Category Archives: HandsOnPracticalExperience

One month to the winter solstice

on November 21, 2025 in HandsOnPracticalExperience, Nature

The winter solstice is in one month. During the summer if I need to charge, I can go to the roof any time from around 8am to 8pm, weather permitting. This time of year, the sun only rises high enough to charge from about 9am to maybe 3pm. It’s cold. It’s windier so I can’t leave the panels alone because if the wind catches them, they blow like a sail.[…] Keep reading →

Differences between environmentalists’ strategies and mine

on November 11, 2025 in HandsOnPracticalExperience, Leadership, Nature, Nonjudgment

I’ve been increasingly realizing and pointing out that I am not an environmentalist. I surprised myself to discover it. I had long felt misunderstood when people asked, “If you like nature so much, why don’t you go to the woods live in nature?” It had long been obvious to me that we needed to change culture, not escape it, and New York is an influential cultural center. Then I checked[…] Keep reading →

Climate Week NYC: Slimy and Duplicitous, causing the problems they complain about.

on October 29, 2025 in HandsOnPracticalExperience, Leadership

Climate Week NYC was a month or so ago, but its sliminess lingers. I’m writing this post not to complain, but to call attention for the need for leadership, integrity, and credibility. I saw none there, but huge demand for it. I haven’t engaged yet with the event planners so attended passively, therefore include myself in showing no leadership there. It’s further motivation to finish my next book, which will[…] Keep reading →

Hear my second time on the Heritage Foundation podcast The Power Hour with Jack Spencer

on October 21, 2025 in Audio, Freedom, HandsOnPracticalExperience, Leadership, Podcast

It’s been close to a year since I first appeared on the Heritage Foundation’s podcast The Power Hour, hosted by Jack Spencer, who has been a guest on my podcast three times. First, I enjoy Jack’s hosting both as a guest and a listener. I really was laughing as hard as I said when I came on. You’ll hear me share more about how America’s founders, Lincoln, Adam Smith, and[…] Keep reading →

Attend my fifth annual Cooking Sustainably workshop in the Bronx THIS SATURDAY

on October 20, 2025 in Education, Events, HandsOnPracticalExperience

Come to my third annual cooking workshop at the wonderful Drew Gardens in the Bronx THIS SATURDAY. Click for all the logistics: Sustainable Living with Joshua Spodek Drew Gardens is one of New York City’s great gems. I love it there. You will too, along with my famous no-packaging vegan solar-powered stew. GREAT NEWS: Past workshops have led to Drew Gardens having their own solar panels, battery, and pressure cooker.[…] Keep reading →

Tik Tok and Instagram or hands-on practical experience?

on October 11, 2025 in Choosing/Decision-Making, HandsOnPracticalExperience, Leadership

Two things I haven’t kept track of but happen over and over: Sure, I could go for the quick clicks as the guy off the grid in Manhattan. I could probably get a million followers, but to change global culture, continuing the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, requires a solid, deep foundation. I’m getting closer to launch all the time, but not there yet. The reason my material has value and[…] Keep reading →

What I’ve bought this year besides food

on October 6, 2025 in Freedom, HandsOnPracticalExperience

I tried to remember what I bought this year besides food. My doormen remark when a package arrives for me since I get a few per year. I ask if anyone else gets less. They say not even close. They tell me that some people receive more packages in some weeks than I do in a year, and many such weeks. As for food, I probably spend about $200/month, though[…] Keep reading →

A new podcast I recommend: “Bulk Beans & Bicycles”

on October 4, 2025 in Audio, Fitness, HandsOnPracticalExperience, Podcast

Regular readers and listeners to my podcast know Evelyn from her being a guest and my mentioning her. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned Hayden, but both of them took my workshop in sustainability leadership (I recommend you do too). They started a podcast together called Bulk Beans & Bicycles. They posted the first episode a few days ago. Here’s the link to the podcast’s home page and to a[…] Keep reading →

Year five, day 2 no refrigerator. Did you know power companies promoted them to use more energy (not for health, safety, or flavor)?

on October 2, 2025 in Doof, Fitness, Freedom, HandsOnPracticalExperience, Nature

The first time I unplugged my fridge was December 2019. A few months later Covid hit and I lived outside the city a couple months. My fridge remained unplugged, but I don’t count that time since I wasn’t home. The next time I unplugged earlier in the year: November 2020, and made it six months or so before spring warm weather made keeping things fresh harder. The next year I[…] Keep reading →

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