Posted on 02/09/2009 12:36:11 AM PST by nw_arizona_granny
Yahoo ran an interesting article this morning indicating a rise in the number of survivalist communities cropping up around the country. I have been wondering myself how much of the recent energy crisis is causing people to do things like stockpile food and water, grow their own vegetables, etc. Could it be that there are many people out there stockpiling and their increased buying has caused food prices to increase? It’s an interesting theory, but I believe increased food prices have more to do with rising fuel prices as cost-to-market costs have increased and grocers are simply passing those increases along to the consumer. A recent stroll through the camping section of Wal-Mart did give me pause - what kinds of things are prudent to have on hand in the event of a worldwide shortage of food and/or fuel? Survivalist in Training
I’ve been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe that’s why the idea of living off the land appealed to me. My grandfather and I frequently took camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Smoky Mountains. Looking back, some of the best times we had were when we stayed at campgrounds without electricity hookups, because it forced us to use what we had to get by. My grandfather was well-prepared with a camp stove and lanterns (which ran off propane), and when the sun went to bed we usually did along with it. We played cards for entertainment, and in the absence of televisions, games, etc. we shared many great conversations. Survivalist in the Neighborhood
ROFL
>>>I didn’t mean to sound critical.<<<
Are you sure?
Really sure???
You will learn that I don’t take things like that seriously, and many times that little devil sitting on my shoulder gets me in trouble...
My wife says I don’t have a serious bone in my body...
Of course some times she wishes I did - like a few years ago before the electronic check approvals, they used to always ask for your drivers license... One kind of naive clerk gave me that ‘I need your drivers license...’ with the smacking of her gum.... I looked at her cross eyed and with a twisted face said ‘You don’t think they would let ME drive do you?’ There was an extremely long pause before she said ‘Uh I have to ask my manager about this... He didn’t tell me what to do in a case like this.’
My poor wife was about to crawl under the register... Then she finally told me - ‘Quit giving her a hard time and show her your license.’ Sometimes I just can’t help it... ;)
Then there was the time at the local country store when they had a sign taped to the counter that read: ‘We are updating our check cashing files, Please bare with us!’
So I looked the young girl (about 18 or 19) right in the eye as she pointed to the sign and said she was sorry but - - I told her no problem - I will if you will... And started unbuttoning my shirt.
The owner’s wife was kind of like the one in Little House on the Prarie, and she came over wanting to know what the problem was.... So I told her that I was willing to bare it all if the clerk was too. Her face got crimson red and she tore the note off the counter and stormed off... Never did check my license or anything... (Yep, they still took my checks.) They have since sold the store, but I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to cut up.
Just wondering what everyone’s thoughts on life are these days?
I like chilling out at home, just started taking yoga classes and seeing friends for lunch or dinner. My thoughts on my general well-being are to keep life as simple as possible: eat healthy, fresh foods and reduce stress. As I get older, I try to not have people around me who might have a certain negative agenda. I just want to be around nice people and people who care about me.
My main reason for asking is that I find people here on FR [present company excluded] to be mean and sometimes far beyond what I would consider nice, to the point of having a very negative agenda when I read through threads these days. I don’t know why this is happening, but it seems to be going on everywhere.
>>>We don’t have the land yet so basically it’s suburbia and the things that go with it.
I’m diversifying as much as possible.<<<
If you can, I would not only grow some of my food in the yard - raised bed with some flowers around the edge and veggies in the bed. Square foot gardening can produce quite a bit of food in a pretty small space.
I would certainly get those things that will enable you to preserve food. Then I would go to the source and buy baskets of produce and preserve it. How will you feel if TSHTF and your daughters turn to you after a week or two without electricity or water and say Mom, we’re hungry...
Gold or Silver will be hard to convert if there is no gas, no neighbors having anything to sell or share... Once the local stores shelves are empty, then what?
Right now after 4 months of cold weather, I have about 80 cases of home canned food. No, not in long term storage, we eat from that every day. Keeps it rotated and we don’t look at a stack of sealed 5 gallon pails of ‘survival food’ and wonder ‘What do I do with this?’. I can assure you my home canned is much better than anything you will get in the store.
Start with simple things... but do in in quantity. You will be surprised at how easy it gets after a few batches.
Won’t take many more days of 0bama going on television and changing horses like he did today when he put Joe Biden in charge of the economic recovery... Dow went south 250 points. Remember, I am from Delaware - I know Joe Biden - we is in deep doodoo...
So, please without wasting time start planning for the real world survival that just may be necessary. I am not a glass half-empty guy... I am the eternal optimist - but right now my optimism is about my ability to survive and to help my family and relatives to do the same. The more I see, the more I believe that the end of March is going to be a breaking point... There is absolutely no optimism coming from Washington - and no confidence. Remember, without confidence, there is no economy. If you don’t think that the bank is going to survive and don’t think that the FDIC will be able to cover and you don’t think the devaluation of the dollar (which is happening right now - just not in relation to other currencies yet) would you put your money in that bank.... Don’t think so - otherwise you wouldn’t be into gold or silver. Remember, gold and silver too only have perceived value. Resources and labor are the building blocks that we will have to rely on.
So, please start now laying the building blocks that you may need in the future... OK? :) Lecture ended..... LOL
* Video: Allergic Girl Uses Peanut Sniffing Dog
Allergic Girl Uses Peanut-Sniffing Dog
Rock’O’s Training May Save Riley’s Life
POSTED: 11:26 am MST February 17, 2009
UPDATED: 6:17 am MST February 23, 2009
Allergic Girl Uses Peanut-Sniffing Dog
MONUMENT, Colo. — A dog trained to detect the presence of peanuts may help save an 8-year-old girl’s life in Monument.
