So here it is, the last day of the month. When I came back to this blog I was determined to post at least once a month if not more, but honestly I'm lacking direction. So for today I'll just blather on about this and that. Fake it 'til you make it, right?
Not much has been going on worth writing about. Job is the same, family life about the same... Guess I need to come to grips with the fact that as I grow older I'm also becoming boring. Who'd have thought!?! Responsiblity has a way of sucking the fun out of life. Not that I'm complaining exactly - I never expected to make it this long, so the fact that I'm still vertical and breathing is gravy. Life is funny that way. I just miss adventure. It's been awile...
I need a new project or a new book or a new song to jerk me out of the doldrums. Something that will make me say "Yes!! This is what it's all about!!" What are y'all listening to these days? It's been a long time since something came along that aurally knocked me upside the head. Surely there is something out there I haven't heard yet that will put a smile in my ears.
Too many weird things going on and frankly none of it weird in a good way. As I said in an earlier post, this blog will not become a source of my ranting. Since just about everything you see or hear these days brings about rant-worthy feelings, I'll just keep the ol' pie-hole shut. Politics used to be a passion of mine but I just don't have the stomach for it anymore. I love my country but I loathe my government. The state and federal level have become disgusting enough over the last decade, but now even local stuff in my "quaint" little town is getting ugly and viscious. Enough already.
A couple good things I'll bring up as a quasi-Public Service Announcement... Go to your local library, people! I have recently re-discovered the joys of the library. I used to spend a LOT of time in mine as a kid but then just kind of forgot about it as time went on. I haven't had a library card for probably 20 years, but I've got a new one now and it's getting a workout! I highly recommend it you you are lucky enough to have one nearby.
The other thing I want to bring up is C.E.R.T. (Community Emergecy Response Team). I went through a town sponsored training a couple years back and it was great. I just got a notice to attend an upcoming re-fresher, so it's front and center on my mind now. If you don't know what it is, look it up. It is a great program and really the only community thing I'm invoved in anymore that doesn't have some power-hungry, underhanded/seedy element to it. It's nothing more than good people learning to how to help in case of an wide-spread emergency. Do it for yourself, your family or your neighbors. You will be glad you did.
Have a great holiday weekend folks! As always, thanks for reading.
~JL
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
The Genie is out of the bottle
So much bluster and noise regarding firearms these days. Like everyone with any sense of decency and compassion I was shocked and horrified by the events that unfolded in Colorado. However I do not under any circumstances believe the actions of some psychopath warrant further infringement on the rights of law abiding citizens. If anything, these type of events tell me that MORE people should be carrying as a daily routine. One or two properly trained and armed citizens in that Aurora theater could have drastically changed the outcome. Sure, there would most likely have been wounded and possibly killed patrons but I'd be willing to bet the numbers would have been greatly reduced. As a bonus, the perpetrator might have left the scene in a bag rather than cuffs, saving the residents of Colorado untold piles of tax money in the prosecution and subsequent incarceration of this subhuman. Even if he spends 23 hours a day in a cell for the rest of his rotten life, it's far more than he deserves and adds insult to injury to those that have to pay for it.
The fact of the matter is that it's much too late to "control" firearms. There are millions of them in the U.S. alone and anyone that thinks some legislation is going to make them suddenly go away and make the world a safer place is living in fantasy land. The genie is out of the bottle folks and there is NO WAY anyone is going to get it back in there. People that want a gun to commit a crime aren't going to go through legal channels to get one and those that want one for protecting themselves or their family FROM the criminals will be thrown to the wolves if legal firearms are outlawed. Guns are tangible items - they physically exist. They aren't going to magically disappear no matter how many vigils you attend. Yes, they are dangerous in the wrong hands, but a fact of life none-the-less. Car accidents, food poisoning and even surgeries kill people - should automobiles, food and medical care be outlawed too?
If you are fortunate enough to live in a place where a CCW permit is readily available, I urge you to get yours. Then practice until you are proficient with your tool. It's one of the things on the top of my "to do " list once I get out of California. I'll take a fighting chance over being a powerless victim any day.
