Last night a storm blew through and our power was temporarily out. I calmed my two daughters down and let them know that "Mom has the situation under control". Grabbing my new oil lamp and bottle of oil, I handed them to my husband and said, "fix this". Johnnie poured the oil into the lamp and lo and behold, the oil starts leaking out of it. Could you imagine my dismay had this been 1/1/00 and I only had one oil lamp!! I grabbed another one I had from a yard sale and it worked just fine. Moral of the story, double check your supplies. Wouldn't you hate to fill up the 55 gallon water container on December 31, just to find out that it has a leak in it (my throat gets parched just thinking about it). Something tells me the masses won't be sleeping much longer; better get extras while the getting is good.

-- Marsha (MSykes@court.co.macon.il.us), August 13, 1999

Answers

This holds true for just about everything. Got a generator? Run it every few weeks, its good for it. Stored food? Eat some every now and then. Guns? Practice! And more practice!! Etc.

The increase in Y2K awareness could shoot up anytime. And when that happens, whatever you still need but don't have, you probably will not be able to get. And there will be no second chances.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), August 13, 1999.

Very good, Marsha. Another example:

Finally started playing with generator (its just as a backup to handpump). Instructions said it has no Oil filter--- but it does -- Generac apparently didn't update brochure, has now sold portable generator division to LLC. Could not get filters anywhere --- Finally found a small engines man who said "OH, Generac 5500 -- you need FRAM .... (cant currently remember number).

So NOW I'm all set.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), August 13, 1999.

Marsha said: "Something tells me the masses won't be sleeping much longer..."

I couldn't agree more.

"... something informs me that our parting moment is hand. I know it, but I know not how." -- E. Scrooge (Dickens, _A Christmas Carol_)

-- M.C. Hicks (mhicks@greenwich.com), August 13, 1999.

Yes, people shouldnt just stockpile, they should test supplies and eat the food. I know some people doing moderate preps who havent tested anything or even unboxed lanterns to see if all the parts are there. Your not prepping if you are just putting stuff in a closet or attic. Make a loaf of bread from scratch. Cook dinner on that propane stove. Do mental "bug outs" at weird times to see if you are really ready. and your bag is packed.

-- Fat Tony (FatTony@youmammashouse.com), August 13, 1999.

Thanks for the reminder, I'm going to open up a box and eat a can of peaches that's been stored for over a year. If you don't see another post from me, well, I'll see you all on the other side....

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), August 13, 1999.

Excellent point. I've tested most of my stuff, and working out the little idiosyncracies involved. For example, I've discovered the recharging Nicads via solar takes a looooong time even during the summer months here in MI. It'll reallllly take longer to recharge during those winter months!

Also, if you're new to burning wood in wood stoves, take the time to practice building a good fire. Don't wait to experiment when the event occurs (IF it occurs, which I'm it DOESN'T, buhlieve me.)

You can have all of the toys stocked up, but if you don't know how to use them or wait to find out if they're functional, you may be in for some surprizes.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), August 13, 1999.

My husband has been *testing* my stored jars of dry roasted peanuts on a nearly daily basis. Does that count?

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), August 13, 1999.

Marsha--that lamp. Hope you didn't pitch it. There's a good chance some epoxy putty will mend the leak. It's wonderful stuff--you buy it in a roll or tube; it's grey and white striped or white with a grey center. Break a piece off, knead it together, end up with a putty-like substance, fix things with it. I used it to re-cement my iron railings into the brick steps. Worked VERY well. It's really mostly for fixing leaky pipes (works for that too!), but you could mend all sorts of stuff with it.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 13, 1999.

Marsha:

Excellent notice of common sense.

We all need it every day.

This morning I purchased two used 55 gallon drums from the local junk yard.

I felt quite uneasy being there.

Have you seen the movie DELIVERANCE?

I saw those types congregating at the local rundown "office", which was a cracked glass window shelter with a telephone and a single light bulb.

I guessed this place was Y2K compliant my @$$.

There were trees and shrubs and weeds growing everywhere amongst the transmissions and wrecked cars.

I sensed I was in redneck territory, so I was willing to get my hands dirty.

I picked out two of the least rusted drums and hauled them away.

Total cost: $6.36 including Ohio sales tax. A downright bargain.

Later after work, I filled each with some kerosene to check for leaks.

One is sound; the other is not.

The important gist of Old Git's message is this: things can be fixed if you have common sense.

COMMON SENSE IS Y2K COMPLIANT.

Don't ever forget this.

People will improvise when they must, or else they will die.

Soon, hopefully not TOO soon, the herd will awaken via media reports, and then the JIT distribution system will choke.

YOU will be remembered as one who knows what to do.

Don't become prideful and arrogant in your wisdom.

Be humble and willing to help all of those (yes, even the scoffing idiots) so that we ALL can weather the coming crises.

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), August 14, 1999.