Yep, I am 73, female and alone. I want to share my journey, in hopes other older women will be inspired. The world has changed and in my opinion not for the better. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I can take care of myself. Now it was not always that way. You see when I was growing up, things were so different. Dad worked, mom was a stay at home mom and values like honesty, responsibility, family, independence, were taught and cherished.
The word welfare was a very dirty word. Pride in self and country were the norm. TV wasn’t invented yet. Party lines were the norm. The milk man delivered the milk to the house, as did the bread man, deliver the bread. There were no McDonalds or Wendy’s, or fast foods. There was no eating out. After dinner the radio was a big family activity. Board games and cards and Sunday drives were what we did for fun.The refrigerator was a funny looking box with a great big chunk of ice, that the ice man brought to keep things cold. Grandpa had to empty the water, cause ice melts, lol.
Those were the days.
Most people in rural areas grew their own food raised their own animals and had guns and ammunition. Responsibility was taught and self-reliance was instilled in us? I didn’t understand then why dad was so adamant about the government and hand outs. Actually I didn’t care. I understood my grades were important to my future, and that I had to earn things and not be given handouts. Even when young I got handouts would not teach responsibility. I learned self-preservation is my first responsibility.Somehow in today’s world that has become a bad thing.
From desiring to be responsible and dependable we have changed the wording to preppers and survivalist and society says people who prepare and take responsibility for themselves are weirdos and crazy. It is important not to buy into the terminology. The goal is self preservation. Positive thinking produces positive results.
In today’s world we have threats from so many sources. It is so overwhelming at times, if it were not for my faith, I do not think I could keep my sanity. I learned long ago a slogan that really helps me. It is Keep it simple.
So we have Biological and Chemical Warfare, wars, Isis, hurricanes, tornadoes, viruses, Ebola, abortion, floods, the Constitution being destroyed. Nuclear threats, terrorist threats, stock market threats financial threats, genetically modified food, earthquakes, riots, etc etc. Break ins, old people being beaten and robbed, be headings. So what do I do, walk around afraid, hide, retaliate. Absolutely Not!
Here is what I have done. I started with a few books and a few classes on how to survive in these turbulent times. I took my head out of the sand and stopped pretending the world was wonderful. I knew living in the city was not a good idea. As the robberies increased, I as an old lady am a target. After my class with the Mormons I decided I had to move to a rural area.
I looked at my money and made a budget. Several factors played a role here. I needed to be able to work yet not be in the city. So I searched. I wanted private secluded and not many neighbors. It took a while, maybe 6 months and I found it, Truly The Lord was watching out for me. My house in the city sold in a few weeks and I found people to build my new home. I researched and went solar and wood stove. I got a job I bought a cheap camper and lived in it while home was being built.
The next smart thing I did was put together a 72 hour kit for my car. I was traveling every weekend from the South to the North. If for any reason I got stuck in my car and had to live out of my car, my thought was,better to be prepared,and not use it,then never to have prepared at all. I went online an ordered one. Since my first kit 23 years ago, I have added and modified to fit my needs. This kit is for survival, in an emergency situation.
Ben Franklin said,”When the wells dry,we know the worth of water.I have read we can only live about 3 days without water.After my second husband died, I went into a convent to check out Religious life for me. What an experience.I learned that I wasted so much water and other resources.
I started to remember what a good older friend shared with me. He said someday we would be punished for how we wasted Gods gifts. Wow, I let the shower run way too long. I let the water run as I brushed my teeth, so wasteful. Was I concerned about water shortage,it never occurred to me. I thought it would last forever.I know better now.
I have put in a well with 2 pumps one solar and one electric. I have water and water filters everywhere. You cannot live without water. I have 2 ponds and a swimming pool. I have buried water, I have water stored everywhere. I urge you to store water, and set up a way to collect and purify water, in the car I have the lightweight marine packs of water. At 73, I cannot do or carry what I could 20 years ago.
For the first time in my wonderful spoiled life I made and followed a budget. That was a challenge.I learned I was an impulse buyer and that had to be curbed. I have lived through several terrible hurricanes,floods and a fire. I was not prepared for the aftermath. It is most important to keep a positive attitude and remember what is important to you. Things can be replaced! People cannot. I worked on the difference between want and need, It was a wonderful journey and the more I got self-discipline, the happier I became.
