Reginald Reefer Retirement Plan: Homesteading your way into old age [Stoned]
For as long as I can remember, I have had a vision in my mind - a vision of a retirement plan like no other. As a teenager, the idea first popped into my head, and since then, I've held onto it with unwavering determination. I thought to myself, "What if I could solve retirement first? What if I could secure my future so completely that I would be free to live life unapologetically, knowing that my 'end' is taken care of?"
With this thought swirling in my mind, I delved deeper into the concept of "solving the end." And that's when it hit me - my unique and revolutionary retirement plan was born. I call it the "Reginald Reefer Retirement Plan," and it revolves around the idea of homesteading my way into old age - a life where I grow my own food and medicine, generate my electricity, gas, and water, all within the least amount of space possible.
Throughout this article, I'm going to share my vision with you, my hopes to inspire you to consider retirement in a completely different light. My aim is to encourage you to start working on your retirement plan as a young person because, believe me, if you manage to pull this off at an early age, the rest of your life will become infinitely easier.
In today's world, traditional retirement plans often involve saving a significant portion of our earnings, investing in various financial instruments, and hoping that, by the time we reach retirement age, we will have accumulated enough wealth to sustain us through our golden years. But what if there was a way to break free from this standard approach and create a retirement that provides not only financial security but also a deep sense of self-sufficiency and fulfillment? Yes, drug-sniffing dogs are retiring early due to cannabis legalization, but humans need a better plan.
The Reginald Reefer Retirement Plan is based on the principles of homesteading - a way of life that harks back to our ancestors, where they lived off the land and relied on their own skills and resources to meet their needs. But here's the twist - we're going to embrace modern technologies and innovations to make this homesteading dream a reality, all while enjoying the benefits of cannabis, which I affectionately refer to as my trusty "bud-ie" in this journey.
Now, you might be wondering, "Why cannabis?" Well, let me explain. Cannabis, for me, is more than just a recreational indulgence. It is a versatile plant with numerous benefits that can play a pivotal role in making our homesteading adventure successful. From medicinal properties to stress relief and creative inspiration, cannabis enhances our connection with the earth and our endeavors to live self-sufficiently.
In the following sections of this article, I will dive deep into the elements that make up the Reginald Reefer Retirement Plan. From creating a compact, self-sustaining homestead to exploring the wonders of cannabis-infused living, we'll uncover the secrets to a fulfilling and worry-free retirement that goes beyond the conventional norms.
So let’s talk about the general vision first.
What does the “Dream” look like?
Picture this: a self-sustaining homestead, encompassing at least 5 acres of beautiful land. It's the core of the Reginald Reefer Retirement Plan. This space provides everything I need to thrive and revel in life's pleasures, all within the smallest footprint possible.
One of the fundamental components of this dream is food and water self-sufficiency. Vertical grow systems and greenhouses are thoughtfully integrated to nurture a rich variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The goal is to create an abundant and diverse harvest year-round, regardless of the seasons.
Water is a precious resource, and so, I've designed water collection and conservation systems to ensure I never run dry. Rainwater harvesting becomes a crucial practice, gathering and storing every drop to fulfill all my water needs. The homestead operates on a closed-loop system, where any excess water gets efficiently recycled through advanced filtration, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Now, the heart of the vision lies in the house itself. I've envisioned a state-of-the-art Earthship, an extraordinary dwelling built with recycled materials and earth-based construction techniques. And here's where it gets even more fascinating. This Earthship is no ordinary home; it's equipped with the latest smart technology, making it a seamless blend of eco-conscious living and modern convenience.
Imagine stepping into a home that listens and responds to your voice commands, efficiently regulating all activities on the homestead. It's a living space where technology and nature come together in harmony. To further streamline daily tasks, I've integrated robotics to handle routine maintenance, planting, harvesting, and waste management. This allows me to focus on the joys of homesteading and live with greater ease.
But this vision isn't just about being self-reliant; it extends to creating closed systems that nurture and support each other. The Earthship doubles as a greenhouse, extending my potential for food production while providing a tranquil and natural environment. Here, I find the sweet spot between ecological and high-tech living, maximizing efficiency without sacrificing the beauty of the natural world.
As I bring this vision to life, I'm not just dreaming of an isolated paradise. It's about fostering a community of like-minded individuals, all embracing this approach to retirement. We share knowledge, resources, and support, creating a network of abundance and freedom.
Grow thy Medicine!
