This article has been contributed by Daisy Luther of The Organic Prepper and author of The Pantry Primer.
Does this sound familiar?
You’re talking to a friend or family member who isn’t on board with preparedness. (And it’s even worse when they think they know what’s going on in the world but garner their so-called “information” from network news sources.) You try for the millionth time to get them to consider stocking up on a few things and they say this:
Life’s too short for all of this doom and gloom. Live a little! You’re such a pessimist!
My response to this is that preparedness is the ultimate form of optimism.
One who practices skills, makes dramatic lifestyle changes, and studies current events critically may come across to the uninitiated as a person who has buried himself or herself in negativity, but in fact, one who prepares is saying to life, “Whatever comes, we are not only going to live through it, my family is going to thrive, and I will not bend my knee to tyranny for an MRE and a bottle of water.”
I think that methods of preparedness can be compared to love songs on the radio. Bear with me through this analogy.
If the songs that make you think of your significant other are sad, with reference to breaking up and getting back together, unsatisfied yearnings, arguments, frustration, anger, and broken hearts, you just might be doing the whole “love” thing wrong. Shouldn’t the song that makes you think of the one you love be happy, upbeat, full of joy? Shouldn’t thoughts of that special someone make you more prone to goofy smiles and a warm glow than to melancholy longing or the urge to gleefully burn all of their belongings in a great pile in the front yard?
It’s exactly the same with preparedness. Thoughts of your plans, your lifestyle, and your loaded pantry room should give you a sense of peace and security. If your state of preparedness makes you feel unhappy, stressed, angry, or resentful, you’re doing something wrong.
Here are some examples of how prepping is pure, unadulterated optimism:
- Your area is under a severe storm warning. While everyone else you know is rushing to the store and knocking over old ladies to clear the shelves, you’re tying down some outdoor furniture, filling the bathtubs with water, bringing in some extra firewood, cooking up some stuff that would be likely to go bad during an extended power outage, and getting the candles and lanterns ready. Perhaps you are discussing with your kids why you’re doing what your doing and using it as a teachable moment. There is no panic, only the peace of mind you feel when you don’t have to try to get things that everyone else is trying to procure at the exact same frenzied moment.
- During this hypothetical storm, the power goes out for two weeks, water is under a boil order, and trees are down everywhere. You remain in the safety of your home with your family, not risking downed power lines and falling branches from storm-damaged trees. You heat up hearty meals using off-grid cooking methods with which you are already familiar. You spend the two week break playing boardgames, reading books, doing art projects. You have plenty of food, plenty of water, and plenty of light. To your kids, this is an adventure and to you it’s a little break from your regular work and from technology.
- Heaven forbid that you should lose your job, but if you did, you have the security of a supply of food to see you through. You know how to grow your own food to supplement this supply because you’ve been doing it for years. You know a million different ways to do things manually and save yourself money. While a loss of income is a crisis, for someone who has readied themselves for the possibility, it could also be an opportunity to seek a new job, to homeschool the kids, to start a business of their own. If they don’t feel that horrible sense of desperation, realizing that the mortgage payment is coming out in 3 weeks, and they don’t have the money to pay it, the utilities are already close to being cut off, and there are 3 slices of bread in the house, with two of them being the crusty heels that nobody wants to eat, then the person is a little more free to search for the silver lining.
- One fine summer day when you are enjoying a barbecue at a friends house, you listen to other folks complaining about the cost of produce at the grocery store due to the droughts and poor growing conditions across the country. You realize that you haven’t purchased a single vegetable since your spring lettuce and peas prolifically came in, and you had absolutely no idea that everyone else was paying double or triple what they paid last year for a bag of baby spinach or a pound of tomatoes.
- If someone you know falls on hard times, you are always able to lend a hand with a bag full of groceries that came directly from your pantry. You don’t even have to think twice about helping out, because you are prepared for the long haul.
What non-preparedness people just can’t seem to understand is that what we seek is peace of mind, freedom, and security for our families, not just a weekend at Disneyworld. We don’t wish to delude ourselves with the soothing lies and distractions of the mainstream media so that we can blithely go about the business of trying to guess which B-list performer is going to take the crown (do they have a crown?) on Dancing with the Stars. We like reality and we’d rather not have surprises. We can still have fun that doesn’t compromise our ideals, sabotage our progress, or deter us from our paths.
We don’t want to be lulled into a false sense of prosperity, hypnotized by our iPhones and our “smart” wristwatches, or pacified with governmental lies about the “recovery.” We don’t want to deal with the aftereffects of shooting poisons into our babies, the ill health that comes from eating substances that aren’t even food but are guaranteed by the government to be “safe”, or stumble through life in a fluoride-induced brain fog.
We just want to go out to our garden and get some unsprayed heirloom tomatoes, for crying out loud, and thrive on real food, clean water, and an avoidance of Big Pharma chemicals. When I look at my own rosy-cheeked child and compare her glowing health with that of her friends, I am thankful every single day that we take the extra steps to keep her nourished, toxin-free, and whole, in defiance of a government and media that would have her chemically dumbed down and poisoned, literally, for profit.
Here’s a final analogy.
Imagine that you are out for a walk, and you get lost in the woods. You end up wandering around for a couple of days, and you’re exhausted and hungry. You come upon two bushes, different varieties of plants, both with brightly colored berries.
- Would you rather know for certain that one of those bushes bears edible fruit that won’t harm you, and consume those berries with confidence because you have taken the effort to be educated on the flora of the area?
- Or would you prefer to have absolutely no idea which one is safe because the thought that you might have to rely on berries in the woods to survive is pessimistic, and you refused to spoil a great hiking trip with negative thinking beforehand?
Preparedness: It means that whatever may come, you intend to not only grimly survive, but to thrive. It means that you foresee a day when the imminent threat, whatever that may be, diminishes, and you will rebuild. It means that you have taken responsibility for yourself and your family, and that you will not be forced to rely on others. It means that your mind is focused on life itself, not some imaginary life of some reality star that actually has no grasp on reality whatsoever. You have chosen not to be misguided by the lies that the media uses to pacify you.
Preparing yourself is the most optimistic and hopeful thing you can do in a world that would prefer to choose immediate gratification over a firm grasp on reality. Readying yourself to deal with whatever might happen is a joyful act, an expression of gratitude to the Creator, peace made tangible, and the personification of faith itself.
Also, a quick note to beginners:
Please, don’t let the thought of all of the preps that you do not yet have bring you down. It’s a process, and the most important prep is already in place: your mindset. Once you know the possibilities, accept them, and begin to prepare, you are already far ahead of most of the neighborhood. You’ve taken the most important step, the first one, and the rest will come as long as you persevere. Don’t be discouraged by how much you have left to do, instead, be encouraged by how far ahead you are compared to your starting point. Never underestimate the magnitude of the importance of your state of mind.
