April 9, 2022

Making One Room Off Grid

Solar Cells
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Been Thinking About This

Ok, this post is going to seem a little crazy.  But I’ve thought about it occasionally for years and I thought I would share.  Like many people I am environmentally conscious and solar energy has always been an interest.  An off grid home has been a goal, and still is, but is there an “in between alternative?

My crazy idea is to have one room in my house off grid!

I’ll Cheat a Little

I’ll fully admit I’ll cheat a little.  Heating and air conditioning for the room is a challenge.  Not impossible, but not easy.  I guess you could always use a wood stove and cut dead wood,  Or your room could be south facing and rely on solar heating.  However I envision more of a small room internal to the rest of the house so that the room benefits from the insulation and residual heat and cooling of adjacent rooms.

What Will Be In My Room?

Office / Reading Room

Obviously a good room candidate wouldn’t be power intensive like a kitchen or laundry room.  I’m thinking of a small combo office and reading room.  I like to write and read, and the basic requirements would be a laptop and lighting.  A cell phone could be included as they are easy to charge with very little power.

So we’re talking about an easy chair for reading and a small desk for writing.  Everything else is optional.

There are lots of low power consumption lighting solutions.  Powering a laptop with long battery life requires enough power to charge the battery.

Video can be on the laptop as can music.  Probably headphones or ear plugs work well.  Maybe a simple radio with rechargeable batteries ..In fact I have an old Grundig radio that charges with a hand crank.

Sleeping Room

A plain old sleeping room would probably work fine too.  Again you need lighting, but not much else, power-wise.  Your alarm could be your phone or a small rechargeable battery unit.  And again, low power lighting solutions are available here too.

Where To Go Next

So how to power all this?  I think a fairly simple solar panel setup charging a couple of solar batteries would work fine.  There are plenty of 12 volt lighting options available.  You might need an inverter to provide 110 volts to provide a charging outlet for your laptop.

I’m starting to see various levels of solar generators on the market.  Some would probably work fine.  A quick search on Amazon shows models from a couple hundred to several thousand that claim to be able to power your home for days.  Or you could go with a DIY approach.  There is lots of solar information available.  You just need to do your research.

Either way you will need to find a way to route some wires from your solar source to your room without destroying your house!

So what do you think of my crazy idea?  I’ll keep you informed if I decide to give it a try.  And of course if we ever take the plunge for a full off grid homestead I’ll let you know that too!

Filed Under: Housing, Things To Do Leave a Comment
September 17, 2021

Being Crazy At 70, 80, and Beyond

Seniors at Beach Viewing Ocean
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

I’m not 70 yet, but I’m close enough to start thinking about it.  And I really don’t want to think life gets boring at 70 and beyond.  As long as we’re alive and kicking we want life to be interesting and productive.

We all admire those older folks that do things that are a little uncommon for their age.  Think about the 90 year old that gets their college degree.  Or the famous artist that didn’t start until her mid 70s.  I just read about an 80 year old that still hikes up and down mountains on a daily basis.  Some even have the audacity to start a business!

So What is Crazy Anyway?

While things are slowly changing, being crazy just means doing things the world doesn’t expect at your age.  It is still assumed that you shouldn’t do certain things beyond some predefined age.  Just tell someone you have retired.  They assume you mean you have hit the stop button.  No more work.  No more adventure.  No more purpose or productivity.

Crazy is Good

I’d like to propose that crazy is good!  If you retire it just means you are moving to a new phase in life.  You can do most anything you want.  Yes, you may be slowing a bit physically, but you more than make up for it in wisdom.  And you have seen it all before, so you can be a little eccentric, a little different, and yes, a little crazy!

Crazy is Healthy

Crazy keeps your brain sharp.  Most evidence now points to a “use it or lose it” reality as we age.  This is especially true for your brain health.  And physically, while you can’t do the same things at 80 that you did at 20, you probably can do more than you think.  You see examples every day.  I have an uncle that ran marathons well into his 80s.  He did admit that around 85 he did start doing more walking than running!

The World Needs Your Craziness

There are so many examples of older folks making major contributions to society.  Many doctors practice until a very advanced age.  I read about one Japanese doctor that still practices every day despite being over 100.  Writers and artists often do some of their best work after 80.  And while you can argue about politicians making contributions to society, many stay active well into their 80s.  Look at Jimmy Carter and his work with Habitat for Humanity.

So How Can You Be Crazy?

You don’t have to run marathons or save the world to be a little crazy (although who knows what is possible until you try!)  Here are some ideas to get you thinking.

Keep Moving

This one helps make everything else more possible.  Move however you can.  Walk, swim, bicycle, or run as you are able

Be the oldest walking in a marathon or start a group of older gym rats!  Anybody up for softball or touch football where the only requirement is being over 70?

