Posted on 05/24/2008 11:30:31 AM PDT by decimon
BUSKIRK — A few years ago, Kathleen Breault was just another suburban grandma, driving countless hours every week, stopping for lunch at McDonald's, buying clothes at the mall, watching TV in the evenings.
That was before Breault heard an author talk about the bleak future of the world's oil supply. Now, she's preparing for the world as we know it to disappear.
Breault cut her driving time in half. She switched to a diet of locally grown foods near her upstate New York home and lost 70 pounds. She sliced up her credit cards, banished her television and swore off plane travel. She began relying on a wood-burning stove.
"I was panic-stricken," the 50-year-old recalled, her voice shaking. "Devastated. Depressed. Afraid. Vulnerable. Weak. Alone. Just terrible."
Convinced the planet's oil supply is dwindling and the world's economies are heading for a crash, some people around the country are moving onto homesteads, learning to live off their land, conserving fuel and, in some cases, stocking up on guns they expect to use to defend themselves and their supplies from desperate crowds of people who didn't prepare.
The exact number of people taking such steps is impossible to determine, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the movement has been gaining momentum in the last few years.
These energy survivalists are not leading some sort of green revolution meant to save the planet. Many of them believe it is too late for that, seeing signs in soaring fuel and food prices and a faltering U.S. economy, and are largely focused on saving themselves.
Some are doing it quietly, giving few details of their preparations — afraid that revealing such information as the location of their supplies will endanger themselves and their loved ones. They envision a future in which the nation's cities will be filled with hungry, desperate refugees forced to go looking for food, shelter and water.
"There's going to be things that happen when people can't get things that they need for themselves and their families," said Lynn-Marie, who believes cities could see a rise in violence as early as 2012.
Lynn-Marie asked to be identified by her first name to protect her homestead in rural western Idaho. Many of these survivalists declined to speak to The Associated Press for similar reasons.
These survivalists believe in "peak oil," the idea that world oil production is set to hit a high point and then decline. Scientists who support idea say the amount of oil produced in the world each year has already or will soon begin a downward slide, even amid increased demand. But many scientists say such a scenario will be avoided as other sources of energy come in to fill the void.
On the PeakOil.com Web site, where upward of 800 people gathered on recent evenings, believers engage in a debate about what kind of world awaits.
Some members argue there will be no financial crash, but a slow slide into harder times. Some believe the federal government will respond to the loss of energy security with a clampdown on personal freedoms. Others simply don't trust that the government can maintain basic services in the face of an energy crisis.
The powers that be, they've determined, will be largely powerless to stop what is to come.
Determined to guard themselves from potentially harsh times ahead, Lynn-Marie and her husband have already planted an orchard of about 40 trees and built a greenhouse on their 7 1/2 acres. They have built their own irrigation system. They've begun to raise chickens and pigs, and they've learned to slaughter them.
The couple have gotten rid of their TV and instead have been reading dusty old books published in their grandparents' era, books that explain the simpler lifestyle they are trying to revive. Lynn-Marie has been teaching herself how to make soap. Her husband, concerned about one day being unable to get medications, has been training to become an herbalist.
By 2012, they expect to power their property with solar panels, and produce their own meat, milk and vegetables. When things start to fall apart, they expect their children and grandchildren will come back home and help them work the land. She envisions a day when the family may have to decide whether to turn needy people away from their door.
"People will be unprepared," she said. "And we can imagine marauding hordes."
So can Peter Laskowski. Living in a woodsy area outside of Montpelier, Vt., the 57-year-old retiree has become the local constable and a deputy sheriff for his county, as well as an emergency medical technician.
"I decided there was nothing like getting the training myself to deal with insurrections, if that's a possibility," said the former executive recruiter.
Laskowski is taking steps similar to environmentalists: conserving fuel, consuming less, studying global warming, and relying on local produce and craftsmen. Laskowski is powering his home with solar panels and is raising fish, geese, ducks and sheep. He has planted apple and pear trees and is growing lettuce, spinach and corn.
Whenever possible, he uses his bicycle to get into town.
