I am what I am-It is what it is

To completely understand my points of view you have to understand I am strongly southern influenced.  I put sugar in my ice tea, banana pudding is a family favorite, you fry it and gravy is a must, LOL.  I'm also a conservative.  I hold strong to my faith as a Christian and the Bible.  I believe in honesty and hard work.  All in all I think living a "simple, self-sufficient lifestyle" is best or atleast something to strive for!    So when I say what I am going to say you know where I am coming from. 

Things are changing and there changing very quickly.  I think everyone is feeling it atleast on some level.  Uncertainty in the economy-politics and world events, even the weather is unpredictable.  I've seen and heard things this year that I could not even imagine and to much surprise have been shrugged off or accepted without much to-do.  We are days away from the next Presidential election and I've never seen anything like it.  I find myself shaking my head daily at the things that have gone on, but it's not just the election.  I have never seen so much talk of globalization, 'one-world', international law....the definition of Globalization (or globalisation) in its literal sense is the process of transformation of local or regional phenomena into global ones. It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and function together.  Now tell me what part of that definition shouldn't make your skin crawl?  Now I do realize that some things are going to have to come to pass--It is told--I understand that.  I am just amazed at the speed that things are progressing and how easily accepted some things are.  The very basic of our beliefs, values, and freedoms are being threatened and I fear many cannot see it.  I think the boiling frog story may finally be proven.  Is there anything that can be done about it?  I don't know.  We can Pray and Pray alot.  We can find peace in our daily lives in the good things.  We can learn to be more self sufficient and take care of our families.  We can lessen the impact of uncertain times.  We can be good neighbors and show love and kindness to those around us.  It is not a time to react in fear.  It is a time to be prepared-to the best of our ability--It is a time to use good-judgement and wisdom.   Blessings>faithfarm

Where to start-part 5

Where to start-Part 4

Where to start-part 3

Land-there is alot to consider when you are looking at a piece of land.  I am sure anyone who is starting a homestead can tell you their ideal picture of what the land should be, unfortunately that is not always possible.  So lets look at some necessities instead. 

First thing is water access.  You must have water to survive, period.  This can be accomplished by access to fresh water streams, lakes, rivers, well, large ponds, water collection systems, ect.  I would seriously look for or plan on some type of water access other than public water companies.  Not that I am against public water but it just makes since to have something as important as water covered by other means non-dependent on others.  You might consider multiple options to accomplish this goal--but it's a big one-make sure your covered.

Workable land-Ask yourself if you will be able to use this type of land to plant a garden/raise animals?  Do you have access to tree's to build or cut for firewood?  What are the zoning laws?  Can you have farm animals?  Is it in a relatively secure location?  Who owns the mineral rights?  How close are the nearest neighbors?  What are they like?  Are you going to enjoy the land?  Is it in your price range?  These are all important things to evaluate.  It may not be perfect but can you work with it?

One last thing to consider in purchasing property----How's the climate?  Is it one your accustomed to?  Are you able to accompish your goals in this weather?  Now is the time to think about heating and cooling you and your future livestock.  Wet or Dry?  Remember if your planing to go off-grid some day things like refrigeration and cooling are important.  Does the sun shine alot, will solar work well?  How about the wind?  Things to consider.

Blessings>faithfarm

Where to start-part 2

Now that you've evaluated your financial situation and housing it is time to decide if you are going to have to move.  I know, move is a four letter word to many people-LOL.  For those of you who already have a paid for home with some workable land you are leaps ahead.  For me I had to move.  My house was to big and expensive and located in town.  At the point that the decision to move was made, we started looking into options.  Build? Buy smaller?  We knew the location so that was a big help.  We knew whatever it was it had to be paid for.  After a short time (very short) our options were clear.  We would have to start from scratch.  We had a camper so we decided to sell out everything---yes I do mean everything.  We replaced our new cars with older paid for ones, sold out everything from housing to equipment--if it wasn't part of the 'new plan'.....it went.  Talk about a tough thing to do!  But it was necessary.  It was late winter-early spring.  We set the camper on a piece of land and moved in.  We had 6 months to get a house set up before winter.  We started with a very basic one room design and built on from there.  Almost 6 months to the day we moved in the first part of the house.  Now this may not be an option for some but I told this so that you know that anything is possible, if you want it bad enough.  Easy? NO.  I won't lie about it.  It was hard.  But it was also very rewarding.  The thing about starting a homestead from scratch is you can build it as necessary and in the way you decide to set it up.  Small is the key---Only build the farm you need---nothing else.  Keep in mind your end plan---keep things in mind like heating and cooling.  Keep it as efficient as possible.  You will find that you will learn so much.  We knew nothing about anything when we started this.  I didn't even have the right clothing or shoes to work outside when we began-lol.  It doesn't take long to figure some things out.  Make a tenative layout of what area's you will need for gardens, animals ect.   It will probably change but keeping these things in mind will help in the long run.  Chickens, dairy goats, rabbits....are all good ideas to help you on your path to independence.  Think about water sources, heating options, possible solar applications, possible income sources, ect.  There is alot to think about and plan on,  so write it all down and date it.  I still have notebooks full of idea's and plan's that we made as we went along.  (you'll really enjoy these things later!)  You will find that you only have so much time to think things through and doing it twice is not good.  It is easier to change plan's then to start from scratch each time.  I hope this was helpful to someone!  Blessings>faithfarm

