A lot of people have a tendency to think of Emergency Preparedness as something that isn't necessary for "us". We live in a comfortable world of public utilities, ready access to food, water, fuel, electricity.... and the comfort of knowing the police and military will keep dangers in check.Until something happens to put a crack in our illusions. It may be a longer than expected power outage, a water main break, or even a terrorist threat. THEN people start thinking about how to provide for themselves and their family in case of an emergency. Whether there is a storm that...

This weekend the main waterline into town broke. A state of emergency was declared, the fire department set up port-a-potties and water distribution at the Community Centre, and there was overall a lot of worry about how to cope with the sudden and unexpected water crisis. I already have a post on Emergency Preparedness Basics which you can read here, but today I'd like to talk specifically about how to function when water is scarce.Store 2L of bottled/drinking water per family member per day for 3 days. A family of 4 would need to have 24L of water stored - that's...

I was preparing goldenrod flowers to infuse this afternoon when my neighbour stopped in.  He asked incredulously "WHAT are you doing with THAT?"  I explained that Goldenrod, although it has an unfair reputation for causing allergies like ragweed, is actually a superherb when it comes to muscle pain.  Just rub a little of the flower-infused oil into sore, cramped, injured, or spasming muscles and the relief is immediate.  He didn't believe me.  Lol.  His reaction isn't unusual actually.  As soon as I mention Goldenrod people turn up their noses and tell me they're allergic.  Which is a sad state of...