Spirit Archives - Page 8 of 26 - Living Off the Grid: Free Yourself

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Floating paradise

If I weren’t living where I do now and loving it, this is how I would want to live, on a homemade island home. These two artists are truly living the dream, I can’t imagine how it must be living on the water like that, but they sure have made it work. Listening to them talking, Catherine King and Wayne Adams, I can hear PB and myself in them, especially the part about him knowing every board and nail in the place as he put each one there himself.

Seeing it from the sky is the best way to get a sense of the place, it’s bigger than it seems. I love the way it seemed to have grown in an organic manner, not seeming to have a plan, but just being added on to bit by bit as it was needed or wanted. It has taken them 24 years to get it to this point. One last thing I’ll mention before moving on to the video, they have 2 chihuahuas, anyone with chihuahuas are alright in my book. :)

I hope you enjoy watching this video as much as I did.

https://youtu.be/z9WWzbzevTA

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September 11, 2016 No Comments

Community

Handmade home off the grid

Meet Jesse, he lives in a tiny house in Maine, he built this himself and is quite ambitious – to live simply. I can appreciate how he lives, he is obviously a packrat (like I am), his little cabin is filled, stuffed to the rafters with stuff, but it’s not too much IMHO, though it if you are more of a minimalist, it might set your teeth on edge.

I like that he even builds some of his own tools, that’s the best way to learn, just jump in and try thing, if it works, great, if it doesn’t work, then you have the challenge of doing something different that does work. I love his pizza oven, I’d love to learn more about how he built it, it looks small and simple, something a person could do on a small scale.

https://youtu.be/D2yzondJyB8

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September 10, 2016 No Comments

Community

Late summer 2016 SkyCastle update

Screenshot_2016-08-28-02-16-47-01

Things are happening at the SkyCastle, as you may or may not know, late last winter I spilled a very large, very sweet cup of coffee (complete with melted marshmallows) into my laptop, I was able to get it rinsed out and dried pretty well, but things did not operate correctly after that, my keyboard pretty much died, I limped by using an external keyboard. Other things quit working or didn’t work right, I really hated to give that computer up, I had it set up just the way I liked it. Fortunately I had a Square Trade drops and spills accident warranty on it (I HIGHLY recommend them), I contacted them and they shot a prepaid return box to me, they had my computer the following day, then a few days later then let me know they couldn’t get parts quick enough so they cut me a check for what I paid for my laptop.

I hung on to the check for a while, not ready to buy another laptop yet and not wanting to take the chance of touching that money, I realized it was getting dangerously close to the time when the check wouldn’t be any good, I deposited it and began the process of picking out another laptop. Fast forward to now, and I’m writing this on my spiffy new laptop, an Acer Aspire E 15, 15.6 Full HD, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA 940MX, 8GB DDR4, 256GB SSD, Windows 10 Home, E5-575G-76YK. Not having my laptop meant I had to do everything on my tablet, that’s why my articles here have been so thin on words, it’s not easy to type on a small screen, especially the amount I like to write. :) I’m still getting this setup like I like it, installing my old software and getting used to Windows 10.

So now to the rest of the update, this will be a video update of the west side of the SkyCastle, PB has been busy working on the roof area over the laundry room, it’s also the deck area (3rd floor) where the round tower is situated. We have wanted to make that a small nook like place where we could sit down and survey the neighborhood, maybe even have some friends over and some meals. The original roof leaked, and leaked badly, whenever it rained we would have to go in there and move things (my clothes mainly), put out buckets and plastic to protect what couldn’t be moved. That is all fixed now, PB used a product called Redguard on the new plywood he laid down, that is a paint on coating that is used in shower pans to waterproof the wood below it, the idea is to keep the wood from rotting should moisture get to it. Then he used wide flashing as the next layer, now we have to …

August 26, 2016 No Comments

Community

Floating tiny home

Screenshot_2016-08-01-00-06-23-01

This is one of of the most interesting tiny home / floating homes I’ve ever seen! I love the look of this, I could totally live in this. I would have to put in some solar, and I’d probably want it a bit more South, but other than that, it’s great…

https://youtu.be/DE2WdjS6rRY

Screenshot_2016-08-01-00-06-35-01 Screenshot_2016-08-01-00-08-01-01 Screenshot_2016-08-01-00-06-29-01 …

July 29, 2016 No Comments

9 great places for a UK break

Bring your Yurt or Camper Van or rent one from these sites below – to learn how you will cope with a longer, or total, off-grid experience. Many of the places below are in the South-West England – Britain’s off-grid heartland.

