Was Stranded again

My Suburban broke down again and left me stranded. I normally keep plenty of water on hand, but had let my water on hand get low. I know better than to do that, but damned if I didn't do it anyway. When it (my Suburban) broke down, I had one gallon of water.

Now, I want to clarify something here. I can be as tough as nails. But just because I am, doesn't mean I am a masochist either. If I don't have to suffer, I sure won't or don't. So I am not whining here, just telling it like it is. If TSHTF, I will do what needs doing. But being stranded ain't TSHTF. The world didn't end. It wasn't survival of the fittest. Sure being out of water was a big inconvenience, but not life threatening.

I got off my ass and limped down to the place I get water at. It's 2000' there and another 2000' back. Now when I was younger, no problem at all. But I have a cane attached to my right hand, so walking and carrying water is not a fun thing. Ain't whining, but it was an effort. I just did it.

Since it rained a lot, I collected water. I also have a creek on the far end of my land. Never been down there as it's down a steep hill. A source of water. I can always purify it. I normally keep enough water on hand and screwed up.

It's the screw ups that show you your short comings in your plan. Too many people have a vision of surviving TSHTF that I feel is very unrealistic (reading blogs and watching Doomsday Preppers). Unless you are tested and have experience, you will likely overlook many things. I have a lot of survival experience and I still screw up, never claimed to be perfect.

Actually the sky fell on me last week and seriously kicked my ass. I was shocked at how fast things fell apart. Last week was sheer misery for yours truly. My world is normally very orderly. It got turned upside down last week.

Bam, bam, bam. I had some asshole steal money from my bank account (identity theft), I was short on the repair price on my ride and had to wheel and deal. Etc, etc, etc. I won't go into all the details, but I got hit hard last week. I am now back on track, but the events put a serious hurting on yours truly. Again, I am not whining, I am telling you that no matter how hard you work to keep it together, life can come out of nowhere and kick your ass. Eventually it wins and you lose.

Because I have had some serious shit fall on me over the years, I got serious and dealt with it. I learn from such things. No matter how hard you prep, you can get kicked down in a heart beat. Never underestimate that SOB Murphy, he likes to kick you and kick you hard, especially when you ain't expecting it. I wish putting garlic by my door would keep the SOB away, but it doesn't ;-)

Now, water could be a problem here, but I got many options. I need to add more water storage. A well is too expensive right now, but the creek on my property seems to run most of the year. Need to recon it and make sure. I may build a small pond, etc, etc. Got options. But I see I need to work on this issue. Even if TSHTF, I'd make out all right, but you got to know what the problems are to fix them. These screwup show you the way.

The key is that when things go wrong, I am able to adapt and survive ( a life time of experience at it ). I consider experience and flexibility as my most valuable assets. I know how to survive in these hills. I know how and what I need to do to survive. I am like anyone else, I like living the good life with the least amount of grief. But when I got to go hardcore, I can shift into that state in a heart beat.

I can't stress that enough. The saying that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I had needed to do things and just did them (with plenty of cussing I might add ). Normally I don't like to suffer as I am not a masochist, I said that already didn't I. But if I got to get serious, I do. It's a matter of just turning off the minds BS and just doing it. So that's my take on bucking up. While I was suffering last week, I knew it would pass. The old saying “This too will pass” held me over.

I have been busy, built a garden fence, got me some baby chicks in my living room growing bigger everyday (in a clear plactic tote with light hung over it). Got to build a coop real soon. I had wanted chickens for awhile but had other priorities. Found some cheap at the local farm store. So I am adding chickens now and will get me some rabbits later on. I ain't building a farm, just a mini homestead.

I have often said I don't have a crystal ball, I don't know if TSHTF will happen or not. Or what form a collapse will take if it does happen. But I do know this, inflation is here and will get worse. I see a slow slide as highly likely (been saying that for a long time) because of the numb skulls in DC. Been saying this for years, so no need to repeat it.

So I have been hell bent on getting my garden ready, raising some chickens, etc. The more food I can produce, the less the grocery store gets. Now, because I was so hell bent, I have to admit that I wasn't paying attention to other things and got a wake up call about it. I've heeded the message and came out of my tunnel vision. Sometimes tunnel vision allows you to get things done, but often has a price attached, Just saying.

I have already planted peas, three kinds of lettuce, carrots, beets, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Kohlrabi. I planted earlier than normal because it was a mild winter. I have tomatoes and peppers started on my TT window sill and doing well. Too early to plant outside yet. So my garden is well under way now. All this stuff (planted outside) is frost tolerant if if turns cold again, but I don't think it will. Fingers crossed.

My strawberries have blossomed already. Now, I learned from last years garden. I now have a garden fence to keep most of the freeloading wildlife at bay. The dog will keep the thieves away this year. What did in last years garden was a lack of rain. I am putting together a watering system. I got a 45 gallon tote to haul water in (will likely get another), I sourced a submersible water pump ($69.95). I can hook a garden hose to it (has the fitting built in) and water my garden directly from my Suburban. Should work OK. Don't see why it won't.

On Inflation - Printing money out of thin air has so devalued the dollar, many won't be able to afford food. Me, I'll be eating cheap healthy food soon enough. That's the plan any how. Insanity in DC is the root of our growing problems. Just saying.

I could talk at length about what I see coming, but have said my peace since I've been blogging. I have been watching Doomsday Preppers and Doomsday Bunkers. Some people got it together in my opinion and other are at least trying. The so called “experts” I find to be knuckle heads and I am glad some people featured aren't taking their advice. Having a community is fine, but if you hunker down in an Urban area or burbs, expect to be over run. I got out for that reason. The burbs simply aren't defensible if TSHTF unless you got an Army behind you. You can argue that with me, but I know better.

The one thing that is apparent to me is that more and more people are aware that what is going on is rotten to the core and at some point will give. How may be anyone's guess, but prudent people cover themselves the best they can.

I'll be eating lettuce and other things out of my garden in about 4-6 weeks if not sooner. So I'll get some relief from the ridiculous grocery prices soon. Criminal in my opinion. Along with all the other nonsense I see going on. This ain't the America I grew up in.

I had many an argument about outsiders on the Down in the Hills blog. Now, I am an “outsider” here. But I get along fine with the locals. Why ? Because I am one of them. I respect them and don't bother them. Back in these hills you come in here and tell people how to live you will be an “outsider”. Word gets round. Now, I am nice to people generally (friendly even – Don't snicker), but have come out with 1911 in hand and told people to get lost. I don't take shit from people and don't give it generally, unless deserved. One fool I confronted 1911 in hand ain't liked in these parts anyway. Word gets round.

People who are “outsiders” are that because locals can spot a phoney. People who “know it all” irritate those of us who do. I mind my own business and expect others to do the same, that is the modus operandi back in these hills. Fools ain't tolerated lightly...

So in closing, while I have suffered a setback, in the great scope of things, I am still plodding along. The breakdown is behind me now, but the lesson ain't. I see I still got work to do...

Until I buy another cup of Joe or have something to say.