BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Clairvoyance Visions and Preparation for the Future

There's not a single one of us that doesn't want to believe in a happy ending. We were raised on those. Whether it was a fairy tale or geneological break through.

Though those stand to inpire, they aren't always the ending or outcome each of us ends up livng through, but we're here and we're together and each of us though not living the perfect dream, may have a piece of a recipe - kind of like that fairy tale where no one in the town had any food, but a travelor who had nothing after asking for a small token and being turned away several times, turned it around and went to each house asking what they did have and ended up puting it all together in a giant town cauldren and ended up feeding everyone.

I wanted to start this forum in addition or extension of the "Visions of the Near Future" forum for preparation tips and reference guides.

I feel once that "feeling" begin getting stronger with the people, they will begin seeking less conventional means of information. they will eventually see they are being told what they want to hear and want to hear something that can actually help. Kind of like a mother's instinct.

So, if you do have any down to basics, simple things that help to prepare for interim halts of sutainability, please feel free to post here.

Right now. The first one I'll post is:

LEAR TO GARDEN. NOW - even if you don't have land. Get to know what flour is made of and how yeast works and preserve. Learn how to can and preserve and even cure.

Thanks for adding this topic and providing a place for us to share tips and list/recommend resources.

We are completely spoiled with conveniences industry and technology have provided. It's hard to imagine living as they did in the 1800's. A while back someone emailed me an elementary school test from that era. I would have completely failed! Back then, people HAD to use their brain, rely on memory, each other, and keep journals. As Caulbearer11 stated in another topic, our brains will be our most valuable asset when our visions and dreams come to pass. Each of us needs to invest in this asset. But where do we start? This is perhaps the hardest part.

Wouldn't it be great if someone developed a multi-player/multi-level internet game based on a small rural community in 1898? Each player would have to learn to be self-sufficient, live off the land, and contribute to the community. That's a "farming" game I'd be interested in, if historically accurate. Much useful information could be gleaned while playing. I don't play this type of on-line game, but their set-up is a good analogy for facing the challenge of "Where do I start?"

When you sign up, you select a character. That's a good starting point. Ask yourself Who Am I? Who do I want to be? For me, I'm a survivor and want to be more thoroughly prepared, able to sustain myself and help others. I've got my Avatar!

These games initially provide a basic weapon/tool and you earn more as you progress through the levels. OK, What do I have in my home right now and how long would it last? That's a broad question. We're newbies on Level 1, categorizing may help.
As already suggested in the companion topic: Start with provisions for a week or two. Food, Water, Medicine and Hygiene. Consider safe/secure storage and transportability if you have to suddenly leave. What should I take? This will depend on transportation and transportability. It's like planning a camping trip, there's only so much room in the car, and you can't use a TV in the woods.

My house was partially looted after Hurricane Hugo and they took my cable TV box. I've never figured why someone would steal an item completely useless at the time and of little value in the future.

Level 1, Task 1 in this imaginary internet game: Take an inventory of what you have, Food, Water, Medicine, Hygiene, organize and secure it.

And if you want to play ahead to Task 2, review the hurricane preparation and check lists on websites for The Weather Channel, NOAA, and other news organizations. Preparing for a period of self-reliance is basically the same as preparing for a major storm and it's aftermath.

Preparing to evacuate your home is emotional, but not nearly as emotional as being ill-prepared. We're faced with the question "What must I leave behind?" Growing up in a materialistic age, having family items I want to pass on to my daughter, this question tears at my heart. Addressing it beforehand is one less thing to deal with in an emergency.

On the road, leaving before Hurricane Hugo struck, I realized all my daughter's baby things were left in the attic. It was all I could do to hold back the sobs. I knew the storm would be bad and hadn't slept for 2 days, helping others and preparing myself. With the possibility of my home destroyed, I was beyond emotionally frazzled. But this story had a happy ending. Although damaged, my little house was habitable and only partially looted. So many lost so much, homes, family treasures, and family members. I was both humbled and thankful, and felt guilty for being upset over baby clothes. After the storm, we dealt daily with the destruction. This compounded and extended the emotional weariness.

If you have been through a disaster or period of extreme hardship, you understand. The reason I share is for those truly blessed, who have not experienced something similar. Please don't be in denial, thinking this can't happen to me. There is no place on this planet immune to a disaster, be it natural or man-made. The only thing we can do is prepare, remain alert to potential dangers, and live each day to the fullest.

It might seem irrelevant if you don't live near the coast, but hurricanes can affect broad areas and millions of people. Their destruction includes damaging winds, flooding, tornados, and probably why there is so much preparation information. This can be applied to any evacuation scenario. What would you do if given 2 days to leave? How about 2 hours?

Each situation is unique and our response would be based on 2 factors: Why we are leaving, and the probability of returning to a habitable, safe home. However, the initial planning is exactly the same for any evacuation scenario.

Where do I go? How do I get there? What do I take?

Having your supplies organized/prepared, and the answer to these 3 questions completes Task 2 in our imaginary game.

Where do I go?
For a local/regional disaster, we get out of the affected area.
For a widespread/national crisis, we'll need to get out and away from large populations. Emergency response and resources will be overrun and exhausted in short measure. If we have established a network of friends and family, and made prior arrangements, we'll have a place to go.

How do I get there?
Forget any type of public transportation. In a time of crisis, it will be unreliable and probably not safe. If you don't have personal transportation, find someone in your network who does and who you trust. Be ready when they arrive, or to get to them quickly.

What do I take?
This depends on why you have to evacuate, whether you'll be able to return in resonable time, and space available. You may be surprised how much can be crammed into a gym bag in 5 minutes, but you also have to carry it. Versatile, sturdy clothing, high protein snacks, a small blanket, first aid kit, multipurpose tool (Leatherman or good Swiss Army knife) and water bottles can prepare and sustain you for a few days travel. Many have made it through a crisis with much less.

If space is available, increase water, food, medical supplies and include a hand crank radio/flashlight, matches and personal defense items.

A good "bug-out" bag should be sturdy, weather resistant, and easy to carry. Dress for safety and in layers. Protective footware with socks is imperative.

Please add if I've missed something important. It's late.

In any crisis, communication is of great importance. But unfortunately, it's one of the first resources to be overrun and diminished. Please don't plan on cell phones being of any use.

If there is possible/probable threat of a terrorist attack, cell phone service will be automatically cut off for the entire country. This is a safety precaution as cell phones can be used to trigger bombs.

In a weather emergency, towers and circuits are damaged and overloaded. It will be very hard to get through. After Hurricane Hugo, it took me 8 hours to reach a neighbor to confirm my house was still there. I was using a landline.

Diminshed communication is the primary reason for making prior arrangements for a place to go. Find and confirm your safe place, and inform those who need to know. Working these things out now allows for a quick response. While others are scrambling, you can already be on your way.

There are a few alternatives to cell phones that can provide much needed communication during a crisis and use a variety of power sources.

Ham radios can provide for local and wide-range communication. The range is based on output and antenna capabilities. Ham radio operators have assisted with many disasters, and there are clubs across the country. If interested, but can't find a group, contact your local Fire/Rescue. If there is one, they will have the information.

CB Radios are a good alternative for local communication. But there is a security issue. As teens, we played a CB game called Fox and Hound. The "Fox" would hide and give clues to their location over the CB. The "Hounds" would consider the clues, but also measure the transmission strength to gauge their proximity and determine direction to the Fox's CB radio. If you want to be secluded, talking on a CB can give away your location. However, you can always listen in privacy for useful information.

CB radios come in all sizes and with a variety of power sources. Hardwired units, vehicle mounted, and hand-held units with rechargeable batteries, or plugs for car battery power. Antenna range is important, so consider an upgrade if shopping. I have a hand-held 40 channel Cobra model with a magnetic base antenna, powered by auto power port or cigarette lighter. The range is about 30 miles.

Two-way radios are another communication resource, not the cell phones with 2 way capabilities. These use cell towers for transmission and won't work if service is cut off. Range is much lower with these two-way units, but they could be useful when traveling in a group with several vehicles.

If family/friends still have land line phones, include a written list of their number and address in your wallet. All phones have memory now and we seldom have to actually dial a number. Don't rely on anything electronic to store this information.

I agree. And, I'm greatful for all of your help and tips. I see things but it's fast. I'd know what to do if it were just me, but puting it out there for everone else is a bit different. I have organizational issues, lol.

People will need something other than cell. See, I see something happening here in the near, say 4 years, maybe 5 1/2, but it's not the thing that happens where the cell and utilities are down, that's much later.

But I do see panic and groccery stores unreliable. That is more in the near future. Thanks for helping
)

During a crisis, personal safety and self defense can be an issue. I remember watching the news in the wake of Katrina and hearing gunfire in the back ground. This issue grows more pressing as the crisis period continues and intensifies. Security can be a need experienced within only a day or two. With our current rate of unemployment not subsiding, there are many who have little. Their supplies may be destroyed, stolen, or used up within a short time.

Would you place yourself in danger to provide for your children? What would you do to protect your child from danger? These are HARD questions that need to be considered, in the hopes facing them now may lead to solutions which can prevent these circumstances.

Each of us is "hardwired" with the Flight or Fight response. If you can't flee from a danger, you'll have to fight. Are you prepared to defend yourself, family and property?

There are many proposed regulations for weapons pending, in spite of the recent court victory in Chicago and our 2nd Amendment Right. The current administration has granted authority for things usually voted on by Congress to various agencies. New regulations by these agencies may be in place before we know what's going on. States are also enacting regulations.

If you have the means, please take care of this as soon as possible. Which ever modes of self defense you choose, become proficient with them.

