There have been a couple of wake-up calls for me lately.
One was when my 54 year old son had a stroke. He is way too young for these problems. I watch him fight to regain what he lost. He can walk without tipping over now. But his right hand is still completely numb. He can't tell if the dishwater is hot unless he tests it with his left hand. His hand still has the strength it did before, but he can't hold onto anything with it because he can't feel anything with it. He worries about being able to work again. I learned up close and personal that life can change in a heartbeat.
The second wake-up call was learning that it is now legal to kill a full term baby as long as it has not yet been born. I knew that evil had gained ground in our country, but I did not realize to what extent until now. And to see the smiling women cheering as this horrific piece of legislation was signed into law was sickening. If one state can legislate the killing of babies, what is next?
I have always preached preparedness. But I have become lazy. I have used my medical issues as an excuse to put off doing the things I know I should be doing in order to be as prepared as possible for whatever comes next. And if you think everything is just dandy, read the headlines. As I write, our new governor is working to promote more gun control laws in my state. We have our very own Sanctuary County that includes the City of Minneapolis. Old friends tell me that the small town where I grew up is totally unrecognizable due to the influx of 'refugees' who find it entertaining to harass the locals in what was once a lovely downtown shopping area. The list goes on and on.
So it is time to stop making excuses and get busy.
There are 18 cases of empty canning jars that need to filled. This morning I dug through the freezers and found several pounds of bacon that need to be canned. I have put off doing this because I have difficulty standing for more than a few minutes at a time. Not good enough. I am changing the way I can bacon. I used to dice the bacon and brown it before jarring it. But if I sit at my kitchen table and pack the raw bacon into jars and can it that way, all I need to do is lightly brown it when I go to use it, requiring less standing time.
I found several small bags of sliced bell peppers. Those are now in the dehydrator. I have found that when dried, the skins are really tough when rehydrated, so I am running them through my little coffee grinder and turning them into powder that can be added to dishes for flavor. Same with dehydrated celery that wants to stay rock hard. I can use the powder for flavor. I have canned celery that works well in soup or casseroles and will can some more as I am nearly out of it.
I don't know what the future holds. I just know I am not as ready for it as I can be. Right now I am at a place where I don't need to run to the grocery store to stock up before a major storm. But that's not good enough. Should something really bad happen and my grandbabies come knocking at my door saying, "Grandma, we're hungry," and I couldn't take care of them, I would be hard pressed to forgive myself.
Yep. Time to stop fussing about my limitations and concentrate on doing what I can.
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Vicki, I am surely sorry to hear about your son having a stroke. That's pretty common here in the South, as our diet is heavy on things that cause high cholesterol. I hope he gets better very soon.
ReplyDeleteLike you,I'm trying to adjust to a changing environment here. In three years, our county has gone from a quiet, peaceful mountain place to a community struggling with crime and violence courtesy of imported ethnics. You name them, we have them here. It's hard to cope with and it's getting worse.
You know, I've been living the self sufficient lifestyle for a long time too, but as I get older, it gets harder to keep everything on track and shipshape. I have less energy, and I'm less handy with ladders, tools, etc. Everything takes so much longer. About all we can do is plug away as best we can, and hope for the best.
Thanks, Harry...I am so proud of the way my son is fighting to regain what he has lost. If stubbornness and determination count for anything, he will be ok.
DeleteI am sorry your little corner of paradise has become neighbors to a cesspool. I think there are ever so many people across the country who found their place in the sun only to have it recently being turned into third world madness. And I really don't think there is any place left to run to.
My Dad, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, took me aside and said, "Sis, (he always called me Sis) if you have the chance to live to be 90, don't do it." I am beginning to understand his reasoning. Every year the most simple of chores seem to be tougher and take longer. I am very glad to still be upright and taking nourishment, but the frustrations are many. Still, you are right, my friend. Keep plugging away and do the best we can. :)
Good for you, Vicki! Moderation and flexability are two characteristics which often help us achieve success. Another part of accomplishing goals is the simple act of getting started. You are on your way. Take care, CW
ReplyDeleteThanks, CW...Recent events have convinced me of the need to quit fooling around and get serious again about preparing. No excuses.
