Well Problem. Need some help, advice, comments regarding the hand dug well on our property. Our hand dug well is about 75 feet deep and is fed by an underground river. Here in Oklahoma we have experienced extreme drought conditions for the past 4 years. The first 2 years the well worked great being able to water 2 acres of crops as well as plenty of water for the house. All the lakes and rivers in our area are back to normal levels thanks to the wonderful rain we have had this winter and spring. We are now in a situation where the well isn’t even providing enough water for the house or the ¼ acre garden we have planted [...]
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Well Problem.
Need some help, advice, comments regarding the hand dug well on our property. Our hand dug well is about 75 feet deep and is fed by an underground river. Here in Oklahoma we have experienced extreme drought conditions for the past 4 years. The first 2 years the well worked great being able to water 2 acres of crops as well as plenty of water for the house. All the lakes and rivers in our area are back to normal levels thanks to the wonderful rain we have had this winter and spring.
We are now in a situation where the well isn’t even providing enough water for the house or the ¼ acre garden we have planted this year. We have talked to several people in the area, even the man who helped dig this well back in the 40’s. His suggestion was to lower someone down the well and dig out any sediment that might be on the bottom preventing the well from filling to normal capacity. Have searched the net for suggestions, and no we are not going to send anyone down the well.
If anyone has had a similar experience or any suggestions we would love for you to respond.
Thanks,
John Milandred
Do not blindly rely on the Government, to help you come out of such disaster. Many people are assured that the politicians and the administration will take care of them.
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Ideas for enduring Food Shortage
The newspaper or the media are full of news regarding some kind of crisis in the world such as global warming, oil crisis, military crisis, humanitarian crisis, food crisis, battles, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, famine, floods all leading to the shortage of necessities. Still, only a few people hardly think about these things until and unless they actually occur. If you really think that none of the above actually influence you, however, but you should not ignore the major one - food disaster.
Some call it food crisis while others name it food shortage, and if you think that it happens only in a particular nation of the world, you are very wrong. The fact is that today we are living in a serious global food shortage. Well, if you do not believe this, just take a stair back and look at the facts. Survival Food prices are ever rising. Oil and petrol prices are breaking records. Major part of farmland is used for producing bio-fuel instead of food.
With the weather becoming less expected and the changing climate, everything is affecting the supply and demand of food and thus creating food shortages in some or other part of the world. There are numerous tips that can relieve your fears if you are afraid of a food shortage due to natural calamity or political conflict. Taking small steps to store food, materials and seeds can help you survive a food shortage and to help your family and others around you if the tragedy occurs.
Arranging basic survival food on hand will put, in a far better position to survive all sort of natural catastrophe, economic collapse, unrest, or worse. Continue reading to find out what foodstuffs you should have on hand, and just how to plan a long-term food storage in your house.
Water- Shortage of fluids happens much quicker than hunger, and that's why water is of prime magnitude. Water is essential to keep surviving, prepare food and keep basic cleanliness. To have a trusted supplier of water like a survival food staple is of main concern. You may have it by having a hand pump or water storage barrels along with a purification system.
Grains- Serving as a necessary ingredient for energy and essential nutrition, grains can offer the groundwork of the diet when combined with enough supporting meals (for example fats and meat). Make use of brown grain and whole oats for gluten-free grains. Food such as meat whether it is beef bumpy, freeze-dried chicken, white meat, tinned tuna, or maybe a blend, make sure to keep an ample amount of animal proteins in store to help keep you living and nurtured during such a situation of food shortage.
Stove and White Gas- The food deficiency will mainly likely accompany many other shortages, such as gas or electricity. After a natural calamity, you will require a quick way to heat up food and boil water for purification. It would be really helpful if you store a small heater and firewood so that you can readily arrange a means to cook the food if disaster arises by fire cooking if needed.
Vegetables and Beans- Veggies and beans when properly prepared, distribute proteins used by the body, to build other critical proteins. So, it becomes essential to store a variety such as black beans, kidney beans, whitened beans, dried beans together with other likes. Learn cooking techniques at this instant, before you feel their importance at hard times. Dried and frozen veggies, over and above farming seed products and materials, can complete this category.
Oils, Fats- Oils and fats perhaps serve as the most important survival food staples to preserve for problem situations. Good fats such as coconut oil, essential olive oil, frozen dried butter, fat, along with other calorie-crowded fats are very essential as they will not only sustain you but also help the body to absorb the vitamins and nutrition present in your other meals.
You are only left with the option of facing the crisis when it occurs. Remember, you and your family will have to manage on your own. Along with, if real desire to help others, you will have to have a cellar crammed with stored foods. Just visualize the calmness you'll enjoy knowing you have stored enough for your family to survive.Last of all, you will be able to say adieu to being a super market slave.
Do not blindly rely on the Government, to help you come out of such disaster. Many people are assured that the politicians and the administration will take care of them. Please do not be so sure, however, be prepared well. The government and political leaders are the ones who will run off first, as in a global food shortage there will be no foodstuff to bring in from anywhere in the world. The biting wit is that no matter how developed a nation is, people will go hungry.
Purifying Water During an Emergency The treatments described below work only in situations where the water is unsafe because of the presence of bacteria or viruses. If you suspect the water is unsafe because of chemicals, oils, poisonous substances, sewage or other contaminants, do not use the water for drinking. Storing water safely Store one gallon of water per person per day. Store at least a three-day supply of water per person. Collect the water from a safe supply. Thoroughly washed plastic containers such as soft drink bottles are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums. Seal water containers tightly, label with date, and store in a cool, dark place. Replace water every six months. Never [...]
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Purifying Water During an Emergency
The treatments described below work only in situations where the water is unsafe because of the presence of bacteria or viruses. If you suspect the water is unsafe because of chemicals, oils, poisonous substances, sewage or other contaminants, do not use the water for drinking.
Storing water safely
Store one gallon of water per person per day.
Store at least a three-day supply of water per person.
Collect the water from a safe supply.
Thoroughly washed plastic containers such as soft drink bottles are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums.
Seal water containers tightly, label with date, and store in a cool, dark place.
Replace water every six months.
Never reuse a container that contained toxic materials such as pesticides, solvents, chemicals, oil or antifreeze.
Water purification
There are two primary ways to treat water: boiling and adding bleach. If tap water is unsafe because of water contamination (from floods, streams or lakes), boiling is the best method.
Cloudy water should be filtered before boiling or adding bleach.
Filter water using coffee filters, paper towels, cheese cloth or a cotton plug in a funnel.
Boiling
Boiling is the safest way to purify water.
Bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute.
Let the water cool before drinking.
Purifying by adding liquid chlorine bleach
If boiling is not possible, treat water by adding liquid household bleach, such as Clorox or Purex. Household bleach is typically between 5 percent and 6 percent chlorine. Avoid using bleaches that contain perfumes, dyes and other additives. Be sure to read the label.
Place the water (filtered, if necessary) in a clean container. Add the amount of bleach according to the table below.
Mix thoroughly and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes before using (60 minutes if the water is cloudy or very cold).
Treating Water with a 5-6 Percent Liquid Chlorine Bleach Solution
Volume of Water to be Treated
Treating Clear/Cloudy Water:
Bleach Solution to Add
Treating Cloudy, Very Cold, or Surface Water: Bleach Solution to Add
Leather working is not exactly something one would think of when it comes to survival prep. It may seem more like a hobby, rather than a survival skill. I would like to explain how it can actually be beneficial for you to learn. Working with leather gives you a connection to your surroundings, which when you are preparing to survive a situation, is always a good thing. Homesteaders will probably be more inclined to learn leather working. It is a skill that dates back to primitive times, but it still has its uses today. One thing people of today can learn from the aboriginal people is the idea of waste not, want not. They made sure to use every piece [...]
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Leather working is not exactly something one would think of when it comes to survival prep. It may seem more like a hobby, rather than a survival skill. I would like to explain how it can actually be beneficial for you to learn. Working with leather gives you a connection to your surroundings, which when you are preparing to survive a situation, is always a good thing.
Homesteaders will probably be more inclined to learn leather working. It is a skill that dates back to primitive times, but it still has its uses today. One thing people of today can learn from the aboriginal people is the idea of waste not, want not. They made sure to use every piece of an animal they took.
Personally, I only make a few pieces a year. Those items are usually given away as gifts to my friends and family. Occasionally, I will sell a few things to recoup the money I spent and to give me the funds needed to buy or make more leather. Sadly, the craft is losing popularity in today’s modern world as are other hands-on crafts like, sewing, carpentry and cooking. When you think about, these skills were actually the first and quite possibly the best way to develop hand-eye coordination. These are things you can do inside when it is cold and dreary out. You are still being productive, but out of the elements.
In this video, you can see a few very basic projects you can try. They are fairly simple and actually very fun to make. Not to mention, you can actually save yourself a few dollars by creating some of the little extras you may want to keep with your survival gear. And the best part, it is something you made.
When Craig Caudill is not doing leather working, you may find him testing machetes, hatchets and saws blogging about them here, Dan’s Depot or teaching at his Nature Reliance School.
Salt has allowed our past civilization to expand to unknown areas and discover many new things. Salt’s ability to preserve food has allowed man to survive hard winters, floods, storms, and months lost at sea. Salt makes food taste great! But, that is just the modern use for salt. It’s real value is in it’s ability to preserve food. Thousands of years ago salt was very hard to come by. Traders established trading in countries that did not have access to salt. Countries went to war over salt rights. In days before the modern freezer, salt was your lifeline to storing meats. Now, we take salt for granted. It now comes in many forms and tastes. But, what if [...]