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
~ Winston Churchill
Please feel free to share any information from this article in part or in full, giving credit to the author and including a link to The Organic Prepper and the following bio.
Daisy Luther is the author of The Pantry Primer: How to Build a One Year Food Supply in Three Months. Her website, The Organic Prepper, offers information on healthy prepping, including premium nutritional choices, general wellness and non-tech solutions. You can follow Daisy on Facebook and Twitter, and you can email her at [email protected]
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I guess I am one hell of a optimistic person,nerver would have thought that!
I’m an Optimist.
It’s just that I don’t
have faith in anything.
Now this is just a rumor and this might be real, but someone said on drudge or from someone else, there are arresting people in Conneticut with guns and taking them all even people with permits to own a automatic weapon passed down, while in jail they are told by GAG order not to say anything or the news media is ordered to do the same, just throwing this out there and they can go fuck their gag order which is BS. We need to make sure if this is real we spread the word to everyone on this issue! They will not get away with this. If they took an oath to obey and uphold the Constitution and are not doing so or trying to change things illegally, then they must step down peacefully or if they try to remain in power, then You are a enemy of the USA plain and simple and must be dealt with by the people if you are not going to do anything. This must be stopped!
The more you are prepared the better chance you have WHEN an emergency does finally hit. From lightweight to massive heavyweight SHTF, the less prepared you are the harder and more someone is going to suffer and likely not survive it. Prepper/survivalists is nothing but positive.
Did everyone see the show being put on about the missing airline? All of a sudden the malaysian prime minister says that they finally have conclusive satellite data that the last known spot of the plane was west of Australia. WHALESHIT. They either had the data the fist couple of days or this is an utter lie about having anything. All of a sudden you have this satellite information more than 2 weeks later. Again, WALRUS SHIT!
I don’t like conspiracies, but this one has it written all over it. They are either trying to draw out the terrorsits that have this plane into the open. It crashed there and they are trying to draw all these navy ships out into the Indian Ocean. The U.S. and other nations are staging this whole thing. The malaysian government has been lying all along and are up to something very sinister.
I would not even put it past the U.S. and other countries to put debris from some other junkyard airplane out there to be found. This whole thing shows me that you can’t trust anything these MF’s say. This is why there is such an industry of people wanting alternative news, because the MSM news is as far away from the truth and the Earth is away from the planet Pluto.
Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?
Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands.
Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic.
They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer.
“Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him.
“Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the little man.
Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.
The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore.
Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand’s sleeping quarters.
He shook the little man and yelled, “Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!”
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.
To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins.
The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured.
Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away.
The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.
MORAL: When you’re prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear.
Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?
The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.
We, as believers in Christ, secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God.
We don’t need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the midst of the storms.
I hope you sleep well! Enjoy the day! May God bless you and yours!
Author Unknown
@ KY Mom,
That was beautiful. Thank you.
My problem with this kind of optimism is
that it’s built from a base of pessimism
about the events of the day.
So, can one be optimistic and pessimistic
at the same time, or does it become a case
of guarded neutralism, and the optimistic /
pessimistic terms become a misnomer?
I’ve admired that story before, as I do now.
KY: Thank you…
PKLL
Excellent post,
The exact reason why i try to be as prepared as possible at all times, none of that running around at the last minute scrambling to get stuff secured,
That little story also in a nut shell explains part of why i have been mindful of the scale of my farm, we have had terrible weather over here, but my overhead is low, so i just sit tight and wait for the sun to come out, others i know are close to the edge because they are too big or dont mind their markets at a sustainable level.
Words of wisdom in your tale…
Ground Zero lava night video..
http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F#/watch?v=WXyhH4Xm7ZI
I read this one a long time ago from a prepper site called Be Prepared “Sleep When The Wind Blows”, which actually is better to me. The topic is the same, just a few jostling of the words to make it sound like it was their idea. Whatever, it gives you food for thought and I have shared it with many non-preppers that still today could not sleep when the wind blows.
It was kind of you to print this though for those who had not read it before. The newbies will appreciate it and myself never tire of reading it. It does give you a warm, fuzzy feeling to be prepared
4 year prepper
Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer.
“Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him.
“Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the little man.
the ultimate prepper!! 🙂
This reminds me of another favorite, “Footprints In The Sand”
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, ‘You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?’
The Lord replied, ‘The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.’
-Mary Stevenson
KYMOM:
Thats a great one KYMOM.
“YES I CAN”
I put my trust in the GOD ALMIGHTY.
Then I put my trust in Myself and family.
Then in my preps.
Then in my friends.
Thanks again.
S.T.S.F.P. N.R N.S. N.REB
Nice post Mom….. and very true… I sleep well at night.
KY Mom, I’ve heard this story before from other souces but it’s always worth repeating. Braveheart always sleeps well thru the storms of life. braveheart is a prepper and a survivor. Thank you for the story, Ky Mom. I hope and pray that others will take the moral of this story to heart.
U.S. GENERAL THOMAS MCINERNEY RET.-SAYS MISSING PLANE IN PAKISTAN:MULTIPLE VERIFICATIONS FROM 2 SOURCES OVER THE WEEKEND CONCUR!
ALL NEW BOEING PLANE’S ENGINES HAVE TRANSPONDERS ON THEM, THAT CAN NOT BE SHUT OFF-GENERAL MCINERNEY IS RIGHT-THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE PLANE IS–IN PAKISTAN .THERE IS A SEARCH OPERATION UNDERWAY TO DETERMINE IF HOSTAGES ARE ALIVE-,ORDERS GIVEN AT HIGHEST LEVEL OF GOVT ON NOT TELLING THE TRUTH OF PLANES LOCATION DUE TO MUSLIM EXTREMIST PILOT,AND PLOT WITH FOREIGN NATION.THEY BELIEVE IT WILL BE USED EITHER AS AN EMP EVENT IN THE US OR USED AGAINST ISRAEL WITH NUKES ON BOARD,WITH THE MOST LIKELY TARGET ISRAEL.THIS MAY CORRESPOND WITH ALL ISRAELI EMBASSIES WORLD WIDE BEING SHUT DOWN. THEY WHO RUN INTERFERENCE ARE PRIVY TO THE PLOT.SPEC OPS GUY SAID BUDGET CUT AT MOST CRITICAL TIME FOR THIS OPERATION -NOT ONE MAINSTREAM REPORT HAS MENTIONED ENGINE TRANSPONDER SO SOURCES SAY ALL MAINSTREAM REPORTS, DIVERSION FROM THE TRUTH.
read it here:
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/03/breaking-lt-gen-mcinerney-says-mh370-in-pakistan-i-got-a-source-at-lignet-that-confirmed-it-yesterday-video/#!
