Snippets: Retirement, cost of living, recycling...

Retirement:
I am often asked if I am retired, among other things. The answer? I am living outside the box re employment/retirement as traditionally defined, following my heart/faith in the choices I make. The details are of importance only to me, except as they may serve as an example for others looking to do the same. Even then, the real "detail" is in understanding we can and do have the opportunity to choose at any/every moment, and acting on those choices shape who we are, what we do, how we think, where we land in life.

From a friend: “Retirement is not a word in my vocabulary and I do not ever intend to be retired like most of the generation before me. I do intend to have money flow easily towards me so that I can operate on a larger scale.” (personally, and in support of a wider dream to live and give abundantly, I think; this would be a way of stating my goal as well.)

Cost of living:
Levi recently asked if the cost of living in Szarvas was as I had thought it would be.... answer, yes. My monthly cost of living specific to here is approximately $400-500 US: $200 in rent which includes heat, electric, water, and use of the washing machine (as compared to $675 just for rent/water in WA). The balance covers food and incidentals.

Little things….
I have become quite accustomed to and spoiled by my mini washing machine Though one must remain at home to “supervise” while it’s running, it does the job a little bit at a time (read small loads here), and the exceedingly hot temperature setting choices pretty much guarantee things come out clean, or at least “sterilized” [laughing]. With the heat on in the flat effective October first (at least in the bedroom and bathroom), I now have a bonus “dryer” of sorts… Closing the door with clothes hung out dry in the bathroom, effectively makes the room a “dryer”, with most things ready for wear within 24 hours, versus 48-72 hours in Ireland (remember, Regis?)… nice! It’s a spoiler of a combo… in WA, it’s coin operated laundry facilities in another area of the apartment complex. Both work, but it’s wonderfully convenient to step out of the shower into warm dry clothes…saves the folding and putting away sometimes too [laughing] It’s the little things…



Recycling and sustainability…
Much to be said for not leaving a footprint where we step, yet we have in fact been doing just that for centuries… en route to sustainability, recycling as slow waste management, with kudos to those who are making use of “footprints” that otherwise lie wasting in literal time… better slow than no management while we humans contemplate how to engineer a healthier future for ourselves and our planet …. have been reading novels set in the 1700-1800’s lately, and pondering how we evolved from creatures of practicality to our current “enlightened” way of life: “If I can buy new, why not? If it’s not working, replace (rather than fix) it”… so often we operate from a place that presumes there will always be more when we need it… we have tremendous opportunities before us to live and give responsibly, creatively, joyously… and celebrate those places/cultures/contributors who lead the way, e.g., the creative efforts of those around Szarvas that use what’s at hand, that step up and apply conservationist techniques whether of financial necessity, planetary health and awareness, or simply because that’s the way it is are stepping up to the plate in ways many have set aside out of habit or convenience. From simple to complex applications, sustainable/renewable inspiration and learning/mentoring opportunities abound [smile]

Hungarians, at least those in small towns and rural areas, are remarkably creative at contriving or creating what they need from things close at hand. Smashed tiles and old asphalt pieces are used as fillers and surface in driveway versus hauling gravel at some expense re both the rock itself and its delivery. Given the “dear” cost of owning and maintaining vehicles, horse drawn wagons are in use here and there, and there are a myriad of human powered trailers, carts, and the like, an amalgam of bicycle parts, old machinery, wheels, wagons, carts, you name it. Reactions to this enterprising spirit are variable depending on the background of the observer; to these eyes, it’s fascinating to see the outcome(s) born of creativity and necessity. Definitely practical, straightforward in approach, pragmatic… great role models/mentors/examples in our primarily throw away/replacement-oriented world in the states.

Saw a “primitive” (Levi’s descriptor) car that a Project 1 family bought… a very small Trabant (this one is 20 plus years old)… very simple air-cooled engine, 20-liter gas tank under the hood with a gauged dipstick to measure level. Works like a two-stroke lawn mower or similar engine (as I understand them), with oil and gas mixed in this little tank. Heat for the vehicle literally comes straight off the motor and into the car, cool air from outside also literally straight through the front grid into the vehicle. Starter, small combustion engine, battery, small fan and fuel tank under the hood, plus a small vessel with brake fluid, and the “extra”, wind shield wiper fluid! So simple even this somewhat mechanically challenged mind can see its workings clearly [smile]. Big windows all around so better visibility than the old VW Bugs, though the vehicle is very low to the ground. Seats 4 comfortably, plastic body with metal around the windows only, the entire vehicle weighs a diminutive 800 kg. Why tell you all this? The engine make up is both simple and clever, and looks something the Hungarians might have contrived of spare parts… though not so, the question has apparently been asked. For my money, very cute, clearly durable, though less range than my Suzuki Savage 650 with its 2.8-gallon tank! Gauging refueling stops is the same though… note where the odometer is when you start, and refuel in 100-120 miles (for the Suzuki), 100 kilometers for this little vehicle. More info at Trabant http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabant