Posted on 02/26/2018 12:12:20 PM PST by CottonBall
I’ve been missing the vast amount of information on prepping, survival, camping, simple cooking, the old ways of doing just about everything – all the things nw_arizona_granny knew so much about and shared with us, along with numerous other posters with a vast array of skills and knowledge.
We have our various related-threads here, a recipe thread, a gardening thread, and even a prepper thread. They are all great and I don’t mean to take anything away from those and the hard work their owners put in.
But I was missing a place to talk about ALL those things, to get the camaraderie that we used to have on granny’s thread.
I learned how to can on those threads! The pressure canner was not my friend, I thought, but I bought one and stared at it for a month, intimidated. Then I read the directions for another month. But with the help and encouragement of posters on granny’s threads, I jumped in and now have my very own food storage room in the basement with lovely jars of shelf-stable meats, vegetables, and fruit. When we moved, I fashioned my food storage room – and insisted upon having a basement – from what I learned on her threads. Getting started gardening was from her threads. Making my own cleaning products….the list is endless.
So I thought I would take the chance and start another comprehensive prepper thread and see how it goes. I used to have granny’s ping list since I made one of the threads for her, but alas, with numerous computer changes, I cannot find it. So please pass this onto any posters you think might be interested.
We’ll just keep it running until..whenever. Granny created a new thread at 10,000 posts or so. I do like the idea of having ONE thread to go to – because often I cannot find or keep track of the weekly threads. I won’t be posting lots of recipes or tidbits myself – to any mods concerned about the size of this thread. I’d just like a place to chat, post questions, post ideas, make new prepping friends.
Here are granny’s threads, if anyone wants to peruse them:
nw_arizona_granny’s Thread #1
“without spraying we wouldn’t want anyway they don’t ripen without getting a little wacky inside.”
Really? That’s weird. Is it the climate where you are?
I had my first crop of pears last year. I didn’t realize I was supposed to pick them before they ripen. The insides were all mushy.
Pretty common here in New England. I think it is apple scab and these are very old, so pre-scab resistant trees. Had both tree sprayer and apple orchard guys tell me they’d have to be sprayed up to weekly to get a good crop.
I guess it’s just a matter of whether you’re dealing with two legged or four legged varmints.
Ten days???
Pfftttt......
It just gives you a week and a half longer before you join the totally unprepared in starving.
Me?
I’m already planning on my seed starting for Feb/March.
Start with the basics. Food, water, safety, heat.
I’m not an expert on weaponry, so I’ll leave that up to those who know more. I do know I’ll be double-checking my ammo supply before then. Some of the tools I bought for farming look intimidating enough to add a psychological component. And given the situation, a “quarantine” sign might help deter some of the trouble-makers.
I’m kind of concerned about the “heat” part of the list. My dad decided the firewood pile was only attracting bugs, so he got rid of it. I have enough chaff to use for fuel if we have to (look up “sawdust stove”), but I’m not sure how well that will work indoors without some serious modifications to the woodstove.
Water is an important detail that often gets overlooked. I suggest having some stored away, but also invest in some Lifestraws or other all-in-one filter. Maybe even have a way to distill your own water, in case there’s a chemical contamination that the filter won’t get out.
I’m not too worried about food in general at my house, but there are certain foods that don’t taste as good from storage. My family goes through a lot of milk every day. We do have powdered milk, canned milk, and shelf-stable milk, but it just doesn’t taste the same. When my farmhouse is built, one of the first things on my list is a dairy animal. I’m thinking sheep, but I’m open to getting cows if they’re a small enough breed.
If my family had to survive on beans and squash, we probably could. I’m still shelling last year’s bean crop, and the squash tubs in the basement are full.
I strongly recommend buying your garden seeds before Inauguration Day. Even if nothing happens, seed supplies are selling out left and right!
Let's take it one step at a time !
Step #1
CottonBall :"I’m also wondering what you think this coup will do to our society?"
Look at what society, and some specific States have already done in response to covid-19.
Shut-down and quarantine hasn't slowed the infectious disease; simply stated - It's not working !.. and they haven't followed the science of infection prevention.
They have closed down their economic societies, and then cry about lack of taxes and income for programs and government operation.
Some entire States are purposely committing economic suicide !
They haven't followed the science (!), or good ,sound, or reasonable advice, nor have they taken into consideration society, culture, nor the State economies.
State leadership has eliminated and purged any contrarian voice or advice as they are in love with their own voice and power, and have become narcissistic .
They need to follow the advice given by FReeper "null and void ":
Quarantine the sick - provide immediate medical care
Protect the vulnerable -especially since the science has shown elderly and comorbiities are deadly
Free everyone else - Let society and the communities live their lives while being aware of any risks.
Also part of Step #1 and Step #2 :
Possible Supply chain disruption and shortages of food
Civil unrest - possibly more protests, roaming mobs
Disruption of services (911, police, fire, ambulance, trash pick up, etc., etc.,..) due to being physically overextended above and beyond the call.
Possible Disruption of utilities ( water, electricity, natural gas, etc., etc..) with government union strikes.
In times like this, remember OPSEC, and become the "gray man", unobtrusive and blending into the crowd, being unnoticed, while building family reserves.
Step #3:
Lin Wood calling for 10 days of supplies can be readily accepted by the mass of society and the city inhabitants,
and it makes "common sense" to have some food and water reserves, and most of us already have some reserves.
Also, it doesn't cause a rush to the supermarket (remember the toilet paper shortage, hand sanitizer shortage, anti-bacterial wipes, etc.). Therefore, there is no crisis !
Lin Woods' call is moderate, and doesn't create chaos and panicky buying; it is just a call for "heads up", and be aware.