{MM}
Be Informed-
You covered quite a bit of ground per your above post & I too, call “likely bullshit” per the “official” explanation of the plane’s demise.
..where’s the motive, per the “media’s” rogue pilot scenario???
——————————–
That said:
NORAD, US Space Command & the National Reconnaissance Office(another, little known govt agency) constitute total spherical 360* coverage of earth’s surface, via space-based surveillance platforms & ground/ocean based data collection centers/devices/radars/listening stations etc…etc.
..somebody in said grid/matrix..knows exactly where flt #370 is located & what & why the event occurred..never doubt!
I cannot help but wonder about our resistance to/knowledge of Agenda 21..and whether or not this episode is the opening chapter of Agenda 22 & its equally nefarious, wickedly amplified strategies/goals.
—————————–
BTW, nice article Miss Daisy..kudos to you!
@ Hunter. Deception and lies are the ultimate evil. The truth is too dangerous for the people to know because it means total loss of control by these asswipes. All the while hundreds of innocent people that have harmed no one are totally tormented by not knowing whether their families are alive or not. These people are being totally jerked around. I truly feel very bad for them.
Then these f wads position their chess pieces to do battle and turn the planet into a giant Mad Max world. Then the masses wonder why there are so many individuals that become totally anti-government and would never trust any of them. Not just this government either. Corruption and deceit that go hand in hand like kindred demonic spirits. The human civilization is in some critcal deep sh$% and it seems like there is no way back to when times just stunk. I think that humanity has reached that point of no return, and the end point that the world is rocketing towards is putrid at best. Sorry for the depressing rhetoric.
@ BI if you want to read about GOV scandal and cover up going way back and participated in by most HIGH GOV officials read the book, NSA BODY OF SECRETS by: James BAMFORD. There are rats in the woodpile and from both sides of the Aisle!
I have heard that there is a company called Freescale Semiconductor which has an important new patent in the works. There are five patent holders: the company itself, and four Chinese nationals, all of whom were on the Malaysian plane that went down. My daddy always told me: follow the money trail. Or as that old Roman feller once said “Qui bono?” meaning, “Who benefits?”
btw, this is the freescale website
http://www.freescale.com/
at the bottom left there is a link named “MH370 Hope”, which leads to a page where they admit they had employees on this plane
things that make you go hmmmmmm…….
It’s unlikely any court would grant a gag order of such a nature. The media, however, would probably backpage such news stories of confiscation, just because they like the idea and want it to continue.
I doubt the veracity of the rumor.
It’s not on drudge. I can’t find it will keep looking. I got word to the hubby either way. Thanks!
Clint,have not seen anything,anything of substantial happening would be on the sipsey street site as Mike has chosen Ct. as his own battleground in many ways.I could see perhaps a domestic case where guns confiscated and one may be a “black rifle”but no real news,at least yet.As for gag orders,well…good luck with that!
I am not an optimist or a pessimist.
I am a realist so I can be either when it is required.
Media has created the stigma of preppers as negative. Even as of last night I explained to a family member that the reason we prep is to stay positive and worry-free. The doom and gloom comes in non-preparedness as pointed out.
“A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
-Proverbs 22:3
KY MOM:
For that blog I would like to give you several thumbs up.
It must be a zombie-mope that gave you the thumbs down, what a dummy!!!!!
S.T.S.F.P. N.R. N.S. N.REB
KY mom,interesting proverb in regards to # 22.3,many rifles in the US are .223 caliber,coincidence?
G.C Sorry for the off topic question but it seems to me you are the one that has had some experience with beekeeping? Have you had any experience with the stinger less bees that are found in Yucatan and OZ or no of anyone that might? If your not the one that i remember please excuse my memory.
I am a bee keeper Thinker but have never heard of a bee that was stinger-less. There are a wide variety of insects that make honey or some thing akin to honey but mostly such as the bumble bee make a limited amount. Like the bumble bee most of the insect’s mentioned live under ground and only make enough “nectar”, for lack of a better word, to feed themselves and young through one season.
BigB
Thanks Big B.I knew it was someone who had been here for awhile!Now I could be wrong but according to an article i read these people down in the Yucatan are trying to save this species from extinction, that was developed by the Mayans.There is also one that is from Australia,but i am not sure if that one is for Honey production? So seeings i am kind of new at this so i was going to try to get a colony to start here? In hopes that my Family would quit freaking out every time one lands on them? I may just have to end up attracting the local ones,and they will have to get used to it!!
Any advice on how to attacked some drones and acquire a queen? Thanks Again!
That’s the same “bull-by-the-horns” method I used to get over my paralyzing fear of spiders. I started playing with them when I found them. First with sticks or long objects where they wouldn’t reach me. Then when I was comfortable with that, I let them climb closer to my hand. Yes, I did bust out the handbook and make sure they weren’t poisonous first…
I’ve actually had one or two on my finger. I no longer scream when one pops out somewhere unexpected, I just shoosh them away.
I still get creeped out when I run into a web, though. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that feeling.
I really don’t know Thinker. I have to imagine importing a non-indigenous insect species into the U.S. is probably against the law. You would think though that if such an insect exists and was a proven producer of honey that it would be the preferred bee of the world? There would you have to believe is a hitch some where.
BigB
Wasn’t me, but I would like to know why all the bees are disappearing…
GC;Pesticide’s and Global engineering an we are NEXT
Part of this comment I recieved in an email, but I thought I would expand on it since it seems like it could be useful info. It pertains to car alarms, seem we don’t pay much attention to them in large parking lots, but at home it might be a different situation, especially if you happen to live alone or are a single mother. If you should hear a prowler or some one breaking into your home at night, hit the panic button cause miscreants don’t like attention and would probably go away, might be a deterent until help arrives from your 911 call. Many of these are also small and could possibly be worn a round your neck, should you be elderly and happen to fall, neighbors would probably come to check, or you might even discuss this with them. At the least during the night keep your keychain on the night stand next to your bed. Have 2 vehicles, double noise, even better. Sometimes we over look the obvious, or atleast I do. Trekker Out. Semper Paratus!
It’s great in theory, MT, but I tried it and I have too many walls to go through from my bedroom to the garage.
So, try it out before your rely on it for an alarm.
