tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post7540253387411745085..comments2023-10-21T16:38:35.007-05:00Comments on Thoughts from Frank and Fern: A Pandemic of PreparednessFrank and Fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-9867510653572999212015-10-26T02:07:05.635-05:002015-10-26T02:07:05.635-05:00I am honoured that you think the ideas are worthy....I am honoured that you think the ideas are worthy. I pick up a lot of the good ones here (hehe). <br />If I had one recommendation that will do more for anyone now and in the coming hard times, it would be to produce food...any food. Storing food is vital, but until you have the ability to personally restock the stored food you use - you will just starve slower than everyone else. In the "now", any food you can grow is food you don't have to buy - that is immediate extra money in your pocket. And the more you grow, the more "extra" money you will have for other purposes. Plus, you get a far fresher, safer product than you can buy anywhere or are able to enjoy things you can't afford to buy. I just figured out that the cider we make is a lot more valuable than I had dreamed. Organic apples are selling for around $2 lb, and it takes between 21 and 29 lbs. to make a gallon of cider. If we had to buy the apples, it would cost us on average $50 per gallon - far out of our price range. Using our apples, we make up to 100 gallons a year. Producing your own food also insulates you from the risk of current food supply problems. For instance, the recent big increase in the price of eggs didn't bother us, since we have chickens. As a matter of fact, it helped us, as it made the eggs I take to the farm market even more valuable. And when the e. coli problem in spinach occurred years ago, I started growing a winter salad garden of lettuces, greens, green onions, kale, etc for ourselves, the goats and chickens under a low tunnel. Haven't bought any salad stuff for 9 years now...and this effort turned into my main farm market specialty - salad mixes. No other vendor offers any lettuces/greens, so no competition. And producing your own food has other benefits - if you grow a goodly amount, you won't need a gym membership or treadmill...you will get all the exercise you need to stay healthy and enough sun exposure to make all the vitamin D you need. And when the coming Darker Ages arrive, you will be one of the very, very few who won't have to panic over lack of food or watch your children starve to death...because you were clever enough to get a head start.<br />So much easier to learn now with libraries and the internet, to get equipment and stock while it is widely available and break as much ground as you can now while you have the use of tractors and tillers. Trust me, you don't want to be breaking sod with a shovel for a garden big enough to feed a family...the very thought gives me nightmares.<br />Grow food...start now.<br />PlantLady Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-536348838344941732015-10-26T01:01:04.488-05:002015-10-26T01:01:04.488-05:00We got the large Kitchen Queen wood cookstove. Has...We got the large Kitchen Queen wood cookstove. Has an oven large enough to bake 8 loaves of bread at once and has a stainless 27 gallon hot water reservoir on the upper back - which can be plumbed into the household water system. Imagine the luxury, ease and economy of hot baths/showers using the water heated when cooking or heating the home. Keeping ourselves and our food equipment clean will keep us far healthier in the coming Darker Ages. They also offer a summer grate, which raises the fire closer to the cooktop, so you don't need as hot a fire to cook in warmer weather. <br />PlantLadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-91091047253589313612015-10-25T10:24:25.335-05:002015-10-25T10:24:25.335-05:00PlantLady, I hope everyone reads your comments. Th...PlantLady, I hope everyone reads your comments. They are certainly well taken. Thank you.<br /><br />FrankFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-2433492335669353342015-10-25T10:22:34.447-05:002015-10-25T10:22:34.447-05:00Lorraine, we read a detailed review of the book. Y...Lorraine, we read a detailed review of the book. You're right, 40+ years ago, and it's happening right now, not just in Europe, but here. Our government has betrayed the people. We all know what's coming next. Thank you for the recommendation of the book. For those e-readers it's available on Kindle. What a sad day. Prepare for the unthinkable.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-76687553601115190702015-10-25T09:18:25.610-05:002015-10-25T09:18:25.610-05:00Prepared Granny: Excellent idea! We do something s...Prepared Granny: Excellent idea! We do something similar here...my best buddy and I sort of coordinate our gardens. She grows some things better, as do I, then we share. And since we sell together at the farm market, this way we don't directly compete, and can offer a wider range of products to our customers. Another neighbor grows pickling cukes for sale, so I don't bother planting those and trade things with them. Another neighbor has a small pumpkin farm, so we save space in our garden and get those from them. We all end up with more...a great deal for all.<br />Anonymous: Thank you.<br />Frank (and Fern, of course): When I mentioned that those who see the need and have a plan are best suited to direct the community through the Darker Ages through the vehicle of a trading post...I specifically meant the both of you (hehe). I would hope you would set up the trading post, rather than hoping "someone" else would do it. The overall trend today of "somebody should do something about that" (today, meaning the government) is probably our biggest problem and why we have ended up in such bad straits. And who knows if anyone else would step up...and if they did, what sort of weird ideas they may have about what is suitable? And at that point, it won't be nearly as easy to pull up stakes and move to a "better" place - even if you could find one. All your ideas and view of the coming Darker Ages are spot on...and that is what we need to step up and get us through the initial mayhem then rebuild in a more sane manner.