Self-reliant ..or is it SELF reliant?

This is a “thinking-about” article. With all of the recent thought provoking headlines and happenings I have been thinking about “self–reliance” quite a bit.

Do we understand what self-reliance should/could mean to each of us? Is there a difference between self-reliance and preparedness? In our society is total self-reliance possible or probable?

This is one of those “I hope to help you think” kinds of articles. I’m hoping that I can stir up a little bit of assessing and evaluating in how you think, which means that I am placing the responsibility for the “meat” of this article with you. This also means that arriving at your answers and/or questions most likely will not be similar to the same conclusion as anyone else. Of course, for those of you who have been following along with me for any length of time, you may find quite a few others in your ballpark.

There follows some comments, opinions and a little insight, from my perspective, on a few categories, individual items or principles of self-reliance. They are not in any order of priority except for the first one.

One of the most important points is that, as far as I am concerned, planning to head for the hills with guns and ammunitions does not have a place in any category of my persuasions. Using firearms against other human beings does not and will not fit into anything I teach!

How do you think that the difference between how the know-how and every day usage of a specific skill fit in? Is there a difference and does it affect you? Assess what and if some of these things could or should make a difference in your life.

I know how to make all of my bread, crackers and bake goods from scratch. The key term is “know how”, because I do not do that all of the time. However, is the economy affecting this in your life yet?

I know how to successfully cook meals on a “tin-can” stove or a large variety of temporary non-traditional stoves.

I know how to make a variety of soaps and cleaners, as do many others. But do you make your own lye and render your own lard. Once again, I know how.

I know how to sew and create a variety of clothing articles. I also know how to make quilts and blankets. But I don’t know how to make shoes. Nor do I know how to cure or tan cowhides to make them useable. In fact, I don’t even have a cow, let alone one I would part with.

I do not know how to make my own toilet tissue, nor do many of you. (Whatever you do, do not fall for the old wives take of using catalog pages or printed paper as a reliable resource. The resulting problems will be extremely painful.)

In addition to that, we haven’t built an outhouse in a long time, have you? How many alternatives can you come up with that will work for you?

We have never built our own shelter, let alone a home. This is not referring to a boy-scout or camping-style temporary shelter.

I know how to make the proper kind of emergency candles and oil lamps if needed.
And of course you must know that I love having my little indoor farm. Where and how will yours grow?

Larry knows how to properly build and repair just about everything.

We don’t know how to make money (the actual, tangible, paper kind) in order to be able to pay the house payment. (It might do well to remember that this is illegal as well as a joke. However, being able to “make” the house payment is not a joke.)

By now I’m sure you realize the list of items to consider could be pages long. It might even make a book :)
Differences on your list will certainly exist if you are living in the inner-city in a condo or apartment, compared to someone who resides in a rural situation. You need to be sure to make a critical re-assessment if you have recently downsized, or moved.

Assess your ideas closely; some of your equipment and/or skills may be outmoded and no longer safe.

A concluding thought could be, self-reliance may include preparedness. However, being prepared within the traditional connotation of “food storage” does not necessarily include self-reliance. Our society in the Twenty-first century enables us to rely on one another’s products and skills. Self-reliance definitely includes the category of economics and economic skills...
Self-reliance is possible with the supplies, knowledge and skills with which we are prepared. The key word in self-reliance is SELF
.
Did you notice how I struggled to not mention the importance of assessing the place or kind of chocolate you should consider?

Just some fun news

Hello,

I have been interviewed quite a few times lately about the new Personal Disaster Preparedness Planner. With all the earthquakes and "etc.s " taking place, it seems a few more people are starting to listen or be concerned or whatever.

Tonight at 6:00 p.m. MDt I will be a guest on the blog radio show that is gaining in popularity on a daily basis. www.blogtalkradio.com/DoctorPrepper There is a live call in line if you want to be involved 347-326-9604

I enjoy hearing from all of you and the sharing and trading of ideas.

If you have two minutes go to my website and check out the new Disaster Quick Pack. I have hesitated in mentioning the things that I am involved with, but lots of people have been encouraging me to share. So today I thought I would share.