Lin Woods opinion is a mild call for principles contained in the "prepper" OODA Loop:
Observe - evaluate the possible threat, problem, situation .
Orient - determine what actions you can take within your abilities that appear reasonable, based on logic, and are not emotionally driven.
Decide - make the choice as to what your response should be.
Act - a commitment to action ! Since you have already made a logical decision -> Just (Freakin) do it !!
A Prepper Survival motto; "The Rule of Threes" :
You can live 3 minutes without air
You can live 3 days without water
You can live 3 weeks without food
Act accordingly !
There are lots of advantages to blending in with the crowd when disaster strikes.
For starters, by not drawing attention to yourself, you’ll be able to move more quickly and easily through the crowd
without alerting others to the fact that you are prepared to handle the situation.
Also, by blending in and appearing to be among the unprepared, you are less likely to make yourself a target of those in desperation
who may try and take your survival gear off you by force.
The gray man theory is really about protecting yourself and your family by concealing the fact
that you are indeed prepared to survive in the face of disaster.
More extensive information about “Gray Man Theory” at :
http://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/gray-man-theory/
A coup for what purpose?
Pro-democrat?
Pro-republican?
Pro-Trump?
Pro-conservative?
To install a communist regime?
To install a strong arm leftist civilian dictator?
To install a strong arm right leaning civilian dictator?
To replace the government with a strong-arm military leader(s)?
.
Oh ok. I think we have blight here, because I went out of my way to find blight resistant trees.
“It just gives you a week and a half longer before you join the totally unprepared in starving.”
Good point!
Thanks for such a well-thought-out reply
“And given the situation, a “quarantine” sign might help deter some of the trouble-makers.”
GREAT idea!
Heat - Lynn didn’t say anything about heat. I guess he expects utilities to stay on. Or, being in Georgia, winter weather isn t a problem.
“Even if nothing happens, seed supplies are selling out left and right!”
I know people are worried/planning, because the online prepper supply sites have a lot of items “out of stock”!
Thanks for the detailed response!
I guess a lot of what we do will be determined by the state we are in and if draconian measures are taking place.
“Lin Woods’ call is moderate, and doesn’t create chaos and panicky buying; it is just a call for “heads up”, and be aware.”
Great point, I didn’t think of that. Most of his followers may not be preppers - yet.
I like your OODA - it takes the emotion (ie. panic) out of it and limits impulsive responses we might regret.
Pro-Trump, to get back to the Constitution as written. To remove those that already had their coup.
If you have a pressurized water pipeline, what is the line made of (ie.: lead, cast iron, pvc, etc.).
Even if you are on a spring or a free stone creek, how close to the source are you ?
Do you know what is upstream from the source ? (ie farmland, chemical plant, hazmat storage site, waste treatment plant, aquaculture or hydroponic grower, etc. ?)
All these, and others, could affect the quality of water that you may have come to rely on, and expect.
Any changes upstream may affect the hydrology of the supply area.
It is not unreasonable that when you move to a new location, that you have the water quality tested.
I used to think that buying bottled water is a needless expense, right ?
However, if you are prone to kidney stones, allergies, or high blood pressure, it would be wise to have your water tested
for sodium, mineral deposits, algae, insecticides, agricultural chemicals,and/or for even pipeline leeching possible contaminants.
My point : Don't take your water supply for granted, as most of us do. Even experienced preppers do it, too.
The prepper "rule of three's" still applies.
Got my seeds ordered already.
You might want to consider a dairy goat.
My understanding from people who raise them is that they are easier to raise and keep than cattle. they are apparently hardier and less prone to disease.
They are also smaller, and therefore easier to literally push around if need be.
I looked at goats first. There were a few reasons I decided against them, but I know some people prefer them.
Dairy sheep seem to have all the advantages of dairy goats, plus a few of their own. Among other things, their milk is so sweet and rich, it’s like drinking ice cream!
Yep, all popo are honest and trustworthy. Just tell em "scout's honor" and they will leave you alone.
Re: Gray Man Theory (post 1487)
GOOD POST - Thank you.
Cleary sums up reasons why there are times lay-low as opposed to being highly visible and out on the front lines
I tried to put some of those thoughts forth in a longer, less succinct post but didn’t do near as well as you did in your post.
I think I did use those [Classico Pasta Sauce Jars], one year....they take the regular canning lids (not wide mouth), right?
Right - regular size, not wide mouth
I don’t buy pasta sauce. If I had a supply of the jars I might try it.
We got most of ours from family, friends, neighbors, casual; acquaintances.
Ask around, post a note on Craigslist, neighborhood flyers, local billboards, etc.
If you see someone buying a lot of Classico sauce at a BOGO sale in your neighborhood market strike up a conversation.
Ask people if they would save the jars for you instead of throwing them in the recycle bin.
They’re not FDA-approved.
Understandable as the manufacturer advises not to reuse the jars for canning and the FDA has to recommend what they see as the safest most fool-proof methods.
Some guidelines do change over the years.
Compare a Ball Blue Book from the 1940s or 50's with the latest edition.
Back in the day my mom and aunts canned with reused mayonnaise jars when they ran out of store bought jars.
They also used zinc-porcelain lids, clip top lids with jar rubbers and they preserved hot-pack jams and jelly with melted wax on top instead of a lid.
I'm not suggesting we use that equipment and those techniques today - just pointing out that equipment, methods and guidelines do change.
And there are techniques that do work even though they might not be approved today.
P.S.
I also reuse the Classico screw-on tops for hot-pack vinegar preserved veggies like hot peppers, green pepper strips, etc.
Just heat the clean lids in boiling water first.
When the jars cool the lids will pop just like a new store-bought lid to let you know the seal is good
I just opened a jar of small hot peppers that were packed with recycled Classico lids several years ago and they are perfectly good.
.
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