June 26, 2026

Review: Rywell Cooling Mats for Pets

I've done several reviews on Arc-Chill products and I love them. 


They are amazing in that the Arc-Chill fabric has a lovely cooling effect that makes it perfect for hot weather! It's in the technology. By incorporating microscopic (nano) particles of jade into polyester thread, the result is passive thermal wicking. I can't tell you how much of a lifesaver our cooling blanket and comforter have been on our hot summer nights. And I love my cooling t-shirt. No, it's not like air conditioning, but these products make a real difference in heat wave comfort level. 

Anyway, when I was contacted about reviewing Rywell's cooling mats for pets, I said yes!

Now, I'm going to be honest here and tell you up front that after the mats arrived, my cats decided they were going to be Cats and not cooperate. Posing on a pretty comfy pet mat wasn't their idea! No amount of coaxing or tempting treats would make them agree to even give it a try. 

"Katy! Look at the pretty kitty mat! Don't you want to give it a try?"

"You can't make me, Mom."

Well, I thought, this is embarrassing. How can I write a review with uncooperative cats? 

My own impressions were that it's silky soft and cool to touch. It has a skid-proof backing and is machine washable. And it changes colors with the temp! It comes in different sizes (the one you see in the pics is size small) all the way up to XX-large. I'm thinking that one of these would be a lovely way to cool my own feet on a hot day, and the double extra large would make a great nap mat for human kids! There are lots of uses for outdoor, camping, and off-grid activities.

Finally, Sam (my King of Comfort Cat) agreed to test it out.

Sam giving it the touch and sniff test

Sam, making up his mind.

I held my breath. Would he stay, or run away?




Sam has officially claimed it.

Sam says "Mine"

Here's the link!


You'll find coupons, size options, and lots of good information. 

June 21, 2026

New Homestead Bundle With a New Book by Me!

The 2026 Permies Homesteading and Permaculture Bundle is here. It contains $382 worth of homesteading and permaculture resources for just $35. This is a special introductory price! 

My own offering for the bundle is something new 


Goat Tales: Adventures, Misadventures, & Lessons 
Learned in Getting Started with Goats

Of misadventures and lessons learned, I've had plenty! All written to be enjoyed by others who like goats but don't want the adventure. 🐐This will probably be a Permies exclusive.

Here's a list of everything in the bundle:
  • The Permaculture Design Toolkit 
  • Homestead Pastured Poultry course by Diego Footer
  • Growing Gourmet Mushrooms course with Michael Judd 
  • Extended Truly Passive Greenhouse movie 
  • Low Tech Laboratory Movie: The Extended Interviews 
  • solar food dehydrator with rocket assist plans 
  • freaky cheap heat movie as streaming plus one set of rocket mass heater plans
  • Mark Shepard - Restoration Agriculture: Designing Your Perennial Farm presentation 
  • log picnic table plans 3.0
  • Goat Tales by Leigh Tate 
  • worm bin design plans 
  • Diego Footer on Permaculture Based Homesteads - from the Eat Your Dirt Summit 
  • Laundry Detergent that Grows on Trees ebook by Kathryn Ossing
  • Willow Feeders ebook 
  • Living Woods magazine - Issue 10
  • Cheesy Recipes by Kate Downham ebook
  • Native Bee Guide by Crown Bees
  • podcast gob 601-640
  • 24 podcast review of "desert or paradise" by Sepp Holzer

The ones I'm especially excited about are the permaculture design toolkit (regular price $75), the growing mushroom course ($47), and the ebook by Kathryn Ossing ($9.97). I've also been wondering about a solar food dehydrator, but have been concerned that our climate is too humid. The rocket assist plans ($19.99) would solve that problem!

Here's the link, where you can find more details about all the items included. 

(And, I just realized I had the wrong link! Corrected now. Sorry folks!)


The special $35 price will be in effect for about a week. After that, it goes up to the regular price of $65.

June 14, 2026

Baby Chick Update

 The count is now 5 baby chicks.


Mama Sussex is still on the nest and we haven't seen any more for a couple of days now. Maybe this is it? We have no idea how many eggs she's setting on. The chicks are all holding their own and doing well. 

Mama Buff isn't keen on me taking photos, but I did manage to get some. So far they are staying in the coop.