Today is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Over 1800 people died in New Orleans. People drowned, were killed by debris, some died of dehydration, starvation, and untreatable health issues. Others were murdered. Thousands lost their homes and all possessions. WHY? They knew the storm was bad and headed toward them. They knew they lived in areas subject to flooding. They knew the levees were not well maintained. Or Did They? Why weren't they paying attention and acting responsibly?

This was not widely reported, but there is proof of its accuracy. The President's staff worked feverously to get the Governor and Mayor started on evacuations. Fema was activated, troops and supplies were prepared, as the White House waited on the Governor's authorization. I have no clue why the Governor and Mayor of New Orleans delayed. I remember this vividly, news video showing the death and suffering at the Dome and another shot of a flooded parking lot FULL of school buses. Why were these not used to get people to safety?

Think about Mississippi. Several towns along the coast were obliterated, people died. How much news coverage was on this area? Why the difference? Yes, New Orleans has more people and therefore more losses, but I think that is not the only difference.

I'm not being political here, there is an important point. We cannot rely on our leaders, local/state/federal in a crisis or disaster. We cannot allow ourselves to live in the Fairy Tale, the government will take care of everything. The Hard Truth - They Can't! They Won't!

Each of us is free to choose, but personal responsibility walks hand-in-hand with that freedom. I refuse to turn over my personal responsibility to the pipe dream government will provide for me. In doing so, I relinquish the freedom to take care of myself and my own. I accept my responsibility and I'm acting on it.

In this week's news coverage of Katrina's anniversary, there was a report on the "Great Wall of New Orleans," a 20+ foot reinforced concrete wall, a few miles long to protect against storm surge. The reporter asked an engineer what the locals thought about it. Her response, most of them don't know about it. WHAT?

Sooo, people returned to the area, repaired, rebuilt and continue to remain clueless about measures to protect them in the future. They survived Katrina and still live in the Fairy Tale?

Will you accept personal responsibility and be prepared to travel quickly to your safe place, with resources for at least a few days? Or will you be on a rooftop, or down in a cellar with no food/water, no means to protect yourself, waiting to be rescued? More HARD questions. Tackling them now prepares us mentally and physically for when they must be answered.

I do apologize for all the hurricane references. It's the major disaster I survived. I've been working on a brochure about preparations for work, and with 2 in the Atlantic right now, it's that time of year. I have Hurricane on the Brain! I need to step back from HARD questions for a bit. I struggle with them too.

Most of us know about networks and even if we don't call it that, have our family and/or group of friends we help out and share with. These groups are a tremendous asset. There is strength in numbers, not to mention support, additional supplies, knowledge, etc.

We've used the word so much, and it's really a simple concept. Establishing a network is basically making new, good friends. Let's face it, the "cliques" in high school, exist in society as well. Some kids remain in a single clique, other kids have friends in several and can move easily from one to another. Others are in social limbo, with no clique accepting them.

In high school I moved easily between several cliques. But it was different in college, I was in social limbo. So I made friends with others in limbo, and we joked about creating our own "Greek" group named Anti-Soriety Students. Can you imagine a Frat house with those letters? Any little thing in common can be the basis of a network/friendship.

Service organizations, like Rotary, Lions Club, Booster Clubs, the list is long. These are organized networks with officers and managers. Your family is the network you're born or adopted into and it's organized, i.e. grown-up table, kid's table. Your friends are probably the most unstructured network, but there's generally a leader when the need arises. Who calls everyone and gets the ball rolling when a friend needs some help?

To be in a network, you have to contribute something, dues, volunteer hours. It's exactly the same, to have friends you have to be one. But Caulbearer11 made an excellent point in the companion topic. You may not think you have anything to offer, or contribute, but a good network manager will recognize your value and put it to use. Each of us is valuable in different ways.

Many of us grew up in small towns. Our extended family was fairly close, we knew most if not all our neighbors and everyone knew our parents. Sadly, things are different now. I still live in a small town, but have only met 4 of my closet neighbors. I'm ashamed to say we only greet each other. My "friend" network is pretty spread out, and that can be a good thing. My family is very spread out! Kid and parents all in different states. I need to work on my local network.

For over a year, Elleise has been advising us to "grow" not just food, but networks. This is one preparation with immediate benefits. Get involved in something you enjoy and make some new, good friends.

Networks, yes, icp. I can't stress that enough. Our organizations are far too dependent on the "rules of the road" and what I feel anyway is that those road rules are going to change. So you're going to need that look in the eye type person. The one you just know a truth when you look into their eyes.

You'll need to know that look to get through the changes where people will just say about anything. Not only because they may want something but because they are lost too and may believe one thing when just the opposite is needed to survive. Their passions may not be the truths of survival, but more of something they'll go to every extent, to their last breath believing.

Elleise makes a very good point. When we're out making new friends, unfortunately we have to be a little "picky" about the ones we include in our support network. Trustworthy and honest people, those you can look in the eye and who look you in the eye, these people will be good in your network.

Keep your "gut gauge" activated. If you get a "hinky" feeling around someone, there's a reason for that. They could seem, or actually be knowledgable and resourceful, but there's that little voice in the back of your head saying "wait a minute," or that strange feeling in your tummy when you're around them. Pay attention. I'm not suggesting not associating with them on any level. You might learn some valuable things to share here. It's just they may not be well suited for your core network.

It's exciting to make new friends. We get to know each other and share things. This is another point of caution Caulbearer11 raised. If it's known you're stocking up and preparing, guess whose house gets looted 1st in a crisis. It's unfortunate that secrecy must be a part of our preparations, but it is a necessary part.

This exact precaution is openly stated on survival websites. I've added the Crisis Cooker to my wish list. It's a small grill/oven/heat source that uses propane, charchoal or wood. Their website cautions customers to buy charcoal in small amounts over a period of time to not raise suspicions.

When the same advice comes from multiple, unrelated sources, I value and heed it.

I had some things come together today and just had to share. About time I added some positive vibes here.

I had posted in other topics of plans to contact the county emergency management director and sheriff, using hurricane preparedness as the basis of discussion about county-wide security. Our county is unique geographically, a good bit rural and with only 3 major roads. With minimal man-power, the roads could be completely cordoned off. Yes, I've thought about this, and it could provide additional security and time for all the residents.

Our Emergency Management Agency is relatively new. Talked with the director today and he was more than receptive! He remembers quite well the horrendous evacuation in the late 90's. HE broached the subject of our county being overrun with evacuees from the large city nearby. Apparently, NO ONE in his office has lived through a hurricane, or any other major crisis, OMG!!

His secretary had been out sick and returned today to face an avalanche on her desk. I suggested we meet next week when things got caught up. Monday is a holiday, he wants to meet Tuesday! There was an distinct urgency in his voice, and he thanked me several times for calling. I don't know how that pump got primed, but I'm so thankful. Ran into my boss at the grocery store and asked about sharing the brochure I've been working on. She completely agreed!

AND, I added a couple, very good friends, to our network. In the midst of this I had to run an errand and was channel surfing the car radio. The beat of a song caught my ear. Have no clue the artist or name of the song, but the words of the chorus were

"I know these pieces will fit"

I was a stunned, a "good" stunned. I've been working at this large puzzle for over a year, trying my best to find pieces, not yet even concerned if they fit. Today, a guy singing on the radio tells me they will. Some might think it completely coincedental and I'm way too presumptuous. But I don't believe in coincedence and can presume all I want.

It was a Good Day!

Excellent work, lcp! What a great idea to contact your emergency management team and get them involved...your boss, too! I'm always wary to bring this stuff up to people...where we live it's such a safe little bubble, especially for the locals who have no idea what the "real" world is like -- this includes my family members, unfortunately. I wonder if our emergency management people would be open to it...sheesh, now that I'm thinking about it, I don't even know if we HAVE one!

My boss, is much more a friend. I work part-time, mostly from home. Last year when my dreams returned, I was preparing for a trade show. She knew something was wrong. But, she was also receptive and is preparing. She attended a seminar on how to use coupons and sales to stock up on groceries/supplies affordably. With her huge baseball card book of coupons, she did VERY well yesterday, saved over $90.

I've been wary about bringing this up with local officials. Done it twice and both times received the "crazy person" treatment. I was immediately, but respectfully, dismissed. Those specific issues had to be addressed directly, no way to start with a general discussion.

However, the civil unrest, violence and devastation so many have seen in dreams and visions could be started by various events. This provides generalities we can use in discussions with the locals. If we approach them with a plausible concern for the area and be willing to help, we can't be so easily dismissed.

The easiest for me is a hurricane. We have a history. I'm prepared to address this specific event to establish credibility. Then I can gradually expand to other scenarios. The EMA director was very interested in my experiences after Hurricane Hugo. This covers the "re-active" part of his job, dealing with the aftermath. My goal is to get him thinking about the "pro-active" part.

He's already started, giving preparedness seminars. If he will include other possibilities in these presentations, I can reach out to many more through a conventional and accepted source. Caulbearer11 has shared that things will get bad in the large cities very quickly and spill into the surrounding areas within hours. Living in a surrounding area, quick response with pro-active measures is of great importance to me.

If your city or county doesn't have an emergency management division, it's probably handled by the fire chief, police chief or sheriff. If you contact them, begin the discussion with a crisis that already has, or could easily affect your area. Be prepared with thoughtful questions and most importantly thoughtful answers and suggestions. These civil servants don't readily accept information from "unconventional" sources. They are not trained for it, and have their hands full with information from conventional ones.

So be a conventional source, a concerned, helpful citizen with reasonable questions and suggestions. Please remember, the instant you mention dreams or visions, their eyes will glaze, ears close, brain shut down and you will be dismissed.