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Salt has allowed our past civilization to expand to unknown areas and discover many new things. Salt's ability to preserve food has allowed man to survive hard winters, floods, storms, and months lost at sea. Salt makes food taste great! But, that is just the modern use for salt. It's real value is in it's ability to preserve food. Thousands of years ago salt was very hard to come by. Traders established trading in countries that did not have access to salt. Countries went to war over salt rights. In days before the modern freezer, salt was your lifeline to storing meats. Now, we take salt for granted. It now comes in many forms and tastes. But, what if you could not get salt? What happens if the power turns off and you can not store meats in your freezer?
Most of the US population has the ocean within a few hours drive time. If you can get to the ocean, you can make your own salt. Sea salt has nutrients in small amounts that your body needs. Iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese and zinc are all essential to your bodies immune function.
The Good News is: You can make your own salt! Better yet it's easy to do. Find clean seawater or run it through a good water filter. You want to get your saltwater far from harbors or traffic areas. It's best to go out past the surf where the water changes back to the pretty blue color.
Get about 1 cup of salt per two gallons of saltwater.
Boil saltwater into salt: You will need the following: Clean saltwater, cheesecloth or a cotton tee shirt, a large pot, fire
Put the cheesecloth or tee short over the pot and pour your clean saltwater through it to strain off anything "extra" you do not want. Boil the saltwater in the pot for 10 minutes and then reduce the heat to just little bubbles forming slowly. When you see the salt building up on the bottom of the pot and the water is almost gone remove from the fire and let it finish drying in the sun. Evaporating the balance of the water leaving you with fresh usable salt.
If fire is not available, you can do the same as above and just leave in the sun to evaporate slowly. Larger shallow trays work the fastest for evaporating water. Never use metal for evaporating the salt water. It will leave a bad taste to the salt. Always store you salt in ceramic, plastic, or glass containers. You can store in the large salt crystals you get when making salt using saltwater or break them up for your end use. It's easy, it's fun and you should know how to live if the power ever turns off.
For the survivalist who has everything and prefers to use gadgets over available raw material consider purchasing a professional salt water desalination, these systems can be pricey but can provide you with the most valuable resource when the S.H.T.F. While others are scavenging for water and trying to sell their silver & Gold you can pump up to 4.5 liters of fresh drinking water per hour, while not as glamorous as guns, ammo, gold, bug out bags etc. fresh water will be the most valuable resource second to none.
Many Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide By John Milandred Hydrogen peroxide is a widely used mild acid. It is present in fresh fruits, vegetables and in mother’s milk. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a weak acid with strong oxidizing properties. It is water with one extra oxygen molecule, hence is very similar to water in appearance, chemical formula and reaction products. Hydrogen peroxide is extremely dangerous in concentrated form, but uniquely useful in diluted form. It is stable at room temperature. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent and is used for whitening paper. Hydrogen peroxide is widely administered as an antiseptic, as a disinfectant, as an oxidizer and in mono propellant and bi propellant systems. Using hydrogen peroxide is both effective [...]
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Many Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide
By John Milandred
Hydrogen peroxide is a widely used mild acid. It is present in fresh fruits, vegetables and in mother's milk. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a weak acid with strong oxidizing properties. It is water with one extra oxygen molecule, hence is very similar to water in appearance, chemical formula and reaction products. Hydrogen peroxide is extremely dangerous in concentrated form, but uniquely useful in diluted form. It is stable at room temperature. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent and is used for whitening paper. Hydrogen peroxide is widely administered as an antiseptic, as a disinfectant, as an oxidizer and in mono propellant and bi propellant systems. Using hydrogen peroxide is both effective and safe.
Production of Hydrogen Peroxide
Rain and snow contain hydrogen peroxide. Plants synthesize hydrogen peroxide during photosynthesis; so all fresh vegetables and fruits contain hydrogen peroxide. It is also generated by the liquifying xylem of many vascular plants (higher plants, for example, trees), which is very important for the plant metabolism. The plankton in the sea produce the maximum hydrogen peroxide. Our body's immune system generates hydrogen peroxide. It is present in mother's milk, especially in the first milk (colostrum) after childbirth, which boosts the baby's immune system.
Commercially, it is produced in different grades for use in various purposes. Some of the grades are 3.5% pharmaceutical grade, 6% beautician grade, 30% reagent grade, 30-32% electronic grade, 35% technical grade, 35% food grade and 90% for use in rocket fuel. Hydrogen peroxide of 35% is the only recommended grade for internal use.
The first commercial launch of hydrogen peroxide was in the 1800s; since then its production has increased tremendously. Usage of hydrogen peroxide has crossed more than 1 billion pounds per year.
Common Uses
Hydrogen peroxide is used in industries like paper, pulp, textile and leather, electronics, mining and processing, therapeutic products, drinking water purification, waste water treatment plants and hazardous waste treatment plants, site remediation, timber production, composting, and so on. Medically, hydrogen peroxide therapy is used to treat many of the ailments. Let's see about the medical uses of hydrogen peroxide.
Medical Uses
According to William Campbell Douglass, M.D. of Georgia, hydrogen peroxide is an essential metabolite, meaning that it is necessary to life's process. Post World War I, intravenous infusion of dilute hydrogen peroxide was used in the treatment of epidemic pneumonia. Studies conducted in 1940s by Father Richard Willhelm, pioneer in promoting hydrogen peroxide, and have revealed that it can be used to treat several ailments, right from bacterial-related mental illness to even polio.
Hydrogen peroxide is used as an antiseptic for sterilization in cleaning hospital toilets and bathrooms and in ambulances. It can effectively kill the disease-causing microbes. Hydrogen peroxide is also used for disinfecting medical and surgical equipment.
Hydrogen peroxide has been approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as mouthwash. In fact, many of the renowned companies manufacturing dental-related products use hydrogen peroxide.
All skin-related infections such as acne, cold sores, insect bites, pimples, burns and so on, can be healed by using hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is used in the treatment of arthritis. It supplies oxygen and kills the anaerobic pathogens Streptococcus viridans that cause arthritis. Due to its properties, hydrogen peroxide therapy has been used in many of the diseases such as viral, bacterial, fungal and yeast infection, allergies, food allergies and poisonings, gingivitis (inflammation of gums), pneumonia, ulcers, digestive problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis, anemia, sinusitis, liver cirrhosis and so on.
Hydrogen peroxide has been known to be used as a home remedy. Homemade toothpaste can be made by mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda. Hydrogen peroxide due to its bleaching and antiseptic properties whitens the teeth and also takes care of the germs.
For treatment of cuts and infections, prepare 3% hydrogen peroxide by diluting with water. Dip cotton in the 3% hydrogen peroxide and use it for wiping the infected areas and follow this procedure twice daily. Hydrogen peroxide kills the harmful microbes and heals the wound or infection.
Cold and flu are air-borne diseases. Studies have found that most of the cold and flu infections take place through the ear canal. Dip an earbud into the solution of 1-2 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide, apply into the ear. This is known to shorten duration of the ailments. It is most effective to practice at the early stages of infection. Hydrogen peroxide also protects the ear from infection. This therapy is also useful in case of cleaning earwax.
Unsupervised use of hydrogen peroxide is not advised, as it may lead to medical complications. Inhalation therapy for colds can be harmful, if hydrogen peroxide is not diluted properly before use. Internal use of hydrogen peroxide as a therapy is known to cause stomach ulcers and intestinal problems. It is always recommended to check the safety and efficacy of the home remedy or consult your physician before using hydrogen peroxide for any medical problems.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Farming
The Amish started using hydrogen peroxide in agriculture. Amish people spray their string beans after they're done yielding, with a solution of hydrogen peroxide several times in the morning. Those beans re-bloom, and they get another 1-3 pickings. They spray it on their cabbage and on their cauliflower and potatoes, and the bugs leave. They spray their alfalfa with it and they find that they get 6 inches more growth, and the alfalfa aphids and weevils leave. An ounce of 3% H2O2 per quart of water used. Spray the solution on the leaves as well. Seeds germinate faster, with bigger sprouts when they are first soaked in one ounce of H2O2 to a pint of water. Instead of cutting trees that are diseased or otherwise struggling, spray them with 1 part H2O2 to 32 parts water. To use it as an insecticide, take a gallon of water and add 8 oz. of white sugar, and 8 oz. of 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray your plants with it. The sugar absorbs the hydrogen peroxide, and it sticks to the leaf. However it will fall off if it rains. If you do your carrots with this sugar solution they will foliage feed and become very sweet. The H2O2 stimulates the plants so they take out more nitrogen from the air.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Plants
Hydrogen peroxide should be used in a diluted form for plants. Using an increased dosage leads to detrimental effects on plants. You can purchase 3% hydrogen peroxide from health food centers for use in your gardening project. Those who are familiar with this acid can consider diluting hydrogen peroxide at 35% strength for the same.
Treat soil with dilute acid before you start with planting flowers and vegetables. By doing so, you are enriching the soil medium with water and oxygen. In case of weak or drying plants, spraying diluted hydrogen peroxide benefits in restoring normal growth.
For treating seeds, dilute one ounce of hydrogen peroxide in one quart of water. Soak seeds with this solution and sow in garden soil to get healthy sprouts. After seedling transplantation, you can continue regular watering and misting with dilute hydrogen peroxide solution.
Spray diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide to control diseases and pests in regular garden plants as well as in hydroponic plants. For existing diseases, use 3% hydrogen peroxide over the affected plant parts to contain the spread of the disease.
For large fields, a spraying solution can be prepared by mixing 35% hydrogen peroxide (5 ounces) with water (20 gallons). Based on the purpose for application, strength of the mixture can be increased to 2 times or more.
If you are interested in making a homemade insecticide for your garden plants, you can do so by mixing 8 ounces each of hydrogen peroxide and sugar along with 1 gallon of water. Keep this concoction in a dark bottle, and you can spray it on plants whenever required.
