Readiness

There are many different degrees of preparedness, from the standard 72-hour kit recommended by the American Red Cross, to those who plan for survival in the case of complete social and economic collapse (often referred to as SHTF, or when the "S@&* Hits the Fan"). To each his or her own, of course, but surely there is some value in considering how to deal with various difficult situations.

From 9/11 to Katrina to the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan, there are many possible events that could disrupt utilities, transportation, communication and more. Closer to home and higher on the probability scale are situations like Hurricane Fran, or ice and snow storms that leave large numbers without power for several days.

In this post I will describe my own level of readiness for different situations. In each case I try to consider hygiene, shelter, food, water, first aid, pets and how to pass the time.

Building a path through the forest

This post is about building footpaths through the woods.

Kate and I have always been fond of walking together, and the forest is one of our favorite places to do it. We are incredibly fortunate to own a small patch of woodland, and have created trails through the woods to indulge our favorite pastime.

Our trail system evolved gradually and organically over the years, and now consists of over three miles of walking paths. Here are some thoughts to inform your own efforts.

Were I to start over on a new patch of timber, I would approach it more systematically.

A good starting point is the perimeter. Regular walks around the edge of the property help you monitor for trespassing. If the property is wooded, the perimeter trail could be a firebreak (hire an experienced bulldozer operator for that work). That will facilitate prescribed burning, as well as wildfire control if necessary. It also allows for access by a four-wheeler, golf-cart, etc. which comes in handy when you need to install a duck box or cut a tree on the far end of the property.

Next, consider the interesting features of the property. You might not have a mile-high waterfall, but perhaps there is an interesting rock outcropping, a noteworthy tree, a small stream, or a spot where wildflowers bloom each spring. Try to route your trails where they will pass by these points of interest.

I've also found that creating "loop" routes are more pleasurable than "there and back again" routes. There's nothing wrong with retracing steps, but where you have an option to circle back around to the starting point it makes for a more interesting stroll.

Winter is the time for trail construction, since the ticks, chiggers and deerflies are all sleeping. Also the poison ivy vines have lost their leaves (although you should learn to recognize the leafless vines, as they will cause the same skin reaction).

Once I've decided on a general route, I do an initial "path clearing." Sometimes that's just a matter of walking through and removing downed trees and branches by hand, other times it involves a chainsaw. When picking a route, keep in mind that gentle curves over mildly sloping areas are easiest for walking.

Next comes the somewhat tedious process of removing saplings, small trees, vines and overhanging limbs. My tools of choice are a folding pruning saw and small pair of loppers, as they are easy to carry. This usually takes several passes over the route, back and forth (you'll see things in one direction that you miss walking the other way). A mattock comes in handy for leveling out uneven areas, if you like.

Once the trail is mostly clear, we start using it immediately, and daily if possible. This is a key step in construction. It takes thousands of footsteps to define the trail, packing down the soil. It makes for a more solid and even walking surface, makes the trail more visible, and helps inhibit the growth of unwanted vegetation.

For stream crossings, keep in mind that the water level may rise dramatically after a rain. Having the ability to get a vehicle across the stream is ideal, but that could involve major expense, permits and bureaucracy. I opted for a footbridge across the main stream on our property.

During the first spring and summer I spray any encroaching brush, weeds or grass with a brush killer herbicide. I use a backpack sprayer, and it usually requires at least two applications a few weeks apart.

Once established, it has to be maintained, and the most important part of maintenance is to use it regularly. An unused trail will quickly get overgrown and become unpassable, especially during the summer.

Maintenance also consists of a couple of brush killer applications each summer, as well as clearing the occasional downed limb or tree. Passing through with a pair of loppers once each year is helpful for cutting back small limbs that start intruding.

Another thing we enjoy is naming our trails. We try to use names that reflect the place in some way, such as "Hoot Owl Trail", "Salamander Slope" or "Magnolia Firebreak".

Below, Kate is walking down the Valentine Trail, which was her Valentine's Day present one year. I staked cedar logs on the slope to make walking down the hill easier.

This is How I Grocery Shop

Over the years, Kate and I have developed a highly efficient system for grocery shopping.

Cut.

Take two.

