Off grid home 🏡 living?

What exactly is off grid? How much do you have to be self contained to be considered being "Off Grid"? Where can you be off grid? Do you have to have permits? Do you have to build with graded lumber? Solar, generator, composting toilet, septic field so much to think about if you want to go off grid. 

My first thoughts are around the permits, do we have property that's un policed by the regulations of the country? Is there places that nobody looks over your shoulder? 

I always think the further you go north, the less restricted you are, but I'm thinking now that some things you still have to do properly, sewage is one, have to have a proper septic field, or at least a composting toilet. Maybe an outhouse? Then building codes, I'm wondering what the restrictions are there, size? Can you build a small building that gives you less restricted way to build? Cabin? 

I remember when we built our float cabin, we built as per the building codes when it came to the structure, 16" center, but used ungraded lumber, but all was full 2"x4" in the walls, and rafters were structural trusses, professionaly built. After that we did the rest ourselves. 

If ya build on land, as many of the off grid homes are now, what's the plan, what do they have to do to meet the codes? Or do they, can they just do as they feel? 

Not that I'm going to build a building, I was just wondering as I've watched a few of the off grid programs on YouTube, and many seem to be doing a good job, but using there own lumber, cut from their land, and that's not code, not graded, stamped lumber. Septic system too, would have to be inspected, but it seems they don't have to be. 

I'm not trying to get them inspected, just wondering if there are specific places, or size of property, or location that ya can do it your own way without the BS of someone, or some regulation telling you how? 

Funny how my mind thinks, I just don't like to have someone always looking over my shoulder, should have been north years ago 😂 I'm guessing.

I do like building things correctly, but some of the regulations, especially re using your own lumber, that you've cut from your property. That always seems like a restriction that bothers me. If you're building your own house, with your own cut lumber, you would use the best you could, at least I would.

                              ⤴️

I wrote this above previously, unsure about how off grid works on land I remote places, I'm still not sure where ya can, and if ya need permission or have to have inspections. 

Last night I went to a meeting here, and heard the first time someone using AI to advise them on how to solve a problem, not only one problem, but asking many questions to AI gaining strength to make a decision. I'm now seeing for the first time the future of our society change, even though I've been reading about AI development, I have not really seen it being used in decision making. 

I Robot was a movie, now we will witness changes I'm not really sure I want to be a part of, just my own thoughts. 

I guess I'm going to have to educate myself in the AI movement, just to understand what's coming. 

I remember learning how to write code at the college here years ago, basic was the beginning for me, then a 286 computer, then a 486, that I was told was all I'd ever need. Now I hold a phone 🤳🏻 in my hand with More power and better connectivity. Not that I'm not interested, just wondering how far will it go, and will we be flying around like the Jetsons one day? 

Being retired I have more time to learn, yet often I want to be as I started, off grid, although almost all the off grid I'm seeing are user's of Start link for connection, with solar to electrify there home. ⚡

Today I'm more concerned about getting better at walking, stretching the scar tissue, and getting my knee back to normal, at least as normal as a metal knee can be. 

Keeping connected with my family and friends, and enjoying a few more of Pollys beautiful desserts. 

Apple 🍎 pear 🍐 pie and puff pastry desserts 😋 Mmm. 

Yep, love our life ❤️ 

Amazing the power we have in a phone.

Just a few words out of your phone to a place on the Internet can be very good as well as not so good. Today I went to an all candidates meeting at the highschool, was very interesting watching listening to the question's and responses from all the candidates. 

I was a little disappointed that it wasn't an open mic 🎤 for students to ask questions, that's what I was really hoping to hear the concerns of our youth here in Port Alberni right up there asking the people that are putting themselves out for election possibles. Still it was well done, questions were from people but not asking right there, with some fun as it went, and some mistakes, yet the people that came to listen, and observe we all had opportunity to learn who would align with our own thoughts.

I'm listening to "Whole lotta Love" by LedZeplin as Polly has YouTube videos on, I'm on the deck with the warmth of the sun at my back, life sure is good. A plate of crackers cheese and sausage, water, and an apple for dessert. Oops, Polly just brought some of the cutoffs from her cake she's been building most the later morning and early afternoon. Lucky me 😋😀

Polly creating always a pleasure to watch 

What a great day. Seeing all those people, 12 council hopefuls and 6 Mayor hopefuls, what a show, and it went by fast! So fast! I sat with a friend and her daughter, was nice to yak a bit between us, then after awhile the lady & her husband I think beside me started ticking her list, with people I thought would be good, we were agreed on a few for sure. So many people interested in our new council about to be elected, the highschool theater was loaded with students and public, yep sure was nice to see. 