As we have seen, the application of hydrogen peroxide is mainly attributed to its oxidizing and disinfectant properties. Not only for humans and animals, but this chemical also acts as an effectual first aid remedy for plants. For ease in application, fill it in a regular misting spray bottle. However, ensure that you store hydrogen peroxide in its original, dark-colored bottle to preserve its chemical properties.
Hydrogen Peroxide Uses In the Home
1. Clothes – An Alternative to Beach
Add a cup of Peroxide to white clothes in your laundry to whiten them. Peroxide is great to get rid of blood stains on clothes and carpets. If there is blood on clothing, just pour directly on the spot, let it sit for about a minute, then rub and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
2. Rejuvenating Detoxifying Bath
Use about 2 quarts 3% Hydrogen peroxide to a tub of warm water. Soak at least 1/2 hour, adding hot water as needed to maintain a comfortable water temperature.
3. Foot Fungus
To cure a foot fungus, simply spray a 50/50 mixture of Hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
4. Douche
Add 2 capfuls of 3% Hydrogen peroxide in warm distilled water once to twice a week to remove even chronic yeast infections.
5. Infections
Soak any infections or cuts in 3% for five to ten minutes several times a day. Even gangrene that would not heal with any medicine has been healed by soaking in Hydrogen peroxide. Put half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus or other skin infections.
6. Bird Mites Infections
Patients infected by tiny mites report that hydrogen peroxide effectively kills the mites on their skins. They spray it on their skin a couple of times (with a few minutes in between the applications) with amazing results.
7. Sinus Infections
A tablespoon of 3% Hydrogen peroxide added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water can be used as a nasal spray. Depending on the degree of sinus involvement, one will have to adjust the amount of peroxide used.
8. Wound Care
3% H2O2 is used medically for cleaning wounds, removing dead tissue, and as an oral debriding agent. Peroxide stops slow (small vessel) wound bleeding/oozing, as well.
Some sources recommend soaking infections or cuts for five to ten minutes several times a day. However, washing and rinsing action is sufficient. You shouldn’t leave the solution on open tissue for extended periods of time as, like many oxidative antiseptics, Hydrogen peroxide causes mild damage to tissue in open wounds. Therefore it is important to use with caution.
Personal Care
Mouthwash / Tooth Care
Healing Properties: Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. You will not have canker sores and your teeth will be whiter. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% Hydrogen peroxide into your mouth and hold it for 10 minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
9. Mouthwash
Many people don’t realize that hydrogen peroxide makes a very effective and inexpensive mouthwash. Use 3% H202 – add a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavoring if desired.
10. Toothpaste
Use baking soda and add enough 3% H202 to make a paste.
11. Toothbrush
Soak your toothbrush in Hydrogen peroxide to keep them free of germs.
12. Tooth Ache
Hydrogen peroxide is not a pain killer; however, as an anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal agent, it is effective at treating the pathogen that is causing the infection. The following is from my own personal experience: My dentist wanted to give me a root canal some time ago as one tooth was inflamed and, in her opinion, would die. I felt some discomfort but told her that I would give it chance to heal. I rinsed with hydrogen peroxide (several times a day) as well as coconut oil (once a day). The discomfort went away and I have had no further problems with the tooth.
NOTE: Do not swallow any peroxide. When the peroxide rinse is done, be sure to rinse out your mouth with water.13. Hair Lightening
Peroxide is a bleaching agent and is used for lightened hair. Dilute 3% Hydrogen peroxide with water (50 / 50) and spray the solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it’s not a drastic change.
14. Contact Lenses
Hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant in CIBA Vision’s Clear Care no rub contact lens cleaning solution, due to its ability to break down the proteins that build up on the lenses from the eye’s immune response, resulting in increased comfort for those with sensitive eyes.
Sanitizing / Disinfectant / Cleaning15. Straight or Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide
Clean your counters and table tops with hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean glass and mirrors with no smearing.
Keep a spray bottle of 3% (straight) to disinfect the interior of the refrigerator and kids’ school lunch boxes.
16. In the Dishwasher
Add 2 oz. of 3% Hydrogen peroxide to your regular washing formula.
17. In the Bathroom
Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of 3% Hydrogen peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, there is no smearing.
18. In the Kitchen
After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour or spray hydrogen peroxide (and then vinegar) on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
Combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide make a cheap, effective and non-toxic disinfectant agent and is said to be more effective at killing pathogens than bleach. As it is non-toxic, you can use it to disinfect fruits and vegetables, as well as pet toys, equipment and cages. In tests run at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, pairing Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide mists, kills virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces.
19. Vegetable Soak
Use as a vegetable wash or soak to kill bacteria and neutralize chemicals. Add 1/4 cup 3% H202 to a full sink of cold water. Soak light skinned (light lettuce) 20 minutes, thicker skinned (like cucumbers) 30 minutes. Drain, dry and refrigerate. This prolongs freshness. If time is a problem, spray vegetables (and fruits) with a solution of 3%. Let stand for a few minutes, rinse and dry.
20. Meat Sanitizing
You can also use it to rinse off your meat before cooking.
21. Leftover tossed salad
Spray with a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 Tbsp. 5%. Drain, cover and refrigerate.
22. Marinade
Place meat, fish or poultry in a casserole dish (avoid using aluminum pans). Cover with a dilute solution of equal parts of water and 3% H202. Place loosely covered in refrigerator for 1/2 hour. Rinse and cook.
23. Mold
Clean with Hydrogen peroxide when your house becomes a bio-hazard after its invaded by toxic mold, such as those with water damage.
24. Humidifiers/Steamers
Use 1 pint 3% Hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon of water.
25. Laundry / Stain Removing
Stain Remover
3% Hydrogen peroxide is the best stain lifter if used fairly soon – although blood stains as old as 2 days have been successfully lifted with Hydrogen Peroxide. Although it will bleach or discolor many fabrics. If a little peroxide is poured onto the stain it will bubble up in the area of the blood, due to a reaction with catalase. After a few minutes the excess liquid can be wiped up with a cloth or paper towel and the stain will be gone.
3% H2O2 must be applied to clothing before blood stains can be accidentally “set” with heated water. Cold water and soap are then used to remove the peroxide treated blood.
26. Washing/Laundry
You can also add a cup of hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
Peroxide is a perfect alternate solution to keep those clothes white. Also, when chlorinating clothes, they tend to wear out faster – peroxide won’t do that.
(Don’t use chlorinated tap water to dilute the peroxide!)
A letter from the owner…..read below and see if you feel there is a difference. We get asked this and other questions all the time. First and foremost, I am happy to try to articulate what sets us apart, but I do not wish to be seen as trying to pick apart the other large companies by doing such. I feel everyone plays an important role in supporting this movement. There are major differences though, but no value is ever added when your emphasis is only to tear down others. This is not my intent as I go through these differences. As the owner of Mother Earth Products I surely believe we must be careful and not allow growth to [...]
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A letter from the owner.....read below and see if you feel there is a difference.We get asked this and other questions all the time. First and foremost, I am happy to try to articulate what sets us apart, but I do not wish to be seen as trying to pick apart the other large companies by doing such. I feel everyone plays an important role in supporting this movement. There are major differences though, but no value is ever added when your emphasis is only to tear down others. This is not my intent as I go through these differences.As the owner of Mother Earth Products I surely believe we must be careful and not allow growth to get in the way of why we started this company. I personally feel that too many of the large corporations have lost the personal focus and vision that each of them may have started out with. Many of them may not even have had a background in food storage, homesteading, or self sufficient living. They may have just seen the opportunity to jump into a new emerging market and only wanted to sell product. That is ok, that is what the great American way is all about. Selling product was very secondary to why we started our company though.I was raised in a family that taught all these all these skills from the earliest days of my life. My entire adult life I have then had these same interests as my hobbies and my passions. You can read more about this in the “about us” section of our website. I love homesteading and learning all the self sufficient living skills that our forefathers used 100 years ago. I don’t claim to know them all, but I do have a lot of experience in many of them; this is very valuable and I believe it is my mission to help educate as many others as I can. We believe that a lifestyle of low debt and self sufficiency is a very happy and prudent lifestyle in the greatest of successful economies, but it quickly becomes an essential lifestyle when economies falter and fail as they always do when countries go down the current path our country is on. How many of our larger competitors can you call and speak with the owner whenever you want? Not just speak with them, but then also get counsel and training on many issues; even issues beyond the scope of the products they sell. That is my commitment. I personally handle all the Public Relations and always will….it is my knowledge that people are coming for, not someone’s employee reading out of a manual.Many other larger Food Storage companies also only wish to focus on the expensive prepackaged entrees. Though we do provide those items, they are not our focus. There is also a huge war and many games played between all the major companies as to what a “serving size” is. Have you noticed that? I don’t know about you, but I need 3-4 of their servings just for me every meal. If the average person had to live off of any those entrees, even for a month, they would quickly learn that they will want and NEED more than just that. Those entrees may sustain life, but that is about all; the quantity and quality of them fall very short. There is really not that much that is healthy or nutritious about them either…..and ALL the serving sizes are too small.Why is Health and Nutrition Critical in your Prepping...... It is no different than needing the healthy fresh foods in your diet today. You should supplement all your entrees with more nutritional side dishes. I even mix many of the veggies in with the entrees; this adds great mixed flavors and nutrition. This REAL nutrition is critical for proper health and strength…….and when might you need your health and strength most; during the crisis for which you purchased these products. We provide a full line of many different fruits and vegetables; not just freeze dried either, plus high protein meat substitutes and quick cook beans. Freeze dried foods are ok, but they are very expensive and take tons more space to store. I have a lifetime of experience that shows that dehydrated products provide the same nutrition and actually store much better and longer than Freeze dried. The best thing is that you can get 2-4 times more product for your dollar; when purchasing dehydrated verses Freeze dried.We don’t provide the expensive single serving packages of our products; we focus on trying to provide you the products in a fashion where you get the most for your money. We provide various larger pouches of products that you can use for multiple meals. We just want as much product in your hands as possible so you can have it when you need it. To even better help you with this, we discount the product even more and sell it is bulk so you can package it yourself and save the money. We offer you all the packaging supplies to make that happen also. We just want you prepared. The more people that are prepared, the better off we will all be as a prepper community when we reach that cliff.The pictures you see on the website and facebook are of me and my family. We want to make sure there is a face to this company. We are a real family. These are our experiences and we would love to share them with you. Mother Earth Products is our company and creation. We hand package each of these products for quality and assurance. We hope that our personal experience, great products, and excellent customer service will entice you to try us out. We hope that we can be a valuable asset in your preparedness journey.All the comments on the website come directly to me…..so drop me a line anytime you wish.Respectfully,Theodore Pope
Starting camp fires using magnesium fire starters and others by Survival-Warehouse.com Making Fire was one of the most important tasks undertaken on practically a daily basis by Native American Indians, especially if the tribe that they belonged to live a nomadic lifestyle. One of the first things to be done when setting up a new camp was to build a campfire. The campfire had many purposes and making fire ensured that the Indian camp would have heat for warmth and cooking but it also provided light and served to frighten animals and bad spirits. Fire was also used as a warning signal, similar to smoke signals. Native American Methods of Making Fire There were no matches and it was [...]
