It could happen

Let's face it, when life gives us a chance to teach we should never walk away from it. This morning gave me a perfect chance to talk to my 8 year old son, JC, about something he needs to know about. The conversation went as follows:

Me: Standing in the kitchen doing dishes.
JC: Comes into the kitchen looking a little concerned. "Mom, what would we do if the electricity went out?"
Me: "Good question. Are we talking for a couple of hours, a couple of days, or forever?" I can see my son clearly hasn't thought about this.
JC: "I know what we do when it goes out for a couple of hours. (We've had storms take the electricity out for a while) So, what would we do if it was out for a couple of days?"
Me: "Now that is a good question."

And it was. Unfortunately, as my son found out, it's not a question with easy answers. It will take some drastic lifestyle changes on the part of many people's every day lives. Some will adapt to those changes easily. Others will struggle but still adapt. Sadly, a percentage will fail to adapt at all and, in honest reality, others still will take advantage of whomever they can find.

Before I go any further I want to make a few things very clear. I am not an alarmist. I am  not a fatalist. I am not pessimist. I am not a believer in the chance of a Zombie Apocalypse. However, I am a believer in the very real chance of  natural or man made disasters and strongly feel that a person does a huge disservice to himself in not being prepared for such an even. I am a realist and I live by the belief that if you fail to plan then you can plan to fail.

Now, if you're still with me fantastic! That means you're aware of the fact bad things do happen and it doesn't matter who you are. Bravo!! If you're not then you're not reading this and you're they type of people I'll be keeping on eye on if crap ever hits the fan.

Anyway! Back to the question of what happens if the electricity goes out of an extended period of time. In this topic we'll stick with the basics and focus on what mentally you're going to have to change.  If you can change how you think you'll find that you'll have the ability to over come most of the challenges you'd face in a natural/man made disaster.

The 1st thing you need to do is evaluate what you have and what you need. All of this needs to be done fairly quickly. Also, while it may be a nice cuddly though that the government will fix the problem soon and you'll be alright, you need to realize that may not be the case. Need an example? Hurricane Katrina.

Key things you need to address quick and in a hurry:

• Do you have shelter? If yes, you're good. Move on. (I know some preppers  are screaming that there is more to this and they're right but that's for a later subject. We're moving on.)
• Do you have a source of fresh water? The body can not go without water very long. This is a must. The water from your tap has to be pumped from somewhere. If the electricity is out you may not have water or you may have water for a short time. You'll need to come up with a source of fresh water. This is were being mentally flexible will come in handy. Fresh water can come from several places. A pond, lake, stream, creek, rain, ice if it's winter, a puddle, or a canal. I would strongly recommend boiling it but it's fresh water.
• Next is, do you have food? I can hear some of you telling you're computer, "Duh, in the frig." That's not going to last long. With the electricity out that frig is going to start to warm up and that food will go bad. The food in your deep freezer will last a while longer but it too will thaw out and go bad. If you have a generator you got power and you planned for an event like this. Freaking awesome!! I recommend everyone keep a well stocked supply of canned and dried goods. These will last a long time. If you know how to can foods do it. Once you're meat is gone you have some choices. You can fish/hunt for it, if you know how. By the way, rabbit and squirrel are meat and can be ate. Or, if you have some kind of skill or trade you may be able to barter for it. I also strongly recommend everyone become familiar with their local plant life. Find out what you can eat and what you can't. This also comes in handy due to the fact many plants have healing properties to them.  

As many preppers will tell you I have just covered some of the very key basics here. One other thing I want you to keep in mind if the power were to ever go out. Wood equals heat. Gather wood, keep it dry, and you'll have a good start. Second, gas pumps wont pump without electricity and gas will only store for so long before going bad. Electricity goes out, use you vehicle wisely. Most important is to not panic. Life was perfectly fine long before we had electricity and it will be if it were to ever go out. You may have to adjust but you can do it. Until next time keep planning.

Cell Phones: Not That Great

By: ccollins2009

Last week I had some cell phone issues. As in it wasn't doing what it was suppose to do. A new phone later and all is well in my world again but this got me to thinking.

It wasn't all that long ago when cell phones weren't a common thing. I didn't grow up with them. Most of my friends didn't own cell phones, either. We had house phones and answering machines. We planned stuff ahead of time and we actually saw our friends. I also remember no phone calls during dinner and no phone calls after 9 pm.

Life was simpler then. You knew when your friends were upset because you could actually see them. People didn't die because they were texting and driving.

Friends? By Scotty Plowman

In this marvelous time of electronic conversations, web sites and other media.. It has been said we are no longer making any "Real" friends.. The circumstances of the last few days has proven just the opposite to me!
For many of you,, it is apparent the the Tornado season is in full swing in the Midwest.. The awful reality of what happened in Joplin, Mo... and the Southeast is ample evidence of that.. My phone started ringing the other night with individuals calling and checking on my safety and warning me of terrible weather conditions.. Friends I had met strictly through social media!
As hours and days progressed,, I saw people dispersing information, helping in the search of loved ones, mobilizing relief efforts,, and several agreeing in prayer.!
Are electronic friends real friends..? Oh yes.. close friends,, friends concerned about your well being,,, I am quite thankful for these special folks!

