Friday, March 27, 2020

If someone wanted to bring America to its knees...

they are doing a fine job of it.

I understand this virus is no laughing matter.  It is insidious in how it is spread and heartbreaking in the way it takes lives.  It has ground our great nation to a halt in a way that nothing else could.

I have come to believe there is much we are not being told.  Frank and Fern have posted an article that mirrors the conclusions I have found.  Please go read it, for it tells the story much better than I can.

I was wrong to set aside preparing simply because it may be more difficult now with all the restrictions that have been put into place.  We may need every jar of canned vegetables, every bag of rice and every every can of tuna we have set aside before this thing goes away, if it ever does.  We need to learn everything we possibly can in order to survive.  There are videos and articles out there to teach us how to bake bread, how to fix things instead of buying new, what herbs to use when medicines are no longer available.  Watch a movie once in a while, for we do need distractions, but the ones who are most apt to survive hard times are the ones who know how to do stuff.

In this time of isolation, staying in touch with friends and family is important.  My family calls to check on me.  I email back and forth with friends.  It all helps to keep our spirits up.  We can not let all of this bring us down.  We are a strong people and we will survive.

Keep on prepping.  Keep on praying.  We are all in this together.

20 comments:

  1. As serious as it is, Vicki, I can't help but feel that things are getting blown all out of proportion and the government is grossly over-reacting to get us a little more accepting of martial law.

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    1. I think you are right, Gorges. But I doubt it will be called martial law. It probably be something like 'medical containment' and of course, it will be for our own good.

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  2. Thanks, Vicki. You are exactly right. We are all in this together. The skyline looks a little dim right now. Pray for the sunrise and the dawn of a new day and time.

    Blessings to all, Fern

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    1. Fern...I understand the need to stay away from others in order to stop the spread of this thing, but I don't like losing 'strength in numbers.' It seems we Americans can accomplish most anything when we work together. We just have to figure out how to do that remotely. Praying. A lot.

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  3. Amen, Vicki. I call my mom every day. And I email and read blogs.
    I even planted a few vegetables this year after taking a break to travel.
    God bless.

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    1. You are a good daughter, LindaG...Phone calls from my kids are better than any medicine. And it is good that folks are planting gardens. The more self sufficient we can be, the better.

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  4. We for one have been able to add to our preps. We have added some frozen bread dough, and rolls. just in case we can't get fresh bread, next step is to make our own. Flour is in short supply like TP. Glad we don't live in Mpls anymore. I will post an update on Sunday. Thanks for emailing me back.

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    1. Rob...Good for you on the preps. I was able to get both sugar and flour on sale this week. The grocery delivery guy said Thursday was the first he had seen TP back on the shelves. No need for thanks. Staying in touch with friends is a good thing.

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  5. I don't think this is in any way a conspiracy or a way to accustom us to follow docilely. It happened. I do think people will take advantage of our situation.

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    1. Linda...I don't know for sure how this happened or why, but I am suspicious about most anything government officials tell us. And you are spot on about people taking advantage. Sadly, human nature is not always well intended. Take care.

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  6. Vicki, thank you for sharing your thoughts and acknowledging Frank and Fern's latest. Both are valuable and very well-thought out posts. Yes, I do believe we are going to need lots of skills, lots of strength, and a great deal of faith to get through all of this. Be safe and keep prepping 'cuz the ride is getting a little bumpier...CW

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    1. CW...Frank and Fern have a way of getting right down to the bones of the matter and do it better than I ever could. And yes, skills are important and Lord knows, we seem to have enough time now to learn several. I seriously doubt this will end any time soon. Prepping here has resumed and will continue in one form or another. And the ride - yep - getting bumpier all the time. Take good care!

