Wednesday, February 5, 2020

A Quiet Day

Now and then we of a certain age and with a few body parts that seem to be failing us, need a quiet day to recoup and revive.  Today is such a day.

Not that I am sitting, staring out the window.  Nope.  There are still things I can do on a quiet day.

Oldest Son was here yesterday and we went through my canning shelves and deep pantry, making decisions on what was needed and what we have plenty of.  I've got lots of home canned meats and vegetables and soups/stews along with some fruit.  I have more canning to do before spring.  The shelves are more than full, with several cases of bacon, baked beans and ham and bean soup sitting on the floor in front of the shelves.  Duane has already taken several cases of home canned food over to his apartment, but he said he would swamp out another area where he can store more.  That will really help.

 So we decided to concentrate on the staples like sugar, flour. powdered milk, etc.  And we really need to ramp up the first aid supplies, for we don't have nearly enough.

So I spent part of the day making lists of what is needed so I will have a handy reference for my grocery orders and a future Sam's Club adventure.  I am no longer foolish enough to rely on memory alone.  After all, I can go from one room to another and forget why in the process.  :)

I also spent time transferring recipes from my computer to index cards.  It occurred to me that should we lose power, the recipes - especially the ones for canning or for dry mixes - would be lost.  I do have a printer but am out of printer paper.  Index cards take up less space than do binders filled with paper.  I also have an external hard drive, but without electricity, that becomes a doorstop.

I also checked out some web sites dealing with the Coronavirus.  There are a number of 'hair on fire - we're all gonna die' sites, but there are some that are taking a common sense approach to the problem.  While the virus doesn't seem to be spreading here as quickly as in China, officially we have doubled in the past two days the number of known cases here in the States, to 12.  One of those is in Wisconsin, which is too close to me for comfort.  I am still of the opinion that the truth is not being told to the public, world wide.

All in all, it was a fairly productive quiet day and with any luck at all, I will be back to my normal turtle racing speed in the morning.  :)

Take precautions to stay healthy and keep on prepping.

26 comments:

  1. Vicki, watching the news tonight I found out the following: 2 people in Des Moines, Iowa just returned from China and have voluntarily quarantined themselves AND a plane with 30-33 people will be arriving from China and landing at Eppley Airfield in Omaha, NE. That group will be taken by bus to Camp Ashland southwest of Omaha to be quarantined for 14 days. WOW! I am not one to go into panic mode easily but that is a tad close for comfort. Who knows what the truth is and when they would bother to inform the public of a real eminent threat. You are doing the right thing. Prepping never hurt anyone that I know of but lack of preps could become a serious problem very quickly. Take care All and don't let up with you preparations. CW

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    1. CW...I would not be surprised if the known cases continue to increase. Because this virus is contagious before the symptoms show themselves, who knows how many are walking around spreading it and not even aware they are doing it. Can you imagine what would happen here if those who are unprepared are told to stay in their homes for 14 days under quarantine? I still don't think we are being told the truth, under the guise of keeping the public from panicking. I don't panic easily either, but I am becoming a bit worried. Many start to prep when it is too late. Stay safe, my friend.

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  2. I had one of those today. I think I slept more then awake. We scored some great finds at our local market...Folgers coffee normally like five or six bucks...2.99 it expired in Dec. but who cares may pick up anther tomorrow. Scored some small jars of Peter Pan peanut butter...50 cents a jar also expired picked up 8. getting more tomorrow. We eat lots of peanut butter. When it comes to some first aid supplies try Dollar General or Dollar tree. In Fla we used to get $25.00 of over the counter meds for free, with our insurance at CVS. We had a large stock pile, Too bad its all gone now days.

    A side note. I wonder what the Liberals have in store next for Mr Trump and the rest of the US??

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    1. Rob...Sometimes a rest day is a good thing. Great score on the sale items. Good for you! I can't go out to the Dollar General here, but maybe I can send a kid with a list. I can get a few first aid supplies in my grocery order and that should help.

      On your side note: I don't know what they will try next, but I am sure they will keep trying and it won't be pretty. They just will not leave him alone. Never in my lifetime have I seen such raw hate displayed so openly.

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    2. Dollar Tree will deliver a package to you for a delivery fee. The package can be ordered and picked up in the store without a delivery fee. The drawback is a case of each item must be ordered. For example, a case of Himalayan Pink Salt contains 12 packages and costs $12. You can not order partial cases.

      Laura

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    3. Laura...Thank you so much for the information. That is great news as I am housebound and can't get out to stores. I don't have a problem ordering case lots. I will absolutely check it out as there is a Dollar Tree in my town.

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  3. Replies
    1. Not only good, Gorges...but sometimes necessary. :)

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  4. I just read advice for a mix of medicinal herbs to keep the virus away. I am making lists to restock too.

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    1. Kristina...I would be interested to see which herbs might be good to combat the virus. Herbal remedies are always a good thing.

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    2. Vicki~ Elderberry syrup, iodine, bitter melon extract. There are supplements that will make your system alkaline. Viruses do not like an alkaline environment. Planted 3 types of garlic today. Red

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    3. Thanks for the info, Red...I am not as knowledgeable about herbal remedies as I should be. I will see what I can lay my hands on to have on hand.

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  5. I tend to watch what happens with these "pandemics," having been lied to so many times by "the news." Given the number of reported infections versus the number of deaths, the mortality rate of Coronavirus seems very low to warrant the panic approach China took in dealing with it. 'Makes me wonder what we're not being told.

