Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Gable Solar Fan- A Green Choice

Attics tend to hold the heat of the day. This can cause your energy costs to raise. Our main house attic is hot even though we have insulation in it. Hubby decided to have an attic gable solar fan installed. During the day the sun will power the fan to remove the heat from the attic space. That should help with the daily build up of heat. the same company we used for our House solar installed the fan. We purchase the gable solar fan from Lowes and had it installed. One could easily install it themselves. However hubby can not do the work due to current health issues. So we contracted the installation out. It is only run by solar power.
The attic exhaust fan...
This will be hooked to it's own solar panel,
for it's power source

We have decided the best place to mount the solar panel is on the chimney.


Fan installed in the attic-view

Ron working on the solar panel install...
the chimney fire usage should not effect the panel.
It is far enough down to remain free of soot.

The finished look...

The company we love to use-their sign.
We highly recommend them. If you live in the eastern coast area,
Virginia, Maryland Delaware,New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Give them a call tell them Auntie E and Steve sent you.
Jack is the person we work with he is very good at answering your questions
and designing a solar system to meet your needs.


Yesterday was the first day the fan was in use. We noticed to Upper floor cooler. Our air-conditioning seem to run less. I notice that yesterday when the temps out side was in the upper 90's. Our air-conditioner was not running, and the house was holding it's 78 degree temp on the floors. I think this was a good move for our Green Minded Living.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Updates- A Yearly Review.

I have noticed a trend in my writing style. Trying to keep this Blog on subject content is a goal of mine. Looking back I started out on weight control and my struggles. Working with the Wii and other products. Searching for the product that will be my Niche. Later on I realized not too many passer-byers were interested in my struggles. Folks seem to stay for a while but as the year goes on they lose interests. What more can one write about? We have covered all there is. Just eat healthier and exercise that is the answer to a healthier you.

Then when Hubby convinced me to look into the Green thing, I realized that this was worth writing about. Going solar was a great step for us. But was that the only Green thing to think about? How about expanding to the environment to the home. Is our Home healthy, do we have products that are unhealthy in them and how can we change that?

The Going green and living healthier idea became a way of life for us. It is such an important aspect to living a longer life. However I have notice not very many visitors are interested. Notice this not just on this blog but on other Green blogs as well. No comments in their post sections.

What is wrong with this picture? All the research we do can not convince folks to get on the bandwagon and look at their lives and habits. How were we trained up? There seemed to be a generation that really do not care about living healthy. My assumption is this is a younger, under 30 some, that are only interested in the now. I too was like that until recently. After Mom got cancer and I started to learn more about our environment being the cause for some types. Like the way we eat, the things we breath, the products we use, and the regions we live in. This made me think twice about my home environment, my families life and what can be done to change the life of cancer and unhealthy living on our planet.

Some companies have started to change their product ingredients. Some Stores have made a stand on waste landfill product using. Counties and Cities are redefining their recycling plans. I think we are as a nation working on this matter and trying to recreate a healthier environment.

Now back to this blog content. My main reason for looking back at the content is to make this a better blog. Taking a over all view of the contents. What was interesting to the readers and what was just Blogfill. I will be looking at ways to enhance my site . You can help by giving me feed back. Did you like this years changes? What would you like more of?
I will continue to do my Monthly Updates on Solar and Going green. That is for all those wanting real life feed back of product productions.

My family is getting more Green minded in our thinking. The above photo is of my family, Hubby, Lyd and me. We are going green together. Raising a green minded generation child is our goal. Life long and prosper in a healthier earth.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thoughtful Thursday- The Blame Game Continues

I have been hearing a lot on the news and reading a lot on the web about this BP Oil accident. How interesting the blame game gets. First we are stunned by the accident, feared for the lives lost and the men hurt. Next the feelings of cleaning up and the environmental impact on the gulf ,its animals and our shorelines. Then the effect it has on the Fishing Boat companies and the employment income of the fishermen and small towns businesses. Later on, the blame game starts. Who is going to pay for the effects this Accident has caused nationwide. The cleanup, Lost income, and the ongoing Lawsuits.
BP seems to be blaming Transocean for the explosion. As stated here:

"Lamar McKay, chairman of BP America, told the first of two Congressional hearings into the environmental catastrophe that it was Transocean which conducted the well drilling operations.

Now I ask you, do you think this is a problem caused by BP oil or is it Tranocean's . You see if Transocean is the one who owns the rig and the equipment then shouldn't they be responsible for the Explosion and aftermath cost?

My Husband put is this way.....If you rent a home and the gas line to the home causes an explosion, the renter would not be a fault. The owner would have to file the claim for the insurance and the owner would receive the money. then the owner could be held responsible for the renters losses. Is it the Renter responsibilities to maintain the Gas lines? The renter assumes that the gas lines are safe and that the owner has done their job in creating a safe environment to live and work in.

So now that I have the rest of the story, my question is Who really is at fault and who should be paying for the aftermath of this accident? Any thoughts from you?

Monday, August 23, 2010

Traffic Down?

I have notice the traffic is down. Oh I know been on vacation, summer time, busy life and all the other things that play in the situation. Was wondering how things are in your neck of the woods?

We have been in and out this summer. As my family says...I keep busy! That's true Being busy extends the life of me. Love traveling and finding out new things. So I will continue to stay busy.

What's on the agenda for the next few weeks? I will be working on the Dungeon, It will get a new name soon. Oh I have plans for that room. It use to be the sewing room until this summer. I know you will love the new look, stay tuned. You know School will be starting back up in a week. That means Fall is around the corner. I love that time of year! It will be time for some Fall cleaning and getting ready for our winter.

While on vacation I notice a few things. This year we Drove to our destinations. On the way we saw Wind Turbines, and Nuclear stacks, Coal mining, and the power of Water.

