drywall lift with the extension because the initial contractor said if I bought it, my installation costs would be much less. They never used it--the $800 of equipment was still in the box, then they offered me $400 for it. So starting Dec. 96, I spent the money (the $17,000 we didn't have, plus the money we had left (a pitiful settlement--less than $10,000) from (a class action suit) a medical "misadventure" resulting in the death of our son (from a company that went bankrupt) on power tools--Delta Unisaw, 8" Powermatic Jointer, 18" Planer, Molder, Sander, Phantom "Legacy" Milling Machine, Delta 14" bandsaw, routers, sanders, biscuit jointers, 6 linear feet of woodworking books, and dozens of videos. For a 100 LB. "Artwear" fashion and textile designer -- I designed for Joanne Woodward, Whoopi Goldberg, Diana Ross, Sir Dillon Ripley (president of the Smithsonian) and others (now my resume looks as if I have been in prison since Dec. '94--my last published article) --I surprised everyone, especially myself. My brother, former industrial art instructor, now a designer and trouble shooter for a major international engineering corporation., assured me that construction, especially the creation of furniture, raised panel doors, finish carpentry, etc. was just like sewing--only with really stiff fabric and really dangerous scissors! He assured me that anyone with access to a hammer qualifies as a builder. With nail gun, framing was really easy. I jacked up supporting beams; inserted lolly columns, framed walls and sheet rocked with all the scrap drywall material I had been hoarding as well as all the other scraps of material.

We never received the until 2 weeks ago $4,000 with no interest. and -still no letter for my parents. We hoped we could build it for less than $250,000 - $300,000. We refinanced the log home 5 times and our home in Massachusetts 3 times. We had a $30,000 mortgage on that--which turned into $250,000--over a half a million in mortgages between the two!!! Just thinking about it, we lost a lot more that I thought!!!

We really loved and enjoyed our restored Victorian home in Massachusetts. It was one of the few private residences included in a photo/coffee table book THE BERKSHIRES, (I don't know how to underline) by Bill Binzen. We were never going to sell it, as it was a wedding gift (huge down payment) from my parents. (Also, it was 10,000 square feet, a perfect show place for all of my relatives' furniture--I was the youngest of my generation, and everyone else wanted new stuff.) We had also renovated the 3rd floor, 2,500 square feet where I had my dyeing lab, office, various studios, huge walk in storage closets, CAD design area, and my gallery. Leaving it was so painful. If would have been free and clear by now! We wouldn't have used our savings, so we could have kept our home and had enough for a sizeable down payment. We walked away with barely enough.

After buying a new home in Brighton, Michigan, we were referred to a WONDERFUL contractor, Joe Rhoton, who had almost completed renovations there. He was going to spend February here his crew to complete the interior -- when interior work is scarce. He gave us a great price for it's completion. Fortunately all of the contents from our home in Massachusetts was still in storage at Amodio's warehouse in CT--the absolute BEST movers, PEOPLE, the crew and the packers--the kind of people that make such a positive impression, you remember their names after 17 years--and they're still there!

My husband was spending a long Christmas holiday with me so we could relax after such a hectic year, I could hear about his new job, and then we could plan for Joe's arrival, sketches, eagerly imagining what the place would like when we could finally move out of the basement. We have no money for light fixtures or flooring--we'll put in sills under the doors (all second hand, and not prehung,) and just fill the holes and cracks (where beams fell through the flooring and where columns crushed through the doug fir plywood flooring because there was no columns under them in the basement), and I'll paint them. The guys at the local hardware store 27 miles from here, save all the mismatched quality paints for me. They've been wonderful at the Tru-Value Hardware store in Lewisburg, WV. Even though, we could imagine the place with our old oriental carpets, a bathroom on the first floor, a door for it, my kitchen and dining room of wormy chestnut shelves and cabinets (from the reglued, replaned and jointed lumber) and a house full of company and the smell of freshly baked bread--that's what makes a house a home. We never made it to the sketching part!

A neighbor, after knocking on our door, to deliver X-mas cookies, noticed the collapsed ceilings through the steamy windows, called us here in WV. We had to drive back immediately with our 2 huge dogs to meet with our wonderful contractor, the adjuster, and the dry cleaner because of the New Year's Eve and the holiday weekend. Our new home's interior was completely destroyed when a hot water pipe burst near the ceiling of the 2nd floor. The adjuster decided it must have been running at least 5 days. All the hardwood floors are ruined, subfloor, insulation, even the counter tops need to be replaced, because all the tile cracked. All of my husbands business suits, etc. and a great deal my good clothing was in the master bedroom closet where the ceiling, plaster and insulation were over everything. He never gets upset--but this was the proverbial "straw". We battled the vicious Detroit storms to get back here and he had to return shortly after we arrived back. He's in a Michigan now motel, and it'll take months to fix the house. Fortunately, we have a wonderful marriage of 21 years, but have had a miserable luck. Now's he's up there and I'll have to wait another year before Joe can finish--if he can even squeeze us in next year--his company is getting such a great reputation, he'll be booked solid forever. I really don't know how much more I we can take. Every time we have hope, something else happens..