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Starting camp fires using magnesium fire starters and others by Survival-Warehouse.com
Making Fire was one of the most important tasks undertaken on practically a daily basis by Native American Indians, especially if the tribe that they belonged to live a nomadic lifestyle. One of the first things to be done when setting up a new camp was to build a campfire. The campfire had many purposes and making fire ensured that the Indian camp would have heat for warmth and cooking but it also provided light and served to frighten animals and bad spirits. Fire was also used as a warning signal, similar to smoke signals.
Native American Methods of Making Fire
There were no matches and it was impractical to travel with a lighted flame, so the task of making fire was regular and had to be as quick as possible. The Native Americans generally had two basic methods for making fire:
By striking two hard pieces of stone together, such as chert or pyrites, which gave a spark, which was caught on tinder made from pine or cedar bark, dry pine needles or dry grass and blown to a flame
By rubbing two pieces of wood together, with one stick about 1 foot long with a pointed end and the other stick was only a few inches long and had several conical hollows in it. The smaller stick was placed flat on the ground and the pointed end of the other stick was placed in one of the holes and firmly whirled between the hands applying pressure. The whirling and pressure produced a fine wood dust and spark would appear. The spark was caught on tinder and blown to a flame.
The method of making fire by whirling and placing pressure on sticks was hard work and produced painful blisters.
Making fire was also an essential task when cooking was required. Before the Europeans came to North America the Native Americans did not have metals, so they did not possess pots, pans or kettles. So what methods were used for cooking food?
Some foods, such as root vegetables and shell fish, were roasted in the hot ashes or hot coals of a fire. Pieces of meat would also be spitted on a sharp stick and hung over the fire to cook.
Making fire for could be put to good use in the preservation of foods as well. They would cure fish over an open fire and dry meat by cutting it into strips or sheets then hanging them on lines above the fire. Curing meat and fish using fire was a means of preserving the meat by using processes such as drying, salting and smoking. Dried meat was made into Pemmican.
There are many reasons and uses for fires. It is no different today as it was before the invention of matches or lighters on basic fire starting methods. Today we have several ways to build a fire, using matches or a lighter is the obvious way. But, what if you needed to build a fire as a matter of survival and you had no matches or a lighter?
Starting a fire during an emergency can save your life. The inability to build a fire can cost your life.
How to Make Char Cloth Starting a fire during an emergency can save your life. The inability to build a fire can cost your life. Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and many other outdoor activities all require basic wilderness survival skills to handle an emergency situation. Your vehicle ran off the side of the road in a remote location (no cell phone service) with no help in sight and it will be dark soon. This too would require basic wilderness survival skills to handle this situation. Making fire is significantly important to survive physically and mentally. The heat provided by a fire warms the body, dries wet clothes, disinfects water, and cooks food. Not to be overlooked is [...]
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How to Make Char ClothStarting a fire during an emergency can save your life. The inability to build a fire can cost your life.
Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and many other outdoor activities all require basic wilderness survival skills to handle an emergency situation. Your vehicle ran off the side of the road in a remote location (no cell phone service) with no help in sight and it will be dark soon. This too would require basic wilderness survival skills to handle this situation.
Making fire is significantly important to survive physically and mentally. The heat provided by a fire warms the body, dries wet clothes, disinfects water, and cooks food. Not to be overlooked is the psychological boost and the sense of safety and protection it gives. In the wild, fire can provide a sensation of home, a focal point, in addition to being an essential energy source. Fire may deter wild animals from interfering with a survivor.
Let’s assume you are able to make at least one fire for the first night of survival. You cannot assume that you are going to be rescued the next day, or that you will find your way out of the wilderness the next day. This is why It is crucial that you know how to make char cloth. This will enable you to continue to build fires until you are able to make it to safety.
Char cloth (also called charpaper) is a swatch of fabric made from vegetable fiber (such as linen, cotton or jute) that has been converted via pyrolysis into a slow-burning fuel of very low ignition temperature. It is capable of being ignited by a single spark that can in turn be used to ignite a tinder bundle to start a fire.
It is sometimes made at home for use as the initial tinder when cooking or camping and historically usually provided the "tinder" component of a tinderbox. It is often made by putting cloth into an almost airtight tin with a small hole in it, and cooking it in campfire coals until the smoking slows and the cloth is properly charred.
Charcloth ignites with even the smallest spark, and is therefore commonly used with a flint and steel. It will ignite with the spark of two rocks or with a lighter as long as you are getting at least a spark from that old lighter.
We have found four very effective ways to make char cloth. Making it at home under more controlled conditions allows you to make your own char cloth, store it in a small tin and make it a part of your outdoor survival gear. We also show you how to make it under primitive conditions should you need to make char cloth in a survival situation.
By: John Milandred
50 years before, the life of a pioneer was not easy as it seems in today’s life. Today, life as a pioneer is quite easy and comfortable, all thanks to the latest technology, modified communication channels and commuting mediums. One can imagine the drastic change that has been brought by them into everyone’s life. A Pioneer is the one who is the first to explore a new area or is the one who develop or be the first to use or apply. Pioneers are also called as an initiator, pathfinder and trailblazer. Early Pioneers solely used to be dependent on Tree resin. Tree resin is the hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, generally of coniferous trees like cedars, Douglas-firs, [...]
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50 years before, the life of a pioneer was not easy as it seems in today’s life. Today, life as a pioneer is quite easy and comfortable, all thanks to the latest technology, modified communication channels and commuting mediums. One can imagine the drastic change that has been brought by them into everyone’s life. A Pioneer is the one who is the first to explore a new area or is the one who develop or be the first to use or apply. Pioneers are also called as an initiator, pathfinder and trailblazer.
Early Pioneers solely used to be dependent on Tree resin. Tree resin is the hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, generally of coniferous trees like cedars, Douglas-firs, cypresses, pines, hemlocks etc. tree resins from centuries are valued for their chemical worth, and also for valuable uses such as production of varnishes, adhesives and food glazing agents. They are also a very important source of raw material for the organic synthesis that normally is ingredients of famous incense and perfumes. Initial tree resin concept and its uses are found from the ancient Greece history by Theophrastus. They were important substance in the Greek culture used as incense in their religious rites. One class of tree resin is also called as Amber which is a hard fossilized resin, generally taken out from ancient trees. People normally confuse themselves with tree resin and tree sap. Tree sap is the sugars in the phloem cells of the woody part of the tree. On the other hand, resin is the type of liquid used to clog the hole created. While sap is yellowish and gummy in liquid form, resin is generally transparent or reddish colored very hard glassy sticky liquid.
A tree resin produced by most of the trees looks like a goofy liquid having traces of volatile fluid known as terseness and non volatile components which make it look thick and sticky. The hard tree resins, which are transparent, are used for varnishes and adhesives like Cpals, Dammars, mastic and sandarac. The softer tree resins and gummy resins are used for therapeutic purposes and incense as they contain essential oils. Another class of resin called as rosin is applied to string instruments bow for increasing and improving the sound quality of the instrument. Tree resins in the ancient times were also used by sculptors and artists for various purposes. Today, tree resin is used across the globe for more than five thousand purposes, which also include cover for bowling balls and stereo lithography.
Extraction of tree resin is a tedious and time consuming job. The extraction time period may vary from months to years. The process of tree resin extraction consists of firstly incising the outer layer of the trees. The resin circulates throughout the coniferous tree, and from the damaged layer pours out continuously but slowly.
A small bucket is attached to the incised portion, and resin is slowly dripped out in the bucket. It is collected for months or years and then taken for processing. After the completion of one cycle, another incising is done, within a span of two to three weeks of the removal. Today, new high tech extraction methods, have been developed, which make use of technical machinery for the process of extraction, helping in cutting down the labor cost and time period. However, the important thing that one must keep in mind before extraction process is that the chemical compounds which resin is composed of, and which tree produces which kind of resins. For example, blue lotus includes alkaloids that will only pull out into alcohol and so on.
There are various methods of extraction as well, like steam distillation, which is generally used to extract essential oils from plants. In this process, the plant material is placed over the pressurized steam which passes through the plant material. The steam causes the globules of oil in the plant to burst and due to heat, gets evaporated, which later end is condensed and is collected. Another extraction method is Maceration which is used to get infused oil from plants. Cold processing is another way of tree resin extraction. It is specially done for extraction from citrus rinds such as orange, lemon and etc. another most commonly used methods are solvent extractions, high pressure co2 extraction etc.