Happy spring. Spring in our neighborhood today is white and fluffy and falling from the sky..

Mary, Mary Not at all Contrary, Where Will Your Garden Grow?

I really think this article will transform into a worksheet. I have been thinking about this particular article for a long time. My goal for it, for you, is to communicate a feeling or attitude. From the title you can assume that it is about gardening. It is - sort of. There are so many wonderful, professional how-to garden books “out there” that you don’t need me to tell you “how.” Therefore, that means we come back to the principles, heartfelt thoughts, and attitudes. If you have been reading any newspaper or current magazine, or listening to the news there seems to be a plethora (huge amount- I just liked the word :}) of information about gardens, seeds and gardening lately. Some even foretell a dreary horizon full of shortages of seed, to the point where it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy in some areas. First and foremost, we need to focus on the WHY we should garden, have a garden or think about mud, weeds and really dirty knees and hands. It’s simple. If you happen to be a member of the LDS church, we have been counseled and admonished to garden – if we can. If that is not reason enough, then yes, focus on the headlines and that funny word “economy.”

I love the story, or faith promoting rumor, that is told of President N. Eldon Tanner regarding his “garden.” It is said that he wanted to follow the counsel given by the Prophet to have a garden. At the time he lived in an apartment complex. But he planted his “garden; tomato plants in containers that were kept on the balcony. He determined that those few plants cost a fortune in plant food, care, fertilizer, etc., in the percentage of produce that he was able to harvest. But he did what he was asked to do anyway.

The following areas of consideration are to help you think about what will work for you, in your circumstances. May I suggest that you weigh the news headlines against what has been counseled by our leaders. May I also suggest that if in doubt make it a matter of prayer. Remember one of Barbara’s mottos is that, “There is nothing too dumb to talk to the Lord about!" You can resolve the why, where and how!

Are you thinking of storing seeds? The rule of thumb that makes most sense is that you can/should save seeds to grow, not necessarily store, with the “food storage” mindset of having, but not using them!

You need to understand that you may store wheat (seed) for 30 years. That does not mean that the entire can or bucket of wheat will germinate and grow after 30 years. It means you can store it, and then grind it for flour or cooking. The longer a seed is stored the more the germination capability deteriorates. Gardeners in the past would save seed from a favorite vegetable or their crops in general, to plant the following year.

As you think of seed, how much and what kind, there are a few things to consider.
Where and what will your garden be? Are you going to attempt to “farm,” as in a huge plot of ground, such as a ¼ or ½ acre? Or will you be thinking about a “postage stamp” plot?
Even though the seeds may appear tiny, be sure that you properly guesstimate the space requirements of the adult plant.
What kind of “territory” do you have to deal with? Are you plants going to grow in the ground or in containers; in the yard or on the patio or deck?
How much and how many varieties can you plan on? Is some of your gardening going to start now and then continue with greens and smaller varieties indoors in order to have an economical or healthful advantage?
Is your garden going to be a hobby for “fun” – as in work- on weekends to grow enough for just salads and a ripe tomato or two? Or is it to provide a mainstay of produce for your household? Or are you looking at harvesting enough to can/bottle or freeze?

What about a “Garden in a #10 Can or similar packaging?
I’m sure you have seen them advertised. “All the seed you need for a full sized garden in a #10 size can.” Many times these are sold in “home storage” stores or catalogs, and lately in classified ads. The focus of the advertising could be that there is a seed shortage or this needs to be an integral part of your “home storage”.
You may want to take a second or third look at that kind of “seed package.”
First, how is a full sized garden defined? What kind of variety is there? How much of each kind of seed is there? Are most of the vegetables the kind that you and your family will readily eat? Do you have the space and ability to grow most of the vegetables in the package? How many are vine-type versus the bush type versus what other type? Is there a lot of corn or potatoes, etc. that require a lot of ground space? Weigh the packaged version against your circumstances. Can you do just as well, or maybe better, by planning on paper, making a list, checking it twice and then buying locally