So true lcp I know that glazed look well. And useing the psychological approach, what people can handle, is the perfect thing to do!

I have to use the same approach if I have a dream about someone's family. I take the approach of starting with a person's strong points and enter in a potential issue that may end up affecting them in the near future and ways it could be handeled safely.

occasional lurker here... When I read:


Keep your "gut gauge" activated. If you get a "hinky" feeling around someone, there's a reason for that. They could seem, or actually be knowledgable and resourceful, but there's that little voice in the back of your head saying "wait a minute," or that strange feeling in your tummy when you're around them. Pay attention. I'm not suggesting not associating with them on any level. You might learn some valuable things to share here. It's just they may not be well suited for your core network.



It really struck a cord with me.
I used to ignore that gut reaction and try to be friends with everyone but after being burned or let down so many times I don't bother anymore.
I meet people and have an immediate distrust of so many of them so I just mentally block them from my life. I pretty much ignore them and go about my day, and hope they will do the same with me. Probably not the smartest move when I work with them but I haven't figured out a better way to deal with them.

Sharpiegirl, you've raised a good point. There are people who can be useful, but not a good fit in your network, for any number of reasons. For me, the primary attributes I'm looking for in potential network members is trustworthiness, honesty, open minds and level heads.

When working with people I feel uneasy around, I place boundaries around my personal life, and interact only with work issues. I don't ignore them or personal questions, just respond vaguely and change the subject. Some would much rather discuss themselves or gossip about others. I let them rattle on and listen closely. You can learn so much about a person listening closely.

I've made this mistake, so please consider it. I was in a work situation which included those I felt uneasy with. It was the situation, not necessarily the people, that triggered the gut reaction. I got it confused, a mistake not easily recovered.

There are 4 things we need to sustain life.
Air, Water, Food, Shelter

Here's some items and information which may be helpful.

Air - Do you have any face masks? I have chemical sensitivities and clean up fire/water/trauma damage, so I need them. The ones you use for spray painting can be helpful for air-borne viruses, nasty smells after a storm, traveling through smoky areas. Can you imagine how bad the smell is in a refridgerator after 2 weeks with no power? Take my word - it's awful! These are inexpensive, available at any hardware store, and even cheaper when you buy a large pack.

Water - Do you have bleach? A gallon of water can be purified for drinking with only 8 drops of bleach. Let the water sit for an hour or so and the smell and taste will dissipate. There is a website with additional information.
I still haven't figured out how to put links in a post, so bear with me, copy/paste and add the www's.

csgnet.com/h2oemergencypurifycalc.html

Boiling is best. 1 minute does the trick, 3 to 5 minutes at elevations higher than 5000 ft. This website has a lot of information, worth reading and printing.

Food - I'll split this into 2 categories
Emergency rations for evacuation and Long-term supplies

If you need to evacuate, you'll need water and food/snacks that are easily transported, pre-packaged, and will satisfy your hunger. Traveling to your safe place will take much, much longer than you think. You will need food. I left early for my parents' house the morning of Hurricane Hugo. The normal 2 hour drive took almost 6 hours. That was easy, even with a toddler. When we evacuated for Hurricane Floyd, it was a 4 hour drive that took 13 HOURS! Had I not known some backroads, it would have been 5 hours longer. Some were stuck in slow moving traffic for 20+ hours. Others drove as far as they could and then slept in their cars.

I'm not sharing this as a deterent to evacuation, by no means. It could save your life. The point is to prepare and leave as quickly as you can. Even though our area was spared damage, I would rather evacuate than face again the aftermath of a Category 3 or 4 hurricane.

With the threat of a crisis, grocery stores are emptied in hours. If transportation is compromised, they won't be restocked and emergency aid will be delayed. The other night I watched an episode of Globe Trekker on PBS. It showed Amish people shopping in a grocery store. That surprised me. We are so dependent on stores and many don't have more than a few days of food on hand.

If you live in a safer area, not close to a major city, STOCK UP. Not only with processed foods, but also staples and seeds. Most seed packs are for a certain growing season. The majority are hybrid plants and the seeds they bare, more than likely sterile. There are several "vintage" seed companies which sell non-hybrids, but these too are packaged for a specific growing season. However, the seeds they bare will reproduce if gathered and stored correctly. There is also a company selling non-hybrid seeds, packaged to last a LONG time and still produce. They are a little expensive, but I'm saving up. The name is Survival Seeds.

When you stock up on food, storage and rotating your supply is very important. Why spend the money if it spoils. This takes some time, space and planning. I have an open cupboard in my kitchen and I keep a minimal amount of food in view. I have another larger cabinet in a different part of the house for the majority of my supply. I mark each can with the month/year of purchase. It's easier than trying to find and read the tiny expiration dates. The new items go to the back of my larger cabinet and the older stuff is placed in the open kitchen cupboard.

For boxed items, each is placed in a ziploc bag and sealed. This provides water resistance and discourages bugs being attracted to the cardboard. I've noticed it also helps the product stay fresher.

For staples like sugar, pasta, rice, grits, flour, corn meal I use clean peanut butter jars, or glass cannisters with the locking lids and seal. Glass is best, but my husband loves peanut butter, so I use what I have. As long as the plastic containers are kept out of sunlight and in a cool/dry place, they should be good for a while. You could also use the larger mason jars. I fill each up to the lid to minimize air. Make sure the containers are clean/sterilized and your cabinet is STURDY!!!

I started thinking about the pre-packaged meal kits and mixes I buy. For many, you must add things other than water, i.e. milk, butter, eggs, etc. Then I started looking for alternatives and found some. There are inexpensive mashed potato pouches and muffin mixes for which you only add water. Extra bonus - they are good! The expiration period is long and quite a few fit in a gallon ziploc bag for convenient storage.

We've grown so used to these mixes and kits, many of us don't even know how to cook from scratch. I lucked up a while back and found a few cookbooks from the 30's, 40's at a thrift store. The information in these little treasures is amazing. I know how to pluck and clean a chicken, which months in the year are safe to eat squirrel and coon and have recipes!

Have you considered MRE's, they aren't just for the Army anymore! "Meals Ready to Eat" were developed years ago for the military. As a teen, my Mother would bring them home occassionally. They weren't that good, but it was a fun novelty.

Good news, they've gotten a lot better tasting and are now available at most Army/Navy and Hunting/Fishing stores. Hunters use them a lot, and they can be prepared with minimal resources. They are packaged to fit anywhere, survive, and are formulated for nutrition, except for the preservatives. A few MRE's in your "bug-out" bag could get you through several days with no other food source. Preparation kits are also available.

Along with food requirements, we must also consider how to prepare it. Any period of time without electricity or natural gas renders all appliances useless. We have a propane grill and a Coleman camp stove. We chose a camp stove which can use both Coleman fuel and unleaded gas. But in a crisis, gasoline will be far too valuable to cook with and our propane supply won't last long.

There are alternatives and I've already mentioned the Crisis Cooker. This small, portable grill/oven can be fueled with charchoal, wood, or propane. It is very efficient. The website states you can cook a meal with just a few pieces of charcoal. But with any grill, you'll need to start a fire. Elleise has already suggested stocking up on cigarette lighters. Also consider waterproof matches, or the kind which can be struck on any surface and seal them in a ziploc bag for weather resistance.

If none of these are available, do you know how to make fire? Do you know what "tender" is? Tender is anything easily combustible with a few sparks. The peeling bark of a cedar tree, pine needles and dried leaves/grass are excellent tender. Gather some tender, pine cones, small and large sticks. Dig a shallow hole, or place rocks in a circle for the fire. Wad and bunch your tender into a ball, like a bird's nest. You need some fibrous material to hold your tender ball together. Build a little tepee with small twigs in your fire circle. Now the hard part

Banging rocks together will make sparks. Flint is best, is hard, and a small piece will start many fires. If you only have wood, use the "Rub" method. This takes time and energy, but does work. Get a small sturdy stick and make a slightly pointed edge, like a dull pencil. Clean the bark from a larger, wider stick or limb, and carve out a shallow, thin channel about 10 inches long. Use dry wood, not something fresh off a tree. Your stick should fit snugly and smoothly in the channel. The slightly pointed end increases contact area and efficiency. Have your tender prepared and close. Vigorously and firmly rub the small stick back and forth in the channel.

The rubbing generates heat and shaves off bits of the sticks which accumulate at the end of your channel. When it's hot enough, you'll see little wisps of smoke and then tiny embers. Gently place your tender ball over the embers and blow lightly. Once the tender is burning, carefully place it in your fire circle under your stick tepee. If needed, add a little more tender and pine cones. Save your fire sticks! All that rubbing has hardened them. Starting your next fire will be a little easier.

Another type of the "rub" method is using a bow drill. Native Americans have used this easily assembled tool for eons to start fires and make beads. Instructions for making and using them can be found at eHow.com

Building a fire is like feeding a baby. You have to be patient and slowly work up to the bigger limbs. Wind can blow out your efforts to make fire. Have some way to shield the area you're working in. If you're safe and staying put for a while, please remember this. It's much easier to keep a fire going than to start another one!

Also consider security in deciding where to put your fire circle. A camp fire at night is visible at long distance. If there is no way to shield the light, dig your fire hole deeper.

A fire can be started quickly and easily with these 3 things: a car battery with just a little "juice" in it, 2 pieces of wire and some steel wool. Wrap the bare wire around the battery ports, touch the bare ends of the wires to opposite sides of the steel wool. Protect your hands! Use insulated wire with just the ends stripped bare, or wrap bare wire with something that doesn't conduct electricity well, like cloth. Steel wool is very thin, will heat up fast from the current and ignite. Use the red hot steel wool to get your tender burning, then extinguish it to use again.

