Possibles

"I don't care if you go naked, take all the clothes you possible can".

                            Era (Erie) Burtis
                           Wyoming Rancher

Heading my late grandfather's advice, and knowing winter is coming, checked and repacked my daily possibles sack. A roller bag/backpack, it goes into whatever vehicle I'm driving.

Two winters ago I was in Cheyenne during a blizzard and decided to return home. Ignoring the barricades closing Interstate 25, started South. Ran off the road. The Prius I was driving won't let you turn off the traction control so I spent the next six hours in the ditch. No problem as I was prepared.

Had I been able to disable the traction control, I would have jacked up the car, put the floor mats under the driving tires, and backed out of the ditch. Might have taken a few tries but I only had about eight feet to go to get back on pavement.

That whole kit was under $200 including the thrift store sourced backpack.  

Something Lighthearted

To much politics and woes of the world on this blog lately. Here is something from my pal Hal Swift.

Springhouse Memories
Hal Swift

My Aunt Vin's springhouse was one of the best,
made of stones dug out of the ground.
Where food was cooled in a low stone tub
with the purest spring water around.

Ever now and then, in the summertime,
us kids would all disappear.
My aunt would come open the springhouse door
and say, "Any children in here?"

We'd all holler and say, "Not a one!"
then Aunt Vin would come on inside.
She'd look around at all the food in there,
and her face would be glowin' with pride.

There was rhubarb pies she'd baked last night.
There was butter she'd churned last Monday.
Iced tea, lemonade, and buttermilk,
all waited for dinner on Sunday.

Baskets of apples, and peaches and grapes,
each had its own personal shelf.
And, my were they good, 'cause I got to admit
I sampled a few for myself.

Aunt Vin says, "There's some fresh cookies coolin',
right now on the big kitchen table.
What I'd like is for someone to bring in some milk
that is, if there's anyone able."

 Six of us children all pleaded at once,
with voices as smooth as pure silk.
 "I reckon," said Aunt Vin, "the way that you talk,
 you'd all like some cookies and milk."

After all of these years I remember the taste
of those cookies fresh out of the oven.
And I fondly remember those days with Aunt Vin,
and the joy that she gave with her lovin'.

Being a Prepper

I admire “preppers”. Taking personal responsibility, taking measures to protect their “people”, and being aware of potential calamities are commendable. My mother, a child of the Depression was, until her mental decline, a prepper. Actually, she was an obsessive hoarder.

There is an undertone among this community that bothers me. They seemingly want a disaster, so that they will be proved right, and everyone else wrong. Gleeful anticipation of others misery and misfortune seems to be a muted theme.

We are a strong, robust country with a large portion of our populations energetic doers. We may suffer declines and reverses, yes, but the end of the world as we know it? Don’t think so. Are there scenarios that will have horrible consequences? Just think of Katrina.

The value in being prepared for adversity is much the same as being armed. Potential tyrants must recognize they can’t control everything. Would you submit to a tyrant if your children were starving? Would you, if your garden, stored food, and successful hunting was keeping them fed?

As always, your mileage and opinions may vary.