Mowing Tracking Update: Reconsidering the Robot Mower Option

Last year, I delved into the idea of investing in a robot mower through this blog. To make an informed decision, I meticulously tracked my lawn maintenance efforts throughout the previous mowing season. Over the course of the year, I found myself engaging in this chore precisely 12 times. Typically, completing all yard work tasks—mowing, edging, and clearing clippings—takes me approximately 2 hours each time. While the actual mowing itself constitutes slightly over half of this time, to be fair to the potential benefits of a robot mower, I'll conservatively estimate a 75% time savings, presuming I can forego the need for blowing clippings with the switch. Thus, adopting a robot mower could potentially save me a total of about 18 hours of labor in a single year.

Considering the current market options, prices range from $700 at the lower end to $2100 at the higher end of what's reasonable. Given my experience with robotic vacuums, and the inherently greater risks associated with a mower, I'm inclined to lean towards the higher end options. Assuming a lifespan of around 2 years for a robot mower, the value of the time I would recover calculates to approximately $58.33 per hour—a figure that seems reasonable based on my salary.

However, there's another aspect to consider: the health benefits of manual labor. Spending a couple of hours every other week engaging in physical activity might actually be beneficial for my well-being. Let's be honest; I could use the exercise. So, while the allure of reclaimed time is enticing, there's a part of me that recognizes the value in the physical exertion and fresh air associated with tending to the lawn manually.

For now, I've decided to stick with what works, especially since my current gas-powered lawn mower is still operational. Perhaps when it finally calls it quits, I'll reassess the situation and reconsider the robot mower option or perhaps I might take a step backward and use a reel mower to further minimize my carbon footprint.

If I'm keen on further automating household chores to free up more time, I believe my money would be better spent upgrading my robot vacuum to one that also integrates a mopping function. I've been toying with the idea of modifying a washer pedestal to accommodate the docking station for such a device. This concept would expand upon the existing high-end options that are designed to be plumbed into both fresh and waste water pipes, offering a more comprehensive solution for maintaining a clean home environment.

Revamping Your Commute: E-Biking Efficiency and Roof Rack Considerations

As the vibrant hues of spring emerge, I find myself once again contemplating how to optimize my daily commute for efficiency. Last summer, I embarked on occasional walks to work, reveling in the fresh air and exercise when weather and schedule permitted. However, with a commute spanning 5 miles, the journey often consumed a considerable chunk of my morning, averaging around 1 hour and 40 minutes due to leisurely pacing and the occasional wait at traffic lights.

Enter the e-bike—a game-changer in my quest for a swifter commute. While not as electricity-efficient as walking, the transition to an electric-powered bike significantly slashed my travel time to a mere 25 minutes, a mere 10-minute increment from my car commute. Given that my vehicle is a plug-in hybrid, both modes of transportation are powered by electricity. Tracking the battery recharge usage during my bike commutes revealed a modest average of 0.2 kilowatt-hours, in stark contrast to the 2.5 kilowatt-hours consumed by my car for the same trip.

With the e-bike in tow, it became prudent to strategize for scenarios where pedaling alone wouldn't suffice. Enter the dilemma of transportation: how to carry the bike conveniently without compromising fuel efficiency? Alas, my car's aerodynamic design rendered the conventional hatch/trunk-mounted bike rack impractical, leaving the roof rack as the viable solution. Opting for the Thule Wingbar Evo system not only facilitated bike transport but also laid the groundwork for future adventures, including the possibility of kayaking escapades.

Acknowledging the inevitable dip in fuel efficiency, I've embarked on a meticulous evaluation process, comparing the average electric fuel efficiency over the next few months, leveraging historical data accumulated from years of driving sans roof rack. The beauty of the Thule system lies in its versatility and ease of installation—equipped with a single key system and torque wrench, mounting and dismounting become seamless endeavors. Convenient alignment holes pre-drilled into my car's frame further streamline the process, ensuring hassle-free adjustments as needed.

As I anticipate occasional longer road trips, the prospect of swiftly removing the roof rack in a matter of minutes provides a comforting reassurance, granting me the freedom to adapt my vehicle configuration to suit varying travel demands.

In essence, while the transition to e-biking introduces nuances to my commute, the integration of a roof rack signifies a thoughtful step towards versatility and adventure, demonstrating that efficiency need not be sacrificed for exploration. Hopefully the ebike and the roof rack will balance each other out and prove to be a net improvement to my carbon foot print.

Revamping My Home Assistant Setup: A Power-Saving Journey

Embarking on a mission to revamp my Home Assistant setup, I waved goodbye to my trusty Raspberry Pi and welcomed a dedicated x86 system into the mix. Surprisingly, this shift wasn't about beefing up performance but rather about optimizing power consumption, with a side benefit of streamlining my setup and waving goodbye to my energy-guzzling Unraid NAS for most of my day.

The hardware I repurposed for this endeavor initially served as a router/firewall, boasting a generous 6 2.5Gb ethernet ports. Admittedly, it felt like overkill at first glance, but since it was just gathering dust in storage, it became the obvious choice. A quick tweak involving installing a larger SSD to handle caching for immediate media consumption sealed the deal.

Transitioning with the help of Home Assistant OS's backup capabilities was surprisingly smooth sailing. However, the plot thickened when I threw MariaDB and Nginx Proxy Manager into the mix. While sticking solely to official Add-ons would have been a breeze, my setup's complexities demanded a bit of extra finesse. Anticipating issues with MariaDB, I preemptively created separate backups, ensuring I didn't lose crucial data during the transition.