Shelter is also a basic for survival. In a broader sense, it includes clothing. If your safe place is in a different climate, you need to consider what type of clothing you'll need while there. For most of us our safe place will be close enough not to have different weather conditions. However, if you live in a lower area and your safe place is in the hills or mountains, prepare accordingly.

If you need to evacuate, dress in layers and protect your feet with sturdy shoes and socks. If you don't need this protection during the evacuation, you may need it afterwards. Forget the flip-flops!

Shelter can be constructed with almost anything, from a piece of plastic to tree limbs and brush. If you find yourself out in nature with no shelter, here's a few tips that could be useful.

Avoid sleeping directly on the ground at night. Even with a fire and clothes on, the ground cools and will suck body heat from you. Do like the other animals, make a bed of something for insulation. However, your insulation may have unwelcomed bed fellows. "Smoke" it thoroughly near the fire and they will flee the heat and smoke. I watched an episode of Survivor Man filmed fairly close to my home. A cold front came through and he spent the first night shivering. Don't know why he didn't notice the weather change approaching. He insulated his little hut with spanish moss for the next night. They didn't show him "smoking" the moss over his fire. If he didn't, he went home EAT UP with chiggers/redbugs!

Get a Boy Scout manual, or look on-line and learn how to make a shelter with local, nature provided materials. Most kids love to build "Forts," and this could be a fun learning experience for everyone. If you goof it up, figure out what was done wrong and work together to fix it. Troubleshooting skills like this will be needed, and also need to be taught and passed on.

If you find yourself in a bug infested area, use dirt or mud to cover your exposed skin. It won't be pretty, but can keep the skeeters away. I've heard from numerous sources, over the years, mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors. However, a thin layer of dirt or mud camouflages our bare skin somehow.

On a recent episode of Swamp People, they said fat from alligators is so nasty, the Native Americans used it for bug repellant. Not recommending hunting alligators, but that could be a handy bit of info for my area.

Here are a few websites with supplies and tips worth reading.

surviveandthrivesupply.com
This company carries a small selection of supplies, from camping knives to water purification tablets. But they have a nice selection of seeds, packaged in a triple layer mylar bag with a shelf life of up to 5 years. These are "renewable" seeds. The plants produce seeds which can be harvested for the next growing season. The prices average $2 a pack. That's the same price I paid for organic seeds at a home supply store this spring. I haven't ordered from this company, but I am considering it.

wilderness-survival-skills.com
This site is awesome and has tips and comments submitted by those who use them. From building a fire (forgive my spelling, it's tinder, not tender) to all kinds of shelters, even book reviews. One comment suggested shopping thrift stores to obtain camping/survival supplies affordably. That one peaked my interest, I love to go junkin"
Good stuff on this one, way too much for me to even touch on in a post.

wilderness-survival.net
Even though the name is wilderness survival, this website has tips and information for various crises and disasters. It also includes the FEMA Guide on preparations. I read through to see if there was anything to add to the pamplet I'm doing up for work. This amazes me, despite what was experienced after Katrina, and Ike, FEMA still recommends preparing for "at least 3 days." 3 days is better than nothing, but preparing for 7 to 10 days is much more realistic, although harder for many.

Does anyone have other informative sources to share? I think Bella has a rule against asking readers to join other forums. Elleise, please correct me and provide some guidance here.

*Disclaimer* Some of the websites I've mentioned have forums. I haven't joined or read through these forums, and I'm not asking anyone to. I'm referring these websites based on the general content only, which is available to all viewers.

Are you Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness.
This is FEMA's "book," available for download in pdf format. The full version is 204 pages and 21MB, so don't hit the print button accidentally. They also have some DVD's and other brochures. I've read through a few of these, and I will not comment on government excess, except to say they must be paying the authors by the word.

If you can make it through the wordiness and "governmentese" there is actually some good information. When you have an hour or two, a pot of coffee and a comfy chair, the website is

fema.gov/areyouready

It took about 10 minutes to download the full version and save to my desktop. Now I can finish it at my leisure.

Thank you for researching these sources. It's something i would have a very difficult time doing. You really are that go to gal, that gets the tough stuff done!

Btw, you're fine with what you're posting and it's more than resourceful that there's a central location where people can come, even if they may not feel the need right this second, at least in the back of their mind they may go, you know...i read something somewhere, and it's there when they do need it.

If you want, I can go back in and try to make links of the web addresses you've posted.

Let me know if that's o.k.

That would be great and add convenience. I've been to these websites and have not experienced any computer issues. However I personally prefer not to use links and go directly to the website. I've gotten 3 trojans on my computer this year from links. At $90 a pop to clean, I can't afford to risk using them.

I know it's a little extra to copy/paste or re-type, but it's much safer and I wouldn't want to impose on your time.

How much do you REALLY know about nutrition? Our bodies can go many days without food, but only 2 or 3 without water. Short-term, a few days, a few weeks, we can scavenge and make it through, but what about longer?

What do our bodies require long-term to sustain growth and promote health? Everyone knows we need calories, the fuel for our bodies. But with all the nutrition information available, many still equate calories to sugar. That's accurate, but not quite. Being diabetic, learning about food was mandatory. The important source of calories is carbohydrates.

When you eat a candy bar you can get a sugar rush. That's instant fuel and the body uses or stores it quickly. When you eat a bowl of oatmeal, something made with whole grains, it has to be digested. The carbohydrates are converted to sugar slowly and evenly. The energy from a bowl of oatmeal, or piece of whole grain bread lasts much longer than the energy from something with processed sugars like a candy bar.

For development in children and overall health for adults, we also need trace minerals. Natural foods, not processed, rich in carbohydrates, such as beans, fruits and berries, contain the trace minerals from the soil they grew in. Ever wonder why they add vitamins and minerals to flour, white bread, breakfast cereal? All the processing strips them away. What they add back is not from the original, natural source and I wonder how much we actually absorb.

We also require protein, but not nearly as much as we typically eat. Those who choose not to eat any animal products, must supplement their diet with protein sources, such as soy, beans, nuts.

Calcium, this is a mineral that deserves special mention. Did you know that EVERY CELL in your body needs calcium to function? If it doesn't get enough, calcium is leached from the bones.

Several years ago I had a major health crisis. Everything the doctors did/prescribed made it worse. I finally found a Dr/Chiropractor/Bio-chemist who realized I didn't produce enough stomach acid to digest food. I didn't look it, but I was malnourished and this caused my illness. After taking the acid supplements, my stomach produced more, as predicted. I was taking 10 natural supplements, but the best was calcium. As soon as that was replenished and maintained, I got better quickly.

Calcium is so important. It's not only high in dairy products, but several greens, i.e. collards, broccoli. Thousands of years ago the maize/corn grown by the people in the Americas was not easily digested, and therefore not nutritional. Somehow, they figured out to add crushed shells to the cornmeal. This addition made the vitamins and minerals more digestable and beneficial. What was in the seashells? Among other things, Calcium.

If the time comes when we must provide for ourselves and truly live off the land, the knowledge of the Ancestors, combined with modern science will be invaluable. Reclaim it, learn it, share it. Use it to plan and grow a nutritionally balanced garden, or as the basis of your grocery list. If we start now to wean ourselves off the processed food and junk so readily available, we'll not only be healthier, but also more prepared for when/if these foods are not available. We can still treat and indulge ourselves, just less frequently.

I don't have room for a garden. I don't have access to fresh foods. Are you sure?

We have a very small lot and most of it is deeply shaded. But there are a few spots for potted plants and small garden beds. My neighbor has a much larger yard and also grows indoors with plant lights in a spare room.

One thing to remember when growing indoors which has been scientifically proven, plants need sleep, just like we do. Don't leave the lights on 24/7. It's stressful on the plants.

If you don't have any space, are there community gardens in your area? These co-ops have experienced gardeners, most will be eager to barter knowledge for a little labor. In an hour or two with a good teacher, you can a lot while picking beans, pulling weeds, or setting out mulch. You might even return home with enough for supper.

Don't have a local community garden or co-op? How about a local Farmer's Market? These are popping up all over the place. You can talk with the growers, learn their methods, and establish a relationship as a frequent customer.

Those who know how to grow food are generally generous, down-to-earth people (pun intended). They may not share all their secrets, but are willing to help those who want to learn, with good intentions.

That's the perfect statement lcp. There's a bio-chemical equation and so often we'll jump in the car and pick something up when we're feeling poorly.

Instinctively, I feel myself pulling further and further away from synthetic drugs and office visits and try more to understand my own personal reactions to the day to day, ie, when I'm feeling tired, what excercise, different types of vegetables and herbs do 40 minutes after I take them, and I've found interesting things.

I actually get tired, right after I eat something. When I have cravings, and I look back on what I have or haven't eaten, I find that those crvings are actually my body telling me I haven't had somehting in awhile that I need.

I was watching Man vs. the Wild the other night and I would never have known this, but if you haven't eaten or had anything to drink in awhile, if you come upon food, don't eat but for a little bit. It further dehydrates your already dehydrated body. Just eat enough until you can find a water source.

I didn't know that about the links either, viruses, ect. So, lets just keep it the way it is. It's good to kow. Thanks again for all your hard work. I know I for one am learning quite a lot!

Multi-purpose items are so valuable in any crisis. Here's a short list of things you may already have and some uses you may not have considered.