I know here is a Craft Relief program with grants for disasters or artists and craftsman--that would be criminal for me to apply for one--it's really not designed for people like us. If you know of a TV program that wants to film "The Old Disaster" or "Can this House Be Saved", think of me, boy now I am really depressed!

I tried to edit this--I know it doesn't make much sense or have any continuity--but it's taken me several hours to write this and I hate when I waste time. So I'm sending it anyway.

Thanks, Skip, for listening. Suzi Nutter -----Original Message----- From: Skip Ellsworth <loghouse@premier1.net> To: Suzi Nutter <twiga@access.mountain.net> Date: Saturday, January 16, 1999 2:34 AM Subject: Re: Wisconson Log Home

To Skip,

Just dropping a line to you after finding your web site on the net. I am a former student of yours from a long time ago. Its good to see you are the same. I know this because your persona shows up on the pages you have in your web site. Keep up the good work . If the world didn’t have people like you around (rebel would be a good term) then the powers that be would have taken over a long time ago..............

This is what makes America great!

thanks, Ralf Townsley

---------- > From: RJZ Engenharia Ltda. To: loghouse@premier1.net > Subject: Log Homes in Rio > Date: Thursday, May 14, 1998 5:38 AM > > Dear mr. Roberts > Thank for your e-mail and for your advice. We are not really thinking about > buying "kits"-we intend to construct our log homes with our own > logs,pre-cutting them in a building yard near to the building site. > We already have the first plans, made by a local "log building experienced" > architect. We choose to use round logs, saddle notch, chinkless style. > Now, our biggest concern is about our workmanship. So, we will need > teaching and trainig services here, in Rio. If you can teach us or if you > who can do that, please e-mail us. > Thanks, > > Gilberto Silva

---------->

Dear Mr. Gilberto Silva,

Thank you for writing to us again about your interest in building 20+ log homes in Rio de Janiero. As previously indicated, we will be happy to help you in any way possible.

It appears that at this time you are primarily interested in having someone from America visit your project and teach your workers how to build log structures.

As you probably noticed via the Log House Builders Association website, one of our members is generally considered to be the world's foremost authority on log homes. His name is Skip Ellsworth, and his credentials are discussed quite thoroughly on the website. Skip has been teaching people how to build log homes for many years, and he is certainly capable of teaching your workers how to build beautiful log homes in Brazil.

Also, Skip is very interested in learning about different cultures throughout the world, so we feel quite sure that he would be willing to travel to your country. Your city of Rio de Janeiro is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

At this time, it would be advantageous if we could see a copy of your plans (blue-prints) so we could better understand the over-all scenario. It would be especially important for us to see the floor plans, and details of the roof structure.

In other words;

There are literally hundreds of questions like those listed above, and therefore we would like to know as much as possible about the project – as soon as possible -- so we can be in a better position to help you.

We feel that we can do a much better job of helping you (planning, anticipating, preparing, etc.) if we know as much as possible about the project before becoming involved.

You mentioned that your architect is experienced in designing and building log homes. Did he previously use logs from the forrest, or "pre-manufacured" logs ? Do you have photographs of any of the log homes he was associated with ? If we can examine a few photographs, we can look for any problems (current, or anticipated) and perhaps prepare workable solutions before becoming involved with the project.

We are not motivated by money here, and therefore we will not expect to be paid for our services while we make a preliminary evaluation of your project, and while we determine how much we can help you.

We are looking forward to hearing from you again.

Your friend,

Richard Roberts

LOG HOUSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA TELEPHONE: (360) 794-4469 WEBSITE: http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse/

