Friday, May 22, 2020

Ode to a Ramble

There has been very little going on here in my little slice of heaven.  It is quiet - way too quiet - in my neighborhood.  The sound of another voice has me scurrying to a window to get a glimpse of another human being.  I am told there are a couple of small shops in town that are finally open.  The bicycle shop beneath my apartment is open a few days per week now.  Our governor is dragging his feet on opening Minnesota up for business.  There is an effort afoot to have him recalled.  Minnesotans want to work.

Those of us who prepare usually have a plan.  We know what we would like to have on hand for a given period of time and we work toward that goal.  Sometimes we find the need to be flexible.

I have 12 lbs. of hamburger in the freezer.  I have another 12 lbs. in the fridge.  The plan was to brown all of it and can it.  Until I noticed that I could maybe get half a dozen jars on my shelves.  They are that full.  So - change of plans.  Tomorrow I will be making meatloaves, meatballs and taco meat.  Once cooked and cooled down, they will be vacuum sealed and stashed in the freezer.  The only thing I will be canning for a while is some venison that has been frozen.  Duane and I have had a couple of meals of venison, but we both like it canned, so canned it shall be.  There isn't a lot of it so I think I can find room for a few jars on the shelf.  Maybe.

My youngest son orders beef every year from a farmer he knows.  The price is reasonable, even with the processing at a local butchers.  So I have ordered a quarter beef for this fall.  I like the idea of supporting local buinesses.  The plan is to fill in with pork and chicken as it goes on sale at the grocery where my delivery service shops.

My boys are planning an excursion to Sam's Cub in the not too distant future.  They won't let me go.  When I was exposed to the virus, Duane was checking up on me often and David was calling every day wanting to know what my temperature was.  No way will they take me to a big box store full of people.  Just as well, I suppose.  But it grates on me to have to admit that I am in the 'elderly and vulnerable' catagory.  Sigh.

However, I am going through Sam's website and making a list.  The plan is to break down the large containers of frozen food and vacuum seal individual portions. And I trust them both to make good choices as to what I would like to have.  Bless all four of my kids.  They always come through when I need something done.

That's about all I know today.  I truly hope you all are able to be out and about enjoying some sort of normalcy.  We so badly need to just get on with our lives.    

13 comments:

  1. I noticed the prices of fresh meat going up here at our market. The wife and I walk in go towards the meat dept. Look at the prices, laugh, and walk away know what we have on hand. It does make a family happy to walk out without buying any fresh meat. I was reminded tonight when we dug out a 8 lb post roast for pulled pork on Monday..

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    1. Rob...Peace of mind comes with a full pantry. And freezer. I have been neglecting my freezer and it is time to concentrate on filling it. Slow but sure!

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  2. You are so blessed to have such wonderful children!

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  3. Glad to hear you are doing well, Vicki. God bless. :-)

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    1. I'm just fine, LindaG...Think about you often and pray daily for you and yours.

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    2. Thank you, Vicki. Your prayers are welcome. :)

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  4. Hello Vicki! Good to know you are well. I've been working in the garden. Harvesting Radishes, Lettuces, Sugar Peas, Zucchini and Carrots now. Tomatoes have gone crazy and are setting fruits. I found a place that has wheat in stock. My Husband asked why did you order 200 pounds of wheat and 35 of corn. Um, to grind into flour and meal. I've been hearing from Friends the past few days. One really listened and turned a room in her house into a pantry. She was able, in the space of a month, to stock food for her family of six for at least a year. That was in December. Another is kicking himself now. Others did some storage just in case. Tomorrow more veggies are going in the dehydrator and I can reorganize my freezer. There are going to be a great many people hungry in this Nation in the coming year or more. There is rioting in Chile over Food and the News says nothing. Everyone be Safe and Stay well. In God's Safekeeping. Red

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    1. Red...Wow! Your garden is really keeping you busy these days. Glad it is doing so well. And great score on the wheat and corn. I wish I had space enough to store both, but I don't, so I settle for storing flour and cornmeal.

      Isn't it nice when a friend 'gets it.' Just last week one of the nurses remarked that she was glad I had 'pestered' her into putting extra food back. She is out daily due to her job, but didn't need to go to a store full of potentially sick people! Score another one for our side!

      I am already seeing some food shortages and rising prices here. I consider myself lucky if I get everything in my grocery order. I don't expect it to get better any time soon. Bucke up - the ride is about to get bumpy.

      Take good care.

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  5. I read that title and saw "Ode to a Rumble." I wondered who was fighting!

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    1. OK Linda...That's funny! I think my days to rumble are in my far distant past. :)

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  6. It is rewarding when people hear us and then act themselves. I too have a friend who is just getting back to cooking for herself and has started a pantry. We're swapping recipes and ideas for what to cook. I'm so pleased - she's one who would go to fast food at least once a day.
    I'm still getting my groceries delivered by the store and some times one of my neighbors. This week's order had my canning lids but no baking soda and still no yeast. But having read this blog and others similar for years, I'm ok. I continue to restock what I'm using and build up a little bit each week.
    Praying everyone here stays safe.
    SJ in Vancouver BC Canada

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    1. You are so right, SJ...It is rewarding when you find that someone you have been talking with about being prepared 'gets it.' And each one who 'gets it' is one more who will be able to take care of themselves and their families when disaster strikes.
      Canning lids seem to be in short supply here as well. I order six boxes of each size every two weeks, and consider myself lucky if I get two or three boxes. But still, little by little, it all adds up. As long as we keep adding to our stores, we will be ok.

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