For years my lava lamp has been sitting dead in my classroom. Every now and again I would attempt to see what was wrong and assess the situation. Not wanting to be overly aggressive, I would put it back on the shelf and try again later. The issue started with the light bulb being stuck … Continue reading Lava Lamp gets a new life
How-to, Repairs
Sometimes a Choice Is a Not a Choice. Why I Chose to Repair My Wife’s Bicycle
What to do when your favorite bicycle breaks down? Well, you can take it to a professional bicycle mechanic, be convinced your bike isn’t worth fixing, and buy a new bike. But, what happens to the old bicycle? We were put into this exact position when my wife’s favorite bike had a cascade failure. The … Continue reading Sometimes a Choice Is a Not a Choice. Why I Chose to Repair My Wife’s Bicycle
Math in the Real World: Pythagorean Theorem
When are we ever going to use a2 + b2 = c2 in the real world? I asked this question in math class. I am unsure if I ever received an answer until I began building my off grid paradise. Recently, I plotted the footprint for my shop’s foundation. My math teacher should have handed … Continue reading Math in the Real World: Pythagorean Theorem
Honest Companies Do Exist… Tractor Chain Success
Sometimes it seems everyone is so busy trying to make a dollar, that integrity is the first decent thing sacrificed to get it. Even in the blogging world, the temptation to create ad revenue before speaking a company's name is a real thing. When looking for tractor chains after this winter storm, I discovered two … Continue reading Honest Companies Do Exist… Tractor Chain Success
Winter Storm Nadia is Naughty.
I remember years ago in first grade our school taking two vacation days in February to celebrate the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln, February 12, and President George Washington, February 21st. We would work on crafts centered around both presidents and display them the entire month of February. Today, schools celebrate Presidents' Day, which complete … Continue reading Winter Storm Nadia is Naughty.
It Really Works… Introducing the Bicycle Generator.
For the past few months, I have been trying to build our own bicycle generator. Soon it became a sort of obsession as I tried to take an old exercise bike and convert it to a human powered generator. These past few weeks, I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. … Continue reading It Really Works… Introducing the Bicycle Generator.
Kioti Tractor Box Blade Implement Setup (when I can get to it)
My first sunny day of Spring Break and I wanted to be prepped for summer projects. I had to disconnect the Winco generator from the Kioti tractor and reattach the box blade. However, due to winter still hanging on, I had to work a day to clear a path to even get to the box … Continue reading Kioti Tractor Box Blade Implement Setup (when I can get to it)
Cistern Pump Quick Change
When the pump failed, I knew I had to change it before I left for work. If I left the house before changing the cistern pump, my family would be without water for the day. Unless they hand bucketed it from the cistern. This was an early morning emergency that turned out well considering. Behind … Continue reading Cistern Pump Quick Change
Snowplow Success!
This is my final post on the snowplow this year. It has been a battle with the carburetor, battery and electrical system, as well as a replacement of the entire pump and motor assembly. I am happy to say the snowplow truck functioned the entire season without a major break down unlike the 1st and … Continue reading Snowplow Success!
A broken Christmas present becomes a learning tool for both my son and me.
It was the second day after Christmas, and it was quiet all through the house as my son was watching his new Brady Bunch Season 1 DVD while Ma and Pa sipped coffee from the couch. Then rose a bang and an “Oh, no!” with such a clatter as the DVD player slipped to the … Continue reading A broken Christmas present becomes a learning tool for both my son and me.
Living a Sustainable Dream 