“It is easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.” – Alfred Adler
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Without Electricity
I get frustrated living without electricity. Getting about and doing things is a bit like a choreographed dance, but it takes practice. Everything needs to be in the right place at the right time or you end up working very inefficiently backtracking to get a flashlight, for example.
We have several flashlights and lanterns. Each needs to be staged at a certain place in the house so we can always find it. And, if you want to go to a dark part of the house, like to the basement, or into a closet, you need to remember to grab the right light. Of course, this would work if we always remembered to pick up the light when venturing into a dark place. And, if we always put lights back in their known staging location—which I, at least, don’t.
And, making sure the right kinds of light are available for cooking or cleaning can be a challenge. I know it sounds silly, but having to backtrack from the closet where I went to get some shoes all the way downstairs to get light, then back up to rummage in the closet can get frustrating and tiring.
To this, add the fact that without electricity we have no running water. In preparation for Sandy, we filled both upstairs bathtubs with water. This is for two purposes. One is to refill the toilet tank after flushing (which we do only when necessary), the other reason is for emergency water in case we go through the 15 gallons or so in plastic water “cans” also filled in prep for the storm.
The issue here is making sure you have a small bucket of water with you when you go to the toilet. With three bathrooms and two bathtubs and only two buckets, it becomes a complex asset management problem to take a crap.
Now, try making sure you have a water bucket plus some form of light each time you go to the toilet in the dark of night. They are never in the same place. And, you may need to go upstairs to fill the bucket from the bathtub prior to doing duty. Sometimes I go to look for the bucket forgetting to take a light.
The dogs seem to have it easy. They can pretty much see in the dark and don’t feel a compelling need to flush.
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Posted under: New Jersey • Stuff You Gotta Know! • by Rick on 10/31/2012 at 10:59 AM
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Wednesday, October 03, 2012
Rain, rain and more rain
Just a note to document the tremendous rain we’ve had the past couple of days. Over 2” yesterday and a good start on that again today. It was cool and damp enough last night that Lynne built our first fire of the year in the fireplace. All the rain is bringing out some mushrooms. We saw a Hen of the Woods in the back lot the other day but chose not to pick it since we had nothing in the meal plan that called for it. I hope it grows again next year. Lynne saw a big Chicken Mushroom up at Skyline the other day.
Posted under: New Jersey • Stuff You Gotta Know! • by Rick on 10/03/2012 at 09:09 AM
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Thursday, September 20, 2012
Pool is Closed for 2012
Yesterday, Dennis closed the pool. We had a very nice pool season this year, just wish it lasted longer. We are thinking about adding a heat-pump next year to keep the water warm a few extra weeks and extend the season until the leaves start to fall.
Fall starts this weekend, so that means we are now working to move firewood under the deck and other preparations for cooler weather. Already the temperatures at night are quite cool. Lynne had to run the heater a few days ago to take the chill off the house after leaving windows open all night. Soon, leaves will begin to fall and that means weekly cleanup using Johnny to vacuum them up. It also means mushroom season—maybe we’ll find some. Nice slow tours of Green Turtle Pond in the canoe. And comfort food made with fall vegetables. Yum.
Posted under: New Jersey • Stuff You Gotta Know! • by Rick on 09/20/2012 at 05:14 AM
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Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Difference a Week Makes
Last weekend I took a couple of photos from the back deck. This weekend I did the same. Spring has sprung!
Last week:
This week:
Last week:
This week:
Posted under: New Jersey • by Rick on 04/22/2012 at 11:51 AM
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Friday, November 18, 2011
Immature Bald Eagle
On our walk the other day, I shot this picture of an immature bald eagle.
Posted under: New Jersey • by Rick on 11/18/2011 at 12:41 PM
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