I couldn't help but think of all this I missed while working, and here we are meeting in the morning, when most working people are working. Still there are times that meetings happen in the evening and if working ya could attend, if ya found the time. Busy people are going here and there, as I was years ago, time was at a hmm, premium. 

Gotta do this, gotta go here, fix this, help here, yep always something, today I'm more relaxed, knee surgery helps. Just the same I'm very interested in how our new council will do what's needed to put Port Alberni on the right track, with spending getting outta control, and decisions being made behind closed doors, without a chance for public to influence it. 

I showed a photo of the new housing neighborhood as planned to one of the hopefuls, was told couldn't change it, was the BC government making these rules, and pushing for infill housing. I asked again, how do you like it? He didn't, and many don't, but they said it can't be changed! Hmm, I wonder 🤔 if we sat on our hands all day, yep nothing could be changed. I'm really hoping there are some new council members that are willing to try to change this. 

Will see, as the day to elect is coming soon. November 17th, 10 days away away. I'm pretty well done with my thoughts of who I'll be voting for, what about you? Have ya taken the time to investigate just a little who's running, and who would you want to represent you? Could just see how many signs are out, and vote just because this candidate has the most, or the least. I hope not.

This my best shot at asking the candidates where there from, their history, what the will do, and my two best questions, are you in favor of this kind of building in a already built subdivision?

       On 11th Ave behind quality food's 

My other is what's your position on preserving McLean Mill site? Have you any ideas? Could you, would you help?

I'm not advocating for more $ from our city, really I'd like the city to let go the strangle hold they've had on McLean Mill site, and let someone that can help get it operational again, with federal government, and or private business, or personal donations funding. I'm not sure how yet, but that's my little project I'm working towards. 

I give all the council and Mayor hopefuls a hand 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 it's a big job just putting you're self out there. 1 person said on the stage "would be nice if we could have a council meeting like this!" The whole group that was at the highschool, man would that ever be interesting. People liked that idea! 

Now T-REX Bang a Gong, yep really playing my music 🎵 🎶 🎸 🎶 from when I was in highschool. Today was the first time I've been in our New school, as I think for many others. 

Yep another great day, Polly completely happy with her creation, me happy with my connection to our community. 

Sure do Love our life ❤️ 

Later get up today, got to sleep in.

     Could be your neighborhood next!

What's the feeling in Port Alberni about our City council going forward, will it be same ole, ppsame ole as before? Will the new council be better? How many new faces will we have? 

All good thoughts, and opinions are many right now. I went to a couple meetings of the minds, two where council hopefuls asked the public to meet and ask questions, was really good, got a much better understanding of their thoughts, along with clearing up my own too. 

Yesterday I went to a meet and greet at the Industrial heritage society building, which I'm a member of. Was really interesting, although standing with my cane wasn't something I want to attempt again for awhile, no damage, just was sore after. 

I met 3 prospective council hopefuls, and got to know them a little, was really good to see the quality of people we have running that have ideas to make our town just a little better, and some have much experience already, that as they are here from another place, no tunnel vision that hooks them to same old thoughts. 

Yep was really interesting, as I thought of running myself this year, but with the surgery I realized was not ideal. 

There is another meeting I'm going to attend, at the highschool Wednesday October 7th 10:15am to 11:30am. I've been told it's for the students, as they have a mock election for the city positions. I'm going to learn what the next generation is thinking, along with how the hopefuls answer what's asked. Be a really good experience I'm sure. 

Retired I can take the time to invest in the meeting's that give us information, when I was working, I'm not sure I ever voted in municipal elections. I read the paper, and listened to the radio, but that was about it, now this time I'm going to get a feel for the people that we are going to elect. 

Next, at the same time a provincial election, I don't see change much coming there, only because the opposition has divided, making it weaker, and the ruling government has much support, even if their driving our province into a HUGE DEBT! 

CRAZY WORLD WE LIVE IN NOW, EVERY DAY I WONDER WHAT'S NEXT? 

But it's Sunday, I got to sleep in, had time to write, and plans to visit friends we haven't seen for awhile. 

Love our life ❤️ 

October 1st now, feeling like the next season is on us now 🍁🍂🍁🍂😉

Soon the leaves will drop, the forest will be more visible, the wind and rain will come, fish fill the rivers, and people stay close to home 🏡. Oh and Hockey 🏒 once again will be at the rink, and on TV if you can afford the Chanel 😳

I look forward to all seasons in a year, happy to see changes as the year progresses from season to season ever so slowly, yet sometimes click and like changing the channel it changes fast. 

Looking back we had the most beautiful fall 🍁 so far, still some beautiful days ahead, yet not the real warm weather we had. Indoor activities are coming, although here on the Wet Coast we don't stop enjoying the outdoors, we just move between the raindrops. Many great walks I've had between showers, always an umbrella ☔ as the shower's can catch ya. 

