I'm still here. I've been busy.
I had a really bad cold for a couple weeks. My wife is 9 months pregnant and I've been doing extra shifts at work during the Flood Watch 2011 in Winnipeg here. And the economy isn't looking very good.
I just changed the oil in my truck. That's a new skill I've picked up. I don't know anything about cars. Nothing.
But I've learned how to change my own oil and more in the last year.
Costs me about $9 bucks instead of $40 at the garages.
I do get dirty thought. Smells like dirty oil.
So I hope my truck runs a little smoother.
The big Winnipeg flood turned out to be a flop. Which is good I guess. A lot of people did not prepare in case it was bad. I build 8 foot high dikes along city properly that connected to a residential lot that have 0 feet of dikes, So if the river did flood then our 8 foot high dikes would do NOTHING. So I'm glade it appears to be a non event. And that I got paid good money for a non-event. :D
I have a baby on the way. Anytime now. My wonderful and awesome wife Tammy is 9 months and 1 week pregnant. This is our first born. It is a boy. :D
Dad is very excited!
I'm really really excited.
But this blog isn't meant to be mushy or cute. It's meant to be about doing it yourself and having fun doing it.
You know what sucks? Sandbagging. I, personally, handled around 130,000 sandbag's during my 5 weeks at it. You know what doesn't suck? Planting 14 onion bulbs in a raised bed garden that has no chance at seasonal flooding.
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So I'm going to continue to post but life is really kicking it up a gear.
:D
-Joel
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Compost! DIY dirt
If you are going to do any kind of gardening you are going to need dirt. Compost can make really good dirt and compost tea which the plants feed from.If compost is done correct it does not smell or attract animals.
And best of all; compost is free dirt - and that's... dirt cheap. *Booo*
The web defines compost as "a mixture of decaying vegetation and manure; used as a fertilizer".
Most compost takes about a year to break down but there are tricks to get good compost in 2--3 months. It's all about bacteria and worms. If you give the microorganisms and worms ideal living conditions they will do all the work for you. Think of it as literally trillions of workers (slaves, mwa ha ha) working non stop.There are 2 main parts of your compost you need to keep in balance.
Nitrogen(N) aka 'greens' and Carbon(C) aka 'browns'. 25:1 (C:N)
N - Nitrogen, P - Phosphorus, K - Potassium, C - Carbon, CC - Extra Carbon
Greens
Coffee grinds (N, P) - Acidic; great added direct to dirt for cranberries
Cooked food scraps - Low in nutrients and may attract animals
Grass clippings (N, P, K) - fresh = good nitrogen
Hay
Weeds
Browns
Grass clippings (C, P, K) - dried = good carbon
Sawdust (CC)
Wood Ash (P, K) - use small amounts, highly alkaline
Newspaper (CC) - shredded is best
Cardboard (CC)
Other
Egg shells - crushed up source of calcium
Drier lint - great!
Brewing yeast - Full of organisms.
Human urine - liquid gold
BAD
BBq ash/coal - contains sulphur oxides
Dishwater
Fish scraps - attracts animals, best if buried under new plants
Kitty litter - may contain disease organisms
Dog/cat poop - see above
Turning the pile is also very important. Take a pitch fork and mix it up! This brings in air to help the bacteria.
A good size for a compost is 3x3 feet. This gives it enough mass to hold in the heat. When you mix it up you might see steam rising; that means it's working. :)
Alright. Good. So you have compost dirt and want to get the most from it. Use it to 'feed' the dirt around your plants. A scoop or two around you plants and watering them and they will produce nice quality food. You can also make a tea...
Compost Tea
This is like a free fertilizer. You need a water proof box or cooler, some cheese cloth and fresh compost. Put the compost in the cheese cloth or nylon socking and tie it shut; like a tea bag. Put the tea bag in the water proof box and fill with water to cover the tea bag (best-worst; rain water, pond water, well water, public water).After about a week you can dump the tea dirt into the compost (the cheese cloth will compose). Now you have a great home made fertilizer that your plants will love.
As an added bonus you can pee into the tea and provide more nitrogen and minerals! Just make sure you have 10:1 tea:water ratio... AND water around the roots. Don't be dumping your Pee Tea all over the fruit you are planning to eat.
You can do more elaborate tea using fish tank aerator and pumps to circulate and oxygenate the liquid.
Other compost options.
