Recent Comments - Food For Thought And Debate

Recent comments from "Rwordplay" are thought provoking, insightful, and offer opportunities for debate and discussion.

I am asking all readers that visit Brett Talks Tech to read them.

Also, take a look at the Member Profiles for his bio and more information about "Rwordplay", other sites that he may follow, you may find common interests.

I must admit, I am finding that my posts are becoming more commentary then technical lately.

Originally, I had hoped that this blog would be an interaction of discussion on sustainable living practices, self-reliance and alternative energy technologies.

Although willing to discuss and offer any information that someone may ask on a particular technology, I have found myself leaning on the concept of the non-technologies of sustainability, such as, home gardens, canning and preserving, water conservation, recovery, storage, etc.

Warning about the infrastructure of our nation, and how that can (and probably will) effort each of us on a personal level in coming years is not a bad thing. From bridges to roads, dams, levees , waste water treatment to clean water, American infrastructure is one grade above "F" for failure.

Thank you to all that continue to read Brett Talks Tech, and please offer any comment or insight that you may want.

I want to again thank the Brett Talks Tech member "Rwordplay" for offering his comments for all of us to contemplate.

Brett

Quality Of Life or Quantiy Of Materials - A Personal Choice

I have decided that I am not going to play anymore - consumer that is.

But what does that mean?

No, I am not going to live in a cave, and contemplate my navel.

I am going to keep a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and the necessary tools of day to day living such as health care and long term financial planning.

But what do I mean when I say, not playing consumer anymore?

The honest answer is that I don't know.

Maybe it's the simple, little things. Like the other day, I was going to buy my favorite BBQ sauce, at $6.95 for a 12 ounce jar. But something made me stop, and read the label, again. The ingredients were pretty simple, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, honey, molasses, mustard, and spices. All ingredients that I have at home. I put the jar back on the shelf, finished shopping, went home and mixed the tomato paste and other ingredients together and had about a quart of delicious BBQ sauce for about 3 dollars.

I am not sure how this equates to "not playing consumer". Does saving a few dollars shopping make me less of a consumer? I still had to buy the ingredients didn't I?

Or this past weekend, when I decided to cook a large pot of tomato sauce instead of buying the usual jar or two. Organic crushed tomatoes, Organic whole tomatoes, three cans of tomato paste (organic), spices, and now sits in several containers, a gallon of homemade sauce in the freezer for less then ten dollars.

I don't go to the neighborhood restaurant for breakfast anymore, I cook at home. In the past, I probably would eat out, between breakfast, lunch, and dinner about nine times a week. In the past two weeks, maybe three times. I have noticed that I am not filling my gas tank as much and the food I am eating is much healthier now, I know what's in it, and what's not. I also know I am not paying taxes or tipping for service when I choose to cook at home.

I find that I am seeking the simple now, not denying what I am desiring, just going about it differently.

Willing to stop and think, do I really need to purchase this today? Whatever it is. Do I really need it?

I notice every month that my utility bill usage is almost cut in half from the previous year. But what changes have I really put into effect? I don't know, maybe it's just being conscious of how I use electrical power, maybe not, I just know that I am using or consuming less. Perhaps it's because I am willing to take the time to hang dry my laundry outside and not use the dryer. But I don't know for sure.

I think about when and how I want to use my car these days, think about where I am going. Without effort, I have noticed that I am using half the gas that I used a year ago. How can that be? Can it really be from just being conscious of how and when I drive? I don't know, but I am consuming less. Less driving means that I am not changing oil as frequently as before.

For the past year, I have noticed that I really don't need to buy the books that I want to read, that I can go to the library. The same for DVDs. I have not re-subscribed to several magazines that I have enjoyed in the past, they have the same content on the web now.

My bank just sent me a notice, they are not going to be sending out paper statements anymore, I can now read all my banking information online. So be it, if I am interested in my statement, now its always available, perhaps even less visits to the bank in the future.