Storage Bags - I'm referring to the heavier plastic or mylar type, such as freezer bags, and waterproof, larger storage bags. Freezer bags can be reused safely a few times, if washed thoroughly and air dried between each use. When my nephew was quarantined prior to heart surgery, my sister asked his cardiologist about this specifically. These bags provide weather/water resistance and can fit in small spaces. Roll or flatten before sealing to remove air and there's room for even more. Boaters use them to keep spare clothes dry. Soldiers use them to keep items/food free of dirt/sand. When my daughter was young, I carried a damp washcloth in a quart freezer bag for quick clean ups. I had a friend who spent 3 months traveling rural China. Upon returning commented she would loved to have had some.

Cheap, Plain Bars of Soap - Is there anything that can't be washed with plain soap? I recently read there's nothing significantly better. Despite all the anti-bacterial, anti-viral products available, a thorough wash with plain soap is all we really need, unless rendering first aid or doing surgery. Bar soap will last longer if it's allowed to air dry and harden after purchasing. Open the package and let it sit for a few days.

Plastic and Leather Work Gloves - In a crisis, we really need to protect our hands. Small cuts can get infected, and if untreated, cause illness and death. We may be doing strenuous, possibly unfamiliar activities, our hands will need protection. This is particularly important if you will be hunting small game. There is a reason squirrel, raccoon, possum and rabbit should be hunted and eaten ONLY in the colder months that have an "R" in the name (September through April). These animals have parasites deadly to humans. These parasites and their larvae can also be in the animal's scat (feces). The larvae are tiny, and if on our hands and we touch our mouth, eyes, ears, nose, or bare skin, we can endanger ourselves. This is especially important to teach children. When out in the woods, DO NOT touch your face except with cleaned/washed hands.

Lawn and Leaf Bags - These are thicker/stonger than regular trash bags. Cut 3 holes and you have a raincoat. Split the side seams and it's big enough to make a dry bed on wet ground, or a small cover for shelter. We keep a lawn/leaf bag in with each of our "bag" chairs. If we're at an event and it rains, we can quickly cover the chairs to keep them dry, or ourselves.

Quality Multi-purpose, Camping, Survival Tool/Knife - In an emergency, grabbing your kitchen knives or a tool box probably won't come to mind. One of these in your "Bug-Out" bag and you're set for many needs. Save up for a quality name brand one, don't bother with the cheap "knock-offs."

Epson Salt, Baking Soda and Vinegar - These are the "Trifecta" of First Aid/Health/Cleaning. Epson Salt helps with constipation, infections in small wounds, in the garden. Baking soda can be used for baking, insect bites, indigestion and deodorizing. Vinegar can be used to preserve food, clean, sooth the pain of burns, treat bruises and drinking a small amount each day is reported to be good for overall health. There are SO MANY uses for these 3 things.

I know I'm missing multi-purpose things here. Please add to the list!

I think I read somewhere, glowsticks are a good substitute or back up incase you run out of batteries or rechargeables aren't taking anymore.

Also, Bic lighters and flint stones are better than matches. Dental floss, works for many make shift projects, twine, cheese cloth or netting of some type, hose possibly for straining or filtering. Shovel, small ax, bucket a set of stones, enough to encapsulate a fire if not more to retain heat.

Sunscreen...Im sure there's more but this is all I have right now.

A few weeks ago I posted on self defense. I mentioned how the current administration is transferring power/authority from Congress to different Agencies, by-passing debate and the vote process. Again, I am not being political. It's not my intention to debate or support any sides of an issue, but to inform as best I can.

Recently the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a ban on lead in ammunition, based on possible contamination from spent ammo. Almost all traditional ammunition contains some lead. This ban would significantly increase production costs, and dramatically increase the price of ammunition.

Several groups have worked towards a complete ban on all weapons in the US. This has already been done in England and Canada, but it's much harder to accomplish with the 2nd Amendment in our Constitution. In the years since guns were turned in or confiscated in England, they have not experienced the reduction in crime and injury anticipated. The "Bad Guys" still get guns. Canada's ban confounded me, considering their vast wilderness areas with dangerous animals.

In the past, weapon regulation on a national level was a legislative issued handled by Congress. It's been stated by some the EPA's proposed regulation banning lead in ammo is a "backdoor" attempt at gun control. If bullets are significantly more expensive, fewer can afford them, rendering many guns useless without ammo.

Information about this proposed ban was made known, resulting in large opposition. For now, the ban has been put on the "back-burner," and EPA activities are being monitored. As stated in my previous post, agency regulations may be in place before we know about them, and it almost happened with this. If ammunition is part of your self defense preparations, consider addressing your supply immediately.

Whatever your chosen method of self defense, become proficient with it. This bears repeating! Do not rely on protection measures for which you are not trained and skilled.

Was reading through some news articles from various resources and found another example of how new EPA regulations may be used to by-pass Congress.

With many in Congress reluctant to support "Climate Change" legislation which include taxes for energy consumption, regulations through the EPA are being drafted, based on protecting the environment by reducing pollution. The drafts have not been released, so be on the look-out. Remember these regulations are not voted on my Congress. They have no oversight other than by the courts, but only if challenged.

Whether it's a bill in Congress or a new regulation at the EPA, it's all in the wording. These regulations may appear to be targeting polluters. But how is the word "polluters" defined? If it's defined as excessive consumers, who defines what is excessive? Anything that refers to "consumers" in one way or another eventually refers to us all.

Please pay attention, educate yourself and prepare. It's not just important for when a crisis strikes. In taking care of these 3 things, even without the talents and abilities other possess, you may be able to discern when things begin to build up and can respond pro-actively.

I wanted to put this down while it's here with me. i remember posting, people thinking they need fire arms and my words were na-ah...they'll want amunition.

Amunition is a back door way, believe it or not, by eliminating it, the politicians stay safe against the arms activists/votes, etc. It's a barganing tool they came up with behind the lcosed doors. This is why amunition more than arms came through.

There's some organization that parts the waters with this issue as well.

Elleise, you posted about ammunition on 8/11 on the companion topic. Yet Another Validation! There are organizations and individuals keeping an eye on things in DC. The more they look, the more they find. However, that would hold true for any period in our Country's history. The difference now, our instant communication abilities make what they find more easily publicized to the citizenry.

Each of us has the ability to be better informed and involved. Hopefully, we'll continue to receive validations, especially on the organizations "parting the waters," and keeping us informed.

My meeting with the Emergency Management Director is tomorrow afternoon. I'll post afterwards. I'll be spending the morning getting centered for NO slip ups with the words Dream or Vision.

If they are transfering congress' power, does that mean they aer getting rid of congress and if so, doesn't that put it more on a dictatorship, to an extent, without having a congress to approve or disapprove?

Tru;y haven't any clue. I know what I feel, but having the right terms, they just aren't there.

Our federal government was set up with a system of checks and balances. The power was split between Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court. It's been many years since I studied this. If I get a part wrong, someone PLEASE correct me.
Congress drafts and passes legislation. The Court ensures they are in standing with the Constitution and the President's main responsibility (as I understand it) is management.

I think there are actually 2 things going on here. For well over a decade, many have commented on Federal Courts taking on more of the legislative process, rather than remaining neutral in their rulings. Basically saying you can't do this, but you can do that, or this is how WE intrepret this case. The problem, there is no WE in the Constitution. This can alter Congress' original intent for the legislation, or influence alterations. I was taught the Court was to rely solely on the Constitution, not exerting influence on Congress and the creation of legislation or the President.

The Office of the President can increase its power through its many agencies. This has been going on for a while. If you want something done and Congress won't support it, find an Agency that's somehow related and enact regulations, rather than passing laws. This increases the President's scope of powers and control. You can't get rid of Congress, but its power and relevance can be reduced.

I've been re-learning about government over the last year. I honestly don't think the Presidential branch was suppose to have all these agencies. It can shift the balance of power that was so well thought out by truly visionary men. The purpose of a government of 3 branches with checks and balances was to prevent power/authority becoming centralized within one branch.

Webster defines Dictator as "a ruler with absolute power and authority." I think a dictatorship/monarchy was precisely what our Founding Fathers were set on avoiding.

My meeting this afternoon with the Emergency Management Director went VERY well! We discussed several points of crisis preparation and security. He even took notes! YEAH!
(hear it, write it, remember it)

He "jumped on" a few of the ideas and suggestions I had prepared, and I volunteered to help with organizing information after my daughter's wedding in November. He grabbed the copy of my brochure and a company pen too. Other crises were discussed broadly, but I did feel comfortable enough with our line of discussion to address those fleeing the near-by large city in cars and on foot. I also asked about the legality of cordoning off the interstate and 2 other main roads for a County Lock-down, and included local resources to minimize manpower requirements for this.

I arrived a little early and acknowledged it, was dressed professionally, and had a check list of topics which I referred to. There was a clock on the wall and I made sure we didn't run but a few minutes over the hour scheduled.

I was certainly NOT dismissed and thanked a few times. I left saying that as soon as I get my daughter married, I'd get back with him to see how I could help. It was a very positive meeting and I'm so proud, I didn't slip up, not once!

Preparing our children for a crisis is very important. The goal is not to scare, but prepare. My parents were awesome at this. My Father grew up on a little farm and my Mother grew up quite poor. I am so fortunate that both are extremely creative and resourceful.

Growing up, every vacation or get-away was a camping trip. We started with a large tent and then upgraded to a pop-up camper. We also cleared a portion of the yard for a garden. I learned by example how to use what's available and to be creative in using what I have for various needs. I'm also blessed with a husband who is very creative and practical.

As a single parent, living in a rural area, I shared these skills with my daughter as an adventure. We built tents and lean-to's, learned to fish and catch crabs. We observed and learned as our neighbor planted and cared for the huge garden in front of our house. We took time to watch animals (we had many) and to watch the sky and weather. When I married, we continued these activities. We did many "experiments" to see what we could learn together.

