A DIY Hobbit House January 26, 2023
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, People, Sustainable Living.comments closed
Stewart Grant, now 89, moved into a cottage he bought as a wreck (no roof, no windows, and no doors). He found it so satisfying doing DIY on the quirky outbuilding (which dated back 200 years and used to house a pig) that he decided to make it his home.
Now tourists from all over the world, especially France, stop by to check it out.
One suggested he have a collection box. Since then, all donations have been passed on to charities.
Another wee glimpse when Stewart was in his 70’s:
Aah . . . Bilbo Baggins would love this!
My Long Term Care Plan October 24, 2022
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Less IS More, Life Balance, Sustainable Living.comments closed
No nursing home for me. I’ll be checking into a MARRIOTT!
With the average cost for nursing home care being min. $275.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and gray.
Check in to The FAIRFIELD:
For a combined long-term stay discount and senior discount, it’s $79.00 per night.
Breakfast is included, and some have happy hours In the afternoon. That leaves $196.00 or more a day for lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities and special TV movies.
Plus, they provide a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer dryer, etc. And most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap. Spread around $10 worth of tips a day and you’ll have the entire staff scrambling to help you. They’ll treat you like a customer, not a patient.
There’s a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free. The handicap bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp). To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays.
For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there. While you’re at the airport, fly somewhere . . . to keep the cash from building up.
It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Marriott will take your reservation . . . today!
And you’re not stuck in one place forever ~ you can move from Marriott to Marriott, or even from city to city.
Want to see Hawaii? They have COURTYARD there too.
TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem ~ they fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.
The Marriott has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are OK. If not, they’ll call an ambulance . . . or the undertaker!
If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Marriott will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.
And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.
And the grandkids can use the pool.
What more could you ask for?
So, when I reach that golden age,
I’ll face it with a grin.
Aah . . . that’s the ticket!
Source: E-mail from unknown author (sent by Joan M.)
Food Justice Film Festival 2022 September 7, 2022
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Food & Drink, Sustainable Living.comments closed
This free online film festival presented by the Center for Biological Diversity showcases six films addressing food justice.
Films are scheduled daily during September 15-18.
Featured Films:
From Gangs to Gardens (Sept. 17)
I’m Just A Layman in Pursuit of Justice: Black Farmers Fight Against the USDA (Sept. 18)
Register by clicking “Sign up for FJFF 2022”, then go to Passes+ to get your free film festival pass!
Aah . . . that’s the ticket!
Our Adoptees August 7, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, Nature, Sustainable Living.comments closed
Every Spring, when the snowbirds leave for parts North, we are offered plants from their gardens, which we happily adopt.
Case in point: this century plant with sharp spear-like points ~> a lethal beauty.
This colorful bromeliad enjoys hanging around our shady palm tree and teeny tiny tree frogs like splashing around in its mini swimming pools of water.
Our newest addition ~ this Norfolk Pine. Norfolk Pines are tropical plants and (like me) cannot tolerate temperatures below 35 degrees F. (1 C.).
Although it’s not an actual pine, we may decorate it with twinkling lights for the holidays.
Aah . . . that’s de-light-full!
Become A Scottish Lord Or Lady July 23, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, Less IS More, Sustainable Living.comments closed
Do ye have a wee hankering for a title to land in the Scottish Highlands?
Land that comes with a title?
Well, you are in luck! For a wee remittance, you can attain title to a title while helping to conserve the Highland Titles Nature Reserve.
And you’ll become a Lord, Lady, or Laird of Glencoe in the process . . . with a certificate to prove it to any naysayers!
For a few of the enticing details:
Finding your plot:
For some nice views:
What you get in your welcome packet:
Aah . . . that’s it, milord!
Escape Hatch July 11, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Home & Garden, Sustainable Living.comments closed
Last Spring, just as Covid was shutting things down, we ordered lumber for a new deck, which BFF constructed with due care.
Because our deck is set back from the lagoon, we have a rocky coastline beneath us.
In case of fire, I decided I didn’t want to have to climb over the railing before dropping to the jagged rocks below.
So I asked BFF to build me an Escape Hatch . . . for emergency evacuations.
With one upward pull, an opening in the railing wide enough to squeeze through appears.
Allowing anyone in residence to SIT on the deck and drop GENTLY to the rocks below.
Aah . . . that’s better!
There Is No Planet B June 11, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Nature, Sustainable Living.comments closed
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is asking for public comments by June 14 to help draft rules requiring consistent climate disclosures by all publicly traded companies.
This rule is crucial to ensuring that all investors, communities, and consumers have the information they need to determine if these companies are reporting out accurately on their climate impacts, risks, and steps for addressing their impacts.
Enough consumers are now voting with their wallets that manufacturers are starting to make “green” claims for their products, networks are airing “green” shows, and movie producers are bragging when they make a film with a zero carbon footprint.
It’s a start.
Perhaps people will finally find it chic to “go green.”
After all, “What good is a house, if you haven’t got a decent planet to put it on?” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Mount Ascutney, Vermont September 23, 2020
Posted by nrhatch in Nature, People, Sustainable Living, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
I’ve never skied Mt. Ascutney (no big surprise, right?), but I’ve hiked it in the summer.
Many times.
Here’s how the town of Windsor (next town over from where Dad grew up), saved the mountain’s accessibility for the community.
Aah . . . that’s better!
It’s Spring! April 2, 2020
Posted by nrhatch in Animals, Happiness, Sustainable Living.comments closed
Tired of thinking about the pandemic, quarantines, and TP that is MIA?
Enjoy a few Spring Smiles!
Aah . . . that’s better!
More from Colonial Williamsburg: Welcome, Lambs!
In The Days Before E-Bay January 27, 2020
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, Sustainable Living.comments closed
My first apartment was a 2 bedroom sub-let from a friend in high school.
I rented it sight unseen without meeting my roommate-to-be or seeing the puke green shag carpet or the roach motel in the kitchen.
I paid $100 for the furniture my friend wasn’t interested in taking with her ~ a bed, a dresser, a built in “desk” made from a 2 foot section of kitchen counter, a threadbare sofa, a stained armchair, a coffee table with 3 faux marble insets (one cracked), and ample cinderblocks that could be used to build end tables, bookshelves, etc.
Come to think of it, the furniture was free ~ I paid $100 for the curtains! 😀
Aah . . . the Good Old Days!
Spirit Lights The Way 