Living Off the Grid!!
Here in America, “Government officials across the country are forming so-called “nuisance abatement teams” to intimidate people into giving up their land, or conforming to the governments demands and hooking back into the grid. Some areas across the nation are actually jailing people for living the way they want to live.”
This comment I read in an article got me to thinking. I struggle with being dictated to. I don’t like being told how I’m supposed to live, according to someone else’s standards!
Why is it suddenly, sooOOO wrong for people to decide to live with wind or solar power for their electrical needs, use more rain water and supply themselves with healthy vegetable gardens, or use raw milk and live simply the way it was done in yonder years? Is it because the more reusable energy that is generated, the more self-reliant people become, the less $$$ corporate companies receive?
In my old age, I find it strange for me to suddenly get this “pioneering spirit” again! In the 60’s I was a hippie, a naturalist and free spirited… I wish I had planned better for my future and become more self-reliant with incorporating solar panels, rain water collection and gardening a more simple way of living. It sure would help my bank account now had I done so!
If I had it to do all over again, I’d like to live more off the grid……
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Senior Chatters
I find it amazing Sassy,that people are being jailed for living off the grid…Isnt that a violation of the USA constitution?….What is the world coming to ?
I recall having to live off grid in my 20s..had no choice…couldnt afford getting power to my land..used bottled gas for light and cooking,grew veges and milked the cow twice a day (strained it thru a tissue,then used it !) The kids grew up healthy and strong.
I wouldnt like to live that way now..too used to my modern comforts…But if anyone wants too…All power to them..doing thier bit to save the planet.
Isn’t it sad that the rights you THINK you have…you find you have none at all …. that’s what astonished me about the story too. Cappu, you are one step ahead of me, as you know you can live off the grid if you had to… you’ve already done it! Thanks for your reply
In my younger years there were many times that I didnt have enough money to pay utilities, so I found alternate ways to heat the house and cook, and even take baths. I have many miles on my hands due to all the scrubbing clothes on a washboard….I heated up water on the woodstove to give me hot water to bathe in in a cattle tub,,,and always hung out my clothes to dry after washing them myself. I had lanterns and candles for light, but I had a roof over my head and food to eat so I was good…so no matter what happens to me from now on, I am not scared to do what I have to do to make it!
Thank you for your comment laura….. In my opinion survival mode, I honestly believe each and every one of us has that strength within us when forced into the situation to live off the grid for survival.
Strange country the US. Land of the free. There is a simple law that gets us there in the end.LIVE AND LET LIVE. Crazy gun laws. Racial tension.Don’t understand your politics. Thank God I live in a moderate land. Just want to get to the end in peace.
Sassy it is all about power and control. The government wants the people to have to depend on them. They are slowly taking away our rights and enforcing unconstitutional laws on us. And it is only going to get worse. The government via the media will tell the people that all the changes that are about to happen are for everyone’s good and the majority will go along with the governments demands thinking it is for the best. Our Constitution is going to be a thing of the past. A lot of people have wakened and seen what is happening before our eyes and are trying to isolate themselves and live off the grid so as not to be noticed or harassed. But that too now is going to be challenged. Me, I just want to enjoy life as much as I can before it is taken away from me.
Thanks for your input suzan…. It is becoming a bit much with the government’s controls and regulations across the board in all aspects. My opinion is local or federal government shouldn’t have such control over what people do on their own land especially in rural areas. If they want their power supply to be solar or wind or water… leave them to it, what harm are they.