JayJay
Here is the problem I have with all of this:
Right this minute all of my preps are as up to date as I can get. Just turning the product on a regular basis. But! And it is a big but, I am retiring next year and want to travel in my RV or as I promised myself long ago to live in select cities and places for 30 day to get the feel of a location.
Now I know I can’t carry all my preps around with me I have the decision to make of do I go or do I stay? If I go I have to leave my preps and if the SHTF the odds are that I will never get back to them. So back to the question of should I stay or should I go?
BigB
Spend this last year before retirement prepping a secure bug-out location that is well stocked. Then, when SHTF and you’re on the road, what an adventure a cross country exodus to your retreat will be! Rambo on through the shit. Have fun and enjoy the day
Go and enjoy the trip. Just let some CLOSE friends know where to find your preps if SHTF while you’re traveling and you don’t come home.
Pack the RV with the tools and take your skills. A 1-2 month food supply and some PMs/cash, Water filtration and hit the road. Storage building for the long term stuff, if you can’t make it back, YOU CAN MAKE IT ANYWHERE!
Bon Voyage and Godspeed.
We doing the same thing this fall. Heading out west for a month or so. My sister and grandson will be at the house to keep watch and finish the garden out if need be. Family ! Love them and if we don’t make it back, they can have the preps.
And the house…. 🙂
Get plastic boxes, fill them up. shoe-goo the lids down,wrap in 2 garbage bags, bury them in special locations, like if the house is burned to the ground ,by ZOMBIES, TA-DA you know where their are, plenty of food and water, your good to go, at your bug- out place!!!, do this plan in darkness, i have…
HeyBIG B…quite the dilemma…. bit you are not the first..
Maybe this’ll help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqH21LEmfbQ
Yeah, that helped. lol. Don’t think for a minute that that song was going through my mind when I was writing the post.
BigB
War:
I could tell you were an optimist by your writings and how you defend them. Keep the Faith!
If you look at over 95% of the folks are optimistic.
A.S.M.S.
Sgt.
I try sarge but when the glass is half empty I say”Who the hell has been drinking out of my glass!”.I mean really though,half full of air,sounds like some govt. bs when things are tough!
An engineer would say the glass is too big.
Yes,they would Arch,after they drank out of my glass!
@archivist
the gov’t would put together a team of ‘experts’ in the field of half full/empty glasses, determined on the altitude, temperature, humidity, and climate change relative to the outcome of who was last identified by being in close proximity of the so call glass (if that’s truly what it is) and come to the conclusion that the so called glass is qualified to vote (twice)
i am an optimist in myself, i am not an optimistic in anyone in DC.
if we could thru the next 3 years without triggering WW3(if we haven’t already); i will be suprised and if that happens; youre going to need to get by own you own for a little or lot of the time.
Absolutely wonderful and encouraging..needed to hear that today…everyday is a prep day for us. Blessings all
True,will help you,friends/family and if possible perhaps a stranger in need.
I’m Glad SOMEONE finally pointed this out. The way I look at my “rainy day insurance policy” as being what it is- an insurance policy. I don’t want the need to depend on the red cross, fema or anybody else to pull my bacon out of the fire. They have enough sheeple to take care of. It does give me peace of mind when I look at the store room and smile. I hope I never need it but it’s there if I do.
Exactly. I get up each morning and thank God that nothing happened during the night, and that I have one more day to prep.
I simply thank God that I got up at all…whatever come after is a bonus.
Love it sixpack. Hang in there!
I battle the gloom and doom mindset on other sites and have even used the “glass is always full” metaphor. So tired of hearing how they or even worse everyone but them will have it so bad in the blink an eye while at the same time I know people in third-world countries with higher population densities and no utilities getting by with so little that even the impoverished here are rich by comparison.
While it is true that tools are force multipliers and food and other storage can smooth the transition, attitude and ability are the chief difference between plenty and want.
UNKNOWN:
Prefectly said. That is what all my preps are for. that rainy day from HE!!.
S.T.S.F.P. N.R. N.S. N.REB
My one Uncle always use to tell me as most of you know make the hay while the sun is shinning.
and admire the moon when it isn’t.
The optimist will always find a window of opportunity.
I went to my Dad once and said “Dad, I got a problem”, he stopped me right there and said “No Son, you got an opportunity”. Took years to sink in fully, but he was right, as always.
McDave:
You find out just how smart your dad is when you become a dad, and your kids start asking you the same questions you asked your dad, and you give them the same answer your dad gave you.
Boy was my father smart!;-)
S.T.S.F.P. N.R.N.S. N.REB
Too all of you….When things get real ‘tough’, I remember the saying ‘give me lemons, and I will make lemonade’…. try it—it works!
Thanx Daisy, great topic…and I will always be ‘beholden’ to you for SO much!! Guess what…finally ordered my grain mill…its being delivered to my sis in Independence MO, and other sister will p/u and deliver to me (on her way back to Nova Scotia)…and free delivery for me! I will be grinding some wheat berries soon!! (: Hugs to you and ‘the little one’ take care, CC
I have a t-shirt that says on the front –
There are no problems, only opportunities.
On the back –
I have a drinking opportunity.
🙂
Damn right,things get real bad need something to jump out of!
I’m optimistic but I don’t know if I’ll survive what’s coming. That’s the death of the dollar and the economic collapse. I know I won’t survive unless I prepare so I’ve done that. But my ultimate hope isn’t on earth. It’s in heaven.
The death of the dollar and the collapse of the American economy will be the biggest disaster in human history up to that time. I expect more 250 million Americans to die. It’s hard to imagine almost everyone you know dying from violence, suicide, disease, or starvation. I’m sure most of us who survive will see things that will haunt us for the rest of our lives.
No one really know whether they will survive or not.
Look at those folks caught in the landslide near Arlington, Wa. Some of them will never be found…yet they lived.
The earth could decide to do that to all of us.
“don’t go down without one helluva fight”
Barn Cat,
The economic crash won’t kill that many. It is survivable. It’s an EMP that could do that.
@ Barncat, Hey! Heaven is the reward not the here and now. Some times you have to travel through Hell to get to Heaven.
BigB
Book…”How to stay alive in the woods”-Bradford Angier some reading from “Eat the Weeds” website go camping this summer with using that information in mind. When you get back just TRY and tell me you didn’t have a great time.
I’ve accumulated well over a year living in tents in the woods and even when we don’t catch any fish it is still a great time. Next month I’m hiking in six miles to officiate a wedding between two avid hikers/campers. Hopefully I will have time to hike up the tributary to the field where the wild ramps grow and fill my bag.