One thing that bothered me was the litter. Just can not understand why folks will not use the trash receptacles. Looking out at the Mighty Niagara I saw this.....
so what's wrong in this picture. No way to get it out,
so off it will go to the waterways of the Mighty Niagara.


Such a beautiful place and sight to see.. Litter just distorts the view.

Do you notice the Litter when you travel and what goes through your mind?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Just my thoughts on Inflation

Inflation a word that had become a normal one in our society. It's Up and Down so much one has trouble keeping up with it! I heard it is down now, however the market doesn't show it. So I wonder, does the Government think it has a true picture? I really wonder that often.
Last week I went to the store to buy some Flour. the price jumped to 5 dollars for a 5 lb bag! Oh boy, I did not buy it. So I did some research to see what was going on.
I found out that the wheat prices have jumped 75% in August. Hey folks this is the begining of that month. Now I know the flour milled is not from this months yield. the other thing that struck me was this cost increase is from Russia's Grain. How can that possibly affect our Grain? I think we have become to world minded and the stock market has too much control on Prices. What to do?
Now that's a good question. What is one Nation to do about this matter. I believe the Greed of money will be the fall of all of the nations. Folks will not be able to buy staples and we will have a lot of sick folks. Could of President control the Market? I do not believe so. My thought is he tried that with the House industry and look what happened. Houses in foreclosures and the lost of retirement funds. It is not good for government to have control of the market.
So how does one control the prices? When I took Economics 101 the main control was Supply and Demand. This is based on a consumer control theory. If the consumer doesn't buy it, the price will go down. Sometimes I think folks forget this simple fix to inflated prices. I know that the cost can be impacted by weather,insects and harvest conditions. However it is still within the consumer power to control the market prices.
Now I read the wheat from Russia makes up a great percentage of the wheat used world wide. this could affect the prices world wide. We have to keep in mind the other countries will profit from this shortage. So as the consumer we have to look at how much is that wheat worth to us and are we willing to pay the inflated store prices?

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday's Travels

We are on our way to Niagara Falls Canada. It is a two hour drive from our reunion site. Looking forward to visiting the Hydro Plant as well as seeing the Falls. It has been years since I have been to the falls. I was about eight or nine I think, this will bring back such grand memories for me.
I do not remember visiting the Plant though, so this will be a new one. will be on the look out for some healthy sights to post here.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Wordful Wednesday- Our County Bee Keepers

Okay I have a hard time not sharing, so I thought I would make this post a Wordful Wednesday one.You can visit Seven Clown Circus for a look at more.





At the Fair we Visited.....


The Honey Table.
Look at all those ribbons.....

so many to choose from.....



Now Honey is a great tasting food. Everyone I know loves it. There are so many different flavored ones, some are produced by the flower bees, then you have the wild ones. In our area we have bee keepers. Every year the county Fair has entries.

Last year we purchased this one.

When we had a bad cough and could not shake it , the doctor told us to take a tablespoon of honey. The properties in the honey work wonders for coughs. So we open the Fair Honey and boy every one loved it. You know it worked wonders on that cough. After that I used it a lot in cooking and hot teas as well as a spoonful every now and then for medicinal reason.

This year there was a new honey from the wildflowers bees that took first place. So I had to purchase some.
Here it is.

I was able to get a 2 pound size of last years winner as well. I did not see any out, but then I saw the beekeeper put two jars out. Before one could say Bee, I was scooping it up. Now you know every year the taste changes. That the great thing about local fresh honey. We haven't opened the jar yet. However I know it will be just as good. The Bees had a great year.

Buying local also means it is fresh. Still supporting the local Bee Keepers and It's an all American products. The phone number and address are on the jars, you can call them and see if there is still some available. Hurry before they sell out, Tell them Auntie E sent you.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Our County Fair

Well it's that time of year for County Fairs to pop up. This year my daughter will be entering 5 photographs to be judged. I love going to the county fair. The Livestock shows and the homemade items are always a join to see. It reminds me of my younger years when I was in 4H. My love of sewing, cooking and farming started then. Mom learned had to Can vegetables and fruits. I learned how to sew, knit and all kinds of handwork.
In today world these fair are not doing so well. The participation is down and the visitor numbers are falling. Our county seems to be falling to the saga of Farmers selling property, mostly due to Rising taxes. Our farmers are having a hard time even sell their crops in the local area. Trying to maintain a farm and pay the rising county and operating costs are driving them out out the area. They are giving into the contractors, selling for high amounts and relocation to other states. Or just retiring the farming business.
In a county that once was a thriving Farming community, it has change quite a bit in the 15 years we have lived here. The trip to the fairgrounds, once a country drive has turned into a drive with New homes and very little farmland. Oh the Days of the past have gone. there is little one can do to stop this madness. With this economy this is the outcome in today society.
We will continue to go and try to support the County Fair. If you live in an area that has one, try to go, this a truly a Green thing to do. Support our young farmers and learn more about the life on a farm. I really miss farming.

photos courtesy of
Howard County Fair Website.
take a trip to the site(link above)
for times and shows

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

It's In the Bag

It has been a while since I did an update on our recycling adventure. We are doing well. I am finding it easier to use the cloth bags and the family is getting better at using them. Our stores seem to not be against them anymore. Gladly excepting them to hold our merchandise. Hubby still has a hard time and brings home those plastic things. I hope he reads this a gets with the program! He is such a stickler on the Energy usage, always turning of lights and replacing them with those kind I do not like... but tolerate. Now if I could just get him on the bag cycle things. Now as far as the Recycles to the curb, we all do well with that. Have notice that the regular trash day are now just down to one trash can! That is a great defeat for us. We used to have three cans full. Now with this Green mind, our family seems to be living thinking first and doing our part.
So How are you doing with Recycling?