Articles from February 2010
February 28, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan
Okay, I admit this is an odd example of problem solving. Who really needs to know how to make a half court basketball shot while facing away from the basket and not ever looking at it? Not many people, so what value is there in knowing how? Not much, but there is value in knowing [...]
Categories: problem solving | 
Tags: half court basketball shot, how to, problem solving, self reliance | 
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February 28, 2010 | Posted by Mark Z
Previously, I’ve pointed out how our society relies on anecdotes, “conventional wisdom” and rumors for information. Here are some suggestions and aphorisms that may help stimulate critical thought: Take time to learn. Skimming rarely gleans sufficient information. Check facts. Challenge assumptions, especially your own. Explore context. Evaluate why you want to believe what you’re reading. [...]
Categories: critical thinking | Tags: critical thinking, evaluating information, self reliance | No Comments »
February 27, 2010 | Posted by DDFD
Low profile living can be accomplished right under nosy people’s noses. They can be surprised to learn of your intentions late into “the game” or after “the game” is over. Here are some more tips: Work under the cover of darkness. Complete small pieces of bigger projects. Do things out of sequence. Stay behind closed [...]
Categories: low profile living | Tags: how to, low profile living, privacy, self reliance | No Comments »
February 27, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan
In this product review, I’ll show you how you can lend yourself a hand and extend your grip with the same product. I call it a “gripper grabber” mainly because that’s exactly what it does – it helps you grip things and it helps you grab things that are out of reach. Call it what [...]
Categories: reviews | Tags: extend a grip, lend a hand, product review, self reliance | No Comments »
February 26, 2010 | Posted by DDFD
So you like fish . . . time to make your own Tartar Sauce. Here is an easy one. Prep time is under five minutes. Here’s what you need: 1 cup of mayonnaise 1-2 tablespoons of relish 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard Dash or salt Dash of pepper Here’s what to do: [...]
Categories: cooking and recipes | Tags: cooking and recipes, cooking from scratch, self reliance, tartar sauce | No Comments »
February 26, 2010 | Posted by Mark Z
We have become an anecdotally-educated society that would rather believe what we’re told, or our own experience, than think critically about issues. The basic thinking is that if it didn’t happen to me or to someone I know, it doesn’t happen to anyone. “Conventional wisdom,” a dangerously oxymoronic term, trumps everything—scientific evidence, historical records, critical [...]
Categories: critical thinking | Tags: critical thinking, evaluating information, self reliance | No Comments »
February 25, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan
Here we are again with tips on pouring liquids without the use of a funnel. This time, we’re not going to use a lengthy object to help the liquid slide down into the awaiting container. Instead, we’re just going to be a good shot and keep the container from “gulping” for air while we pour. [...]
Categories: hints and tips | Tags: funnel, how to, pouring liquids, self reliance | No Comments »
February 25, 2010 | Posted by DDFD
Disaster has struck and your world is temporarily turned upside down– you now need alternative ways to do things. Do you know ways to start a fire without matches or a lighter? Here are just a few ideas: Flint and steel Flint stone and knife Magnesium and knife Metal match Solar Magnifying glass Eyeglasses Binoculars, [...]
Categories: emergency preparedness | Tags: disaster strikes, emergency preparedness, how to, self reliance | No Comments »
February 24, 2010 | Posted by Joan Crain
There may be times, in the near future or further down the road, when we might be unable to just run to the store and buy food. Any number of scenarios could cause empty shelves in grocery stores, like a natural disaster, a financial collapse, a terrorist attack, or a pandemic. Since eating is essential [...]
Categories: vegetable gardening | Tags: food storage, self reliance, vegetable gardening | No Comments »
February 24, 2010 | Posted by DDFD
On some Saturday mornings, I venture with the kids to the local library. Self reliant people would be well served to do the same. The value of the local library is threefold. It is free (or low cost), entertaining, and educational. The library has hundreds of free books, magazines and newspapers, and multimedia collections (some [...]
Categories: how to | Tags: how to, how to use the library, self improvement, self reliance | No Comments »
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