1. DRIFTAWAY CAMPING WOODLANDS Chard, Somerset

ENJOY a peaceful and secluded retreat at Driftaway, where there are just two fully equipped safari tents.

Everything is provided, including bedding and towels. Each tent can accommodate two adults and three children – or kids can sleep in a small tepee.

There’s a sink, gas cooker, wood burning stove, a washstand, plus two baskets of firewood and a toilet cabin. Two nights is from £250, based on five sharing (£25 pppn). To book, see bit.ly/29tysQZ

2. LOWARTH GLAMPING Wadebridge, Cornwall

SURROUNDED by fields in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the small and secluded Lowarth Glamping is an idyllic retreat for summer. The fully equipped Belle Tents have wood-burning stoves and a small kitchen annex, with cupboard, cool box and worktop area. Each is named after a wildflower, even if they look more like garlic cloves.

The site’s amenities are spotless and there’s a communal fire pit with cushioned seating for al fresco dining. There’s even a spa cabin for shiatsu treatments.

A seven-night stay during the school holidays in the Bluebell tent sleeping four people is from £540. See more at bit.ly/29rYoLf.

3. LONGTHORNS FARM Wareham, Dorset

FOR a chilled-out, back-to-basics break, relax in a simple shepherd’s hut.

While shepherds would have made do with just basic furnishings, this version has a double bed, wood burner and kitchenette with traditional Dutch oven for cooking hearty stews.

There is also an outside fire pit – perfect for grilling and heating water.

For added authenticity, the farm even has its own herd of cows and alpacas. A seven-night holiday from August 7 costs £613. Check it out at campsites.co.uk/go/21991.

8. GRANGE FARM Newport, Isle of Wight

YOU don’t have to travel to the plains of Africa to see water buffalo – simply catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight for a stay at Grange Farm.

This working farm campsite, yards from the beach, allows children and adults to interact with a wide range of animals, from water buffalo, alpacas, micro pigs and common farm breeds.

Onsite amenities include free hot showers, a laundrette, shop and children’s playground.

Large pitches start from £423.50 for seven nights during the school holidays, based on eight sharing, working out at £7.56 pppn). See bit.ly/29m74V6.

3. BLACKBERRY WOOD Ditchling, East Sussex

THIS leafy site is well known for its quirky accommodation and in May unveiled a new fairytale treehouse.

It even has its own turret and terrace and there is space enough for a loft bed, shower room and kitchen.

Other ways to spend the night at the extraordinary Blackberry Wood include in your own double-decker bus …

July 11, 2016 No Comments

Community

SkyCastle upgrade

SkyCastle Upgrade

The SkyCastle is getting a facelift, or an upgrade, however you wish to look at it. This all started out from PB needing to repair the roof over the laundry room, it has leaked pretty much from day one, that’s one of the drawbacks of using used/recycled materials, sometimes it works great, other times, not so well.

The big round tower is actually a water tank, PB converted it into a storage closet, put a pointier roof on it and placed it on the 3rd floor deck over the laundry room. He had to break it loose and move it out of the way to replace each roof section. He pushed it over the front about 2 feet and decided he liked it there, it gave us more space on that deck area and he could make it look more castley (I know that’s not a word, but it is now LOL).

