Prudy

Here are a few low-no cost things off one of my lists of things to do this month. This is a great time to gather fall leaves (often already shredded and bagged by considerate neighbors, they are so sweet to set them out for me!) for compost or mulch. Between my thoughtful neighbors leaves and a horse farm nearby, we'll be able to blanket both gardens with compostables and have a nice pile for spring application too. It doesn't take much effort or $$ to make or repurpose something to make a cold frame or cloche for winter growing. Start seeds for long season things (onions, some herbs. Bring plants inside or start some to improve indoor air quality.. the increase in oxygen and air filtration is crucial for times when getting fresh air is difficult. Split firewood, gather kindling bundles, make firestarters (paraffin dipped pinecones dyed with candle stubs are my favorite, or the dryer lint/wax in egg carton trick). Plant or divide perennials/fruit trees Put up storm windows, film sealant(for windows that don't have storms), more insulation and caulking to reduce heat loss, put up heavy curtains on some windows. Put down winter rugs (we go with bare floors in summer, but would freeze in winter without the rugs). Mending (sigh, I hate mending, but it needs to be done). There are loads of things to do that only take time and a minimum of expenditure.

If the word "expedient" is in your everyday vocabulary, even for non-prep conversations such as: "What's for dinner?" "I made an expedient potpie with some canned venison with leftover vegetables, and a crust made from last nights leftover baked potatoes (mashed) topped with chopped wild garlic". Double points if your kids use the word "expedient" as well. "Mom, Jimmy took one of the sponges I was using for an expedient doll bed, make him give it back!". If you can't leave the dollar store without another pack of 50 sewing needles. Double points if you have tested the kiddie glow bracelet multi-packs they sell at the Dollar Store and discovered they are only good for 3-6m after purchase... but still have a stash in the house and vehicle anyway for rotation. Triple points if you can think of 10 ways to use them besides handing them out to children to play with, and temporary trail or caravan marking is one of them. If you would LOVE to own a live-trap. (or own several). If you have an "if then" list for when the power goes out to determine if this might be "it" or not. If you have tried evaporative cooling with pottery/terra cotta bowls. If you have salt designated for dehumidifier use if the power goes out in summer. Actually, if you even know that this one means... you're bound to be one. If it pains you to get rid of an old fridge, if you've tried to talk your significant other into turning it into either smoker or root cellar before giving in and letting big trash day or scrappers take it. After all, there will be lots of them available "after". If you own the book.. "Where there is no Doctor" (or "No Dentist" etc.). If you have printouts of emergency childbirth instructions in your Franklin Planner.. "just in case".

If your lawn remains weedy, because you view dandelion, violet, plantain, white clover and wild strawberries as emergency rations or medicine. If you tell your neighbors it's to provide a better ecosystem for crickets and keep dangerous chemicals out of the environment to keep them off your case. If you have transplanted violets or wild strawberries. If you have ever toyed with the thought of making an expedient greenhouse from your children's play set and visqueen. Double points if you already have the visqueen and appropriate fasteners. If you know three or more ways to make an expedient cook stove out of things you'd find in a dumpster. If you get excited when you hear the words "Rocket Stove".

Inside the toilet paper holder (rolled and tucked inside the spring) Inside a gasket put around the pipe under a sink (works best inside a cabinet under the counter. Inside photo envelopes full of pictures. Inside balloon valances. Put in a plastic zippy, blow full of air, seal and stuff in the valance. Under a closed window sash. Truly safe would be hollow out a groove, seal with a metal strip, close and then paint it shut. Inside the lining of an old baseball style hat. The brim is usually lined and rigid. Cut the lining, put whatever it is inside the brim, super glue shut. Sweat stained is good. Inside the mechanical part of an out dated printer in a storage area... lots of room to hide stuff and no self respecting robber would touch it.. and a metal detector would go off anyway. Any wretchedly out of date electronic item would serve the same purpose.

If you can spot another one by their freecycle posts. Like the guy who posted: Wanted old tube style CB/Ham gear. or the gal who posted: Wanted hand crank grain grinder. Or the guy on craigslist who wants to barter his homebrew biodiesel for junk silver coins, firewood, wood stove pipe, laying hens or solar equipment. He might as well have just put out a sign. LOL! Come to think of it, he probably was... most "prepper" types aren't quite so transparent without cause. LOL, cookiejar. Hurricane preps are a pretty smart thing to have. I know what a den mother is. I am one. I have bags of rice and buckets too......

LOL. If you know how to sharpen a knife on an old coffee cup. If you have ever tried to keep cheese via the vinegar/salt method. If you know that dehydrated cottage cheese is even possible. If Mountain House means something besides a chalet to you. If you can think of more than 10 expedient uses for styrofoam meat trays. If you thoughtfully decide to not store styrofoam meat trays because if TEOTWAWKI happens, they'll be easy enough to come by. If you could survive being stranded in an office sky-rise for a week without more equipment than you normally have on your person... double points if you'd be fairly comfortable and make lifelong friends in the process. If you habitually notice things like cattails, daylilies and ease of harvesting while driving, just in case you are ever hungry enough. If you freeze your bags of beans, rice, flour and grains as soon as you get them. If you weigh the merits of salt and pepper packets versus shakers or s/p in baggies for BOB. If you know of more than three ways to use pool bleach, one of which goes bang. If you hate camping but have gear anyway. If you think it's funny that some survivalists call themselves "preppers" because they don't want to be associated with the kind that is anti-govt... double points if you've thought of another term for yourself that is even more innocuous. (cheapskate stocker-upper, oldfashioned farmgirl, hermit, etc..). If you don't actually have a large family, but offer to babysit your nieces and nephews when making a huge grocery run to give that impression. If you have ever fantasized about security shutters.

You have looked at Google maps to see where the bodies of water are near your house, driven by to see what access looks like, and prioritized which ones are easiest/safest to get water out of and/or fish in. You have food in your pantry for people you rarely speak to.. including things you know they like to eat but you do not. You like estate sales because the elderly tend to have canning jars/kerosene lanterns/hand tools/wool blankets/sturdy utensils etc. You don't homeschool, but you have a tote full of school supplies and curriculum anyway. You make an effort to befriend anyone you happen to meet who lives near your BO route. You know how to gather water from a couple of branches and a walmart bag.

I've never made soap, but would like to and already have 5# coconut oil, at least a gallon of olive oil and 30# lard(the kind that comes in buckets) that could be used. I could probably get some goats milk from a friend too. Oh.. and I just remembered I have some liquid lanolin that someone gave me that I have no idea what to do with.. an 8oz bottle. Anyone have a tried and true recipe for a beginner that would make the most of some/all of those? I do have a good kitchen scale, so weight measurements are fine. I'd like spearmint or vanilla scent, but don't have a clue how to scent soap, so that'd be super helpful too. I'd be using the soap for hand and bath soap if that makes any difference. TIA!