How many times have those of us who prepare heard similar words from folks who can't be bothered to set aside extra food for emergencies. My standard answer is, "No, you won't."
Jennifer over at Prep School Daily has an excellent post dealing with this subject. Go read it. It is worth your time.
I will add only two things. The first is that I keep doing all I can do to prepare because I never, ever want to be in a place where I have to look into the eyes of a hungry grandchild and tell them I have nothing to feed them.
The second is that in spite of the current notion among younger generations, nothing is free. Someone always has to pay. The best advice I ever received came from my Dad who said, "If you want it, work for it."
Pray and prepare.
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Amen!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gorges.
DeleteTruth. Amen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, LindaG...We need more to speak to truth.
DeleteVicki, you said it, and I agree with it! It comes down to what each individual wants in life. Are you going to be a producer or a consumer? Are you going to be a free man/woman or a slave? Are you going to be a thinker/doer or a victim? I feel many simply don't think through how they want to position themselves in life...no goals equals no accomplishments. You and Jennifer at Prep School Daily are speaking volumes; people need to hear what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteThanks, CW...So many now seem to be living in a land of unicorns and fairy dust. The cold, hard truth is that people will go hungry. But it is up to them to do something about it - not sit back and expect someone else to do the work.
DeleteAnother great post. Too many folks got trophy's for just showing up to different things, with out effort
ReplyDeleteGood observation on your part, Rob!
DeleteRob...Those same people are the ones who, as toddlers, pitched a tantrum in Walmart and were rewarded for their behavior with the toy they wanted. And when they grow up, they still have no consequences for actions - or the inaction of failing to provide for emergencies. The price is very high.
DeleteGreat post. And that is why I don't tell most people in my real life about my preps.
ReplyDeleteThe need to be quiet was brought home to me about six years ago. I thought I was going to move so asked two young moms over to give them some of my pantry. Rather then move it. Both remarked along the lines of 'wow, if things go bad, we'll be back'. And they were serious. I ended up not moving but it was a lesson I needed to learn about not oversharing information. I'm no longer in contact with those two women but suspect they might remember me if/when they're hungry.
And on that note - my grocery order was delivered today. I noticed some of what I got was the right product but now in a smaller bottle or bag.
And for the first time, I'm dehydrating carrots. There's always something to do and learn.
Stay safe everyone.
SJ in Vancouver BC Canada
SJ...No matter where we are, there are those who think they can just waltz right in, hands extended, and believe we will happily take care of them. Nope. Not in my house!
DeleteI am finding that there are some, due to lockdowns here and where you are, who are thinking that perhaps a little extra food is a good idea. I applaud their efforts. But there are still way too many who think our governments are going to come to their rescue when all hell breaks loose. The truth is, those government officials will not come riding in to save the day. They will be in their well stocked and well fortified bunkers, riding out the storm while those they represent will be starving.
Good going on the carrots! They are one of my favorite veggies to dehydrate.
Amen!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rev. Paul.
DeleteThe first time i ever worked for money, i was eight. I watched two little kids, really little, in the garden while their parents worked the garden. I stayed all day and got money and two grocery bags of garden stuff. I was proud i worked and brought food home to my family.
ReplyDeleteLinda...Our generation was taught the value of work instead of taking handouts. And I am pretty sure we passed that work ethic on to our kids. It is sad that so many now think they are owed something.
DeleteI used to get "I'm cummina your house!" a lot at work. My reply has always been "What's keeping you from putting stuff up yourself?" Trouble is, prepping isn't glamorous. Neither does it help to have us portrayed as "a little off" or downright crazy on TV and in the movies. I don't care. At the beginning of the COVID-19 "crisis," two of my coworkers said to me "We'll never laugh at you again." Somehow... that made it all worthwhile... If it opened their eyes, even better.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Pete. Prepping is not glamorous. There is no applause involved. There are no trophies or ribbons awarded for the best home canned peaches. There is mostly hard work and budgeting to add to our stores. And yes, we are viewed as a bit off kilter for doing what we do. But oh, the satisfaction of knowing our families will not go hungry in times of crisis makes it worth every hour and every dime spent. And if someone else can see the value of being prepared, so much the better.
DeleteThere is one other benefit from prepping. Here in Minnesota, when the snow is falling and the wind is blowing and frostbite is nearly a given...when others are fighting slippery streets and then standing in line at the supermarket buying bread and milk, I am sitting inside a cozy apartment, hot chocolate in hand, watching the snow fall, knowing that no matter what happens, my family and I will be OK. And that's what makes it worthwhile for me.
Good evening Vicki. I always send staples home with my son when he comes down for a few days. My In-Laws were slightly perplexed at first. Why would I send food home with him. He explained that's what I do. I always get extra and save it for a rainy day when it might not be available. I had bread flour and yeast when it was not in the markets. They got out of Russia when a small window was opened to leave. There was always rationing and waiting in lines. The abundance and availability of food at any time was a shock. Even with the lack of certain foods on the shelves here is still better than what they left behind.