<br />And I get the idea you are about same age as my husband and I (mid 50s/60s). By building your community around yourself (and ourselves), and making yourself indispensable and beloved to the community, you will ensure a better old age for yourselves. That old saw "To have a friend, be a friend" is true for very good reasons. There won't be any more nursing homes.<br />And for folks thinking of using this plan, here in the upper Midwest, the traditional small villages are all about 8 miles apart. That is as far as most folks could come/go to "town" on foot or by horse, between morning and evening milkings. Don't try to fight history unless you have no choice...there is generally very good reasons for those small villages to be where they are...potable water, trail crossroads, centered in a fertile growing area, etc.<br />PlantLady Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-80183632236605188542015-10-25T08:24:37.283-05:002015-10-25T08:24:37.283-05:00Fern, the book Camp of the Saints by Jean Raspail,...Fern, the book Camp of the Saints by Jean Raspail, was written, I believe, in 1970. It is absolutely spot-on with what we are facing at this moment. It is written from the perspective of the French as Jean Raspail is a Frenchman and was trying to warn his countrymen. It is hard to read because it is so spot-on. It is raw, I warn you. Not sexually explicit or anything of that nature but just raw human nature. It shocks and makes you uncomfortable, which it was mean to do. 1970. Imagine that. It's now 2015 and who has come awake yet?Lorraine Barnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07592739730442748917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-9322586809145105472015-10-24T21:20:08.640-05:002015-10-24T21:20:08.640-05:00Hello, Grammy. We have a direct neighbor that rais...Hello, Grammy. We have a direct neighbor that raises bees commercially. He doesn't do honey a lot anymore, but he sells a contraption type thing with a number of bees and a queen inside that is inserted in the brooder in place of a couple of frames. But he still does produce honey. Bees are interesting creatures. We've tried bees a time or two, and maybe we will try them again. Thank you for your inspiration.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-32093469617408367292015-10-24T21:15:05.841-05:002015-10-24T21:15:05.841-05:00Hi, Vickie. Could you share more details about you...Hi, Vickie. Could you share more details about your Sun Oven? We have a Sun Oven, but we have never used it. We just haven't got around to it yet. You might want to check out a Rocket Stove for days when the wood stove is not necessary, but you need a hot meal. Keep up the battle.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-81275928947797772172015-10-24T21:11:31.627-05:002015-10-24T21:11:31.627-05:00Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for r...Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for reading here. Like Frank says, we're all in this together.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-21745805260273696332015-10-24T21:05:34.207-05:002015-10-24T21:05:34.207-05:00Lorraine, thank you for sharing. I'm not famil...Lorraine, thank you for sharing. I'm not familiar with the book you referenced, but we will give it a look. It is at the door, isn't it? I wonder what it's going to be like when it is in the door. I pray everyday for one more day of calm, and I'm thankful when everyday is calm. One day, it's not going to be calm.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-28070225194580124062015-10-24T21:02:33.087-05:002015-10-24T21:02:33.087-05:00Hi, SJ. Thank you for sharing your efforts. It'...Hi, SJ. Thank you for sharing your efforts. It's a good concept to pick up a little more than you need every time. It certainly builds and it will continue to build. Make sure you keep your canner instructions handy. We review the safety procedures each year. Our pressure canner has become part of our house, as well as the water bath. Keep working at it, you're an encouragement to many readers.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-24885761624507680292015-10-24T20:57:16.071-05:002015-10-24T20:57:16.071-05:00Thank you, Carl.
FernThank you, Carl.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-39422487005861689612015-10-24T20:55:57.184-05:002015-10-24T20:55:57.184-05:00Hi, PlantLady. Your ideas are very well received h...Hi, PlantLady. Your ideas are very well received here. Our local community is about 5 miles away. There are a couple of empty buildings there that would make a good trading post, or other type business. I'm hoping somebody local (very near town) will pick up the ball and run with it. That's my hope anyway. The seed has been planted, we will try to nurture it, and hopefully it will grow. Thank you again for your comment.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-16415029504673913502015-10-24T20:49:10.664-05:002015-10-24T20:49:10.664-05:00Hi, Bellen. We're all in this together. We may...Hi, Bellen. We're all in this together. We may be miles apart, and this medium of communication is still relatively new, it's just another means of communication that involves sharing of like minded people. Fern and I look forward to answering comments, it seems to provide something that we need. Thank you for your kind words, now break time's over. Take care.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-33820335585749897572015-10-24T20:45:24.497-05:002015-10-24T20:45:24.497-05:00Annabel, we all need motivation from time to time....Annabel, we all need motivation from time to time. Doing this blog helps motivate Fern and I. But it rained here yesterday and today, so there was no major outside work to do. The concrete work is done, and my back needs a break. Tomorrow is the Lord's day, we'll get back at it Monday. Keep preparing.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-11196997719857896292015-10-24T20:38:07.246-05:002015-10-24T20:38:07.246-05:00You're very welcome, Meary. Glad you stopped b...You're very welcome, Meary. Glad you stopped by.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-13396424698099722602015-10-24T20:37:35.785-05:002015-10-24T20:37:35.785-05:00Calidore, thank you and blessings to you, too.