Hi Sassy,that’s the way most of our parents lived over here when I was young…….there were no supermarkets, and you had to be really well off to be able to afford labour saving devices…….most had allotments and big gardens to keep chickens on and grow their own veg……but I have to say there was a big campaign here Uk a few years ago to encourage the use of allotments again, aimed at everyone, but mainly the young to encourage them to get exercise and help with the family budget, so all is good in that respect………..to try and stop self sufficiency just so the bucks can still be raked in is diabolical……. it has to be said that the thousands of properties that are having the solar panels on the roofs are an eyesore,blot on the landscape……..but hey ho it’s saving them money and using natural energy……so the trade off has to be tolerated…
I appreciate your thoughts here star… I believe one day in the future my home will incorporate those solar panels covering the entire sunny side of the roof… I may not live long enough to reap the full rewards of such an endeavor… but I will surely benefit when power is lost. 🙂 One step toward getting off the grid…
Sassy…I,v had solar panels on my roof for 3 or 4 years now…While I cannot use the power directly,its fed back into the grid and I get paid for it by way of a reduction in my power bill…My quarterly bill can sometimes be zero,or a few dollars,depending on how much Iv used….some people get a check instead every quarter…Their choice. There are other systems that hold the power generated in battery banks,so people can be off the grid entirely,but they are expensive and really only suitable for rural areas.
thanks cappu! That’s the plan… get a check from the power company. I’ve been researching for years…other things keep getting in my way from making that costly leap.
Very strange – why are the Government concerned over people living ‘off the grid’?
Thanks for your comment Charles.
That is a difficult question to answer, these “nuisance abatement teams” have been forcing “off gridders” in the California desert back onto the grid, citing them with building codes, or other mundane reasons etc… For what purpose, it is unclear as the ‘officials’ will not give a direct answer. Speculation is that the land is wanted for other uses, housing developments, or an airport or some other reason.
One Vietnam Vet, was a target because his property was unsightly. Another man restored classic cars, was forced to relocate a building and register each vehicle with the classic car association, this particular man left the city because of gangs and violence. One woman in Tulsa Oklahoma, had her entire survival garden plowed under because some of her plants were too tall! Pretty lame excuses if you ask me.
The more the authorities can get away with such actions…they more they will try. In this case, my personal opinion is that government may be formed by the people, but is no longer for the people.
such an interesting blog, to be self sufficiant is a gift , my hubby , childrenand I had a stable full of racehorses near a small Country town whenthe kiddies were small , we had wood copper and wash troughs all the washin ghad to be done by hand , grew ourownveges fruit trees ,chickens and such , we had small acreage we grew our own lambs and a few cows and beef xcattle for slaughter for the house, no electricity but a huge kerpsene lantern we usded to pull down on a chain at night over the dining table , used to give excellent light ,I got used to chopping wood and kindling to start the combustion stove , to give us cooking and hot water through the stove,, and a wood chip heater over the bath for heating bath water .. we enjoyed every minute of living that way , whenthe children commenced school we had to move into town ,so restrictive, after having so much room to move around , we adjusted to it after awhile ….but life was never the same , bring back those days of healthy lifestyles for children get them out of townships away from temptations of today… if only … but time moves on and we have moved with the times. everything elctrical now , all mod cons, however i would much rather be out in the country where the fresh air is as high as the green grass grows….
Thanks lani, a wonderful story.
I agree with both you and Michael … “All of us have to live the time we live in” … time moves on and so do we.
Fact is at my age I could not live under harsh conditions of being a pioneer woman, when times were much simpler. I’m content with comforts of modern living. However, for me, I will take one step forward toward getting off the grid, by investing into an alternative reusable energy source and rain water for watering the garden.
In my younger years with the right partner…oh I’d been there all the way!
I would still like a log cabin life Sassy , snow in winter , big log fires , a man to chop the wood now though lol ,and the old kerosene lanterns , huge one’s we have in Australia that pull down from the ceilings giving a light similar to electricity , LAMBSWOOL RUG BY THE FIRE AND A DOG , SCADS OF MUSIC .hhhh !!! contenment for Lani .lol
A nicely painted picture you placed in my minds eye lani….thank you 🙂 a great place to escape to!
My son and his family are giving serious thought to living off the grid.
They currently live in a city but their entire back yard (except for the play stuff the kids have) is a garden where they grow their organic fruits and veggies. The kids always have a snack available in the back yard! No GMO anything! They buy their seeds from someone they know. They haven’t the money for solar or wind energy yet but are working on that. no A/C so that is a start. I hope they find what they are looking for, I will be going with them when they do.