Fresh water clams are a bit tougher than sea water ones but they go well in a quick stir fry with ramps and cattail sprouts. If you can’t find the clams Crawdad’s work good too. Be safe on your trip.
I love them crawdads, with a little beer poured into the pot, then dipped in real butter and a little pepper.Makes it worth the time to catch them.
Stew, good advice. Books are great, but nothing beats hands on experience. I’m might be old, but I still get out in the wilderness and play like a kid. Build fires and debris huts and eat things that I don’t ordinarly eat and use methods for drinking water, that is already out there. Just be sure you know what your eating and becareful what you drink. I have drank questionable water without bad sie effects, but be very careful. Just don’t wait until you need this knowledge to try and do it. Trekker Out. Si vis pacem, para bellum!
You just reminded with your water comment. The local water here has Giardiasis (Beaver Fever)now most people with a good immune system are not effected, but those who are get the squirts for about a week or two but are fine if you stay hydrated. Best way to defeat the parasite is boiling the water for a full minute. I brew beer for myself with it so I can’t tell if its the alcohol or the bug lol. You can also build an immunity to it.
Stew I know thats right, seems Giardia is everywhere, they call it beaver fever but I don’t really think it’s the beavers that cause it. I think most of this is caused by cattle feces. I live in some of the most remote country around, but cattle free ranges around here in the summer. I’ve had company in the summer and rode 4 wheelers into some really remote areas for 6 or 7 miles and my guest would be suprised when we would top over a hill and there would be a bunch of cattle. I once hiked in on a horse trail about three miles and there was a nice little stream bubbling along just off the trail and looked really clean, so thought I would try a drink, flopped down on my belly and took a big old drink and went on up the trail and went around a bend and wouldn’t you know the stream was running right down the middle of the horse trail. No bad effects, but one never knows. Take precautions when possible. Trekker Out Semper Paratus!
Maybe giardia has been around for a long time. Cattle have been grazing most areas for over a hundred years. Modern man may have a problem with the water because we are a bit more soft than the old timers. We grew up drinking chlorine – water cocktails. They grew up just drinking water with whatever nasty bugs lived in it.
I sure that’s right but it was called Beaver fever because they assumed it came from them because they live mainly in the water…but if you want to find scat from every animal in the woods walk up the shoreline of any calm pool or slow moving river section. It’s been our companion for thousands of years. Most people have forgotten how to live WITH it.
I’ve got a buddy that’s an epidemiologist (studies bugs). At one time giardia was unheard of, until the 1970’s. It started migrating from the west to the east. Scientists think it was a biowarfare agent the soviets were working on that got loose.
You might want to check your friends facts. It was named for a French zoologist Alfred Mathieu Giard in 1681 and that’s just when it was first described not discovered…;)
ANY ONE SEE MY DOG?
He has one eye, one ear, three legs, (walks with a limp), he’s deaf, can’t bark, has brain damage, has fleas, mange and he’s been castrated?
His name is LUCKY
Lucky he made it out alive…
That dog sounds like Eisen.
Hey Cuz, you miss him don’t ya. Are you gonna miss me when I’m gone too. Love ya man.
LUCKY
Come here boy!
whistle…… Can’t whistle here for some reason.
Any one see my dog???
Why whistle, you said he was deaf!
@ Big B,
I believe we are put on this earth to be happy, and not to worry. But on the other hand, as humans, we do worry about earthly treasures, and Yes, “Food” can be a treasure trove to some. Especially if hungry. If it’s your retirement dream to travel, then for a person who’s worked their adult life should be able to without worry, but, with how things are nowadays, who’s to say it would be wise. 1: Travel and enjoy the rest of your natural life, or 2: Go with your gut instinct and stay put and just live life dreaming about the open roads and scenery the road leads too.
Tough choice.. Good luck, either way.
Thanks CQ Caller.
BigB
@BigB
Looking at your situation, one of my favorite quotes comes to mind. “Looking back on our lives we tend to regret the things we didn’t do the most” Mark Twain.
Just something to chew on as you think about it. I agree with Sterling Silver, spend your retirement the way you want and have a good bugout location. Life is short, don’t forget to enjoy it.
Good points Poor Boy. Never saw that Mark Twain quote, I like it.
You know what chaps my ass? My father’s, grandfathers, and great grandfathers generations never had to worry about the future the way we have to. Wars sure, depressions sure, but that was nothing but a foot note in history compared to what is coming our way. 5 years ago and before I always worked hard in the hopes that I could retire and live out my life in relative ease and comfort.
I no longer have that dream of a future as described to hold onto. Now it is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
BigB
Go for it! We travel a lot, both in RV and abroad and I always worry if IT will happen while we are gone but think of the trips we would have missed out on if we stayed close to home. When traveling by plane I am always prepared with a carry on bag to be stranded in an airport for a couple of days.
In the motorhome I have an extra stash of food too just in case.
One can only be happy in the Lord, Jesus Christ. We were put on this earth to make our own destination in the journey. Accordingly, make your own decision. But don’t be fooled. The satan walks among us. A lot of things sound really good and tempting. But in reality, it’s a ruse, and we will reap what we sow. Plan, prep and be prepared, as the good Lord gave us that much wisdom. I believe the scripture says, those that are ignorant, let them be ignorant still. Not calling anyone here ignorant, but our God given sense lets us know to prepare.
Great topic for discussion Daisy- thanks for bringing this up. I strongly believe that people in general are being ‘brainwashed’ and conditioned into thinking that the government…or someone other than themselves are ultimately responsible for taking care of…themselves.
Imagine that.
Just like the Matrix, people cannot see with their own eyes…because they have never truly used them before. In the construct, everything goes according to plan as long as you go along with the flow. As soon as you wake up and are ‘free’ then you become a threat and must be dealt with. We can only try to wake up and free others from this prison around us all, even if in vain, we cannot give up. How would YOU feel if someone just gave up on you…left you as a prisoner never to be free?
The governments of the world ARE the machines in the Matrix…they only exist because of all the POWER they took from the people. Now that they are a self powered entity, grown out of control they will continue taking power and control until there is nothing left to take…but your life.
Don’t despair as there IS real hope. More and more are waking up everyday, as long as we all keep trying. I read this excellent book and the ending is basically what we are seeing now…except in the final ending of the book, good triumphs and evil is ultimately destroyed. 🙂
I know that book. It’s a “Good” book.
Why wouldn’t I be optimistic, I believe I’m ready for just about everything.
Faith In God
Very close to my Family
Very Good Friends
Very good group of like minded folks.
Heavily Armed
Tons of Ammo
Tons of Food
Lots of SEEDS
Large Garden
Critters (farm animals)
Tons of Water Purification
Lots of Med and Equipment.