I no longer have credit cards, cash only now, if I can't afford it, I don't need it. My debit card can be used for making airline, hotel, or car rentals if necessary. Besides, most of the time my credit cards were used for dining out, which I am doing with less and less frequency.

Someone recently scolded me, and I admit it now, I am solely responsible for the downturn in the economy. For I am not participating in the "trickle down" theory of economics. What of the wait persons, the restaurant owners, the gas stations, so on and so on?

I don't know about that, never enjoyed my economics classes, I do know that I am happier, maybe it's the real food that I prepare now, void of preservatives, or MSG. Maybe it's just the thought that I am simplifying my life, ever so slowly, but ever so forward.

I really don't know.

Brett

Obama's Speech To UN - Global Economies Vs Global Warming

I just listened to President Obama's speech, which focused on the need for more urgent action concerning the consequences of global warming, delivered to the body of the United Nations. President Obama, while outlining his commitment for clean air, water, and energy, carefully stepped around how to balance those concerns with world-wide economic realities and growth from newly emerging nations.

I have written over many months that sustainable living (for individual, community, and nation), along with (smart) alternative energy practices, is not a global warming, political left or right, democratic or republican, American vs world issue.

It is a quality of life and social economic issue that should be in the consciousness of all people.

One sentence that President Obama stated that particularly stood out to me (I did not write it down at the time nor recorded it so I am not putting quotation marks) was.

What is the use of raising up the poor, if we can not harvest food or have clean drinking water?

Many of my previous articles stress the importance of water recovery, storage, and purification. Additionally, I have also stressed the importance of home gardens, and planting of fruit trees and berries on home properties.

Regardless of one's opinion on global warming, I am not a scientist and do not know enough "facts" to offer any judgement pro or con whatsoever (to quote a character from Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles, "I am just a pawn in the game of life". ) However, I do believe in self-reliance through sustainable living practices.

Regardless of social, economic, religious, or political affiliation, we need to take a personal interest in some aspect of sustainable practices.

It can be as simple as how we consume as individuals. What we buy. What becomes important to us individually.

Will we buy that new car, or do we buy a water recovery system for our home?

Media center or new insulation?

Do we buy the latest in cell phone technology, or do we change all incandescent light bulbs for more efficient lighting?

Fast food tonight, or dinner at home made with fresh and healthy ingredients?

Our President promises change is on the way. My advice. Simplify your life where you can, get back to basics, and make home and family the focus, what will be, will be.

Brett

New Follower Randy - Blogger for Clean Water & Sustainable Living

I want to welcome fellow blogger Randy Allen Bishop to Brett Talks Tech.

Randy has several interesting blog sites with articles and information about such things as organic gardening to clean water sustainability. Randy's bio and blog sites can be found under Brett Talks Tech followers.

Thank you Randy for past comments on postings.

I encourage all that care to offer their comments, questions, and suggestions for articles to do so.

From my very first posting, my hope has been that Brett Talk Tech can offer to the interested reader, an interactive exchange for ideas and information.

Brett

As Recession Ends - What's Next For The Consumer?

While acknowledging that unemployment will continue to climb towards 10% of the work force, and that it may take several years for jobs lost to return, financial and news pundits have announced that the recession is ending.

This may be good news to millions of Americans that have worried about their job status, and it may help to lift the spirits of millions of Americans that have been laid off over the last two years, however, I wonder if we will fall back into the habit of consumption as before?

Americans have been saving more money than ever before, and I imagine that soon we will be asked to start spending again. Like the days after the 9/11 event, are we going to be asked to open our pocketbooks, for the good of nation and economy?

But do we really need to go back to motorboats, ATVs, new cars for a 16 year old, fast food toys, and stores filled with imported and cheap, merchandise again?

If we renovate our home, is it for larger rooms or to incorporate a new sustainable design?

Do we need to buy the newest model of high definition TV technology, or do we start to invest in a family greenhouse or water recovery system?

