I was living in California at the time the vote went through. The voters only approved $1 billion, which was used up quickly by committees and studies. Then the state legislature passed extra spending. We sued to stop the spending, but were shot down by the courts because “the voters approved the project.”

Before I reply to your questions directly, I want you to understand that I made many of the same mistakes. I’m just old and have experience. Another mistake I made, while looking for answers to similar questions was implement the solutions to rapidly. Slow and gentle change with loved ones is far more effective than decisive edicts. Remember, you’re supposed to have a long time preference.

“Could you elaborate? In what way?” People have to find their own path in order to be successful. Remember that old saying. “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

If you don’t let them fail and struggle a little bit, then you’re creating weak people. One time I took my kids on a day hike and “accidentally“ forgot the lunch we packed on the kitchen counter. They were young teenagers, and it was age-appropriate for them to learn what it was like to be a little bit hungry. When we got to our turnaround point where we planned on stopping and having lunch, there was no option but to hike back without food. I’m not saying don’t feed your kids. This is a one time example of creating a small struggle that also helps build empathy for people that don’t have enough to eat.

Top next topic. Open source is a great way to make money. I like to use WordPress for an example. Free, open source software that has an entire marketplace built around plug-in’s generating income for developers. If you don’t have a path to generating income, then you have a hobby not a business. Business owners also create flexibility, so if the path they envision doesn’t work out quite as they imagined, they can pivot to a profitable path.

“Ideals are definitely at odds with expectations, but those expectations are from my family, whom I love. How does one neglect expectations of their family?”

Believe it or not, this is the easiest one. Let’s use the minivan payment as an example. Once that minivan is paid off are you going to keep driving it and use the money you were using for a car payment to stack sats or are you going to buy a new vehicle and stay in fiat bondage? Knowing full well that repairing an older car is always cheaper than buying a new one you are going to want to stack sats, but maybe your wife wants a new car or your other family wants you to keep up appearances. There is nothing stopping your wife from earning the money to get her own new car (letting your loved ones struggle a little bit) and you probably won’t get much argument if you say something like “ I’m worried about our future and I think it’s more important to save and invest right now than to bring on a new expense. I won’t stand in your way if you want a new car and I’ll support you anyway I can, but we need to think about the future, to make sure our family is secure and you and the kids are well taken care of if anything ever happens to one of us.” Same thing with other family members, “saving and investing to create a secure future for my wife and children will make me happier right now than keeping up appearances.“ if they really love you, they want you to do what makes you happy and they certainly can’t object to wanting a secure future for your family. Don’t expect the pressure to stop. However, by stating your desires and goals, you created a healthy boundary.

I don’t know you or your family. I’m just a stranger on the Internet. These are just some examples of how I approach things differently to come from a place of love and harmony instead of conflict. Create your own interpretations of my examples. Don’t be afraid to fail, shift your approach and try again.

GM Gary! In my experience, people don’t write things like this unless they want feedback. Here’s mine: “my family is not ready to live in less comfort” Then you are doing them a disservice.

“a mountain of obligations that is daunting to consider” You know having this is not the path to freedom. Get rid of it.

“As I consider writing grant applications” Why are you begging for money instead of creating something of value.

It seems to me that your ideals and actions are at odds because of other people’s expectations and that’s why you’re struggling.

Tell me more. I agree with you. I just want to hear your thoughts on why and how.

Tariffs don’t matter if you’re on a bitcoin standard and purchase P2P.

Oh no! Now I have to pay $0.25 cents more for my avocado toast at Starbucks.

Tariffs don’t matter if you’re on a bitcoin standard and purchase P2P.

Fucking savage! Some people jump out of airplanes or climb mountains. You drink biologically active home brews made out of dirt and bug shit. You, my friend, have balls as big as church bells.

Seriously though, I remember reading a book about 20 years ago on the Mediterranean diet in which the author claimed the diet cured his IBS/Chronns. However, the mystery supplement he was taking, that he really didn’t understand, was basically IMO. I believe that the restricted diet along with the IMO reestablished a healthy gut flora thus “curing” the “disease.” I believe you are onto something.

Better words were never spoken. Everyone that gave you a negative response probably can’t handle the responsibility of being a producer.

GM

I love to see things like this.

Great note, I hope lots of people post their favorite alternatives.

I use paint.net https://www.getpaint.net/

It combines tools from both photoshop and illustrator. It’s my main go to for image and photo editing.

Open office https://www.openoffice.org/

Does everything that Microsoft Office does and more. Word-Writer, Excel-Calc, Power Point-Impress. It even comes with drawing and database applications.

Both of these programs are open source with large communities supporting them and endless plug ins/extensions that enable far more features than their main stream counterparts.

It’s happening, Nostr! Six months ago, I decided to stop free, ranging my chickens and put them in a coop and run. One reason for this change came from a need for compost inputs. I just don’t make enough organic waste here on the Homestead to make any meaningful amount of compost.

Once a week, for six months, I scattered a bale of straw in the chicken run. The chickens got to scratch and peck for enrichment while turning their droppings into the straw for me.

Last week I moved the chickens to another area and a couple days ago I piled up the bedding in the run. The bottom couple inches was full of beautiful compost with lots of bugs and worms actively doing their job.

My compost thermometer arrived yesterday and this morning I was treated an indication that the mix is right and compost is happening. I’ll add a few perforated PVC pipes for better airflow when I turn the pile.

#permies #homestead #compost #grownostr

Tacos de lengua (tongue tacos.) Cook in the crockpot with cumin, onions, garlic and a little broth. Skin the tongue and dice the meat after it’s cooked. Put a little lard or duck fat on the meat and place under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp the edges. Serve on small, warm tortillas with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.🍋‍🟩

Loving life! Just started a new internship with a local custom butcher. Cleaned out the chicken run and started my spring compost pile. Finished some raised beds for blueberry bushes that are on the way. You know, life on the Homestead :-) what have you been up to?

People don’t realize how momentous this is. Your work is important and it will make a difference someday.

GM!

GM!

Umhm (clears throat) I’m 50.