Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff, ... I'm Coming to Your House

Dear Family and Friends,

As you read this letter, I want you to remember two-weeks, three months, and one-year.

A few years back, folks working for these United States started recommending that citizens keep a two-week supply of food and other necessities on hand for a disaster, after Katrina, a disaster that everyone knew would happen, happened.

I remember seeing the folks stuck at that stadium, quickly running out of water, food, and toilet paper. Everybody was outraged.

But, the government had told us; we should expect to be on our own for up to three days.

The government didn't count on a disaster like Katrina. Roads were littered with debris. Debris that quickly made travel impossible for over two weeks, in some areas, so the federal government learned the lesson and changed their recommendations to two-weeks.

But some folks suggest we store even more food.

The Latter-day Saints suggest their members store a three-month supply of food and other necessities. The Mormons suggest this for a couple of reasons.

Their religious leaders know that disaster can strike at any moment, and it doesn't have to be a hurricane. The disaster can be very personal such as being laid-off, unexpected illness, or death of the major wage earner in the family.

The Mormons also know that disaster can be wide spread and long. Sectarian violence, economic collapse, and ... are some of the disasters; their members have had to survive.

But

Storing three-months supply of food is a recent suggestion for the Latter-day Saints. They use to require a one-year supply of food and necessities, and this is what my family stores.

We have enough food set aside to feed my family for one year, maybe two, if we watch what and how we eat. We have stored hard-red winter wheat, white rice, various kinds of dried beans, popcorn, and some freeze-dried veggies, and we have a year supply of multi-vitamins for me, my wife, and the kids. If we can, we will supplement this food with vegetables from our garden, eggs from the chickens, and fruit from our trees.

but,

When I talk to you about the coming difficulties, you ignore me. I suggest that you and your family start storing food, slowly, just like my family.

but,

You always have an excuse not to buy and store extra food for your family. "The kids need new clothes; Christ's Mass is coming; or I need a new car, computer, television, phone, and ..." or "My partner won't let me!"

Then last month, we were talking and you said "We're coming to your house during the collapse."

I regret some of the things I said to you, but you're still not invited. I don't care that your partner is a nurse.

Will she bring bandages; drugs such as antibiotics, vaccines, and painkillers; and knowledge of how to treat gunshot wounds, dysentery, and a host of other medical problems that are found in the Third-World and on the battlefield?

Even if she knew how to do all this stuff, what food will you eat? Will you and your partner take food from my mouth, my wifer's, or my childrens' mouths? because there is no 'extra' food.

Lastly, who else will come with you? Her mother and father? sisters and brothers? friends? How about your children?

A one-year supply of food will last one year, for one person. For two people, it will last six-months. Four people, it will last three months, and 12 people, a year supply of food will only last one month.

There's more but you get the idea because ...

Family and friends are expecting to show up at your home to be fed, even though; you have talked to them about the coming troubles and the need to store water, food, have a means of protection, medical supplies, and ...

They need to be told, in the harshest manner if need be, that they must contribute to their survival because you are responsible for your family and they are responsible for their family.


PS
I apologize about the lack of informative weekend articles with pictures, but I am behind on some stuff. I will try and get some stuff out, this week's end.