Dear Jennifer:

How are you doing? I've been sick with the flu since Monday. Feeling quite a bit better today, though.

Since I talked to you last weekend, this letter has been on my mind. I'm going to keep it really short, will you do me the courtesy of reading it? I fully expect you to laugh your ass off, but I feel I must clarify my situation here.

We have worked very hard here for the last year to prepare ourselves for major, long term disturbances (lasting at least 2 years) in the economy. My plans include provisions for Pam and myself, my two kids, Dad and Mom, and two extra slots.

Those extra slots are filled by Brian's lady friend and her little girl. I do not have supplies to take anyone else in.

Bluntly, if we in ANY way figure into plans of yours as a place to seek refuge (as you put it, sleeping in the shed), I need to know. I also need to have a small amount of money to spend on basic grains and soy to keep you fed.

How much? For $60.00 per person, I can buy enough of that type of food to feed one person for 18 months. This is not high grade, triple cleaned grain, it is straight off of the harvester (except for soy meal, which is ground). If nothing happens, I feed it to my animals.

I've taken big risks on this, which I felt were justified to protect my family. I won't risk my kids to take in anyone, even blood kin, who have chosen not to prepare. Enough said.

Let's all hope that this time next year, you can razz me unmercifully about this. I would far rather spend many years trying to live this whole thing down, especially this letter, than be correct.

I am sending carbon copies of this to David and Jeff.




-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 05, 1999

Answers

ARGHHH!!! 5:30 AM formatting problems!!! Chuck, if you see this, you could delete that first abomination.

Sorry, folks, try again.

Dear Jennifer:

How are you doing? I've been sick with the flu since Monday. Feeling quite a bit better today, though.

Since I talked to you last weekend, this letter has been on my mind. I'm going to keep it really short, will you do me the courtesy of reading it? I fully expect you to laugh your ass off, but I feel I must clarify my situation here.

We have worked very hard here for the last year to prepare ourselves for major, long term disturbances (lasting at least 2 years) in the economy. My plans include provisions for Pam and myself, my two kids, Dad and Mom, and two extra slots.

Those extra slots are filled by Brian's lady friend and her little girl. I do not have supplies to take anyone else in.

Bluntly, if we in ANY way figure into plans of yours as a place to seek refuge (as you put it, sleeping in the shed), I need to know. I also need to have a small amount of money to spend on basic grains and soy to keep you fed.

How much? For $60.00 per person, I can buy enough of that type of food to feed one person for 18 months. This is not high grade, triple cleaned grain, it is straight off of the harvester (except for soy meal, which is ground). If nothing happens, I feed it to my animals.

I've taken big risks on this, which I felt were justified to protect my family. I won't risk my kids to take in anyone, even blood kin, who have chosen not to prepare. Enough said.

Let's all hope that this time next year, you can razz me unmercifully about this. I would far rather spend many years trying to live this whole thing down, especially this letter, than be correct.

I am sending carbon copies of this to David and Jeff.

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 05, 1999.

I think you did good. It takes guts to do what you have done. My only criticism is that you only asked for $60. It should have been at least $600. Good Luck! Taz

-- Taz (Taz@aol.com), November 05, 1999.

Mushroom, for whatever it's worth, that's a pretty cool line you wrote that many of us can relate to....

"I would far rather spend many years trying to live this whole thing down, especially this letter, than be correct."

I believe it was Voltaire who said that language is a very difficult thing to put into words. You've done it well because they issue from the heart. I hope your sister hears them.

There are some on this board who are so eager and willing to play fast-n-loose with the well-being of their fellow citizens in the interest of being polly "right." They traffick in the most dubious of currencies, being mockery and ridicule. If that isn't the height unutterable conceit, I don't know what is. As if preps were a sin.

Do whatever you can to prep for the sis, regardless.

-- (resigned@this.point), November 05, 1999.

Taz:

I can get animal grade grain (untreated) for less than $3.00 per 50 pounds here. $10.00 per 50 pounds for soy meal.

So, you can see that I can have 500 pounds or more of grain products per person (and there are a total of 6 kids between two of the sisters' families). Easily a years, probably 2 years supply of basic foodstuffs. Add a garden and some livestock, and we would be in good shape.

However, divide what I have now by 20 people, and I don't make it to first harvest. And I think we will be looking at things that way, next few years.

How was your vacation?

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 05, 1999.

mushroom - please let us know what kind of response you get to your letters. I put out similar, uh, inquiries, to my sisters who live in big cities several months ago... trying to find out if they had any plans to be out of the cities on rollover, and if so and they planned to come here, what supplies they planned on bringing with them to contribute. It wasn't quite worded as boldly as yours but the essence was the same. No response. It was at about the time, in March, that the Senate came out with a particularly gloomy document, and the Dept. of Commerce did a report on how interconnected this global economy is, and a few other gloomy reports. The effect on me was to just give up my campaign to email warnings and reports to family. I wish them all the best, but I just can't keep nagging them about this. I have no idea just how much preps they have done. We still talk on other family matters, but almost never discuss Y2K (an occassional URL emailed is about it).

My guess is that if relatives who are DWGI read your letter or got similar conversations by phone, they would tend to think "F**k you!!", and it would reinforce their (possible) opinion that you have gone off the deep end and the last place they would want to be on rollover is your place. [that's probably how mine think of me] I doubt it would have the probable intended reaction of spurring them (finally) into action and into making serious plans. The happy-face reports from Koskinen et. al. are flying thicker than ever. We doubters are the lunatic fringe that the FBI is warning everyone about.

