Late fall, early winter brings out my survival instincts. Is it in my DNA? Is it because I live in a historic Massachusetts home and I can vividly imagine what life was like for people a few centuries ago? Is it because my mother grew up in New Brunswick, Canada and only had a wood stove for heat and cooking?
Mounds of snow start Early!
I am now in wood gathering mode. I heat my apartment for the price of my efforts to physically get the wood..Everywhere. The Common. The woods, from friends. There is tons of free or low cost heat out there. I am fortunate to have a wood stove. I feel that I live as the founders of America lived..of course not nearly as hard of a life.
Recently I reconnected with a woman I have known for decades. Years and years ago, I observed her as a single parent raise one of the most brilliant coders I have ever met. Wonderful guy. As a matter of fact, this kid (then a teenager), his best friend, and another friend my age, all created their own internet and shared all kinds of stuff. I owe my technical knowledge to them!
So my friend and I were talking about how Boston is kind of the intellectual capital of the US, and how we who are fortunate to live here always have history over our shoulder.
I said of course it is, because the weather is so cold for almost 9 months out of the year, there was nothing else to do but study!!
Well of course I admit that I trivialize. It's the history that speaks to us to strive to learn. Online Learning has revolutionized the hunker down, gather wood, spark up the clay pot heaters, feel like you live in the past, but realize that you live in a wonderful world of global communication and learning.
Need to heat a room?
How to make a Candle Powered Air Heater
Here is my smaller version my friend taught me how to make. It heats my bathroom. Nice and toasty. For just the cost of stuff you have lying around.
Because of Free Online Internet courses such as Coursera.org, Free-ed.net , MIT OpenCourseWare , and don't forget Kahn Academy we can fulfill our need to learn, Freely and for free. Gather your wood, Light your Candle Heaters, Put a blanket over your feet. Log on and Learn.
Free offer-Learn how to set up your own web site with your own web site address for under $10 a year! Contact me and you are on your way.
Thanks for reading!
Clare
www.solve-by-skype-tutoring.com
