What, are they burning a captured crop of the Mary Jane?
But seriously, more wicked weather is coming this way so, just an FYI: If I don’t post tomorrow, it is probably just because the local cable and phone systems are out.
So don’t go worryin’. I’ll be good to go.
On the plus side, I have a reason to drive Grimm to work, possibly for the next couple days. The chainsaw and tow strap are already loaded in and the tank is topped off.
Wish me luck. Pictures if anything good shows.
Power in my neighborhood is all underground. Unfortunately, the PUD feed lines from up nawth aren’t.
So.
I have fifteen gallons of kerosene. Two kerosene burning heaters. An Aladdin lamp for the front room half a dozen wick lamps for the rest of the house to be lit if needed. More than fifty camp stoves (I collect ’em.) Lots and lots of food, a warm, loving Wife, a warm, loving 100 lb. dog, three warm cats, and a battery CD player.
Also.
A generator and enough fuel to keep the freezer below zero for a month.
Who gives a shit if the power goes out?
Gerry, I have a natural gas cooktop and a box of matches, PLUS a propane cooker and 2 full bottles of propane PLUS a bunch of the one-pounders. House heats with gas fireplaces as well as furnace. Have Honda eu2000 on site generator and 120 hours of fuel for it.
Just built a 30-day SHTF food kit at Bi-Mart today, much cheaper place to do it than the bix box groceries, cost me about $150. It’s in 4 10-gallon tubs with lids, will go in my 10X12 TuffShed, which is near no trees, and is big enough to live in, and I can install my squadbay all-fuel tent heater in a few minutes. Toolshed has a Hoppes deoderant system installed in case someone passes gas. Have the chainsaw, backed up by two bow saws, and a fair amount of dry wood for kindling. Just lived through a 10-day furnace outage (in the main house) during the last modest cold snap, house stayed at 63 with one fireplace going.
Easiest thing to do though in case of grid or regional outage is to move onto boat, which is third liveable domicile (if roads and bridges are passable to get there).
Don’t have a jumped-up stump-puller like Phil, but there are 4 diesel 4X4 pickemups on my cul-de-sac. We have a deal: I provide armed overview of the street from my 2cd floor command post (one way in, and drivers have to show themselves to me for 200 meters) and they do all the gophering. Can draw water from the crik (have to boil it, not a Class A creek, probably not even C), but enough rain falls to keep all the drinking water stocked up. Have a stack of 10 new 30-gallon tubs with lids to collect it in.
Yeah, I’m ready, you could say.
Feels good havin’ all yer shit in one sock, dunnit?
If things go all to crap for an extended period, my 26′ 5th wheel is as livable as the house and a lot cheaper to heat. The Mrs. and I wouldn’t need to procure anything for three months, then only water for several more. Plenty of arms, fishing tackle, food, clothes, fuel and medications for me, her and the pooch. The cats can take care of themselves. If things don’t get sorted out after six months, I guess we’re gonna have to do some serious lifestyle re-examination.