With electric bills skyrocketing in my region in recent months, I’ve started doing a little research into affordable ways to reduce the amount of power that we purchase from AEP. I haven’t found a truly economical alternative that can completely replace the power company just yet, but I did find this neat windmill that just might help lighten the load a bit.

The Sunforce 44444 can provide up to 400 watts of power for charging a bank of heavy duty 12 volt batteries, and a number of customer reviews seem to indicate that it does a great job at keeping them charged in areas that are blessed with moderate winds. Of course 400 watts isn’t going to even come close to helping you get completely off the electric grid, but it just might provide enough power to keep a couple of your favorite devices powered up 24/7 without having to worry about running up your electric bill.

I’m certainly not an expert on wind power by any means, but this sounds like a pretty good deal to me. And if the Cap-And-Trade bill currently stalled in Congress eventually becomes law it just might come in pretty handy!

The Sunforce 44444 400 Watt wind generator is available at Amazon.com for $499.95, and you’ll find more information about it on this page.

The emergence of spring is one of life’s special treats, and its impending arrival is always “announced” in a number of subtle, yet rather up-lifting ways. Whether it’s seeing the first crocuses burst into bloom or waking up to the sound of robins filling the morning air, when these events take place we know that springtime is just around the corner.

But as much as I love spring flowers and the soothing chorus of songbirds, my favorite sign of spring was actually devised by a man: Mr. George Vernon Hudson. Yep, you guessed it – “Daylight Savings Time”!

I absolutely love it when we “spring forward” by setting our clocks one hour ahead, effectively gving us an extra hour of daylight at the end of every day. Winter days are typically short and dreary, with the last traces of the setting sun slipping away as early as 5:30 pm in my neck of the woods. That’s why “springing forward” is such a joy for me and many others.

Personally, I would be perfectly happy if we simply left our clocks set this way year round. After all, while “springing forward” is one of my favorite events of the year, I detest having to “fall back” come autumn. In Rick’s perfect world, “Daylight Savings Time” would be in force 365 days per year because, to me, “falling back” is about as enjoyable as going for a swim after falling through a hole on a frozen lake.

I’m pleased to announce the ”grand opening” of NewTechSpotlight.com, my new website that’s dedicated to bringing you the latest news and opinions (mine!) concerning all things tech.

We’re all extremely lucky to live in a time when the world of technology is moving at the fastest pace in human history, and my goal for NewTechSpotlight.com is to bring you little tips and tidbits about the latest innovations in our exciting digital lifestyle.

I’d love for you to take a few minutes and check it out!

The music isn’t exactly my style, but the “chain reaction” that continues throughout this video must have been quite a feat to work out, and it’s my understanding that the entire video was shot in one take! Check it out below…

The hugely popular “Western Swing” group “Riders in the Sky” will take the stage of Marion, Virginia’s  Lincoln Theater on Friday, March 12 to headline the taping of the next installment of Song of the Mountains. Riders in the Sky masterfully combine music reminiscent of the “singing cowboys” of yesteryear with a generous helping of comedy. If you have never seen these gentlemen perform, you’re in for a real treat – and the Lincoln is the perfect place to catch one of their shows!

Here is a little preview…

After slogging through the better part of what has turned out to be the harshest winter in decades, we here in southwestern Virginia are enjoying the second day in a row of sunny skies and temps in the 40′s! While winter isn’t over by a long shot, spring is waiting just around the corner. And it simply cannot get here fast enough for me.

As I look out the window and see the warm sunshine transforming the last of the residual snow into water, I’m reminded of the John Denver classic “Sunshine on my shoulders”. If you like that song as well, you’re sure to like this video.

Check out this video for a good chuckle…

For an ever-growing percentage of the American people, the answer is a resounding “YES!!!”

Although I’m not that fond of cold weather, I do enjoy the beauty of a good snowfall. Cheria and I have taken and published many photographs of wintry scenes over the years, but we enjoy seeing the fine work of others as well.

Today’s “Picture of the Day” on TodaysPhoto.org features a spectacular winter scene captured in the mountains of western North Carolina by photographer Bonnie Reynolds. It is quite beautiful, and if you would like to check it out for yourself you can simply click here.

Coupons have been a powerful weapon in the arsenal of bargain hunters for a long, long time, and with the economy the way it is today people from all walks of life are scouring the net for free coupons that are redeemable at online stores.

In the context of our nation’s history, online shopping is a relatively new concept. But as with the brick and mortar retail industry that preceded it, the number of web-based stores and the popularity of buying online has now grown to the point where virtually all of us have made at least one online purchase during our lifetime. And many of us have already discovered the power of online coupons as well.

Promo codes can be found for pretty much anything these days. For example, there are Las Vegas coupons that make taking that hard-earned vacation a bit more affordable, as well as restaurant coupons that can help us stay on budget when we go out for a great meal after we get there!

The power of the Internet has taken much of the grunt work out of shopping for the things we need and want, and free online coupons and promo codes make the task a lot more fun and affordable.