Stay safe out there folks and take care of yourselves. No one else is going to.
As always, thanks for reading.
~JL
The fact of the matter is that it's much too late to "control" firearms. There are millions of them in the U.S. alone and anyone that thinks some legislation is going to make them suddenly go away and make the world a safer place is living in fantasy land. The genie is out of the bottle folks and there is NO WAY anyone is going to get it back in there. People that want a gun to commit a crime aren't going to go through legal channels to get one and those that want one for protecting themselves or their family FROM the criminals will be thrown to the wolves if legal firearms are outlawed. Guns are tangible items - they physically exist. They aren't going to magically disappear no matter how many vigils you attend. Yes, they are dangerous in the wrong hands, but a fact of life none-the-less. Car accidents, food poisoning and even surgeries kill people - should automobiles, food and medical care be outlawed too?
If you are fortunate enough to live in a place where a CCW permit is readily available, I urge you to get yours. Then practice until you are proficient with your tool. It's one of the things on the top of my "to do " list once I get out of California. I'll take a fighting chance over being a powerless victim any day.
Stay safe out there folks and take care of yourselves. No one else is going to.
As always, thanks for reading.
~JL
Monday, July 16, 2012
Dropping the ball
The last couple months have been tough. The Mrs. and I have have started a family business (it's really her show, but when a "family" business is running, it's all hands on deck!) and at any given time I have at minimum 6 projects happening at my job, plus all the day-to-day operations stuff that comes with managing a staff of 30... Add on to that the usual household stuff like cleaning and laundry, cooking and dishes, etc. When I can squeeze in the time I'm tending my garden (it's tiny but still time consuming) and slowly but surely trying to restore an old car of mine. It seems like half the time I don't know if I'm coming or going.
The reason I'm writing all this is not because I'm griping or complaining, but because for all my best efforts a few things still fell through the cracks. I guess it was inevitable that this would happen at some point or another, but it still stings when it happens.
Six months ago, this would have been a HUGE problem - it would have led to marital dischord, parked a huge black cloud hanging over everything and left me beating myself up for days on end over it. But that was the old me. Owning up to the mistakes and apologizing can do wonders...
Everyday I try to do my best. Some days are great; others, not so much. We all make mistakes, every single one of us. The important thing is to use those mistakes as lessons and not let them drag down everything else you're working toward. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on with your life. We need to remember that it's OK to forgive ourselves too.
Thanks for reading,
~JL
The reason I'm writing all this is not because I'm griping or complaining, but because for all my best efforts a few things still fell through the cracks. I guess it was inevitable that this would happen at some point or another, but it still stings when it happens.
Six months ago, this would have been a HUGE problem - it would have led to marital dischord, parked a huge black cloud hanging over everything and left me beating myself up for days on end over it. But that was the old me. Owning up to the mistakes and apologizing can do wonders...
Everyday I try to do my best. Some days are great; others, not so much. We all make mistakes, every single one of us. The important thing is to use those mistakes as lessons and not let them drag down everything else you're working toward. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on with your life. We need to remember that it's OK to forgive ourselves too.
Thanks for reading,
~JL
Friday, July 13, 2012
Sure, why not?
Hi Folks,
It's been a very, very long time since my last post and I've been hesitant to come back, truth be told. Thanks to some kind words from a couple fellow bloggers, I'm feeling compelled to climb back on this horse and go for another ride.
The reasons for my long absence are many and I won't go into detail. Suffice it to say that the last half of 2011and the first half of 2012 has been the absolute lowest part of my life thus far and let's leave it that, shall we? I know there are those out there in the blogosphere that like to share every intimate detail of their lives and even more blog readers that will lap that stuff up, but I'm not one of those people. I like to keep my nose out of other people's business and as a rule I don't invite noses into mine.