Having an idea what your ground pH levels are is a good idea. You may need to adjust what dirt you use for certain plants. Cranberries are one plant I grow that like a high acidic soil. So I save my used coffee grinds to make compost just for that plant. I usually add it in before I give it to the plant.Egg shells are high in calcium. Some plants, like tomatoes really benefit from it and will produce nicer fruit. If you crush it up and sprinkle a circle around plant stems it will help deter slugs and cutworms.
When I brew beer I have a think brown sludge of yeast leftovers. I add some warm water to activate the yeast and pour it into my compost. It acts as an activator that speed up the compost. Also spent grains and used hops help feed the system and acts like rocket fuel to your system. :D
Adding a couple scoops of dirt to the top after you've mixed it can be good. Also adding blood meal, bone meal are good.
I've been pretty sick lately but I've still been building a new compost bin out of wood. I'll post about it later.
We've gotten used to saving certain food scraps on the counter for a couple days then dumping them into the outside compost.
So I hope this has given some ideas and insights to composting.
G'night!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Preparing for the best case scenario
You deserve the best life has to offer. You have great potential, nearly unlimited opportunity and an intelligence that sets you above all other creatures.
I'm starting this off with some motivation.
I'm not trying to B.S. anyone. It's true.
Life isn't fair though. It can build you up and tear you down. Some of the smartest people have made the dumbest mistakes. Look at that 'golden voice guy' - he was a crack head bum; turned into a sensation over night and just like that he ruined it all.
I guess you shouldn't do things expecting to succeed or fail. Do things to make your life better.
I have over 3 months worth of food on hand. Not because I expect the world to end - that's betting on failure. I have it because it makes my life better even if nothing else goes wrong. Coffee goes on sale and I buy 3 months worth - I saved money. That way when I go for groceries and coffee isn't on sale I don't need to buy it. I'm sure it will go on sale again before my supply is out. If I had only bought 1 can and expected coffee to still be on sale when I needed it I would be betting on success.
So I'm betting on both and I'll come out a winner - even if something really successful happens!
I ran out of ketchup today, so instead of having to drive to the store I grabbed another container from the pantry. I still have 3 bottles left; I got them half price.
If you ask most people about having extra food on hand they think it is a dumb idea and they bet on the stores always being open and betting they can afford to buy it. If you went back in time 100 years they would think you were dumb for not having extra food on hand. Not because our great grandparents were worried about the current food crisis, financial crisis, oil crisis, water crisis or hop crisis.
They did it because they didn't want to have to worry about eating. Short of their house burning down they could provide food for their family for many months. They didn't pay money to house insurance companies because they had neighbour insurance - people who would take you in and help you rebuild because they knew you would do the same.
I have extra food on hand in case anything bad happens happens. Or anything good. So far the worst crisis that has hit me and caused me to really need stock from the hamper is lack of ketchup one morning. And most of the time that's all you will need the hamper for.
Building up a food supply to survive the end of the world is really kind of 'out there'. People have been saying it was going to happen for ever - its not a new concept. But there have been a lot of really let down people who bet on the worse and lost. But by preparing for 'no ketchup' events and bulking up on foods you eat regularly when they are on sale you save money. You are still saving up to have a Gramma level of food on hand and it saves you time from having to drive to the store and get it. Or if anything bad were to happen.
Don't buy 10 packs of Spam because it was on sale and lasts long; unless you like to eat Spam.
My wife and I are going to have a larger garden this year so we are going to store the extra away for winter. Especially vegetable mush for the baby. ;)
We aren't gardening in case the food supply disappears; but because the food tastes so much better. We aren't even doing it to save money but that happens also. But if the garden doesn't turn out we can still get food at the store.
I guess the moral is that you shouldn't expect for the worst. Bet on the best and worst case scenario. And to enjoy life.
I'm going to get back to more Do It Yourself stuff; I've been busy working all week and haven't had the energy or time to invest in this much.
My lil' wife is sick right now so I need to go take care of her.
I'm starting this off with some motivation.
I'm not trying to B.S. anyone. It's true.
I guess you shouldn't do things expecting to succeed or fail. Do things to make your life better.I have over 3 months worth of food on hand. Not because I expect the world to end - that's betting on failure. I have it because it makes my life better even if nothing else goes wrong. Coffee goes on sale and I buy 3 months worth - I saved money. That way when I go for groceries and coffee isn't on sale I don't need to buy it. I'm sure it will go on sale again before my supply is out. If I had only bought 1 can and expected coffee to still be on sale when I needed it I would be betting on success.
So I'm betting on both and I'll come out a winner - even if something really successful happens!
I ran out of ketchup today, so instead of having to drive to the store I grabbed another container from the pantry. I still have 3 bottles left; I got them half price.