Seed from your “crops” or plants:
In order to obtain seed from your own plants you must have the space to have some plants that you harvest to eat and then some of these you can use for the seed. In order to have seeds from your vegetables you need to grow old-fashioned regular vegetables, not hybrids.
Save seeds from one year to plant the next. Some vegetables, such as the onion family, take two years to produce seeds. Others you will need to allow the vegetable to mature in order to allow the plant to “go to seed,” such as lettuce.
The following ideas came from Larry Sagers, the Master Gardener of Deseret News and KSL radio.
“With peas and beans allow the pods to mature on the plants. Pull up the plants, usually in the morning, and put them inside a paper bag. The pods will split and the seeds fall into the bag.
Peppers should ripen on the plant. Cut them open and scrape the seeds onto newspaper to dry.”
I have always scraped the pulp with the seeds from tomatoes onto newspapers, allowed it to dry and then picked the seeds off.
Mr. Sagers suggests that you “pick and slice the mature fruit and squeeze out the seeds and juice into a plastic or glass jar. Let the pulp ferment and the seeds will sink. Pour off the liquid and wash remaining seed, then dry and store them like pepper seeds”.
Cucumbers, squash, melon and pumpkin seeds are all easy to save. Newspaper once again can be used to save and dry the seed.

Store bought?
Are you planning on saving store-bought seeds? Buy next year’s garden seeds this year, then keep them in containers with tight fitting lids such as gallon jars or number 10 cans, but not baggies or paper bags. Keep them as cool and dark as possible.

One more story – to encourage you.
While Larry attended BYU, we lived in a small rental house. We started a garden in the plot out back, but before it had a chance to produce, we had the opportunity to buy a little house around the corner. We jumped at the chance, but that meant having to leave our garden behind. Our daughter (who was eleven years old) insisted that the garden should “move with us.” We tried explaining that the plants would most likely die, but she was adamant and promised she would take extra good care of them. So we moved as much of the garden as we could – plant by plant.
For several months we could look out the back window and there she would be, sitting in the rows talking to the plants. Almost all of the plants lived – how would they dare to not! The morale of the story? Never give up on your gardening opportunities!

And you can always remember that I make sure I grow Chocolate mint and Chocolate peppers !
##

Chocolate is a Symbol ... Or Something Like That

Lately for chocoholics, such as someone I know, many of the nutritional reports are giving a lot of food for rationalization, (pun intended) in so much that there is now proof and substantiation as to the antioxidant value, and all kinds of other “good for you values”.

By now most of you know by reading this that there must be another twist coming. There is. I would like to challenge you to connect snow, being stranded, no power, floods and freezing, no mall cruising, no convenience stores, and much more snow … with chocolate!

Recently in the news we have been shown the plight of the people in the eastern, southern and most of the United States because of the severe winter storms that were pounding the country. It seemed that there were very few spots on the globe that are free from some sort of nature-related dilemma. And I would wager that a very small percentage of residents in those areas had sufficient chocolate on hand to deal with the length of the situation that they were suddenly surrounded with! (Haiti and the conditions there cannot be considered in this discussion.)

In the dire conditions, which descended very quickly; with intense snow, floods and all of the accompanying etc.s I imagine some people had a snow shovel. Even then a number of them didn't because some of the areas hit were not used to winter being associated with a deluge of snow. But the conditions that required chocolate did not require the snow shovels. In the aftermath of sitting out days and nights the need for comfort and comfort foods would have increased. Thus enters chocolate!

The importance of "chocolate" rears its head as we can see life as many knew it coming to a screeching halt within just a few minutes. This winter, which is still upon us, should serve as a huge wake-up call.

I suggest that chocolate become a symbol - of sorts – to represent morale boosters and just how important they really are in an emergency or disaster situation that can stretch from three days to several weeks or even longer.

In personal preparedness you know that I am always teaching that we need a balance in our foods, variety being a key word. You know, or should know by now, that beans and grains are important. Well? Where are the beans on your morale booster shelf? What kind of jelly beans fits the bill for you and your family, Jelly Belly, licorice, red hots?

What about those good for you grains? How much popcorn do you have on hand and what plan do you have to be able to pop it? Remember microwave popcorn packages do not work without a working microwave. Storms and power outages tend to turn microwaves into non-functioning items. You need to remember the frying pan, oil and how to shake the pan so that the corn doesn'tburn?