Lots of way to Heat and have Power
Lots of fuel.
Lots of Soap and Cleaning equipment.
And all kinds of neat Stuff!!!
Defendable location. (To a Point)
Why wouldn’t I be OPTIMISTIC!!!
I know I missed something. PLEASE ADD TO IT IF YOU WISH!
AIM SMALL MISS SMALL
Sgt.
A slew of Tull and Zepplin albums with stereo along with extra sets of guitar strings?Oh ,wait,have got all that,yep,things OK!
I have those plus many more. I also have a guitar, along with a number of other instruments. I am optimistic that I will have the time to learn how to play all of them someday.
What idiot would give you a thumbs down? Don’t know about you Sgt Dale, but plenty of good books would be on my list.
Jeff:
I forgot books and Silver.
Thanks for AIDING!
Sgt.
Sgt.:
I have the same list going.
I have my group of like minded people that will be here at the 1st. wave SHTF.
Just put another 5 gallon air tight bucket of food away to day, been working on that bucket for 3 weeks now (a little at a time).
Bought 8 more laying hens and 1 rooster.
Started buying more Non GMO seeds for 2016/17. I will put them in seal a meal bags and then put them in a 2 gallon air tight seal bucket.
My wife has been buying silver for a few years now so we will have some currency to work with and several other items to barter with.
About 3 to 4 days after SHTF my brother and his group will be coming so we should a have Security Through Superior Numers and Fire Power.
Please people DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN KEEP PREPPING AND STAY OPTMISTIC.
S.T.S.F.P. N.R. N.S. N.REB
Reb,glad you mentioned the time it took you to get another bucket ready,helps with my over said comment to encourage folks to start even on limited budget prepping food/med/other supplies,and….here is that tiresome phrase,the smalls add up folks,you can do this!
@sgt
a couple decks of cards
DB427
Ya yes cards.
Forgot them Thanks!
I’m surprised no body said TOOLS.
Oh well I just thought of it and its 0230 hrs. Dog had to go.
SHIT its snowing again!!!!!!! Man I hate this stuff.
Sgt.
Let’s not forget Yahtzee with plenty of score cards.
Hello All!
Yes, looking in on my stacks of food, gas, ammo, silver and gear is a great positive feeling. I have reached the point of rotation in my food supply, and that is also a nice feeling as I replace stock, I have a large amount of food in the house pantry as well. Double preps!
Great article with the most important thing mentioned… GET STARTED! I always want to do more but have reached a balance where the fear of not having enough has subsided and I can focus more on skillsets and networking. Yes I want many more solar panels but they will come over time. For now I have enough to have lights and global radio communications, and that again is a comfort. Over the years I have focused more on skills than gear (toys).
Take the first step. I think it was on this site that I read, “Sleeping on a metric ton of food fills me with a sense of security”, or something to that effect.
Townsaver:
Keep up the good work, threr will be a lot of preppers that will have to rebuild this country after SHTF. Glad to know that your out there.
S.T.S.F.P. N.R. N.S. N.REB
Townsaver, sounds like you’re going to be just fine. Just keep adding to what you have.
Town:
There is a family here on this site.
You will find that they will help you with any question you have. SO PLEASE ASK! You will find some very smart people here.
We are like Brothers and sisters here we made not always agree, but we will stand up for the other Guy/Gal in times of need!
AIM SMALL MISS SMALL
Sgt.
Daisy & BI; Great article Daisy and at a great time,it is so important to stay as positive as you can for your survival! It is a proven fact that pessimism and stress is detrimental to your health.I have found that my family don’t want to hear whats really going on, because they say “it’s to depressing” so what ever it takes for you to find some joy and laughter in your life “now “is good for you! So i will continue to prep for all of them, because at least they now if something does happen they have a safe place to come! If they just have the luck to get here? For me a good walk in nature to to experience the sense’s, the sun, and the and fresh air,and what nature has freely given us,helps keeps me connected to to what is important and positive!!
BI; Sounds like you got the same impression with this msn news story as i did.If they have this “supposed data” then what the hell were they doing that for off course? I think they are just pacifying the families.JMHO i still think it has more to do with USI,and the CIA, to many coincidences going on( Embassies shutting down,new moon,this plane, and Russia’s “Puttin the stop to the NWO”) I am still leaning towards Israehell taking out Iran before their house of cards fall.But even this seems to be too obvious? Either way eyes open the next week!
May God Bless us All !
@ Thinker. I have always seeked the truth, the truth. I hate deception and lies. This crap is beyond words, I ptiy those poor families that have to endure this pure torture.
Here is what time of day to look for IF Israel attacks Iran this New Moon cycle. It will occur:
Pacific Time 1-6 PM
Mountain Time 2-7 PM
Central Time 3-8 PM
Eastern Time 4-9 PM
For Hawaii and Kulafarmer it would be 10 AM to 3 PM
After the attack begins it will probably take 15 minutes to more than a hour to hit the news wires. Someone in Eastern Time zone for example would probably hear about this about 6-7 PM because the darkest part of the night is of course about Midnight over there. In the Summertime the midpoint of the night is a few minutes after Midnight.
I might offend some people about this, but Israel attacks their enemies between 5 days before to 5 days after a New Moon. The New Moon is Sunday, which is the beginning of the work week for Israel. I would really watch for Sunday night between the times given for something. If it is going down this New Moon, this would be the ideal time before all the upcoming Jewish holidays. The next New Moon is April 29. The more ready any of us are for this, the quicker we can act before the masses figures out that World War 3 has just started.
I sleep well with my stacks of canned goods and other preps. Part way on the self sufficiency too.
Happy spring to all. Time to get those tomatoes in the ground.
OH,Sovo,not here,germinating in little cups ect. inside fine but seems we in New England getting more snow but worse,some 10 degree nights,winter has a bit of a death grip this season it seems.
WD, better batten down the hatches. Looks like you got a Nor’easterner comin’ on Wednesday. I hear its gonna be bearing 50-60 mph winds and up to two feet of sideways snow.
Patriot,though expecting cold temps and little snow that does not seem to be forecast for N.H. or the Vineyard where me mum lives,thankfully!One day winters tenacious grip will break and Warchild will be bouncing around the outdoors in joy like a newborn pup!
Hate to hear that, WD. Here in the south the old tradition for tomatoes is: Plant before Good Friday for tomatoes by July 4th.
I’m in the south, and I’ve never planted tomatoes that early. They won’t grow until it gets hot. The first time I tried planting tomatoes back in the mid 1970s was in April. The tomatoes sat there and didn’t grow an inch until June. Then they went wild.