Learn Stuff

There are so many opportunities to learn stuff these days.  Many colleges allow seniors to attend classes for free or low cost.  And the Internet has near infinite possibilities.

Teach Stuff

You know a lot.  Give others the benefit of that knowledge.  You can teach formal classes or maybe make use of a more informal setting like a community center.  You can even learn to create your own online courses. 

Go Places

Go more places than you ever thought possible.  Go somewhere unusual or use an alternative means of transportation.  If you have always driven places try taking the train, a plane or even the bus.  If you fancy foreign travel go somewhere unusual, or spend a little more time than the average tourist.

Read Voraciously

Read, read, read.  It will keep you sharp and make you a more interesting person to be around.  It will give you ideas and help keep your brain sharp. Read what others have done in their “older” years.

Start a Blog

Everyone has a story to tell.  A blog makes it possible.  And even if few people read what you write it is good for you personally.

Write Articles and Books

I cannot overemphasize how helpful writing has been to me.  It can be for you too so give a try.

How will you be just a little crazy?

Filed Under: Health, Personal Development, Things To Do, Travel, Uncategorized Leave a Comment
July 10, 2021

More Things to Do When You Are Bored

Bored Guy
Photo by Ekoate Nwaforlor on Unsplash

I enjoyed brainstorming my first “Things to Do When you are bored” list.  So, I decided to try it again and see what I could come up with.  Here we go.

Make Something Different to Eat

The variety of recipes out there is almost infinite.  Give something new a try.

Clean out the Refrigerator

You know it needs it!  Those little spills have a way of adding up and lasting forever.

Start a Collection

You probably have things laying around that you have thought about collecting.  Why not make it official and start a new hobby and see if it sticks.

Take An Inventory of Household Possessions

This is important for insurance reasons.  Even videos from your phone are helpful if stored in a safe place.

Fix Something That’s Broken

You know that broken something that is tucked away somewhere?  Why not grab some glue or whatever is needed and fix it?  Or if it is not fixable throw it out and clear up some space.

Use That Exercise Equipment That’s Gathering Dust

You know you should.  It is so good for you.

Play a Board Game

They are really fun.  Get away from the computer and give them a try.  You probably used to love board games and you can again!

Build a Card Castle

Most people have some old decks of cards laying around.  Build a card castle with them and let the kids or grandkids be amazed!

Set Up Dominos

See how big of a snake you can make and then have fun knocking them down.  Again, kids will love it.

Frame a Poster You Have Sitting Around

Most of us have an art poster or souvenir poster laying around still rolled up in a tube.  Find a way to hang them and add some color to your living areas.

Dig Up Something in the Basement or Closet and Use It.

If the something has been sitting there long enough it will be almost as fun as buying something new!

Build Something

Build something new, be it a stool, bookcase, or something bigger.  Use a kit or build from scratch depending on your ability.

Take a Photo of Something

Justify that expensive phone or digital camera and take some pictures.  If the photos are of people you’ll be glad you did years later.  Or just snap some photos in your backyard or around the neighborhood.

Count Your Penny Jar

Many of us save pennies in a big jar or can.  Aren’t you curious how much is in there?

Open a Savings Account for Something Special

Do it today, and make it separate from your “regular” savings account.  Designate it for a special vacation, dream car or whatever you like.

Buy One Dividend Stock

Some online services allow you to buy stocks for very small amounts of money.  Learn about dividend stocks and buy a share or two.  You’ll learn about passive income in the process.

Plant a Tree

Planting a tree is probably one of the best things you can do for our long-term environment.  Bonus if a child helps you.

Dig Up Space for a Small Garden or Prepare a Container Garden

You can do a regular garden or even a container garden in the city.  When the weather is right plant something and watch it grow.  Gardening has all kinds of benefits.

Find Some Websites Related to Your Hobby or Interest

Dig into your hobby and bookmark some useful websites.  Then visit them regularly to see what is new.

Update Your Resume

Everyone should do this at least once a year.  Bonus if you actually post it somewhere and see what happens.

Find a Useful New App for Your Computer or Phone

There are thousands of free and low-cost apps out there.  Find one that is actually useful to you.

Organize Your Bills and Receipts

I’m talking about the paper version that have a way of laying around all over.  Organize in folders or toss as is appropriate.

Dust Something

Nobody has enough time to dust as much as they would like.  So, if you’re really bored, take advantage of the time!

Learn to Sew on a Button

Everyone should learn how to sew on a button (I don’t but should!).  You never know when you will need the skill.

Send a Letter or Postcard to Someone

Skip Email and send a paper letter or postcard to someone.  It will be a pleasant surprise.

So, there is part two of my “What to do when bored” list.  Why not do your own part three and keep it somewhere for when you need it!

Filed Under: General, Things To Do Leave a Comment