The Brave New World – Happening Now

The Brave, New World…Happening Now

I’m recently, gee, ten months now, retired. I am needed to be more attentive to others at home. So, I really feel a crunch. How is it we can bring in folks – illegally, process them and pay them to be here when CITIZENS have worked their entire working lives and fed into the system inclusive of Soc. Security and more? Then – to be at threat of losing everything if income is failing, or worse – fails completely?  If we don’t watch EVERYTHING, it may happen that we can no longer make all the bills without cutting something out. If government can do all of this without so much as a 2-second lag, what happens when we can no longer afford to feed these folks? We’re stretching now, and we have an income from EARNED Soc. Security and also a retirement fund. The news about what and HOW the WALKING EVIL in this nation that we live amongst, is nearly unbearable at times; especially what’s being done to children. I say a prayer for this community; the Monkey and others here, whenever I think about it. That’s several times a day, and yet folks just like me are being told to get what you can now – there’s already trucking issues and interference. It makes me think that this has been done and tested before, and I RECALL it!

I figure they’ll hit us with the same shortages as last time. Hate to have to say it, but I have extra cleaning buckets (if no electric, no washer/dryer use), and have purchased clean rags, because, ladies and gents, there may come a time when we’re going to need to have inventive plans. Months back I purchased cleaning towels – in big packages at Sam’s club. They’re like face cloths but without any of the edges hemmed. These will become the paper we won’t have, and they’ll need to be washed by hand. I don’t know for how long, but TP and often paper towels are already starting to be sparse on the shelves, and most of us only have room for a limited amount.  For how long will the situation last?  We do what we must – but if we all have to go through it, we need to plan on not having enough – just in case. I have canned foods – meats, and bottled water. Last power outage we had running water – BUT it cannot be trusted and must be boiled – because the power outage affects the purification of our waste water to drinking water. I’m doing the best I can – but the fact that the AUDIT is being seen as done – and the seated US President is being shown as the winner, makes me wonder about my fellow citizens – how do they not understand that the AUDIT isn’t finished; that despite the problems with deleting information from voting machines, they could confirm the count, but – not yet can they confirm the vote.

We need to be prepared for worst case scenario:

My husband takes many prescription drugs that keep him alive. What happens if we cannot get them anymore? Not all life sustain drugs are prescribed in 3 or 6 month amounts. With most prescriptions, it’s every month.

It’s not a rant: What I’m saying are cold facts. I’m not sure what to do and feel like I’m not done yet. Which reminds me, I need charcoal for the outdoor charcoal grill. I already have a camping stove that uses White Gas, and have a bit more than a dozen refills. If I go through one a day (and I won’t as long as I can make good use of the charcoal BBQ) I’ll have enough for about 2 weeks, the outside estimate is about a month. If I have to, I’ve got the wherewithal to dig a cooking pit and put up a spit. Behind my back fence, there’s 20 more feet of my property, with lots of trees, and some that have fallen that can be used too. Canned goods will sustain a lot of our time without fresh foods or the ability to keep them well. Proteins in the form of fresh meats and fish may not be readily available. Canned goods may suffice but for meat protein – we will need to go lightly on canned goods and add legumes as protein sources, like dry beans.

There are several hurdles a prepper must overcome.  Space and storage, as well as the conditions in the storage areas must be taken into account by the nature of what’s being stored.  These days, we have companies who have prepared “Prepper Packages” of canned foods and other items (meals ready to eat) needed during times where there is no electric, no gas service, and, like me, the water will flow, but will not be fully uncontaminated.  To what degree it becomes impossible to get water that is, or can be made to be, potable has to be guessed at. BUT – even so, the water service that comes into a home my stop entirely if it becomes badly contaminated. These important necessities can be provided for, or in my case, I may be able to haul water.  I would need to drive to a source, collect it, and purify it at home. 

Getting the basics is also a political poke at those in need.  We had a secure source of oil and gas B.B. (Before JB), but the source has been cut off in this administration. You take the gas away, most of us do not have a member of the family that can haul water for as far as I would have to go to get it.  Without a car, and gas, there’s no way to make that trip for my immediate family. Thus, someone would have to get a small community together to gather such things. There would need to be ground rules that everyone contributes in some way – for instance, if four men go out on two trucks, then some folks would have to do other things, from watching kids and keeping them busy and moving, to preparing meals. Preparing meals may be a big deal if there’s no way to do so in large batches, so a group may need several ‘cooks’ to get it done. 