ReplyDeletePicked about 15 pounds of heirloom tomatoes. Saving all the seeds. Picked various squashes and saving all the seeds. Still dehydrating veggies and ordered more grain for grinding. Ground 14 pounds of beef into burger, vacuum packed it and froze it for later. The more food a person can put aside properly stored will be a Blessing for them and their family.
My best friend finally got with it when she saw the prices going up and the empty spots on the shelves. She actually dried cherries and froze some for latter. She's talking with the local farmers at the market and will be working on storing fruits and veggies for later. She even bought half a pig.
Now if the Good Lord would show many the error of their selfish ways and teach them some lessons...
In God's Safekeeping
Red
Hi Red...
DeleteI don't think many have a clue as to the situations of food shortages in other countries. Here they line up for the roll-out of the latest cell phone or for a sale on a big screen TV on Black Friday, but they have not had to line up for a loaf of bread. My generation was raised by parents who lived through the Great Depression where 'bread lines' and 'soup kitchens' were commonplace. We learned that self reliance was necessary for survival and if we didn't store as much as we could in the summer and fall, the winters could be bleak.
You, Red, are probably the most busy person I have come across when it comes to food storage. When you talk about what you have been doing, it is an inspiration to us all.
It warms my heart when I hear of others who have finally figured out that there are good reasons behind building a very deep pantry. At times I have thought it would just be easier to stop doing this blog. It takes time and effort. Being housebound makes it difficult sometimes to find things to write about, not being out and about like others are. But it always comes down to this: If just one person comes here and is inspired to do something to help themselves and their families in the future - especially reading the comments where so many good ideas are spoken of - then it is completely worth it.
God bless each and every one who shares thoughts and ideas, for they may be just what that one person needs to hear.
Vicki~ My Mom and Dad were raised on farms during the Depression. Dad said a treat for them was a slice of fresh baked bread with a thin spreading of lard and a small sprinkle of sugar. Mom said for them treats were the river bank wild berries they gathered for canning. People don't know what is coming. Food they turn their collective noses at now, they will be thankful to have in the coming days. Red
DeleteRed...My Dad was on his parent's farm during the Depression. One of his treats was a slice of bread torn into small pieces in a cup, coffee poured over and sprinkled with a little sugar. He called it 'poor man's pie.' They didn't have berries like your family did, except for blueberries. My grandparents would load a wood burning stove, canning pots and cases of empty jars and nine kids onto a hay wagon, hook up the team of horses and go off to the blueberry bogs of northern Minnesota. There they would camp. The kids picked berries. Grandma canned them right there. And when all the jars were full, they went home with enough blueberries to last a long time.
DeleteYou are right. Many have no clue what is on the horizon. And I have to wonder how many even know how to feed themselves when McDonalds drive-thru closes.
If gaping empty spots on grocery shelves have not been a wake-up call, I don't know what it will take. I honestly do not understand adults who expect others, be it government or individuals to provide for them. Still, it will be heartbreaking to have to turn children away...
ReplyDeletesbrgirl...I do not understand either why adults put their children at risk of starvation when it would take just some planning ahead to avoid that problem. I guess we have lived in a land of plenty for so long that some can't conceive of a time when that would change. Others have an entitlement attitude and think government should take care of them from birth to grave. As Christians, we believe that God will provide. But I seriously doubt that He meant for us to sit back and wait. We are given the tools and knowledge and it is up to us to use them. Sadly, many don't get that part.
DeleteI know I would not be able to turn away a hungry child. But I find it reprehensible that adults would fail to do everything in their power to see that their children are fed.
I know -- I talk tough! I was reading a "How to Tell if You're Becoming a Hoarder" article the other day, and sure enough it said you were a hoarder if you stockpile food. The author claimed that nobody in America would ever need to have extra food. She suggested just asking your neighbor for a meal if you run out. What? Where has she been since March? Has she not noticed the empty spaces on grocery shelves?
ReplyDeletesbrgirl...The author of that article obviously lives in fantasy land. She never heard of the Great Depression or the Dust Bowl? And what on earth makes her think that if she doesn't have food, her neighbors will! Numbskulls like that can call me a hoarder or whatever else they like. I will continue to stack it to the rafters if necessary. There are any number of things that could wipe out our food supply - a weather related disaster, disease, war - anything is possible. I have at least 16 people in my immediate family. As a mother, grandmother and soon to be great-grandmother, I consider it my job to care for my family especially in bad times. A pox on those who will not see that any number of things could plunge America into dark times. Common sense truly has left the building, hasn't it!
DeleteI imagine some of those caring parents will end up eating children, both theirownandthoseof others
ReplyDeleteMan from Ukraine famine staid he was not allowed out to play because people were disappearing, being turned into long pork
deb...The Donner Party comes to mind. I pray we never, ever get to a place that dark again.
DeleteNo food at my house. I tend to eat it all.
ReplyDeleteYour country doesn't seem to be in turmoil as mine is, but if the SHTF there, you, my friend, will wish you had something in reserve. Stock up. Don't make me worry about you!
Delete