Over the years, I have developed a highly efficient system for grocery shopping, and Kate, failing to read the fine print in the marriage vows, has been forced to humor my silliness.

Like most things in my life, it begins with a spreadsheet.

The spreadsheet contains all the items we normally and occasionally purchase at the grocery store.

The items are grouped as they are found on the aisles of the grocery store.

Seriously. I would not joke about something like that.

We buy groceries once every two weeks, and admittedly, it makes for a bit of an epic trip. Before heading out, we do a thorough review of all the items on the list, highlighting the items we need to purchase on that trip. We prepare for the event with a light stretching routine and good hydration.

We've gotten used to judging how much of each item we need to last for two weeks. That includes non-groceries like laundry soap, toiletries and batteries.

Admittedly, we shop at what some would consider the "evil empire" of corporate America. In our perhaps rather weak defense, of the grocery store options in our area it is hard to beat in terms of selection, price and quality.

If you've read this far, I expect two questions have come to mind. Why? (or perhaps WHYYYY?!!!). And secondly, How?

You can bet that we always have
ingredients for chocolate cake on hand!

My theory is that this approach saves us time and money. Unfortunately, I have no actual data to support that theory. But I can say that impulse trips to the grocery store are exceptionally rare. I can also report that we almost never run out of things. We don't run out of mustard. We don't run out of laundry detergent. We don't run out of toothpaste or sugar or chicken noodle soup or cereal. When we get low on something, it gets highlighted on the list and we buy enough to last two weeks.

As for "How", one issue is perishable items. It might surprise you, however, how many produce items will remain in good condition for two weeks. Apples, potatoes and carrots are easy. But even other items will last most of that time if carefully stored. Bananas are an exception, so I just buy a few each trip and enjoy them for a few days then wait until next time.

[Note: My goal for this year is to make weekly trips to our new farmers market].

Milk usually lasts two weeks, and we also buy soymilk which lasts much longer if unopened. In a house with children that consume larger quantities, that might be a challenge.

Most everything else can be frozen if needed. It helps that we have a large fridge with ample freezer space.

I suppose this approach would be challenging if you liked to experiment a lot with new recipes that called for unusual or very specific ingredients. In our house, Kate does most of the cooking (I'm a VERY lucky man!) and she is quite creative at using standard items in new ways. We also have several favorite recipes that we make a point to always keep the ingredients on hand (e.g. Kate's green bean casserole, which you might think, "whatever", but if so you've never had Kate's green bean casserole).

So there you have it, another of your questions finally answered. Copies of my spreadsheet are available for only $9.95 plus shipping.

Tips for Making the Most of a Hospital Stay

Now there are a million reasons you might have a hospital stay, and some of these won't apply in all situations. And my hope is that you will never have a hospital stay. But these are things I found helpful during Kate's recent visit for surgery.

1. Bring your music - It made a big difference to have our own music. Bring a portable speaker.

2. Bring a companion, or arrange lots of visitors - Nurses are amazing, wonderful, dedicated people. But they are busy. They are more than happy to bring you a cup of tea, or hand you the TV remote you dropped. But if they are in the middle of an involved procedure with another patient, it will be a while before they get to you. Having your own "personal assistant" makes things dramatically more pleasant and comfortable. And it seems many hospital rooms these days have recliners that make for reasonably comfortable sleeping if you can find someone to spend the night there.

3. Bring a notepad - You will want to be able to take notes of doctor's instructions, and make lists of questions to ask when they next visit.

4. Make sure your companion is there when the doctor visits - Doctors, it seems, tend to make their rounds early in the morning (7 to 9 am). You may be feeling bad, a little out of it, or whatever. Your companion can help make sure your questions are answered, and help you remember what they said.

5. Stop the doctor just before they leave the room - Doctors are busy and in a hurry. They may only be in the room for two or three minutes. Just before they are about to leave, say something like "Before you leave, let me think if I have any more questions" or have your companion do so. It forces them to pause and focus on you, and puts some of the control in your hands. It also helps to avoid that "I wish I had asked..." feeling that often happens a few seconds after they have left.