A child's brain is a sponge and they should be included in our preparations in a positive way. With 24/7 news coverage of bad things happening all over the world, our children can be affected. But we can take those frightening images and use them to not only teach, but also provide a sense of security through preparedness. If your child sees something scary, it's reassuring to know their parents have a plan. Explain the plan on their level and ask them to help in some way.

Play doctor to teach first aid on baby dolls and teddy bears. Teach your children to cook safely and let them prepare a meal for everyone to enjoy. Baking is a great way to learn about fractions. Do experiments and learn together. These activities promote curiosity, a desire to learn, and provide a sense of accomplishment. They teach trouble-shooting skills and foster creativity.

When we start out with them young, we can impress with all that we know, but also show by example that learning something new is important. These lessons will be retained, even through the teenage years, when parents "don't know anything."

Congratulations!!!! And very, VERY, well done.

It won't always be this difficult to bring about unconventional information to the table. I actually see a time where, they actually implement it in business, gov't and even cirriculums of study in the future.

Your logical approach is perfect! We're still in that go-between stage where people are still having not only to break ground, but undo some of the harm scam artists left behind with quick money.

I find I can slip in information, through a side door myself, by starting on a topic that's of concern to the people involved and ease the tidbits in subtley.

I have only had to approach professionally one time, other than that I'm usually in cut off jean shorts and a T-shirt. But I had an overhead projector and a nice full-length skirt and blouse. So, you're right about presentation.

To be honest, if I never had to wear shoes, I'd be just fine with that...but "hippy-chic" doesn't go over too well when you are trying to make that logical deduction of the information you do have coming through as well as a solution.

It isn't being correct or shocking people around you that's the brass ring to all of this, it really is, as you've proven, the ability to work behind the scenes to help as many people as possible, avoid as much unecessary chaos, discomforts and harships, as humanly and spiritually possible

This is how I spent my daughter's early years with her - diaper and all sitting in the garden while I weeded and plucked off what I taught her as, "Nature's Candy" (those sweet cherry and grape tomatoes).

From there we grew pumpkins, squash, peppers, cucomber's and herbs. We dried the seeds and the herbs and by the time she was 3, she was placing them in glass bottles and labling them.

We camped outside, collected timber, composted and did wierd things to goffer(t) holes as she called them, lol. But in all everything, though I was teaching her survival to an extent, how to cook and grow what you need, it was all done in a fun and entertaining fashion with chores of course in order to have that fun and she latched on to it like a natural!

It's amaizing the things you take for granted and don't even know it, like how to have a back-up/waterproof system in place for inclemental wather, storage, supplies, what keeps and doesn't without ice, etc. Making a fire if you don't happen to have fuel on hand all those things. So, it's kind of nice to pretend in your own back yard where you can gradually get good at it and take breaks and if you do need something it's within reach and it sticks with you in the future.

Times are SO hard for SO many of us right now. Some barely have enough to pay the rent/house payment, with little or none left over for survival supplies. If you have been working on your network, it's almost certain to include member(s) less fortunate than yourself, mine does.

For those of us with the means to prepare, we must also consider those in our network who don't. It's just my husband and me, but I'm currently ready with 4 weeks of food/supplies for 8 people. I'm working on doubling that by the end of the year. Somewhere I posted my husband suggested a storage area I had not thought of. It's cleverly hidden, with enough cubic feet for another month's worth. We only need to weather/water proof it.

I'm not the only one taking this to what some would consider extreme measures. We know a couple who can everything and each closet in their house is filled with reinforced shelves and food. They eat from one and then move onto the next, replenishing at every opportunity. Friends and neighbors bring excess from their gardens and nothing goes to waste. They have a large family, but enough to feed them all for a year. Their grown children help with providing canning supplies.

Half the people I'm preparing for live in different states. During a crisis, travel will be hard, and they may not be allowed into our area. I discussed this with the Emergency Management Director. My suggestion was for my family members to have a copy of my current driver's license with my street address.

He quickly realized it could only have been provided by me, and a good way to verify their destination. Yes, it could pose identity theft issues. However, both my child and sister already know we don't have much, so why bother, not that they would. I'm also working on "Back Road Guides" for them which include family/friends along the various routes.

They will have directions which avoid interstates, safe places along the way, access to my home, supplies available and a secondary safe place in a rural area already established. I don't think I can do anything more, other than move them down here now. Unfortunately, that's not possible.

It may seem like I'm taking on everything, but not quite. If my family members can get here, they will be bringing supplies too. They are preparing as much as they can. It's truly a joint effort, based on each person's abilities and means.

For those of us with a little to spare on preparing, here's some ideas which can hopefully maximize our efforts.

Shop at re-sale/thrift stores. Even though I've been "junkin" for years, I'm still amazed with things I find. However, it is getting harder, as more people have no other option. In our area, these stores are busier, and that makes "treasures" harder to come by. While there, don't forget to check the book section for old cook books, or ones on natural healing, first aid, camping and survival techniques. If you stumble on a good one, please share the title with us!

You can find sleeping bags, tents and other camping items, plastic storage boxes for medical supplies, a sturdy "bug-out" bag, all at significant discount. I've found spare blankets, linens, tarps, canopies, rope, tape, screening, tools and a shop light for my husband, new in the box, not to mention clothes and shoes. What I save on these things, I can spend on food.

Many re-sale stores are closed on Mondays. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are good for catching the new items. You need to be persistent and consistent. Stopping by as frequently as once a week, the owners/employees will get to know you. At our local Goodwill, I'm the "Yarn Lady." That customer recognition has provided me some good deals over the years.

Use coupons and shop the sales! Our grocery store has "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" deals every week. If I have coupons for each BOGO item, my savings are compounded. You wouldn't think state laws would apply to grocery store sales, but they do. In GA, you can purchase 1 BOGO item and pay 1/2 price. In FL, you have to get 2 items to save anything.

Check with your grocery store about BOGO offers and to see if they honor competitor coupons. There are hundreds of coupons on-line you can print. However, some stores, like our local Walmart, do not accept them. Make sure your grocery store does.
Trade coupons with friends and family. I get so many I can't use, but pass them on to someone who can.

But my best way to save and stock up on food is with Angel Food Ministries. If you've never heard of this, please check out the website to see if they deliver to your area.

angelfoodministries.com

This national service utilizes non-profit/religious organizations and volunteers to provide good food at cut rate prices. There are NO income requirements or restrictions. Everyone can purchase Angel Food. You can order on line or at the host organization. They accept cash, credit cards and all government assistance programs.

We started with Angel Food over 2 years ago and have consistently saved $75-$100 a month on groceries, sometimes more. Their meats are AWESOME and they have a good variety. We've saved enough since starting to pay for all the food and drink at my daughter's wedding in November. After that, we're saving up for a solar generator/power supply.

Please jump in and share some of your tips on any topic. As Elleise shared, we all have a piece of this recipe for preparation and survival.

We've had over a thousand views of this thread! It's exciting that forum members are checking back and hopefully the tips shared are helpful and inspiring.

Many of us are facing financial and other challenges with creative solutions. I'm certainly not alone in this. So please join in.

If you have tried something that worked, please share. It could benefit so many. If you have a question about anything discussed here, please ask. The answer to a simple question can help others. I may not know the answer, but will help find it.

The dreams and visions shared in our companion thread are for the future. They could be realized in 2 years or 20 years. Unfortunately with our "abilities" specific dates aren't revealed, and that can be so frustrating. However, I am so thankful for the information and validations. I'm grateful for the time and opportunity to learn, share, and prepare.

LCP - Thanks for pointing that out. I have a horrible time looking at my progress or getting paid for that matter. It's just one of those things you just do and don't really expect anything...you're not doing it for anything gainful, just - this is what's coming through and on my life I'm not making this stuff up. So anyway, thank you very much for drawing at least my personal attention to something that is now digitally correct I guess and you can see your progress

The issues coming in for me, I don't know if you feel these as well, but what I get are like tidal waves???? So, say there's a Tsunami - and that wipes a village out. What I feel this thing is isn't that.

Ok? So what I'm getting is waves.

With this tread in particualr, what I'm feeling is most poignant is that it's sole purpose is to help get as many people as possible from one wave to the next.

I feel we will see signs...there will be more and more headlines of people just doing more and more crazy things.

Maybe you could just say, well that's just how things are now...well no, what I get is that "See those people???? This is what you will need to provide and protect your own family from when these waves begin to gain more and more momentum.

I see it as when you first start to see one or two tiny red ants in your kitchen in the spring...you pay little attention, just maybe notice and a few months later they are everwhere.

When what I and many others feel is happening, but not "happening", happens, these are the desperate psychies, personalities that have now, during these waves, basically found permission to do what they've been holding inside all of this time.

Groccery stores will not be reliable. Find a water source.

Thanks Elleise. I also posted my "Wave" Theory on our companion topic. We have two time frame issues. 1st - when does this all start and 2nd - how much time will we have between waves to regroup and resupply for the next.

My feeling is that we will be hit with a substantial wave initially. This will be followed by smaller, possibly regional waves of troubles, with a few larger ones in the mix, before we're hit with the Tidal Wave you described for the future, 18 to 25 years out.

I think the "weeding out" process described by Caubearer11 fits with my theory of multiple waves, varying in size and areas affected. You have also mentioned regional civil unrest and wars. These would fit with the larger waves in the mix.

I really connect with that - TWO TIME ISSUES! That's it.

It comes through like your foot falling asleep...tingly, prickly,some heavy some not as and then it's just you want not for anything unimaginable to happen so you go into protect mode.

