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
I've been gardening for years, just pushing the food growing to new levels and learning how to store it. All the seeds I bought are heirloom, no hybrids.
Some days I panic that I do not know enough, other days I realize that I can't learn everything, can't stockpile everything. I have three children, ages 5 to 13, so my main concern is keeping them safe. That means I must be prepared.
Fantastic threads, I'm sure I won't have anything new to add!
I had to look multiple myeloma up to see what it is. Pretty scary! I’m so glad you went into remission - what a miracle!
Thanks for the laughs... I have several Funnies but this darn dialup is so-so s l o w that I’ll be another few hundred behind
the news just keeps getting better and better ! / NOT !
BTW.. any hams on the thread that want to talk boatanchors freepmail me.. I wont clog up the thread with swapping bulbs (not the planting type).. ( remember your farrady cages )
ROFL - Now THAT is funny!!!!!
Inflatable doggie...
Gotta print that one... I am sure my wife will want to take it to work...
Hi DW - that is EXACTLY what my cats looked like today (before their blow dry, of course). They are silver persians - white fur with gray tipping. And they were just about as happy too ;(
But, they are super soft right now. And I’m happy 1) because it’s over and 2) I know I won’t have to brush them as much now to prevent mats from forming. Getting a few baths a year does make their lives easier - and mine.
(BTW, I’m not recommending giving a cat a bath to ANYONE! In most cases it’s not necessary or good for a cat. There are exceptions and this is what I’m doing... Don’t want anyone to go grab Fluffy and stick her in a sink!)
cute deer
>>>Cold is cold.<<<
Well, I was dealing with this cold - with the 8º they were saying for last night...
I just watched the local news - We set a record last night...
Would you believe - 1ºF last night - set a new all time record. For our zone minimum low should be 10º. Good thing we have a layer of snow to help insulate the plants.
Any more of this ‘Global Warming’ and I am going to move to the tropics. Like right on the equator!!! I just can’t walk past the wood stove without stopping and warming up a bit... Brrrrr.
This is a great place to look for starters, to address any specific needs your family might have: Mother Nature. The author, Dr. James Duke, has worked all over the world as a botanist, studying plants as medicine in different cultures. He has several books, such as this one available on Amazon.com;
Green Pharmacy Handbook. That's green as in plant, not "green living", for those FReepers who might have a coronary over the title!
If you do buy vitamins, make sure they are made from food grade materials, not vitamins such as Centrum or One a Day.
what do I need to know about Mg fire starters?
Again, from Amazon, "By scraping the "shaving edges" with the blade, you will accumulate a pile of magnesium shavings. Then simply scrape the "sparking insert" to ignite the shavings." mg fire starter
And ALWAYS have honey on hand. It never goes bad, is a great food source, and can be used medicinally inside and out. You can even wash your face and hair with it.
RE: herbal medicine...
Never too late to start on this, especially if you have kids. I started studying the topic in earnest about 15 years ago and I still feel I’ve just barely scratched the surface.
If I might suggest, start by getting a good herbal remedy book and just browsing. If any in your family have a particular illness or recurring symptom then look into the cultivation, preparation or storage of those herbs to begin with. Many times you’ll see an herb that is used repeatedly for many things, that might be something you want to learn about.
Not all the things I gather to use are things I can grow around here. Look at the plants that may be in the environment of the area where you live. Ask questions of folks that tend to have knowledge about this. Yes, many times those folks are the stereotypical liberal old-hippie types but if they have knowledge on the subject just make your mind a strainer and strain out the BS and keep the real knowledge.
One way to start is just to grow a few easy mints, sages and typical “cooking” herbs and start making some teas for yourself. See what the effects are of reputed calming or stimulating herbs.
Some I might suggest to start with for very everyday purposes to just keep around are horehound, catnip, lavender, spearmint, peppermint, sage, aloe of course, and the big anti-viral thing lemon balm.
Okay, probably ya’ll already know a lot of that stuff. But, just reconsidering things how I would start over again learning this topic.
I hear ya! I keep thinking, "Global Warming? Bring 'er on!!!"
>>>What with NASCAR up and running<<<
Did you have to remind me - - - I am 18 miles from the Monster Mile - Dover... When over 120,000 descend on us, it is hectic getting around Dover.
Only good way to watch it is from home on TV...
For 5 years I worked for NAPA so Michael Waltrip was our man...
He is really a pretty neat guy. He always would visit us twice a year when they raced in Dover. Always enjoyed standing back and talking to his PR gal... Wow... Much more enjoyable than shaking Michael’s hand and having my picture taken...
Obama’s Stimulus Plan Includes $6M To Fight Homelessness In San Diego
Posted: March 4, 2009 04:59 PM
Updated: March 4, 2009 05:15 PM
The city will get $6.17 million from President Barack Obama’s recently approved economic stimulus plan to help those in San Diego at risk of becoming homeless, Mayor Jerry Sanders announced today.
The funds are intended to help those facing economic problems by providing immediate housing assistance, such as short-term rental help, relocation money and to pay for security and utility deposits.
“In these extremely difficult economic times, a growing number of low-income families, those who were struggling to make ends meet even before the downturn, are faced with the very real prospect of becoming homeless,” Sanders said.
“These new funds aim to help pull people back from the brink and they are going to be very helpful in preventing additional homelessness in our city,” he said.
The city is also slated to get $9.55 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to prevent and address homelessness in San Diego.
The money can be used to provide permanent and transitional housing to the homeless and to fund services such as job training, health care, mental health counseling and child care.
The county is poised to get $1.9 million in federal stimulus money to help families on the brink of homelessness. It will also get about $5.5 million in HUD grants to fight homelessness.
continued.
http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=9948579&Call=Email&Format=HTML
>>>I won’t have anything new to add!<<<
Hey, then ask questions... Someone else may not have thought of asking it...
We cover a whole bunch of related subjects. There are always things that we don’t know - YET... All of us...
Only stupid question is the one you don’t ask...
Seriously, glad you are here - It is scary to think of how to provide for a family - believe me, it doesn’t get better when they grow up... You just have more to worry about and less control... LOL
So now, not only kids to worry about, but their families - grandkids and a great grandchild... So, I feel like I need to produce enough for ourselves, and enough for them - just in case...
I got back into canning a few years ago when I retired, because it is one of the best ways to keep food for really long time (along with drying) and to have it really easy to prepare. I grow and grind my own wheat and this year I am trying some hull-less oats.
Started raising chickens again and now have surplus eggs and lots of meat stored.
Glad you are into gardening - that is a great way to replenish supplies. I feed my chickens about 30% from excess from my garden and the rest of the feed I raise - well I do buy protein supplement and oyster shell and sometimes some additional scratch feed... But not that much.
TAC has posted 3 for us to laugh at, 3700,3701,3702
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?q=1&;page=3701
(BTW, I’m not recommending giving a cat a bath to ANYONE! In most cases it’s not necessary or good for a cat. There are exceptions and this is what I’m doing... Don’t want anyone to go grab Fluffy and stick her in a sink!)<<<
That is exactly what I did, about 60 years ago, when an old Siamese appeared at my house, from the canyon.
The book said he needed a bath, so in my nightgown, in the middle of the night, I filled the bathtub and put him in it.
I still have scars.
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