"I remember the oil crisis in '73; I remember waiting in line for gas," Laskowski said. "If there is a disruption in the oil supply it will be very quickly elevated into a disaster."
Breault said she hopes to someday band together with her neighbors to form a self-sufficient community. Women will always be having babies, she notes, and she imagines her skills as a midwife will always be in demand.
For now, she is readying for the more immediate work ahead: There's a root cellar to dig, fruit trees and vegetable plots to plant. She has put a bicycle on layaway, and soon she'll be able to bike to visit her grandkids even if there is no oil at the pump.
Whatever the shape of things yet to come, she said, she's done what she can to prepare.
___
On the Net:
Peak Oil: http://www.PeakOil.com
I love how they always know exactly how many plants were seized, 5,492 this time. Good job, sheriff.
>When the crunch comes....Go take their stuff.<
One thing friends have taught me over the years, was how to build some darn good booby traps. Some make only noise, some will take your legs off and then there’s others that’ll put large holes in you. Use caution when being a thief in hard times. Looters do get shot also.
**I made quilts, grew and canned my own veggies, carried water from a spring.**
Been there, done that, not doing it again unless I have to! Grew up dirt poor on a farm, raised my younguns pretty much the same way. I can do, I’m just getting too old to carry water unless there’s no alternative. :)
Sometimes the knowledge is of more use than the doing. Right now, for me, anyway. Convience and ease is what I want. Shrug. Course, we don’t always get what we want!
Would love to not use my ac, but temps in the high 90’s and worse “humididity” can change your mind real quick! Not to mention the bugs!
Oh lordie.......I've been in Louisiana during August....and wondered how you guys breathe with all that thick humidity!
If you are going to use an open firepit, keep a garden hose charged while you are doing so, especially because the fire department isn’t just down on the corner in your case. Myself, I’d get the leaf rake and do a slow steady determined job to gather all the burnables away from the house. Check the roof and rain gutters for pine needles and tree leaves. All it takes is one rogue windblast and everything you own is gone. Be careful with open fires in the summer.
I went through my “mother earth” phase back in the ‘70s. I have grown gardens and canned and I knit and can quilt if need be. I know how to cook with and without sugar, grind my own flour, and what herbs are good for what ails ya.
I don’t currently have a garden, because the stress of keeping the deer out, and the need to cut down lots of big trees took the fun out of it. I have never had livestock, but would love to have some guinnea hens or chickens, except that the possums, hawks, raccoons, foxes, bobcats, and possible bears and cougars would probably take them, and I don’t want to go to the work to protect them from all the critters.
I have 21 acres of woods, a wood burning stove, a spring on my property, and a generator, but I am also connected to city water and power.
Bottom line, if the world came to an end, we could survive with very little stress and a few changes. Right now, the time it would take to be a survivalist is not available, but if there was no work to do, then time would free up, and the knowledge and resources we have would come into play.
The only real question is, how do you get chocolate to grow in Tennessee?
Short shallow breaths. Kinda like the way a dog pants. Lol
It is oppressive to say the least.
Now that you have reminded me, I do remember you telling me about your goat memories and I'm so regretful that I picked that scab! LOL!
Gotta run now ... you've shamed me into salvaging that old freezer that I tossed in the bayou last year. (j/k) LOL!
I used to live in Louisiana. Now that’s one place I COULDN’T do without air conditioning (I had to once, when I was attending college at McNeese SU).
My sister married a Cajun from the Reeves (30 miles from Lake Charles) area. When they were first married they rented a house more than 100 years old. No air conditioning, only wood fireplace for heat.
They had those huge and beautiful old Oaks found in that part of the country. It actually wasn’t too bad there, as they had plenty of shade, and the homes were built back in those days to take advantage of the air currents. The windows and fans made it bearable. And, of course she had screens for the bugs.
While, I live both city and country at present, we have been moving in this conservative, self supporting direction for a few years. Those of you that have rebuked those efforts, will probably be first in line to beg, borrow or steal. Pity,your attitude will add to the burden of us all.
The handwriting is on the wall. It would bode well if we all took a few steps to prepare.Even small ones will make it easier for you to succeed during hard times.
“The only real question is, how do you get chocolate to grow in Tennessee?”