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  7. Good evening Vicki~ The only times I am brought to my knees is in prayer, and when I need to get one of my cats out from under the bed. The two doors are finally installed and they are wonderful. I knew there was some repair work that needed to be done, but not to the extent once beneath the surfaces were laid bare. The good outcome is water/bug damaged wood has been replaced and the foundation for the doors is stable. I went to the market today and the Checkers are not allowed to use the bags we bring in. No worries as long as people are ok. Time to wash and dry the bags in the sun again. I did notice that people are being careful in what they purchase. There was a man in the frozen food section with a LIST of what his family wanted. Most items on the list were not available. What was available was not part of their current FAD eating. He looked at me with the "What am I going to buy" look. I told him unless there is a food allergy involved, just get what is here, take it home and if they scream etc, tell them this is what there is to eat. You don't like it, tough. Don't eat. Or, maybe cook a meal from scratch.
    On a happy note, I received my seed potatoes and will be planting them this weekend. We have way too many tomato starts, so we will be taking some of them over to the the local church for anyone that needs a tomato seedling.
    In God's Safekeeping. Red

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    1. Hi Red...If I were able to physically get down on my knees, I believe I would be spending quite a bit of time there. As it is, I believe God still hears a prayer from a sitting position. I hope we are joined in prayer by many.

      So glad your new doors are installed. We just don't know how ugly things will get should many run out of food.

      I suspect there are many who are in a quandary like the man you saw at the store, when they find their usual 'heat and eat' foods gone from the shelves. We have become a nation of people who haven't a clue what to do to feed themselves.

      It is good to see that many are either planting gardens or, in the north, planning their gardens. The more we can do for ourselves, the better.
      Stay safe, Red and God bless.

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  8. My husband and I are making lists of things to be sure and get to replenish our supplies that we are using when we feel a little safer going out. He feels that the threat of this virus may lessen, at least for a few weeks over the summer, but that it will be back again next Fall. He also points out that Jesus said there will be pestilenceS (Luke 21:11), so there may be more coming our way if this is the start of the End Times.
    If nothing else, I think it is helping us to get our priorities straight, and some to turn to God.

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    1. chipmunk...I have to say I am in agreement with your husband. Everything I have heard/read indicates that we could very well have a repeat performance of the virus come cooler weather in the fall.

      Lists are good. I am also keeping track of what I use, but have the advantage in that my grocery delivery service is up and running. Still, many of us have forgotten that before the insanity hit, there was a real concern about food shortages and that hasn't gone away but has been overshadowed by the virus. To that end I am mostly getting staples that can be used for making substitutes should some products be unavailable.

      I can't say I am surprised by all of this. As a nation, we have pretty much removed God from nearly all venues except churches. I can't see how we can deny God and then expect to be saved from pestilences. I pray you are right and we can get back where we need to be. Take care.

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  9. Whatever happens "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down" Red
    https://www.patreon.com/posts/un-warns-global-35400404

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    1. Red...'Bastards' being the operative word here. I had just a glimpse of the possibility of food shortages here this week. The large chain grocery where I have shopped for 22 + years runs a weekly sale ad. Online, the ad is usually 12 - 14 pages in size. Todays ad is 4 pages and one of those is devoted to Easter candy. Tomorrow my son is going out to pick up a few groceries and I am asking him to take a look at how well the store is stocked. The ride just keeps getting bumpier, doesn't it!

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    2. Vicki~ Bumpy rides let you know when the shocks need to be changed or you are on the wrong road. I never understood why a friend enjoyed off road travels up mountain trails a goat would have trouble with. He said it was the only way to get his back and mind adjusted to where it needed to be. Many Americans and Citizens of other Countries have been either in neutral or just gliding along not paying any attention to their surroundings. We need to pay close attention to the background noise. As Mr. Universe in the movie Serenity stated "There is Truth in the Signal." Red

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    3. Red...The ride has been getting more and more bumpy even before this latest crisis. We need to get back to the values of a couple of generations ago. Gliding along? Yes. We haven't been paying close enough attention to the rights and freedoms that are, inch by inch, being taken away. With this latest crisis, it seems that the background noise is now front and center. Just this morning I heard about a plan to round up all the elderly and vulnerable to be quarantined "for their own safety." So far it is just a suggestion, but if it becomes a reality, God help us. Gives a whole new meaning to 'Don't get on the bus.'

      On another subject, if you haven't seen it already, Ice Age Farmer's latest video concerning food shortages is excellent. As someone who has no way to grow a garden, it is pushing me to can and dry everything I can lay my hands on - Now.

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