where to start-part one

Start at the basics.  Evaluate your current financial situation.  List your debts-list your assets.  If you have debt what can you do about it?  Talk to your family.  The number one thing I could recomend to anyone is have your housing situation covered.  Are you living in an area that promotes the kind of independent life style you seek?  Ideally your looking at a rural location-someplace out of town with some kind of land to use.  Keep it simple-this probably won't be what you would like to have but is workable.  This is no easy task.  Trust me I remember all too well that moment.  It seemed impossible to me.  But - It's not.  There is tons of reasons you can think about "How this won't work."  I know I thought about them all.  It's tough.  But the truth is It can work.  So do your best to keep the emotions in check and figure out exactly what and how you can do it.  Write it all down.  Any ideas or possibilities at this point could be an option.  Remember this is all just on paper at this point--your not making final decisions....your evaluating your options.  Ask yourself what is the bare minimum I would have to have to sustain my family.  How can this work attitude!  Keep in mind your not building your dream house and dream life (that will come later-LOL)---your evaluating your options--be real.  It is possible.

Blessings>faithfarm

Preparing for a depression?

Making an outdoor oven

Here is another great article--How to make an outdoor oven cheap and easy:

http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com/howtobueaovb.html

An oven is just a hole in the ground – light a fire, heat it up, and bake! An earthen oven is about that complicated. If you made mud pies when you were a kid, you can make a beautiful mud oven. You can also do it for nothing (or next to it), and it will work as well as a custom-built masonry or ceramic model costing thousands. Earth is not only more common, safe, cheap, and easier than brick, it’s also more environmentally friendly and, I think, beautiful.

Mud or brick, however, it’s what we’re all made of. (In Hebrew, Adam means ‘red clay’ and when you think about where your food really comes from, the bible phrase, “for dust thou art...,” suggests a deep, but perhaps different truth.)

The three basic steps to oven-making are: 1. Make a pile of damp sand, and pat into a hemisphere.

2. Cover with a layer or three of mud.

3. Cut out a doorway and remove the sand.

If you fire-dry it, you can bake tomorrow. To bake, fire the oven without a door cover. Then clean out the fire and load your loaves or meat or veg into the hot oven, put something in front of the door, and wash your hands for supper.

Two or four details:

1. The floor: brick is a common choice – new, old, red brick, or firebrick.

2. The mud: In most places, there is clay subsoil below the topsoil. Like cement, clay holds things together. If you have a garden, you likely have good soil for building. Use it straight out of the ground, or mix it with sand. If you have no garden, anyone digging a hole will probably give you some.

3. The base, or foundation: You can spend lots of time (and money) on a magnificent stone foundation. Or build on the ground, on a pile of rocks, on logs or railroad ties, old metal barrels, or even on sawhorses.

4. Protection from the elements: A roof is nice, but not necessary. It takes a long time for an oven to ‘wash away in the rain’ (look how long the hills last...). But a wet oven takes longer to heat up. So cover it with a tarp or bend pieces of roofing tin into a vault for a simple, elegant, and cheap solution.

DON’T USE PAINT OR CEMENT! An earthen oven, like a living thing, breathes.

When baking, it ‘exhales’ steam. Cement or paint will trap moisture and destroy your oven.