Besides this, tree resins are considered to be a rich source for historical and scientific researches. It has been found that the tree resins capture the evolution of feather on dinosaurs and birds. Also, tree resins are the key evidence of current and historic insect invasions. Beauty and health products have found its wide use today. There, thousands of such products those are available in the market which contains tree resins for the particular cure and use. Essential oils are the classy example of it’s use. Essential oils are used almost in each and every soaps and shampoos, even in the medicines. Spa’s and beauty salons are its major consumers.
In the ancient age, one can easily find the importance of tree resin in the life of a pioneer. The resin was actually a Swiss army knife of substances which was easily available, and found its infinite number of uses in those times, especially in the process of tree resin extraction. Pine resin was the most common tree resin extracted in those days, due to its use being known very well. It is also called as pine tar and was used for creating ropes and fire purposes. Beside this, other tree resins were used as essential oils for messaging, perfumes, incense, oils, soaps etc. On the other hand, it was majorly used to make Pitch. The tree resin was melted and was mixed with some beeswax, charcoal and manure. When the pitch was soft and gooey, a stick was dipped into it and was used to light up. It was a great fire starter. Beside this, it was used as a water proofing glue for leather shoes. It also acted as a foot ointment for horses and cows due to the presence of essential oils and healing properties. The other most commonly uses were basil icon ointment, rheumatic plaster, resin ink and grafting wax.
After hundreds of years of its discovery and uses, it is still one of the majorly extracted ingredients and is used all over the world. The demand for tree resins has never seen a decline. Most of the countries have employed its major population in the extraction and maintenance of the tree resin forests and culture. In America, tree resin business contributes roughly up to 13% of the entire business.
Responsible Live Trapping By John Milandred Live trapping is an effective animal control alternative that is both humane and earth-friendly. Whether you are successful in catching a live animal depends on choosing the right bait and location among factors. Be aware of weather conditions. Trapped animals should not be left out in the elements as they can die from prolonged exposure to heat and cold. Check traps FREQUENTLY. Wild animals stress easily and may seriously injure themselves as they attempt to escape. Other animals besides the target animal may get caught in the trap. If this happens, advice on releasing it safely can be obtained from a licensed wildlife rehabilitation in your state. Depending on the time of year, you [...]
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Responsible Live Trapping
By John Milandred
Live trapping is an effective animal control alternative that is both humane and earth-friendly. Whether you are successful in catching a live animal depends on choosing the right bait and location among factors.
Be aware of weather conditions. Trapped animals should not be left out in the elements as they can die from prolonged exposure to heat and cold.
Check traps FREQUENTLY. Wild animals stress easily and may seriously injure themselves as they attempt to escape. Other animals besides the target animal may get caught in the trap. If this happens, advice on releasing it safely can be obtained from a licensed wildlife rehabilitation in your state.
Depending on the time of year, you may trap a nursing mother and if you relocate only her, her babies will not survive. To see if you've trapped a nursing female, stand the trap on one end to observe the belly.
Traps should be washed, disinfected with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts of water and let it remain on for 20 minutes), and thoroughly rinsed after each capture to stop the spread of any potential disease. Animals frequently defecate and urinate when captured and it is unhealthy to put bait down unless trap is cleaned thoroughly.
You should check with local or state game commission before setting a trap to determine the lawful method of releasing a captured wild or nuisance animal. Many species are protected by law in various states.
Wild Animal Facts, Wildlife Information On Critter Removal and Control
http://totalwildlifecontrol.com/critter-facts-control/
Information for you on several nuisance wild animals with facts, signs of infestation, prevention and control of animal damage. In addition, this website has an incredible amount of information on how to get rid of squirrels, raccoon's armadillos, rats, mice and other animals on your own.
Preparing for a Tornado Spending inordinate amounts of time recreational preparing for a violent, rotating funnel of wind is probably not anyone’s idea of a great time. The reality for residents of large swaths of the United States, however, is such that preparing for a tornado is a critical thing to do at some point. Since tornadoes have entire seasons devoted to them and have a penchant for exercising mass destruction upon unsuspecting towns, adequately preparing for them should be a top priority. Tornado winds can reach excesses of 300 mph and leave a path of destruction one mile across and fifty miles long. Also considering that the length of a storm varies by the strength of the funnel cloud [...]
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Preparing for a TornadoSpending inordinate amounts of time recreational preparing for a violent, rotating funnel of wind is probably not anyone’s idea of a great time. The reality for residents of large swaths of the United States, however, is such that preparing for a tornado is a critical thing to do at some point. Since tornadoes have entire seasons devoted to them and have a penchant for exercising mass destruction upon unsuspecting towns, adequately preparing for them should be a top priority.
Tornado winds can reach excesses of 300 mph and leave a path of destruction one mile across and fifty miles long. Also considering that the length of a storm varies by the strength of the funnel cloud and that tornadoes can often develop so quickly that little advanced warning is possible, having a well devised response plan could save your life. Here are some essential tips for preparing for a tornado.
Make an emergency kit. Emergency preparedness kits can be the difference between life and death in the aftermath of an intense storm. Keeping a primary kit in your home or home shelter and an additional smaller kit in your car is a good practice for remaining prepared for a storm anywhere. These kits should include non-perishable food, plenty of water, first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, radios, and blankets and sleeping bags.
Follow radio and television weather broadcasts. Regularly tuning into the weather stations is a necessity if a storm is building. Emergency instructions may be provided for evacuation.
Mind the weather conditions. Staying vigilant to the conditions outside is important in order to give yourself enough time to evacuate or take shelter. Signs like large, low hanging clouds, very dark, greenish skies, loud roars, and heavy hail may all indicate a burgeoning tornado.
During a tornado, the precautions vary depending on where you are located. Still, good preparation can pay off in the event you are caught in a tornado. When inside a building structure, make your way to the lowest part of the building such as a basement, or even better, a storm cellar. Stay away from windows and duck under a sturdy table and cover your head.
If you are unfortunate enough to be caught outdoors or in your car when a storm hits, attempt to get to the nearest stable building. If this is not possible, stay in the car, fasten your seat belt, and duck your head below the windows while covering it with a blanket, jacket, or cushion. If you are without a vehicle, move to a low, flat location below the roadway and lay flat and cover your head. Flying debris is the primary cause of injuries and deaths during a tornado, so getting out of the open air is the best practice.
Planning ahead and knowing how to handle emergency procedures during a tornado is the best way of increasing chances of survival and reducing the risk of injury. Proper tornado preparedness is an ongoing process of keeping a disaster kit updated and knowing exactly what do so at a moment’s notice when a storm hits.
Ben Vaughn
Ben Vaughn is rapidly becoming an expert in natural disaster preparedness and the nature of severe storm damage. Check out his other work on earthquake preparedness kits, disaster cleanup, and effectively removing snow from your roof.
Preparing for Spring Floods by John Milandred On March 22, 2013 http://minnesota.cbslocal.com reported: The National Weather Service is warning residents in parts of Minnesota to get ready for some major flooding as all the snow begins to melt this spring. The map of spring flooding risk across the U.S. shows eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota are at the highest risk for severe flooding. Late winter snows and the potential of a quick warm-up could cause major flooding, especially in the Red River Valley. The Fargo-Moor head area in particular is expected to get hit hard, and should prepare for one of the top five worst floods they’ve seen yet. In January, 2009 my wife [...]
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Preparing for Spring Floods
by John Milandred
On March 22, 2013 http://minnesota.cbslocal.com reported:
The National Weather Service is warning residents in parts of Minnesota to get ready for some major flooding as all the snow begins to melt this spring.
The map of spring flooding risk across the U.S. shows eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota are at the highest risk for severe flooding.
Late winter snows and the potential of a quick warm-up could cause major flooding, especially in the Red River Valley.
The Fargo-Moor head area in particular is expected to get hit hard, and should prepare for one of the top five worst floods they’ve seen yet.
In January, 2009 my wife Carrie and my daughter Alicia (8 years old at that time) had to evacuate our home during the "100 Year Flood" in SW Washington State. I was out of town at the time, never imagining that our property would be affected by a flood because our house was built high on a mountain. We had two ponds on the property. There was a small stream that flowed into the large pond that was located below the house. It had been a very stormy rainy night and when Carrie woke up the next morning she looked out the front window and was shocked to see raging water flowing extremely fast over our drive way. Carrie immediately awoke our daughter Alicia and informed her that they needed to gather the evacuation kit. Carrie walked down the driveway to the pond to discover a newly formed stream flowing into the pond off the mountain as well. She also noticed that there was a bunch of floating cat tails that had clogged the drain pipe that ran under the driveway. Carrie walked through the water that was flowing over the driveway to make sure it was safe to drive across as this was the only route to leave the property. She determined that it was safe for now, but if the rains and flooding continued she feared it would completely wash out the driveway with no way to evacuate. Being the very self reliant person that Carrie is, she took the risk in the middle of a down pour and raging overflowing waters to free the drain of those floating cat tails. Carrie succeeded in clearing the drain, but the raging waters and the rain storm was not letting up. After changing into dry clothes Carrie and Alicia loaded the Jeep and evacuated safely.