LOL, I bet Diana could tell you — she knows how to do most everything from scratch. Actually, when I was growing up, my Mom used to make chocolate fudge from those cans of Hersheys powedered stuff. When we got candy (which was rare) that’s what we got.
On another note, I wanted to tell all my freeper friends, the ones who’ve pinged me lately, I am not ignoring all of you. I haven’t been on FR much lately, just a quick scan here and there and post.
I have had an unusually busy spring. Lots of out of town company (more coming today for a week). Also, I have some strong labor here now (my brother) and we’ve been doing some heavy landscaping jobs.
My fishing buddy, the WWII vet with the Silver Star, is in the last stages of dying now. It could be any minute. So, I’ve made a couple runs to Greeneville, TN to see him, could attend his funeral any day. I just got off the phone with his son, and it sounds like he’s close to crossing over.
Please freeper friends, pray he doesn’t suffer much (the cancer is in his lungs and liver now).
I’m sure sorry to read about your fishing buddy. Praying the crossing is quick and as painless as possible for all.
**My fishing buddy, the WWII vet**
{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
Love the old guys, hate losing them.
#2 son told me a few years ago—This is all your fault.
I looked at him in surprise. What’s my fault?
If you weren’t friends with so many old guys, we wouldn’t have to go to so many funerals.
Sad, but funny, too. Course, that was a BAD year, and I can’t blame him. I felt the same way. I think there must have been about 10+ funerals in about a 6 month span—family and friends. He ended up going to more funerals that summer/fall than I’ve been to my whole life until then. He was about 15 at the time.
The fact that everything—starting with coffee commercials and working it’s way up— makes me cry or fly into a rage isn’t helping any, and I never know which way it will go, or when. :) or is it :( ? Getting older sucks!
Take care, and prayers for you and your friend.
Maybe she’s having a hard time with menopause. :-P
I would like to be more self-sufficient, and one day hope to have some land, chickens, goats, etc.
You must not like the word victim either.
Prayers for your fishing buddy and hero, Girl and thanks for the ping. :)
This was posted this morning on Amy’s Place
NicknamedBob has quite a way with words
With My Shield, Or On It
I know it is upsetting,
To see things done this way.
Flag-draped caskets side by side,
They’re headed home today.
One thing you might not think about,
The view from the inside.
I’ve got some time now on my hands,
While on this final ride.
Sorry I didn’t write more,
Too late to fix that now.
I’ll try to be more scrupulous,
To get word out somehow.
There are no easy channels,
But I’m sure that you will know,
I don’t regret the choice I made,
And why I had to go.
You’d think perhaps the view from here,
Would be quite dark inside,
But it is light as light can be,
My burden’s been untied.
And I’ve been lifted up,
On angel wings I think,
And I’ve got every thing I need,
Except our kitchen sink.
I’d like to wash my hands once more,
And turn and get a hug.
I wish I could shake the hand of,
My best friend too, ya lug.
But all that stuff is over now,
I’ve got my new assignment,
Looks like I hitched my wagon to,
A different star alignment.
I know I always promised Mom,
I’d try to be real good,
Will someone please just let her know,
I did the best I could.
I have to go now, duty calls,
Think of me when you can,
The folks will think they lost their boy,
My buddies saw a man.
NicknamedBob . . . April 25, 2004
© 2004 - 2008
WOW, that’s beautiful.
Brought tears to my eyes.
It’s really hard for me to give up my buddy, he’s a special man, and we spent lots of time fishing together for many years.
But I know where he’s going, there has never been a kinder, gentler human.
I have out of town company coming, she just called and said she’s close. So I won’t be on the net any more today (we have lots to catch up on). However, I wanted to say thanks for posting that.
Made me cry too.
I hate losing the old guys—they’re so much fun to be around and they know so much. The garden center is one of their daily hangouts, so I get my daily fix! Small town, every one pretty much knows everyone they’re not related to. We’ve got an old woodstove—can’t use it any more per insurance co—but they all come in and sit and talk for awhile.
Thank NicknamedBob and Amy—I just passed it on!
Have a great time with your company!
Kindred Freeper Hearts. :)
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