Tools & Materials
• Water • Dirt (subsoil) • Sand to mix with mud: ‘sharp’(not rounded or beach) sand is best • Material for the oven form: sand,or anything that will make a firm, but removable form (topsoil, chunks of turf, etc.)

• Firebricks or standard red bricks, new or used, free of old mortar • Wood for a baking door • Newspaper • Shovel • Wheelbarrow • 20 litre (5 gallon) plastic buckets • Tape measure • Tarps: 2x2.5m (6x8ft) minimum.

In the United States, they throw away huge plastic lumber bricks. Make the walls near vertical at first, to give your loaves ‘head room’. The form should be a bit higher than the radius of the oven floor. wrapper that’s often stronger than the tarps you can buy • Spoons, spatulas, dull knives, etc., in case you want to do any sculpting • Lumber scraps • Old clothes to get dirty in, and boots if you don’t want to go barefoot • Spirit level, two or four foot (optional)

Your oven can be one or more layers thick. Here we’ll just describe a single layer, to give you the idea. It’s easy to extrapolate and improvise.

--First: Finding Clay Subsoil

Clay subsoil is pretty easy to recognize. I take a pinch of dirt in my palm, spit into it, and mix it with a finger. Silt or organic matter feels floury or crumbly. Clay feels sticky, slippery, and a bit greasy. Wetted, it rolls into snakes between your palms and wraps around your finger. (Beware dirt that may contain glass or debris; ask permission where necessary.) When dry, the clay should be hard, not crumbly. Test it. Make bricks and let them dry. See how much they crack and how hard they are. Try mixing dirt with sand, and make more bricks. If they show less cracking and shrinkage, good! Compare and choose the best. Remember what your proportions were.

--Your Oven Floor

The simplest and easiest thing to do is simply to set your floor bricks in a 10-15cm (4-6in) bed of sand, tamped and smoothed into an even, level bed. No mortar is necessary. The bricks will be held in place by the heavy, solid oven walls. Set your first brick carefully, level and solid. The more even and flat your bricks, the easier you’ll be able to clean it. Hold the next brick level and about 2.5cm (1in) above the sand; gently ‘kiss’ its long side to the matching side of the previous one. Set it flat and firm on the sand. Don’t wiggle it! Minimize cracks and gaps. When they’re all down, set them lightly with a hammer handle. If one stands up a bit proud, tap it down.

Make A Sand Form: Shape The Void The sand form is the shape of the void. Sand (or whatever) should be moist enough to pack into a ball, but not so wet that it slumps. Make a pile on the floor bricks. Make the walls near vertical at first, to give your loaves ‘head room’. The form should be a bit higher than the radius of the oven floor. Too high, and you get cooling eddies at the top of the dome; too low, and the fire won’t get enough air. A 69cm (27in) diameter oven, with a 34cm (13in) radius, should be 40-50cm (16-20in) high. Hold a straight stick level across the top; measure the distance to the floor to get the interior height of your oven. Multiply it by 63% (0.63) to determine the proper height for your oven door. Write down the number!

--Mix Mud

Use whatever mixture gave you the best, hardest, strongest test bricks. Prepare a pile of dry mix on your tarp. (If you’re using pure subsoil, you may need to do nothing, or just add a little water so it’s moist enough to build with.) With two people, hold two corners of the tarp each – feet spread, knees bent, elbows down and shoulders back – roll the mix from side to side. Don’t lift! You can do this solo by pulling one end of the tarp over the other, rolling as you go. A longer tarp is easier. Or just use bare hands and feet and muck around in it. Add water slowly. Take off your shoes, jump in, and do the twist – seriously! As you twist and turn, your feet work like rotating pistons, breaking up the clay and pressing sand into it. Play music! Grab a partner! Dance ’til it starts to clump, like dough for pie crust. Test it. Pack a hard ball (50-100 pats from hand to hand). Drop it from breast height. It should hold together. If not, add a little water. If it’s too wet; add dry mix (harder), or use as is and allow more drying time (easier).

--Build!

First, cover your sand form with sheets of wet newspaper (so that later, you’ll know where the void ends and the oven begins). Smooth them down flat. Press handfuls of your mix around the base of your sand form. Use your fingers as a gauge to guide you in maintaining thickness. Make a layer at least three inches thick. You can make it thicker (it will hold more heat), but a thicker oven also requires more fuel.

