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November 1, 2024
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Wireless Solar Powered Security Camera
November 1, 2024
Don’t take my word for it. Do your own research before you attach any of the latest “Internet of Things” gadget to your home network. Cameras, smart switches, robo-vacs, WIFI refrigerators, and more can all potentially be hacked.
There are no fool-proof protections from these “inside the firewall” devices if they do go rogue; but there are a few things you can do to reduce the risks. First: recognize that these are “do it yourself” consumer products and may not be suited for a commercial or industrial environment unless vetted by professionals and continually monitored by “enterprise grade” network surveillance.
If you install one of these many devices on a home network, don’t leave computer file sharing, computers, and other devices “open” on your home network with either no password protection or factory default passwords that have never been changed. Get expert help if necessary to make sure that all the devices on your home network have some protection from each other in the event that a gadget, your computer or even a printer becomes infected with malware. I always use “httpS:” links when browsing and sometimes even a VPN service from my computer or phone, but as I said – nothing is foolproof.
If you have special security needs, please consult a professional.
Now that we are all properly cautioned and half-thinking about returning to a pre-technology era when fire was a novelty – let me tell you how eufy persuaded me to buy and use seven of these reasonably priced high-resolution cameras.
I first did what you should do; I searched the web and news for the latest information on eufy and digital security. There were stories that were critical of the product and stories that the company had responded by incorporating encryption. (More about that later.)
Then I saw that eufy cameras offered a “cloud storage” feature, but it was entirely optional. The eufy app communicates directly with both live and recorded video stored inside the camera. eufy claims that connections from your phone to the camera are encrypted.
Every eufy camera customer will have the smartphone/tablet eufy “Security” app and a eufy account secured with a username and password. The eufy account useraname and password is your “key” to access the encrypted camera.
Each camera is paired with the home Wi-Fi connection and the password-secured app when you first install it. (The instructions are simple, but you may have to attempt the pairing ritual twice.) I found it works best when the camera, the smartphone and the Wi-Fi access point are all in close proximity.
Once paired, the camera’s stored video or live feed is accessible with your smartphone or tablet from any location with reasonably fast internet. A live feed typically “clocks in” at 100Kb – 300Kb per second. Even an old DSL internet connection should be able to handle that.
The most useful feature for me is the smart notification. The camera is sensitive to motion and even has the ability to distinguish simple motion from what appear to be human figures. You customize every feature of the camera with the app and receive notifications any time the camera detects some movement.
I am very pleased with the performance of the camera at night. It’s black and white nighttime mode is sensitive to Infrared light and images are captured on all but the blackest of nights without additional lighting.
It is best to fully charge the camera with a USB cable before installation. Once charged, my cameras have reliably held enough power to carry it through a couple of cloudy and rainy days – even with partial sun!
eufy is continually introducing variations on this product – so shop around at Amazon for the best price/resolution for your needs.
Multi-Purpose Utility Sled
October 31, 2024
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Wheelbarrows and Wagons are limited by their wheels! Sandy Soil, mud and slippery surfaces covered with water and ice are not good for wheeled utility haulers. A sled is a great alternative if you need to move tools, brush, debris, landscape plantings, fertilizer and so much more.
Hunters have used sleds like these for years, but it never occurred to me to use one of these sleds for any of those other purposes until hundreds of wonderful disaster recovery volunteers descended on Western North Carolina with many of these invaluable carriers. (Bless them for all they have done for the people hit hard for hurricane Helene!)
These sleds are just the right size to move anything too bulky or heavy to hand-carry. They can slide in between obstacles that a truck or other motorized haulers cannot pass. You will make fewer trips to your storage and back with one of these sleds!
Ozone Generator/Air Purifier
October 18, 2024
Oxygen atoms usually come in pairs, (O2). Ozone (O3) cleans and removes odors by readily releasing the extra oxygen and combining with (“oxidizing”) troublesome elements in the air. Ozone has a distinctive smell and you may have noticed its odor after a lightning strike or if an electrical appliance malfunctions and generates a spark or arc of electricity.
An ozone generator should not be used in an area with pets or people. This manufacturer recommends waiting an hour after treating an area with the ozone generator before returning to the area. You do not want to breathe or be exposed to ozone!
Ozone is heavier than air and tend to accumulate first in lower areas of the room. I found it best to place it on a table or counter at least waist high. The internal fan in the generator will easily fill an entire room from this position.
Basements, in particular, tend to accumulate suspicious odors. I have used this ozone generator in basement areas and returned later to a fresher smell and, I think, a reduction in the spider and pest population.
For longer runs, I have placed this generator on the “Hold” position and connected it to a remote switch or timer. The internal timer has a maximum run time of 120 minutes and I have run this machine in large basement areas for much longer.
There are models with a built-in Wi-Fi remote capability and 12 hour timers – but I use these ozone generators so heavily I find that I need to replace them periodically. The high capacity and low cost of this model works well with an external timer or switch.
I’ll post more about timers and switches later. In the meantime, check this ozone generator out by clicking the image or caption at the top of this page. Scroll to the bottom of the page at Amazon to read more about how ozone “oxidizes” bacteria and other pollutants.
Chocolate & Cherry Muffins
September 4, 2024
This recipe started out as an almond flour recipe for Keto Chocolate Muffins, but we quickly modified it when I became concerned about the high oxalate content of almonds. A combination of coconut flour and oat flour is a perfect alternative, and these muffins have a nice “chocolate cake” texture and taste. (I’ll leave the possibilities of frosting up to you!)
#1: Assemble these utensils.
Utensils:
- 4 quart/16 Cup (or larger) mixing Bowl (For Dry Ingredients)
- 4 Cup (or larger) mixing bowl (For Melted Butter & Wet Ingredients)
- 2 Cup Measuring Cup (For eggs)
- 1 Cup Measuring Cup (For Applesauce)
- 1/2, 1/3 and 1 Cup Measuring Cups (For Dry Ingredients)
- 1 Tsp. (teaspoon) Measuring Spoon
- 1 Large Mixing Spoon (For Final Mixture and Measuring batter into muffin cups)
- Muffin Pans for up to 24 Muffins and these (Paid Ad) reusable silicon muffin cups!
#2: Add one dry ingredient at a time in this order to the mixing bowl, and thoroughly mix with whisk each time an ingredient is added.
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 Tsp. baking powder
- 1 Tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp.) unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 cup Xylitol Sweetener (Paid Ad)
- 1/3 cup oatmeal flour
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet Chocolate chips
(Approximately 4 Cups Dry Ingredients)
Fruit & Chocolate Ingredient:
- 24 Diced Sweet Cherries
(* Try this: Use the NutriBullet To Quickly dice the sweet cherries! *)
#3: Melt Butter in microwave. Do not Overheat.
#4: Add and mix one wet Ingredient at a time in order to the 4-cup mixing bowl in this order.
#5: Confirm mixture temperature has cooled before adding eggs.
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup melted butter (8 Tbsp.)
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- Diced Sweet Cherries
- 6 eggs
(Approximately 4 Cups Liquid Ingredients)
#6: Combine and thoroughly mix the wet and dry ingredients.
#7: Scoop into reusable muffin pans lined with the reusable silicon baking cups (above). Makes about 19 Standard size muffins.
#8: Bake at 325 degrees convection (350 Conventional) for 18 minutes.
(Approximately 8 Cups combined Ingredients)