So I wait until at least May. We’re having below freezing weather at night this week. So no planting for me right now.
Don’t know where you live, but I’ve never stuck a tomato plant in the ground without it growing, even in cold spring weather. If frost’s expected I cover ’em with a sheet of plastic and they always do fine. They do need lots of sunshine though; they don’t grow well with too much shade.
thing is that all the time they are “just sitting there” they are actually building a good root base and make it possible for them to explode in June…
25°last night here in Ky.
Last frost date Mother’s Day in Big Sky country.
Most years anyway, this has been a bad one.
My garden still has 3 feet of snow covering it.
Plant snow peas….
Now THATS optimism!
🙂
It is a lifestyle I choose, have been this way for my entire life. Now it is mainstream, and for good reason. However you can’t force it on anyone, till they percieve a need they will be blind. In spite of anything you say or point you make. Preparedness is a gift, or a curse, depending on the crowd….
Optimist/pessimist, who cares. Personally, I’m perfectly pleased pursuing my profound paranoia.
Do not forget that pursuit while wearing a stylish tin foil hat!Dammit,were the hell is my roll of tin foil!
Howdy everybody, havent been here for awhile, 2 months. My phone/internet has been shut off, here I thought it was free, but a company called Verizon told me its not free I needed to pay.
I farm and have a small garge and it might of been dumb but I closed the garge before winter too Concentrate on the farm, so I lost that money. I feel I’ll be better off in the long haul toward Self sufficient, I havent been to town in over five months, because I spend all last summer canning Vegetables and the winter hunting and canning that, We have sailed though winter no problem and still looking good. Frist thing I ran out of was milk then dog an cat food, thay ate
deer, chicken an hamberger which they didnt seem to mind lol.so it can be done it wasnt my plan to see if I could done, it just happened that way,been saving seed for years, now Im testing seed to see whats good and not, I will be puttingy frist garden in this year, wish me luck. ps. I forgot how much Humor
Damn PA,sounds like you are doing fine,and the pets certainly eating better then me!
PA,new garden,check this out,seems like a pretty cool idea: ht tp://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/diy-hydroponic-garden-tower-the-ultimate-hydroponic-system-growing-over-100-plants-in-10-sq-feet/81535#more-81535,I added a space between the http so delete,this way does not end up in the moderation void,might give this a try me self this season.
WarchIld, I will have to look at that later but I will, hydroponic would be cool. my problem right now is my Équipement is big and were I’m thinkn about putting a garden I’ll never get into, I need like a six foot Rototiller for my smaller tactor. Thanks for the link.
Welcome back…I noticed youve been gone…sounds like youre gonna make it… 🙂
I did not say this first, I read it some where, maybe even here –
“Id like to be an optimist, but that would require woeful ignorance of current events and extreme levels of cognitive disonance…I just don’t have that kind of energy anymore.”
However – I am still planting the garden and going forward as if life will continue as is for some time.
Unlike the poor folk buried in the mud slide in my state.
I can’t imagine how relatives feel, not being able to get through the quicksand type mud to dig them out. So sad.
Great saying, I’m stealing it, hope you don’t mind…
It wasn’t mine originally – pass it on…
When I was growing up my dad was a member of The Optimist Club. I still have his plaque with the pledge/creed. My dad was a great man and lived his life like this. I, on the other hand, am not the greatest at this. I do try but fall way short.
“Promise Yourself…
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.”
I reckon I’m about as prepped up as I can get.
Except maybe I could use a little solar backup.
Anybody got any ideas for cheap solar preps?
Sovo-
I would recommend starting with a good 12 Volt Deep Cycle Battery (Optima or other high end), a simple charge controller, and a 100 watt monocrystalline solar panel. Buy the battery locally and the panels online.
This will get you started in solar, and will cost $400.00 or less if you get the higher quality items. You get what you pay for. High end batteries last 5-10 years, mono solar panels are 3-5% more efficient than poly panels. Does not sound like much until you think of it as 3-5% more per panel, per day! It really adds up.
Once you understand how this simple system works, move into adding panels and batteries, and perhaps a simple inverter, or grow into a grid tie inverter. Start small, get experienced, grow. Even if you never build on this, you will have enough for lights and basic inverter applications. Also this small setup is portable!
Thank you sir.
who is Sovo? I’ve read a lot of comments, but until tonight, I’ve not seen a post by this person. Just wondering.
YES!
http://www.aspectsolar.com has a variety of cost-effective solar devices depending on your needs and they use the LiF04 battery which is superior to both lithium ion and lead acid batteries.
But remember this: one way to EMP-protect your solar & electronics is through a galvanized steel trash can that is lined from top to bottom and all the way around with cardboard.
– The Lone Ranger
Good article, Daisy.
I think it is better to be a realist, but the shifts back and forth as being an optimist to a pessimist can help prepare you for what is ahead.
In my conversations about being prepare, words can be funny.
You are going to do what?
You going to eat that stuff?
Say That Again.
I don’t believe you.
You don’t say.
Whoa! You don’t really mean that?
Add in the facial expressions and body movements and it could be comical at times.
I am optimistic. That’s why I archive so much for the future. I just spent the morning copying downloaded magazine files to DVDs. I wish blu-ray discs were cheaper so I could use them. If solid state hard drives ever get cheap enough, I can use them for long-term storage.
An EMP could destroy everything on a solid state disc, best to have a backup of the important stuff on DVD disc, the recordable DVD discs are cheap and hold almost 5 gig each.
I’ve got about eight .mp4 formatted movies on each recordable DVD disc, to the tune of about 250 movies. They won’t play on regular DVD players unless they also play the .mp4 format, but they’ll play on a computer.
That’s about 8-10 hours of movies on each disc…and an EMP or CME won’t touch them.
What about middle of the way.
I’m not optimist. I’m not pessimist. But,
I’M REALIST. (ic)
I see things as they are. No more no less.
If your problem does not have a solution, accept. don’t worry.
If your problem has a solution, accept. don’t worry.
I wish every one prosperity and good health.
BI you have hit on something here a; MAJOR PILE OF HOR-E SH-T. Every country in the world including Haiti has their spy Sat’s seeing debris in the Southern Indiana Ocean, hell you can’t there from here you have to start somewhere else. If I’m not wrong it will take days for any surface ship to reach that area. In the meantime the dark of the moon is upon us and Russia is planning to expand its conquests. Everything is making the whole world look in this remote area for the missing plane, or should I say drawing everyone’s attention there. While the cat looks at the empty hole the mice are going out the door behind it. I cannot help to feel something big and bad is about to strike, and what it is will not be good. World War III is at hand, Russia is going to push and push some more, China is finalizing plans for what they are going to do. You just may have to read between the lines a little, but the hand writing is on the wall. Buckle up and hold on my friends. Stock up on food and water and stock more than ever. Put back more poor man’s PM’s brass, lead, and copper. From the River Bank.