Carrie and Alicia decided to stay in a hotel about 10 miles from our home. Just as they were getting ready to turn in for the night they received a call from the front desk telling them they were evacuating the hotel. It had already been a long day, it was 10 pm and they were once again having to evacuate. Interstate 5 was closed in both directions under about 10 feet of water. The highway back to our house was closed. Carrie made some phone calls to see if they could find a room in the city. That took a lot of phone calls, but she was able to find an available room...now the question was, could they get there. They did get there safely. Carrie told me it was amazing to see semi's parked on the side of Interstate 5 for miles while making Their way to the city. Thankfully, Carrie was able to contact her brother, Rob who lived in the area and the routes to his house were all open. When Carrie and Alicia arrived there they learned that the small town we lived in was not accessible. All roads leading there were closed for an undisclosed amount of time. The town was without power. Those who were not able to evacuate in time were stranded for 10 days before they were able to open the roads.
You might not think that anything like this can happen to you. I didn't think our house was ever in danger of a flood, after all we didn't live on a flood plain. I am thankful that my Carrie, Alicia and I prepare. Being prepared, knowing what to do, and acting quickly are the key factors in keeping you and your family safe.
January 9, 2013
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Fact Sheet 229-96
Big Floods Could Happen Again Anywhere, Anytime, During Any Year
Rivers across the Nation seem to be rising to record flood levels almost every year. In Washington, more than one 100-year flood has happened on a few rivers in just the past several years. How can 100-year floods happen so often? Why Don't These Floods Happen Every 100 Years?
The term "100-year flood" is misleading because it leads people to believe that it happens only once every 100 years. The truth is that an uncommonly big flood can happen any year. The term "100-year flood" is really a statistical designation, and there is a 1-in-100 chance that a flood this size will happen during any year. Perhaps a better term would be the "1-in-100 chance flood."
The actual number of years between floods of any given size varies a lot. Big floods happen irregularly because the climate naturally varies over many years. We sometimes get big floods in successive or nearly successive years with several very wet years in a row.
Causes of Floods
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes, spring thaws, heavy rains, levees and dams breaking, and flash floods which are by the way the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. since they can roll boulders, tear out trees, and destroy buildings and bridges.
What would you do if your property were flooded? Are you prepared?
Even if you feel you live in a community with a low risk of flooding, remember that anywhere it rains, it can flood. Just because you haven't experienced a flood in the past, doesn't mean you won't in the future. Flood risk isn't just based on history; it's also based on a number of factors including rainfall , topography, flood-control measures, river-flow and tidal-surge data, and changes due to new construction and development.
To prepare for a flood, you should: Build or purchase an emergency evacuation kit and make a family communications plan.
Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.
During a Flood
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
Listen to the radio or television for information.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain.
If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:
Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:
Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
Do not drive into flooded areas. If flood waters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly.
After the Flood
Your home has been flooded. Although flood waters may be down in some areas, many dangers still exist. Here are some things to remember in the days ahead:
Use local alerts and warning systems to get information and expert informed advice as soon as available.
Avoid moving water.
Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organization.
Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
Play it safe. Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and information. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground.
Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
Roads may still be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water. Barricades have been placed for your protection. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, go another way.
If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded.
Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
Flooding may have caused familiar places to change. Flood waters often erode roads and walkways. Flood debris may hide animals and broken bottles, and it's also slippery. Avoid walking or driving through it.
Be aware of areas where flood waters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by flood waters.
Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Stay Healthy!
A flood can cause physical hazards and emotional stress. You need to look after yourself and your family as you focus on cleanup and repair.
Avoid flood waters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewer systems are serious health hazards.
Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from flood waters can contain sewage and chemicals.
Rest often and eat well.
Keep a manageable schedule. Make a list and do jobs one at a time.
Discuss your concerns with others and seek help. Contact Red Cross for information on emotional support available in your area.
Cleaning Up and Repairing Your Home
Turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box, even if the power is off in your community. That way, you can decide when your home is dry enough to turn it back on.
Get a copy of the book Repairing Your Flooded Home (737KB PDF) which is available free from the American Red Cross or your state or local emergency manager. It will tell you:
How to enter your home safely.
How to protect your home and belongings from further damage.
How to record damage to support insurance claims and requests for assistance.
How to check for gas or water leaks and how to have service restored.
How to clean up appliances, furniture, floors and other belongs.
The Red Cross can provide you with a cleanup kit: mop, broom, bucket, and cleaning supplies.
Contact your insurance agent to discuss claims.
Listen to your radio for information on assistance that may be provided by the state or federal government or other organizations.
If you hire cleanup or repair contractors, check references and be sure they are qualified to do the job. Be wary of people who drive through neighborhoods offering help in cleaning up or repairing your home.
The following are important points to remember when driving in flood conditions:
Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
A foot of water will float many vehicles
Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.
Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road bed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped.
Do not drive around a barricade. Barricades are there for your protection. Turn around and go the other way.
Do not try to take short cuts. They may be blocked. Stick to designated evacuation routes.
Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a flood hazard:
Flood Watch - Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.
Flash Flood Watch - Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.
Flood Warning - Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Flash Flood Warning - A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.
Tags: Spring floods, Preparing for floods
It’s a scary reality, but there are many experts that are predicting a financial collapse in the next few years. If you are like many people, then you want to prepare now so that you can survive when the collapse happens. There are many conflicting theories and guides about what the most important items are, but there are some absolute essentials that you need if you want to survive. If you want to continue living after the collapse without much difficulty, then you need to follow this guide. Start Prepping Now The key to surviving a collapse of any nature is to start preparing now. If you start preparing now, then you have much more time to get [...]
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It's a scary reality, but there are many experts that are predicting a financial collapse in the next few years. If you are like many people, then you want to prepare now so that you can survive when the collapse happens. There are many conflicting theories and guides about what the most important items are, but there are some absolute essentials that you need if you want to survive. If you want to continue living after the collapse without much difficulty, then you need to follow this guide.
Start Prepping Now
The key to surviving a collapse of any nature is to start preparing now. If you start preparing now, then you have much more time to get everything you need. This also gives you more time to prepare a food source and shelter that will be sustainable after the collapse. Many people that think about prepping don't start for months or years, but this might put them in the same state as everyone else that didn't prepare.
Starting right now is the best possible thing that you can do if you want to survive any collapse.
Buy Food
One of the first things that you need to do to prepare for a collapse is to buy food. You should buy enough food to keep you and your family held over for at least five to 10 years. If you want to survive for that long, then you need to buy food that isn't perishable. If you buy eggs, produce, meat or other items that rot fairly quickly, then your food source will run out very quickly.
It's best to buy food that can easily be stored without a fridge or freezer. If there is a financial collapse, then chances are that power will also go out for everyone. You will find that canned and preserved foods are the best because they can easily be stored, they will stay fresh for a long time and they are cheap. Grains are also good because they can last a long time if they are kept correctly, and you can easily prepare them with some boiling water.
Water preparedness
Speaking of water, you will need a lot of water so that you don't die of dehydration. Prepare as much as you can and store it so that it's there when you really need it. You should also add water filtration equipment to your survival supply list.
Sustainable Food
If there is a financial collapse, then everything should clear within 10 years. At the same time, there's no guarantee about that. It might be 20 years or more before things go back to normal. This means that you might need more food to keep yourself alive.
One of the best things you can do is start a planting and growing your own food. You can easily plow and tend a field without any power. Start buying seeds now and grow your own food. This will get you ready for tending the field on a daily basis, and it ensures that you have food growing as soon as the collapse starts.
Prepare a Shelter
You currently have a house or apartment, but is that the best place to weather a financial collapse? You have to remember that everyone around you will be looking for your supplies, and they might become very violent as the collapse gets worse. Most people prefer to get land and shelter that is miles away from the city center. A forested area is perfect because there aren't many people, it will be easy to grow food and you probably won't have to deal with the people that are panicking in your city or town.
Buy a small patch of land and place a house or some type of shelter there. This will be the place where you will wait for the collapse to stop, so be sure that it's sturdy enough to last for many years. It's also good to get land that's near water so that you have a sustainable water source.
Get in Shape
Being in shape is just as important for your survival as having enough food and water. If you are in shape, then your body will be more resilient to pain, illnesses and you can easily do your daily tasks so that you can survive after the collapse. There probably won't be any accessible doctors if there is a financial collapse. If you're obese and out of shape, then the chances of you getting sick are much higher.
Medicine
The last essential thing that you need to survive a collapse is medicine. Everyone gets sick, and there's nothing like cough syrup to quickly stop a cold. You won't have that convenience after the collapse, so it's better to get the medicine now. You should also get antibiotics because they will be able to stop more severe illnesses before they can become dangerous.
“Over the years, Americans in particular have been all too willing to squander their hard-earned independence and freedom for the illusion of feeling safe under someone else’s authority. The concept of self-sufficiency has been undermined in value over a scant few generations. The vast majority of the population seems to look down their noses upon self-reliance as some quaint dusty relic, entertained only by the hyper paranoid or those hopelessly incapable of fitting into mainstream society.” ― Cody Lundin, A well prepared patriot is likely stocked up with weapons and ammunition in preparation for the coming collapse of society. As our government hurls headlong towards a socialist utopia many of us understand that a well-stocked arsenal will be an essential [...]
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“Over the years, Americans in particular have been all too willing to squander their hard-earned independence and freedom for the illusion of feeling safe under someone else's authority. The concept of self-sufficiency has been undermined in value over a scant few generations. The vast majority of the population seems to look down their noses upon self-reliance as some quaint dusty relic, entertained only by the hyper paranoid or those hopelessly incapable of fitting into mainstream society.”
― Cody Lundin,
A well prepared patriot is likely stocked up with weapons and ammunition in preparation for the coming collapse of society. As our government hurls headlong towards a socialist utopia many of us understand that a well-stocked arsenal will be an essential element of survival in the lawlessness that is likely in the times to come.
In fact so many of us understand the direct connection between weapons and the safety and security of ourselves and our families that ammunition prices are currently skyrocketing due to the abrupt increase in consumer demand.