PB has worked the last few days to cover the area where we will be able to walk around the tower, I have another edited picture of what the west side will eventually look like.
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I would say Photoshopped, but PB uses Paint to do his Photoshopping :) Now we will have to get PB to work on the other side of the SkyCastle, it’s starting to look lopsided……

June 26, 2016 No Comments

The truth about solar

A current and interesting look at solar power today,we have truly come a long way. Of course battery technology is still pretty far behind, prices for solar panels have dropped significantly over the past few years making it affordable for more and more people,and the solar panel kits make it simple to get exactly what you want to get started.
https://youtu.be/nabM5MGq_NY
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June 24, 2016 2 Comments

A woman living off-grid

As a woman living off-grid, I can speak definitively about this. But apparently I’m not the average woman. Many women I speak to, they tend to say things like “that is wonderful but I could never live like that…”, I suppose they think I’m living like a cave woman. I can assure you that I do not live like a cave woman, but I am more comfortable with a level of primitiveness (is that even a word? It us now, LOL) that most city dwellers might not find pleasant.

I watched this video talking specifically about this subject, I will say that I personally agree with most of what they discussed, but some of it, we’ll IMHO I think they have some learning ahead of them.

Guys, this is where you can skip ahead or skip altogether if you wish, though if you are planning on bringing along some female company, these are things you will deal with directly or indirectly. Either way, you have been warned. :)

The monthly curse, I like the use of the menstrual cup, I have one, I’ve used it, but with my age comes that other M, menopause, so that is becoming less and less of an issue for me, and for that I am eternally grateful. The thing I personally don’t agree with is the requirement of a daily shower. Especially if you have limited water, if you have to haul it in and such. Of course if you have unlimited water, a well or some other source and have the fuel to heat the water, then daily showers are fine, but for many living off-grid, it’s a luxury that is best saved up for when it’s more necessary.

For me, I’m quite happy taking a sponge bath everyday, I take a full on shower once a week or so, of course if I do something that makes me grimy, yes I’ll take a shower as needed. In the summer I’m likely to hop in the shower and just do a quick rinse between regular showers. But I do not require a daily, full on shower. No I don’t stink, I don’t look dirty, I do work in the public so I have to be presentable. I also don’t wear makeup or bling, it’s just my personal choice, to each their own. :)

Here is the video, watch and enjoy.
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May 29, 2016 3 Comments

Community

Life updates in west Texas

20160519_141825 Things have been going pretty well here in the SkyCastle, summer is definitely knocking, warm to hot days, cool to cold nights… The rainy season seems to be trying to start early. I even got caught in a fairly heavy hail storm last week between towns, I pulled over because I couldn’t see and the road was nearly white with ice. But a little farther and I cleared the storm OK.

I took my laptop to town to get it sent away for repair, I had spilled sweet coffee in it a few months ago, it finally quit booting up altogether. Fortunately I had purchased an oops drops & spills warranty through Square Trade, I am so impressed with them. They overnighted a box for me to return it in, complete with a prepaid return label.

I handed it to the FedEx driver at 3pm, Square Trade had it in Dallas the following day. A few days later, they said they might not be able to get the parts to fix it, then another few days later, they confirmed that fact, they immediately cut me a check for the purchase price I paid for it.

I emailed them to ask what they do with the data in the hard drive, they never replied to my email, but a few days later, I received a box that contained the hard drive! Yes, I am impressed and happy.

Now I have the task to pick out another laptop, I’ve been using my tablet, but for writing, it’s nowhere as easy to use, I can type fast on a regular keyboard, but on a tablet, I just don’t have those crazy thumb skills I see all the teens & 20somethigs doing.

In this same week, I finally got a haircut, it’s only been 2 years, the lady who does it is a jewel, Im sure we chatted longer than she worked on my hair… You can see my way picture above, a rare selfie showing off my new trim.

I hope to have my new laptop in hand in the next couple of weeks, I have some fun and serious things to do with it, more about that later.…

May 27, 2016 No Comments

Self-Sufficiency

Modern old school wind power

windmill01

Wind power, here in the US and other countries, we use wind power on small and large scale, mostly to generate electricity, but the Dutch really harnessed wind power long before the era of electricity. As I watch these two videos, I see an orchestra of gears and cogs playing out a symphony of work in beauty, grace and power.

