Snow Prepping
The true test of prepping is to experience what you are prepping for. So in this vein go to your calendar and mark in the March Month (where all the sales are for winter goods) that you will shop for a Kerosene heater perhaps two or more. I bought at Wal*Mart five heaters at 40 bucks each as an example. Also kerosene, which is expensive by my standards, is a bit cheaper in the summer months, as is propane. Although there are a few, believe it or not, Army surplus tent heaters that can use gasoline as a fuel. Beware! Gasoline is not for house use. Kerosene is very stable, and unless the cat knocks the glass lantern off the kitchen table there is little risk of fire hazard. No house cats.
I read in the comments section of articles about recommendations of using propane in the house. Probably the “Mr. Heater” series is the cheapest way to go and runs on the little propane cylinders you use for cook stoves, which also indicates you could check the camping supplies next summer and purchase a propane bottle camping stove.
You can of course upgrade your camping two or three-burner camp stove with an approved hose connection to a 1-gallon size propane canister. These are easily refilled/ exchanged at any drug store, food mart, gas station, etc.
Instead of becoming embroiled in physical fights at the grocery store have on hand some canned goods. Mark them with a date, and rotate them every year. You can stock up this way a few cans at a time and they keep! Butter is sold in cans as is ham, beef and such. Spam is mighty good when it is cold and you are hungry. Tell the kids it is a special treat.
There is also canned bread- brown bread that goes good with can of brown beans. Skip the unhealthy soda and candy crap. Canned peas are sweet as are carrots and of course there is canned chicken. If you have power- think about a crock-pot.
Sleeping bags are a must if the power and heat go out. If your kids still have enuresis (that is peeing in the bed) put diapers (Depends) on them. Pee will ruin a sleeping bag.
Snow shoveling is OUT. It stresses the heart muscle and you fall over. For city people you can get an electric inexpensive snow blower for about 100 bucks. The gasoline models are better but require belt maintenance constantly. If you are retired, as an example, or live back in the boonies, let it snow and take up whittling.
This short article is to refresh your memory that you can be prepared and need not rush off after the herd and have to fight in the stores for a crust of bread. I have several articles in the B2L archives that give specific advice and experience on about most any-ting you need to get your mind focused on. So while you are reading this, take a bit longer, go back in time and find an answer.
Old Timer
God Bless Mother Nature with her the bountiful snow that replenishes our reservoirs.
COPYRIGHT: 2014 Back2theLand.com, Mark Steel, February 13, 2014.