Riley Mers has such a strong allergy to peanuts that stepping on a shell once burned her foot.
“I’m use to it by now,” said Mers
Now the Monument girl is getting some help in avoiding peanuts: a dog named Rock’O.
snipped.......
Sherry Mers has been so inspired by what Rock’O has done for her daughter that she started the group Angel Service Dogs. It helps match other children with allergies and epilepsy with service dogs.
LOL!
Sounds like you both entertain and frustrate your wife endlessly! And I’m sure it’s part of your charm. ;)
I’ve been talking with my DH (yes I am a MRS lj) about this - how people are in anxiety, frowning, scared, angry, etc. And those emotions generally make people not nice to be around. I was thinking - ultimately, the threat of disaster of whatever kind (and we have several looming...) makes people more afraid of the source of all fear - death. So the solution, ultimately, is to depend on God and trust in His protection. Not necessarily that I won’t “die”, since the mortal frame has to end sometime, but that He will take care of me no matter what happens, whether so-called good or bad in the world.
I feel that I am becoming more trusting in God - and realizing that the ups and downs in the world are sort of external to my “real” - IOW eternal - life. One chapter, not the whole book. So I am wanting to be more regular with my spiritual practices, and see the events of the world with a bit of detachment - seeing the wider view, knowing that in the deepest sense, God is in control. He is letting everyone have their free will, to some extent, and so many are terribly misusing it. Well, the law of karma says “as you sow, so shall you reap” and a lot of people will be reaping bitter fruit. But for those with eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to know, hard times will teach lessons that will be worth it - lessons of humility, kindness to others, understanding that the eternal Kingdom of God is our real home, and that those who harm others for their own benefit will indeed see justice in the end.
Self-sufficiency as much or as little as we can, caring about others, living a prayer life or life keeping God in our hearts - that’s what I’m trying to do. I often feel very sad thinking about all the suffering happening now, and coming more in the future. Whatever little bit I can do to help the people I know - that’s my job description, and to do it for Him, since He loves every soul.
And, I DO need to start (again) exercising which includes yoga, and gather whatever health and strength for what’s up ahead.
And those who act or speak (or write) with envy, meanness, anger, and like to belittle or harm others? I say treat them like a mean dog and stay away from them!!!
Keeps her young...
But then when people think she is my daughter, they look at me like I am a dirty old man... OK just kidding....
I hadn’t been sick in like six months, praise God!<<<
Prayers do get answered.
Thank you, God.
Glad you could use the information.
I could also publish the files to html format so you could open them in a web browser. Maybe that’s the easiest way to do it. LOL back to the original source format used on FR.<<<
That would be wonderful.
I am not smart enough to open odd named files, they never open for me.
Howdy, glad you could use the information.
I just bought an arm load of seeds at wally-world for 3 bucks..maybe something will sprout. ha<<<
Welcome to the thread, I am so glad you joined in and hope you will continue and help us all learn.
You have had some good answers to you questions, so I will only comment on you armload of seeds.
If you bought them for 10 to 25 cents per packet, then more than likely they are the old varieties.
A few years ago, I traced down some of the varieties and they were the older types, which is exactly what I want for planting here, as the new hybrids do not take to our hot days and we cool off at night in Kingman.
So when someone says “They are the old varieties”, smile and think to yourself “But I can save most of these and grow them next year and I did not pay what you did per package”.
I wonder what it tastes like raw. I should get a little bit and see if it is good. Granny, do you know?<<<
No, raw okra does not tempt me, and it is not juicy enough for the blender and drinking the juice.
LOL, in my younger years, I would have a group to dinner and serve beans, cornbread, and french fry dipped and breaded with cornmeal and flour, onion rings, okra and squash, they enjoyed it.
Told that state utility regulators are wary of Congress’ plans to railroad through new interstate transmission lines, Sen. Reid said “Whatever we pass at the federal level trumps all that.”
That marks Washington’s second shot across the bow of state authorities in as many weeks. The stimulus package included provisions that would condition federal money to states re-writing their utility laws to favor energy efficiency. <<<
They really intend to run right over the rest of us.
Oatmeal and peanut butter, sounds good, it would make a good cookie.
Common oatmeal cookies, made using the last of a bottle of champaign [sp? the wine], are a real treat, light and delicate.
I use a glob of peanut butter on my pancakes.
Would that be of interest? Would we need Jim Robinson’s approval for copyright purposes? Don’t know, just asking...<<<
I don’t know, LOL, days like to day, this thread is more than I can handle, so you two will have to figure this one out.
I do thank you for offering your website and Vickie for all the work she has done....
Hi NMM, good to see you here!
I want a dehydrator!<<<
I am glad to see you here and posting.
You already have a dehydrator, just park your car in the sun, so it will heat up and put the food on trays, in the car.
To get started, try Free Cycle, I have seen them there, check for building a solar one, we have posted that in both threads, or I was happy with the cheap one that Walmart sells.
If you are going to dry a lot, then get one of the good ones, there was posting on those earlier in this thread and I don’t recall the post, Delawhere will know.
Today I received my order for (as Wneighbor calls them) Nekkid oats - a variety of hull-less oats. Am going to be trying some later and will be planting the rest - so far looks good.<<<
I never thought that I would have vegetable porn on this thread.
Joking, and waiting for a report on your naked oats.
That was netmilsmom.
I posted a link to dehydrator plans a little up thread. You can also view it on my other survival thread here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SurvivalGardening/message/563
Just a quick thought, I wonder if you ran dehydrated okra through the blender, if it would work as a thickner for sauces, soups, stews???<<<
That would be interesting, do you have some of the dried okra?
It will take a powerful blender, I suspect.
Maybe through the meat grinder first and them through a blender.
If it works, it would be a good binder in meatloaf, potato patties, etc.....I suspect.
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