There is an elegant play of massive wood timbers and steel, pushing, pulling, vibrating, it’s almost a living thing, needing constant tending to tighten and loosen, to bring into and away from the wind. I am fascinated by how this works, and even though I’m a major homebody if I were to travel somewhere, I’d love to see one of these windmills in action.

https://youtu.be/9BjFjKeYKDo

https://youtu.be/Q6FxG3ll-lw

And just for fun, this is about those iconic wooden shoes
https://youtu.be/A_obyjejWBo

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May 15, 2016 No Comments

Community

Motivation

motivation

There are many things that motivate us, motivation is neither positive or negative, though many think of it as a positive thing, but it isn’t necessarily good or bad, it just is… let me give you an example, if you see a large rock rolling toward you, then you are motivated to move out of the way.

We humans tend to be lazy, we take the path of least resistance (much like electricity), often we aren’t motivated to move, or do something, even if it’s something we wish to do, until something happens to force us to act. What sorts of things tend to motivate you? Are you self motivated? Or do you wait for circumstances to force you to move?

I thought of something this week that really struck a chord, I want it to be my motivation to achieve my goals from now on. Let’s say you found you that you have a terminal disease and you are going to die tomorrow, there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, you have 24 hours to think about your life and what you have done with it. You take a piece of paper, you create 2 columns on the paper, in the first column you write “I’m glad I _________”, and in the second column you write “I wish I had ______________”, then you fill in the columns with what you are glad you did and what you wished you had done, not so much what you wish you could own, but what you wish you could have done.

Which column will be longer? I suspect it’s the second, “I wish I had…” column. You have the chance right now to create that page with your achievements and your wishes, don’t wait for some major life change to think about these things, the time is NOW, you will never get another NOW, each second is another NOW slipping by.

Why do I write so much about these things? It’s simple, I want you to live your dreams, if there is something you really want to do, then it’s up to you to do that, you have to figure out how to achieve your dreams, it’s easier to sit and live the life you are living now, living paycheck to paycheck, paying your bills, riding the treadmill of life, it’s time to step off of that treadmill and start living for yourself. What are your dreams?

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May 13, 2016 No Comments

Hunting in the evening

I went hunting tonight, my quarry is small and hard to find, unless you have the right equipment. I only bagged one this evening, it was a bit too cool for them to be very active, a young one was in my path and I stomped it to smithereens.

My quarry tonight was the not so humble scorpion. This is a creature that has plagued us since our first summer out here in the desert. I tend to be a live and let live kind of gal, but when they come into my house, fall on me (and my dogs) and sting, that’s when I declare war.

We don’t have the really painful (and deadly) ones, just the small brown ones, they do pack a punch though, I found out the hard way.

I know all the wild creatures out here have their place, but I’d rather they stay outside. We had our first scorpion of the season inside the SkyCastle just a few weeks ago, it was crawling across the ceiling and dropped right on Zoe’s nose, (one of my dogs), fortunately it didn’t sting her and she didn’t mess with it after she shook it off. And equally fortunately, we saw it happen and was able to put it out of its misery before it caused us any misery.

With the warmer weather comes the bugs, and we live in a very buggy place, it’s one of the things I like about winter, no bugs to speak of. But as soon as the weather warms up, especially at night, out they come. I even saw a couple of Junebugs, a whole month early, of course there are a plethora of moths and other flying & crawling critters that seek any crack or opening to come inside.

I knew that scorpions light up (fluoresce) under blacklight (UV light), they glow like a cheap kids toy, the great part is they don’t seem to know they are glowing and don’t try to get away, that gives me a few extra seconds to take aim with my boot. My light of choice is a 51 LED UV flashlight, it doesn’t seem to put out much visible light, which is a good thing, it puts out just enough visible light to be able to see where I’m walking, and when it hits a scorpion, the light that comes back is sooooo bright!

I haven’t actively hunted the scorpions in the past couple of years like I did the first year I started, I put a pretty good dent in their population that first summer. I don’t want to kill all of them, just the ones that are within striking distance of the SkyCastle. I suspect I’ll be doing much more hunting this year.

What is your nemesis in the warmer months?

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May 5, 2016 No Comments

All you need to go off-grid

Spirit

Floating paradise

Handmade home off the grid

Late summer 2016 SkyCastle update

Floating tiny home

9 great places for a UK break

SkyCastle upgrade

The truth about solar

A woman living off-grid

Life updates in west Texas

Modern old school wind power

Motivation

Hunting in the evening

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