Homestead mailing list

[Viking <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Gene GeRue wrote:

> > But isn't it so that even when thinking of alternate energy, we are
> > still somewhat thinking in a box?
>
>
> Indeed it is so. Even here with informed, open-minded, eco-friendly 
> homesteaders, the focus is on alternative energy sources.

I thought the OTHER category covered things like human and animal power.

I started this hoping that it would open people's eyes and mind's to
alternatives, period.   Everyone can improve in some way use less resources.

I hope that threads will naturally morph into more of a "How I Do It"
post that would be educational for those of us who don't understand
certain technologies.  For example, I don't understand trickle chargers
or deep cycle marine batteries...

I like the format as is because people on their own know what they do
and whether or not it is alternative.  I wasn't thinking that drying
clothes is solar, but it is, and that's a simple solar solution that
almost anyone can do.  I wasn't specifically thinking about human
powered operations either, things like putting up hay by hand, but that,
too, would be a simple alternative for the OTHER category.  In this day
and age, thinking out of the box isn't really a natural process.  One
learns to do it through the exercise of actually needing it to be done.
  One learns to do it through others that *are* doing it. It is hands on
and generational.  James's kids, for example, will learn that some
people still use these alternative methods, whereas my neighbors kids
only read that there are people out there that still use mules.  It will
seem natural to James' kids-backwards to my neighbor.

So far, I'm impressed with the responses.  I hope to see a lot more
listed, especially by some of the 'lurkers' out there.

Bev


--
erthnsky AT bellsouth.net  BevanRon of EarthNSky Farm      NW Georgia USDA Zone 7
34.498N 85.076W