ALERT UPDATE-post #1- Mil officer says they're being told RIGHT NOW get food, water, & supplies

[Henry Bowman]

My grandmother used to put grains of rice in her salt shaker. She said it helped keep it from hardening into a rock.

Rice is also how to remove moisture from cell phones/electronics.

Had a cell phone drop into a sump well, 2' down. Put it in a bag of uncooked rice overnight, worked like a charm...still working today.

 

[philkar]

I'm not sure, either, but would rather be safe than sorry. We've had a lot of trouble with mold here, especially any place that's enclosed so air can't circulate. And the silica gel isn't all that expensive -- cheaper than losing a bunch of food.

Kathleen

Now I am just brainstorming here with you...wonder about those dehumidifiers that one can put in safes? They are cheap and battery operated.

 

[Freeholder]

Now I am just brainstorming here with you...wonder about those dehumidifiers that one can put in safes? They are cheap and battery operated.

I didn't know about those -- will look into them.

 

[Samuel Adams]

Samuel Adams, I have lots of thoes white plastic lids for canning jars, too, and they are great, but I don't think they seal nearly as tightly s the metal lids and rings do, and I want my salt to be sealed as tightly as possible without it being able to corrode the lids.

I tried real hard to just let this go.

Tied my hands behind my back and stuffed an old sock in my mouth, even.

No dice.

I use large mouth half gallon canning jars for my fresh milk.

Jars get deposited into a spring well, under 12-14 inches of cold water.

You KNOW there is a slight vacuum on those jars as the milk cools, and no water seeps in.
Ok, granted, I have been milking a cow, on and off since I was 12, and my forearms do show it, a bit, and when I tighten a jar lid, family whines cuz they can’t loosen it, but still.....

In my experience, those plastic lids seal just fine.

Just don’t use them for pressure canning.

 

[Freeholder]

My grandmother used to put grains of rice in her salt shaker. She said it helped keep it from hardening into a rock.

I actually used to do that, myself. The last couple of years, I've been refilling a plastic container that originally had sea salt in it, and between the plastic cap that I always close, and daily shaking of the container when I use it, I haven't had the salt in the container chunk up on me. Salt in cartons does, however.

Kathleen

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

Most people around here are baptist teetotalers. So not really much need to have liquor to barter. I've got several bottles of a few things for myself though. Have to go way out of my way to go to a liquor store.

God is good all the time

Judy

Baptist teatotalers, eh?

Well, maybe out in the country where you live...

But over yonder on that college campus (NSU), it is a completely different story.

Even back in the late 70s and early 80s, the campus was “supposed to” be dry...

Yeah, right.

I was an amateur photogapher back in the day - this was back when photographs were taken with film and had to be processed using specialized chemicals in a light tight room. I earned most of my day to day spending money taking photos for other college kids, as I was cheaper than the only professional photographer in town.

It was cheaper for me to buy largish quantities of powdered chemicals and then mix them myself. But to do that, I needed plenty of light tight, heavy, dark amber bottles to store the chemicals in after mixing.

Dark amber liquor bottles were perfect for the job.

I lived in a “dry” dorm on a ”dry” campus.

Nonetheless, I never experienced any shortage of liquor bottles suitable for the job. And I never had to use the same bottle twice.

Students would put their trash outside their door before they went to bed at night, and the cleaning lady would collect the trash every morning.

So I would just go around early Monday morning before the cleaning lady arrived, and pick suitable bottles off the top of other students trash cans.

I never had to dig to get them - there were always plenty right there on top, easy to get to and clean as could be.

There would be so many of them on Monday mornings that I had pick of the litter. And there were so many of them that I seldom even had to go to another floor of the dorm to gather up enough for all my chemicals (my dorm - Rapides - had four floors).

Teatotalers in Natchitoches?

Out in the country, maybe.

On that college campus?

 

[pinkelsteinsmom]

what part of "it was removed" by you tube
dont you understand?

Luckily, China Connection downloaded and saved it.
He loaded it in post number 131.

I thought you found it at another site, sorry!

 

[Jubilee on Earth]

My small chest freezer is now empty, and I'm thinking about turning it off and storing a lot of my dry stuff in there (cornmeal, oatmeal, bags of dried veggies, etc. -- anything that mice are likely to bother). Any guesses on how much silica gel to put in there to keep the humidity down? Avg. relative humidity here ranges from 50%-70%.

Kathleen

FYI, you can buy big packets of silica gel that are the size of large charcoal hand warmers. Know what I’m talking about? I accidentally bought the wrong size on Amazon and was pleasantly surprised to have accidentally gotten these. They’re about the size of my hand (I have small hands).

