I live with others who also laugh
at my concerns. I do not care. I
care about my own comfort level.
Since you now planted the seeds
of advice, its time to buy some
bins and put your survival gear
in them. It is advisable to keep
stuff as together as possible and
sealed. We used to keep garbage
cans in our basement which keep
stuff dry and almost airtight.
If you have a closet or place you
can lock or keep safe, it might
be preferable than even a pantry.
That way, when friends come knocking
you can show them your pantry and
meanwhile, have your other stuff
in a different location.
My dilemma was a little different
as I was trying to buy food and
save it with the other people in
the house eating it. As fast as I
could stock the pantry, they were
happy to plunder. So, now, I am
very quietly amassing enough food
to have for myself and share. If
I am lucky they will not like the
food I am going to rely on. I have
a lot of beans and a lot of sprout
seeds and other stores. Not enough
for everyone but since no one is
interested or helping, I am content
to go my own way to my own comfort
level. I squished stuff around and
have food under the beds, and in
closets and drawers. My immediate
concern is if there is a possibility
that if I do not take a swine flu
shot, I would be placed under
quarantine. That would be fine for
me and I could last on what I have
probably 6 months. In the end, it
has worked since we have two other
large pantries and if the sheet hits
the fan, and people come looting,
that stuff would be taken and with
luck, my own supplies might survive.
My other "tact" was to discuss these
issues with my other neighbors who
are more willing to entertain the
notion that banks would close down
and our world as we know it would
shift rather quickly and dramatically.
My neighbor is a hunter and fisher
and we would do some trading. A few
of my investments would help if the
need comes to pass. For example, I
have a huge parabolic solar cooker
which can be used to boil water, cook
meals and heat water for bathing
without using wood or other fuels.
I have a couple of extra solar cookers
I could "lend" out or trade out.
I recently bought a small solar battery
and charger which would work for
recharging stuff like cell phones and
laptops. I personally do not use a
cell phone but could see myself trading
with others to charge theirs if need
be. If the heck does not hit the fan
before I am able to facilitate getting
a larger system, I would like to do
that too. With the small one, I can
steam food and also operate my electric
sprouter which makes tons of sprouts at
a time~~
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1507488#i
Mostly though, as I quietly stash my
change in strange places, I have taken
to discussing nothing with anyone around
here. Certainly not any cash reserves
since I am the only one around here who
believes that when the banks close down
for whatever reason, it will be difficult
to buy food or gas without cash. I know,
since that was the way it was in the
aftermath of Hurricane Rita and Ike
down here in Texas.
Most likely the reality of any situation
will be different from what we are imagining.
In Texas, the fact that we can shoot anyone
who comes on our property, no questions asked,
will perhaps help stem looting. Plus, our
place is difficult to find. We do live next
to a ranch with Angus beef and Emus so we
have already discussed with those neighbors
buying meat from them and butchering it
ourselves. Not me @_@ but my neighbor would
do that in a skinny second. He had already
shown me how to smoke meat and so that would
also be something we could trade with others
for things we need.
I am glad you are doing what YOU feel the
need to do so you feel comfortable. It is
a kind thing to do for your family too. In
the end, if friends come knocking, TRADE if
you do anything. If not tangible goods, than
trade for time. For example, where we live,
we do not have trash pickup. I do chair massage
on another neighbor and he is more than happy
to haul my trash for the trade.
Think outside of the box, and find comfort
in the knowledge that when others are scrambling
to find food and water, you will be able to
sit tight for awhile and integrate the coming
changes.
blessings & best wishes,
Zoe
-_-