Some Observations and then Some

On Ike:  Who in the world would ignore severe Hurricaine Warnings and willingly stay behind?  I am absolutely flabbergasted that anyone would want to stay holed up in a bar to weather out the hurricaine.  That certainly sounds like crazy talk, but I did see a photo in which the police were evacuating an individual in nearly waist deep water.

Other preppers?  I am following some curious items that may be shaping up to be trends.  Noticed that the old fashioned oil lamps are disappearing off the shelves, along with the globes and mantles. Likewise, canned foods seem to be a bit more popular these days.  Not sure if this related to the economy or like-minded folks putting things aside for the future.  A lot of my patients have been actively canning fruits and vegetables from their gardens.  Several old timers see bleak economic times ahead, and they might just know because they are depression era survivors.  The seniors are quite frank in pondering whether the "new" generation will be able to cope because they lack the surival skills to do so.

Have noticed more and more patients paying for services with cash.  A lot of them say that they either couldn't afford the negotiated employer-insurer dictated co-pays or the premiums have become to high.  But then I noticed women are still doing the tanning bed, nail and pedicure thing, having frequent hair stylings and whatever.  In an emergency, especially a lengthy crisis, how does someone cope without the tanning, waxing, styling and just generally all over maintenance that some people have become accustomed?

I have also noticed that patients are no longer reluctant to have generic medications prescribed.  Indeed, now insist on generics.  Four dollars versus a $25 to $40 co-pay at the pharmacy.  No-brainer!

Have yet to have anyone ask for a prescription for chronic medications or medications for emergency preparedness.

Back to my prepping experiences.

I am close to my second 90 day food storage goal.  Still not happy about the lack of fruit-related vitamins that I need.  Have learned that these are pretty much going to have to be covered with dried fruits and juices.  Have you ever tasted canned orange juice?  Boy,  have we become spoiled.

Thanks to the kind person who gave me the suggestion on the oxygen absorbers.  They are currently in use with flour and corn products, as well other items that stale with exposure to oxygen.

I am a huge sour cream and cheddar cheese fan.  My needs in that area are nearly as strong as my desire for coffee.  I have located a supplier of the first item, and have requested a sample.  I have received my shipment of Red Feather cheddar cheese.  The cheese tastes good, but it is a pale color compared to what I usually eat.  Both of these items are not cheap but are integral to how I want eat and survive.  

Yeah, I KNOW that I am not running a restaurant but I am trying to maintain as much future sanity as possible.  Having a comfortable shelter and decent tasting food are two of my major priorities.  And I am eating as close to my planned storage as possible so I can rotate my supplies.  Prepping for my two dogs is not as easy because the "stale" factor is so closely tied to their foods.  Working on that.

My no knead bread project was a flawless winner. Minimal ingredients of water, flour, instant yeast and salt.  Wow, like eating high-end chi chi bread!  Absolutely effortless.  Mixing means literally stiring the ingredients!  This is a keeper for my preparations storage.

The Sundaysaver website is still the basis for shopping.  I have worked the By one Get One until all of my staples of canned goods are completed for six months.  Am continuing with Kroger 10 for $10.  Walmart still has the best deals on ethnic foods such as canned diced green chilies.  Have noticed, tho, that these chilies are being bought in serious bulk by someone.  Harder and harder to be able to buy more than a couple at a time.  These chilies are necessary for Mexican spoonbread.

My favorite coffee jumped by $3 a can, but went back to original price after a month.  I have over nine months of coffee and creamer.  Similarly, I am still waiting for Ingles to do its major toilet paper sale.  I have at least 130 rolls stored.  Nah, I have always stored T paper.

Working to prep on personal and hygiene items.  Have found that Crest sells a tooth paste gel that comes in a hard plastic squeeze container that will work for storage if anyone is interested.  I am thinking I will be able to get three months from each container just for myself.  Great tasting too.

I am curious.  Any body out there who has a spouse or significant other who is less-than-interested in prepping for the long haul?  I am imagine this could be touchy subject.  How does anyone handle this sort of problem.  

I was helping a college student get all of her admission paperwork together, including annotating her immunization record.  It dawned on me that my Tetnus vax is waaaay out of date, in fact I am not sure when I had the last one.  Gave myself a pneumonia shot, and will be getting my flu shot next week - trying to determine the optimal time frame.  Not so sure now because the CDC announced that the flu is already showing up in Georgia.  I haven't seen a case of it but that doesn't mean much.  Thinking that some people might want to check their shot records too.

I read the Home Secretary in the United Kingdom (equivalent to Homeland Security) has just warned community law enforcement to be prepared for imminent anarchy because of the worsening unemployment, social upheaval with regard to immigration, and a variety of other social problems.  Hmmm. 

So much to do, and so little time.