Why I Don’t Want to Live Off Grid

 Recently I have been watching shows  like Homestead Rescue, and YouTube videos of people attempting and struggling with their dream of grid living.  What most of them don’t realize is how expensive and exhausting it is.  I personally greatly appreciate having electricity, snow plow services, Internet, septic,  gas and water.  

These conveniences make it much easier to do chores, cook, and keep your food from spoiling.  They also provide safety, space, organization, and cleanliness.  Personally, I think many of these back to the land people are simply drawn  to the pull of nature and a majestic mountain view.  When I moved into my cottage, a yoga student described the yards here as “having just dirt and rocks, and nothing growing.”  As you can see in the above photo, I planted a front garden, and now have an inspiring cocoon.

After seeing my backyard orchard, some of the neighbors planted their own fruit trees.  They look stunning, especially when they are in bloom.  The trees have room to reach upwards and stretch. The couple who live behind that white fence bought their home and land, improved and remodeled the house, and turned the acreage into an alpaca farm!  My neighbor and I get to enjoy watching the peaceful animals while eating meals and drinking coffee on our front porches.

We can hang our clothes to dry in the sun, cook and bake from scratch, and enjoy a hot bath before bed without transporting ourselves to a remote location with no amenities.  Sometimes it is better to keep what you have and improve it.

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I’m sorry, but those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear, they are moderated.

Cooking Your Own Healthy Meals in Retirement

 

Yesterday I made a batch of bone broth using leftover chicken wings, celery, celery leaves, carrots, onions, fresh garlic and salted water.  After simmering on the stove for a few hours, the stock had formed, I added some herbs from my garden.  Bay leaf, thyme, fresh sage, and creeping rosemary were tossed into the pot.  They make all the difference.

The dogs enjoyed some of the flavorful hot liquid on their kibble, as gravy.  They licked their plates clean.  I sipped on several mugs of I it throughout the day.  It has so many benefits.  I feel like it helps me to achieve and maintain homeostasis.  It is flavorful, relaxing and nutritious.  I also boiled some  Brussels  sprouts in boiling, salted water, and drank that green broth, as well.

The green gnocchi in the top photo are from Aldi.  They are so easy to cook, drain, and serve.  I like mine with melted Irish butter, freshly pressed garlic, sea salt,  and freshly ground pepper.  When you cook your own meals in retirement, you can nourish your body simply, healthfully and inexpensively.  The better we eat, the better we will feel and sleep as we age.  

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I’m sorry, but those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.

Financial Routines

 

Spring is tax time in California.  Last week I diligently kept a running total of all of the taxes I owe for this quarter.  Property taxes and estimated taxes are due next month.  It is always a shock for me to see the numbers.   Each year it costs more money to live here.

It requires financial discipline to have enough in liquid savings well before the bills are due.  That cash needs to be liquid.  For me, that means the money is stocks and CD’s is not used.  

I double check my account balances daily, to be sure the checks have cleared.  I also mark the items with a check in my checkbook register.  It’s important to examine every detail before mailing them in, or paying online.  Dates, social security numbers, and numbers must be accurate.

The accountant needs to be paid, and there are still all the regular costs of running a household that are occurring, as well.  Staying disciplined with grocery purchases, heating, electric and water usage insures that there will be enough dollars to pay for the luxury of living in California.

How are you doing with your taxes?

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I’m sorry, but those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.

Do You Sleep Well?

 

One of the top difficulties that many seniors face is that they have trouble sleeping.  Before I had my hips replaced, I was one of those people.  I would dread going to bed, because I knew that the pain radiating down my legs would increase.  If someone or something woke me in the night, I would feel enraged, because it was so difficult to get back to sleep, or to get any sleep.  This sets up a vicious cycle.

Thankfully, I now fall quickly into a deep slumber after heading to bed.  It is such a relief to be pain free and to experience the peaceful, healing qualities of deep sleep. It is restorative and rejuvenating.

These fresh flowers are something I started splurging on in the last year.  I showcase them in  vintage crystal vases the previous owner left at the cabin..   I buy the bulbs from a local woman in Wrightwood.  I also grow tulips, daffodils. and irises of my own.  They are so lovely to enjoy while living life inside the cottage.

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I’m sorry, but those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.

A Well Built Home

 

Recently I have been watching some of the real estate and homesteading shows on Max.  It is fascinating to see how other people live.  The older I get, the more I appreciate having an older home, antiques, my mom’s vintage cookware, and the quality materials that were used.

Unlike many real estate agents in California, I prefer to restore, rather than remodel.  The cabin I own was built by a talented and disciplined man from Germany.  His two sons helped him.  You can see the love and care that went into this home.  They took pride in their work, and spent money on supplies that would last for decades.

With RV traveling becoming so popular, many people are living full time or part time in vehicles.  Myself, I put great value in residing in a physical house.  During a storm like the one we have experienced recently, it is reassuring to be in a solid and safe structure.  

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I’m sorry, but those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posters here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.