6. Pack a few essentials - The specifics, of course, will vary according to the patient, but consider packing a few items that will make you more comfortable, e.g. a pair of slippers, change of clothes, tea bags and hot cocoa mix.

7. Be extra sweet to the nurses - They are a fountain of knowledge, and can make a dramatic difference in your comfort and recovery.

Again, here's hoping you never need to stay in the hospital, but just in case...

On finding angels at the bagel shop

I have long pondered the question of whether angels exist. I have certainly had the sensation that someone or something was "watching over me." It may be the only plausible explanation for surviving several incredibly stupid youthful exploits.

In my mind's eye, I picture angels as the spirits of those loving friends and family who have passed on to whatever lies beyond. There is one person I often picture, someone whose love and friendship saved my life, and whose time on this earth was much too short. I also picture the playful ghosts of my beloved pups, Rusty and Shaggy, dancing around the yard with glee.

Yet I'm unwilling to rule out that it's not all just dumb luck. How else can you explain the seemingly random nature of tragedy. I am certainly no more deserving than so many others who have passed on. The idea that it's all part of some master plan defies my personal sense of logic.

But this morning I drove to Durham to pick up my wife's wallet, which she had left at the bagel shop, found that not a cent was missing, and decided that the angels have been here all along. They are in the actions of the kind staff of the bagel shop who safeguarded her wallet, and the anonymous customer who turned it in.

We are surrounded by so much suffering and violence, so it's easy to forget the abundant kindness that exists in the world. Each of us practices it everyday without thinking. We are often reminded on Facebook and in sanctuaries that we should be kind to others. But I'm convinced it's our natural tendency. I think what's more important is to notice that others are kind, frequently and excessively, because it's all too easy to forget and focus on the evil.

Are there winged cherubim flitting amongst the clouds? I have no clue, and don't mind waiting a while to find out.

But I'm now convinced that there are angels among us, and maybe that's enough.

Why I Always Decline the Extended Warranty

The short answer is "because Clark Howard says so" and perhaps that is enough said. But here's more food for thought.

An extended warranty is essentially an insurance policy. Now I'm a big fan of insurance, and in fact that's an area where Kate and I sometimes disagree (I want more coverage, she thinks it's a waste of money). But consider that the purpose of insurance is to reduce the risk of severe financial harm (e.g. house fire, car accident, expensive medical issue).

In most cases, the loss of a consumer good (e.g. laptop, cell phone, camera, refrigerator, breadmaker) is not going to cause "severe financial harm". It could cause inconvenience and frustration and perhaps a brief financial setback, but likely not severe harm.

It could also be argued that, if the loss of a particular product WOULD cause someone a major financial problem, perhaps they shouldn't purchase that item in the first place, or should consider a less expensive alternative. Laptops, for example, can be purchased for $300 or $3000. Same with refrigerators and TVs. I don't even need to mention Craigslist, ebay and manufacturer refurbished.

Now there's a good chance that, of the two people who read this post, at least one of you has benefited from an extended warranty. You paid $30 bucks for the warranty, and got a new phone for free after you dropped it in the...puddle on the street, let's say.

But think back over all the times you have purchased the warranty and estimate all the money you spent. Now compare that to what you would have spent on repairing or replacing any products that broke. I believe the data would show that the vast majority of consumers who buy warranties spend more on warranties that they would have spent on repairing or replacing broken products.

There is also the question of when to purchase the extended warranty. Do you accept it every time it's offered? The store will offer you one on everything from $15 toasters to $1500 TVs. For it to even begin to make sense to engage in that gamble (that's essentially what it is, and like casinos, the house almost always wins) one would need a criteria, such as declining it on purchases below a certain amount, or for products that are generally very reliable (e.g. TVs).

However, let's say you decide it's worth it simply to reduce the risk of inconvenience and frustration should you drop your smart phone in the puddle. You could decide that's something you'd like to insure, and that is of course perfectly reasonable.

But rather than purchasing an extended warranty, consider the idea of a "self-insurance" program. Every time you purchase something that you believe is worth insuring, instead of purchasing the warranty deposit the same amount of money in a savings account designated for repairing and replacing broken items. Over time, odds are very high that you will come out way ahead.

