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
Please tell me when you find a source for naked oat seed. I am wanting to experiment with that myself.
My mother in law was born in Hollis. Her family (Parkers) had a furniture store there.
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve struck a nerve with a lot of people lately with what I’ve said and it always means a lot to me when people such as yourself confirm that me and my family are NOT alone. :-)
Hollis, OK that is.
Well, I’ve been busy this morning but concerned about you being warm with this snow. I hope you have managed to warm up since this post that I found from midnight last night.
It’s gonna be 75 here in Texas today. Wish I could zip you over some warmth.
Sorry for the triple response, but that is fascinating. Good on your dad for sticking up for the Indians against the government.
I think that is a perfect idea!!!
NOOOOOOO!!!!! There are so many orange orchards down the hill from where we live. It's sooo lovely and when the trees are in bloom... heaven. Please God, let them find a cure!
I got exactly the same response. Guess it didn't matter that the man drives into one of those towns 4 days a week to work. I was thinkin' that he could do my pickups and dropoffs anyway. They didn't think that was good enough.
Careful what you wish for...
If our goobermint gets involved you may have a solution like they did in Fla. over tire burning in the orchards for frost protection.
They outlawed the practice of burning the tires - spent an absurd amount of money to confiscate them and hauled them to landfills - And as Paul Harvey would say - ‘And now for the rest of the story.’ Well, the landfill then disposed of them by - ‘you got it’ they BURNED THEM.
Hon, you are not alone. And the number 1 priority you put on the list for your family is going to keep all us like-minded people just fine no matter the outcome of our personal lives. I am thankful to have FRiends here who understand our perspective and who give encouragement. Some days that encouragement is priceless. And your posts were encouraging!
Forgive me. I am LMAO at that!!!
History fascinates me...
I credit a college professor for my interest. I had a required Delaware History class that was on Saturday mornings at 8 am. Professor said he gave no quizzes and he told us that he did not take attendance either - final exam was it.
Of course you know what any freshman college student would say to that..... Well, he then proceeded to ‘relive’ history - no notes, he was all over the classroom more of a re-enactment than lecture. Class was full every week - just to relive the next episode of history!
They can’t train or pay for talents that he had! It is God given!
The blueberry bushes that we purchased are 2 year old plants and I read that production begins at 3-4 years. I don't expect anything at all this year and maybe not next year, but we consider all of this fruit planting a long-term project anyway.
Let me know how the landscape fabric works out for you. It completely changed my gardening life.
We'll see what they say.
hmmmmm....
Lemme know what you hear from the email. I think I’m going to have to find a bigger better feed store. Gotta go to the BIG city this weekend, I’m going to look up places up there and see if somebody can at least get some in.
We use a lot of oats and it is Lloyd’s grain of choice to eat. Would be nice to grow ‘em instead of buy ‘em and these nekkid ones seem to be the only ones I’d want to mess with.
You are certainly right about the landscape fabric.
3 years ago I bought a 10 X 100’ roll - mowed the grass really close and put it down with ground staples. I have tried several crops on it and it works beautifully. This past year I put 200 tomatoes without staking. Harvested about 2 tons of tomatoes - next year I will stake them - sun scald was pretty bad with them spread out.
It looks like it will last at least 5 years. I put drip irrigation tape down next to the plant row and put it on a timer - can’t get any better or easier. I bought a 15 X 300’ roll this last fall and will be adding that for this summer. As I get older, the tilling, weeding, and mulching is getting harder on these old bones. ;) This is something I will definitely expand on and will be trying several other crops this year. Need to work up a rotation to keep disease and pests down. It warms the soil much earlier and gives me at least a two week jump on the crop (I always rush planting too early and have to replant sometimes anyway).
The roll cost $389 that with a 5 year life would be $77.80 per year for a 45X100’ weedless garden and no tilling. Or, about 2 cents a square foot per year
I only use it for transplants - haven’t worked out how to use it for direct seeded items yet.
I’m new to this thread. While I was scanning through it looking for something else I came across your cast iron picture. We have one of those flat, electric cooktops and I was told we wouldn’t be able to use cast iron. Gas is not available here. The cooktop is rather new and replacing it to use propane is not an option now.
Our son uses cast iron and loves it. Is there any way at all to use cast iron on what we have?
Granny! So glad you’re back! Been trynig to catch up/keep up with the new thread. LOL
Sure you know this, but what to do if you don’t have any yeast? Try capturing some wild! No—seriously!
2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
Mix the water, flour and optional sweetener together thoroughly in a clean, scalded glass or ceramic bowl. The scalding will ensure that you’re starting “pure.” Cover the bowl with a clean dishcloth. Put it in an area where there’s apt to be the highest concentration of airborne yeast as well as the warmth that is needed to begin fermentation. Outside is good in the summer!
If the surface begins to look dry after a while, give the mixture a stir. It should begin to “work” in the first day or two if it’s going to at all. If it does, your trap has been successful. Stir as needed. When it’s developed a yeasty, sour aroma, put it in a clean jar with a lid and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it.
Ouch!
Not only should you not use cast iron, but hot water canners and pressure canners are out too...
I think if I couldn’t change it, I would consider a kerosene burner or maybe a portable propane burner as a backup/alternative when I needed it for the ‘heavy’ cookin...
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