But that makes perfect sense.

I feel there are waves...ok, they lead up to this bigger thing. I'm in a place now, where I can utilize it but man do i feel strongly I need to pace myself and get out. I need to be out by year 7.

That doesn't mean just out of the project...I need to have my stuff in place by year 7.

I'll have to keep an eye on that...this is the first time I've had a number.

I feel the market ends up crashing. That is one of the things that jsut sends people out of their minds. Not all people but it's like it ensues part of the panic.

I mean if you aren't invested in the market, it'skind of like...oh well, not that big a deal...that makes sense.

But, if the market falls and creates panic in the business investments and I know it's not out ther yet, but even the millionaires and billionaires are losing it...they just aren't going public with it. What they are doing instead is, "Charity work"

Don't understimate (not you, figuretive) the lucritiveness of being on talk shows, networking, commercializing, etc. and asking for money in the name of something from people who are already strugging, as "a cause." The money isn't exactly going where they say it is. More like paying bills.

Two more thrifty food tips

We buy "day old" bread. It's the only way we can afford the pricier whole grain breads. I immediately double bag and remove as much air as possible, not to squish the bread, and store it in the freezer. Thawing in the sun, it tastes bakery fresh. Our local Wally World puts out a cart several times a week with specialty breads half price. We also buy from a dollar store for less than half price. Even better, one of our local grocers donates their out dated bakery items to Salvation Army. Twice a week I can pick up 2 items for FREE.

We may not always have bread available for purchase, so learn how to make it yourself. Traditional breads can be made on grills or over a fire. Native American Fry Bread or a slightly different version we grew up with called "Hoe Cake" are 2 easy breads with minimal ingredients and simple preparation.

Many years ago, we were at a Pow-wow. For some reason my sister and a friend who grew up on a reservation were comparing how poor they were growing up. He commented the only bread they had was fry bread. She responded that hoe cake is basically the same, but baked. When our Mother made that, it was Dessert!

These time tested recipes are Treasures! Minimal resources required and a little can be spread to keep us all healthy.

Dried Beans in glass containers are NOT just a decorative element for your kitchen! Beans are one of Mother Nature's Wonder Foods and have been cultivated for thousands of years. If stored correctly, dried beans will last a long, long time. They've been found on archeology digs! But as my husband just commented, the key is in the preparation. He doesn't like crunchy beans in his chili. They need to be soaked and slow cooked. Learn how and gather recipes. Beans are like bread, a little can go a long way. They are rich in complex carbohydrates (the good ones) and trace minerals.

In an earlier post I mentioned the "Trifecta" of Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Epsom Salt. Here are a few websites which list their numerous uses. Some are health/first aid related. If you have any medical conditions, please consult your doctor before use.

Vinegar - There is a reason this stuff has been around a few millenia or so. These websites will astound you with its versatility. Don't forget to copy/paste and add the www's.

versatilevinegar.org

vinegarbook.net (This is a FREE book download)

Baking Soda - Not just for the Fridge or a home made cake. Adding a little to beans increases their digestability.

thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/60soda.htm

lifehackery.com/2008/07/22/home-4

Epsom Salt also has many practical health, gardening, and first aid applications. Here's a good website with a lot of information.

saltworks.us/salt_info/epsom-uses-benefits.asp

These items have extended shelf lives, multiple uses, and are an important part of any household inventory.

The internet is truly an asset for us to gather information. But we can't simply "bookmark" the websites and leave it at that. When the lights go out, so does the internet. Unless you have a photographic memory, this information needs to be in an easily accessible format. While we're gathering and learning, why not make your own "Survival Manual." A journal or binder of some type could prove a life saver for you and your family. It only takes a little time, printer ink and paper, and could be of immense value down the road.

Most Southerners have a good sense of humor and don't mind laughing at ourselves. I received the cutest email the other day about 2 versatile items you should consider including in your supplies.

If it doesn't move and needs to - Use the WD40
Check out their website (wd40.com). There are 2000+ uses!

If it moves and doesn't need to - Use the Duct Tape!
If you grew up in the South or the country, you already know Duct Tape is a must have in every vehicle of every type and every tool box. We even have contests for making clothing with it and that includes bathing suits!

For more creative uses for this "fix-all," you will enjoy the humorous list at thezac.com/ducttape
This list is rated PG-13. I must admit, I can vouch for at least 10 uses on the list!

Well, I can't tell you how much a sense of humor is in all of, well everything, really.

Depression, anxiousness about the future, children, uncertainty...we're all pretty much experiencing the same things, but at different times between distractions.

I know you will be busy here in the near future and if you happen to need anything, even a helping pm'ing hand...always here

Thank you Elleise! It will be a bit crazy for me the next 2 months. Two bridal showers, a week at the Pow-wow and my daughter's wedding is less than a month later. After a year of worry and 7 months fretting over whether all this would start happening sooner than later, I can't tell you how helpful everyone's information has been. Just knowing we should be able to get the wedding behind us before the "brown stuff" hits has been a true blessing for both me and the Bride.

My daughter knows a little of what's going on, but I've kept that to a minimum. She's already had one panic attack, the first in several years. She knows I'm doing my best to take care of what I can, so her worries are limited to me and the wedding.

I know I've mentioned this already, but it is important for us not to frighten our children with all this. Their vivid imaginations can run wild if provided even the least information of a possible crisis. I can be a "worry hound" at times, my daughter comes by it honestly and actually got a bigger dose.

We need to keep positive phrasing in our explanations. If your child asks why they need to learn how to make a fire, don't say "If you were out in the woods all alone..." Instead say, "If WE were out in the woods, you could help me."

Younger children will be excited with "experiments," learning and the sense of accomplishment. It's a great time to teach safety issues as well, while building a fire, or playing doctor. Most children are thrilled with the opportunity to say "LOOK what I did!"

With pre-teens and teens, we need to be really creative in how to engage them in a positive manner. You might think they are older and can handle further explanation and possible scenarios. This is true for some. However, this is also a time of life frought with acceptance, security issues, and sometimes helplessness. Applying the skills they need to learn to their current activities might be a good approach. Sports can be a good lead into learning first aid. If your teen is interested in cooking, challenge them to cook from scratch, or over a fire (with supervision). Sometimes the best way to engage a teenage mind is implying they probably can't do something. They so enjoy proving us wrong and can be oblivious to our use of reverse methods.

Pay attention to your children and their emotional state. In high school I did a science project comparing ESP capabilities between 1st and 9th graders using the cards with different symbols. The 1st graders beat the socks off the 9th graders. Younger children are more open-minded and prone to use their "gut" feelings. Sometimes their "logic" for an action can be so simple, it's astounding. Older children are more assimilated and tend to rely less on these instincts and abilities. However, my science project could have had different results. For some, the pre-teen and teen years are when "talents" can pop-up and develop rapidly. This happened with my daughter.

So many people feel "something." It's so heavy and pervasive, adults without abilities can sense it. Is it also affecting our children? Have you noticed changes in mood, behaviour, appetite, attention span? Granted, most will be normal changes, all kids go through phrases, and each child is unique. Keep a close eye on your children, and listen carefully to them. If a change is drastic or prolonged, address it thoroughly and as quickly as possible.

Keep an open mind, as this may not be something doctors can fix with therapy or a pill. As parents, we can establish and maintain open, honest communication. With love and empathy, reassure our children things will be alright.

Added another person to my network today, a friend I've known for years. As we talked, she mentioned having strange "urges" lately. Water and food storage, getting a boat, storing fuel for their generator, etc. BINGO! She's been feeling "IT" too.

My friend is very spiritual and open-minded. We had talked of my dreams years ago, so it was an easy topic to cover. They live in the country and have a well, but it needs repair. Must get our husbands together to address that soon.

Her Mother can grow anything, and lives near me! As soon as we get through the wedding, I'm thinking about hosting some get-togethers. Bring your gardening journal, enjoy some brownies and take notes!

My friend also mentioned wanting to learn about berries and wild plants. In the Spring, we can get a naturalist to take us on an outing in the woods. He has family in our area and we see him often. AND, he's already offered. With 3 generations of experience, he has been re-teaching Native Americans on indigeous plants and was adopted into the Tribe.

LCP,

Thank you so much...VERY much for keeping us updated. There is a struggle and I have to admit I have it at times and it goes like this.

Urge...urge..sensing, pending, Urgent, prepare, listen, watch, tread with caution..........YEH ITS FRIDAY!!! WEeeee! The sun is out, I love life....tread with caution, prepare, watch, it's coming, store, prepare.

No exageration I go through that cycle these days minimum of three times a week. It is closer, but I have a neurotic side that wants to skip through the days and not think about it.
They gave me that option, mercifully when I was in my 20's. They say now, "Watch who comes into your life. Make those connections, prepare, plan, steady, steady. Be alert. It comes like a theif in the night."

See they (government) won't talk about it now, if ever, but the signs will be. They won't allow losing control via panic of the masses...not quite yet anyway. You will see more and more headlines of shootings and just crazy acts of violence. More and more civil issues, unrest, defensivism and angers will begin not only rising, but they will be encouraged, to keep votes of power in power, like "You need us to make sure your people get what they need..." something like that. The people will be distracted with pride.

The people in charge arean't done building what they are building so they have to stay in power, whatever the cost. Republicans wont be Republicans and Dems wont be Dems, they are all a part of the same thing.

Once this thing is done, all the people that went along with them will think they will be protected, that they are important and part of the club basically. The joke will be on them. They were used to campaign and will at that time be unnecessary. Some end up taking thier own lives and even having their lives taken from them.

