Get to know your neighbors.

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Getting to know your neighbors is perhaps one thing that we do not see too much written about with regards to Y2K. And to me, it makes good sense to do this anyway, regardless of Y2K. This isn't something you will find on the various preparation lists. It is important though.

Consider that we cannot possibly become experts in all things. The worse Y2K hits, the more we will need to depend on each other. That means the people nearest you: family and neighbors. I have long posted that knowledge and skills will be of great importance, just as they are now, and always will be. In the context of Y2K, this means filling in any gaps that you may have by dealing with others who have the needed skills and knowledge.

If you do not have any medical training, for example, and do not have the time or inclination to learn, at least find out who in your neighborhood has these skills and get to know them. I don't necessarily mean becoming best friends, but at least know each other's first names and some general stuff so that you could comfortably approach one another if you need to.

Sometimes we see or read one line that really hits us. This happened with me a year ago when I read that "Lone families will not survive" on the y2kchaos.com site. Is this true? It depends on many unknown variables, including just what the severity of Y2K will end up being. But the point is that this line struck me as making sense in the context of knowing who the folks around you are, and letting them know who you are, and what skills or knowledge you each have.

Some disagree about telling others about Y2K since they feel it may come back to hurt them later. Even if you feel this way, I think it still makes sense to know who is living near you, regardless of if you discuss Y2K with neighbors or not. You may be the one that needs a neighbor.

Another benefit to getting to know your neighbors is that you may find that you are calmer in your preparations and in general. If you feel overwhelmed by Y2K, and are trying to develop new skills as part of your preparation, you know what I mean. So why not let an informed neighbor pick up the slack where you are not able to. This will also allow you to concentrate on some of your other preps. We are in this mess together, and together we must remain to get through it as best we can. Share the burdens and the rewards.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@com.net), April 12, 1999

Answers

Good post. You are 100% correct. You need to know wether to shoot or not! Think about it.

-- SCOTTY (BLehman202@aol.com), April 12, 1999.

We will handle that Kipling style, I greet, she waits or she greets I wait. hands go above the shoulders and the person being greeted dies.

or, touch nose ......

or, touch knee ......

or,.....

Chuck

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), April 12, 1999.


Rob,

Another thoughtful post that I almost missed.

The neighbors I am meeting in my new community are, for the most part, not only genuinely nice people, but they have shown themselves to be much more generous and helpful than I would have expected. To welcome a "City Kid" to a small-town this way is heartening.

Some of the things I had planned to prepare for are not even going to be needed, as my neighbors are "showing up" in my life, presenting themselves with gifts of their skills. One is a master gardener, who shows up with seed trays. Another has a small company that sells organic sprouts, and is giving me the rich waste products for composting, and so on.

It's a very important concept for people to begin to consider, if they haven't already:

What can I do to contribute something to my community, now and into the millenium?

If we all answer that question and act on it, the benefits will multiply. One can envision old-fashioned barter exchanges, neighborhood block parties with new purpose.

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), April 15, 1999.


Sara: I was glad to see that someone actually read this post and found it worth a serious response. I guess I never know when starting a thread if there will be interest by the Forum in the subject. The lack of response on this one is an example, until I saw your response.

Anyway, to some extent you hit the nail on the head with what I was trying to get at - with them showing up at your door to help and as a result you don't need to feel so overwhelmed by taking additional things on. Building community is something I have been active in, as you probably know. since I think that it will ripple and help to make us all better off later. It will have some positive effects even is it is done one neighbor at a time.Thank you for your response, you have started my day off on the right foot!

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@com.net), April 15, 1999.


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