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True. I have been gaining weight the past couple of years, since we moved to the farm - good healthy food will do that. But - I also exercise; not just walking constantly in my job, but lots of physical activity; gardening, running up and down stairs, carrying feed, forking hay, etc. Yesterday, DH had the 4-wheeler out where he was working on it; he wanted to put it back in the garage (uphill) but the engine was apart and wouldn't crank, of course. I got at the front, leaned in, and ran it into the garage without even thinking about it.
Holding a stubborn horse or cow at the end of a lead, roping a calf, dragging it down to bind its legs, tag, medicate or steer it - all takes a lot of upper body strength. I am one of a lot of 'grannies' out here who doesn't have that loose flapping upper arm - I have defined muscles.
A good article in Mother Earth News explaining grid-connected PV.
Grid-connected vs. Off-grid in a nutshell:
Both systems require a panel array, an inverter, and a service panel/breaker box. The inverter selected between the two systems may be different (grid-tie stresses 60 hertz conditioning, and off-grid stresses charge control), but they are comparable and some inverters do it all.
Grid-tie systems use the grid as the storage method (i.e. the "batteries") and allow you to pull power back from the grid when your production is less than your needs. Additional equipment necessary are the disconnect switches and the meter, but you don't have to purchase batteries. Grid-tie systems may also require permits, inspections and professional installation (therefore more $$ than just the equipment). The two drawbacks to grid-tie systems 1) if the grid goes down you have no storage without batteries if you don't have a backup source, and 2) continued utility monitoring and fees.
Off-grid systems use standalone batteries as the storage method, so if the grid goes down you still have power. You do not need the grid-tie components, but you will need a battery bank. The size, type, and cost of the batteries is entirely dependent on your needs... several high amp hour and maintenance free batteries can cost nearly as much as the panels. Standalone PV systems are fairly easy to install DIY with rudimentary wiring and handyman experience. The two drawbacks to a standalone system 1) If your production falls below your needs you will need a backup power source, and 2) batteries have a 10-15 year life span and will need to be replaced.
Both systems can have comparable costs depending on the local installation requirements of grid-tie systems and the battery bank you choose. In both cases, it is wise to have a backup power source; and in grid-tie systems, it is wise to have a battery bank capable of storing enough amp hours for overnight use. Note that the utility company may require additional switches and cut-offs if you also have a backup generator or battery bank in the grid-tie system, as well as dictating the type and capacity allowed.
Backwoods Home is... well... backwoods It's pretty targeted to rural/remote, mostly off-grid, homesteading etc. I sure love the practical/lifestyle columnists... Jackie Clay is my heroine! Some of the more political columnists can get a bit ranty, but that's ok if you're into that sort of thing... I tend to skip them since they stress me out LOL.
Countryside and Hobby Farms (and its sister pubs) are other good mags for homestead-type preppers.
MyFoodStorageCookbook is a great blog that discusses food storage planning and cooking, including recipes for solar cooking and pantry meals from food storage ingredients. She goes into great detail about devising your 3-month/100-day menus and meal plan so you more easily track and stock your storage inventory. I particularly like this blog because she's not trying to sell you anything, unlike some of the other cooking and food storage blogs.
I think I'll be making the trek out to the city (B&N Bookstore) to check out some good magazines... wait! maybe I'll go over to the tractor supply store and browse through their magazine section first. I'm thinking some alternative,
safety home/shelter.. Icf likely.. but the articles will hoist my inspiration for sure.
theses suggestions are wonderful. I am thankful for the time you have taken.
with appreciation.
Courage
I often "window shop" at the Tractor Supply and Feed store. You'd be amazed at the amount of good info and gear they have for homestead-type preppers even if most of the resources are geared toward larger farms. In most cases, the store managers and sales clerks won't discriminate against you for being only a self-sufficient homestead rather than a proper large farm, and they can give you all sorts of insight and information about how to do things on your scale.
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you're so right!
It's pretty targeted to rural/remote, mostly off-grid, homesteading etc. I sure love the practical/lifestyle columnists... Jackie Clay is my heroine! Some of the more political columnists can get a bit ranty, but that's ok if you're into that sort of thing... I tend to skip them since they stress me out LOL.
maybe I'll go over to the tractor supply store and browse through their magazine section first. I'm thinking some alternative,