For the last year I have been lying low and just trying to get myself and my life sorted out and I'm happy to say that the last 6 weeks have been transformative and I'm feeling better than I have in years. I feel mentally refreshed and re-energized and have a new-and-improved outlook on life. It's a good feeling after all the turmoil I've been through in the last year. Don't misunderstand - I'm not all "Pollyanna-ish" about life and the sorry state of the world, but I have embraced an attitude of acceptance and forgiveness. No, I did not find religion, nor was I "born-again". If that stuff works for you, I am very happy for you and in fact feel a little jealous of the comfort so many get from their spritual quests. I tried for years and years to no avail. But there is something so freeing about letting go of pre-conceived notions and expectations of others, and just dealing with one's own self and that which is truly important. I will do the best I can for me and mine and the rest of 'em can, as my mother liked to say, "take a long walk off a short pier".
I became acutely aware as I was dealing with my own issues of anger and resentment that there are a LOT of really pissed off people out there. Seriously, everywhere you turn, someone is going off over something. It's a freakin' epidemic! I understand WHY so many people are angry. Like they say, if you aren't angry you aren't paying attention. However, it's begun to permeate everything. You can't seem to escape it. It's a sad state of affairs. It seems even every stand-up comic you see now sets up their entire show around things that piss them off. I don't know about you, but I don't find an hour long rant about mundane, every day things that cause a burning rage in someone all that entertaining. Hell, so-called "Reality TV" has made an entire genre/empire out of people being angry about something. And the angrier they are, the better the ratings. It's all very sad and pathetic really... In the end, what does anger and resentment produce? What good does it do? Nothing. None. Nada. Zilch. It's pointless and it's damaging to yourself. Someone once told my wife "Holding on to anger is like taking poison every day and hoping someone else will die from it". After what I've been through, I can say I honestly agree with that statement.
So here I am, back in the saddle. I do hope to post more frequently than once a year, but this blog will not become a Rant-o-Rama. I do not like the way my posts were heading, and I'm determined not to become some bitter, sad bastard spewing anger, hatefulness and bile. There is FAR too much of that crap floating around on the net already. I'm sick of reading it, I'm sick of listening to it and I sure as sh!t don't want to write it and subject my few readers to it. No it's not all bubblegum and lollypops - the world is a dangerous place, there is no such thing as an even playing field and TPTB (The Powers That Be) are making it worse for the common man every day. But that is life. You win some, you lose some and if you are lucky you live to fight another day. Running around all pissed off, ranting and raving at every percieved "injustice" won't change anything except possibly give you an ulcer. We all have a very short time to hang on to this revolving mud ball Mother Earth. No "do-overs", no "next time" - this is it. When your card gets punched, which can happen at ANY time for ANY (or NO) reason, that's all folks! I don't know about you, but I don't want to go out bitter and angry. I want to enjoy life to the best of my abilities while I still can. My life is FAR from perfect, but whose life is perfect? I've had the opportunity in the course of my years to spend time with some very famous and wealthy people, and it's not all it's cracked up to be. I feel sorry for people that look up to our celebrities and long for that kind of life. It's so isolated and phony and fleeting. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. OK, maybe on my WORST enemy. If everyone tried to make the best of things instead of constantly bitching about everything that doesn't live up to their expectations/demands we would all be better off. I'm going to do my part and I encourage you all to do the same. Be excellent to each other, smile more and try not to let the bastards get you down. Be kind. Enjoy yourself and those close to you.
In closing I'd like to thank a few folks that have really helped me through my struggles over the last year. I don't know any of them personally, but through their writing and videos I've have learned quite alot and gained a new perspective. In no particular order, thank you to: James "Bison" Dakin, the Mojaverat, MD Creekmore, Patriot Nurse, Engineer 775, Lowbuck Prepper and the fine folks at Survivalistboards. Thanks for your wisdom, insight and gracious sharing of yourselves. Though we've never met, I feel like I have a bunch of "invisible" friends and I appreciate what you've all done for me, even if you didn't know it.
