ok. i read the posts about smallpox, and i believe only the russians and the us. have any smallpox that was stored..... are u all really stocking up again like y2k? i am just about done with all i had stocked up and was looking forward to having some space in the basement. i still have some dried beans and rice, and i threw out some stuff like that cos the bugs got to them, even though i stored them with the flower drying powder... i guess i am just dismayed, although i probably have enough canned foods and foodstuffs for the family for 3 months ....any comments?

-- j schlicker (schlicker54@aol.com), October 16, 2001

Answers

we pretty well always stock up to a certain extent. Living in the country and especially in the winter, we have found it beneficial. We have stocked up a lot more though with all that's happening now. I think it would be prudent for everyone to do so. We probably have 6 months of food stocked up now and plan to get more at least enough to tide us over til we can start getting things from the garden again. Along those same lines, I'm saving seed this year.

-- ugly (here@home.com), October 16, 2001.

We too keep a good supply onhand, seems there is always a need be it terrorists or just plain winter weather.A pity you had to dump some food. Try putting it in the freezer a couple of weeks before storing. We do that with all our grains and beans etc. We have had no bugs so far{ I still am using up our Y2K stuff} and it does not seem to affect the food at all.

-- Judy Schumacher (TootlesTheBrit@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

With what we grow in the garden and what we raise for meat, we can just about feed ourselves for a full year (two people!). I also have miscellaneous store-bought canned goods on hand, about 2 mos. worth. About the only things we would have to run out to restock would be personal stuff. Our problem would be my son's famiy of five...they don't garden or raise anything. Well, there goes most of our supply!!!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), October 16, 2001.

We are stocking up. At this point, I am aiming for 6 months worth (including things like shampoo, dish detergent, etc.), also stocking the first aid kit big time in the event we need to nurse at home due to some sort of quarantine, etc. We just moved to our new homestead so no garden this past year, but I did buy bushels of tomatoes, apples, and peaches and have them all canned. Will need to buy the rest. Also shopping for a generator, a way to store gasoline (in case our gasoline supply is shut down). We have the new chicks about ready to go to the hen house. Also in the market for a cow or goats (probably will go with goats due to the cost of feed & hay -- I think we would be better off if we need to cut back).

I am no doomsdayer, but I have a bad feeling about all that is going on in the world lately. I really believe the WTC disaster is ushering in some bad days ahead. I think a major attack on Isreal is inevidable and we will then be forced to send troops to defend Isreal -- the other Arab nations will fight -- our allies will be forced to defend -- WW3. I have faith in God, but I also see that God gives insight to us and when we see hard times coming, he has also given us the resources to get ready.

I do it not so much out of fear, but the fact that I have a family (7 of us - including 2 elderly people) to take care of and we have other family and friends who I know will not be prepared (just can't believe it will all really happen) and we will need to help them too.

After we accomplish our 6 month plan, we will go for a 12 to 18 month plan. I doubt we will ever be at a point to go for 24 months.

I am very thankful that we had the courage to go back to the land at this point in our lives. Everyone thought we had flipped a lid and we got some pretty severe criticism when we moved from sunny Florida to VA mountains in the middle of nowhere in our 50's. They can't imagine being 15 blocks from a Walmart let alone 15 miles!

Another good thing that has happened that my oldest daughter and her husband have "seen the light" and are now interested in homesteading and are selling thier house in Florida and moving by us. I am so thrilled but seek your prayers for the sale of thier house and a job for my son-in-law. I thank you a million in advanced!

I think we need to keep our heads, not panic, but... dig in!!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), October 16, 2001.

Good luck to your daughter and son-in-law, Karen!! I can only hope that my son "sees the light" someday :-)!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), October 16, 2001.

J, I try to keep extra food and grain and hay on hand for the winter months. You never know what the weather is going to do here in Kansas, so I try to be prepared. I put Bay leaves in my flour and pasta and rice and beans to keep the bugs out. I have done this for years with great results. I went out and restocked the pantry after the WTC attack. I too, have a bad feeling about the whole scenerio.

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), October 16, 2001.