If you ask most people about having extra food on hand they think it is a dumb idea and they bet on the stores always being open and betting they can afford to buy it. If you went back in time 100 years they would think you were dumb for not having extra food on hand. Not because our great grandparents were worried about the current food crisis, financial crisis, oil crisis, water crisis or hop crisis.
I have extra food on hand in case anything bad happens happens. Or anything good. So far the worst crisis that has hit me and caused me to really need stock from the hamper is lack of ketchup one morning. And most of the time that's all you will need the hamper for.
Building up a food supply to survive the end of the world is really kind of 'out there'. People have been saying it was going to happen for ever - its not a new concept. But there have been a lot of really let down people who bet on the worse and lost. But by preparing for 'no ketchup' events and bulking up on foods you eat regularly when they are on sale you save money. You are still saving up to have a Gramma level of food on hand and it saves you time from having to drive to the store and get it. Or if anything bad were to happen.
Don't buy 10 packs of Spam because it was on sale and lasts long; unless you like to eat Spam.
My wife and I are going to have a larger garden this year so we are going to store the extra away for winter. Especially vegetable mush for the baby. ;)We aren't gardening in case the food supply disappears; but because the food tastes so much better. We aren't even doing it to save money but that happens also. But if the garden doesn't turn out we can still get food at the store.
I guess the moral is that you shouldn't expect for the worst. Bet on the best and worst case scenario. And to enjoy life.
I'm going to get back to more Do It Yourself stuff; I've been busy working all week and haven't had the energy or time to invest in this much.
My lil' wife is sick right now so I need to go take care of her.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sand and oil
I'm working again. Back at the city filling sandbags for the upcoming 'flood of the century v2.0'.So I haven't had time or energy to post as much. I'm having truck troubles right now or I'd be at work. The transmission is leaking. I'd like to get under the hood to try and fix it but we have really wicked wind for the last week -40 ain't no fun.
So I've been sandbagging. Hanging out at the beach.
Meanwhile, in another part of town....
The gas prices are going up and up!
Gotta love it. Whenever there is a disaster or global tension the price of oil goes up; even if it has nothing to do with oil. They jack the price.
But this time is is related to oil.
The Arab nations are getting all shook up.
So today the oil goes up because 2 or 3 American ships are heading to Libya.
My gas goes up.
Ok. I can understand and would expect that if I sent my little boats there that oil would cost more. So why did they decide to send the ships there?
 | |
| Property of... Star Trek. Please don't sue me. |
The USS Ponce, built in 1970 - 900 troops.
USS Kearsarge, built in 1992 - 1900 troops.
And maybe...
The USS Enterprise! Built in
They aren't going there to attack just 'be there'.
Libya has 50,000 troops with 2100-7800 commando's that are very loyal to Gadhafi; due to his paranoia the bulk of his military are poorly trained and under equipped - often with no bullets. The Commando's were trained by the British in 2009.
So what are they going to do and why?
The British have been caught selling Libya military supplies to suppress the public.
Now Obama is asking the Saudis to give weapons to the Libya rebels...
So we are arming both sides. And neither side wants our help.
Whats Gadhafi going to do? If he steps down and lets the rebels take over he will end up in a coma like the Ex-President of Tunisian Zine al-Abidine or Ex-President Mubarak of Egypt; both slipped into unexpected coma's soon after turning their country over to non-America anti-west supporters. These guys have been allied with the USA long enough to know how the CIA works. Gadhafi knows too. His job is to create as much chaos as possible. If he is a good dog, his masters will reward him.
The UN has already moved in and frozen his bank accounts. Who gives them the right? No one. They took it. I'm not saying the money isn't dirty and bloody.
It's like you have a neighbour that sells stolen merchandise. You decide it's wrong and you take all his money. 2 wrongs don't make a right. But none of this has anything to do with whats 'right'. It's about control. Why should the ruling elite need the middle/lower class? They don't. they want surfs, slaves, peons and peasants. They want to RULE like their ancestors did in the 'good ole days' of kings and peasants.
I am happy to know that the President and I a couple things in common. He is brewing his own beer! That's right. Besides ruining the free world he has time to make home brew in the white house. The other thing we have in common is... well... I'm not American either. SNAP.
So good luck! With people like this running the world and people like us letting them I'm surprised we aren't worse off. ;)
This probably wont end well
I've been paying attention to what's going on in the middle east.
More fighting.
But there is more to it. But before I get to that I'm going to start here. At home.
