Monday, February 7, 2011
Composting Toilet
Check out this interesting blog on building an earth-bag privy from the folks at Our Little Thing. If you would like to learn more about earth-bag building, Owen Geiger has an awesome blog you will want to check out. He also has a channel on YouTube features videos about, yes, earthbag building techniques.
Age and the Prepper
Earlier in the month, I was reading a blog entry from down---to---earth's Rhonda Jean about aging (Ageing and death - the final taboo), touching on the modern refusal to be old, as if it were some bad thing. I found it very interesting and thought-provoking, particularly looking at it from a prepper point of view.
I agree with Rhonda Jean in that I no longer feel a desire to look younger than I am. When I hit my fiftieth birthday, as a gift to myself, I gave myself permission to be my age without conforming to stereotypes about what my age should look like, or the new stereotype that if you don't look 20 years younger than you are, there's something wrong with you. This was actually a bit difficult for me as I come from a family of fashionistas.
After thinking more on the subject of age, I came to the realization that being the age I am (51) is absolutely great! I've got a bank of experience and knowledge that is useful in a wide variety of circumstances, and will be useful in a wide array of scenarios, and so does hubby (yeah, the grasshopper has skills). I've lived without the comforts of civilization (outhouse anyone?) at different points of my life, and have learned those little tricks that make uncomfortable situations less difficult. And I still have my health and a measure of strength.
One thing that Rhonda Jean said really sticks with me: "I like the way old people look." I think that a lot of people do. Young people in particular who don't have "old" grandparents like to be around people who are comfortable in their wrinkly skins, because they so often don't feel comfortable in their own hides. I am sincerely am glad that I'm not that young any more. I don't miss the drama at all!
So if you are older, and thinking that it's too late to start prepping, stop that negative energy right now! You are never too old to want to keep on living, and you are never too old to want to look after your family. So if you want to be prepared, get to it! Figure out what you are preparing for: retirement, unemployment, forest fires, tsunamis, earthquakes, zombie attacks. Make a plan. Follow it (very important!).
Check out City Roots, Country Life, specifically their excellent post on shopping around for the best prices here. These folks that took a long, hard, practical look at getting prepared, and not buying into the hype. Price tracking is an excellent way to get prepared, not just for food and food storage, but also hand tools, and other manufactured items that would be useful, but isn't worth going into debt for. I first learned about price tracking from America's Cheapest Family's website. You can even download a copy of their price tracking sheet for grocery items here.
I posted a listing on Thursday about a basic list of staples that one should have on hand, and it jived so well with my own thinking that I posted it, although there are some items that I missed out on. You do NOT have to follow this list; it's just a great starter, and certainly can be adjusted. For example, I will stock more split peas than the list calls for because I really do prefer them to most kinds of beans.
So my two cent's worth on the whole age issue is that this is a great time to be older.
I agree with Rhonda Jean in that I no longer feel a desire to look younger than I am. When I hit my fiftieth birthday, as a gift to myself, I gave myself permission to be my age without conforming to stereotypes about what my age should look like, or the new stereotype that if you don't look 20 years younger than you are, there's something wrong with you. This was actually a bit difficult for me as I come from a family of fashionistas.
After thinking more on the subject of age, I came to the realization that being the age I am (51) is absolutely great! I've got a bank of experience and knowledge that is useful in a wide variety of circumstances, and will be useful in a wide array of scenarios, and so does hubby (yeah, the grasshopper has skills). I've lived without the comforts of civilization (outhouse anyone?) at different points of my life, and have learned those little tricks that make uncomfortable situations less difficult. And I still have my health and a measure of strength.
One thing that Rhonda Jean said really sticks with me: "I like the way old people look." I think that a lot of people do. Young people in particular who don't have "old" grandparents like to be around people who are comfortable in their wrinkly skins, because they so often don't feel comfortable in their own hides. I am sincerely am glad that I'm not that young any more. I don't miss the drama at all!
So if you are older, and thinking that it's too late to start prepping, stop that negative energy right now! You are never too old to want to keep on living, and you are never too old to want to look after your family. So if you want to be prepared, get to it! Figure out what you are preparing for: retirement, unemployment, forest fires, tsunamis, earthquakes, zombie attacks. Make a plan. Follow it (very important!).
Check out City Roots, Country Life, specifically their excellent post on shopping around for the best prices here. These folks that took a long, hard, practical look at getting prepared, and not buying into the hype. Price tracking is an excellent way to get prepared, not just for food and food storage, but also hand tools, and other manufactured items that would be useful, but isn't worth going into debt for. I first learned about price tracking from America's Cheapest Family's website. You can even download a copy of their price tracking sheet for grocery items here.
I posted a listing on Thursday about a basic list of staples that one should have on hand, and it jived so well with my own thinking that I posted it, although there are some items that I missed out on. You do NOT have to follow this list; it's just a great starter, and certainly can be adjusted. For example, I will stock more split peas than the list calls for because I really do prefer them to most kinds of beans.
So my two cent's worth on the whole age issue is that this is a great time to be older.
Survival Mom Blog Ring
Hey, check out the new link up in the top left corner. I joined the Survival Mom Blog Ring. I'm really excited about the opportunity to meet other gals who are prepping. Head on over to Lisa's blog, here and join up.
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