We have been good consumers in the past, going into debt from every conceivable hobby, interest, and toy sold to us. What we drive, where we live, the clothes we wear, influenced by Madison Avenue, sold to us by celebrity that we love so much, we gladly bought, spent, and increased our debts, just as we were told to do.

But during the last several years, millions of Americans have reduced their spending, while reducing debt, and saving more than ever before. Perhaps because of necessity, or perhaps because of fear, Americans were able to control themselves as consumers.

As Fall is about to begin, and with Winter around the corner, we will once again be asked to buy, buy, and buy. But does this coming Holiday Season have to be laced with the consumerism of the past? Or can we replace the "toys" of the past with the "tools" of the future?

I wonder.

Brett

American Infrastructure "D" Average

Americans tend to be obsessed with ratings and grades.

Beginning with with our first days in school, we are graded with report cards.

In business and commerce, there are quarterly or annual reviews.

We playfully, (or not), rate women and men on scales of "10".

Our sports revolve around team standings and personal statistics.

It seems, to me, almost every week some entertainment media celebrate an "awards" program.

News and papers constantly poll, with 49% believing that and 49% believing this, and always with a plus or minus 3% of course.

So I was thinking that this particular grade would be of important to most Americans.

Every single day, tens of millions of Americans, are using bridges, roads, transit systems and drinking/waste water systems have been given a "D" grade by ASCE, The American Society of Civil Engineers.

How many of you would be happy to know that your personal doctor received an average grade of "D" throughout his medical school years?

Would you recommend your attorney to your friends knowing that he barely slid though law school with a "D" average?

Or maybe entrust your money and investments to your friend, that was barely able to pass economics with an overall grade of "D"?

Oh, and speaking about economics, how about this.

Infrastructure investment, estimated to be nearly 2.2 trillion dollars over five years, is not even mentioned at all by our government officials.

With TARP funding, health care costs, and two war zones threatening our nations financial future, how can we possible endure or pay for another multi-trillion dollar program?

And what happens if we don't invest in our American infrastructure?

Recently, I heard an expert talk on possible consequences of a "do nothing" approach.

What if electricity was unavailable for a month?

What if food supplies were disrupted and deliveries interrupted?

What if suddenly, the water from your taps was hazardous to drink?

What if waste water and sewage waters filled streets and towns?

And what if dams and levees suddenly failed?

Impossible? Improbable? These are all possible scenarios offered by civil engineering experts around the country.

Have we as a nation not learned any lessons from Katrina?

What if multiple "Katrina's" happened at once across our country, would you and your family be prepared to survive?

Sustainable living practices can help any family, no matter where you live, survive from natural or unnatural catastrophes.

Have a family plan for emergencies.

Learn to keep some food basics stored separately from your other food pantry. Foods like dried beans, rice, grains, and macaroni that only need water to prepare are great to store (I use large mason jars to keep out moisture and insects). Keep small jars of salt, pepper, spices, and flour. These basic foods can be used to make soups, chili's, rice and beans dishes that will provide filling and high protein meals in emergencies.

If you have pets or animals (chickens, horses, goats), always keep a months worth of extra food in a separate container. Rotate new with the old when re-buying.

Every bedroom should have a working flashlight and extra batteries.

Make copies of all legal documents and licence for each household member and place in water-proof envelope and place in duffel bag along with items below.

Keep one small duffel bag for each person in the house containing sleeping bag, extra clothes, socks, gloves, glasses, medicine, and first aid kit.

Most emergencies will be either a "Grab and Go" or a "Sit and Stay" circumstance. Be prepared for both. In a "grab and go" situation, as soon as you hear the alert to leave, place all duffel bags in car, place emergency food and water supplies in car, bring all flashlights, batteries, and pet food.

If an emergency occurs or is about to occur and and people are being advised to stay put, bring all supplies to one central location. Fill all available containers with water, fill bathtubs with water, depending on the type of emergency be prepared to shut off all gas and water lines if necessary.