More fighting.
Right now there are union's all across USA and Canada protesting and/or striking. Hawaii is the latest to join the craze that is taking us by storm. My job is also in peril as my co-workers have voted to strike if an agreement isn't made.
You see, the money is drying up. The US and Canadian governments gave out all that money to stimulate the economy (dumb idea) has run out so now there is no money to keep the great machine going; in fact now there is less money because we still have to pay it back with interest. So all these cities are trying to cut costs anyway they can AND trying to point the blame in another direction because they know just how screwed things really are.
So in my case, the city wants to contract out the jobs to companies that will do it for cheaper than the city worker. The actual job doesn't get cheaper - we workers get paid pretty much the same. Its the quality of the work done that is cheapened. Roads that should be 8" thick become 4" thick; instead of lasting 10 years last 1-2 years.
If your city needs $8,000,000 for road repairs but only has $2,000,000 - you're roads are going to start looking like shit.
It doesn't matter to the guys trying to cut costs because they don't want to be re-elected next term anyway. Leave the mess for someone else to clean up.
Has anyone else had the joy of yellow and green tomatoes yet? Absolute garbage. But soon enough there wont even be garbage tomatoes to put on your burgers.
About the violence in the middle east. It seems like the whole area is destabilising. All these people are tired of being cheated. Their leaders have special deals with the west and little to no money ends up in the hands of the people. So the people are rioting and rebelling against it! They are forming new governments that are no friendly to the west. They are fighting and destroying oil production. That's going to push oil way up.
Alright.
Best case scenario.
The fighting stops.
The leaders of these Arab countries love USA and Canada even more; they share the wealth with the people.
We all get along and oil returns to a nice low double digit number.
OH, and we discover fields of really great tomatoes. :D
Worst case...
The leaders of these troubled countries continue to fight and kill their rebelling population. The UN steps in and starts to arm and defend the people against the governments. Oil stops flowing and goes to $220 a barrel.
Gas stations in your town are either empty and closed down or they are charging 312.8L for regular or over $9 a gallon in parts of USA.
It costs a lot more money to ship food from 10,000 miles away; so your grocery bill that used to cost you $100 is now costing well over $400 and you can't even get some of the products because they are not available to you.
What makes matters worse is that the food transportation industry goes on strike when oil hits $170 a barrel. Then you can't get any food no matter how much you are willing to spend!
I don't like to plan for the worst case scenario. I don't even like to think about it. But ignoring it's potential for destruction because 'it's never happened to you' is nuts. This worst case scenario has a very real chance of happening. And when it does it will be very quick. You will probably get home from work or wake up in the morning and hear dire news warnings. By the time you know what is going on it will be too late. Because when you realise what is going on so will everyone else. Just like the "Y2K disaster" - the day before everyone rushed out and bought all the foods they could. I was working at a grocery store and watched as people did this. Within a matter of hours after opening the store it was picked nearly bare.
I've talked about this in "12 Meals to Anarchy".
How will people react? They wake up in the morning, there is no food left, the grocery stores are empty. Do they go to work that day? Do they sit at home and watch TV while their children go hungry?
What would you do?
I have a lot of faith our ability to weather this storm. I don't think we will degrade into primitive African nation sitting around waiting for other to help them. Life will get hard for a while but we will pull though and we will do it ourselves! Our forefathers built this country from nothing and we can do it again. We aren't 'too big to fail' but we are too big to let it destroy us completely.
We have such a strong will to survive and endure, especially if we plan to endure.
So love life. Buy some 'food insurance'. Ride a bike to work if you can. Work closer to home if you can. Grow some food if you can. Do it yourself if you can.
And don't give up. Just keep going.
More fighting.
But there is more to it. But before I get to that I'm going to start here. At home.
More fighting.
Right now there are union's all across USA and Canada protesting and/or striking. Hawaii is the latest to join the craze that is taking us by storm. My job is also in peril as my co-workers have voted to strike if an agreement isn't made.
You see, the money is drying up. The US and Canadian governments gave out all that money to stimulate the economy (dumb idea) has run out so now there is no money to keep the great machine going; in fact now there is less money because we still have to pay it back with interest. So all these cities are trying to cut costs anyway they can AND trying to point the blame in another direction because they know just how screwed things really are.
So in my case, the city wants to contract out the jobs to companies that will do it for cheaper than the city worker. The actual job doesn't get cheaper - we workers get paid pretty much the same. Its the quality of the work done that is cheapened. Roads that should be 8" thick become 4" thick; instead of lasting 10 years last 1-2 years.If your city needs $8,000,000 for road repairs but only has $2,000,000 - you're roads are going to start looking like shit.