Today I'm feeling exceptionally optimistic of my future, as the report I got from my phiso Brian was that I'm now at the almost 0° flat and 120° bend on my legs new knee. I shake my head as I peck on this phone/camera/computer I hold here. I'm very fortunate to have made it through to the other side of this surgery. Moments of feeling despondent I did have, about the 3 week stage. Looking back now it seems so short, yet at that time, bed to chair to bed was my life, with a stop at the bathroom once in awhile. Yep, I had a rough time for a short while. 

Yesterday I walked a little bit, had a small project Polly said she wanted, so when she went shopping I went out and got to work on a very small shelf for her spices she uses most often as I believe they were taking up space on her counter. Was a bit of fun, as well as learning how to move around my shop again to get things done. I was happy with my effort, Polly when she returned also happy with the results. Nothing fancy, just got what Polly wanted.

Yep, little bit at a time, no damage to my knee is what I'm trying for, along with continuing improvements.

Love our life ❤️ 

Sunday warmth is great during 🍁

Today not one photo did I take, we drove to harbour Quay, Tyee Landing, then to Clutise Haven Marina, then a trip to the lake to visit friends. What a great afternoon, still not a photo, even looking at the water shimmer and that calm in the harbour, just didn't strike me to take a photo. 

Later we had our Granddaughter Shayla come over for a visit, what a fun time again, each time now Polly has to get close to her belly and say HI to the new baby growing inside Shayla's tummy, makes me smile 😊. 

We talk so much about many things with Shayla, future plans, daily struggles, what were thinking, even the ice cream 🍨 🍦 we might have later 😆

Nice to have such a great relationship with our grandchildren, connecting with them fairly regularly makes us both very happy. 

Sitting outside on our deck now with the sun giving some warm, and wind absent makes for a perfect end to my day. Polly now making some concoction with the tomatoes we have left, and the manicotti that we had in the fridge, I'm interested, yet out here, just really quiet, a few cars go by, a few people walking by, but really quiet. 

The neighbor stopped in on her way home, we had a yak, her boy her weekend, me about mine, was nice. I'll take a photo now, sun feeling so nice. 

We have a new motorhome across from us, moved in a couple weeks ago, haven't seen anyone out or about yet, working I always think. I think I'll go get a beer 🍺 now, make my afternoon a little bit calmer even. 

Leg is doing fantastic, every day just a little more mobility, soon I believe I'll be walking on my own. Brian at Phiso says I'm doing great, that always gives me confidence. Tuesday I see him again, next week I see the surgeon, been 6 weeks then, I'm really hoping she's going to be happy with my 6 week review. 

Well of to get that beer now. 

Sure do love our Life ❤️

hmm 🤔 thinking again.

Just reading now about how we all seem to change our way when we get close enough to realize that every human wants basically the same things. Some humans are definitely dasterly, but most want to be loved, and care for each other. Be safe, feel safe. Enjoy a fruitful life, with as much family and friends as can have. Enough $ to take care of ourselves. Decent government, that Acts in our favor, without stepping on anothers country. 

I'm sure I could add more, but that's it for now. I do think of John Lennons song "Imagine" once in awhile, it describes what would be nice, yet our world seems to be heading towards more boarder's, and segregation. I wonder if we'll ever get it straightened out.

I wrote this awhile ago, thinking can mix ya up sometimes, being laid up awhile can too. Very happy to be almost walking again. Little at a time. 

Oh and having Polly baking while I heal has been great too 😁😋

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

One month ago today I got this!

Today is much better, one month of pain and many other things I really didn't expect. I knew 6 weeks was the for sure, but I really didn't expect all that I was in for. 

Today is better finally almost able to walk again, but still unsure, although pain is basically gone, the limitations still here. 

Phisio says I'm doing really good, I'm now driving, so watch out!  

This is the now look, not bad sewing 🪡 job hey. 

What I didn't expect was the feeling I got once I was finished with the pain killers. Withdrawal, I didn't expect it, and spent 2-3 days really sick, and unable to do much. Exercises were limited, and sleep was on top of my days, Polly was a fantastic help, so good to me when I was doing so badly. 

I wasn't the best patient, Polly and I didn't argue, but I was very nice a few times. We talked about that the last few days, and agree was a very hard time for us both. 

Happily 😊 today I'm feeling much better, dinner was steak 🥩 last night, so kinda a celebration 🎊 🎉 as was very hard time. 

Today we'll watch the bikes coming to town for the annual toy run here in Port Alberni. Always fun to see so many bikes in rows. 

Life is starting to come back to normal, I've started to drive again, that helps too.

Love our life ❤️  even under repair 🦵🏻

I can almost walk now, but being careful as I don't want to screw this up now. Little at a time, all will work out I've been told, and yep, that's exactly what I'm doing.