From: Larry
We stock up fuel for hurricane season mostly. After Katrina there wasn’t a drop of fuel on the whole coast. Never again.
Larry
**Thanks for your input Larry. There you guys is one prime example of why to stock a little fuel!
Dub and Deb
From: Pat and Mary
Hi Dub & Deb,
We read your column in the CFP and enjoy it very much. We have been trying to buy and stock up on everything we can. We have been telling our kids this for years. I don’t know about storing gasoline. I am thinking a horse will be better than gasoline. I don’t know if you have horses, but I am thinking that would be a good idea. It sounds like you are a lot better prepared than most. We have been buying extra things like toilet paper, laundry soap, etc. With fuel prices rising, it is all going sky high.
Also believe a small scooter bike would be good on fuel and easy to use. I think we need to buy some candles…. I like the glass jars that have candles in them. They are pretty safe. We have used candles a lot during Hurricane season. I am trying to think like a pioneer and trying to figure out just exactly what would be good to have. I don’t know what is going to happen, but I do sense something “Big” is about to happen. Just “feel” it in my bones. I saw you live in central Florida.
We are native Floridians….almost. I was born in Atlanta, but have lived in Florida since 1 year of age. That makes me almost a Floridian. My husband was born in Pensacola, so he is as native as you can be. Thanks for all of the great suggestions on your site. The hand pump for water sounds like a good idea. Who knows what is going to happen…. You could also use it for Hurricanes. We lived in Jacksonville for many years.
We love fishing. Lots of deer, turkey and all types of game around here. I think raising Rabbits would be a good idea. They reproduce….. well….like Rabbits …. They are so cute. We have chickens, but the price of feed corn is so high… we do enjoy the eggs. We have all kinds of fruit trees. We have a small garden, just a few of our favorite foods. Rabbits…. Taste just like chicken…. I don’t know if you are Mormon or not. We have a friend who is Mormon. She invited us to their church one time for a program regarding preparing, and storage of food for emergencies. They have a little booklet that tells you exactly how much of everything you will need for any specific number of people. You can google it and get the info on line. Mormon Food Storage Booklet. Blessings to you both,
Mary & Pat
** Thanks so much guys! You guys have got so many great ideas, and thank you so much for sharing with us all! Thanks for commenting and glad you like the column!
Dub and Deb
From: MizVonDerW
February 22nd article Hunting and fishing gear, and fuel
I headed for an excellent source of info after I read your article: my Husband! He told me there’s a product by the name of ‘Stabil’ that is supposed to extend the life span of gasoline by (about) up to 2 years. He bought it at WalMart. The Co Op here also carries it. We’ve stocked up a bit on Coleman fuel for our lanterns, and about a year and 1/2 ago started buying some extra bottles of lamp oil for the old oil lamps.
If that cap & tax goes through (the one where the $’s get taken from folks like us and make billionaires out of some of the elite) I know it’s going to irritate the peewadden out of me. When (If) electricity obtains ‘luxury’ status I guess I’ll have to go back to washing clothes in the bathtub. Whew (deep breath) it’s once again time to let go and have a chat with God……
**Thanks MizVonDer W for taking the time to stop and dropping us a few lines! Double thanks for the Stabil info. That’s what we use for our diesel treatment and it works great! Just wasn’t sure about for gas, I know it’s an altogether different type of Stabil, but we’ll be trying some! Thanks again, and God Bless!
Dub and Deb
Hi Dub & Deb,
Love your new site. Congratulations on your success. I live on the North Carolina coast and went through a series of hurricanes in the late 90′s, as well as having to “suit up” for several since then that bypassed us. I thought a few things that I learned might be helpful, as we had extended periods of time with no electricity or water:
1. Gas cookers; a gas grill or just a cooker on a stand like you can use for canning outside. Always have extra propane tanks on hand.
2. Battery drawer: I keep a drawer just for batteries and go through the batteries at least once a year to make sure they’re still good. I keep several Coleman battery lamps in operable condition.
3. Camping shower: Can put water in the bag in the morning, sit it in the sun and have a warm shower at night.
4. To prolong the cold temps in your freezer, put freezer bags of water in the freezer and let it freeze. It can also be used for drinking or cooking after it thaws.
5: Learn to use less water. We learned to survive on a gallon per person.
I could bathe, brush my teeth and flush the toilet with the same gallon of water.
6. Invest in a camping potty. Hate using them, but they are good to have in prolonged outages.
Hope these are helpful.
Keep up the good work.
With a little practice, it’s surprising how little water is required to get by on. During hunting season up here in November, my son and I can get by on 10 gallons or less for up to 6 days. That’s cooking, coffee, and normal cleaning and the toilet. You just have to be careful. After a 3 day trip, I usually have 3-4 gallons left to flush the holding tank in my trailer.
Thanks Steve, for coming by and for your info. You are right about you just have to be careful too. I hate to say it, but boy we’ve become wasteful in this country as a whole haven’t we? I believe we all need to take a step back, and contemplate our habits of just “chunkin it!”
Thanks again, and we look forward to you coming back by!