I got it Rough! By Scotty Plowman

I tell ya,, this hear entertainer thing is highly overrated at times... Take this weekend as a case in point!
First thing,, I had to pickup a bunch of bullfighters and rodeo judges on my way to a rodeo in Wisconsin... The stories, joking and laughter on the drive.. Was torturous.. Then,, we get to where we were heading.. Found out they didn't have our hotel rooms.. We had to sacrifice by staying in their 7400 square foot cabin..made with hand hewn logs from their own property! Then next morning,, I was rudely awaken by an aroma coming out of the kitchen...Those people had the gall.. to fix us a huge breakfast of eggs and homemade bear sausage!! Then later that day... they drug us to this scenic lake front restaurant...where they bought us a scrumptious lunch! Later that night,, they hired a bus to take us to various clubs,, and even had a poker tournament for us!
The next day brought more hardship.. as we did the rodeo they hired us to do... through out the performance,, they were continually bothering us with offers of cold drinks and other things... Later that night,, they forced us to go to a barn dance.
The pain continued through the next day ... as we were preparing to leave,, They stuffed cash in our pockets and loaded us down with gifts..Then we faced a long drive home through some scenery we had to stare at for hours...
I am constantly getting treated this way... all over the country.... at times it's almost unbearable...
" I tell ya,,, I got it rough!"

Lesson Learned

By: ccollins2009

Life lessons are those things your parents teach you when you're old enough to listen. Things like: "Becareful what you wish for" or "If you don't have anthing nice to say don't say anthing at all." My parents were no different but like most of the people in my family I'm hard headed. Most of the time I have to learn things the hard way.

I was 18, at the time, and had just been in another argument with my mom. I was pissed. Not just kinda mad. I mean full blown Irish temper pissed. Not wanting to fight anymore I went outside to take a walk and vent.

I can't tell you what all I said, I don't really remember but I'm sure it wasn't nice. And most of it probably wasn't true. I was just talking to myself and being mad.

Finally, I calmed down enough to go back into the house but when I turned around there stood mom. There was no doubt in my mind she had heard everything I'd said. You could see the hurt in her eyes and for the first time in 18 years I really understood why she'd always told me to, "never speak in anger cause you can't take those words back."

Ten years later I can still remember the hurt in her eyes and how I felt like crawling under a rock. From that day on I vowed to do my best to never speak in anger again because words really do hurt and you can't take them back.

Feeding The Beast! by Scotty Plowman

I had the privilege to be raised around animals.. At an early age I was given responsibility to care for the critters around the place... The baby orphaned lamps were bottle fed by us youngsters...Lambs which my Dad lovingly called lamb chop.. At times the question what was for dinner was answered by the resounding word " LAMB CHOPS"! I remember the pride I felt in knowing that I had help put food on the table.. That philosophy was expected to be adhered to...
I remember the Winter I was Thirteen, not long before Christmas, an old Hereford cow we owned died shortly after giving birth to a bull calf ,, which was promptly brought home , and I was given the job of caring for him!
At the age of thirteen,, I thought I was ALL cowboy,, I rode steers and bareback broncs at the little youth rodeos around the area,, I rode my horse everyday,,,normally for most of the day,, and chased every victimize and terrorized cow on the place with a rope.. One day, I realized this calf had grown to the point that I could get on him and use him for practice,, This action took place SEVERAL times a day,, To the point I had him broke to ride!
Over the next three years,, me and the bull calf,, now referred to as EL FONZO.. were a common site around the place.. and at the end of each ride,, he was given a healthy dose of ground corn,, he always rubbed me with his head trying to coax me to feed him faster!
One day, My father, who was also a loan officer at the local bank, was feeding before work.. trying to sneak the chores in on his way out the drive.. as I came from feeding the horses.. I heard words I did not think my Father was capable of using, I rounded the corner to find my Father sitting in the mud.. wearing his best three piece suit, covered in cornmeal... El Fonzo had up ended him as he pushed him with his head.
My father spoke not a word.. went to the truck and hooked up to the trailer... He loaded El Fonzo inside and gestured for me to join him in the truck.. A twenty mile drive later found us backed to the dock at the local locker plant, and El Fonzo taking his last steps through the door.. As we got back into the truck my Father finally spoke,, " That ought to show that S*% of a 8!(@H!"
My sadness at the loss of my friend was quickly resolved.. Because he sure tasted good...And... At least Dad had a little consolation in that!

Things to Ponder By Smallonesmom

As inappropriate as it may appear to post such inane ramblings after the death of Osama, I find that my views on terrorism are just that, mine. As relieved that I am that a monster, who slaughtered the likes of men, women, and children is no longer a threat to our country, I am incredibly torn as well. I watch as crowds of people gather to celebrate this day, relieved that this chapter of US history is over; waving flags and chanting. I understood, related to it even, but it made me remember the crowds of people standing outside, chanting, and celebrating the fall of the twin towers and the lives taken from many Americans.