Skip, i'm a 27 year-old white male who said "fuck the system." i decided not to take on the 250K mortgage, and the 60-hour-per-week corporate slavery that i would have to maintain to support it. i originally became a mechanical engineer because i liked "working on cars" and such. The Amercian "educational" system cleverly channeled this blue-collar hands-on interest into a career sentence serving the bowels of heavy industry and fighting petty political battles. I maintained the proper appearance, and etiquette, and watched my life speed away from me, from inside a cubicle, inside a building. even though i was doing "quite well" and had already reached "middle management" of a fortune 500 company, i, along with many other thinking men, wished for some personal liberty. so one day i wrote the head of my corporation, telling him that i could no longer represent a company that was run by a "lying sack of shit, devoid of ethics" and walked out. i'm now growing my beard, riding my 1950 Harley (that i put together), and looking for a better way to live and raise a family. i went back to school, this time to study law (to find out how it got so fucked-up, and therefore, how to use it to my advantage). i'm 1/3 of the way through law school, and have discovered, that all laws are now validated by a "cost-benefit-analysis," where your RIGHTS have a value of absolutely zero. i'm not kidding or exaggerating. i appreciate where your organization is coming from. a real log home is kind of like an old harley davidson motorcycle. while masses of men rush to buy anything the media determines is "cool" or "hip," the reason why it should be coveted is lost in the furor. just as old harley's require a knowing owner, real log cabins aren't antiseptically perfect. if that's what someone wants, don't attempt to live in a log cabin! real log cabins and old harley motorcycles, just to name a few "real" things, have tremendous character that says something about their owner, and, more importantly, that gives a special feeling to the person who built it for himself. i would be interested in keeping in touch John Roberts from Near the Mexican border

[Skip invited John to attend the log house building seminar as his guest. We hope that he will do so in the near future.]

> From: Mary Garnett <rjweldon@compuserve.com> > To: loghouse@premier1.net > Subject: the right builder > Date: Thursday, February 19, 1998 6:52 AM > > I would like to have a log home built (-turn-key-). can you recommend > builders in the Tellico Village Tn. area. I am around 50-single and > female, so I don't think my own construction would be possible. Thank > you Mary Garnett rjweldon@compuserve.com

THE REPLY;

From: <loghouse@premier1.net> To: Mary Garnett <rjweldon@compuserve.com Subject: Re: the right builder Date: Thursday, February 19, 1998 9:01 AM

Dear Mary,

Thank you for writing to us about your interest in log homes, and your desire to locate a qualified "builder" in your area.

Ironically, in our opinion most of the builders who are any good will not build houses for anyone. Instead, they will only build houses for themselves -- and then sell the houses when they are finished.

This saves them the aggravation of dealing with the general public, AND also they generally make a LOT more money doing this than they would if they were building for someone else under contract.

Unfortunately, we don't know of any builders in your area that are building REAL log homes – instead of "kits."

Because you are a single lady, and in your 50's, we strongly recommend that you learn a lot about log houses before you buy one, OR have one built, OR build one yourself.

If you don't know what you are doing, you can make some very expensive mistakes -- mistakes that it might take you 30 years to pay for.

On the other hand, if you learn a few things about log houses in general, such as...

...then you end up with a very inexpensive log house – that will last a long time.

We strongly recommend that you attend a good log house building school before you do ANYTHING that pertains to log houses.

You should learn how to build a log house that will be as strong, and will last as long, as any log house you will ever see. Once you know how to do this it will be difficult for anyone to "cheat" you regarding log houses. You will know the "language" and you will be able to discuss log houses intelligently with anyone.

Also, you will be able to build your own log structure – with no help from anyone.

If you have any SPECIFIC questions, please call us and we will be happy to answer your log house questions, free of charge, by phone.

As you can imagine, the average person doesn't know enough about log houses to even know what questions to ask – and therefore, your questions would need to be quite specific before we could help you much by phone.

However, please don’t hesitate to call because we will certainly help you if we can. Besides, it is always nice to talk with people who are interested in log houses.

If you are ever in this part of the country, please stop for a visit here at the ranch.

The coffee pot is always on here, and there is always some cold apple-cider in the creek.

Your friend,

Bob Johnson

Hi Skip, Again I would like to thank yourself and your family for the hospitality in opening your home for the meeting. It was great. Seeing folks from many walks in life having the common goal of building a better life with their own hands, in both stages of planning this and some having accomplished it, sure keeps me going. There's a great line in the movie "The Edge" (if you haven't seen it have a look, Bart the Bear is the star) which says, "If one man can do it, another can.". The technical parts of the meetings are great but it's in seeing that it can and is being done that is the best.

Thanks again, Gary

PS If you're ever in or around the Bothell area please give me a holler so I can return some of your hospitality. My home phone is ___________, work is ____________.

Gary

85% of the world's population has never made a phone call. These people are not worried about the Millenium Bug.

Original Message From: Skip Ellsworth [SMTP:loghouse@premier1.net] Sent: Monday, July 06, 1998 8:57 AM

To: Gary Buescher, Subject: Re: Tuesday Night Meeting, Howdy Gary, We are looking forward to getting together with you tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM. Your friends, Skip, Elvie, and little Chip

From: Gary Buescher <garyb@xpense.com> To: Skip Ellsworth <loghouse@premier1.net> Subject: Tuesday Night Meeting Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 8:03 AM Howdy Skip, Are we on for a meeting tomorrow night at 6:30? Thanks Gary garyb@xpense.com

Howdy Charles !!!