When envisioning a self-sustaining homestead, cultivating a diverse array of medicinal plants becomes an essential part of the Reginald Reefer Retirement Plan. With a focus on natural healing and holistic health, these ten crucial medicinal plants can serve as the foundation for a comprehensive herbal medicine garden.
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa):
At the heart of the medicinal garden stands cannabis, a versatile all-purpose plant with a wide range of therapeutic properties. From pain relief to reducing inflammation, alleviating anxiety, and promoting sleep, cannabis offers a holistic approach to well-being. Its cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, interact with our endocannabinoid system to promote balance and harmony within the body.
Poppy (Papaver somniferum):
Known for its opium-producing capabilities, the poppy plant offers valuable medicinal properties, especially in pain management. The poppy's alkaloids can be used to create painkillers, such as morphine and codeine, providing relief for various ailments and conditions.
Coca Plant (Erythroxylum coca):
Contrary to its infamous reputation as the source of cocaine, the coca plant has its own legitimate medicinal uses when unprocessed. Rich in antioxidants, coca leaves have been traditionally used by indigenous populations to combat altitude sickness, fatigue, and aid in digestion.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller):
Aloe vera is a must-have plant for its exceptional healing properties. Its gel-like substance soothes and heals wounds, burns, and skin irritations. Additionally, aloe vera can promote skin hydration, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea):
Echinacea is a powerful immune-boosting herb, known for its ability to strengthen the body's defenses against infections and illnesses. It can be used to prevent and shorten the duration of colds, flu, and other respiratory infections.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia):
Lavender's delightful aroma has calming effects, making it an excellent choice for stress and anxiety relief. Its essential oil can be used in aromatherapy, while its antiseptic properties help soothe skin conditions and aid in wound healing.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla):
Chamomile is a gentle yet effective medicinal plant, revered for its calming and sedative properties. It's commonly used to ease anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues, providing a natural remedy for relaxation and well-being.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita):
Peppermint's refreshing taste and scent make it a favorite among medicinal plants. Its leaves contain menthol, which helps alleviate digestive discomfort, headaches, and muscle pain. Peppermint tea is a soothing remedy for indigestion and an instant mood booster.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale):
Ginger is a potent medicinal root with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It aids digestion, relieves nausea, and can reduce muscle pain and soreness. Ginger tea is a warming and comforting beverage to incorporate into your daily routine.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis):
Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, possesses calming and mood-enhancing properties. It can help alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality. Lemon balm tea is a delightful and soothing herbal infusion.
By cultivating these ten medicinal plants on your homestead, you empower yourself with a natural pharmacy that provides relief, healing, and well-being.
In my personal garden I’m also going to be planting some psychedelic plants. For example;
Psilocybin Mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis):
The mesmerizing beauty of psilocybin mushrooms graces my garden, gifting me with transformative journeys of self-discovery and connection. These sacred fungi have been used by indigenous cultures for millennia, offering profound insights, spiritual revelations, and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii):
The mystical peyote cactus stands tall in my psychedelic garden, its button-like tops containing mescaline, a potent psychedelic compound. Through ceremonial use and guided exploration, peyote opens the doors of perception, inviting me to explore the cosmos within and without.
Ayahuasca Vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and Chacruna (Psychotria viridis):
In a harmonious union, the ayahuasca vine and chacruna leaves coexist, giving birth to the sacred brew of ayahuasca. The visionary medicine of the Amazonian rainforest, ayahuasca journeys guide me through profound healing and soul-searching experiences, guiding me towards personal growth and spiritual enlightenment.
San Pedro Cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi):
The majestic San Pedro cactus stands tall as a guardian of ancient wisdom, its mescaline-rich flesh inviting me on a gentle yet profound journey of introspection and understanding. Its teachings are tender and nurturing, like a wise elder embracing me with loving guidance.
Salvia Divinorum (Salvia divinorum):
Salvia divinorum, the enchantress of my garden, is a portal into alternate dimensions and altered states of consciousness. With its short-lived but intense effects, salvia shows me the transient nature of reality and the limitless expanses of the mind.
Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor) and Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa):
These entwined vines offer their beautiful flowers and seeds, containing lysergic acid amides (LSA). Their psychedelic properties provide me with visionary insights and a profound connection to nature's rhythm, dancing under the stars and into the depths of my soul.
As I age gracefully, I will spent my evenings exploring psychedelic spaces, microdosing to create new works as I enjoy the rest of my days knowing that I’m getting all the right food and medicine to make my final days a breeze.