Maintain a well-defined edge. As you go higher, the face of the layer should angle upwards (see diagram). Cover the whole form, even where the door will go (you’ll cut it out later). When it’s all covered, take a flat board and pack the material ’til solid. If it squishes and/or sticks to the board, don’t worry! Your mix was too damp. Rock the board firmly back and forth, up and down, or rub it as if you were polishing.

Make it beautiful.

Say your dome is 45.5cm (18 in) high (interior height). Your door should be 0.63x45.5=28.7cm 0.63x18=11in) high. As for width, 30-50% of the inner diameter is good. Scratch a line in the material where the door will be. Cut a hole just big enough to get your hand in. Dig a narrow channel into the form. If the mix was moist but not wet, you can dig out the whole form immediately. If, when you poke the thermal layer with a finger, it’s firm and resists denting, go on and dig. If it’s soft, or you’re in doubt, wait and let it dry (this can take days or weeks depending on the weather)! When you remove the sand, watch for the newspaper so you know you’re not digging away the oven. Refine the doorway so it’s smooth and even.

--You’re Done!

Air drying the finished oven can take weeks, but if you’re impatient to bake, make a small fire in the oven to speed up the process. Even when they’re not quick-dried, they may crack. If so, don’t worry. Cracking due to natural expansion invariably occurs during firing. If the cracks don’t close when the oven is cool, you can fill them (from the outside) with mud.

When I’ve built a quick oven and heated it up in a hurry, I’ve sometimes sealed it with bricks and sand, or whatever else I could get my hands on. It doesn’t even need to fit perfectly, since you’ll drape it with a wet cloth to keep it from charring and to add steam for baking. You can also soak it in water, or screw a sheet of metal to the inside, or wrap it in foil. You’re ready to fire your oven, and bake

Blessings>faithfarm

Campfire cooking recipes

Here is a wonderful website just full of campfire cooking recipes:

http://www.koakampgrounds.com/recipes/campfirecooking.htm

Blessings>faithfarm

How to build a campfire for cooking

With fuel prices getting so high I thought it might be a good idea to look  into some alternative ways of cooking.  As we have not purchased our wood cook stove yet and the summers are too hot for that type of cooking indoors I began to look for outdoor methods.  I found this website that explained how to make and outdoor campfire for cooking and I thought I would share.

http://www.eartheasy.com/play_campfire_cooking.htm

How to Build a Campfire for Cooking

The object is to have all the wood turn into coals at the same time. This gives an even fire with no flames reaching up to burn your food or blacken your cookware. It also yields the longest cooking time from the coals.

Prepare the site - Select a fire site at least 8' from bushes or any combustibles. Be sure no tree branches overhang the site. - Make a U-shaped perimeter using large rocks or green logs. If using logs, they'll need to be wet down from time to time. If breezy, have back of firepit face the wind. - Put a large flat rock at the rear of the firepit to act as a chimney. The "chimney rock" will help direct the smoke up and away.

Lay the kindling - Fill the fire area with crumpled paper or tinder. - Lay kindling over paper in layers, alternating direction with each layer. Use thin splits of wood or small dead branches. Do not put kindling down "teepee style". The whole fire area should be covered with the kindling stack. - Set a bucket of water near the fire area. Light the paper to start your fire.

Build the fire, grade the coals - When kindling is ablaze, add firewood. The wood should be all the same size, as much as possible. Use hardwood or hardwood branches if available. Distribute wood evenly over fire bed. - As soon as the last flames die down leaving mostly white coals, use a stick to push the coals into a higher level at the back end and lower level at the front. This will give you the equivalent of 'Hi', 'Med' and 'Lo' cook settings. Or, level the coals to your preference.

To cook, set the grill on rocks or wetted green logs. Put food directly on grill or in cookware and prepare your meal. If cooking directly on the grill, a small spray bottle or squirt gun is handy for shooting down any rogue flames, usually caused by food drippings. As the fire diminishes, bank the coals to get the most heat from them. After cooking, add wood for your evening campfire. Before retiring, extinguish thoroughly and soak with water. Turn rocks in on fire bed. It will be easy to reassemble the next day if required.

Earthquake Preparedness Guide

What to Do Before an Earthquake

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the impact of earthquakes.

Six Ways to Plan Ahead

1. Check for Hazards in the Home

• Fasten shelves securely to walls.
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
• Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
• Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
• Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
• Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

2. Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors

• Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
• Against an inside wall.
• Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
• In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

3. Educate Yourself and Family Members

• Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the “How-To Series” for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
• Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.