    Thing is, what's happening in China could very easily happen here. If Uncle Sam decides to quarantine your area and you're not ready, you're screwed, plain and simple. The actual severity of the disease is irrelevant at that point.

    ...Therefore, I prep...

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    1. Pete...There seem to be a gazillion websites about the virus. Most do not list credible sources, so my wait and see attitude remains. I don't believe we are being told anything close to the truth - by any official source. I think we had to be told something because of the spread of the virus in China and now to several other countries, but I think the information is geared to avoid panic. The ones who won't bother to prep are the same ones who will be in a world of hurt should quarantines go into effect. Of course, those are the very same who do not believe anything bad could happen here - until it does.

      Yep...keep on prepping!

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  6. Ice Age Farmer has a new one. When some one curses you with a "Plague of Locusts on your house", this is what happens. All the reason to have a Deep Larder. There are many in this Nation that would sit on their collective behinds and say "I'll wait for the Government to feed me." We've gotten too soft with the luxury of an easy to obtain, abundant food supply. Red

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb8KUblgLko&feature=emb_title

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    1. Red...Thanks for the heads-up. That does not bode well, does it. I think those who sit on their collective behinds expecting some government official to knock on their door in times of crisis with a ham sandwich and a bottle of water are also charter members of the 'it can't possibly ever happen here' club. Fools, all!
      If I remember my history correctly, I think there were plagues of grasshoppers here in the USA in the 1870's, 1930's and possibly as recently as the early 2000's. Then we have the possibility of a virus pandemic, civil unrest and half the country insane with the Trump Derangement Syndrome. The way I see it, the deep pantry had better be incredibly deep.

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  7. http://www.iceagefarmer.com/2020/02/08/coronavirus-to-really-destroy-the-usa-just-stop-sending/

    This is a "AH CRAP" moment. Pardon my language.

    Red

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    1. Red...This goes way beyond an 'oh crap' moment. Considering that an antibiotic salve is necessary to use on my legs from time to time, I do believe I will be adding to my stash. Now. Thanks for the link. It doesn't look good. Not good at all. Take care and be safe.

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    2. Time to bring ALL Medical/Medicine back onto US soil and source all the ingredients, then stockpile. Red

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    3. Red...Absolutely spot on. There is no reason why our government should leave something that important in the hands of another country. The more we do for ourselves, the better off we are.

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  8. Dear VIcki,

    I, too, just watched the Ice Age Farmer about the antibiotics. I also accessed gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com from Johns Hopkins University. This site shows the reported cases, deaths, and recoveries around the world.

    I had actually started obtaining more medicines to fill in our medicine supply prior to watching Ice Age Farmer: the expectorant guaifenesin 400 mg; the cough suppressant dextromethorphan HBr 15 mg; the antihistamine diphenhydramine 25 mg; and more elderberry gummies/pills. We already have the elderberry lozenges, soft gels, and tincture as well as dried elderberries to make more tincture and cough syrup. These OTC medications along with ibuprofen and acetaminophen should treat many of the symptoms while the elderberries will interfere with the virus replication.

    I have an overnight trip to Philadelphia next week which can not be postponed. My husband has agreed to wear a mask and gloves with me.

    I am debating about doing a pick up shopping order at WalMart when we pass through the larger, near-by town to stock up a little bit more. I have never done this, but it might be time for a new experience.

    I know God is in charge, but none of my family is prepared and my children live several hours away.

    Laura

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    1. Laura...I think one of the wisest things we can do right now is to stock up as much as possible on the medications that can help with flu and virus-like symptoms. Should I come down with those symptoms, I want to be able to treat them in my home. The very last place I want to be is in a clinic or hospital full of coughing, sneezing, fever laden people.

      I have serious doubts that we are receiving the true information about this virus. Government agencies tend to soft pedal the information they release in fear of causing a panic. Those of us who already prepare for crisis situations are not likely to run around with our hair on fire, but are more apt to do what you are doing - quietly adding to your supplies. I am working on doing the same.

      It is not unreasonable to use a mask and gloves when going out in public, for we have no idea how many already have the virus but are not exhibiting symptoms yet. Eye protection is also a good thing as I have heard from my sources that the virus can also enter through the eyes.

      I agree that God is in charge, but I believe that God has the expectation that we be responsible and help ourselves as much as possible. I am reminded of the Bible story where God told his people to store grains during the fat seven years in preparation for the seven lean years. There are a couple of my adult kids who get it, but the rest don't. So all I can do is continue to store as much as possible. And pray.

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    2. Dear Vicki,

      I just read again Jennifer’s Prep School Daily entry, Cough and Cold Medications, for Tuesday, February 05, 2019. She explains clearly and concisely the OTC medications which could be used to treat the flu. She also has several other posts dealing with the flu.

      Laura

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    3. Thanks for the reminder, Laura...I will check it out. She has a wealth of knowledge and I am grateful she shares.

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  9. Sitting here thinking about the fact that 97% of our antibiotics come from China and the supply could be cut off in the near future. I have not done a great deal of research, however I do know that honey has proven to have great healing and medicinal properties. I need to do more research to see if honey can be used as an alternative for some of our medical needs. CW

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    1. CW...It is my understanding that most of our prescription meds come from China. It would be wonderful if honey could be used in other ways. I wonder how many people know that those cute little bear shaped honey containers in the stores are filled with honey flavored corn syrup. Please share your research with us. I fear we are going to need all the help we can get if this virus continues to spread.

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