Yes to all of this! We retired to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and learned many things the hard way: Septic tanks have their limits. Tell guests: 'If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down'. Order cordwood early. Don't stack it too close to the house--mice make homes in it. A fireplace is not for heating; a stove insert is. Buy a roof rake and use it. Plumbers candles don't drip. Electric can openers don't work in a power outage. Neither do Mr. Coffees. The old Corningware percolator to the rescue!