Having a family plan, and emergency supplies ready in one central area will save time when an emergency arises. Remember simple, easy to forget items, such as, working flashlights, extra pair of glasses, work gloves, basic tools, vitamins and special medicines.

Sustainable thinking is smart thinking. Smart thinking is anticipating the future and being ready for anything.

Brett

Water Wheel And Solar Collector - Chinese Countryside 2009

Photos courtesy of Catherine W. Berheide

Photos copyright Catherine W. Berheide 2009

Water Woes - Part 2 Continues - Conservation And Savings Room To Room

"It is not suffice to invent new machines, new regulations, new institutions. It is necessary to change and improve our understanding of the true purpose of what we are and what we do in this world".
Vaclav Havel, 2001

Part two continues with our room-to-room walk, looking for simple and and easy ways to conserve water and energy. In an earlier article today, I offered some simple suggestions to conserve water in any bathroom, without spending a dime. With these simple suggestions, any household can save thousands of gallons of water each year.

By changing our awareness of "how" we use water, we can begin to practice conserving this most precious resource while maintaining our lifestyles and recreations.

Kitchen areas- Basic and simple changes associated with work around a kitchen also offers an opportunity for water conservation and awareness. Remember, changing just one activity that reduces even two gallons of water a day, equals to over 600 gallons gallons of water savings a year.

In terms of survival, six hundred gallons would be capable of providing a family of four with clean water for drinking or cooking for over thirty days.

So what are some easy to do suggestions in the kitchen that do not require us to spend a nickle to accomplish some real savings?

Keep a pitcher of cold water in the refrigerator, and teach your family to reach for that instead of running the water in the tap until it is cold.

Use the garbage disposal as little as possible, instead teach your children about composting vegetable waste at home (perfect for the home vegetable garden).

Clean your fruit and vegetables in a pan or tub with a natural antibacterial, rather than rinsing with the tap water running.

After cleaning fruits and vegetables, use the water for watering household or potted plants.

By the way, if you have fish tanks, when cleaning and replacing the tank water, pour that nutrient-rich water on your potted plants.

Have one glass or reusable bottle for each member of the family to use for the whole day. Any reduction in dishes translates into a reduction of water use.

Do not thaw food by running water over it, not only does it waste water but it is not safe food handling, allow food to properly defrost in the refrigerator for food safety.

Always turn off the faucets completely and look for and repair leaks quickly.

Soak hard to clean pots and pans first, do not waste water by letting it run as you scrape and clean.

When refreshing your pets water, pour the old water into household and potted plants.

If ice cubes fall on floor, don't toss in the sink, place in the closest potted plant.

Use waterless antibacterial soap when possible instead of running water to wash hands.

Saving water around the kitchen is really about understanding how we use water on a daily basis and reducing that use. The biggest savings in the kitchen will come from a reduction in dishwasher use and unnecessarily running the tap water.

These suggestions are just but a few that will help to change the way we use water without spending any money. You pay for water either from your municipal company, or by the use of electricity when using your well pump, so any savings in water use translates to real money savings, no matter how you look at it. And that is a very good thing.

Yes there are other methods of saving money and water, replacing an older hot water tank with a new on-demand model is one method. But the purpose of this article is to show that any household, and more importantly, any individual, can make a real contribution to water conservation by just changing a few habits.

Tomorrow we will explore the laundry room, HVAC systems, pools, and outside areas, for more cost savings and water reduction suggestions, without spending money.

Brett

Waer Woes - Part 2 Continues - Consevation

"When the well is dry, we know the worth of water".
Benjamin Franklin, (Poor Mans Almanac, 1746)

Like it or not, we live in an age where water, more importantly the lack of it, will affect the lives of millions of people across our nation, and every nation throughout the world.

There are many who predict that water will be the next (commodity) resource that countries will be willing to go to war with their neighbors to possess.

Others predict that cities in America, Las Vegas for one, will see such water shortages that they may even be abandoned within two decades.