It doesn't matter to the guys trying to cut costs because they don't want to be re-elected next term anyway. Leave the mess for someone else to clean up.
 |
| This is the crap I take OFF my burger. |
Has anyone else had the joy of yellow and green tomatoes yet? Absolute garbage. But soon enough there wont even be garbage tomatoes to put on your burgers.
About the violence in the middle east. It seems like the whole area is destabilising. All these people are tired of being cheated. Their leaders have special deals with the west and little to no money ends up in the hands of the people. So the people are rioting and rebelling against it! They are forming new governments that are no friendly to the west. They are fighting and destroying oil production. That's going to push oil way up.
George Soros (investment banker and rich dude) says it is likely that oil will reach $200 a barrel and beyond, by summer, unless the fighting stops and pro-western governments form in the middle east.You hear about $100 a barrel, $104 a barrel, $117 a barrel.
A barrel has 42 gallons (159L) of oil.
But this is crude oil. Unrefined oil.
After it is refined each barrel converts to 19.15 gallons(72.5L) of oil.
These are just facts. No real point to them.
Alright.Best case scenario.
The fighting stops.
The leaders of these Arab countries love USA and Canada even more; they share the wealth with the people.
We all get along and oil returns to a nice low double digit number.
OH, and we discover fields of really great tomatoes. :D
Worst case...The leaders of these troubled countries continue to fight and kill their rebelling population. The UN steps in and starts to arm and defend the people against the governments. Oil stops flowing and goes to $220 a barrel.
Gas stations in your town are either empty and closed down or they are charging 312.8L for regular or over $9 a gallon in parts of USA.
It costs a lot more money to ship food from 10,000 miles away; so your grocery bill that used to cost you $100 is now costing well over $400 and you can't even get some of the products because they are not available to you.
What makes matters worse is that the food transportation industry goes on strike when oil hits $170 a barrel. Then you can't get any food no matter how much you are willing to spend!
I don't like to plan for the worst case scenario. I don't even like to think about it. But ignoring it's potential for destruction because 'it's never happened to you' is nuts. This worst case scenario has a very real chance of happening. And when it does it will be very quick. You will probably get home from work or wake up in the morning and hear dire news warnings. By the time you know what is going on it will be too late. Because when you realise what is going on so will everyone else. Just like the "Y2K disaster" - the day before everyone rushed out and bought all the foods they could. I was working at a grocery store and watched as people did this. Within a matter of hours after opening the store it was picked nearly bare.
I've talked about this in "12 Meals to Anarchy".How will people react? They wake up in the morning, there is no food left, the grocery stores are empty. Do they go to work that day? Do they sit at home and watch TV while their children go hungry?
What would you do?
I have a lot of faith our ability to weather this storm. I don't think we will degrade into primitive African nation sitting around waiting for other to help them. Life will get hard for a while but we will pull though and we will do it ourselves! Our forefathers built this country from nothing and we can do it again. We aren't 'too big to fail' but we are too big to let it destroy us completely.
We have such a strong will to survive and endure, especially if we plan to endure.
And don't give up. Just keep going.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Buy once, lasts forever.
I like items I can buy once and can rely on. The DeWalt drill my wife bought me. Cost more than other name brand drills but it will last much longer too.
But t
So here is a list of 11 items that will keep indefinitely.
SALT
I bought a 30lb bag of food grade salt for $4 at Costco. I also have several lbs of sea salt, canning salt and course salt. Why so much?! I will eventually use it. As long as you keep it dry and clean it lasts forever. And you can do so much with it. I could write an entire post how awesome salt is and I would only be scratching the surface. Entire wars have been fought over it. It was a form of currency. And if anything REALLY bad ever happens (knocks on wood) there is no where in my area where I can get salt naturally. :(
There are many types of salt. I like Sea salt the most, it has more nutrients than table salt.
46 Smart Uses for Salt - Yahoo!
HONEY
Another I could talk a lot about. 2500 year old honey found in the pyramids still has the consistency of and taste of honey. Besides a sweetener they have medical uses too. They both have antimicrobial elements to them, even against the tougher anti-biotic resistant bugs! You can use them to treat infected wounds. Ulcers. Acne. Etc.
You can smear it on cuts; bandage it up and it will heal.
I would really like to have my own hive. I like to use honey when I brew beer instead of using dextrose or Dry Malt Extract.
