from city to boondocks

[McEgg]

I don't know about everyone else, but if the middle east got ticked and refused to send oil or increase it like Bush just asked them to do(and was told where to shove it by giving up a minimal increase. It's a hop, skip and a jump from flat out denial). Summer has just started and as you know California and NYC usually have rolling brown/black outs all summer long. CA has already hit over 100 degree mark and it's only May.
They are also talking about electricity rationing and it seems like nobody is cutting back on the driving but they sure keep in complaining.

If the middle east cut off our oil, the US would come to a screeching halt.

I do not plan to go without electricity, but we have the technology to provide for yourself and still be comfortable.

Just trying to get some info on not depending on everyone else for everything you need on a daily basis. I also find it amazing how much knowledge we have lost for providing our own needs. If you HAD to grown your own veggies, would you know how?? I don't. my parents went to the store, I go to the store, everything is shrink wrapped and ready to go.

Then everyone gets mad when the spinich/beef/green onions comes up contaminated.

Thanks again for the help guys!!!!

 

[McEgg]

one of the BEST thoughts of the country is the silence.



Funny saying I saw the other day


if we were meant to talk more and listen less, we would have been born with one ear and two mouths

 

[Smitty's Farm]

We have a huge veggie/herb garden. It doesn't totally supply us w/ everything, but sure taste better than store bought. (Kind of like our fresh eggs!) We can Salsa & basil tomato sauce and freeze our green beans. We hang our onions and use them until they are gone. The rest I think we've just eaten as they matured & shared w/ neighbors & co-workers. This yr we need to be more diligent in preserving them as they mature. I hope to dry my herbs & also make herbal vinegar and oils with them this yr.

 

[ChickenToes]

I think if you live in a large open area, surrounded by fields, you may not have all that much to worry about. My in-laws free ranged their birds this way until they wandered onto the highway...at first they couldn't figure out why all those people were honking their horns.

However, I live in the woods. And swamp. And we have weasels, foxes, raccoons, skunks, rodents, and bears. Not to mention snakes. So not having a run is not an option for us. Personally, I think it all depends on where you live - woods or prairie.

 

[Davaroo]

I do not plan to go without electricity, but we have the technology to provide for yourself and still be comfortable.
You're absolutely correct. In fact, were better off now than ever before in this regard.

Just trying to get some info on not depending on everyone else for everything you need on a daily basis. I also find it amazing how much knowledge we have lost for providing our own needs. If you HAD to grown your own veggies, would you know how??

Yes. And many other things. It is a combination of having done much of it when I was younger on a farm in MN, as an adult and consistent information gathering.

However, one of the hardest things to do on a small scale is produce and preserve your own grain stuffs in sufficient quantity. Look into that... corn (and cornbread) is your friend. Get a grist mill. While you're at it, get to know Milo, Millet and especially Amaranth. Sorghum is also good company to keep.

Veggies are easy enough to grow, untill you have no reliable water flow. We had a windmill driven pump - you probably should, too. But veggies are not simple to preserve without refrigeration, so make preparations there.

Learn to love the pig and goat, as well as chickens. Cows come in last place.

Everything is seasonal once you unplug. And again, when it comes to chickens avoid "free-ranging." Think "controlled foraging" - big difference.

 

[Anny]

yeah, for self substainablity!

 

[pvc coop]

Good luck to you. You have a web site where you purchased your wind generator. Also does you cell phone work out there?

 

[McEgg]

thanks for the info elderoo. We already had a well drilled so we have water. Most things we will grow, have/not have will be based on if it's worth it economically to do it our selves or just buy it from the store, how much time I can put into this(I still work), etc.

I know we have timber rattlers, copperheads, cottonmouths, redtail hawks, mountain lions, coyotes and foxes. I guess I have just answered my own question.

The property is VERY heavily wooded.

 

[McEgg]

yes cell phone works good(amazingly) and we plan on getting satellite for cable and internet. got the generator on ebay from mikes windmills.

 

[McEgg]

hey pvc coop, how did you make your coop??