Already, in some areas of the world water costs more than oil.

Every sustainable living practitioner must begin to harbor the awareness of water conservation.

Almost every action we do within our house offers opportunity to save.

Almost from the moment we wake, we can begin to conserve.

Bathroom visits - I remember some thirty years ago visiting my brother living in Northern California, and seeing for the first time - If it's brown, flush it down. If it's yellow, it's mellow.

Although it may be a very cool slogan, it is not the lifestyle I want to live, so for me, what else can I do to conserve water use in my bathroom?

First, let me say, that I hope to offer suggestions that anyone can do regardless of budget or available monies to spend.

Conservation is achieved more from personal observation, awareness and change of habits than from technology, spending, and regulations.

It is very easy to suggest that one immediately exchanges their current toilet bowl(s) for one that uses less water, or even models that offer a duel-flush option, that is one that allows you to use less water, let me say for one function, then the other.

But not many of us have the resources to immediately run out and do that, so what other options for savings besides the yellow is mellow method?

Here are some practical suggestions that anyone can do.

You can reduce the amount of water in your toilets by inserting or placing a displacement device in the tank. An easy way to do this is to take a soda bottle fill with water, twist on the cap, and place in the tank.

Always make sure that the flapper and ball mechanism is working properly. Continuous flow from a stuck flapper will waste a tremendous amount of water before someone is likely to come across it and notice that the toilet "running".

Water efficient shower heads can save up to 750 gallons a month, and showering for two minutes less can also save up to 150 gallons. Next time you shower, time yourself. Most people would be surprised to find that they can probably shower for a good five minutes less then their usual amount of time and feel as clean and hygienic as they normally do.

I have at times also kept a (clean) bucket close to the shower that I fill when showering, and afterwards, place near the toilet. The next time I use the bathroom, I just pour the bucket into the bowl and saved "1" flush.

When brushing your teeth, turn off water until you need it, saving over a hundred gallons a month of water.

When shaving, rather then letting the water run, I fill the sink once, rinse my face with that water, and then use it to "rinse" my razor, that action alone can save another 150 gallons of water a month!

If you like to wash your hair in the sink, turning off the water while shampooing can save 150 gallons a month!

Even dropping tissues in a waste container rather then flushing them can save hundreds of gallons of water over a year's time.

So with just a couple of ideas, by just changing just a few habits, and without spending a dime, we can literally save hundreds of gallons of water every month from just one room, the bathroom.

"All the water that will ever be is, right now"
(National Geographic, october 1993)

Brett

Water Woes - Part 2 Continues

To become Master of the country,
first you have to control the water. Ancient Chinese Saying.

Regardless if you live in city limits, with water supplied from municipal sources, or a more rural community, with your own well water, water, water conservation, and water collection should be of concern to you.

For municipal users, cost of water use will continue to climb in many states across the country. This is mainly due to water supply levels dropping across the spectrum of municipal water sources such as regional lakes, rivers, and aquifers.

As water sources decrease, states that have traditionally shared water resources across state lines are now looking at ways, both legal and mechanical, to reduce the output and distribution of their precious water resource.

Even those homes with water wells on the property are not immune from water related problems.

New developments tapping into a shared aquifer can quickly lower water levels. I have a well on my property, at 130 feet we are drawing water, about the same as my other neighbors in our 2-5 acre 1970's home division (only 10 homes were built by this developer on this tract).

Last year my neighbor had to re-drill a new well - it was 300 feet before he had reached a comfortable depth for pumping.

Other rural communities have seen commercial water companies purchase land and place multiple wells on the property draining water resources that communities have relied on for generations.

So what can an individual or family do? Fight big business water companies? Fight municipal water costs and regulations?

The sustainable living practitioner must take responsibility for themselves to become as water responsible as possible.

How?

By conservation, collection, and reclamation.

Let us enter a typical home, and walk room to room, to discover together, what, if, and how water and (water related) energy may be reduced and conserved.

