Off the Grid

What does it take to live "off the grid"?

First step as I see it would be to sell the house in the burbs. In order to completely break the ties from the electric, water, gas and community utilities I see no other option. Setting up alternative energy, garden and compost is not suburbia friendly.

Move into the country, maybe grow some peaches.

Now is the time to find farm able, sustainable land on a watershed. The house would have to be extremely efficient in handling Michigan's drastic climate. Maybe build the west facing wall into the side of a hill. That would force the winds over the top instead of smack into the side. Plan the home for windows to face south east to capture a greenhouse effect from the sun. Run solar heated water through radiant pipes in the flooring to cut down on forced air heat. I suppose a small propane system would have to be setup for gas cooking in the kitchen.

Wind and solar energy would create most of the homes power. Maybe geothermal options could be used? A well, powered by wind, would provide the water. Generators would have to be setup for just in case scenarios but would rarely be used if the alternative energy devices work to full potential.

A garden in the back 40 can provide most of the fruits and vegetables. Composting all the waste would drastically reduce garbage so the weekly trash guy is not needed.

Is is possible for a family of 4 addicted to the convenience of utilities, malls, restaurants to cut the ties?

Pot Holes Everywhere

Michigan is known for lengthy and frequent road construction. People often joke that the Orange Construction barrel is Michigan's state tree. Around the corner from our house a major construction project took nearly a year to complete. My mother in law had to add 20 minutes to her daily commute do to bridge construction near her house. Both of these extremely inconvenient construction projects are now complete. However winter has struck us hard and swift causing major issues with local roads. One particular road the separates my mother in laws house from ours has been hit the worst. Last summer the stretch of Orchard Lake Rd was frequently mentioned on the local news when talking about the degrading condition of the roads. The city decided to patch these roads, not resolving the issue, but helping.
Since the latest freeze, thaw and plowing, all the patches are gone, and the pot holes are worse than ever. Its nearly impossible to travel this stretch of road with out blowing a tire or bending a rim. The road is disintegrating. Swerve to miss one hole, puts you into yet a deeper wider hole. The pavement chunks and shards are blown all over the sides of the road. The pot holes are nearly a foot and half deep and just as wide. At this point the road might as well be gravel. Why have the roads been left to crumble?

Country Communication

State Fair grounds in the middle of nowhere, Oblong Illinois. My dad and I are building a 1939 Hudson coupe. This build has needed alot of sheet metal work so he has gone once a year to Oblong Metal Meet in hopes of completing some projects. Meantime my wife and I have given birth to our second daughter. It appeared that communication with my dad was going to be impossible especially since he didnt have a cell phone signal. Herb, of Herbs Cyber Cafe, saves the day! He documented the whole week with photos and videos of the projects and goings on. Herb also took tech to the next level by adding web cams around the shop facility at the Fair Grounds. My wife, visitors and I were able to watch my dad work on the sheet metal at the Metal Meet over the internet in the recovery room at the hospital. From the country of Illinois to Metro Detroit we were able to maintain constant communication over web cams and message boards. Thanks Herb! http://www.herbscybercafe.com/

Kids of today will change tomorrow

5 days, 5 years. 2 daughters. Both are unbelievably beautiful. Sure I am supposed to say that, I'm their father. These 2 are going to control their worlds. They will get what they want, when they want it. My wife and I will have to work everyday to keep their feet on the ground and minds in the stars. The 5 year old is genius. Again, I am not just saying that, its true. She is cruising through the basics of letters and nearly reading. The 5 day year old already knows her name, she is lifting her head and even turns to look you in the eye when you talk to her. These 2 are amazing! They will also have thier hands full with environmental, financial and international concerns that we have left them as they grow into adults.

It begins now

First post, on my first ever personal blog. Shall I post about family, friends, politics?