My list of things to work on after I got the homestead the house and the water was, to work on my spiritual self,then my physical self. Then came food, and oh my I made so many mistakes. I bought huge pails of food that I can’t lift and wouldn’t eat even if I could lift. I was following the books I was reading instead of using my brain. Over the years I gave a lot away to people who would use it. Such a waste of my money, yet many people were helped and grateful. It is important to put up things you like and eat. Equally important to have supplies in your car. I have 2, 72 hour kits and 2 gas masks in my car. Tools and a tent and emergency blanket.
Electric and storing food. I have several generators,and several freezers and many ways to heat and or cook.I have foods that require no cooking for those times when the smell would attract looters. I have a wonderful old wood cook stove, I have a gas grill with much propane stored. I have my chickens and my catfish pond,and oh they are so tasty. I have a stove that uses sticks to cook and heat water.The woods are all around me.
Remember the slogan……keep it simple, just do a little each day,relax and enjoy your life. Positive thinking, is key. I can if I think I can. A little at a time is all you can do and remind yourself ,you are more together today then you were yesterday. It is progress not perfection that we are seeking.
Medicine and first aid supplies. Do the best you can.I get animal anti bio tics which are the same ingredient s as humans. I think also getting things to boost your immune system. Just read and research and budget and do a little at a time. There are lots of articles on things that should be in your kit.For me, I have tea tree oil, colloidal silver, apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide alcohol,Clorox, Etc.like things we old gals need to poop or to not poop,lol
Let’s discuss inside and outside.
I did a preparedness program for a local safety council for Y2K. I told them the electric went down for 3 months what would they do.A women said she would get out her canned food. I said ok how would you open it. She said with my electric can opener. Really, I reminded her electric was down. She did not have a manual can opener.Just think how many people are like her.Scary Eh?
- Shelter inside and outside
- Heat and cooking,inside and out.
- Food
- Sleeping gear
- Clothing
- Light
- Tools
- Sanitation
- Personal items
- First aid
- Valuables
If my home is threatened,and I must bug out, I am prepared because I have my car packed.
Guns, and ammunition. I was fearful of them, but I know I needed them.I researched and trained and learned how to defend my self and my homestead.i got a concealed weapon permit and I carry. I put a shooting range on my property and shoot several times a week. Practice makes perfect, also I want anyone in the area to know I am armed. I hope and pray I never have to use them for anything but fun.
There are many sites and blogs and books to gather information and there is much to learn. I can’t tell you enough to keep it simple. Don’t compare, there are so many people who are canning and growing their own food and raising their own animals,and are so well-informed,that I can get depressed thinking about what I do not know.
Instead I look at what I have accomplished and for a 73-year-old I can happily say I have done well.There is much to learn but I have made it fun by making it a game an educational game.
The Lord has told us “If we are prepared we shall not fear” I have joined 2 prayer groups and am loving to be with people who love and serve The Lord. I am not afraid of what’s coming,I live one day at a time,and as I got more together I now help,others prepare and I put up things for people who will come to me for help in the difficult days.
I am 73 with a bad back problem ,arthritis everywhere,diabetics,overweight a nasty blood disorder a bad ankle and a bad wrist from a lady rear ending me. A physical mess. Got the picture????
I am going to close with a very funny story that happened to me today. One of my sons came over with his 18-year-old son and his 16-year-old daughter. I asked my son to come teach me how to use my new 12 gauge shotgun. I was concerned about the KICK it had. My grandson said well grandma you only need one shot with that gun and you will stop him and then all you have to do is get up off the floor. I could not stop laughing.
So we went out and I saw them use it but I was chicken when I saw the kick. So maybe wisdom does come with old age. I have it here in the house loaded and ready and when I look at it all I can think about is, it’s going to knock me on my rear end if I ever have to use it. I pray I never will.
I have learned I can take care of me and my neighbors because I am my brother’s keeper.
May God Bless you and May God Bless America
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