Is peanut butter a favorite in your house? What kind of varieties do you have on that shelf? No, I’m not talking about crunchy versus creamy; what will get you through. Yes, a spoon and a jar-full will work, but so will peanut butter powder or peanut butter cookie chips.

“Chex-type snacks can only be made if you have an extra box or so on those shelves.

M&M’s store well in large jars with tight fitting lids, as do bite-sized candy bars.

Yes, I know family survival and safety and all of those really important things come first. But in the process of preparing for those priority life-saving things, prepare for the humor saving, emotion saving and comfort saving things, while you have the opportunity.

Plan for the worst case situation of no power, no heat, no light, etc. Check out the history of the length of the aftermath of storms in your area and then add a week or so. If you have been paying attention lately you will have discovered in most areas typical storm strength and typical storm aftermath length is no longer typical.

My recommendation is that you recollect the headlines of the last month or so and adapt the “what-ifs” to your family, your home and your budget. Find the chocolate that will work as your comfort for those dark and dreary days and nights, realizing that none of us are exempt. Check out your cupboard and see what the chocolate symbol will be. I have one acquaintance whose chocolate is freeze dried peas.

So the moral of today’s article is that you understand that chocolate, and the powerful influence of the word in our brains, (well some of us anyway), should/could be translated to become a symbol for morale boosters and comfort and just how important they could be … just in case. ##

Mud Cakes and Alarm Clocks

Today’s article isn’t any profound doctrine or statement. It’s an observation or two and of course a lot of opinion.

I’ve been wondering how many of you have made a determined effort in the last week to find your recipe for mud cakes. You read it right MUDCAKES! I’m also wondering how many of you have knocked your clock on the floor trying to turn off that incessant alarm that has gone crazy and simply will not turn off – even though many of us are trying to ignore it.

Back to the mud cakes; the simplest recipe I know is to stir together in a bowl, if you have one, 3 cups of dirt and 1/3 to ½ cups of water. As you read, most of you are assuming I am referencing clean water out of a tap or bucket. Let’s clarify – any water will do.

And that alarm clock that is still ringing – now in the background. Yes, it has been a week, the photos of rubble and terrified faces are now on the third page instead of the front page. It is the third news story mentioned instead of the first, now placed behind another scandal or sensational political tidbit. The blaring headlines are fading and yes life does go on – somehow, one way or the other. It’s that other that I am concerned about.

Again, back to the mud cakes. By now you may have figured out that I am reflecting upon the events in Haiti. And I am assuming you are reading this under the shelter of your roof, sitting on a chair in front of a not-too-old computer. Perhaps dinner is in the crock pot simmering while you read. The recipe for mud cakes is real. It is what many, many mothers in Haiti fed their children BEFORE the earthquake hit. This is what they ate in order to have something on their stomachs. If they were very, very fortunate they might have had a small amount of flour or meal of some sort to mix with it. And now most of the ingredients for this unbelievable recipe are gone or at best contaminated.

This article is not meant to take away from any and all of the help and assistance that has been sent to this crippled country. It’s meant to cause you to take a second and third look at what could very easily and very quickly happen in your/our little corner of the world. Most likely, never to the extent of suffering and deprivation of the Haitian event, but happen it can.

Lo and behold, on a quiet, somewhat peaceful morning it only took a few minutes for devastation to surround an entire nation, wiping out any sense of security that might have existed. It only took once.

Yes, I lived near the epicenter of the 7.2 Loma Prieta earthquake in California. And I survived. I even survived with some confidence and security. It came stealthily on a fall afternoon, and within just a few minutes all sense of security was gone. It only took once.

Once again a huge wake- up call has sounded. Maybe you have some preparedness taken care of. Perhaps you think all is going to be okay or that you will get by. Can you? Will you? Will the ingredients for your recipes still be in place?

My heart breaks for the mothers and parents of Haiti. We can help them, somewhat. We most certainly can continue to beg and plead for Heavenly Father to bless and help them.

But while there is still time and that alarms continue to ring, take that second and third look. Update, adjust, stir in more, do whatever it takes to have your recipes clearly written with the proper ingredients for you on hand.