Things you need off-grid; snow day, and local love
charlesmandel.substack.com
A bow saw is an indispensable tool for the off-gridder. Beyond what the shape of your off-grid home might look like, where it’s located, and all those big picture visions, a surprising number of tools can also make your plunge into the lifestyle easier.
a few comments from decades of experience building and living in the woods:
Always make sure your saw blades are chamfered or you'll be swearing to the skies as the blade jams over and over.
To split wood, get a real splitting maul, not just an axe. An axe will often jam whereas the maul's more heart-shaped profile will blast through and actually split it - plus has more weight to help you out.
Matches backup for sure but for super convenience, get a micro butane torch and a small bottle of butane that will last forever with this torch, often 1/2 price at Princess:
Also, a super convenience to cold start a fire are the parafin and sawdust firestarters from Dollarama. $1.25 for a package that will last to start fires for many weeks...you'll see the benefit when you use them, especially using the torch noted above to ignite them: https://forums.redflagdeals.com/dollarama-firestarter-1-25-2547937/#&gid=1&pid=1
All great tools to have! I'd add merino wool everything. Your beach looks like a gorgeous, restorative place. Thanks for the peek and, great news about having your arm strength back!
I'm so happy that this treatment is working for you!
Thanks for letting us know about the generator. Our solar panels--on our roof, and not at the best position for that reason--generate no power during the winter. We end up buying from SaskPower in the winter and selling back in the summer, and over the course of the entire year, we generate as much as we need. It just doesn't come at a steady rate.
How far is the ocean from your place? How often do you go there?
a few comments from decades of experience building and living in the woods:
Always make sure your saw blades are chamfered or you'll be swearing to the skies as the blade jams over and over.
To split wood, get a real splitting maul, not just an axe. An axe will often jam whereas the maul's more heart-shaped profile will blast through and actually split it - plus has more weight to help you out.
Matches backup for sure but for super convenience, get a micro butane torch and a small bottle of butane that will last forever with this torch, often 1/2 price at Princess:
https://www.princessauto.com/en/micro-butane-torch/product/PA0000141010.
Also, a super convenience to cold start a fire are the parafin and sawdust firestarters from Dollarama. $1.25 for a package that will last to start fires for many weeks...you'll see the benefit when you use them, especially using the torch noted above to ignite them: https://forums.redflagdeals.com/dollarama-firestarter-1-25-2547937/#&gid=1&pid=1
Yay, so good to hear your chemo update. And I love your shoreline pix. And the frozen brook. Keep on keepin' on! :)
All great tools to have! I'd add merino wool everything. Your beach looks like a gorgeous, restorative place. Thanks for the peek and, great news about having your arm strength back!
Oh....chemo brain....funny that I was just watching a movie called The Judge...with that subject matter.
YES. All the warm days, and lack of snow is unsettling.
Those tool tips are excellent. Thanx for assuring me that even tho I have alot of tools, I am correct in thinking I need more. LOL
I'm so happy that this treatment is working for you!
Thanks for letting us know about the generator. Our solar panels--on our roof, and not at the best position for that reason--generate no power during the winter. We end up buying from SaskPower in the winter and selling back in the summer, and over the course of the entire year, we generate as much as we need. It just doesn't come at a steady rate.
How far is the ocean from your place? How often do you go there?
Take good care of yourself, Charles.