Re: How many of you have made a survival kit for your family?
If think I showed some of me wheat stash to Bro Haut this summer.
Me second wife was LDS, (Mormon), n' ol' Murky n' one of me nutty buds, (who thinks kinda like me [poor guy]), purchased hard red wheat in 1999, (the Mid West stuff from the plains). We got plastic food pails, (used fer .35 a peace or so), n poured the wheat into the pails inside a thick clear plastic bags, (they were cheap too). The LDS guy who sold us the pails n' heavy duty plastic bags had a CO2 bottle, (sorry 'bout the global warmin' it caused), n filled the heavy plastic bags with CO2 (to displace the Oxygen), n' we tied em n' sealed em, n' I packed 'em up to Ruby Ridge Island, (where they still are in me cabin). Wheat lasts a very long time if ya keep moisture n' rodents out, (the CO2 is not likely necessary). BTW the wheat they found in the Pyramids in Egypt would not germinate but still had sufficient protien to sustain people after 4-10,000 years!! I bet this whole deal cost me a whoppin' $250 or less and would sustain a family of six fer 18 months, (it would cost a bit more now maybe $350 to $400).
I also have a wheat grinder, n' a water purification system, n' an old feller died n' one of me other buds, (who knows what a nut I am), gave me a large supply of Sam Andy Foods dry storage cases of cans of various stuff.
BB named me island fer another REAL IMPORTANT aspect of bein' prepared. A 22 cal rifle with lots n lots of ammo can put a rabbit in the pot fer protein if need be. (I have some heavier stuff ta feed the bad guys that may think ol' Murky would be easy ta take down out on his island). Like 'em or not common fire arms with common ammo would be very usefull and valuable during good times (as I expect n' hope fer; or bad times as I'm prepared for). That stuff always holds value: Mrs. Jones!!!
This fall I'm tryin' ta build me an orchard o' fruit trees on RR island. I have ta cut some trees down fer sunshine n' pack some top soil out fer the apple, pear, cherry, plumb, et al trees I'm plantin' out on RR island soon. Wild huckleberrys grow there, but I need blue berrys n' strawberrys n' such too. The final piece, (if there is such a thing as a final piece), will be the green house fer tomatoes n' such.
I collect antigue grinders n' cannin' stuff n' store it out there too.
Moral of this story. I have a unique situation with a defendable island, (I know that is rare). If I didn't have RR island, but had a recreational cabin somewhere, the same format could be followed.
Ya need food, water, shelter, (anticipate no electricity n' fuel), n' a way to keep it, (defence). These items are inexpensive to acquire and maintain. They will hold their value in good times and become VERY valuable in bad times.
Yer kids can sell the junk, (fer likely more then you paid), or donate the wheat n' what not when yer gone, if they think it is silly (as most do). The only real problem that is hard to plan fer is how ta feed me Black Boat Anchors!! Guess I'll have to row. Me diesel generator could run on biodiesel (that I need to get a recipe fer some day). The rest of me gas engines would be junk, (if things do get real bad). Let's all hope this is jus' a hobby fer a dim wit with only one functional brain cell. Respectfully, JR