Its going to be interesting.

Wonder what the long term effect will be on extended families?

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 05, 1999.

----synchronicity. was about to do my last ditch email to all my family, too, but was wondering if i should include any more evidence, but guess not. thanks for sharing that letter.

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), November 05, 1999.

Mushroom, I think your letter was a great idea. It will show them how very serious you are and MAYBE make them think twice before showing up at your doorstep just for some grain. Maybe a miracle will occur and they will think a bit more on prepping for themselves just to "show you they don't need your grain." Anyway, your idea was to show them that you mean business and either they pay up and show up or not. If we choose to help people, we are entitled to know whether they are thinking of us, their family, as their "just in case" bug-outs. (If they even give it a second thought). So this ought to start them thinking. I know so many of us are on our last dollar for prepping. The least they could do is buy some insurance.

-- Debi (LongTimeLurker@shy.com), November 05, 1999.

A little known tidbit about consuming grains when there is no way to process into the normal palatable fair...is to soak them in pure water and then let them sprout. Wheat and soybeans can be eaten sprouted and will give far more nutrition than cooking them, because it leaves the live enzymes intact.

Let's hope it won't go that far, ey?

-- OR (orwelliator@biosys.net), November 05, 1999.

Mush -

Sounds short and to the point. It is clear. If they can't part with $60 to bet on the down side then what? Can you barter with the farmers to get in what you need for them (if you are short on cash) if they don't take your offer??? I can't imagine that you would not feed them.

Also I think rabbits should be on your livestock list. You'll need alfalfa hay for them, but they don;t require much food and they 'multiply like rabbits'. A small commitment plus you get the pelts to make fur liners with. Just need some Alum and salt to cure the pelts.

-- ..- (dit@dot.dash), November 05, 1999.

Folks, I'd be SHOCKED if a check shows up from anyone. As shocked as they will be when turned from my door empty handed.

Rabbits I have. 12 New Zealands, plus materials for about 25 more cages, trade goods you know. Also, cheaper in bulk.

Goats, two bred dwarf African does, 40 Barred Rock chickens, and three young pot bellied pigs.

My parents have helped, even while sometimes being a bit mocking. They have a place. The rest, well, let me tell it to you this way. One sister and brother together make about 3 times what my wife and I do. No fuss, good for them. They have 3 children, all 14 or younger.

Neither of them carries any life insurance beyond what their companies provide them.

But they have money for hot tubs and cruises.

I'm not a Christian, but the Bible contains much wisdom. Does it not say something, somewhere, about reaping that which you sow?

I just felt the need to put my position firmly on record. I'm not and never have been much afraid to speak my mind and take the consequences.

Fare you well in the New Year

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 05, 1999.

I may have to resort to a letter like that myself. Well worded, Mush. Unfortunately, for some of us, I don't think even bold words will work. The family will still show up on the doorstep thinking that "They won't REALLY close the door on me. How can they actually do that to my children, their own blood." They will do everything possible to make us feel guilty about not taking them in, regardless of the forewarning. Best of luck to you!

-- winna (??@??.com), November 05, 1999.

Good for you! ;-). Believe me I know how hard it is to try and convice those you love - to prepare. My mom is preparing, finally - although she does not GI. I could not convince her -- soooooo, I told her that if she really loved me, she would prepare.

-- karla (karlacalif@aol.com), November 05, 1999.

Karla, Why didn't I think of that with my mother? She has done that to me many times over the years. I am going to call her and say exactly that. Thanks.

-- Cecilia Jones (tomcis@wans.net), November 05, 1999.

Folks, this one was not meant to "convince" anyone. I'm done with that.

This was cold, hard, brutal truth. No cash for emergency food up front, no room at the inn. Not when I'm expecting several years of troubles before things get sorted out even a little.

Not for the week, not for the night. If you're out of gas, park the car on the side of the road and keep on walking.........

Do I mind that they think I've lost my mind? No, I've held that honored position for a number of years now. Dedicated lunatic fringer {G}. Or black sheep, if you prefer.

Do I mind that they laugh about me in front of my daughter? Yes, a little. Especially when she agrees with me, but feels she has to keep quiet.

All I want is for them to acknowledge that if there may be a tiny element of risk, if they actually believe there is a chance of any trouble at all, to "pay the insurance premium".

Otherwise, well, I'm known for saying what I mean and meaning what I say.

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 06, 1999.

Your letter was excellent.

Nothing communicates so clearly as commitment. Your letter demonstrates the power of yours.

Have you considered making room for anyone that can work to contribute to increased bounty for all?

That's a concept that might be worked into your private plans, but not announced.

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), November 06, 1999.

Outstanding letter! Does Jennifer mudwrestle?

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 06, 1999.

Sarah:

Yes, plans include buying 3 tons of that cheap grain. That will feed maybe 20 people for one year. My business.

I'm afraid none of my three sisters are really *pleasant* people to spend long periods of time with. I'm sure they feel the same about their older brother, though. {BG}

But, extra for neighbors, to "lubricate" cooperation, to help refugees who will work and/or have skills, or for plain and simple charity. All that, though, is my choice.

Hard nosed/hearted? Yes.

King, don't know, kind of doubt it.

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 07, 1999.