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? Its 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
Ive been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe thats 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
Hey, they still let you have a prison farm in TN?
We used to have one in Sussex county but the courts ruled that expecting prisoners to slop hogs, milk cows, fork manure, weed a field were all demeaning, cruel punishments.
Gee, I always was told they built character, responsibility and self-sufficiency.
Makes you question judges judgment when those are banned but picking up the anthropological refuse tossed from car windows along the highway is wholesome and refreshing for the inmates.
If I'm not on that list, please add me. Too much good stuff here to miss out.
Same goes for me!
Dittos, here. Please add my name to the list.
Thanks for the ping 10th; thanks for the frugal dad link and the start of another great thread, granny. (I hadn’t seen this one)
The posts are flying. Thanks to all posters/linkers/researchers/educators. Life/health/survival BUMP!
I guess the request should go to you. Please add me to your list.
Yes, they do! Until a few years ago, this prison was self sufficient. They cut back a few years ago, but it's amazing what all they do. They have a dairy that provides milk to Turner dairies. They grow tons of vegetables, and send overstock to other prisons in the West Tn area. They have a small engine shop where I got 2 craftsman mowers overhauled and painted for parts plus $20. They have a leather shop where we get custom belts, cell holders, whatever you can think up. There is an upholstery shop, they cut and sell firewood, and have orchards.
It would be a great place if it wasn't for the 2600 maximum security inmates...lol. There are even a few good fishing holes, when you can get permission to fish.
My folks made wine that way. Welch’s grape juice concentrate, sugar, yeast, water. Into a big jug with a big balloon on top.
That was some wicked stuff. Sort of like Mad Dog 20/20 when it was done, LOL!
What I was talkin’ about:
‘This expression comes from World War I, when British artillery sent up a balloon to notify gunners to open fire, this visual signal being more reliable than courier or telephone. It was soon transferred to signal other kinds of beginning. [1915]’
LOL - Yep, after waking up a bit I knew what you meant... It was just that first bleary-eyed catching of the balloon that caused me to jump to the conclusion.
Maybe I take that association memory method too far - like when I tried to remember Mrs. Shaw’s name - so I associated it with the weaver that she was (had a beautiful loom) But I could never get my associations right in my mind so I always called her Mrs. Weaver - which brought a scowl from Rev. Shaw - her husband. (Friends - but not my church...)
Hey, maybe it was the Wisconsin that did it - made me think of cheese and that meant that wine went along with it... See how dangerous that association method is... Ms. Wine... or is that Ms. Cheese... Maybe I should just go back to bed - 4 hours sleep was not enough...
That balloon thing was kind of like -
Ready on the right - ready on the left - fire at will...
Poor Will!
Thanks for the ping, had no idea this thread was going. I will check in later.
From 1914.
Granny, Granny You make me laugh and then you make me cry. After 60+ years, I don’t know if I could stand more than one hubby to argue with. We love each other dearly, but just have different priorities in life. When he wants me on the ground under one of his old tractors holding wrenches etc., I want him hauling rocks and turning compost. Talk about conflicts of interest!! What a great idea! Now how do I get the log split? Got to think on it, or better yet, you think on it as you have better ideas. Hubby does have another oldtimer friend with an old, old sawmill. Maybe some day when he has it running, I can “convince” hubby to take a six foot log up to be split and have two benches.
I, too, could easily use five more pair of hands, but would dread having five times the tractors and junk I have around now.
The tears came when you mentioned “In the Garden”, my most favorite hymn. One of my earliest memories (over 70 years ago) was standing at church during the period when members of the congregation would call out songs to sing, and I would tug on my mother’s coat asking her to call out “In the Garden”. It was one of the hymns sung at my sister’s funeral.
I had to stop going to town meeting. First were the complaints about high taxes, then immediately the complaints about “no sidewalks in town, no streetlights, no library” and on and on. Didn’t these newcomers realize that our taxes were determined by what expenditures were voted in? Some refinement woulld be suggested and all around me would be the buzzing-”that would be nice.” All the while, I would be visualizing my taxes going up, up, up along with my blood pressure!
Oh boy, things are not the same - Leadership is not just lacking, it is totally absent. I remember a time when those town meetings would have been - street lights - OK, how many of you would like street lights? Great - it will be nice to have so many porch lights on so we can see our way. Library - Yep - Are you volunteering to be our librarian? We can all bring our extra books and we can empty the inspections department office and let you use it to catalog the books and maybe we can find some volunteers to help build shelves. Yes, by golly we can have a library.
Re: ‘In The Garden’ The peace and serenity of it seems to have gotten lost today. I walk in the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses - and the voice I hear falling on my ear - - - Hey, do you have a permit for that.... Is that pot growing over there? You have those lights on at night to grow your mari ja wanna? Grrrrr!!!!!
Re: Getting the logs to the sawmill - start now - get them to the sawmill so they can already have them there when they run the mill again - plus it lets the logs season.
Re: Tractors, etc. - please don’t be upset with a man’s treasure trove - It is what keeps us going - ideas, dreams, security, possibilities.. It is a creative man’s thing.
Received my tobacco seeds! Can't believe how small they are... now I have to research the ins and outs of tobacco husbandry. So much to learn, so little time!
Therea the link to the earlier thread with similar information:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1990507/posts
Happy Reading!
COOKING, TOILET AND HOUSEHOLD RECIPES,
MENUS, DINNER-GIVING, TABLE ETIQUETTE,
CARE OF THE SICK, HEALTH SUGGESTIONS,
FACTS WORTH KNOWING, Etc., Etc.
THE WHOLE COMPRISING
A COMPREHENSIVE CYCLOPEDIA OF INFORMATION FOR THE HOME
AND
Steward of the White house
1887
TO THE WIVES OF OUR PRESIDENTS, THOSE NOBLE WOMEN WHO HAVE GRACED THE WHITE HOUSE, AND WHOSE NAMES AND MEMORIES ARE DEAR TO ALL AMERICANS, THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR
THE WHITE HOUSE COOK BOOK 1887
Here’s the link to download posts 1-4500 of the first survival thread, plus some other useful stuff I threw in for grins and giggles:
http://rcpt.yousendit.com/652465988/46614d3e7eb1fcc5b4aa4291287b2e93
Mornin’ DW!
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