Many of us likely feel a sense of security when mulling over our prized collection of guns or taking inventory of all of our valuable ammunition to feed them. However, more often than you might think people neglect to spend the necessary time to ensure they have at a minimum, an adequate level of proficiency using their weapons. If you can't hit what you are aiming at your weapons ARE worthless.
Just as running out and buying an expensive race car and parking it in your garage does not make you a race car driver, buying a gun does not make you a competent marksman able to use a gun to defend himself or his family. When the time comes for you to actually use your gun, when you really need to hit your target to protect yourself will you, or will you miss?
If you’re not sure about the answer to that question, it may be time to invest in some training tools to ensure your proficiency because after you need them it’s already too late. Being a survivalist is all about being prepared in being prepared does not mean going half way.
When it’s all said and done your weapons are nothing more than tools and if you lack the skills to use them properly they are nothing more than dead weight, your prized ammunition worthless.
How can you get the most from your training?
Most experts agree that using reactive targets, in other words targets that respond instantly by sound or movement when being hit can reduce the time to shooter proficiency by more than 50%. Although AR500 steel reactive targets are initially more expensive to purchase you obtain a high level of proficiency with the use of much less ammunition so in the long run these targets will actually save you a considerable amount of money.
We recommend AR500 steel gong style shooting targets like those produced by shootingtargets7.com. Their shooting targets last basically forever when used as recommended and they produce an excellent report sounding off strongly when hit.
In addition to being much more effective training tools than cheaper paper targets or nonreactive zombie type targets the steel targets are a lot more fun and you’ll find yourself using them more often as a result.
So the next time you’re looking at your gun collection say to yourself, “yeah but can you shoot that thing?”
There are different sort of disaster affecting the life and property of millions. Some are at the risk of tornadoes, earthquakes, and flooding; others experience a high occurrence of violent crimes. The risk of nuclear or bio – chemical disaster cannot be ignored. Surviving after a collapse may appear almost next to impossible for a person. However, if you retain self confidence and a little hope, you can survive in such extreme conditions. Surviving the nastiest requires decisive thinking and forecast. Whether you’re experiencing the destruction of a cyclone, volcanic activity, fire, flood, or aggressive home crime, getting ready in advance for survival can accurately mean the difference between life and death. To start with, Recognize the threat and prepare [...]
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There are different sort of disaster affecting the life and property of millions. Some are at the risk of tornadoes, earthquakes, and flooding; others experience a high occurrence of violent crimes. The risk of nuclear or bio - chemical disaster cannot be ignored.
Surviving after a collapse may appear almost next to impossible for a person. However, if you retain self confidence and a little hope, you can survive in such extreme conditions. Surviving the nastiest requires decisive thinking and forecast. Whether you're experiencing the destruction of a cyclone, volcanic activity, fire, flood, or aggressive home crime, getting ready in advance for survival can accurately mean the difference between life and death. To start with,
Recognize the threat and prepare a game plan
Preparing for the unheard offers a chance to recognize beforehand what probable dangers create the utmost risk to you and your folks. This can be determined by observing the area where you live from a natural disaster perspective as well as security and crime perspective as well. Try to include the names, phone numbers, and addresses of close by friends, family, and other emergency contacts while preparing your disaster plan.
Find food and water
If everything breaks down, one of the first things you'll need is an immediate supply of food and water. The amount of the necessary emergency supplies however depends upon how many people you are in total. Water bags can help you in such a situation. Being flexible, collapsible water storage tanks they offer a suitable means for the provisional storage of fresh water on a longstanding basis. Meals Ready-to-Eat or the MREs are also helpful. MREs are self-sufficient individual meals packed in lightweight packaging that can be stored for years. Also think about certain things like:
A. Allocating the food you have.
B. Freezing food that might go bad (if you have the means). If not, then eat that first.
C. Present and future Farming possibilities.
D. Livestock availability.
E. Winter rations.
Locate a groupA group will offer protection to you and your family in such a situation and if further danger arises. Beyond that, group attachment will give you a feeling of belonging and safety at the same time. If you're a comparatively huge group with all sorts of weapons and competence, you can do some fortification work. However, if you're a small group with no urge to be known, the last thing you may long to do is line up a cluster of trucks about the houses and help your group members to escape swiftly particularly if the situation gets further worsened.
Check out your neighborhood
If you find your surroundings empty, check the houses of neighbors and friends. Do not hesitate to ask for perishable and canned foods, if they are present. You can also leave them a notice, if they are not there. Moreover, do not break into an equipped home. There may be somebody there with a rifle or any other weapon.
Look for a safe shelter
If you are lucky enough to still own a house, then its good! If not, look for natural shelters like the caves, huts etc. If you do not find any man-made or natural shelters, consider building a few. Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment or other location when disaster strikes. Shopping centers, fast food eating places and other community structures may also offer some protection under situations of collapse. To effectively shelter, you must first consider the hazard and then choose a place in your home or other building that is safe for that hazard. For example, for a tornado, a room should be selected that is in a basement or an interior room on the lowest level away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
Strengthen your surroundings
This involves carrying out certain types of things. You need to line up cars, busses, or trucks, scooters around you for fortification. If time allows, you can also build a wall or a kind of fort. You may also arrange for batteries, first-aid kit, medication, beddings etc.
Assemble weapons
You may also need to carry some of the following weapons for survival situations:
Knives
Mallets or clubs
Handguns or revolvers
You could also carry a rifle, shotgun, or bow outside as you might need it to protect or defend yourself.
Arrange for fire
You would need fire in such a situation. Fire would be required to cook something instantly for yourself and others. You can use any metal, rock, cement for the purpose. Also keep it protected from blustery weather and drizzle and take care it will not include water. An umbrella will also offer help your fire from going out. A golf umbrella is a better option, but be vigilant, you may capture one if the wind is lofty.
Arranging migration
The evacuation plan involves certain necessary components. You might have to plan about where to go, how to reach there, what to carry with you. You need to have a safe accommodation in a location where the current crisis will not threaten you. You may contact your friends or family to set up a safe house. The best course of action would probably exact situation. More on this to come.
Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities.
Humans are born to play nine different life roles, those are adviser, caretaker, creator, equalizer, influencer, motivator, teacher, weaver and pioneer. Merriam Webster defines pioneer as: A person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method or technical development One of the first to settle in a territory A plant or animal capable of establishing itself in a bare, barren, or open area and initiating an ecological cycle Pioneer people are the ones who have the tendency to stay alone because of their conventional thinking and behaviors. They usually demonstrate an isolating effect from others. It’s tough for one to align with other pioneers, especially giving up their autonomy. [...]
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Humans are born to play nine different life roles, those are adviser, caretaker, creator, equalizer, influencer, motivator, teacher, weaver and pioneer.
Merriam Webster defines pioneer as:
A person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method or technical development
One of the first to settle in a territory
A plant or animal capable of establishing itself in a bare, barren, or open area and initiating an ecological cycle
Pioneer people are the ones who have the tendency to stay alone because of their conventional thinking and behaviors. They usually demonstrate an isolating effect from others. It’s tough for one to align with other pioneers, especially giving up their autonomy.
If you consider yourself to be a pioneer in life and your life, are you taking a leading edge? Major characteristics of being a pioneer that are most commonly encountered are the ability to think of new ideas, practices, technologies, healing modalities, plethora, traveling on un-trodden paths, curious, inventive and creative.
Pioneer is referred to the first ones to explore a new area or is the one who develop or be the first to use or apply. Pioneers are also called as an initiator, pathfinder and trailblazer. Today’s pioneer life is quite different from past 100 years. People in those times didn’t have the advantages of the latest technologies, communication channels and commute mediums. They had entirely different chores that were essential to get done. They had diverse ways to do chores. In the earlier days, it was quite tough to sustain oneself all alone in the extremists of the nature, lived on raw food and handicapped from all the necessities of life.
Being a pioneer is an amazing experience, but one can encounter the feelings of isolation and being unsupported. People often ask about a few ways to be a pioneer, and still be connected to nurturing relationships.
Firstly, one has to be a genius, single minded, focused and should possess the characteristics of breakthrough pioneering achievements. Some famous personalities like Thomas Edison, Madame Curie, Albert Einstein, pioneers who are so deeply involved in their work, generally leaves them unable to find time for their relationships. To overcome this situation, it requires one to develop some techniques that helps one to take out time and space for the relationships like taking out time after office hours, connecting through social sites etc.
Secondly, a mastermind is the great way to connect with other pioneers, to gain the mutual support of them. There are various different pioneering organizations and communities, in which one can get involve, and build the required relationship.Thirdly, generally speaking, pioneers demonstrate the tendency of being idealistic and naive. Most of them have or have built their own idealistic philosophy which they adopt in their everyday life, like thinking for you and they don’t give up autonomy.
Fourth, having a single minded focus is the essence of a pioneer. It is the most excellent technique used by pioneers, to get the desired results. In life, today, it is a rare commodity as one can find many claiming distractions, which ask for immediate brain share tension. Pioneering is a mind set, and you have to keep your mind set to block out those distractions. Today, if you were to go from all the modern conveniences you have at your disposal at any given time, to being thrown into an unknown territory, without the mindset to survive that unknown territory you probably would not make it.
Multitasking has been adopted as an important characteristic of a pioneer because of the evolving world around, where time urgency is always at stake. Multitasking where one skills him or herself in performing more than one task simultaneously with almost near to perfection.
Lastly, persistence is probably the single most important trait of a successful pioneer. It’s obvious that there will be number of setbacks, challenges, discouragement, misjudging and disappointments. Also, there will be times when giving up will be the only option left. Logic rules the mind of a pioneer. One can look for alternative ways to find some leisure time or can make a plan for sustaining their existing relationships and building new ones. Besides this, it is hard for people to align themselves with pioneer people without giving up the autonomy.