DeleteI know what you mean about slowing down and trying to overcome new obstacles, both family and health, Vicki. Thanks for the motivation!
ReplyDeleteFern
"Old age ain't for sissies," or so I am told. Makes for a good excuse sometimes. But it was your first post in quite some time that lit a fire under me. I need to be thanking you for the motivation!!
DeleteBy all means, do it, just don't over do it or stress out about it. Have you thought about a hot plate on a low table so you could SIT and cook?
ReplyDeleteGorges...I won't over do it. My body lets me know in no uncertain terms when I have had enough. Your hot plate idea is a good one. In the meantime, I am altering the way I cook. The oven and the crock pot are my friends. Planning ahead helps, too.
DeleteWell, after all some of us are more experienced in life. It is up to those of us to take it upon themselves to teach the ways of the "Jedi" so to speak. My biggest fear is that my mom and grandpa both passed at 60/61. I'm looking at 59. But I am taking care of myself. As we all should.
ReplyDeleteAS far as the LEFT goes, not much we can do, but to let them do it. No matter how much we complain they will get their way. I think the whole system is rigged. He who has the money can buy the votes or support. How can the conservatives take every country but the Twin Cities Metro, Rochester, and Duluth and lose??
How many times just before the election did the Media tell us, the Liberals will regain control of the house, but the Conservatives will keep the senate. That's what happened...
Rob...If it helps any, my grandfather died at age 64. My Dad lived to age 94. His sister lived to age 96. I know genetics play a part, but they aren't the only factor in longevity.
DeleteI agree that there is little we can do. The political game is rigged. But that won't stop me from expressing my opinion. And I really need to get in gear with prepping, for I have little doubt that unless we see a miracle, the downhill slide will continue until we finally hit bottom. Pray and prep.
My mom smoked, as did grandpa. But after my moms brother passed she had this i'm all a lone stuck in her head. Never mind she had dad, my wife and five kids, but she missed out on my grand son too. and my brother too. I can still close my eyes and see her in the hospital after we all said good bye and they removed life support. She had a massive heart attack, only a small part of her heart was pumping any blood.
DeleteI'm so sorry your Mom and your family had to go through so much pain. Sometimes when someone is ill or when they are grieving the loss of a loved one, they get irrational ideas that just won't go away. I remember feeling a sort of loneliness after my Dad died, but fortunately it didn't last long. I hope she found peace at the end and that you have as well.
DeleteI love the fact that you figured out a work around for canning your bacon. The end result will be the same - bacon to eat. Your post reminded me that I too found a work around when I made some pickles this summer. Instead of doing it all in one day, I took two days.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can relate to Duane - my health changed in one day and a dental procedure in 2011 and I'm still dealing with the health issues. One thing I've learned is to not give up, I just have to do things differently today.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...I know you know all about finding alternative methods of doing things - you understand what it is like. The frustrations are many. Neither Duane nor I will ever give up. He is like me in some ways. If someone says "You can't do that," the response is, "Oh really? Watch me!"
DeleteDuane came over this afternoon. He had read this post. He knows we both like bacon canned by the old method better than using my work around. So he suggested he come over tomorrow and cook up the bacon for me, and I could sit at the table and fill the jars. It seems that between us we have the equivalent of one working body! :)
Teamwork. that's another great solution!
DeleteWith all this craziness in the world, I really want to move closer to family and friends. You could pray for me on this.
SJ
My friend, consider it done. I would be 'up creek - no paddle' if my kids weren't so close. It is not a good time to be alone.
DeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly Vicki. The Bible underscores what's happening now pretty well; God is removed from everything, and evil becomes the new normal. You don't need a degree to know what happens next, as it's happened before! When life becomes so cheap that a full-term baby can be legally murdered at the whim of his/her mother, then the mother is not the only one guilty, but the legislature as well! And you're right; this will indeed spread to the rest of the country by "precedent." Isn't it odd; the state that passed this murderous law completely forgets that it also has a law on the books that states if pregnant woman is murdered, the perpetrator is charged with TWO counts of murder! 'Can't have it both ways, Libbies...
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it does get harder to prepare and STAY prepared as we age. We gotta do what we gotta do, but we can only do what we CAN do. You can only do what you can, Vicki. Maybe it's time to pass some of your knowledge and wisdom down to your kids so that they'll not only survive what's coming, but will help ensure YOUR survival as well...
Pete...You are spot on with your analysis. I have even been reading how the left is going after ministers who preach according to the Bible because God's Law doesn't fit their narrative. I have to wonder how much further we have to go down the rabbit hole before reaching the bottom. I think it took less than what is going on today before the colonists got fed up and said, 'No more.'
DeleteI am pretty much convinced that we no longer have a government. What we have is a collection of power hungry egos. There may be a few who actually care about we, the deplorables in fly-over country, but if so, they are few and far between.
My daughters have zero interest in canning, dehydrating, preparing for anything. My sons, on the other hand, get it. My oldest has helped me for a number of years by going to the Farmer's Market, bringing me the supplies I need, etc. My youngest son has taught his three kids, ages 11 - 16, how to do some canning, how to bake bread, how to cook, how to garden. Even so, I still feel, as the oldest in my immediate family and the mother of four, grandma of six, it is my responsibility to see to it my family at least has enough to eat in a crisis situation. After our parents died, my brother called me the matriarch of our family. I take that responsibility seriously, so I keep doing what I can. And when I absolutely can't, the kids will take over. I have no doubt. They always manage to come together in a crisis.
read 'ruralrevolution' by patrice lewis about canning bacon she wraps it in parchment paper rolls up the paper and then cans it very neat way.
ReplyDeletealso read 'mooseintheyard.blogspot' about the severity of winters to come.
deborah...I have canned bacon the way you mention with good results and may do more in the future. I like to have both bacon bits and bacon strips on the shelf. Gives me variety.
DeleteI have read about the prospect of severe winters, too. Not looking forward to that at all.
it is written that one day no Scripture will be left and people will seek for it and not find it the evil one's minions are aiming to do away with revery Bible in the world
ReplyDeletehell is a big place.
It sure seems like there are those who would eliminate God and all references to His word from our land. It wouldn't surprise me t all if some tried to ban the Bible. Sad.
DeleteSo how'd the canning project turn out and your new buddy system?
ReplyDeleteBetween you and some other blogs, I'm seriously thinking about purchases I've been putting off.
And moving. I so want to move. The stopping point right now is not being able to find anyplace I can afford that will also take a large dog. And you know how I feel about MrDog, I'm not going anywhere without him. I'll take care of him until his final days.
I'm having a quiet day. Ran a quick errand this morning to pickup a prescription. Working on the family tree after lunch.
Cheers,
SJ
SJ...The canning went well. Duane cooked. I packed jars. Got 13 half pints of bacon bits. I just put up a short post about it.
DeleteI know you could never, ever leave Mr. Dog behind. I live in this building because it was the only place I could find where I could keep my Cocker Spaniel I had at the time. Many don't understand that we who love our dogs consider them part of the family. They are not disposable.
After a busy day yesterday, I'm taking a quiet day as well. My apartment is still somewhat discombobulated until the window guys finish, but I have been going over what I have and what else I need. Many here lost power due to the cold and I find that if that happened here, I do have a propane heater but very little in the way of lighting. Need to get more candles, matches and an oil lamp or two. I really do hope we are done with the bone chilling cold for a while. My apartment stays warm, so I have no real complaints. :)