Beans & LegumesI was Country, when Country wasn’t cool…Huh?
Some time in the late 70′s to the early 80′s Barbara Mandrell and George Jones sang the duet, “I was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”. In the song Barbara says, “I took a lot of kiddin’ ’cause I never did fit in now look at everybody tryin’ to be what I was then”
Do you see the connection to emergency preparedness or are you still wondering what I’m getting at?
So here’s the short of it, emergency preparedness for a long time has been perceived as something that only extremists get into. However, after major disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the oil spill in the gulf and the current economic climate emergency preparedness is quickly becoming main stream. Hopefully for most the “coolness” of emergency preparedness will catch on quick enough that everyone will take the time get ready. Unfortunately there’s a side of me that thinks that for a lot of people they’ll keep putting it off until it’s too late.
Bill Heid, an emergency prep expert had this to say:
“The survivalist mentality used to be considered a fringe element, but now that economic times are such as they are, many more average, regular folks are adopting the same set of preparations.”
The key for most people will be taking the time to not only get their supplies in order but to also gain the proper education and skill set to be able to face the unknown uncertainties of tomorrow that seem to be closing in on us at break neck speed. I mean after all, the last thing you want to be is a “Coca-Cola Prepper”.
Just like a pair of wranglers and a pair of boots don’t make you a real cowboy; having a supply of food doesn’t mean you’re (though it’s a great start). Emergency Preparedness is not something that’s mastered over night. It requires time, energy, effort and consistency.
Think about it, true Cowboy’s don’t treat their lifestyle like a passing fad that will change every decade, (wrangler’s haven’t changed much in the last 30 years, there still extra tight). The same goes for those committed to preparedness, it’s not treated as a passing fad, instead it’s adopted as a lifestyle, a way of life.
Drug Store Cowboy or Drug Store Prepper, you don’t want to be a pretender and in the case of emergency preparedness being a pretender could really cost you. Make the commitment to do what it takes to become a true, genuine, dyed in wool, full blooded Prepper starting today!
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Great advice! I have been prepping my hole life. But I have only been starting to prep full time for the past few years!
August 29th, 2010 at 7:47 pmI copied and sent your article on to family and friends. I have a hard time convincing them of the need to prepare. It seems that no matter how many disasters, whether man made or natural, or the threat of terrorism and the state of the economy, they don’t think it can happen here. That iit is just a passing phase in time. Everything always works out. I am hoping that your article can make a dent in their heads, although they seem to be playing the Ostrich at the moment.
I have always kept extra food/water on hand but have been a lot more serious about it in the last two and a half years. I can see the handwriting on the wall. As a senior citizen on a limited income, it is a lot harder but still, I am able to keep working at it, and along with my camping experience and equipment, I believe I can handle bugging out, if I have to. I also have a couple of excellent books on survival in many different scenarios and read and collect other articles on surviving under any conditions. Most of the limited number of people who know what I am doing, think I have “lost it”, a sign of old age. But I will be the one they run to WHEN whatever happens, happens.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:22 amGood article. Keep ‘em coming!
I have learned that having your food storage is only half of the equation. Knowing how to use it and using it is the other half. I went through some very hard times and had food storage, but didn’t know how to use it – it sat on my shelves! I promised myself never to let that happen again. I am now using it and there is a big learning curve that takes time and effort. It has been really hard because I have had to do this myself and my family made serious fun of me and my efforts. I asked a friend if they had food storage, their reply: “It is in the attic and I don’t want to talk about it.” If it is in the attic it may not be good when they go to use it! Having and using food storage saves time and money, but you also enjoy a level of confidence that you are not tied to a food supply chain that can be cut off any time.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:22 amI used an MRE heater for the first time today and was surprised by the technology. I’m embarrassed to say it, but I had to read the (very short, simple) directions several times because I didn’t understand how a hot meal could be as simple as pouring a small amount of cold water into a bag and letting it sit there. Amazing. I also tested out my new ($0.99) p-38 canopener, ate with backpacker utensils, and made an Altoids tin survival kit. Baby steps, but I know I’m a long way from where I want to be.
Anyone have suggestions for inexpensive or free seminars, tutorials, workshops, etc. for relative newbies? I’d be up for just about anything from how to can your own food to primitive tool-making.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:06 am@Chandra I think probably the best way to do it is to read different Survival manuals and preparedness handbooks, You can find books on just about anything you need to know.
Great advice its just hard to keep it up when you have family thats Ill-prepared and makes fun of you all the time but I hope I can keep going, at this pace it won’t be long before I’m where I want to be.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:11 amPreparedness is a good thing, and I ahve always tried to lay in a seven day or more supply of everything. However, last week I saw a news article from a reputable source, talking about a solar storm predicted in 2012 based on sun cycles that would ahve the capacity to turn the lights of the world over. How many have the skills to go back to the 1800′s. After all, generators are going to quit working after a day or two, as their will be no refineries, adn no way for the oil and gas companies to make or pump the stuff with all electricity off. I would love to hear your thoughts on preparedness for that! Can we really prepare for such a thing?
August 30th, 2010 at 7:36 amLove the reference to a Coca-Cola Prepper. Now the song about the Coca-Cola Cowboy is running through my head.
August 30th, 2010 at 9:35 amThanks @Risley. I’ve already ordered books, but I’m thinking a hands-on workshop would help me get moving a little faster. Guest I’ll have to make a list of skills and seek them out separately.
About your family, they won’t be laughing if anything happens – even a temporary power outage might change their minds. I’m already getting looks, and I’m not even that deep into it yet. I think it’s funny that *they* think it’s funny, and it doesn’t bother me. No one would argue that it’s good to save money for a rainy day; why not food, water, and anything else you might need? Just think to yourself, “They’ll thank me later. And I will be rubbing it in
”
August 30th, 2010 at 11:16 amChandra: If you pull up Back Woods Home Magazine on your computer and go to Jackie Clay’s blog you will learn more about Homesteading which includes gardening, canning, raising animals, building etc etc. She is great and you will learn a lot reading her blog. She has a canning book out that is the best one I have ever read. You might want to get it if you want to learn to can garden produce.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:52 pmThanks @Ruth – I’ll definitely check it out.
September 4th, 2010 at 10:09 pm