Living the pioneer life is also called a sustaining life. The pioneer, concept has now been vastly adopted, especially by tourists and trekkers across the globe, who love exploring the extremities of the world, the dense forests and the Polar Regions. They go to the wilderness for the escape in order to live a life full of freedom. Most of the pioneers are escapists due to personal transformation, experiencing quiet solitude and some are hermits. Most of the pioneers go to the extremities of wilderness; just to get them transformed because of what they perceive will happen if they live a life in their own destined home place.
Women across the globe have also developed the interest of being a pioneer, exploring the depth of reality and curiosity engulfing them. Women have more options than ever as not to cause stress and pressure. Thus, the pioneer activities are the key option eliminating the cause of unhappiness and make them live the way they want. Even the youngsters are attracted towards the pioneer life.
Life as a pioneer is sufficient within them, and it totally depends on how one educates themselves. While escapism and freedom are the objective of a pioneer's life, they also identify what they won't do and what they don’t want, their likes and dislikes. The reason to live a pioneer life is not only limited to the one already mentioned, there are other crazy reasons, as well. Besides all these unique characteristics, the pioneers are hardworking, dynamic and possess the ability to quit never.
American pioneers are any of the people in American history who migrated west to join in settling and developing new areas. The term especially refers to those who were going to settle any territory which had previously not been settled or developed by European or American society, although the territory may have been inhabited by or utilized by native peoples. The pioneer concept and ethos greatly predate the migration to parts of the United States now called Western, as many places now considered as East were also settled by pioneers from the coast. For example, Daniel Boone, a key figure in American pioneer history, settled in Kentucky, when that "Dark and Bloody Ground" was still undeveloped The figure of the pioneer has played a large role in American culture, literature and folklore. The pioneer is not the only iconic figure which figures in the settlement of the West. Much cultural note is given to other figures of a more transient nature, such as cowboys, trappers, prospectors, miners etc. However, the pioneer alone represents those who went into unexplored territory in search of a new life, looking to establish permanent settlement.
Just as the pioneers of the past, exploring unknown territories, experiencing survival, learning new skills on their own and finding what they are content with and find peace with, modern day pioneers are doing the same thing today. For what you are looking for can only be found within and you are the only one that can find it.
Pioneering plays a significant role of providing one with inner peace and serenity, thus helping one explore himself or herself.
It is said that life without a purpose continues to plague humanity, and it’s the pioneer life which gives the exact meaning to one’s life. It helps in making the most out of life. It's basic questions;
Are you frustrated enough to want something different and move in a positive direction?
Are you prepared to leave all the negative thoughts that are surrounding your life?
Are you serious about your inner call?
Are you willing to transform yourself completely, i.e. self realization?
Are you alert of the consequences of creating positive changes in your life and ready to accept them?
If you are unable to find the meaningful existence, will you be satisfied?
As it addresses the most serious questions of one's life, it also helps one in taking charge of their own life.
Being a Pioneer, opens new windows to a totally different horizon of self realization and belief in which one finds complete peace and serenity.
If you’ve been following my posts, you’ll notice there is a trend in my green and survival ways. Low cost. There is no way to be able to survive anything if you are buried in a pile of debt. Gardening should not cost that much. The idea is to bring healthy food onto your table as cheaply as possible. Using as much of what you have on hand as you can. Improvise and invent things that work for you. I can sum up this process in one single word: SEEDS! If you are buying whole plants there is no way you are going to be prepared for anything let alone save enough money to prepare for the financial abyss that [...]
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If you’ve been following my posts, you’ll notice there is a trend in my green and survival ways. Low cost. There is no way to be able to survive anything if you are buried in a pile of debt. Gardening should not cost that much. The idea is to bring healthy food onto your table as cheaply as possible. Using as much of what you have on hand as you can. Improvise and invent things that work for you. I can sum up this process in one single word: SEEDS! If you are buying whole plants there is no way you are going to be prepared for anything let alone save enough money to prepare for the financial abyss that is coming. So start with as many organic and heirloom seeds you can afford. If you can’t afford that, just plant seeds.
Here is what you need to get started
Leftover Paper or Plastic Cups (yes those silly birthday cups)
A decent Potting Mix
A Metal skewer
Sharpie Marker in Black
Watering Can
Prepared Planting Bed or Containers
Seeds!
Simply put, take a cup and pierce it with the skewer. Label the cups. Fill between ½ and ¾ way with mix. Plant your seeds, top with some soil, gently water. Place in protected diffused sun exposed area. Once the plants have their 2nd set of leaves, get ready to get them into the ground or a deep pot that you plan on regulating the water. (I’ll do another article on actually planting and preparing the soil.
I don’t do all my seeds this way. Only some are done this way like: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Beans, Herbs, and occasionally Papaya trees from seeds.
The rest of my plants like lettuce, broccoli and carrots or other root items, I direct sow dependent on the time of year.
I always try to plant with a bit of compost (preferably you have been working on your worms or compost pile) I try to avoid over-seeding and the use of pesticides unless absolutely necessary. The whole idea is to get the best nutrition in your body, to prepare for anything and to save money all at the same time. Dependency on chemicals and other people to sprout your seeds is not the way to independence and health.
Now I do collect seeds to some degree from previous harvests. Papayas. Beans, peppers and tomatoes are the easiest to collect and store. But as with all my projects, I try to keep things reasonable and get seeds when I have to from a store.
The biggest thing about gardening I can say, is just do it! Start, plant small. Do what you feel comfortable doing. Plant in the ground or in pots. Don’t let anyone stand in your way. And lastly always keep the costs down by reusing ad recycling.
Sheltering In Place (Bugging In) Decisions have to be made and quickly. Before you can decide however, you need to know the extent of the disaster. Is there an immediate threat such as chemicals and other toxins in the air in other words is the disaster itself an immediate threat. This is information you need to know. Use logic, your home is a shelter and gathering everyone up and running for the hills may not be the best answer in every situation. You have to be honest with yourself as well, do you have the skills and knowledge to survive in the wilderness. Bugging out means you evacuate to a remote area usually one that does not have any infrastructure [...]
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Sheltering In Place (Bugging In)
Decisions have to be made and quickly. Before you can decide however, you need to know the extent of the disaster. Is there an immediate threat such as chemicals and other toxins in the air in other words is the disaster itself an immediate threat. This is information you need to know. Use logic, your home is a shelter and gathering everyone up and running for the hills may not be the best answer in every situation. You have to be honest with yourself as well, do you have the skills and knowledge to survive in the wilderness. Bugging out means you evacuate to a remote area usually one that does not have any infrastructure and the only resources are the ones that nature provides.
Planning Ahead
Of course, no one really knows what type of disaster may strike and you cannot know whether to stay or bug out until something does happen. Bugging out to some is simply grabbing a go-bag and getting away from the danger zone as quickly as possible. Bug-out-bags usually have 72-hours worth of supplies and the expectation is that you can return after the three days. In reality, it will probably take 72-hours just to get out of the danger area if you are on foot. The average adult can walk three miles an hour, and if you have a 40 to 60 pound pack and have to backtrack to avoid bridges, tunnels, and other obstacles, you will not be able to maintain a three mile per hour pace.
Practically speaking trying to evacuate on foot with a family is dangerous. One or two adults can do it together if they are relatively fit and have the right mindset. You as a parent cannot carry enough supplies for you and your children on your back. You would need a vehicle and a destination. Your destination would have to be close enough where you could make it on one tank of gas and what happens when you get there. Once again, do you have the skills and knowledge to provide for your family in a wilderness situation?
You can begin preparing your home with the intentions of sheltering in place. Assume of course that once a disaster does strike you will be without electricity, gas and water. You have your home as your shelter, so you would need an ample supply of water and food. You need enough supplies so you have the time to evaluate the situation so you do not have the initial worry of food and water. Of course, make preparations in the event you do have to leave. Even though you plan to stay in your home, it may be damaged forcing you to leave or your area simply becomes too dangerous.
For natural disasters, you would need at least a two-week supply of food and water. If you believe, the disaster will be man-made, such as a nuclear, chemical or biological attack you would need at least a one-year supply of essentials. You need enough emergency supplies stockpiled so if you have to develop alternative food and water sources you have the time to do so.
Store water in food grade plastic barrels you can purchases them in practically any size. Once filled with tap water and sealed the water will store indefinitely. Have plywood sheeting and tarps available to cover glass openings.
While preparing your home, also begin gathering knowledge about wilderness survival. You will need those skills if you do have to flee. You can also begin searching for a bug-location by researching on the Internet. Find programs that have satellite images so you can see how populated the surrounding area is. Look for federal or state parks that are between 70 and 100 miles away. You can usually find ample water and natural food sources in any state or federal park.
You cannot flee a perfectly good shelter without a destination in mind. The location must be able to support you and your family for an extended period. Think through all options before you do evacuate because you may find that it is not necessary after all.
We are now in a situation where the well isn’t even providing enough water for the house or the ¼ acre garden we have planted this year. We have talked to several people in the area, even the man who helped dig this well back in the 40’s. His suggestion was to lower someone down the well and dig out any sediment that might be on the bottom preventing the well from filling to normal capacity. Have searched the net for suggestions, and no we are not going to send anyone down the well.
If anyone has had a similar experience or any suggestions we would love for you to respond.
Thanks,
John Milandred
We are now in a situation where the well isn’t even providing enough water for the house or the ¼ acre garden we have planted this year. We have talked to several people in the area, even the man who helped dig this well back in the 40’s. His suggestion was to lower someone down the well and dig out any sediment that might be on the bottom preventing the well from filling to normal capacity. Have searched the net for suggestions, and no we are not going to send anyone down the well.
If anyone has had a similar experience or any suggestions we would love for you to respond.
Thanks,
John Milandred