 

[Freeholder]

FYI, you can buy big packets of silica gel that are the size of large charcoal hand warmers. Know what I’m talking about? I accidentally bought the wrong size on Amazon and was pleasantly surprised to have accidentally gotten these. They’re about the size of my hand (I have small hands).

I found big jugs of the stuff -- one comes with ten fine-mesh bags to fill with the gel. I was thinking about getting that one.

Kathleen

 

[nomifyle]

This colonel potter guy has been pitching the same lines on the internet for many years now. nothing wrong with being prepared and having an extra set of underwear, but eh, recall the olympics of many years back, and or was a superbowl ???? where the 'show' was prepare! prepare! prepare! and had all sorts of symbolic garbage?

Potter makes a good living doing that. I take what he says with a big gain of salt. so if he's saying it my doubt meter kicks in.

However, speaking of candles, I buy a couple those tall glass candles at DT for a dollar most times when I go in there, plus I have a good supply of oil lamps.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[parsonswife]

Potter makes a good living doing that. I take what he says with a big gain of salt. so if he's saying it my doubt meter kicks in.

However, speaking of candles, I buy a couple those tall glass candles at DT for a dollar most times when I go in there, plus I have a good supply of oil lamps.

God is good all the time

Judy

Adding twoFire extinguishers per Helen's advice.

 

[nomifyle]

Baptist teatotalers, eh?

Well, maybe out in the country where you live...

But over yonder on that college campus (NSU), it is a completely different story.

Even back in the late 70s and early 80s, the campus was “supposed to” be dry...

Yeah, right.

I was an amateur photogapher back in the day - this was back when photographs were taken with film and had to be processed using specialized chemicals in a light tight room. I earned most of my day to day spending money taking photos for other college kids, as I was cheaper than the only professional photographer in town.

It was cheaper for me to buy largish quantities of powdered chemicals and then mix them myself. But to do that, I needed plenty of light tight, heavy, dark amber bottles to store the chemicals in after mixing.

Dark amber liquor bottles were perfect for the job.

I lived in a “dry” dorm on a ”dry” campus.

Nonetheless, I never experienced any shortage of liquor bottles suitable for the job. And I never had to use the same bottle twice.

Students would put their trash outside their door before they went to bed at night, and the cleaning lady would collect the trash every morning.

So I would just go around early Monday morning before the cleaning lady arrived, and pick suitable bottles off the top of other students trash cans.

I never had to dig to get them - there were always plenty right there on top, easy to get to and clean as could be.

There would be so many of them on Monday mornings that I had pick of the litter. And there were so many of them that I seldom even had to go to another floor of the dorm to gather up enough for all my chemicals (my dorm - Rapides - had four floors).

Teatotalers in Natchitoches?

Out in the country, maybe.

On that college campus?

Yeh, I'm talking about out in the country, most of these people never got far from home. I thank God from time to time that I didn't marry someone from around here and settle here, never going anywhere.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[summerthyme]

My grandmother used to put grains of rice in her salt shaker. She said it helped keep it from hardening into a rock.

It works!

Summerthyme

 

[Samuel Adams]

So when OP-referenced dude talks doom, it means breathe easy......all is well in the world ? rest easy ?

 

[SouthernBreeze]

However, speaking of candles, I buy a couple those tall glass candles at DT for a dollar most times when I go in there, plus I have a good supply of oil lamps.

I've got hundreds of candles plus oil lamp wicks stored away. We have 3 oil lamps and 3 oil lanterns. 50 gals of lamp oil. When cooler weather arrives this fall, we'll be adding more to our oil supply if not sooner.

We've made it a practice not to use any more electricity than we have to. One of the ways we do that is to not turn on any lights during the daylight hours, even though, our house is dark on the inside. All wood walls, floors (wood and ceramic tiles), and ceilings, but we have lots of windows. We would do fine if we had to use candles and oil lamps.

 

[Illini Warrior]

My small chest freezer is now empty, and I'm thinking about turning it off and storing a lot of my dry stuff in there (cornmeal, oatmeal, bags of dried veggies, etc. -- anything that mice are likely to bother). Any guesses on how much silica gel to put in there to keep the humidity down? Avg. relative humidity here ranges from 50%-70%.

almost any of the Big Box stores - pet department - Fresh Step brand "Crystals" cat litter - pure silica gel crystals - 8lb bag
about $15 these days (China import) >>> just poke some holes in the top portion of the bag - use like that in freezer ....

crystals will darken when moisture laden - spread the crystals in shallow baking pans - lowest heat for oven with door cracked open for moisture relief >> crystals will look slight blue-green when re-ready to use - a handful of heated silica gel in a ziplock bag will indicate any moisture by beading up & fogging the bag .....[/QUOTE]

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Adding twoFire extinguishers per Helen's advice.