If you think that water or energy conservation is limited to only kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms then you will be pleasantly surprised to know that in such rooms as living, dining, family, and bedrooms, savings and conservation can be gained.

Water Woes part 2 continues today with, Conservation Methods For Water and Energy Savings.

Brett

Water Woes - Part 2

Economic hard times, high unemployment, armed conflicts, health care and social debates, why should anyone be concerned about water issues when most Americans can simply walk over to the closest sink, turn a spigot, and have as much (seemingly) as they desire?

Recently, I read an article concerning a prediction for a colder then normal winter for the mid- section of our nation. In the comment section (and there were well over 100 comments) the discussion soon turned to opinions about cause and effects, global warming or not global warming.

I was amazed and shocked at the anger and insult delivered back and forth among readers and commentators.

I have written before, and I will write this again. Sustainable living, and sustainable practices, are not a pro-global warming nor a con-global warming issue. It is not a political right nor a political left issue. It is an issue that is vital to the health and welfare of millions of Americans living in hundreds of cities around America today.

Water, specifically fresh, clean, drinking water, is and will continue to be the most important aspect of sustainable living now and in the future. It's not solar panels, wind turbines, or lithium batteries and electric motors.

Let's look at some facts together.

Overuse and draught is shrinking the output of the Colorado River Basin, with possible water shortages for millions of people in seven western states.

Less then two percent of all water on the earth is drinkable water.

States already are in political and legal battles over water rights from Lake Lanier, a leading water supplier for Georgia (Atlanta), Florida, and Alabama.

With the Great Lakes experiencing their lowest levels in decades, bordering states and Canada are agreeing to plans to keep the water in the region.

More than half the states expect water shortages by the year 2013.

Water or the lack of it, is an issue that many Americans, and world citizens will face in the upcoming years.

One more fact.

The U.N. has declared that water demand will outstrip supply for two-thirds of the world population by 2025. If you think that doesn't effect you, then glance over at your children, or grandchildren, and realize that 2025 is only 15 years away. What quality of life is in store for them?

Every great city that has ever been built has a connection to a great body of water or river system. Water and the movement of water has sparked human invention and mechanical design.

It washes us, it settles us, we play in it. Food we could go weeks without, no water, we would die in less then a week.

If all of electricity and technology mysteriously stopped tomorrow, as long as we had water we could survive. But no technology could save us, if water was to disappear.

It is the most important thing for life, and economy.

This week we will explore ways to collect water, from rainwater to recycling our own water waste. We will explore ways to store, purify, and recycle water.

Please join us tomorrow for the continuation of Water Woes part 2.

Brett

Back From Vacation - And Much To Continue With

I have returned from a two week vacation and anxious to continue our discussions and articles.

Today is September 1, and today's breaking news story concerns the fires in Los Angeles County, California.

As you know from previous articles, California is experiencing a severe drought condition, and the hills around Los Angeles are particularly dry. The historic Mount Wilson Observatory is threatened and it would be a great loss to the city's architectural heritage if it was to suffer damage in the fire.

Already there has been loss of life, and many homes are already razed. It is a story heard many times over in Southern California's history.

I grew up in Los Angeles and know well the lifestyle of canyon and hillside living, sometimes within minutes from city activities, it is one of the magic things about Los Angeles.

However, it is time for those that choose to live in fire-prone areas to take responsibility for that choice. By creating a sustainable home, using building materials that offer the greatest amount of fire protection possible, and to also install, roof top and property sprinkler systems, supplied by water storage and cisterns contained on the property.

My series of articles titled Water Woes will continue this week. Water Woes, part 1 left off with us entering into a typical home in Los Angeles with the idea of going room to room to see where household water can be conserved along with energy savings.

Water Woes, part 2 continues this week.

Water is going to be the major focus of all my articles this week. From collection methods to storage and purification.

Thank you to those that have continued to support Brett Talks Tech. My vacation is over and it's time to get back to work.

Brett