As this thing comes to light, starts to fall apart and slightly just before when they finally realize what they have helped make happen, they will actually want to tell people...easy their conscience.

The people who will be protected or are protecting themselves, more accurately, won't allow it and it goes from there...The protecting are aready setting their end up so when this does hit, the chaos part, they will be on an island somewhere while the little people survive it or fall - either way, the people/masses, some fight it out among themselves. While the others that prepared, see it through and it goes well for them.

Something as simple as learning to collect rain water or melt and filter snow will help. But I am coming across people I haven't seen or heard from since college that didn't really have the same intuitive visoning mind set as myself and you know they have this look of just pensive unrest. Then I just talk with them and both people say, "I feel something coming. I just can't see it."

Elleise, I do agree and already see an increase in feelings of betrayal from the government/administration. So much was promised with "silver tongue" and things have not improved, but worsened for many. In general, we're not patient people. It seems so many thought the new President would somehow bring instant changes. I remember seeing news footage right after the Presidential election. A woman was so excited and commented "I won't have to make my house payments!" What!?! Did she think the government was going to "adopt" her or something? I hope she still has her house, many don't.

People were caught up in the hype, and actually believed the politcal, rhetorical promises. Now they are feeling something is not quite right, not just with the President, but with many aspects of our government. The undercurrents are a little more noticeable.

I think many of us will be "crossing paths" with those we knew back when and this could be part of the plan. Establishing and Re-establishing connections is a big part of preparations and making it through.

"Pensive Unrest" what a perfect phrase! But well armed with information and empathy, we can each help someone move from this to forewarned and prepared.

Water is life for all carbon based life forms, and that includes us. Our bodies are something like 70% water and it needs to be replenished daily.

Elleise mentioned that if we are dehydrated, we can't eat but a little until we have some water, or it will further dehyrate our bodies. For so many of us, water is provided by our local government. However, when things get "hairy" we can't expect our water supply to not experience supply/quality problems. In any disaster, one of the first things rushed in is drinking water. Without adequate or clean supply, dehydration and disease sets in quickly.

Our country is already experiencing supply issues, not only in drought affected, but also high population areas. There is only so much fresh water and we're using it faster than the planet can filter and replenish the sources.

The aquifer our city taps has a high sulfur content and we've been filtering our drinking water for years with the filter pitchers. These are effective with sediments and sulfur, but I need to find out if they also work for other contaminants, such as bacteria and chemicals.

Water molecules attract contaminants released by industry and transportation. These toxins are up high in our atmosphere, but that's where the clouds form. Rain and snow clean the air and bring the "bad stuff" back down. Water is cleaned as it seeps through the ground by Mother Nature's filtration system.

Rain water and snow melt are not drinking water sources, unless adequately filtered/treated or in a dire emergency. However, they can be used for gardening and cleaning. Using non-potable water for these things can help our potable supply last longer.

There are groups all over the country promoting the use of rain barrels and cistern systems to capture rain water and use it for landscaping, gardening, and toilet flushing. It makes sense! Using treated drinking water for these needs is truly a waste of resources.

If you use well water, having a few rain barrels might help your well last longer. If you use "city" water for gardening and landscaping, rain barrels could save you some money.

Here's some good websites with information on making rain barrels. Don't forget to copy/paste and add the www's.

swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/rainbarrel/
This website has info on collection rates based on roof size and rainfall amounts.

younghouselove.com/2009/03/how-to-make-a-rain-barrel/
The couple who have this website attended a workshop on making rain barrels. Good photos and information! They also had a good time.

naturalrainwater.com/make_rainbarrel.htm
The graphics on this website are hand drawn, but the information is good. There are a few other worthy links here and the information can be downloaded as a brochure.

rainbarrels.info
This website shows daisy-chained and larger systems. It also has information on supplies, filtration and some DIY videos.

ehow.com
Search for "Cisterns" and there are several DIY articles on construction and filtration

How you store drinking water is important. Resources used to make it safe for drinking are wasted if not stored properly.

DO NOT use containers that had milk in them! In an emergency, if thoroughly sanitized and the water will be consumed quickly (1 day), it might be OK, but is NOT recommended. It's too much of a bacteria risk, especially for young children, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune system.

Certain plastic containers can more easily leach chemicals into the contents, especially if heated. Use number 1 or 2 recyclable plastics for water storage, such as soda or water bottles. Clean thoroughly between each use with warm (not hot) water, and let them air dry completely. Keep them out of light and as cool as possible.

Plastics degrade with time and use, and that's when the "bad stuff" starts leaking out. This is excelerated with heat. If you have been saving plastic containers for an emergency, it would be a good idea to refresh your stock. After cleaning, mark the container with the month/year. As you prepare new ones, the older ones can be recycled. This will provide a safer supply for a longer period.

Generally we need 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking. Another daily gallon per person for cleaning/toilet flushing. This is a good rule of thumb for short-term outages, such as with storms or water system repairs.

However, when we're planning for the long-term, these must be considered.
1. Proximity to your water source - you need to be close, you might be walking and water is heavy. Extended distance also poses security issues.
2. Reliability and Quality - will water always be there, safe or treatable?

If you are fortunate to have a well, can it be used without electricity? If not, this needs to be addressed. A generator works, as long as your fuel lasts. What then?

Portable solar generators are an option. I've been looking at the one sold by Solutions from Science. The solar panel is mounted on a wheeled cart and connects to a battery based generator. There's not much output with this unit, but it can be used while the battery is charging. It's also sealed and self contained. It cannot be connected to other units and once the battery dies it's basically useless if not in sunlight. The projected battery life is only 6 years. With careful use, allowing the battery to deplete and recharge, you can extend its service. The company does have a larger model with solar panels to be mounted, and there is a 20 year warranty on the panels.

There are a few more companies with solar products. I'm looking for one which can be expanded (daisy-chained with multiple units) and has replaceable batteries. However batteries, even rechargable ones, don't last forever.

The other option for making your well water accessible in almost any conditions is a hand pump. This might be a costly addition to your system, but could prove well worth the investment during an extended power outage.

Actually, I hadn't read through your entire post and you're right, it can be operated without electricity. Maybe these things happen in my personal life so the information could help someone else someday?

When I was destitute, my own electricity was shut off. I was depressed and didn't look into how to get it turned on. My car wasn't working and I didn't have a phone so I had to hoof it into town and wasn't up for it.

Then, I had two wells. One had an electric pump, the other an old fashioned iron manual pump. The handle was really long and you had to crank or puch the pump up and down until a little water came out.

So, it is out there. They used them back in th 1800's. The water though had to be treated and tested for lead.

Windmills and wind turbines are another option for powering wells, but only if you live in an area with sufficient and consistent wind. I've been told we don't, even with the tidal breezes.

In the next few days I'll be away from the forum for an extended period. I'm already 2 weeks behind schedule on several things, and need to get caught up.

We've had an amazing number of views on this and the companion topic. Can anyone help with posts or references on food preservation, i.e. canning, dehydration, smoking meats, making jerky, etc.? Helpful tips on personal safety and security? A list of items for a good first aid kit? How to make a fishing pole or net? How to make a trap for small game? Information on other common, but multi-purpose items?

I'm missing an important preparation/survival puzzle piece. It's been nagging, but hiding from me for weeks. Someone here has that piece. Please share, and we'll find it.

When dealing with scenarios for the future, complacency is an issue. My apologies for yet another hurricane example, but it does apply. Prior to Hurricane Hugo, the Charleston, SC area had not been hit by a major storm in several decades. For the locals, it was something their parents/grandparents had only told them about. For those who had moved to the coast in the interim, they were clueless. 6 years after the storm, we moved to an area in precisely the same situation.

The "locals" here, my age, were toddlers when the last major storm hit over 40 years ago. The media hasn't helped, forecasting complete destruction, and then we're only brushed by the storm's edge, or completely spared. I'm thankful for being spared, but also realize it promotes complacency. Since the 1960's, this county has doubled its population with people from all over the country and the world. So many are clueless what to do for a major storm, or any other crisis.

We are fortunate to have some information and somewhat of a time frame, although vague and general. But this can lead to procrastination and complacency. Life has gotten harder and busier. We're all spreading our resources as widely and thinly as possible. But we need to make time to be proactive, learn and do what we can now. Little things learned and done on a consistent basis add up quickly.

What can I learn This Week? What one little thing can I do This Week to plan or prepare? What one thing can I share here that might help someone else?

Here's 2 more websites worth a check

offthegridnews.com
This site has hundreds of articles on many topics and also offers a free newsletter. Information from composting to water purification.

efoodsdirect.com
This site offers food and supply kits.

foodinsurance.com
This one has more affordable 1 month supply kits. But with both of these websites, be prepared for "sticker shock." The 1 month/1 adult package is $300. The 2 week version is $160 (closer to my affordability). They also have gluten free and vegetarian options and supply kits.

If you think about how much you spend a month on just groceries, these prices are still high, due to preparation and the extended shelf life. But from this view point, the price is not excessive. If you can save about $100 each month with the tips already posted here, in a year, you could have a complete food supply for 2 adults for 2 months. That may not sound like much, but combined with your other inventory, it could stretch further.

Here are 2 websites worth a look on preserving foods

answers.com/topic/smoked-meat
This site is a good starting point with general information and history on smoking meats for preservation.

freshpreserving.com
This site has instruction videos, a list of classes and regional harvest guides. If you have local farms which sell to the public, or a farmer's market, the regional harvest guide (pdf format) list when different fruits/veggies are harvested and will be available. It also includes how many pounds are needed for one 32 oz jar. This is great information for buying the correct amount for the number of jars you have.