I was so happy to find your website, and to see that "Living on the Earth" is living still, in a somewhat refreshed but mercifully familiar incarnation. I promptly ordered it, and the t-shirt, and was delighted to receive them within a couple of weeks. Thank you!   I am almost exactly your age, born October 5th, 1950, and bought my first copy of your lovely gift to hippiedom when it first came out, at the "Whole Earth Provision Company" in Austin, Texas. I had just dropped out of college to "go back to the land", and it probably saved my life, and definitely my sanity!   That copy was used so much that it plumb wore out, so after a few years I bought another, and it was a constant companion, too. I'm on my third now, not counting the brand new, 30th anniversary edition.  

By the time I wore out the first copy, and got the second one, I was a midwife, with a miraculous little son of my own, Joel Benjamin. We colored the pictures together.   I also had "Being of the Sun" (still have it) , "Home Comfort" (still have that, too), and "Earth Mass" (haven't seen it for years, but it has to be here somewhere!)   I made several of your recipes from "Living On the Earth", including the dill pickles, the peanut butter (I did get that peanut butter recipe from your book, didn't I?), and, especially, the apple butter. I won a ribbon in the Williamson County Fair, in Georgetown, Texas, 1973, for that apple butter, and that was my very first county fair, first entry into a cooking contest, and first apple butter! So, thank you again! If you'll tell me where to send it, I'd like to give you the ribbon. It was third prize, out of a field of about a zillion.   I'm babbling now, so I'll cut to the chase. Why don't you come to Austin? Maybe in October, when it's not so hot? There's a bookstore called "Bookpeople" that I know would be delighted to host a speaking engagement and booksigning for you. Austin's still got a huge hippy culture, a ton of vegetarians and organic farmers, homebirthers, gentle people and artists and musicians galore. You'd have 'em all lined up to see you. What do you say? Please? I can't think of a nicer way to spend my 50th birthday than by getting to meet the sister of the spirit who gave me so much, when we were both so young.   Speaking of "young", it just blows me away that you wrote "Living on the Earth" when you were only 20 years old !

You're truly amazing, Alicia!

Namaste:)   Love always, Cathey    

We are looking for people and eco-investors whose interest is to replenish the old growth and the sponge on the forest.  The natural yards site is hoped to become a network of mentors and young people assembling and distributing our products and the products of other eco business. We hope to provide a beautiful choice of natural, non-chemical yard maintainance, and native plants.    

We hope to prove that people can have a good income in wildcrafting, tourism, and very light touch, non-soil compacting wood harvesting, without clear cutting, or anything like it. We are working with the Healthy Forest/Healthy Communities in Portland (links on our site), and Mark Stella at the Rouge Institute for Economy and Ecology on this project.  We are offering a very good opportunity for people who want to earn money while doing good things for people and Mother Earth.     I hope you will link with our site and spread the word as you travel.  I deliver to stores from Canada to S. Calif. I hope to connect with you sometime. Thanks for your efforts for a better world

Wayne Burns 800-669-0838

Gentlemen:

Attached please find the web site of Alicia Bay Laurel, the author of
'Living on the Earth', a handbook of bohemian life in the early 1970's,
and a  book that was on the New York Times bestseller list.  As you can
see by perusing her web site, she is making an extended tour of America,
introducing the revised version of her book, driving the entire way by
herself, following in the tradition she set 30 odd years ago.  What a
find for Book TV.  American history personified.  A spokeswoman for a
time in our country when idealism was a virtue, and concern a necessity.

While I am not familiar with the inter workings of Book TV, this match
seems too good to pass up.  Please take the time to browse this site, and
see if it Alicia doesn't deserve a spot on one of your shows.  I am an
interested observer of both Alicia, and your television efforts, and
cannot think of a more perfect union.  Please take the time to seriously
consider her for one of your weekend shows.
Of course you will find her e-mail address and phone number on her
web site. I have no personal relationship with Alicia, or I would
encourage her to come directly to you.  I trust in your wisdom to see
the possibilities that exist.

www.aliciabaylaurel.com/

Sincerely,
Tom Lance
Lakewood, Co.

I hadn't kept up with your trip since July - just made up for that & went
thru all your trips.  I'm SO amazed at your - how shall i say - greatness of
spirit?  That doesn't even touch it.  Loved the Hamazons - that you were able
to photograph a deer in the wild, an Elizabethan theatre, Bryce Gray (I know
him - nice to see him again) but the one I most resonated to was Funk Tech
with Panache - your friend Ayala Talpai and her house & environs - that you
have the perception to photograph her cupboard that doubles as a dish
drainer.  That may seem mundane, but I was floored!  This is the way to live!
 Damn!  I'm enthralled.  You're doing what I always wanted to do.  You're
BEING in what my wildest dreams I always wanted to be - a person who can put
her own ego aside and CELEBRATE other people - how incredible and amazing
they are.  How we're NOT slaves of the military-industrial complex.  Your
erudition and political acumen comes thru in all your writing - and the
pictures!  Omigod - this website is amazing.  On my little computer, I can
access all this stuff and it's a celebration of humanity.  You step aside,
you let other people say what they say and do what they do with so much grace
and insight.  Hats off to ya gal.  I'm beginning to see that you're what I
call a "great soul."  Don't say that lightly.  Said that about Lou Gottlieb. 
You're another.  Can't think of any other.

I get so depressed sometimes about the state of the world.  Your web site
cheers me up considerable.  Keep on keeping on love.  You're doing great!

Much love,

Pam

Hey love - post anything you want to from what i say - i'm just running my
mouth after all.  Tom Lance, an adopted friend of M* says you answer his
posts to you.  See - that's what i mean about a great soul.  You're not a
"respecter of persons".  You take ppl for what they are - as they come. 
That's rare.  I know so many ppl who only talk to someone who they deem
important in some way.  You deem ALL ppl important.  When I grow up - i wanna
be like you gal.  Maybe i'm growing up.  Maybe i am.  Thank you for being who
you are.  It helps.  Believe me, it helps - a lot!!!!

luv - ~ Pam

As I read Alicia this morning I realized that by moving away from the
west I was moving away from a life style. In my heart I think the same
way I did in my youth. But here I am only one that thinks the way I do.
By reading Alicia I see that there are plenty of folks that have similar
ideas out west. If I get a chance I am going that way. We know Ambo in
Eugene and other folks in California.

My mother and I were at the Fremont flea market this past weekend when I discovered you and your CD by following the music. It is wonderful, and thank you for signing it. My first impression of you was of a talented, humble, kind, and gentle soul. After touring your website, I am so much more impressed and I am now convinced of that first impression. I am interested in a copy of your anniversary edition. Can I buy one by credit card over the net, or have you ever used www.paypal.com?

I hope you have a safe and rewarding journey on your tour.

Thanks again,

Luana Gilley