Thank you for writing to us about your interest in log homes. Also, thank you for your kind words about our program here.

Yes... there will be a seminar on September 26 and 27. If you plan to attend, you should let us know within seven or eight days -- so we can reserve a place for you.

For now, please let us know if you have any specific questions about log homes -- and we will be happy to help you (free of charge) by phone.

Your friend,

SKIP ELLSWORTH LOG HOUSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA TELEPHONE: (360) 794-4469 WEBSITE: http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------- From: Charles E. Oliphant <ceo@vnet.net> To: loghouse@premier1.net Subject: --- Seminar --- Date: Wednesday, July 15, 1998 10:16 AM

Wish I had found your organization and Skip 20 years ago!

Having been an unsatisfied student of many of the modern “log” building methods its exciting to finally find a group that promotes and teaches something authentic and practical with a high degree of social and historical integrity . I want to become a disciple

I have read and studied every word and picture on your web sit and am fascinated by not only the construction methods but the history and underlying philosophy. (Not to mention Skip himself)

I want to ... no I MUST attend Skip's seminar.

Just 2 problems.. I live in North Carolina - it will be a long, (FUN) bike ride I have one of those pesky 50-60 hr/wk jobs (it will take some advance planning)

Can you tell me with some certainty if the seminars will be held and are there openings in September or November or December or ... whenever?

Best regards,

Charles Oliphant ceo@vent.net 704.588.9503 ext 131 Charlotte, NC

Begin Included Message -----

>From Barry.D.Conrad@allison.com Fri Jun 12 08:18:53 1998 From: "Conrad, Barry D." <Barry.D.Conrad@allison.com> To: iebdc@agt.gmeds.com Subject: FW: Bill Of No Rights Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 08:15:00 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0

> ---------- > From: Wheeler, Jeffrey S. > Sent: Friday, June 12, 1998 8:14:49 AM > To: Conrad, Barry D. > Subject: FW: Bill Of No Rights > Auto forwarded by a Rule > > Jeff Wheeler Graphic Arts - 0965 Allison Engine Company Speed Code - U15 230-4924 - phone 230-6084 - fax

> ---------- > From: Paul, Mark R. > Sent: Friday, June 12, 1998 8:05 AM > To: Wheeler, Jeffrey S.; Burkert, Matthew A. > Subject: BILL OF NO RIGHTS

The following was written by State Representative Mitchell Kaye from Cobb County, GA.

"We, the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt-ridden, delusional and other liberal, bedwetters. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that a whole lot of people were confused by the Bill of Rights and are so stupid that they require a Bill of No Rights.

ARTICLE I: You do not have the "right" to possess a new car, big screen TV or any other form of wealth. In our country you all have the ability to work, and to legally acquire these things, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not just you! The world is full of idiots, and probably always will be. If you are offended by something, then you can leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful. Do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we have grown weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you receive punishment.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to steal the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big-screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You don't have the right to demand that our children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching conscience. We hate oppressive governments and won't lift a finger to stop you from going to fight if you'd like. However, we do not enjoy parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.

ARTICLE IX: You don't have the right to a job. All of us sure want all of you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

ARTICLE X: You do not have the right to happiness. However, Americans do have the right to "pursue" happiness - which a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic laws created by politicians and bureaucrats who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.

WE THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT COMMON SENSE IS ONCE AGAIN ALLOWED TO FLOURISH - CALL IT THE AGE OF REASON REVISITED. . . .

THANK YOU.

Mark R. Paul Engineering Standards Dept. 8898,

M/C: T17 230-4901, Fax-3557

----- End Included Message -----

> From: Gary Buescher <garyb@xpense.com> > To: Skip Ellsworth <loghouse@premier1.net> > Subject: Tuesday Night Meeting > Date: Friday, May 08, 1998 10:49 AM > > Skip, > I just wanted to thank you and your family for letting us all into > your home Tuesday evening to hold the meeting. It was my first and it > was great. I hope to be able to spare a few weekends to help Paul Kahle > (?) this summer on his house. I picked up a lot of good information and > enjoyed myself. > > Thanks Again, > Gary

Response to Gary Buescher:

Howdy Gary !!!

We are pleased that you could join us for the meeting. It was good to see you again, and we hope you will continue to come to the meetings whenever possible.

There was quite a crowd -- lots of good people, and lots of good food.

I probably gained five pounds.