Me too. Am awfully anxious for June to roll around, when we'll finally make the move to our land. My little pantry is about bursting, but I'm still buying nonperishables every week. Gotta find some 5 gallon plastic buckets. I'll probably end up moving all of this cross-country, but that's okay too. Thanks for mentioning first aid stuff. Hadn't thought of that. Duh.

-- witness (carlalee@hotmail.com), October 16, 2001.

i got some pickle buckets at the steak and shake. other places use them too. they are great for putting dried stuff in

-- j s (schlicker54@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

Try the Wal Mart bakery for sealable food grade buckets. For small stuff I use quart canning jars. Never had a problem with bugs.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

Am I suffering from Deja Vu? Didn't we just do this preparation stuff 2 years ago? We don't have nearly as many provisions stored away as we did back then, but I learned enough and can feel the need enough to start doing it again. We had an entire room of our home loaded with all kinds of things to get us by for 6 months. The sense of contentment with that was wonderful! At least back then I had a year to plan and gather....don't know if I'll get that same year again? I'll do my best, that's all I can do! Right? Harmony

-- Harmony Bullington (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), October 16, 2001.

We are always pretty stocked up, but I do find myself thinking even more that way again. I need to get more stocked on Dog food and that sort of thing. And water. I always seem worried about having enough water. I am shooting for at least 6 months too. We have enough grains and stuff for a year.

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

Yes, we have stayed as stocked up as possible, and it sure helps when the power goes off or we have ice storms. I, too have a bad feeling about this series of events and what may be next. The sensible principles of homesteading; learning how to do more oneself, reusing, inventing, growing one's own, becoming more self-sufficient- all these and more should stand us all in good stead, and hopefully we can reach out to others, too. Please consider getting some KI- potassium iodide http://www.ki4u.com/WHO/guide_contents.htm

especially for children, in case of fallout from a nuclear explosion somewhere in the world. I sure hope it won't come to that- but this is a good protection for the thyroid from throid cancer caused by radioactive iodine in fallout.

Take care, all. I'm glad all you sane people are out there living good and decent lives.

-- seraphima (gardener@com.post), October 17, 2001.

Hello J, Stocking up has been a way of life for us for many years. This time is not different than others. We have stocked up for hurricanes, (when we lived in Florida), Y2K, and other natural disasters. This situation over in the middle east should not be considered a reason to stock up. We are more apt to be struck with a natural disaster than anything else. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), October 17, 2001.

I never feel secure in the winter unless I have the cellar full. In the past few years, I havent felt so secure. I feel pretty good this year, except for the fact that if the electric goes off when temps are above freezing, we could lose a good bit of meat.

Now, if I could only rig up some kind of nuclear fallout shelter around here...

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), October 17, 2001.

Yes.....Yes.....Yes..... I have about 2 years worth of food, non hybred seeds, herb plants and vitamins plus solar lights and rechargeable batterys. I have researched home remedies for smallpox anthrax, plague and the flu. If anyone would like I can share what I have found out. I have located good alternative and main stream health sites. The main stream medical had pictures and details of baby delivery etc.

-- Lynnda (venus@zeelik.net), October 17, 2001.

I just went ahead and posted some information under the post "is smallpox next" I will post the websites of the places I found information that was helpful when I get to my other computer, later today. I would rather be over prepared than arrive at the store when the last can of food goes out the door with someone in a gas mask....and no I didn't buy any of those. :)

-- Lynnda (venus@zeelink.net), October 17, 2001.

Anyone that thanked me you are most welcome. Here are some sites that I found lots of helpful information. Also colloidal silver may help with anthrax and some of the other things, as Beta Glucan too. Plauge may be kept from your home by contolling rats/mice and fleas. There are battery operated/power sonic devices for rats and bugs both.

http://www.holisticonline.com/herb_home.htm http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.aspPageType=Article&ID=77 3 http://www.justpeace.org/nuggetsindex.htmhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlin eplus/ency/encyclopedia_A-Ag.htm http://dmoz.org/Health/Alternative/Folk_Medicine/ http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2603/0005/2603000564/p1/article.jh tml http://www.zetatalk.com/thub00.htm United We Stand

-- Lynnda (venus@zeelink.net), October 17, 2001.