It's galling, to me, that I frequently reference FB on my blog, but the fact is that it has become an insidious part of our lives. I actually resisted joining, preferring my blog to what I imagined FB to be. Eventually, I caved and built a profile as a way to promote my book(s). It's been a real strange relationship. I don't love FB. I don't even like it most of the time.
Some things about FB are okay, I guess. I do like finding kindred spirits - people whose lifestyle choices are similar to my own. I'm in a lot of groups, and I follow a lot of people who do the homesteady/frugalista kinds of things.
There is a favorite sort of meme thing on FB - the Never Have I Ever Challenge - where the actual goal is to get a higher number, by having to admit that one HAS done that thing. I like the Homesteading one with options like: never have I ever had egg in my pocket. I got a point for that one. Out of the 23 options, there was only one I couldn't claim a point for - because I haven't ever milked a goat. Someday ... maybe.
In the spirit of that challenge, here's a picture. Let's play, "never have I ever" with this graphic. You get one point for each of the things you have done, and one point for anything you can add to the list.
There is a favorite sort of meme thing on FB - the Never Have I Ever Challenge - where the actual goal is to get a higher number, by having to admit that one HAS done that thing. I like the Homesteading one with options like: never have I ever had egg in my pocket. I got a point for that one. Out of the 23 options, there was only one I couldn't claim a point for - because I haven't ever milked a goat. Someday ... maybe.
In the spirit of that challenge, here's a picture. Let's play, "never have I ever" with this graphic. You get one point for each of the things you have done, and one point for anything you can add to the list.
I can claim 14 of the 15, because I don't have room for milk animals. For the "generate energy," we have solar chargers, a biolite camp stove (that has a phone charger), and we heat with wood, which allows us to cook and heat water.
I add:
1. Butcher an animal.
2. Tan an animal hide.
3. Make spoons and bowls from wood (spoons and bowls).
4. Make baskets.
5. Make maple syrup (or use sap from other trees to make syrup).
6. Brew beer or make wine.
7. Preserve food without canning or freezing.
8. Make soap.
9. Learn to play a musical instrument.
What are your producer skills?
I'm going to go ahead and count all 15, because even though we don't have animals right now, we did have them (chickens and rabbits),and know how to have them again (and with some lessons learned, too LOL). That includes the "consider a goat or cow for fresh milk" part, since we did consider it and are still considering dual-purpose goats for post-retirement.
ReplyDeleteAdditions would be:
forage for food and medicinal plants;
create medicine from the medicinal plants (I have magnolia seeds steeping for tincture right now for my rheumatoid arthritis and have made salves, balms, and poultices in the past);
ability to spin animal and plant fiber into thread/yarn and
weave/knit it into fabric/apparel/useful items;
I've made a basket with plant material (vs coiled rope method or knit/crocheted, each of which I'm familiar with but haven't actually done yet);
made ceramic items;
made (distilled?) salt from seawater;
soapmaking;
candle making;
basic shoe making from leather (moccasin-style);
butcher an animal;
food dehydration (electric or solar);
grind wheat, corn, and coffee at home (through our own energy via manual grinders vs electric).
Manual energy/human power, we have a coffee grinder, mortar & pestle, and grainmill that are used in lieu of electric appliances. We also invested in a manual clothes washer and treadle sewing machine but those are a bit more involved than the kitchen appliances so they are more of a "backup" system. We also have several solar systems, from small backpack size ones that charge a few batteries to a larger one that charges a semi-portable power bank.
Oh, and the Sun Oven - I suppose that counts under energy creation too, if solar does?
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