WOW PKv, a lot of good information, comments, and thoughts in your post. To much to comment on so I will focus on electricity.
Saturday night around 2100 hrs. our electricity went out.
No worries, I lite two Aladdin lamps and turned on the Sirius radio to channel 26, Classic Rock.
Mrs. Mac and I sat at our kitchen table and talked. Talked about many of the adventures in life we shared together. Then we chatted about the present and what we were doing. Then we spoke to the future. Well, as far out as we could see.
During the present discussion, MrsMac said, "Gee...If we only had solar".
She was joking because the solar system that was delivered in May, was still not up and running. I reminded her that the tortoise often wins while the quick hare never finishes the race.
Eventually, we agreed that hopefully, the electric would be back on by the morning, blew out the lamps and went to bed.
Woke up to our alarm clock radio, which has a battery back-up and tried to will myself back to sleep however W3OOF kept nudging me with her cold wet nose. She wanted to go out and then breakfast. Yupper, the electric was still out so after I took care of the dog and the outside cats I made coffee and read some of the Bible. Reading 1 John right now.
Put down the Bible and got up with a heavy sigh, to do what I had been putting off - Starting the generator for the freezers and fridge.
Got suited up as it was raining cats and dogs and strolled out to the shed where we keep the generator. Moved all the junl surrounding the genny, opened up the gas seacock, put the choke in the correct position and pulled the starter cord - Nothing. Pulled the cord again and it roared to life. Yes, I take very good care of my genny.
Ran the 12 gauge cord to the cabin and then the surge protected bank of outlets. From the outlets I ran the power cords to the appliances. I truly hate this job however, it was done.
Walked upstairs from the cellar, refilled my coffee cup, turned on the Sirius radio to Fox & Friends, and settled into my Lazy-boy.
MrsMac walked out to the kitchen and poured a luke warm cup of coffee, smiled at me and said, "I woke to the nice hum of the generator. So when do you think we will have quiet back-up power?"
Being a good husband and fresh from reading the Lords Word I replied, "I am working on it sweetie."
Anyway, the electric came on at about 1000 hrs. MrsMac had dressed earlier and was off to the grocery store. I had stayed home under the guise of "watching the generator" - I hate shopping.
By 1100 hrs, I had the extension cords wound up and the generator was surrounded again with rakes, shovels, etc. the normal shed crap. I had just put my butt in my chair when W3OOF went nuts. There was a Fed Ex driver at my door with a big box. I instructed him to leave it on the porch which he reluctantly agreed to.
Once the threat was gone and W3OOF had returned to her bed, I retrieved the box and opened it. Good Lord! It was the wires I had ordered weeks ago for my solar system. Yupper, a delivery on Sunday. Where I live I am lucky to get USPS mail regularly.
I guess not only does my wife wants me to finish the solar system, The good Lord wants me to finish it too.
Do not tardy in your task at becoming independent. Remember...
Freedom Through Self-Reliance.