Covering the bases, Hand Tools and Lanterns

Good morning everyone, and welcome back to Coverin the Bases! It’s great to be back with you this morning, and we hope all is going well! Thanks for coming, Deb and I appreciate it!

First off, let’s get started this morning by saying once more how great all you people are. The response in regards to our “little project,” has literally exceeded our wildest expectations! Why? That’s simple enough…you, our readers! Once more, thank you all!

That being said, we are now faced with a few challenges, or as I like to say, “growin’ pains.” Again, if you look at my picture at the bottom of our column that would seem like the least thing I’d need to be experiencing…more growing pains! Thankfully though, these aren’t the type I’m speaking of.

We’ve decided, along with Miz judi and Mr. Brian of CFP fame, that we are in need of our own site. No problems with Judi or Brian in the least, this statement made only for the naysayers out there, but simply we’re growing at a pretty decent clip. The CFP and our new site will be using links to drift you guys back and forth…a joint venture, if you will.

Those two, have literally been the foundation and the expertise in this endeavor, Ridin’ Out the Recession, and Coverin’ the Bases as well. Without them, this never would have been envisioned, much less become reality. Simple and true! Deb and I can’t thank you guys enough, and I know you both already know this to be fact. Judi, Brian…we love you guys!!

What we’re in the process of doing is not only starting up a site, which Judi, Brian, and the CFP will be involved in also, but we’re also looking at different options we can bring on board that will help us all in our goal of #1, Ridin’ Out the Recession, and #2, Coverin’ the Bases in regards to this.

We’re going to be bringing you guys video access to things Deb and I have done around our place to help insure our family’s best interests being taken care of. We’ll be just showing you our place as well, how we live, and sharing some of our stories while so doing.

We’ll be bringing you video of planting, and caring for our garden, finishing our chicken pen, possibly building a smoker to cure meats, etc.

Then what I myself consider being very, very helpful to you readers who don’t know how to home can your meats, vegetables, and kudos to Miss Bonnie, Hey Bonnie, even showing you how to can cakes and sweetbreads.

I know when we were first learning to can, I’d have really appreciated video of the “how-tos” in this regard! Deb and I both just really feel this will be very beneficial to all. Of course we desperately want you guys to all continue contributing as well, nobody “knows it all,” and heck I’m been professing I don’t know a whole lot since we all first met!

You guys never forget one fact! This being that Deb and I both, consider each and every one of you…family! Without you this won’t work, and since day one I’ve expressed that to you all as well!

You all are most welcome to come in and see us anytime you’d like, and even to the extent of if in our “neck of the woods,” please give us a shout ahead of time, and literally come by and see us! Bring money, but will accept goats, rabbits, chickens, veggies, soap, or fuel! (Thank ya Rick!)

Please comment to us in regards to growing our site, the videos, etc. We’d like to hear from you guys and see what you think about it. Thanks again!

Let’s get back to the checklist Deb and I use for our personal gratification in facing tough times.

<h3>Handtools:</h3>

These were high up on our list as “must haves.” Now living off the beaten path like we do, most of this we already had…kinda.
Hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, an ax, machete, post hole diggers, shovels, files, hoes, etc. we had on hand. So what else did we do in this regard?

Well, I bought more of each. We now keep 3 shovels, 2 eye-hoes, 2 axes, 2 wood splitting mauls, 5 machetes, 2 hatchets, 2 sledgehammers, 2 garden rakes, 2 sets of post hole diggers, among others. ALL with extra handles!

We have several, and I do mean several, different types of handsaws, crosscut saw, utility knives, carpentry squares, tape measures, hand drills (Non-electric), brace and bit, drill bits, etc.

A large quantity of nails, fence staples, screws, nut, bolts, etc. Tire repair kits.

Barbed wire, field fence, tie wire, rope, tarps, fence pliers, fence posts, PVC and fittings, etc.

We’ve put up plywood sheeting, lumber from 2×10’s down to 1×4’s.

Zip ties, screen repair kits and screen, hardware cloth, gloves, clamps, etc.

Now once again, we live out on some property and literally there’s often something to be repaired, or a new project going on from time to time, so we did have a lot of this on hand, we just added to it some.

Everything I just named are all non-electric items.

We do have chainsaws, welder, air compressors, drills, grinders, etc., that all run on gas or electric as well, but we’re covered pretty well in the advent of no power.

In regards to these things…use your own discretion. You know what your situation is, we don’t. I’m just trying to get you to understand that in times of living without power, stop and consider a few hand tools of the non-electric variety.

One other trait we’ve picked up is cleaning your tools up prior to putting them up for any length of time. I’ve always been pretty much a stickler in this regard, but I’ve learned that I can do it even better now. We’ve started using on our tools, shovels, hoes, right down to our saws, a product put out by Napa. It is Napa Chain Lube, and it’s the best protectant I’ve seen in this regard. Spray it on, wipe it in…good stuff!

<h3>Oil or Gas Powered Lanterns:</h3>

We kept these on hand pretty much ever since I’d left my parent’s house at age 46. Been on my own now ‘bout 8 years or so…shoot I didn’t have no need to go off, Mama cooked just fine! I wish I’d stayed with Mama till I was 46! I’d been much better off financially today if I had!

No, but honestly if you were a young guy from down south in the late 50s or early 60s…you had a lantern of some type. Shoot, that’s what I used to want for Christmas…that is till I got old enough to “run” them Bars for awhile! Four or five years of that, and all I wanted for Christmas was… some teeth! Still needed my ole lantern though, so I could see to put em back in my mouth! Jus pickin’ at ya! I still can proudly say I have all MY original teeth…almost!

We were talking about lanterns, weren’t we?

I keep two of the Coleman dual gas lanterns (will run on un-leaded gas) on hand at all times…still in the box. We must have 8 or 10 of the cheap, oil burning or kerosene burning lanterns. They are the old single wick, non flame adjusting type, but…they produce light.

Don’t make the mistake of just buying the lanterns. I bought probably 45 wicks for the cheaper lanterns, and probably 25 wicks for the two Coleman Lanterns, along with 3 pump repair kits for the Coleman’s as well. Always have a few of these on hand.
Candles are another good investment and Deb’s got us covered in that regard. Flashlights and batteries?  We’re in good shape with them also.

Once again, use your own discretion in your decision. You know best in regards to you and yours. Do what in your heart you feel good about, usually it won’t steer you wrong! But, without power, you must have light!

I was going to speak just a little in regards to keeping some extra medicines around, but I see Deb’s covering some of that in her Friday “Ridin’ Out the Recession,” so I’ll steer clear!! You know how them womenfolk are, are least all my fellow “gents” out there do anyway!

Thank you guys again for droppin’ in to visit! We appreciate you doing so each and every time! Please come back, and…keep your eyes open, and nose in the wind!

God Bless you all!
Dub and Deb