Let it snow!

Another 7 cord of wood split, and piled in front of the woodshed last night, and this morning it's getting buried by 4" to 6" of snow. It's a balmy 32F, The generator is generating, and all is warm and cozy. I've been busy developing a new website for GreenToilets.Org, which will expound upon the virtues of composting toilets and water conservation, plus doing some code work and editorial for Off-Grid.Net.

We are also getting articles ready for the March issue of ESSN Magazine, so keep an eye out for that as well. If you have articles to submit, or want to advertise, contact ads@rebelwolf.com.

Good News, Bad News

First the good news. Our interview with Daryl Hannah & Charris Ford will be posted soon at Off-Grid.Net. Keep an eye out for it. Also we have our Events Calendar back online, so check out what's happening, and add your sustainability oriented events.

OK, now the bad news. We burned up another starter on the veggie gen. It's just too cold (-35F) to start a diesel without glow plugs or some other type of heat. We are looking at a compressed air starter, or a heavier electric starter and a preheating system. We purchased a 5250 watt gas generator last weekend to get us by until the veggie gen starter is returned. This morning it blew a 3 inch hole through the block and spread parts all over the ground. No electricity again.

Life can be discouraging and rewarding. When do we get to the rewarding part?

February ESSN Is Here!

It's been a rough month. The death of Al Rutan was a shattering loss to the renewable energy community and to all of Al's friends. It was also a real setback to ESSN and to our readers. Al was regarded as the best on methane digesters and production and he enthusiastically volunteered to share his knowledge and experience with you, our readers. Al has passed on, but his legacy is still with us. The February issue of ESSN is dedicated to Al's memory and his legacy. Let us always strive to keep his work and his memory alive. For if we do that, his knowledge and his research will be with us always.

As you know, we had hosting problems too. But in spite of that, almost 9000 of you were able to access ESSN and download it. We thank you for sticking with us through our technical difficulties, and we hope you enjoy the February 2005 issue of Energy Self Sufficiency Newsletter. ldb