We will look for you on the first Tuesday in June. Between now and then, please call if you have any questions.

Your friends,

Skip, Elvie, and little Chip ----------

Howdy Johnny !!!

Hopefully, things are going well for you and your family.

Once again, I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I have been up to my ears in seminars.

I have a black-and-white photo of Bruce Lee, Jesse Glover, and I -- that was taken in approximately 1961. This photo shows us on stage, giving an exhibition of Kung Fu. I can't remember exactly where it was taken -- but I believe it was at the International Trade Fair, or the Seattle World's Fair (which means it would have been taken in 1962), or at a New Years celebration in Seattle's Chinatown.

The photo is on the website, so you can check it out. It shows Bruce and Jesse sparring -- with me in the background (waiting my turn).

The photo has never been published. If you use it in your article I would want it understood that I will always retain ownership of it. I have done a "Common Law Copywrite" on all of my photos, but I would gladly give you permission to publish this one in the article you mentioned (as long as it was clearly understood that I retain all rights to it and all ownership of it).

I am in the process of transcribing my notes regarding Bruce Lee, etc. Some of these were taken as early as 1959. I wrote them down on napkins (as we were eating at the Tai Tung Restaurant), on matchbook covers, on small pieces of paper, on paper towels, etc., etc., and I've got a lot of these.

So far, I have typed 14 pages (legal size), and it looks like there will be over 100 pages when I am finished typing this stuff.

When it is finished typing, I will do a Common Law Copyright on the material and then dump it all onto the website.

Some of the stuff is pretty sophomoric (Bruce and I were only 18 and 19 years old) -- but none-the-less it has been interesting for me to reflect upon this stuff again after all these years.

When reading my notes it is pretty obvious that even in 1959 the "seeds" of Jeet Kune Do were already planted in Bruce's mind, and they were in the process of germinating.

What are your thoughts ???

We hope to hear from you soon.

Your friends,

Skip, Elvie, and little Chip

SKIP ELLSWORTH LOG HOUSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA TELEPHONE: (360) 794-4469 WEBSITE: http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse/

Received on July 8, 1998:

This message is for Skip Ellsworth, because I understand he was one of Bruce Lee's original students in America. I am a high school student, and I am writing a report on Kung Fu. I need to know what Kung Fu is in the simplest of terms.

Angie Busch

The reply to Angie:

Dear Angie, Skip is out of the office and won't be back for a few days. However, I have known Skip for many years, and I have often heard him talk about Kung Fu and say a lot of things about it. Mostly he talks about that stuff only in a relatively humorous way.

For example, I have many times heard him say the following types of things (I will paraphrase);

For a more detailed and accurate answer, you will need to wait until Skip returns.

For an in-depth answer to your question, I recommend that you call Skip by phone when he returns to the office in four or five days. His phone number is (360) 794-4469.

Yours truly,

Jerry

What a blast we had at the Log Home Seminar!

Great information, great people, great weather, great setting: who could ask for more?

I guess our next step is Get Organized.

We'll keep you posted!

Jeff and Laurie Ann Powell

Skip, Great weekend. I really appreciate you giving your time and knowledge. To help you remember who I am, I was the guy that asked how lending institutions looked upon log house building ventures and what kind of financing might be available. Everything you covered over the weekend made clear sense to me. I was flashing back on my boyhood during much of the weekend because my dad was a SeaBee in WWII and I grew up with a chalkline and tape measure in my hand. Never worked with logs but I can sure draw on that experience now.

I'm a quiet man, always found I learn more with my ears open and my mouth closed so even though I may not have added much in terms of discussion it all sunk in. In going over this in my head I can find absolutely no reason that I shouldn't build a log house. Two days spent with you was a confirmation.

Thanks again Skip.

Gary

------------

Response:

Howdy Gary, Thanks for taking the time to drop us a note. It was a pleasure having you in the class, and we hope that you will stop for a visit whenever you are in the area (call first -- so we can tie up Fang). Also, please call us ANYTIME you have any questions about log houses. We are looking forward to getting together with you again at the monthly meetings -- if not before.. Your friends, Skip, Elvie, and little Chip

> From: MCLoesch <MCLoesch@aol.com> > To: loghouse@premier1.net > Subject: Long time no talk.... > Date: Friday, May 08, 1998 5:41 PM > > Skip - > > Once again, I have missed another First Tuesday. I may have to give up on > thinking that I will ever make it over for one of those auspicious gatherings. > I would like to check into taking you up on your offer for a visit outside of > the First Tuesday crowd. I have some time the next couple of weeks and could > come over for lunch, coffee,  whatever works for you. Next week > Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are all pretty good. The following week, Monday > and Tuesday work as well. Let me know what is best for you and I will work > out my schedule. > > I may need some help with directions again. > > What did you think of that outline after you were finally able to open it up? > > All the best, > Marty

Howdy Marty !!!