15 unconventional uses for Honey - Life Hacker
SUGAR
Just like honey, is a great sweetener. I like it in coffee. I cook and bake with it. It doesn't go bad. I have over 70lbs of it; got it on sale - saved a bunch! It has many more uses though.
Uses for Sugar - Hubpages
DRY BLEACH
Lasts forever.
Wait. Why? So you can have white cloths? No - and yes. But 25lbs can purify 4 million gallons of drinking water. Keep this one secure it can be dangerous if small children get into it. I have one on the way so mine is secure.
12 Uses for Bleach - Readers Digest
HAND TOOLS
Tools that don't use electricity. A Hammer. HAND saw. Grain mill. French Fry slicer.
This stuff rarely breaks down. You buy a set of screw drivers with plastic handles - they will last forever. I love (love) my DeWalt drill but it has moving parts and needs power and if it fails it probably can't be repaired. Hand tools are too awesome.
SKILLS
Knowledge is power. The more you know the more you know you don't know. True... But the more you know the better off you are than when you didn't know; ya know? So you know that seeds turn into plants but you've never planted one. Hrm... So you've grown a plant and it fed you. GOOD.
Do things. Do things yourself! Build a book shelf; paint a self portrait. Change the oil in your car.
Know how to do things yourself.
BOOKS
Besides being great kindling they are useful as knowledge. They can teach. Acquire the ones that tell you skills (see above) that you want to learn or want to teach. I have an e-reader and can download a lot of good books (well over 30,000 and growing) but I still buy the books I'd use if there was no electricity. I love books. My mom read to me when I was a kid and I'm already gearing up to read to my kid. May favourite books: 33 Strategies of War, SAS survival Handbook, Celestine Prophecies, World War Z, On Killing, Encyclopedia of Country Living, Band of Brothers - to name a VERY small selection of the many physical books I own and love. The art of war. Books are awesome. Any book by S.M Stirling - I've read every one so far.
WATER FILTERS
Besides air water, clean safe water, is important. I did a post about how Water Is Awesome. And it is. I could talk a lot about water and what I know about it but I won't yet. But what I will say is that water filters are really cheap right now and if you think you could use one for camping or as a back up it won't cost you a lot of money to get one now when it is optional compared to if it is important. Mine cost me about a hundred bucks and I've had it for 5 years. I don't use it often but when I do use it I'm glade to have it. I would like to do a real in-depth post on creating your own ceramic water filter system for a few dollars during the summer. But I will say that you can do it yourself for cheap and that is is a good SKILL to have.
BAKING SODA
I don't know a lot about this product. I use it in baking. I know it has a lot of uses but I don't know how to make it myself - yet.
Best if kept in a glass, wax sealed container. Lasts forever.
75 Uses for Baking Soda - lifehackery.com
VINEGAR
Lasts forever. I don't need to tell you it is good on fries.
It's really a cheap buy now a days. If you see it on sale and you buy $30 worth of it you will be able to use it. It won't go bad. If you want to make your own (I do) then you will need a mother...
Not all vinegars are created equal.
50 uses for Vinegar - Paul Michael @ Wifebread; good read
PARAFFIN CANDLES
This lasts a lot longer than candles - which are prone to melting. Paraffin is a wax in its liquid form and usually is in an airtight sealed package. Just add a wick and voila you have a heat and light source!
PAPER PRODUCTS
This is stuff like TOILET PAPER. You are going to use it eventually right. I've never used a leaf, nor want to, so buying a 'shit' load of this when it's on sale is a good idea. Diaper's and feminine pads are good items too - if you have a female or baby in your life I guess. This stuff can be great for barter too. After everyone else runs out of TP give 'em a week and they'll trade anything for some 2 ply love.
I think items like paper plates, napkins and paper towels are good stuff to have on hand also. You can get them for pretty cheap.
:D
So that's about all I have to say about that. This list is mostly a mash up of lists I've read over the years. If I can think of anything else I'll do another posting about it down the road. If you come across any of these items on sale you can stock up on them knowing you will save money and they will not go to waste. I won't run out of sugar for quite a long time. ;)
But t
So here is a list of 11 items that will keep indefinitely.
I bought a 30lb bag of food grade salt for $4 at Costco. I also have several lbs of sea salt, canning salt and course salt. Why so much?! I will eventually use it. As long as you keep it dry and clean it lasts forever. And you can do so much with it. I could write an entire post how awesome salt is and I would only be scratching the surface. Entire wars have been fought over it. It was a form of currency. And if anything REALLY bad ever happens (knocks on wood) there is no where in my area where I can get salt naturally. :(
There are many types of salt. I like Sea salt the most, it has more nutrients than table salt.