4. Have Disaster Supplies on Hand

• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
• First aid kit and manual.
• Emergency food and water.
• Nonelectric can opener.
• Essential medicines.
• Cash and credit cards.
• Sturdy shoes.

5. Develop an Emergency Communication Plan

• In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

6. Help Your Community Get Ready

• Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
• Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
• Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.
• Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
• Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
• Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

—
If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

—

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

———–

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

—
If trapped under debris

Do not light a match.

Do not move about or kick up dust.

Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

What to Do After an Earthquake

• Check yourself for injuries. Often people tend to others without checking their own injuries. You will be better able to care for others if you are not injured or if you have received first aid for your injuries.
• Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves. This will protect your from further injury by broken objects.
• After you have taken care of yourself, help injured or trapped persons. If you have it in your area, call 9-1-1, then give first aid when appropriate. Don’t try to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Putting out small fires quickly, using available resources, will prevent them from spreading. Fire is the most common hazard following earthquakes. Fires followed the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 for three days, creating more damage than the earthquake.
• Leave the gas on at the main valve, unless you smell gas or think it’s leaking. It may be weeks or months before professionals can turn gas back on using the correct procedures. Explosions have caused injury and death when homeowners have improperly turned their gas back on by themselves.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Avoid the hazard of a chemical emergency.
• Open closet and cabinet doors cautiously. Contents may have shifted during the shaking of an earthquake and could fall, creating further damage or injury.
• Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe. Aftershocks following earthquakes can cause further damage to unstable buildings. If your home has experienced damage, get out before aftershocks happen.
• Help neighbors who may require special assistance. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
• Listen to a portable, battery-operated radio (or television) for updated emergency information and instructions. If the electricity is out, this may be your main source of information. Local radio and local officials provide the most appropriate advice for your particular situation.
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, drop, cover, and hold on! Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks, and even months following an earthquake.
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay out of damaged areas. Hazards caused by earthquakes are often difficult to see, and you could be easily injured.
• Stay out of damaged buildings. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe. Damaged buildings may be destroyed by aftershocks following the main quake.
• Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights to inspect your home. Kerosene lanterns, torches, candles, and matches may tip over or ignite flammables inside.
• Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to fire or injury from falling debris during an aftershock. Cracks in chimneys can be the cause of a fire years later.
• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents, for insurance claims.
• Avoid smoking inside buildings. Smoking in confined areas can cause fires.
• When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Carefully watch every step you take.
• Examine walls, floor, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
• Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
• Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes.
• Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could fall.
• Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies. Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations. They need to be clear for emergency calls to get through.
• Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard. The behavior of pets may change dramatically after an earthquake. Normally quiet and friendly cats and dogs may become aggressive or defensive.

Food Rationing

If you missed reading this article on Food Rationing in America check out The Cole Homestead Blog

http://www.homesteadblogger.com/fultoncountymommie/95109/?#c145693

She posted the article on her Blog----Thanks Lyn!  Blessings>faithfarm

More on wheat

Wheat prices & your grocery cost

We have all heard the arguments about how the price of corn and fuel are affecting the cost of the foods we eat and they are right it does-just look at the price of a gallon of milk.  But under the shadow  of the big corn and fuel debates there is yet another real concern to our food prices....shortage of world wheat supplies.  If you ask me (which few do-LOL) this is the one thing that we should watch the most.  The shortage of wheat has been an issue for many years due to drought, weather and desease related crop destruction, alternative crop planting, and shortage of quality seed.  It now has caused the price of wheat and wheat futures to sky rocket.  Basic Economics states that if you increase the price of a good the demand will slow.....well that isn't working in this case.  We continue to increase the price and the demand is still there and growing.  The shortage of wheat in other countries as well as the strong economy of many other nations has made this general rule of thumb useless.  We continue to export at  alarming levels.  Read more about it here  http://news.tradingcharts.com/futures/1/0/104501701.html  

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2007/s2139674.htm

OK.....How does this affect us....