Thanks for writing to us, man !!! It's been a loooooong time. What's been happening in your busy life ???

We missed you at the last meeting -- and the meeting before -- and the meeting before -- etc.

Yes... we should get together here one of these days soon.

Let's do some e-mail on Monday or Tuesday, and perhaps pick a night next week or the week after.

We are looking forward to getting together with you again.

Your friends,

Skip, Elvie, and little Chip (who turned "three" on May 4) ----------

Hi,

I spoke with Skip this morning and would like to reserve a spot in the 6/6-6/7 seminar. I am really jazzed to do this. I am hoping to be able to become skilled enough to build my own home and maybe make a future.

I am a good friend of Wayne and Patrice who took your last seminar. I will be mailing you the money order and application tomorrow.

What a fantastic web site. I feel like I already know you. Your home and buildings are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them on the web.

Please confirm ASAP that I am in the seminar and any further suggestions you might have as to how I can prepare myself would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to meeting you in person.

Peter Rothenberg

-----------------

Howdy Peter !!!

It's me, Skip !!!

I very much enjoyed talking with you this morning !!!

Thank you for your comments about the website. Frankly, I am not very familiar with it. I only get an occasional peek at it whenever the "computer guys" are here to add stuff to it. One of these days I will have to attend a seminar myself -- to learn how to deal with this darned computer.

Please say "hi" to Wayne and Patrice for me. They are very nice people, and I am looking forward to getting together with them again at the next meeting of the Log House Builders Association of North America. The meeting will be on the first Tuesday of June.

As per your request, we are reserving a place for you in the seminar of June 6 and 7. Please call if you have any questions about the seminar, or about log houses.

Your friend,

Skip

from Korea...

---------- > From: ÀÌÁ¾Çõ <MADSOCIO@chollian.net> > To: Skip Ellsworth <loghouse@premier1.net> > Cc: madsocio@chollian.dacom.co.kr > Subject: Re: I'd like to import log from North America > Date: Friday, November 21, 1997 8:03 PM > > Thank very much for your quick and kind response. > Would you send us a tariff for log not processed. > We are comparing with Russian log price. > As you know Russian log is poor qualty. > So it doesn't make our customers satisfy. > Please let us know the price on F.O.B basis. > Thanks. > >

Dear Mr. ? [the above incoming e-mail from Korea was not signed]

Thank you for your interest in purchasing logs in America and shipping them to Korea. Perhaps you realize that there are many grades of logs, which involve several different factors including (but not limited to) diameters and lengths.

In order to help you in a responsible and appropriate manner, we would need to know much more about your plans. We would need to know the basics, such as; who, what, where, when, why, how many, what size, etc. All of these factors could have a large effect upon the price of the logs.

One of our clients is currently considering purchasing 25,000 logs from Siberia and shipping them by railroad through Russia into China -- for the purpose of building a log village in that country. We offered to help them with log selection, log handling, log shipping, log seasoning, and log preserving. We also offered to help them in actually constructing the log homes. It would be possible for us to go to China and train Chinese laborers to build the log houses themselves. This would save the investors millions and millions of dollars.

Obviously, the same thing could be done in Korea.

Frankly, when you build the walls of a log home, it is not necessary to purchase anything but the logs themselves. It takes very few tools to build beautiful log homes -- and it is relatively easy to train people to do this work.

In your note to us, you stated, "Please let us know the price on FOB basis." However, there is much more to it than that [involving diameter of logs, length of logs, type of logs, number of logs, quality of logs, if the logs are "real" logs or only pieces of wood that have been turned on a lathe, etc., etc.]. If someone gives you an "easy" answer to that question it will simply mean that they don't know what they are talking about. Also, it could mean that they are simply trying to sell you something -- and they are being motivated only by profit.

We suggest that you be VERY careful when making decisions about this, because you probably do not have much training about this type of construction -- and it might therefore be easy for someone to cheat you.

We strongly recommend that you learn the "language" of log house building before you go any further with your plans.

We strongly recommend that you check out our website. The website address is; http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse

Our phone number in America is (360) 794-4469.

Please let us know if we can help you in any way.

Your friend,

Skip Ellsworth

PS -- I have been to Soul, Koreo on several different occasions, and I like it very much. Also, I have fought many Koreans and I have learned to respect their courage and aggression when fighting. There is a warm place in my heart for Korea, and it's culture, and it's people.

