Above image: Our mountain cabin back towards the beginning of the Greater Depression (last week)
From Mrs. Cog's Corner
Because I have so much free time on my hands (LOL) in-between the gardening, canning, web-mastering and regular household chores, I have embarked on several new learning experiences. I have read, and even recently written about the advantages of learning new skills and qualifying ourselves to do things we find valuable, perhaps rather than what others have told us is so.
Currently, I am taking free online courses in sustainability, specifically in permaculture. My goal is not only to become familiar with the principles and various techniques used to make us more self-sufficient here, but to adapt these abilities to changing weather and temperature challenges in these times of global storminess. Permaculture can be self- sustaining, low maintenance and can often thrive even under neglected circumstances.
On a separate note, I am fascinated with the quality images produced with digital cameras and the trick photography programs which create so many of the fascinating images that capture our attention. As such I am currently spending time learning how to operate Cog’s new digital camera and use the latest Adobe Photoshop and Elements programs on my computer. With a few external hard drives containing a terabyte each, there is no cost for film or worries about digital storage. I would love to reach a level of proficiency where I could produce all or most of the images on Two Ice Floes.
My reason for sharing this with you now is to post not just the free resources I am using to learn about these subjects, but to share many more. Perhaps in all your free time (lol) you will feel inspired to embark upon a new course of study either to better prepare you for a changing world or just to inspire and enrich your life.
Free books, educational courses, lectures and information:
Online Permiculture Design Course
Free Science and Video Lectures Online
Coursera - The World's Best Online Courses Free
Amser Applied Math and Science Ed
Bookboon - Free eBooks and Textbooks to download
Project Gutenberg - Free eBooks
Bookyards - Download free books
EBooks Directory - Download free books
Books Should Be Free - Free Audio and eBooks
And here is a link to an extensive list of further courses of study purported to be free. Please note that I have not been to many of the websites recommended in this article, I am only passing along this list in case anyone is interested and may find value there. 12 Dozen Places to Educate Yourself For Free
Please feel free to add any comments about the above links or let me know you have a good resource to add to this list.
When I am back in China next month Mrs Stengel and I will choose a course and begin learning. Thanks for the info.
A ZH reader (who is not a TIF member with comment ability) dropped a message to us via Contact the Webmaster to suggest we add this link to this post. Thanks Matt! :-)
http://www.shopsquawk.com/
The shopsquawk link no longer works. (NOT the same “Matt”.)