I ...Calidore, thank you and blessings to you, too.<br /><br />I don't know why people won't put a little food away. What is the big deal? A few extra cans of food. But they won't. I'm afraid of what will happen when they get hungry. What would you do if your child was starving? Most parents would do anything. <br /><br />I know this day is coming. I pray for community development and community awareness, but it's just not happening. Thank you for sharing.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-74801624812691109212015-10-24T20:32:21.840-05:002015-10-24T20:32:21.840-05:00Hi, Vicki. Thank you for taking the time to read a...Hi, Vicki. Thank you for taking the time to read and thank you for taking the time to comment. This migrant issue is already out of hand in Europe, and it's been out of hand in this country for a long time, just different migrants. But those in Europe are also coming here, and some have been coming for a long time. We are being invaded, and our government is encouraging it. War is inevitable. <br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-30237769364424467982015-10-24T15:22:12.135-05:002015-10-24T15:22:12.135-05:00Does anyone know of a good wood burning stove that...Does anyone know of a good wood burning stove that could be used for heating and cooking? Prepared Grammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520764687351107967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-62728334235240468742015-10-23T23:16:16.976-05:002015-10-23T23:16:16.976-05:00Well put. Good ideas!Well put. Good ideas!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-55367263203396411252015-10-23T22:50:06.635-05:002015-10-23T22:50:06.635-05:00Thank you, Frank and Fern. Your blog is an inspir...Thank you, Frank and Fern. Your blog is an inspiration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-66656965078115385852015-10-23T19:45:57.851-05:002015-10-23T19:45:57.851-05:00My friends know that I have begun beekeeping, and ...My friends know that I have begun beekeeping, and some have made comments that hint to their mindset. I don't tell people that I'm 'prepping.' Close friends suspect it, and have hinted that they are too. Some have commented about things they have stocked up or skills they have, and mention that they don't have access to honey. I jokingly say that the day may come that we can trade. The look I get tells me that they know our world will probably come to this. <br /><br />A retired friend was stung by the beekeeping bug, and I was able to help him. He and his elderly father have wanted bees, and a man I know sold all of his well-established hives. I introduced them, and a deal was made. Today I took my extraction equipment to their farm. We inspected hives, and harvested honey for several hours. They were so excited to have their own honey. We talked about how important that honey may be some day. They said it may happen sooner than we think. They plan on keeping most of the honey, but will trade some to a neighbor for pecans. <br /><br />I'm glad to see that more good folks are preparing for what we know is going to happen. Thank you for your posts. I love reading every one of them. May God bless you in your service to others. Prepared Grammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520764687351107967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-5174789858269338882015-10-23T19:25:07.307-05:002015-10-23T19:25:07.307-05:00I have a vegetable garden, as do some of my friend...I have a vegetable garden, as do some of my friends. I always have a wonderful corn crop, but my tomatoes are a disaster. A close friend and coworker has the opposite situation. Her tomatoes are super, and she never has any corn. We've teamed up and swap vegetables. It's a win-win situation. Prepared Grammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520764687351107967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-83436127229308089682015-10-23T19:23:55.342-05:002015-10-23T19:23:55.342-05:00I just got a Sun Oven and have been cooking in it ...I just got a Sun Oven and have been cooking in it the last couple of days. Cooking with the sun is a lot of fun! But, on a serious note, it's another one of our preparations for the coming days. Now, along with our wood stove, we have two ways to cook our food. We aren't even close to being fully prepared, but I feel good that we are one step closer. Thanks to both of you!Vickie @ makingoursustainablelife.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01210045536198927269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-6172516755538927452015-10-23T17:45:19.070-05:002015-10-23T17:45:19.070-05:00My husband has bugged me for years to read Camp of...My husband has bugged me for years to read Camp of the Saints by Jean Raspail. I started it last month...I need to lay it down from time to time because it is so depressing...but it is our world right now. It's at the door and the time to wait until later is coming to a close. We grow everything we can in our garden and I dry or can it. We have much done but we need to do more. I'm inspired by your focus and I do thank you for sharing your journey!Lorraine Barnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07592739730442748917noreply@blogger.com