As always, thanks for reading! See you soon,
~JL
It's been a very, very long time since my last post and I've been hesitant to come back, truth be told. Thanks to some kind words from a couple fellow bloggers, I'm feeling compelled to climb back on this horse and go for another ride.
The reasons for my long absence are many and I won't go into detail. Suffice it to say that the last half of 2011and the first half of 2012 has been the absolute lowest part of my life thus far and let's leave it that, shall we? I know there are those out there in the blogosphere that like to share every intimate detail of their lives and even more blog readers that will lap that stuff up, but I'm not one of those people. I like to keep my nose out of other people's business and as a rule I don't invite noses into mine.
For the last year I have been lying low and just trying to get myself and my life sorted out and I'm happy to say that the last 6 weeks have been transformative and I'm feeling better than I have in years. I feel mentally refreshed and re-energized and have a new-and-improved outlook on life. It's a good feeling after all the turmoil I've been through in the last year. Don't misunderstand - I'm not all "Pollyanna-ish" about life and the sorry state of the world, but I have embraced an attitude of acceptance and forgiveness. No, I did not find religion, nor was I "born-again". If that stuff works for you, I am very happy for you and in fact feel a little jealous of the comfort so many get from their spritual quests. I tried for years and years to no avail. But there is something so freeing about letting go of pre-conceived notions and expectations of others, and just dealing with one's own self and that which is truly important. I will do the best I can for me and mine and the rest of 'em can, as my mother liked to say, "take a long walk off a short pier".
I became acutely aware as I was dealing with my own issues of anger and resentment that there are a LOT of really pissed off people out there. Seriously, everywhere you turn, someone is going off over something. It's a freakin' epidemic! I understand WHY so many people are angry. Like they say, if you aren't angry you aren't paying attention. However, it's begun to permeate everything. You can't seem to escape it. It's a sad state of affairs. It seems even every stand-up comic you see now sets up their entire show around things that piss them off. I don't know about you, but I don't find an hour long rant about mundane, every day things that cause a burning rage in someone all that entertaining. Hell, so-called "Reality TV" has made an entire genre/empire out of people being angry about something. And the angrier they are, the better the ratings. It's all very sad and pathetic really... In the end, what does anger and resentment produce? What good does it do? Nothing. None. Nada. Zilch. It's pointless and it's damaging to yourself. Someone once told my wife "Holding on to anger is like taking poison every day and hoping someone else will die from it". After what I've been through, I can say I honestly agree with that statement.
So here I am, back in the saddle. I do hope to post more frequently than once a year, but this blog will not become a Rant-o-Rama. I do not like the way my posts were heading, and I'm determined not to become some bitter, sad bastard spewing anger, hatefulness and bile. There is FAR too much of that crap floating around on the net already. I'm sick of reading it, I'm sick of listening to it and I sure as sh!t don't want to write it and subject my few readers to it. No it's not all bubblegum and lollypops - the world is a dangerous place, there is no such thing as an even playing field and TPTB (The Powers That Be) are making it worse for the common man every day. But that is life. You win some, you lose some and if you are lucky you live to fight another day. Running around all pissed off, ranting and raving at every percieved "injustice" won't change anything except possibly give you an ulcer. We all have a very short time to hang on to this revolving mud ball Mother Earth. No "do-overs", no "next time" - this is it. When your card gets punched, which can happen at ANY time for ANY (or NO) reason, that's all folks! I don't know about you, but I don't want to go out bitter and angry. I want to enjoy life to the best of my abilities while I still can. My life is FAR from perfect, but whose life is perfect? I've had the opportunity in the course of my years to spend time with some very famous and wealthy people, and it's not all it's cracked up to be. I feel sorry for people that look up to our celebrities and long for that kind of life. It's so isolated and phony and fleeting. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. OK, maybe on my WORST enemy. If everyone tried to make the best of things instead of constantly bitching about everything that doesn't live up to their expectations/demands we would all be better off. I'm going to do my part and I encourage you all to do the same. Be excellent to each other, smile more and try not to let the bastards get you down. Be kind. Enjoy yourself and those close to you.