The demand for wheat is high all across the globe-our production in the US is good but as you can see it is not keeping with the demand or growth and reserves are low.  This translates into higher costs for flour and wheat products....we probably wont see this immediately but we will see it.  It is very hard for many of us as we walk down the supermarket isle to see that the world currently has a wheat shortage...unfortunately for many countries it is already painfully clear.  The nature of  crops is uncertain and therefore should have our attention.  Just thought I would share this information.  Blessings>faithfarm

72 hour kit

Good Morning friends!  Yesterday I read a preparedness manual that covered it all and had real life examples and commentary from Katrina survivors.  I must say-it was a very difficult read.  It did however change my point of view about the 72 hour emergency kits.  I have always thought they were a good idea to have.  I just thought that there is very little likelyhood that I would have to leave my place.  I have or am working on having everything I need here, so why would I need a BOB (bug-out-bag)?  Like with everything else around here-its a learning process-you live, you learn, you grow (and pray alot).  For some reason I never considered the events that having a 72 hour kit would make so much easier.  Take for example a short term evacuation ( I live a mile away from a busy train track), Natural weather events-(in my area tornadoes), Grass fire evacuation,  and the list goes on.  I guess I always thought that if I needed to leave, I would see it coming and have plenty of time to gather the emergency essentials.  Thats not a good plan.  I can't help but think of the terrible tragedy that is happening in the South now with the tornadoes. (God help them-we are praying for you) Did they have enough time to gather?  No.  So today I plan on actually pysically putting together an emergency kit for my family.  I am putting a list of suggested items for the kit below.  There is alot of good help on the web to assist you in putting together your own kit.  I personally like the 5-6 gallon bucket kits.  They are easily portable and can be used for a variety of things. One more thing I would like to say....if you have a chance to read some personal accounts of the Hurricane Katrina Survivors....you should.  I was incredibly surprised at some of the treatment that "prepared" homesteaders recieved from officials.  In the town I live near, we hosted several Katrina Victims so I had heard the evacuation horror stories (and they were bad), but I never heard about the difficulties of those who were prepared and lived close to the flooded areas...its well worth reading.

*** 72 Hour Kit Info You Need To Know ***

1) Your 72 hour kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or better, sheltered in your backyard.

2) Each family member should have their own 72 hour kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits.

3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them.

4) Keep a light source in the top of your 72 hour kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark.

5) Personalize your 72 hour kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.

6) Inspect your 72 hour kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don’t forget to check your medications. Check children’s clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water.

7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs when building your 72 hour kit. For example: for babies, store diapers,

Interesting article on world food supply

Here is an article released in Dec. 2007 that was not highly published in the US.  I heard a small news report on this on CNN.  Just something to know....

3 theories of preparedness

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Recommended Emergency Family Supply List

Water, food and clean air are important things to have if an emergency happens. Each family or individual’s kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents. 

Recommended Supplies to include in a Basic Emergency Kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking & sanitation.

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and exztra batteries for both

Flashlight with Extra batteries

First Aid Kit

Whistle to signal for help

Infant Formula and diapers, if you have an infant

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Dust mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter air

Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) 

Clothing & Bedding: 

If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account  for growing children and other family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person including: 

A jacket or coat

Long pants

A long sleeve shirt

Sturdy shoes

A hat and gloves

A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

 Here is two handy forms from www.storesonlinepro.com that can be printed out and used for contact information.

https://www.storesonlinepro.com/files/503159/files/Just%20in%20case.doc

https://www.storesonlinepro.com/files/503159/files/Family%20Plan.doc

Economic Recession?

Good Morning!  We woke to a sheet of ice on everything....that makes things a bit interesting!  I think I'll wait a bit and see if it stops before I try to thaw out the gates.  The sun is starting to rise (behind the clouds) so it really is an amazing sight.  Everything looks like glass.  The children are slow to rise this morning and I think I'll just let them sleep in a while.  DH has already gone to scrap ice....I've got chili started in the crock and the laundry mostly done.  The cast iron kettle on the wood stove is sizzling with steam.....I made a good pot of coffee this morning....I think I'll just enjoy the peace.  I wanted to share a bit of economic news with you this morning-First the world markets (yep-all of them) took a heavy loss on Mondays trade (our was closed for holiday)....due to worries of US Recession and economy, some markets took losses equal to the loss of 9/11/01---Tuesdays trade in Asian Markets took another heavy loss-European Market is down but not sinking like yesterday-their still trading.   Ok why am I telling you this........Because this is going to have an affect on us today.  Our stock market is expected to open down 500pts.  There is alot of talk about US recession causing a global recession---the definition of a recession is:   a period of two quarters of negative GDP growth. Some would argue we have already been in a recession.  The definition of a depression is:   as a recession that lasts longer and has a larger decline in business activity.  So how can you tell the difference between the two? In general by looking at the changes in GNP. A depression is any economic downturn where real GDP declines by more than 10 percent. A recession is an economic downturn that is less severe. Now Congress is claiming they will be passing the stimulas package today--The urgency should tell us something---Maybe I'm just being mean-but when does Congress move fast on anything?  I am not telling any of this to cause fear or worry-I am just making note of this because I feel it is important to pay attention to whats going on around us--I know God has us in His hands--but for many a time of economic hardship will be very difficult.  We have become accustom to an easy life compared to many in this world and I think that there are so many people who will not know what to do.  It is a time to be prepared and be a blessing to those in need.  Please pray with me today regarding these matters.  Blessings> faithfarm

