The Truth About Keeping Preparedness in Perspective

Food Storage and Survival ^ | 12/6/12

[Kartographer]

Do you ever get the feeling that you’ll never be fully prepared? That it’s impossible to reach the level of preparedness you feel others may have or that you’d like to attain? Well you’re not alone. Lots of preppers have had those same thoughts. But don’t let it freeze you up and keep you from trying or send you to the depths of prepper despair. There are a few truths about preparedness that everyone should know.

[Marcella]

“If you’re wearing only leather britches and caning your green beans, that could be S&M.”

Please don’t ask what he wears in summer.....

[Marcella]

“The amazing thing is that it is fun and sort of like detective work or solving puzzles.”

Solving puzzles may be why I am a good prepper because I am a problem solver, have been all my life. I figure I can solve most anything - all I have to do is find the answer as it is somewhere. I am not a person who gives up if a problem arises. As you think of it, it is detective work/solving puzzles. Your purchase of the magnifying glasses gives you fire forever. Keep solving those problems.

[Steve Newton]

Very good advice Marcella thank you.

Yes. You might THINK your prepared but when it actually happens———. Yeah.

I will take you advice and thank you

[MtnMan101]

A very good site.
196 Neat Free Survival Downloads

http://ferfal.blogspot.com/2012/11/100-neat-free-survival-downloads.html

[Ellendra]

The amazing thing is that it is fun and sort of like detective work or solving puzzles.

If you add plant breeding to your list of skills, it's more fun than the lottery. I've got a hybrid pumpkin that I'm breeding to be open-pollinated. And I've got my eye on a watermelon variety I'd like to do the same to next.

[TexasTransplant]

****** “Canning, my friend, canning is the key. Almost everything in your freezer can be canned. You can can easily when power is unavailable, and the results of your efforts will be available years after the power is gone”*****

Just bought a Pressure Canner ... really excited about doing my first batch...

TT

[TexasTransplant]

***** “That’s ok. I rather watch old reruns of ‘Firefly’. NOW THAT’S Entertainment!” ******

YEP

TT

[TexasTransplant]

*****”I figure I can solve most anything - all I have to do is find the answer as it is somewhere. I am not a person who gives up” ******

I think I am in Love...

TT

[FreedomPoster]

As you learned, turning off your generator’s fuel petcock is crucial. This should really be how you turn off your gasoline generator, so you get as much gas out of the carburetor as possible for storage. I almost never use the kill switch on mine.

[Mich Patriot]

I bought a generator online that should be fairly adequate for my needs (fridge +) for only $400, new in box, shipped free to my doorstep.

[MrB]

I haven’t assembled this yet, but I’m going to put together a “blackout tub”.

In it: My inverters, 12/3 extension cords, 1to3 “Christmas light” plugs, a couple of 18’ strands of LED rope lights, and a couple of cheap LED flashlights (gotta schedule checking the batteries in these).

If the lights go out, I hook up my inverters, run the extension cords, and get the rope lights up so that we can function.

BTW, a coffee maker is an electricity HOG. I’m looking for an old style percolator for my [gas] stovetop.

[MissMagnolia]

This might be easier than a magnifying glass and depending on the reason for no power, there may be no sunshine. I spend time in the ‘backcountry’ and always carry 3 methods of making a fire with me ... this is one of them.

http://www.rei.com/product/407152/magnesium-fire-starting-tool

BTW, if you are looking for a ‘barter’ item ... how about a little firestarting kit .... one of these in a ziploc with some ‘kindling’ (a ball of dry cedar bark shreds for instance) and instructions. You could do the same with matches or cheapie bic lighters. If people are desperate for fire, this would be more valuable than gold ... just don’t let anyone know you have a ‘stash’.

[goosie]

I bought my percolator on line. I hope to be able to use it on my wood fire. I am using a coffee press now and just have to boil water for that. I like it better.

[The Duke]

I’d like to build a compound off the grid. Not going to happen unless I win the lotto.

That was exactly how I felt a couple of years ago, but the other day I was looking at rural and semi-rural properties on hotpads.com and found some excellent looking properties that I could get a mortgage on that was less that I've been paying for local storage space here in town.

So, never say never. :)

[meowmeow]

The amazing thing is that it is fun and sort of like detective work or solving puzzles.

It is fun - my Christmas wish-list to my DH this year is mostly prepping stuff. I am as excited about finally getting some mylar bags and a WaterBob as I would be if I'd asked for jewelry (which I didn't ask for).

[Marcella]

“I think I am in Love...”

Thank you for your brain being in love with me. I’m pretty sure my brain is old enough to be your mother but it’s okay since this is brain love.

I’ve been told numerous times that I am a strong person so I guess it shows. I’m the go to person when there is a problem and frankly that is a responsibility because I know it’s going to happen.

Many years ago, I was a school counselor and went in the library at school. The librarian said, “You remind me of my psychiatrist - you are always so calm.”

That calm stays with me when an emergency happens because my brain is working to find a way to deal with the problem. Find a way to solve this problem, make it better.

Also, when I need to know something, I beat it to death until I know it from beginning to end.

We both live in Texas and that solves some problems we would have if we didn’t live here.

[Marcella]

I can attest to the fact that holding a WaterBob in your hands is an moment of bliss - 100 gallons of good water right there in that smallish box.

Every Christmas, I give my two liberal relatives survival stuff because they wouldn't have anything if I didn't give it to them. One thing they get this year is the WaterBob as the wife saw my box, then wanted one. They like the survival stuff, but still don't store any water or food.

The wife is a health food freak and won't eat anything that comes out of a can. She will get a rude awakening if the SHTF. They will have to come here and I've got cans. Eat canned food or die. I think she will choose the cans.

[Steve Newton]

Very good idea.

And yeah. We just bought a percolator from E bay.

[immadashell]

There is always the nagging possibility in the back of my mind that I will never use any of this and that tempers my prepping. I'm not afraid of that the neighbors, family or friends will think I'm a kook because I don't tell them. I only remember the night when the lights went out during Sandy and it took me 8 minutes in the driving rain to get my generator hooked up and running. As kind of an aside my wife said, “Sweetheart, you're a genius” as we were sitting in our heated and lighted living room. I will never forget the satisfaction I felt.

Yeah, I always know I can do a better job, but all I want to do is provide for the basics and gain some breathing room on the rest of the pack.

[immadashell]

That’s ok. I rather watch old reruns of ‘Firefly’. NOW THAT’S Entertainment!

Yeah, but only 14 episodes, that's a disaster! lol