In closing I'd like to thank a few folks that have really helped me through my struggles over the last year. I don't know any of them personally, but through their writing and videos I've have learned quite alot and gained a new perspective. In no particular order, thank you to: James "Bison" Dakin, the Mojaverat, MD Creekmore, Patriot Nurse, Engineer 775, Lowbuck Prepper and the fine folks at Survivalistboards. Thanks for your wisdom, insight and gracious sharing of yourselves. Though we've never met, I feel like I have a bunch of "invisible" friends and I appreciate what you've all done for me, even if you didn't know it.
As always, thanks for reading! See you soon,
~JL
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Words to live by...
Those that know me well know I'm a bit of a nerd about quotes. I think it's because I'm such a quiet person and I don't say much. When someone can make a huge statement or get across a big idea with a few well chosen words, I get absurdly impressed. And often I find them inspiring and even life changing.
The other day while reading one of my new favorite blogs - Cold Antler Farm - I ran across something that really smacked me upside the head. Now this wasn't a quoted passage, but I certainly think it should be, so I'm going to quote it here and hope that it gains traction...
"It's not where you live, it's how you live"
~Jenna Woginrich
This really struck a chord with me because a couple years ago I decided I wanted to be a "Homesteader". I believe I would be much happier and healthier if I had a small hold farm. Raising chickens and rabbits and goats. Growing my own fruits and vegetables. All that good stuff. And so I've been reading books and blogs, watching YouTube videos and checking out things like Mother Earth News and Urban Farmer magazine. Even participating in an online forum dedicated to homesteading. This is a whole new world to me and I find it endlessly fascinating. The only problem is I kept looking at it as "Some day I'll..." Like I can't homestead without an actual home and land. Yes, I realize that people everywhere are Urban Farming and that backyard chickens are springing up all over the suburbs, but it all seemed like a distant dream none-the-less.
That one sentence changed my perspective. Nine words. That's all it took. OK, sure, I still can't have chickens or goats where I live and I'm limited to a small container garden and one indoor rabbit. But what I can do is take this time to learn the myriad skills that are needed to live a self sufficient life. I can learn preserving and canning. I can bake bread. I can compost and recycle. I can use more natural products. Hell, I could learn to quilt or knit or sew or make candles for cryin' out loud! It doesn't matter that the foods I preserve came from the market, it's the SKILLS that matter now. So what if I use store bought ingredients to make my own cheese, at least I'll learn how to make cheese, right!?! The more I can learn before I have the house and the land and the livestock to deal with, the better off I'll be when I do have those things.
The beauty of it is that it doesn't matter what your dreams are, this quote applies. If you happen to live in a really wealthy area, you don't have to be a shallow, materialistic person if that's not you. If you live in a slum, you don't have to be a thug. Just because your neighbor acts or lives a certain way doesn't mean you have to. If you live in Texas and hate cowboy boots, don't wear just because it's expected of you. Likewise, if you live in Seattle and you love cowboy boots, wear them with pride! Your location doesn't define you, only you can define you. Live the way that fits you as a person and do what you can now to live the life you want to ultimately live.
Thanks for the inspiration Cold Antler Farm, and thank you for reading!
The other day while reading one of my new favorite blogs - Cold Antler Farm - I ran across something that really smacked me upside the head. Now this wasn't a quoted passage, but I certainly think it should be, so I'm going to quote it here and hope that it gains traction...
"It's not where you live, it's how you live"
~Jenna Woginrich
This really struck a chord with me because a couple years ago I decided I wanted to be a "Homesteader". I believe I would be much happier and healthier if I had a small hold farm. Raising chickens and rabbits and goats. Growing my own fruits and vegetables. All that good stuff. And so I've been reading books and blogs, watching YouTube videos and checking out things like Mother Earth News and Urban Farmer magazine. Even participating in an online forum dedicated to homesteading. This is a whole new world to me and I find it endlessly fascinating. The only problem is I kept looking at it as "Some day I'll..." Like I can't homestead without an actual home and land. Yes, I realize that people everywhere are Urban Farming and that backyard chickens are springing up all over the suburbs, but it all seemed like a distant dream none-the-less.
