We are not well-supplied, and we’re pretty lazy about our garden, but we do have something that might be useful around, in the event of collapsed civilization: a manual printing press and a manual typewriter. Also, a weaving loom and a 120 year old book of tips on surviving frontier life. Oh, yeah, and we can always catch some fish for food.
Just got a new washer/dryer, new microwave so I should be fine.
I grew up “independent”. Oh sure we used the grid etc., but could have unplugged at a moment’s notice and done just fine for a long time. Grew half our food, heated on wood in NY, even made maple syrup. And that being the culmination of a prolonged NY blizzard, when I was a mere babe in arms and my folks, faced with the prospects of the natural gas lines being shut down and no means to “survive”, looked at each other and said “never again”; thirty-some years later they’re still loving independence.
Favorite story: as “Y2K” loomed, I told Dad about the great SHTF/TEOTWAWKI scenario regarding the date bug. He listened, understood, shrugged, and replied “so I’ll throw another log on the fire and go back to my book” - and indeed he would have, being in survival mode for decades. Not just “survival mode” as we usually think it, but as the bulk of a modern and fulfilling lifestyle.
Years later with my own family, am I there? not so much. Married a city girl who dislikes a full pantry. Nonetheless, we’d manage for some time: live in the almost-temperate South, own a small (real small, 1/3rd acre) forest, not far from a lake, enough arms for the neighbors, and enough stockpiled food & water to at least eat for the better part of a year. Which reminds me: gotta ask if I can borrow their unused grain mill.
Yes, we’d survive for some time, though not as well as I’d like. Better dry storage, more stored, an efficient fireplace insert, some solar power, and an ongoing garden would help.
BTTT
Reminder to all, as this thread roundabout reminds me:
MEDICATIONS!!!
All my preps won’t do me much good when I’m stroking out for want of XXXXXXXX. Can’t make the stuff, but I can know how to minimize the need, store a year’s worth, and know what substitutes might help me along in a pinch.
Know what you need to survive. A lot of us forget we’re really dependent on (in irony) the health care system. Know also how you’ll check out in the worst case, and prepare your dependents accordingly.
I have been a “prepper” since 1998, when things go bad, I will be ready.
Alt power, food and seeds stored, appropriate defensive items, been doing this a while now :) I am not looking forward to it, but if things collapse I intend to survive, and happen to have a few like minded friends who intend to as well.
In addition to putting away items we will need we have taken the additional precaution making our home as safe as possible for us and what we have accumulated for our survival. I don't want to shoot someone but I will if I have to.
After the 2005 Hurricane Rita, we took the additional step of making our own Marguard (polycarbonate) coverings for our windows and storm doors. It will keep out persons trying to break into your house and you won't have to put up and take down plywood in the event of a hurricane (We live on the Texas Coast).
We got the chance for Hurricane Ike to test them in September, 2008 and they worked wonderfully.
We also had the misfortune of locking ourselves out of our home. We had to call a locksmith to try to get in. It took him over 3 hours of trying to get in until we finally gave him permission to destroy the storm door, which he had to do with a large drill and another couple of hours. He said that it was the hardest house he had ever tried to get into.
Just something to consider for where ever you decide to make your place to ride it out.
Also, wanted to know if anyone has considered making an alcohol still to provide gas for automobiles and for gas generators. There are converters for autos and for generators and instructions for how to do this on the internet.
We’ve been doing similar things.
We’ll make it, and do just fine.
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I have well water too. How much is a hand pump?
Wow! Back then I was a nut-case...Now I'm just totally prepared...
Paranoia Pays Alert!
bump
I’ve got the faith covered, but have no skills. Luckily I married someone my neighbors have nicknamed “MacGyver”.
Here’s a handy reference: The Worldview chart. (It’s religious)
http://www.worldviewtraining.com/documents/worldviewchart.pdf
Is there safety in numbers or will we not be able to communicate?