We already have those on hand all throughout our house.

 

[parsonswife]

I've got hundreds of candles plus oil lamp wicks stored away. We have 3 oil lamps and 3 oil lanterns. 50 gals of lamp oil. When cooler weather arrives this fall, we'll be adding more to our oil supply if not sooner.

We've made it a practice not to use any more electricity than we have to. One of the ways we do that is to not turn on any lights during the daylight hours, even though, our house is dark on the inside. All wood walls, floors (wood and ceramic tiles), and ceilings, but we have lots of windows. We would do fine if we had to use candles and oil lamps if we have to.

Hah! I have always practiced doing things in the dark but DH turns on every light he can....it's been a battle is will for decades

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Hah! I have always practiced doing things in the dark but DH turns on every light he can....it's been a battle is will for decades

We made our decision together, but I'm more adamant about it than Cary is. We've been living with little electricity now for quite a while. We use just enough to get by with the basics. It was our plan years ago when we started prepping to one day be without electricity.

 

[nomifyle]

I've got hundreds of candles plus oil lamp wicks stored away. We have 3 oil lamps and 3 oil lanterns. 50 gals of lamp oil. When cooler weather arrives this fall, we'll be adding more to our oil supply if not sooner.

We've made it a practice not to use any more electricity than we have to. One of the ways we do that is to not turn on any lights during the daylight hours, even though, our house is dark on the inside. All wood walls, floors (wood and ceramic tiles), and ceilings, but we have lots of windows. We would do fine if we had to use candles and oil lamps if we have to.

Growing up we had no overhead lights, all lamps, except in the kitchen. LOL my mother said she looked better in lamp light. I didn't experience overhead lights until I went in the Navy at 19. I do have table lamps now, but I also have overhead lights in every room. I really don't much like a dimly lit room. At best in our house we have one window in each room, except one of the added on rooms. If I have to deal with it I will, head lamps help, but eventually that might not exist.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[EMICT]

We’re doomed…

I still have visions of my dad placing his hands on both sides of my head while leaning in and saying Son… Focus, Focus, Focus

I see that image in my head every time I come back to a thread… read the title… then look at the last 20 postings.

 

[Mushroom]

When using candles, save the stubs. Get an old tea kettle at a yard sale or buy a cheap one and add the candle stubs to remelt and make more. Cotton yarn will work for wicks. Sand candles will work as well and are harder to knock over. waste not, want not.

 

[Slydersan]

When using candles, save the stubs. Get an old tea kettle at a yard sale or buy a cheap one and add the candle stubs to remelt and make more. Cotton yarn will work for wicks. Sand candles will work as well and are harder to knock over. waste not, want not.

I use an old, All Metal (please), coffee can in a pot of boiling water for that. The combinations of candle stubs can make for some interesting smells though.... LOL

 

[maric]

Out of cotton yarn I make small pouches. I put leftover pieces of bar soap in them. They work great in the shower.

 

[Mary Contrary]

Use a grater, should take care of the lumps. Be sure the grater is stainless so the salt doesn't make it rust

I never thought of that. Great idea!

 

[Dozdoats]

Preps are GOOD.

"COL" Potter on the other hand, IMO was past his sell-by date at Jade Helm. YMMV of course.

Operation Jade Helm: The Truth Behind The Hysteria (allthatsinteresting.com)

 

[Henry Bowman]

In between appointments for work and stopped by a somewhat local Dollar General. The shelves , while not bare, are very sparse in the canned meat isle. Loads of Vienna sausages and Sardines but little to no Spam ( Atreat, clover valley etc...) , tuna, hams, corned beef hash etc...very small amounts if any.

Saw canned chicken breast that was $1.85 for 2 cans last week is now $2.05 for the 2 pack.

Same with the pasta, rice, dried beans....all very slim pickins.

Spoke with a guy in his mid to late 40's, he had a cart full of canned stuff, he just started talking saying he heard something is up and we should just top off. I asked if he heard anything specific he said no but his Nephew in the Service texted and told him that something is in the wind, albeit non-specific. He said it is worth it to just be sure.

I just agreed, thanked him and continued on my way.

Saw him in the parking lot, Pick up truck with NRA stickers and a Trump Bumper Sticker.

Word is getting out. IMHO.