46 Smart Uses for Salt - Yahoo!
Another I could talk a lot about. 2500 year old honey found in the pyramids still has the consistency of and taste of honey. Besides a sweetener they have medical uses too. They both have antimicrobial elements to them, even against the tougher anti-biotic resistant bugs! You can use them to treat infected wounds. Ulcers. Acne. Etc.
You can smear it on cuts; bandage it up and it will heal.
I would really like to have my own hive. I like to use honey when I brew beer instead of using dextrose or Dry Malt Extract.
15 unconventional uses for Honey - Life Hacker
Just like honey, is a great sweetener. I like it in coffee. I cook and bake with it. It doesn't go bad. I have over 70lbs of it; got it on sale - saved a bunch! It has many more uses though.
Uses for Sugar - Hubpages
DRY BLEACH
Lasts forever.
Wait. Why? So you can have white cloths? No - and yes. But 25lbs can purify 4 million gallons of drinking water. Keep this one secure it can be dangerous if small children get into it. I have one on the way so mine is secure.
12 Uses for Bleach - Readers Digest
Tools that don't use electricity. A Hammer. HAND saw. Grain mill. French Fry slicer.
This stuff rarely breaks down. You buy a set of screw drivers with plastic handles - they will last forever. I love (love) my DeWalt drill but it has moving parts and needs power and if it fails it probably can't be repaired. Hand tools are too awesome.
Knowledge is power. The more you know the more you know you don't know. True... But the more you know the better off you are than when you didn't know; ya know? So you know that seeds turn into plants but you've never planted one. Hrm... So you've grown a plant and it fed you. GOOD.
Do things. Do things yourself! Build a book shelf; paint a self portrait. Change the oil in your car.
Know how to do things yourself.
BOOKS
Besides being great kindling they are useful as knowledge. They can teach. Acquire the ones that tell you skills (see above) that you want to learn or want to teach. I have an e-reader and can download a lot of good books (well over 30,000 and growing) but I still buy the books I'd use if there was no electricity. I love books. My mom read to me when I was a kid and I'm already gearing up to read to my kid. May favourite books: 33 Strategies of War, SAS survival Handbook, Celestine Prophecies, World War Z, On Killing, Encyclopedia of Country Living, Band of Brothers - to name a VERY small selection of the many physical books I own and love. The art of war. Books are awesome. Any book by S.M Stirling - I've read every one so far.
Besides air water, clean safe water, is important. I did a post about how Water Is Awesome. And it is. I could talk a lot about water and what I know about it but I won't yet. But what I will say is that water filters are really cheap right now and if you think you could use one for camping or as a back up it won't cost you a lot of money to get one now when it is optional compared to if it is important. Mine cost me about a hundred bucks and I've had it for 5 years. I don't use it often but when I do use it I'm glade to have it. I would like to do a real in-depth post on creating your own ceramic water filter system for a few dollars during the summer. But I will say that you can do it yourself for cheap and that is is a good SKILL to have.
I don't know a lot about this product. I use it in baking. I know it has a lot of uses but I don't know how to make it myself - yet.
Best if kept in a glass, wax sealed container. Lasts forever.
75 Uses for Baking Soda - lifehackery.com
VINEGAR
Lasts forever. I don't need to tell you it is good on fries.
It's really a cheap buy now a days. If you see it on sale and you buy $30 worth of it you will be able to use it. It won't go bad. If you want to make your own (I do) then you will need a mother...
Not all vinegars are created equal.
50 uses for Vinegar - Paul Michael @ Wifebread; good read
PARAFFIN CANDLES
This lasts a lot longer than candles - which are prone to melting. Paraffin is a wax in its liquid form and usually is in an airtight sealed package. Just add a wick and voila you have a heat and light source!
PAPER PRODUCTSThis is stuff like TOILET PAPER. You are going to use it eventually right. I've never used a leaf, nor want to, so buying a 'shit' load of this when it's on sale is a good idea. Diaper's and feminine pads are good items too - if you have a female or baby in your life I guess. This stuff can be great for barter too. After everyone else runs out of TP give 'em a week and they'll trade anything for some 2 ply love.
I think items like paper plates, napkins and paper towels are good stuff to have on hand also. You can get them for pretty cheap.