---------- > From: Randy Wilcox <wilcoxrandy@hotmail.com> > To: loghouse@premier1.net > Subject: Re: Saturday Seminar > Date: Monday, June 08, 1998 6:10 AM > > Howdy Skip, > I thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality and seminar this past weekend. It would have been nice if all the seminars and classes that I've taken in the past could have be as informative, and filled my brain with as much knowledge as yours has done in the two days I spent at your house. I would like very much sometime to come out and just B.S. about whatever. I am located over in Everett as we discussed at lunch yesterday. Thanks again very much! Keep in touch, Your Friend Randy

From loghouse@premier1.net Fri Jun 5 08:37:25 1998 Received: from dewellee (pm0-ppp14.sul.premier1.net [206.40.134.143]) > by premier1.premier1.net (8.8.6/8.7) with ESMTP id IAA09215 for > <wilcoxrandy@hotmail.com>; Fri, 5 Jun 1998 08:37:22 -0700 (PDT) > >Message-Id: <199806051537.IAA09215@premier1.premier1.net>

From: "Skip Ellsworth" <loghouse@premier1.net> > >To: "Randy Wilcox" <wilcoxrandy@hotmail.com> > >Subject: Re: Saturday Seminar > >Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 08:51:11 -0700 > >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal > >X-Priority: 3 > >X-Mailer: Microsoft Internet Mail 4.70.1155 > >MIME-Version: 1.0 > >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > > >

Howdy Randy !!! Thanks for your note. We are looking forward to getting together with you and Beaux tomorrow. Your friends, Skip, Elvie, and little Chip SKIP ELLSWORTH > >LOG HOUSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA > >TELEPHONE: (360) 794-4469 > >WEBSITE: http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse/ > > > > > >---------- > >> From: Randy Wilcox <wilcoxrandy@hotmail.com> > >> To: loghouse@premier1.net > >> Subject: Saturday Seminar > >> Date: Tuesday, June 02, 1998 9:26 PM > >> > >

Hey Skip I thought it would be a good idea to send you this e-mail about the seminar on Saturday. Beaux Wilcox a good friend of mine asked me to join him in taking this class and I agreed. He was going to fill out an application for me and send it to you right away. I hope that this will not cause an inconvenience for you or anyone else. Please send me back an e-mail letting me know either way. Thanks, Randy Wilcox

Howdy Randy !!!

Thank you for your note about the two-day seminar. We very much enjoyed having you in the class and we are looking forward to getting together with you again here at the ranch.

If you and I sit down with a couple of pots of coffee, we can undoubtedly solve most of the world's problems (just kidding, man !!!). At least we can have a lot of fun trying.

It is good to know that you live so near, because this means we can get together easily. The next free meeting will be on the first Tuesday of July, and we hope to see you there. It appears that at least one of the guys from the same class will be flying up from California to attend the meeting -- he is the big guy who was in construction for so many years. Also, it appears that the husband-wife team from Montana will be here for the meeting -- as well as the husband-wife team that will be building their log home very inexpensively (with salvage stuff). I am looking forward to the "reunion."

Please call, or e-mail, any time you have a question.

We are looking forward to seeing you again.

Your friends,

Skip, Elvie, and little Chip

SKIP ELLSWORTH LOG HOUSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA TELEPHONE: (360) 794-4469 WEBSITE: http://www.premier1.net/~loghouse/

To Skip Ellsworth and the Log House Association,

I have found this to be an exceptional WEB site. The color photos with descriptions are the best part as would be with any WEB site. People like to see pictures, I won't quote the old "cliché". A few items described in some of the photos are a bit hard to see. It is as you said, very hard to show in a picture the true size and beauty of something as compared to actually being there. The personal info portion is also very important. I would want to know a little about the individual and their background. The more recent photo of yourself was a nice touch. I see your NOT the raving lunatic I had pictured....kidding. The portion about Fang is very humorous yet not to be taken lightly. Some folks will scare away but that will just leave room for the more serious. With the new photo gallery, I can now show the wife what I have been talking about.

Student testimonials and pics are very important as well. This gives folks a chance to read the letters from former students and view the work they are most proud of. I'm not done reading the rest of your site, so I won't comment further till I do.

Going back to a conversation we had several months ago, I finally did put two phone poles, one on either side of my driveway with a "KEEP OUT" sign. Hard to believe how many people read (or don't read) the PRIVATE DRIVEWAY sign and keep on driving in. I stopped short of putting up the "KEEP OUT OR I WILL F@#*ING KILL YOU" sign as you suggested. I did however entertain the idea for a moment.

You seem to be a very well connected man and a very fortunate one too. (i.e. family and friends). I am flattered that you value my opinion. I'm a straight shooter and don't bullshit people and I pick my friends based on those characteristics. There are always lots of folks you can tolerate, but only a few true friends.