We are being targeted; prepared, manipulated, with a plan put in place that will close on us like a bear trap before we hear the click of the pan to spring the jaws.

I live in a small community that can be easily sealed from intrusion at the two entrances.  However, someone in search of water or a meal may be willing and able to do harm to get in. Our personal conduct will have to change from full acceptance to wariness, as well. A community watch needs to be established; and the phrase “Well “Armed Militia” will take on a more local and personal meaning. Pets will need strict supervision, because not only do they need to be fed, but they can, in desperate times, become targets for food.  Worse will be those folks who are moving to be with other family, elsewhere, may have no room and no choice but to set some pets free to fend for themselves. House pets are not truly capable of it, and aside from being targets, can become feral.

The worst thing we may have to face are outlaws who have organized into powerful groups.  These new-reality  gangs, may organize in military fashion, and a self-sustaining neighborhood will become a target.  As a target, any group pulling together for all, must organize a squad of their own to protect the group. There are police in my neighborhood, and they might be good for patrol, but it’s the hunters who will have to take on the lion’s share of the protection.  In dire circumstances, there will be no expectation of firetrucks nor ambulance assists.  The community would need to organize and find out if there are any folks staying put who have medical experience – from EMT’s to Nurses, to PA’s. I don’t expect a lot of doctors near me, but there are a lot of hospitals and medical centers, so PA’s and Nurses are available.

  The better your community is at organizing its periodic meetings, the better prepared the community can be.  In some cases, those not staying may be able to lend their homes to the group to help the community to keep safe, set up first aid in one or two of them – mini hospitals, if needed, and provide upkeep and protection until they owners return.  Again-the need for medical professionals is hard to assess.

School should be in place for children 10 and under, and some houses may be able to be used. Kids will need more supervision, need to continue to learn about the world as it has become and all the new rules. Indigenous animals will find a community that does not bury or burn food waste. Even then, burning sets out another signal that there is activity in the area – to those who may do more harm, or who may bring in more knowledge and help. Our “new nice” will become the “new suspicions” when it comes to strangers. We need to get to know who our neighbors are and who are not our neighbors, when we see them.

Walkie talkies with batteries or with alternate power (batteries or charging stands) might be best. This all comes under consideration before there’s a problem. However, many won’t prep as a community.  I think it is a mistake not to do so. I also think the issue should be brought up, even if passed aside at first, at community meetings. At the least, consideration should be made for the names and addresses to be taken and listed for all those who are interested or would contribute to the community’s well-being and safety.

Another thing about prepping. Don’t forget the small stuff. You may be avoiding salt, but salt is in so much of what we eat out of the supermarkets, fast food and convenience stores, that we get more than enough. But we’ll stop getting that salt in dire times.  Have it handy for a couple of reasons – flavor, water retention (yes, that is sometimes needed). Did you know that salt is a natural antihistamine? Here is a link to a good article.  I suggest you print it out now, as with all information regarding preparedness, because if the lights are out, the internet is down. So print this: https://empoweredsustenance.com/salt-is-good-for-you/ for future use, and start a box or a book with information. Print as you find important info online, and if you have survival books – and I do – put them where you can get to them.  I find the box method best because I don’t always have time to get it all organized and into a single place. I do that at night or whenever I can carve out uninterrupted time.

We all know about having flashlights, batteries and candles. I have a fireplace I never use, but live in a state where there is little need for it to keep from freezing. Until one knows what’s “out there” looking in – it may be wise NOT to use anything that will attract attention.  This is why a portable gas stove in a garage with the garage door open enough for ventilation would be wise in the beginning if you otherwise have only an electric stove, and no other way to get gas.  Even if piped in, we have no idea at what time it will stop being piped in – but must expect that to happen, even if not right away. Use ovens and stoves as you can, and save the gas grilles and charcoal bar-b-que to wait. There will come a time when cooking will attract – animals and hopefully not human animals; but one must be prepared and a neighborhood watch is needed.

