The Great experiment

Bowing to the book Eaarth by Bill McKibbons we as a family have decided to cut our carbon foot print again by redoing again the Great Experiment. Where we live without lights and light candles. The electricity is still on but we cannot use the microwave or toaster but allow ourselves coffee maker. Computer use is at the library where public access is and cool airconditioned rooms give us respite from not using our airconditioner when it is too hot. We are still installing the laundry line to dry our clothes. We are still using our washing machine to wash clothing and Dryer to do clothes and towels. This is kind of like camping but without alot of the hassle of setting up a tent and bringing the propain or burning wood to cook with.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Day five - rain

We have moved a couple of garbage barrels to catch the rain that is coming down in droves. One barrel was 3/4 full so we installed a tube to equalize the water level between the two barrels. We plan to use the water instead of depending on the water company to supply the water for our vegetable garden.

We are running out of candles and matches at this time, it seems that each person when going to the necessary is lighting a candle this has depleted our small source of candles. Since we are using candles the question came up as to why candles burn. Well, I said that the wax was the fuel that the wick or string uses to burn. I was correct but also found out that parrafin is made of fossil fuels, I knew it at one time was made of whale oil but missed that it is a still made of oil. Soy candles are totally cheap candles that are made from soy oil. I do suppose that the soy oil comes at a great cost kind of like fuel from corn but is cheapened by the resources afforded us by having oil wells. Who would have thought it. Seems like soy candles were invented in 1992 by Michael Richards who was looking for a cheaper alternative to bees wax.

It is suggested that we continue the great experiment indefinately with Sunday being the off day to use the computers that we depend upon in the house. I am OK with the heat and walking to the library but the library is not open on Sunday therefore this is good.
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1 comment:

  1. RadioNedJuly 14, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    Nick says "Rain water better than regular water, dude." So you are in the right hands !

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