As a long-time gasoline chainsaw user, I have come to very, very much appreciate my Husqvarna electric chainsaw. (I’ve heard that the Stihl electrics are good, too.)
I had a heavy duty Stihl that was a nightmare to start but could cut through concrete. Then another older woman turned me on to Stihl easy start. It's not as powerful, but then I don't use half the energy I've got for the day on starting it! When I go out, it's for hours. I didn't want an electric pooping out on me, but this is a nice compromise.
For my purposes a couple of batteries are all I need. If I was go need to go out all day, I’d have a third battery and plug into my portable solar battery bank I have in my mini-trailer or a fast charger and small portable generator.
Thanks for posting, Muriel. I think most of the activists I'm working with are already there, all of what I'm hearing is framed this way, so Bill Moyer has succeeded in making that change.
Haha! Well, guys tend to have more upper body strength than women and can get away with it....but it's still pretty dangerous! Thank you for responding!
Naw, man, it's dangerous. Best to start it on the ground with your foot on the handle. Every time I drop start my saw I say out loud: "never drop start a chain saw" and then laugh and do it anyhow. I work hard but sometimes I don't think too hard 😂
I am terrified of chainsaws and have been trying to work through my fear because I have some tree work I need to do. I relate to this raw power that you speak of. I remember realizing the only thing that was going to solve my tree problem is a chainsaw. Once I concur my fear, I will be very grateful for the massive change it brings. I appreciate your tips on good practice :-)
You can respect the saw without fearing it. But always good to get some training from a pro too. I meant is more as a metaphor than a training manual, so please be sure to get some pro guidance!
I’m spreading my disruption beyond Iowa in 2025 - community refrigerators wherever people are. Once we remind people how easy it is to pass along their extra food, an amazing community is connected.
That's a great idea. It is akin to local food pantries. I have had to rely on a food pantry for the last couple of months, and I am stunned at how much food would have otherwise gone to waste if it had not been shared. So much produce, with some 'ugly' fruit and vegetables. People often have an excess of something, usually produce from their garden that they don't know what to do with. Community refrigerators sound amazing.
They are! Community refrigerators provide the temperature controlled space for people to easily share their excess. No one likes throwing away perfectly good food. Simple guidelines - take what you need, leave what you can; all
food should be properly packaged; all food should have a date and label with allergies - then, get out of the way! It’s been amazing to see communities come together around sharing and supporting each other. I’ve helped launch over 300 to date and that’s when i was just focused on my small slice of the world. Imagine what’s possible when more people realize the food is there and has been there the whole time! It has been getting thrown away though because that keeps the scarcity mindset fully entrenched. Once people start looking at their communities from a perspective of abundance, they will see food all over. This means community members are the ones asking their grocery store/gas station/event center/school/cafeteria to incorporate food rescue. After 10
years of trying to get company executives to do the right thing, it’s clear the only way companies change is when it’s demanded by their consumers. It’s easy to tell me, some random person, no, we can’t donate our food. It’s a whole other story when a neighbor asks what would it take to donate the food instead of toss. My job is to help more folks realize they are not crazy and community refrigerators are a safe way to increase access to good food, reduce waste, and make friends!
Brilliant analogy, Suzan!
Thanks Holly!
As a long-time gasoline chainsaw user, I have come to very, very much appreciate my Husqvarna electric chainsaw. (I’ve heard that the Stihl electrics are good, too.)
I had a heavy duty Stihl that was a nightmare to start but could cut through concrete. Then another older woman turned me on to Stihl easy start. It's not as powerful, but then I don't use half the energy I've got for the day on starting it! When I go out, it's for hours. I didn't want an electric pooping out on me, but this is a nice compromise.
For my purposes a couple of batteries are all I need. If I was go need to go out all day, I’d have a third battery and plug into my portable solar battery bank I have in my mini-trailer or a fast charger and small portable generator.
here's my best advice for activists: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343295522_doing_democracy_in_the_21st_century
Thanks for posting, Muriel. I think most of the activists I'm working with are already there, all of what I'm hearing is framed this way, so Bill Moyer has succeeded in making that change.
the essay includes updates on his book plus some of my own commentary/suggestions
I'll confess to drop starting my farm boss on the regular. You offer solid advice in many respects here. Thank you. Subbed and shared.
Haha! Well, guys tend to have more upper body strength than women and can get away with it....but it's still pretty dangerous! Thank you for responding!
Naw, man, it's dangerous. Best to start it on the ground with your foot on the handle. Every time I drop start my saw I say out loud: "never drop start a chain saw" and then laugh and do it anyhow. I work hard but sometimes I don't think too hard 😂
I am terrified of chainsaws and have been trying to work through my fear because I have some tree work I need to do. I relate to this raw power that you speak of. I remember realizing the only thing that was going to solve my tree problem is a chainsaw. Once I concur my fear, I will be very grateful for the massive change it brings. I appreciate your tips on good practice :-)
You can respect the saw without fearing it. But always good to get some training from a pro too. I meant is more as a metaphor than a training manual, so please be sure to get some pro guidance!
yes, thank you!
I’m spreading my disruption beyond Iowa in 2025 - community refrigerators wherever people are. Once we remind people how easy it is to pass along their extra food, an amazing community is connected.
That's a great idea. It is akin to local food pantries. I have had to rely on a food pantry for the last couple of months, and I am stunned at how much food would have otherwise gone to waste if it had not been shared. So much produce, with some 'ugly' fruit and vegetables. People often have an excess of something, usually produce from their garden that they don't know what to do with. Community refrigerators sound amazing.
They are! Community refrigerators provide the temperature controlled space for people to easily share their excess. No one likes throwing away perfectly good food. Simple guidelines - take what you need, leave what you can; all
food should be properly packaged; all food should have a date and label with allergies - then, get out of the way! It’s been amazing to see communities come together around sharing and supporting each other. I’ve helped launch over 300 to date and that’s when i was just focused on my small slice of the world. Imagine what’s possible when more people realize the food is there and has been there the whole time! It has been getting thrown away though because that keeps the scarcity mindset fully entrenched. Once people start looking at their communities from a perspective of abundance, they will see food all over. This means community members are the ones asking their grocery store/gas station/event center/school/cafeteria to incorporate food rescue. After 10
years of trying to get company executives to do the right thing, it’s clear the only way companies change is when it’s demanded by their consumers. It’s easy to tell me, some random person, no, we can’t donate our food. It’s a whole other story when a neighbor asks what would it take to donate the food instead of toss. My job is to help more folks realize they are not crazy and community refrigerators are a safe way to increase access to good food, reduce waste, and make friends!
Love this exchange!
Now THAT's a radical notion! Giving and receiving food without a centralized authority! Just do it and build the connections. Love it Aubrey!