I actually had another fiction story I was working on for today but that had to be set aside as the predictions for our incoming storm worsened. Some sources are now saying as much as 10 inches of snow and sub-zero temps over night with no real warming for the next five days. Truth is the predictions are all over the map right now but it's best to prep for the worst as they say.
If it stays bitter cold too long I may end up dipping into next year's wood supply since I started burning off my reserve this week. I still have plenty left in the need to split pile but it's hard to get into that when it's covered in snow. Oh well one way or another I got it covered.
Frigid temps and lots of snow has a way of separating the Men from the Boys in my opinion. Those old true Mountain Men must have been some hardy folk being able to pack in their food and ride out Winters isolated from the world for months. Seems these days many self styled survivalist are whining like baby mules if they can't get out and waste 20 bucks worth of gas to buy a box of ammo every other day.
I say let it snow biches....
Put my preps to the test. Show me now where my weak links are and shut this world down. Give em a taste of it. If I have a pipe that fails or run so low on wood I have to get out when I don't want to then so be it. I will write about it and wait for the drive by armchair survivalist to come and leave an anonymous comment about what a lousy prepper I am and then re-adjust my plans and preps for the next time.
After last Winter when we were being pounded by these cold snaps every other week I have made a ton of adjustment and now we will see if they are going to pay off. So far this Winter they haven't really been put to the the test. Of course the new problem this Winter has been the basement flooding, something that I have never had to deal with before and until the warmer weather comes in for good not much I can do about it but pump it out. That has caused a few new logistical problems let me tell ya.
So the verdict of another mini-snowmegeddon isn't in yet. I should know more about that tomorrow but the water line to the barn is shut off and drained and I got the emergency heater running in the basement. All the cracks I could find in the old foundation seem to be holding well and the water tanks are topped off with heaters running. Only another few chores to do and then it's time to close up the doors and see what hits us.
Oh ya the blade is on the tractor too.
Looks like it maybe a bumpy ride.
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!
I'm with ya. You can read a lot about backpacking, but until you practice it. It's only theoretical knowledge. I like experience better. Let them whine....
ReplyDeleteK - I think it's semi funny really. I know I have pissed off enough people to get the trolls every so often. They make me laugh.
DeleteI agree, better to have a taste of it and see how you do. I could do with another year first though!
ReplyDeleteKev - Pretty sure we started the collapse a few years ago anyway. My bet is the decline will continue for a while so those of us with our heads on straight have a few more years of prepping left coupled with a few years of practice to get it right :)
DeleteUnless people can survive the winter, there won't be any use having 10000 rounds of ammo. We are having a fairly nice winter this year but a bad one just seems to break things and wear me out working in the cold. Actually living the life is an eye opener, we used to call it "getting your hands dirty", there are just so many little things to figure out that you really need to do it a few years to get it figured out.
ReplyDeleteSf - Exactly and even then you can't do it all at first anyway. Each year I add a bit more to my list and have many more years before I reach the limit I imagine. It's a constant adventure!!!
DeleteStay safe & warm. I'm sure your prepping will pay off big time.
ReplyDeleteDFW - I hope you are right. I imagine ina few more years many of us will have a few told ya so moments :)
DeleteWhile we are not as prepped as some folks we are riding good. We still have a ton of canned food from the cannery employee purchase plan. We mad a killing on pork chops at the store, talk about timing $1.79 lb for 15 lbs worth. 3 meals, plus we have another two meals of boneless pork. We also have 18 lbs of ground turkey. The only thing that would hurt us is whole milk for the grandson. and bread after a couple of days. I too say momma nature, nail us. I'm ready. We have extra blankets. i will load up om clothes to stay warm. Oh and 10 gallons of water. i know we need more.
ReplyDeleteRob - It all adds up. Personally I think your garden plans for the year will be worth more in returns than any other kinda of preps.
Deletehey PP - sounds like you are set and ready. since snowapocalypse was a snooze-fest for us, but we were ready for it. the last couple of days have been snowpalooza - we got about 14 inches of snow - not alot. but we are expecting some frigid cold days this next few days - 12C tonight but the wind chill will make it feel colder and winds gusting up to 90kms an hour...which means this little cottage will be rockin' and a rollin'! but we feel confident in our preps! you guys stay safe and warm!
ReplyDeletemuch love to you and yours! your friend,
kymber
Kymber - Looks like they are getting serious about forecasting 8 inches or so for us now. They seem more certain than they were earlier today. It has already started so maybe I will get to use my tractor and plow tomorrow.
Delete