current events and preparedness thoughts

Good morning!  Today is a beautiful day here on Faith Farm.  I thought I would share my thoughts about some current events going on.  I have been following events to do with the US markets and economy.  As of Friday there was alot of talk about an immediate economic stimulas package...now I know there are many points of view on this topic.... I am at a point that I believe that there is not much short of a serious market correction that will make this any better, however, our goverment officials are trying some different tactics to help the situation..even if its only a temporary boost....the one thing that everyone seems to be agreeing on is that it needs to happen now.  One of the main ideas coming out is an immediate "tax rebate check".....Putting a significant dollar amount into the hands of taxpayers to spend as they deem fit.  Now-regardless of this being a good or bad idea-this could put an unexpected sum of money into your hands.  My question to you is--Wouldn't this be a perfect time to get prepared for those unexpected events that our govenment seems to keep reminding us of?  They want us to spend it--thats the whole concept behind this...put money in their hands and they will spend it.  The question then is what do you spend it on?  What could we do to make the most difference in our lives?  Lets just say that every family recieves $1600.00-----For some of us that could be a years supply of  food storage---or feed---a much needed well pump--many, many possibilities that would assist us in a more self sufficient lifestyle.   I think this is an opportunity for us to be good stewards with our money.  Take time to pray about how this can be a blessing to your family.

Here are some government preparedness websites that I thought might be helpful for information. 

www.bt.cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/osi/goals/preparedness.html

www.fema.gov/areyouready

http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/

Did anyone see this?

DHS Encourages Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2008

Release Date: December 20, 2007

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminds Americans that the New Year is a perfect time to Resolve to be Ready. The department’s Ready Campaign has outlined the top 10 items for a basic emergency supply kit so that every American can keep their preparedness resolutions next year.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared for all types of emergencies, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Having a plan can make all the difference, as the recent flooding and ice storms across the country have shown. The time for individuals, families and businesses to plan is now, and to resolve to make readiness a priority for 2008.”

Keeping New Year’s resolutions is challenging, but making resolutions that are simple and realistic is the key to success. Americans can successfully prepare for emergencies by following the Ready Campaign’s three easy steps:

1. Prepare an emergency supply kit;
2. Make a family emergency plan; and
3. Be informed about the kinds of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses.

To help get started, the Ready Campaign is issuing a checklist of the leading items needed in a basic emergency supply kit for the home or business. These items include: water, food, radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, whistle, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, wrench or pliers, local maps, and personal items.

For the complete list of items the Ready Campaign recommends including in your emergency kit, visit theReady Campaign Web site at www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. Ready also suggests creating a smaller, portable kit for your home or office in case you need to evacuate immediately.  The Web site includes free information, checklists and guidelines about the two other key components of preparedness – developing a family emergency plan and being informed.

DHS reminds Americans to get involved in neighborhood and community preparedness efforts once their families are prepared. A good way to start is by reaching out to a local Citizen Corps Council to learn about hands-on training and opportunities to get involved with a local organization. For more information, visit www.citizencorps.gov.

DHS promotes individual emergency preparedness through the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps as part of a broader national effort conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ready is a national public service advertising campaign produced by The Advertising Council in partnership with DHS. The Ready Campaign is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. Individuals interested in more information about family and business preparedness can visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials. Citizen Corps, DHS’ grassroots effort, localizes preparedness messages and provides opportunities for citizens to get emergency response training; participate in community exercises; and volunteer to support local first responders. To learn more and to get involved, contact your nearest Citizen Corps Council by visiting www.citizencorps.gov.