PS I have also noted that your a man that accepts no excuses and has strong discipline. I admire you greatly and hope to meet you one day soon.

Tim

Skip,

First of all I would like like to thank you for this last weekend , I am more determined than ever to build my own now . I really liked your guest house and was hoping that should you still have plans for that I would sure appreciate it if you could get me a copy so that I may start my model . Thank you again for a terrific weekend and hope to see you at the next monthly meeting. If you should be able to send the plans ,thank you in advance.

Beaux Wilcox

In ascending order of importance:

Dear Chip, Elvie and Little Skip,

Thanks for the wonderful company, food and education. For a short time, with an open mind and objectively, I have been weighing the merits of building a log home. Being ignorant of the craft to the Nth degree, raised many obstacles which I could not in my mind resolve. Skip, your easy going manner and constant flow of humor made it a lot easier to assimilate the enormous amount of information which cascaded out of your toothless (one) mouth. I have made the decision to build THE HOUSE. There are two steps to the help which I am going to request from you.

FIRST: I am going to ask you to correct if necessary the chronology of the task. 1) cut the trees (this should be easier than for some, as "my" forest has enormous diameter trees, very tall, very straight). Some of these trees will come off the building site. 2) catalog the trees and haul them to a well thought out position at the building site 3) clear the land, sight in the pier blocks, dig, form, pour and put in rebar 1/2" to not go into the ground and stick out at the top 12" 4) make certain at each step that everything is square 5) put in the base log. My idea is to make this one 4' in diameter 6) the rest of the logs will be 3' in diameter and drilled through the top and then drive rebar into half of log below 7) set the logs that will hold up second and third floors as the wall reaches that height. 8) set up the RPSLs (perhaps this comes first so as not to lock myself out). My idea is to make these two supports out of enormous trees. 9) put up the PRL using the sneaky methods you taught 10) do the rafters with logs 11) put in roof 12) put in floor 13) cut and place windows, doors Chile is an earthquake prone area so I will make certain and conform to their quake standards even if there is no code where I will build. The place where I will be building is extremely beautiful and splendidly isolated. No roads, electricity.

SECOND: My idea is to get everything ready with the first thaw. In that basin that could be in Nov. The most beautiful weather is Feb, Mar, Apr. We have six to seven months max to work outside. My idea is that once we have everything ready, you come down to take charge of the actual erection at least of the shell. I will pay your tickets and host your stay. I believe that what you will find is that we can build log houses (not so big as mine) in other places in Chile and we can sell them like hotcakes. But that is something else you can consider later. It would be a great break for you, Elvie and little Chip. You could chose to come down only for 3 months (during the most critical building time). THE HOUSE would be smaller than yours. Perhaps 37.5 x 37.5 (three sections of 12.5'). There is are quite a few thousand people a year that go to the ski resort and the hot spring spa. Standing high above, looking down at the pristine lake and virgin forest, they could be easily enticed to take an adventure trek to what could become a bed and breakfast place if in the future that would be desirable. I have even more beautiful land and even more remote, further south if chose to move out. Let me know what you think.

NEXT: I am gathering a few clothes and shoes which I will somehow get to you for your Philippine brothers.

IDEA: One of my sons is a graphic artist. Unlike many graphic artists, he has a keen sense of how to take an idea and make it sell. He has done it for others so successfully, that on one occasion several multinational companies got together in Uruguay to plot a strategy to take the streets of Buenos Aires away from this kid. His advertising scheme overwhelmed all of the competition. I tell you this because I think that I could approach him to do something for you on the internet that would be dynamite. You could pay him a small amount for every customer delivered. Anyway, I don't know whether he would do it or not but I would not even put it to him if you are not interested.

You have a great talent Skip. If people knew about you, you would have to build a bigger house to hold your classes.

Well, enough. It was a pleasure meeting you and I wish you the very best this world has to offer.

Sincerely,

Cameron

Hello Skip ,

I know you only know me by name , through the E-mails I've sent you ,but still I wanted to let you know how my progress has gone. Since your class I have bought #5 acre's. Last weekend I started clearing . I just bought a mobile for $2000 that is in great shape , and am looking to get started on the septic and well this next month. I have achieved all this since taking your class 2 months ago . I don't have lot's of money so that isn't the secret , but rather determination to a goal . I guess I just wanted to thank you for the inspiration . I hope to buy my logs this winter , I have called around to the mill's and found that they are paying at the most .65 cents a foot so I figure I should be able to get all my logs for around $4000, plus I've found car-decking for .45 cents a foot , so everything is looking good. Again thank you for the inspiration. Beaux Wilcox

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