Am I a prepping expert? Are most of us?  Not by a long-shot.  I do like to be as prepared as possible within my scope of knowledge, and I pursue more and more knowledge these days. I grew up with my dad, who along with my uncles, went hunting every year for deer, and seasonally for wild turkey, duck, rabbit and other game.  I grew up eating them, watching my mother clean the small game, teaching me what to watch out for…like tapeworm. I’ve always been near the water, and can clean the fish.  Growing up on Long Island, at the time, very rural, I went out many an August night over the years and returned home with buckets of blue-claw crab. You can get crab from a dock, but you can also get them from a boat with a light. I miss Long Island Blue-claw crabs!

The point? Not everyone can do all that’s needed to be secure and comfortable in one’s community when there are folks trolling to TAKE what they need and want. It becomes necessary to unite as a group for protection, and those capable, must put up fencing around the enclave to help keep out those who are inclined not to ask for help, but rather, to take what they want. Hard times brings out the worst, and the best in folks.  It’s not easy, but it can be done. Have a handful of leaders, with skills. Have regular meetings.  Get those canned horns to use as alerts for meetings or for danger. Devise a simple code like 2 long bursts followed by two short ones – for a meeting, and a different one for emergency/help needed.

Remember – whatever you use at home base, you’ll need the correct power supply.  You may be able to charge from a car battery, but if you cannot keep the battery charged, you’ll be out of luck.  It depends on how bad it gets.  Save what you can for “worst case” responses or protections.  Make sure each household gets their own minimum materials for bandaging, antibiotic creams or other OTC items, for family – but also with an eye on the length of time it may be needed at home or in the community.  Aspirin is important.  Aspirin may be more important than the newer pain-relief drugs because they also help lower fever.  Some folks may have a sensitivity and cannot take aspirin. 

Be as prepared as you can for your own family.  My outlook is, that if I am not fully prepared, someone in the community will have to carry my shortcomings if I need help getting what I don’t have – and I must be the one responsible for me and my family. In the same way, we return the courtesy to others. There are retired folks here, and young families with little children or babies. We all have different needs – children may need special foods or formula at a time when refrigeration may be non-existent.  Even folks with generators can run out of fuel that is no longer available. If some folks leave to be with family elsewhere, and they allow proper use of their home, use it as a meeting place and a place to set up an infirmary.  Take care of this gift, to be permitted to do so.  Get a letter saying it’s okay to do so, signed by the owner if possible.  You can only prepare for these issues now – there won’t be time later.  It will be needed because suddenly, community meetings will become packed, and it will be necessary for all to know what’s expected of them as well as what they can count on if they have a problem.

There are folks who know CPR, or have another special knowledge more important than computer science in a world where the electric is off. Communications are key. Organize and find out how one can keep communication devices charged. Forget cell phones – which may become beacons to where you are by those you don’t want to know.  Hope to find a ham radio in the neighborhood, or prepare for getting one. Don’t advertise where you are until the perimeter is secure – and that means night and day. I have a neighbor with a gas-powered generator. If you can’t get gas, it won’t do, but if it becomes power for the neighborhood meeting place, then being conservative with the gas can help keep meetings going after dark. It can also serve as a place to keep medications for those who need them refrigerated – at least for a time. The community must think as a community when it comes to the little kid down the block with insulin dependent diabetes and needs his insulin refrigerated. 

That last line leads me to this last thought. There will be those desperate for things they cannot easily get. It has to be planned in advance to have what is life sustaining and what can be done without. By the time a community member runs out of life sustaining prescriptions, it’s too late.  All those places that had them, won’t still, and many may suffer lack of new deliveries, break-ins and worse. There may come a time when the local chain store with the pharmacy will only let those in need in and only to get prescriptions – because the regular store goods will run out just supporting its workers once they must shut the doors, but they may keep a guard or two available for those vital prescriptions. Don’t Count On It. Check now, with your Dr, if you can get prescriptions for multiple months.  In some cases, you can get up to a three-month supply of sustaining prescriptions. I’m not so sure about insulin.

The last thing is a warning. I have police in the neighborhood.  That’s usually good – and folks leaving to go elsewhere may also allow police to use their houses. But, I have police in the family. Fellow officers are also family; the commitment to keep everyone safe starts with community residents, so the focus needs to stay there, under community control, not merely Police control.  It has to be a tightly kept secret in the case of a small, separate community. Each community should work together to defend and protect it.  The reason is because those you least expect will do dire things in dire times, and at the expense of others.

I pray it does not come to this. I pray we are ALL PREPARED, in our own neighborhoods and homes, just in case it does.

And I pray that Heaven watches over those who would stand together for each other.