That one sentence changed my perspective. Nine words. That's all it took. OK, sure, I still can't have chickens or goats where I live and I'm limited to a small container garden and one indoor rabbit. But what I can do is take this time to learn the myriad skills that are needed to live a self sufficient life. I can learn preserving and canning. I can bake bread. I can compost and recycle. I can use more natural products. Hell, I could learn to quilt or knit or sew or make candles for cryin' out loud! It doesn't matter that the foods I preserve came from the market, it's the SKILLS that matter now. So what if I use store bought ingredients to make my own cheese, at least I'll learn how to make cheese, right!?! The more I can learn before I have the house and the land and the livestock to deal with, the better off I'll be when I do have those things.
The beauty of it is that it doesn't matter what your dreams are, this quote applies. If you happen to live in a really wealthy area, you don't have to be a shallow, materialistic person if that's not you. If you live in a slum, you don't have to be a thug. Just because your neighbor acts or lives a certain way doesn't mean you have to. If you live in Texas and hate cowboy boots, don't wear just because it's expected of you. Likewise, if you live in Seattle and you love cowboy boots, wear them with pride! Your location doesn't define you, only you can define you. Live the way that fits you as a person and do what you can now to live the life you want to ultimately live.
Thanks for the inspiration Cold Antler Farm, and thank you for reading!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The winds of change...
Ok, so I freely admit that I don't have much to write about today. However it was my intention to at LEAST write once a month to keep this thing alive.
That being said, I do find myself excited for a change... The Mrs. and I are embarking on a new business venture to start up next summer and as things slowly progress it's looking good! I've also decided to finally do something about my employment situation. Don't get me wrong, in this day and age I'm fortunate to have a job and I feel for those of you out there that don't. I've been there and it is awful. Really, really awful. But when the job you are "lucky" to have causes you to hate waking up every day and go through anxiety attacks a few times a week, I think it's time to move on. And that's where I'm at.
So, chin up, shoulders back! Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot... and on into a better life!
Thanks for reading!
That being said, I do find myself excited for a change... The Mrs. and I are embarking on a new business venture to start up next summer and as things slowly progress it's looking good! I've also decided to finally do something about my employment situation. Don't get me wrong, in this day and age I'm fortunate to have a job and I feel for those of you out there that don't. I've been there and it is awful. Really, really awful. But when the job you are "lucky" to have causes you to hate waking up every day and go through anxiety attacks a few times a week, I think it's time to move on. And that's where I'm at.
So, chin up, shoulders back! Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot... and on into a better life!
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Prepare, then prepare some more!
Yes, I am indeed one of the "prepper" weirdos that have been popping up all over the place lately. I'd like to think I'm not some band-wagon jumper as preparedness has been part of my make-up for a long time - once a Boy Scout, always a Boy Scout, I guess... However, it's really in the last couple years that I started to take it seriously and expand on what I thought it was to Be Prepared.
I'm not going to beat this dead horse and go into detail about what you should do to prepare yourself and you family for an untoward event - there is more then enough of that on the web already. 10 seconds on Google or Yahoo search will find you a month's worth of reading on the subject. All I'm saying here is get off your duff and do something. Anything. Start small and add a little at a time. You'll be surprised how quickly it adds up.
The reason I bring this up now is because it's the time of year I go through what I have stored, check expiration dates and inventory new stuff I've added over the year. This is very important - you certainly don't want to be depending on foods you stored that have since expired. Rotate your stock, store what you eat and eat what you store.