Initially, the primary backup seemed flawless, but the real challenge arose during the restoration of MariaDB. After a frustrating uninstall-reinstall cycle, sacrificing historical data in the process, things seemed to stabilize. Or so I thought. As the day unfolded, accessing the system internally and externally became a game of whack-a-mole. Blaming my Google Wifi system at first, I juggled with MAC addresses and port forwarding rules, only to realize that the real culprit lay elsewhere.

Cue the re-restoration, this time opting to hold off on installing the Nginx Proxy Manager Add-on until after manually reinstalling MariaDB. Lesson learned: sometimes, the order of operations is everything.

With the dust settled, I've seamlessly integrated my Unraid system's SMB share, granting access to a single Plex instance that effortlessly toggles between media stored on Home Assistant's SSD cache and the larger library on Unraid. The result? I can now power down the energy-hungry Unraid beast until it's absolutely necessary, saving a whopping 250 watts of continuous power consumption while only adding a modest 15 watts to Home Assistant's load.

In the end, this hardware upgrade isn't just about saving power; it's a testament to the beauty of adaptability and the joy of a finely tuned smart home setup.

The next step that I still need to investigate is learning more about Maria DB. While my current Home Assistant instance lacks my historic data that was lost in this migration, that data still exists on my Raspberry Pi. If I want to invest the time, I can probably figure out how to export the data to my current system. But alas that is a project for another weekend.

Keto Journey: A Rollercoaster of Success and Carb Temptations

So, here we are, folks—time for a Keto Challenge Update! Let me just say, staying committed to my diet until Pi day felt like a personal victory. Sure, I had a couple of "cheat days" on Groundhog Day and Leap Day—after all, as they say, "Real life is for March." But despite those minor detours, I proudly stepped on the scale on March 14th to find myself staring back at a number I hadn't seen in a while: 266.8 pounds. That's right, a staggering 32-pound loss. Now, sure, some of that initial drop was probably water weight bidding me adieu, but a significant chunk of it? That was pure, unadulterated fat crying out for mercy.

Now, let's talk tools of the trade. I've become something of a data-collecting aficionado on this journey. My arsenal includes the Carb Manager app, my trusty blood glucose meter, a blood ketone meter for those deep dives into ketosis, the Withings scale to keep me honest, the Withings blood pressure monitor for good measure, and let's not forget my ever-reliable smartwatch. Do I understand every nuance of this mountain of data I've collected? Not entirely. But hey, knowledge is power, right? And who knows, maybe somewhere down the line, all those data points will come together like pieces of a puzzle, guiding me toward some groundbreaking dietary revelation. Or at least helping me figure out if that extra square of dark chocolate is worth it.

Now, onto the future. I've got my sights set on another stint of keto goodness to keep chipping away at those pesky weight issues. But before I dive headfirst back into the land of bacon and avocados, there's a small matter of emptying out my chest freezer. See, during the winter months, that freezer is a godsend, allowing me to stock up on all manner of carb-heavy comfort foods without risking life and limb in the grocery store during a snowstorm. But come summer, it's time to bid adieu to my frozen carb stash. Not only does it put undue stress on the poor freezer, but let's face it, it's not doing my waistline any favors either.

So there you have it, folks. The ups, the downs, and the frozen pizzas lurking in my freezer. This keto journey of mine is far from over, but with a little perseverance and a whole lot of data, I'm confident I'll get to where I want to be. And hey, if all else fails, there's always Pi day to look forward to next year.

Green Thumb: A Smart Approach to Watering

They say the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, but hey, the second best time is right now, isn't it? Inspired by this wisdom, I finally decided to add a touch of green to my home. After much contemplation, I settled on two dwarf trees: a charming apple tree for the back yard and a delightful cherry tree for the front. Opting for dwarfs not only promises easier fruit harvesting but also ensures minimal interference with my home's solar panels. Sure, there's a slight possibility that the cherry tree might cast a shadow on my panels, but compared to the towering trees across the street, it's a negligible concern.

Initially, I toyed with the idea of planting both trees in the back yard to safeguard my solar setup. However, the thought of my furry friend turning into a cherry-stained furball and darting through his doggy door quickly caused me to dismiss that notion.

These aren't just any trees; they're what I like to call "jubilee trees." What's special about them? Well, they boast branches that promise a cornucopia of flavors. My apple tree, for instance, will grace me with the delights of Liberty, Honey Crisp, Gala, and Granny Smith apples. As for the cherry tree, it's a medley of Bing, Stella, Lapin, and Rainer cherries. Each variety brings its unique taste, ensuring a palate-pleasing harvest.

Now, onto the watering regimen. With the initial weeks demanding daily attention and the foreseeable future requiring routine care, I knew I needed a smart solution. Cue the reinstallation of my trusty Orbit B-Hyve smart watering devices. However, this task wasn't without its challenges. Neglected over the winter months, these devices decided to greet me with leaks upon reconnection. Disassembling them revealed the culprit: displaced tubing due to winter's icy grip. A bit of careful re-threading, and voilà, problem solved!

While I'm yet to locate the elusive Wi-Fi adapter for the Orbit system, the devices still play nice via Bluetooth and their smartphone app. Admittedly, the app leaves much to be desired, and the reliance on external networks isn't my cup of tea. But for now, it serves its purpose, sparing me the hassle of crafting my own solution or splurging on a high-end, locally controllable system.

As I gaze upon my newly planted trees, I can't help but envision the literal fruits of today's labor a couple of years down the line. Here's to nurturing nature and reaping the rewards it bestows upon us. Cheers to green thumbs and smart watering!