we have been doing alot of extra stocking up of food, feed, and heating supplies. my question is what is everybody else doing. we seem to have lost track of the fire to get things done. we have to work off the homestead so it seems that there is never enough time left for the important things. thanks for the help, allan

-- allan ulen (frwrfm@accn.org), August 13, 1999

Answers

Each one of us must come to our own conclusions about the seriousness of what we face. If you think not knowing what might happen means it is prudent to be prepared for the worst, then the place to start is with the basics. Those basics are water, food, shelter. Where you live and the assets you have on hand will determine what you need to do. I happen to like the word "prudent" and I live on a homestead where we normally are prepared for everything anyway. If the power goes off, I will know only because my neighbors will tell me about it. If the trucks stop running, I won't be affected because of gardens, greenhouse, and livestock.

If you need a little push look at the Back Woods Home forum at www.backwoodshome.com/forum Also look at www.greatdreams.com/survival.htm Try www.yardeni.com www.garynorth.com www.y2k.gov/text/index.html There are very many others

-- Nick (nikoda@pdqnet.com), August 14, 1999.

Another important detail in preparing for either Y2K or anything else is to know what is going on. And, if power goes out, the Internet crashes or the satellites that now provide us rural folks with much of our news and entertainment go away, or become under control of some power that doesn't want you to know something, or wants you to know only part of the picture, how will you "know what you have to know in order to know enough," as a song lyric says.

On this homestead, scanner radios are important in making sure that doesn't happen. Also, radios that are capable of short wave reception as well as domestic. And all of them are capable of running for hours on the little $20 rechargable gel-cel seven amp batteries that we now have four of.

As for scanners. I think they are a "must" in a homestead household. My reasons include the appalling lack of spot news gathering or reporting from local radio stations, which are mostly automated and woefully understaffed. In an emergency, they'd probably be off the air due to power loss for at least a short and important time anyway.

With a scanner radio, you can hear real-time your sheriff's, your emergency services, fire fighters, EMTs, 911 dispatchers, power company repair crews and a host of other sources that will keep you abreast of what is really going on and where. NOAA weather radio stations now are being even more automated than before due to cost reduction, so they can't be counted on to alert you to bad weather when you need the alert. Here in the Ozarks, in our last big storm, the NOAA weather radio was a full 30 minutes behind the weather front in its alert and descriptions. But our scanners were keeping us up to date with who was where and what roads were blocked, etc. Most areas now have ham radio weather spotters or some other group that is out there describing details and directions and telling it like it is.

There are very good scanners from Uniden Bearcat and Radio Shack (made by Uniden) at relatively low prices. Dealers and the manufacturers have lists of some local frequenies to listen to. New models coming out even allow you to program them to your locale by just entering your zip code. And almost all tune up through the 800 MHz bands the public service people have moved to. Some tune civil and military aviation and national guard frequencies too.

For short wave, Sony, Panasonic, Radio Shack and other more expensive brands will let you "tune in the world," where London, Ottawa, Berlin, Moscow, Hilversum, Stockholm, Quito, Tokyo, Bejing, Sydney and most other capitals regularly broadcast in English--without commercials or the US "entertainment" spin on the news. They give you, as Paul Harvey likes to say, "The rest of the story."

Why prepare for emergencies then not know what is going on before, during and after one happens? We don't.

Vern M.

-- Vern M. (modeland@runningriver.com), August 21, 1999.

I highly recommend listening in to www.y2knews.com, a daily news program that is broadcasting around the world important, up-to-date information on the Y2K issue. You'll need realplayer or something like that to hear it, but it's really worth it. Check the archives for Thurs., 8-19-99 for an eye-opening experience.

-- Patrice Bertke (herbalgroup@skybest.com), August 22, 1999.

Never mind what everyone else is doing, go with your gut feelings and prepare for your family. Mother Nature-or-God: gave us instincts. Only, most of us have forgotten how to feel them! If you plan and prepare for the worst-then the best is easy! I stopped discussing this issue with certain friends and family members months ago. I also mentioned to all of those persons who,I happen to love, that I am prepared to protect my children, and unless my name is on your birth certificate-you are not welcome, TheA&P ran out of meat today, only because of a minor hurricane named Floyd. Imagine!and be prepared for the worst. Thank the Lord if it doesn't happen. K.

-- k. calabro (catfish@bestweb.net), September 21, 1999.

Although my husband and I have completed our preparations, we cannot (as some forum contributors obviously can) consider turning our backs on others who might be in need. Protection of one's survival ''cache'' from able, well-warned adults is understandable, but protecting it from hungry children, or those too old or infirm to prepare for themselves is unthinkable. As for stressing our own personal supplies if we shared of our bounty during a worst-case scenario, I just remember that old story about a Middle-Eastern preacher and some loaves and some fishes. Thanks.

-- Sally Rogers (saltex@pdq.net), December 12, 1999.

Few of us would turn starving children or elderly citizens away. I hope that this forum does not give that impression. However, we do get our hackles up a bit when it comes to so-called "educated" society that loves to make fun of those that prefer to be prepared for the worst. I won't feel one bit embarrased if nothing should come of the Y2K bug. I hope nothing does. But I do feel one should protect their families first, those that are unable second; and those that are able, but won't, need to learn some humbleness. Patrice

-- Patrice Bertke (herbalgroup@skybest.com), December 12, 1999.

Sally, you obviously did not fully read-or comprehend my response. I was refering to those perfectly able bodied persons that I know, and in some cases am related to, who love to make a big joke out of y2k! Why should I take food out of my childrens, and parents mouths to feed those who were to ignorant (not broke, not stupid) to provide for themselves?! If you have the resourses, patience, and space to take care of others-God bless you! I don't! Pray nothing happens, \K

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), December 13, 1999.