I'm not nearly as prepared as I'd like to be, but I'm a lot better off than I was just 2 years ago, simply going one small step at a time. I have very little "disposable" income but have managed to put up quite a bit, just $5 - $10 at a time. Even if $5 a week is too much to put aside (some of you may be laughing, but I've been there - sometimes five bucks seems like a small fortune) spend $1 and put up a gallon of bottled water. Just one for now, and everytime you have an extra $1 grab another until you have 6 gallons per person for your household. Why 6 gallons? That's the BARE MINIMUM recommended by those in the know - 2 gallons per person/per day for 3 days. Of course the more the better, but at least 6 gallons per person to start.
Get your water first. EVERYTHING else is less important. Not unneccessary mind you, just less important. Three days without water and you're done. Going that long without food would suck, but it won't kill you.
Unfortunately, prepping for an emergency isn't something that's ever "done". No matter how well set you think you are, you can bet someone will find the holes in your plan. There are just too many variables. But if nothing else, get your basics in order. Water, food, shelter. Sure a generator and an arsenal of combat-grade weapons, a dedicated "Bug-out Vehicle" (BOV) and a fully stocked bomb-proof shelter would be great, but being realistic just having food and water and not needing to rely on the .gov to come to your aid in an emergency puts you miles ahead of the average American sloth.
I don't know about you, but I'll gladly give up some closet and cupboard space for preps rather than end up standing in some FEMA line for a handout come-what-may. I suggest you do the same. I'm not going to go all doom & gloom here, I'm not saying the sky is falling. But you would have to have been living under a rock for the last year if you haven't noticed that some very strange s**t has been going on. Earthquakes, volcanos, wild fires, floods, crop failures, uprisings, etc. etc. It may not happen to you, but then again it might.
Don't live in fear, prepare yourself and your family. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
I'm not going to beat this dead horse and go into detail about what you should do to prepare yourself and you family for an untoward event - there is more then enough of that on the web already. 10 seconds on Google or Yahoo search will find you a month's worth of reading on the subject. All I'm saying here is get off your duff and do something. Anything. Start small and add a little at a time. You'll be surprised how quickly it adds up.
The reason I bring this up now is because it's the time of year I go through what I have stored, check expiration dates and inventory new stuff I've added over the year. This is very important - you certainly don't want to be depending on foods you stored that have since expired. Rotate your stock, store what you eat and eat what you store.
I'm not nearly as prepared as I'd like to be, but I'm a lot better off than I was just 2 years ago, simply going one small step at a time. I have very little "disposable" income but have managed to put up quite a bit, just $5 - $10 at a time. Even if $5 a week is too much to put aside (some of you may be laughing, but I've been there - sometimes five bucks seems like a small fortune) spend $1 and put up a gallon of bottled water. Just one for now, and everytime you have an extra $1 grab another until you have 6 gallons per person for your household. Why 6 gallons? That's the BARE MINIMUM recommended by those in the know - 2 gallons per person/per day for 3 days. Of course the more the better, but at least 6 gallons per person to start.
Get your water first. EVERYTHING else is less important. Not unneccessary mind you, just less important. Three days without water and you're done. Going that long without food would suck, but it won't kill you.
Unfortunately, prepping for an emergency isn't something that's ever "done". No matter how well set you think you are, you can bet someone will find the holes in your plan. There are just too many variables. But if nothing else, get your basics in order. Water, food, shelter. Sure a generator and an arsenal of combat-grade weapons, a dedicated "Bug-out Vehicle" (BOV) and a fully stocked bomb-proof shelter would be great, but being realistic just having food and water and not needing to rely on the .gov to come to your aid in an emergency puts you miles ahead of the average American sloth.
I don't know about you, but I'll gladly give up some closet and cupboard space for preps rather than end up standing in some FEMA line for a handout come-what-may. I suggest you do the same. I'm not going to go all doom & gloom here, I'm not saying the sky is falling. But you would have to have been living under a rock for the last year if you haven't noticed that some very strange s**t has been going on. Earthquakes, volcanos, wild fires, floods, crop failures, uprisings, etc. etc. It may not happen to you, but then again it might.
Don't live in fear, prepare yourself and your family. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
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