NOMI should we give!
Taking lemons and making lemonade.
I came home from work a few Friday’s ago and found a tree down across my driveway making it impassable. Most people would be upset by this where the first thing that went through my mind was, Alright!! Firewood!! The tree was an old red oak that is now stacked against the side of my barn drying for next year. Sometimes things people would look at as major problems others will see as an opportunity. I’m no longer worried about firewood for next winter where someone else would have seen it as a cost to incur to have someone clear it off for them.
Some think the Lord works in mysterious ways, I think he can be pretty straight forward if your listening.
“Alright!! Firewood!!” That’s exactly what I would’ve thought, delivered right to my door.
Well,at least the tree had the good manners to drop right before the weekend to give you time to deal with it,the red oak a nice/long slow burn material for end of the night before bedtime.I burn a lot of pine when feeding my dragon and run it hot while up and then cut back on air flow with some nice oak for the night fire.I catch a lot of flack burning the pine but cleaning stove and pipe once a year seems wasteful as no real buildup at all,is more a piece of mind task then a neccesity.
Thanks for this site Mac. I enjoy it…
Ditto Mac…you’re a hero in my book!
Being ready is too often regulated to the idea of being a prepper or specificly and purposely preparing for something/anything…myself I guess I grew up prepared or thinking that way…I often tell folks to do what they can where they are with what they have and to that Id add dont fret dont burn yourself out worrying just do what you can as you can…
Been buying t-posts and lime…getting ready for spring if it ever shows up…+5F this AM with about an inch and a half snow…need some real global warming 🙁 …ordered some honeybees today…thats me being optimistic in spite of the cold 😉 have a great day y’all…REB
A little mead in your near future Reb?!
Yummy!
Naww…I dont use any alcohol cept in an engine…I just like the little buggers around…pollination/honey/wax are all needed here on ye ole homestead 🙂
Great new format for the comments, Mac! Much easier for my old eyes to read and I thank you.
New format,perhaps my eyes are screwed but have not seen any real changes,heck,any changes.
@anon
having trouble seeing this, press alt x scroll down to zoom level bump up to 150% or so.. should help.
After read the comments on this page.
IT MAKES ME DA$% PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOU ALL.
S.T.S.F.P. N.R. NS. N.REB
A good post, but……….
Must mentally believe that you will live and this mountain will be conquered. I believe if you lose the will to live, let the circumstances control you, no matter how much stuff you have, you will not survive.
Everybody be safe and aware…..
PS…..It seems that the knockout game is still sticking its ugly head up here and there.
FLASHLIGHT ALERT!
I recommend that everyone buy a professional grade flashlight of several types:
– one that will tail stand to be used as a candle using either a AA or CR123a battery with lumen capacity of 10 lumens, 80 lumens, 170 lumens (you switch to the brightness you need);
– one whose capacity ranges from 10 lumens to 850 lumens (these take a special 18650 battery) that you can recharge with a solar panel attached to a battery [www.aspectsolar.com]
Streamlight, Klarus, Nitecore, Fenix are among the companies you can order such a high-grade flashlight from.
“Lumens” is a measure of brightness: the more lumens, the more powerfully bright your light is. For example, there is one light that can reach a stunning 2900 lumens!
When the shtf, candles are nice, but with an ample supply of batteries and the right (EMP-protected) high grade white light flashlights, you will thank yourself endlessly when there is a power grid shutdown or a power outage.
Also check out the “flashaholic’s” favorite site: http://www.candlepowerforums.com for more info.
– The Lone Ranger
Let there be light!
I have one of these in the car; a/c adaptor; huge beam, hanger attachment.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Volt-Halogen-Spotlight-500-000-Candle-Power-W-Car-Adapter-Brand-New-/351011135895?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b9e4e197
As long as you have a car battery, you have light!!
Good post. It’s nice to see most everyone back on the topic of prepping instead of the same political stuff that we hear over and over.
For those thinking that a few seeds thrown in the ground will be a full crop, think again. Not being a farmer this is my 3rd attempt at growing food. The died because of poor soil. The 2nd because of over watering and lack of drainage. This is my 3rd crop. As before The nice lady down the street helped, saying plants were so healthy that they attracted birds. Some screen seams to be the ticket. I now hove 3 plots 3′ X 10′ 4′ X 20 ‘ and 3′ X 5’. The smaller plot for higher risk crops that I will gladly share with the lady down the street. No stress now, just a “hobby”. Doesn’t attract nieghbors attencion . Not by any means trying to talk you out of growing your own food, but trying to do it now to learn will doing. At first your cost for supplies may exceed the value of food, but then your investment pays off. Don’t forget to help that nice lady down the street.
By the way – what does S.T.S.F.P.S.N.REB stand for?
I started a few years back with some raspberries and strawberries. Then large plastic containers with herbs and some veggies. Two years ago, I added a raised bed to give myself a little more control over the soil. Last year, I added another 4X 8 ft bed and a couple fruit trees. When I first started doing this, it was to get produce that was not suspect and really fresh. Invest in good seeds. Then I started grinding my own grain to make bread, I no longer got sick when I ate bread and I believe it was because the bread no longer has all the additives. The bread baking was trial and error as fresh ground whole wheat is different than bleached white flour and finding that perfect recipe took awhile. About the same time I started my garden, two years ago, I also felt the need to be even more prepared for whatever than I am usually. So, I started my search for a water purification unit and expanded from there. I learned to can and my whole family loves my canned (pressure cooked) meats and it takes a load off the freezer.
I didn’t know what the term prepper meant until my friend said that was what I was…. I just knew I felt a great unease about our economy and the direction our government was heading. I did an Internet search using this term and found amazing websites with so much information. Anyway, even though you feel like you have to accomplish alot in a small amount of time, it is better to take it in little chunks as you learn. You can do it too- just don’t plant too large an area until you figure out what works for your land. I like square foot gardening because it maximizes your land and minimizes the work (of the soil) and the need for water. You can set a rain barrel to cover these needs in most areas.
Good luck with your garden!
Nope . its not optimistic versus pessimistic. its facing reality versus being a denialist. Its being a self reliant indiviual rather than a helpless sheeple. Facing reality and doing positive things that increase your independence & Know How that living.
Chance favors the prepared mind…
Luck comes to the man that does not include it in his plan … ZUMA