:D
So that's about all I have to say about that. This list is mostly a mash up of lists I've read over the years. If I can think of anything else I'll do another posting about it down the road. If you come across any of these items on sale you can stock up on them knowing you will save money and they will not go to waste. I won't run out of sugar for quite a long time. ;)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Learning from Sarajevo or living through 3 years of hell
You probably haven't heard of Sarajevo. I hadn't. It's in Bosnia.
But we both have hear of World War 1. It was here in 1914 that the heir to the throne of Austria was assassinated.
They also hosted the 1984 Olympic games. But it also endured over 3 years of siege during the Bosnia war that cost thousands of lives.
So when it comes to doing it yourself these people did it. Themselves.
Here's is what survivors have to say about how you can survive 3 brutal years.
1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.
6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches
This isn't my list of suggestions. This isn't some guys suggestions. This list was written after the fact. This is more real than anything else I can post.
And to compliment it I will now list the first 100 items that disappeared from store shelves.
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens (funny)
Look at this list. Think how cheap these items are now. Think about how you have a use for them. Now think about not having access to stores where you can buy them and how you would have been better off buying them when they were cheap.
Don't look at the list and think about some myth 'end of the world'.
Look at the list and think - I go camping a couple times a year and Coleman fuel is on sale right now so if I buy 6 canisters on sale for $20 I'll have enough to camp for 3 years. And if anything happens you have some fuel. Some items, like lumber, not so easy to stock up on; realistically. But coffee goes on sale every other month right now for 25% off in my area. I buy 4 of them I get the 5th free. I'm going to use it. I will.
That list wasn't compiled by people who died, DIED, during the Bosnia war. It was compiled by people who survived the war and if, god forbid, they had to do it again this is how they would have prepared.
Looking at the list I have about 3/4 of the items, you probably do too - its just having extra that puts you ahead of the pact. I also use my stuff. Everything I have has a purpose because it either already fit into my life or I made it fit into my life. I bolded everything I have; but can always use more of.
I'm happy with what I have and I'm not trying to feed my family forever. Most of the items bolded are stuff I have bought more of during sales. So I save money and still prepare for times that might or might not get worse.
And today gas went up 8.5% in one day... that doesn't suggest good times ahead.
If you can't mentally see anything wrong happening then please seek friends that do. You can see these people as odd for thinking ahead; but if you treat them good now they might be able to treat you good later if times get tough - or even if they don't.
Sarajevo was names one of the worlds top 10 cities to visit in 2010. So no matter how bad life seems; in a couple years it can all change around.
But we both have hear of World War 1. It was here in 1914 that the heir to the throne of Austria was assassinated.They also hosted the 1984 Olympic games. But it also endured over 3 years of siege during the Bosnia war that cost thousands of lives.
So when it comes to doing it yourself these people did it. Themselves.
Here's is what survivors have to say about how you can survive 3 brutal years.
1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.
6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches
This isn't my list of suggestions. This isn't some guys suggestions. This list was written after the fact. This is more real than anything else I can post.
And to compliment it I will now list the first 100 items that disappeared from store shelves.
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens (funny)
Look at this list. Think how cheap these items are now. Think about how you have a use for them. Now think about not having access to stores where you can buy them and how you would have been better off buying them when they were cheap.Don't look at the list and think about some myth 'end of the world'.
Look at the list and think - I go camping a couple times a year and Coleman fuel is on sale right now so if I buy 6 canisters on sale for $20 I'll have enough to camp for 3 years. And if anything happens you have some fuel. Some items, like lumber, not so easy to stock up on; realistically. But coffee goes on sale every other month right now for 25% off in my area. I buy 4 of them I get the 5th free. I'm going to use it. I will.
That list wasn't compiled by people who died, DIED, during the Bosnia war. It was compiled by people who survived the war and if, god forbid, they had to do it again this is how they would have prepared.
Looking at the list I have about 3/4 of the items, you probably do too - its just having extra that puts you ahead of the pact. I also use my stuff. Everything I have has a purpose because it either already fit into my life or I made it fit into my life. I bolded everything I have; but can always use more of.I'm happy with what I have and I'm not trying to feed my family forever. Most of the items bolded are stuff I have bought more of during sales. So I save money and still prepare for times that might or might not get worse.
And today gas went up 8.5% in one day... that doesn't suggest good times ahead.
If you can't mentally see anything wrong happening then please seek friends that do. You can see these people as odd for thinking ahead; but if you treat them good now they might be able to treat you good later if times get tough - or even if they don't.
Sarajevo was names one of the worlds top 10 cities to visit in 2010. So no matter how bad life seems; in a couple years it can all change around.
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