All that being said, I can contemplate a scenario where an extended warranty would make sense. One might, for example, require a particularly expensive item for health, safety or income production. Loss of said item might fall into that category of causing "severe harm". I'd also note that while I firmly subscribe to the "delayed gratification" philosophy, an occasional splurge that provides great pleasure or significantly enhances quality of life (e.g. a refrigerator with exterior ice dispenser) is eminently justifiable, and might need to be insured depending on specific family economics.

But probably not the toaster. Well, maybe this one.

Treading lightly, or rationalizing the vast sums I spend on gadgets and gas

I count myself among those who believe that our current rate of consumption is a path to widespread damage to the ecosystem. Thus I wrestle with the question of how to tread lightly on the earth. Should I recycle more? Stop patronizing certain companies? Buy a hybrid? For all my wrestling, it seems most of my choices fall short.

Two foot overhangs shade windows
in summer, let light in during winter

Case in point, our house is smallish by first-world middle-class standards. It is energy efficient, with passive solar features. Yet we have a bedroom we hardly use, and storage space for belongings we don't need. It's no "McMansion", but it's a bit more than 182 square feet.

I hardly ever buy an electronic device that isn't either used or refurbished. But I have a LOT of electronic devices.

Our vehicles are used and high mileage. Yet they are embarrassingly inefficient. My daily ride is a full-sized F-150, with a powerful, rumbling V-8. [confession: I love it!]

We own a small chunk of forest, complete with flowing stream. We do our best to care for it. Doing so, of course, requires equipment; two chainsaws, three lawnmowers and a string trimmer. Did I mention the small diesel-powered tractor?

If you believe greenhouse gases are causing scary and severe changes to the earth's climate (and I do), then you would certainly have cause to point a finger in our direction.

I bemoan the fact that so many of the goods I purchase (tires, toilet paper, hiking boots, the aforementioned electronics) are manufactured in far off lands by workers who may be treated unfairly and paid poorly, in factories that surely spew pollutants into the air and water. And yet I continue to buy tires and and toilet paper and hiking boots. And electronics, definitely more electronics.

I find the endless aisles of cereal and scented candles and bath towels and kitchen gadgets to be both nauseating and alluring. I have a suspicion we could turn off all the factories and have still have an ample supply of toothpaste and legal pads and patio furniture for the next decade or so, especially if we all took better care of what we have.

I've done a fair amount of paring down material possessions. And yet a certain major on-line retailer makes regular appearances on my credit card statement and once a day I peruse the Deal News website. OK, maybe twice a day. Three times max. I could certainly manage to go a bit further on the "paring down."

I do at least maintain delusions of self-sufficiency, harvesting firewood and venison from our forest.

Expense is a major barrier to living a "sustainable" lifestyle. Right now there is a wire connected to my house that runs straight to the mountain-removing coal mining of West Virginia. While I would love to sever that line, solar panels ain't cheap. Falling short, once again.

Another justification (rationalization?) is that, even if I lived in a Tiny House and drove a hybrid and ate locally grown lentils and rice, the overall impact would be the same as beating an oil tanker with a hammer. "Let's vote with our dollars and stop shopping at 'Save-A-Wad'" is a nice idea, but the companies, I fear, have gotten too big to notice.

In the end, though, I do believe that actions are important. Yet so are conversations. And creating models. And education. And raising the next generation. And the work we do with the time and resources we have. And living a life that is comfortable and satisfying, in pleasant surroundings, with good food and enjoyable pastimes, so we have time and space to rest and recharge and get back to doing good work.

And ultimately, the change we need to solve the sustainability problem is exponentially more profound than the choice between a Prius and a pickup. [Did you hear the new F-150 will be all aluminum?!! Sweet!]

And so, I will continue to buy my electronics refurbished, DVDs at the pawn shop, and cars on craigslist. My next truck will be another gas guzzler, but I will strive to make more visits to the farmers market, and fewer to the super store. And I'll continue to believe that someday, perhaps not in my lifetime, we'll have a world where waters flow clean, forests grow tall and deep, and poverty and hunger and violence are history. Achieving that goal is an unfathomably monumental task. But I remain hopeful that the small steps we take today will move us just a bit closer.