Let’s talk Energy
In my dream homestead, energy is the heartbeat that sustains the entire interconnected ecosystem. Harnessing the power of nature's elements, I would create a harmonious dance of solar, wind, and hydroelectricity systems to meet our energy needs while treading lightly on the Earth.
Solar power would take center stage, with an array of photovoltaic panels basking in the sun's warm embrace atop our home and outbuildings. These solar panels would convert sunlight into electricity, providing us with a steady stream of clean and renewable energy throughout the day. The excess energy would be stored in efficient battery banks, ensuring we have power even during cloudy days and at night.
But my energy journey wouldn't stop with the sun; the playful winds that sweep across our homestead would be harnessed as well. We'd install wind turbines, gracefully turning with each gust, generating additional electricity to complement our solar power. On days when the sun takes a break, the wind would pick up the slack, providing a reliable backup energy source.
As our homestead is blessed with a flowing stream nearby, we'd tap into the power of water through micro-hydroelectric systems. The gentle flow of the water would drive water turbines, converting its energy into electricity. With these interconnected systems, we'd harness the gifts of nature to their fullest potential, ensuring our homestead is self-sufficient and resilient.
But we wouldn't stop there; innovation and resourcefulness would be our allies. We'd capture the methane produced from our compost and waste systems, repurposing it as a clean and sustainable cooking fuel. Not a single resource would go to waste, as we cultivate a closed-loop system that harmonizes with the natural cycles of life.
The visionary in me would also embark on an experiment with hydrogen power. Utilizing DC currents, we'd separate hydrogen from saltwater through electrolysis, unlocking its potential as a clean and abundant energy source. The hydrogen gas would then be stored for various applications, potentially fueling vehicles or providing supplementary energy to our power grid.
As an AI-integrated homestead, our energy management system would be governed by an intelligent network that optimizes energy usage, storage, and distribution. The AI would constantly monitor energy demand, weather patterns, and available resources, making real-time adjustments to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
Together, these interconnected energy systems would power not only our daily needs but also the advanced technologies that enrich our lives. From automated gardening systems to smart home controls, the AI would be the conductor orchestrating the symphony of energy, resources, and technologies that define our self-sufficient paradise.
Of course, I think that the AI that would run the house would NEED to be on an independent server, custom coded because I would NOT trust anyone else to run that system. It’s the lifeline of the dream and would need a lot of custom work.
What about meat?
In my self-sufficient homestead, I'd embrace a holistic approach to harvest meat and protein, nurturing a harmonious coexistence with nature. Aquaponics would take center stage, as this ingenious system combines aquaculture and hydroponics to provide a sustainable source of fish and fresh vegetables. The fish would thrive in large tanks, their waste rich in nutrients for the plants, and the plants would naturally filter the water, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.
To supplement our protein needs further, I'd keep a flock of hens, happily clucking and providing us with a steady supply of eggs. The symbiotic relationship between the hens and the aquaponics system would ensure a well-balanced diet and minimal waste.
For meat, we'd also rely on a small herd of goats, allowing them to graze on the land and provide us with a source of fresh and nutritious milk. The occasional surplus of goats could be thoughtfully and sustainably harvested, ensuring we respect the balance of nature and only take what we need.
Additionally, deep-freezing meat would be part of our strategy, preserving any surplus meat from our harvest or hunting trips. Speaking of which, connecting with the primal hunter within, I'd venture into the surrounding wilderness occasionally, embracing the tradition of hunting for food. Wild game would offer a diverse protein source and strengthen our connection to the land.
In this way, our homestead would achieve a remarkable harmony, sustaining us with a variety of protein sources while respecting the cycles of nature. The beauty of such a system lies in its adaptability, providing us with a balanced and nourishing diet that blends the best of modern technology and ancient wisdom. In every meal we share, we'd be reminded of our role as stewards of the Earth, deeply connected to the sustenance it provides us.
The Sticky Bottom Line
At the end of the day, I know that some people will look at this dream and say, “Ew!” However, I believe that this is the way forward. We need to recreate society and we can do this by going to remote places, banning together with other like-minded individuals, and creating a society where we live off the land once again.
I think one of the biggest issues we see in today’s world is unchecked central planning – and when you build independent homesteads like this, and band together with other people – you truly create a world where everyone is working together for a common good.
Will it happen overnight? Of course not!
However, if you can start buying cheap land…I hope this article inspires you to think like I do – and instead of trying to change the system…you just fucking create one yourself!
CANNABIS RETIREMENT PLANS, READ ON...