 

[Siskiyoumom]

We have tried some for Chris and it did not do much, but yeah if I get seed there are hundreds of acres near to grow it. Thanks.

Talk with his doctor about medical grade CBC gummies. Also do a net search on CBD for seizure disorders. As always take a cup of salt when reading through what you find. I do know folks having a hard time finding feeding tube equipment and formulas. Last year when liquid pectin was in short supply my MPS FaceBook friends were desperate for it as they used it as an ingredient for their home made tube feeding formulas for their children. MPS is the disease our son had.

 

[Siskiyoumom]

Yeah, right.
I have bought all kinds of electronic and oil lamps and still say when all else fails HAVE CANDLES, lots of em, at least 300,
And you can't beat em for trade items.
And I live in the PNW WHERE you need lights during the daytime in July it is so overcast and tree shaded here.
Of course, that meant when it was 100 degrees all around me it was only 70 degrees in my house.

For us the issue with candles is the fire hazard. As always practice basic safety with them especially if you have insude cats and little children.

 

[Siskiyoumom]

T

My small chest freezer is now empty, and I'm thinking about turning it off and storing a lot of my dry stuff in there (cornmeal, oatmeal, bags of dried veggies, etc. -- anything that mice are likely to bother). Any guesses on how much silica gel to put in there to keep the humidity down? Avg. relative humidity here ranges from 50%-70%.

Kathleen

That is what we do.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

The word about something being up is spreading through the rank and file of the military. Retired DS keeps in touch with friends still in the service. They're all taking about it in his circle of friends. No specifics, though.

 

[Hfcomms]

Try low voltage LED light strips. Run them off a 12volt Gell cell battery and you can charge them off a small solar panel. They draw next to no current and with a sticky back you can put them on walls, ceilings, under cabinets, over sinks or wherever you need dependable light. No fire danger from candles or lamps, no smell and you can do a couple of rooms for not much money at all.

 

[packyderms_wife]

We're well stocked and wife does not think we have enough. Somehow she hads it in her head that we don't have enough rice and wanting 300 pounds of it and her thinking thats only enough to feed her for a year.

If that's all she's eating for carbs, no bread, noodles, etc., then she's not that far off in her guesstimation.

 

[anna43]

I don't much care what zealots have to say. A prepper doesn't need to "load up now" because they are always loaded up. I don't need the reason du jour to do so because I don't prep for an "event" I prep for numerous reasons #1 being common sense. I don't load up on specialty items, I store what I use daily plus a few nice to have treats. When we were under lockdown I was so happy I had a stash of books, puzzles and sewing supplies to go along with my food and toiletries.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I don't much care what zealots have to say. A prepper doesn't need to "load up now" because they are always loaded up. I don't need the reason du jour to do so because I don't prep for an "event" I prep for numerous reasons #1 being common sense. I don't load up on specialty items, I store what I use daily plus a few nice to have treats. When we were under lockdown I was so happy I had a stash of books, puzzles and sewing supplies to go along with my food and toiletries.

I learned prepping at a early age, and have been doing so all my life. Growing up on our family farm, Mom and Grandma put up as much food and supplies as they could get their hands on in the good years to make up for the bad years that would surely come about. We don't live on a farm, today, but I learned well to store enough food to have on hand if things get bad.

 

[philkar]

I think in a pinch one could put the salt in a large plastic bag and hit it with a hammer or brick.

O a sock filled with a large landscaping rock

 

[cyberiot]

Rice is also how to remove moisture from cell phones/electronics.

Had a cell phone drop into a sump well, 2' down. Put it in a bag of uncooked rice overnight, worked like a charm...still working today.

Remind me to pass on the jambalaya at your house , , ,

 

[dvo]

Hah! I have always practiced doing things in the dark but DH turns on every light he can....it's been a battle is will for decades

Yup...that’s us. Makes things interesting I guess.

 

[Milkweed Host]

My small chest freezer is now empty, and I'm thinking about turning it off and storing a lot of my dry stuff in there (cornmeal, oatmeal, bags of dried veggies, etc. -- anything that mice are likely to bother). Any guesses on how much silica gel to put in there to keep the humidity down? Avg. relative humidity here ranges from 50%-70%.

Kathleen

A starting point would be to place a digital humidity monitor in the freezer box. They cost less than
$10.00 on ebay.

Lockdown makes a 750 grams silica gel can that cost about $20.00. Place several inside you freezer when
ready. At first the silica gel can will become saturated rather quickly. It will take four or five hours at 200F
in the oven to dry out the cans for reuse.

At some point the humidity will stabilize at your desired humidity. I cycle the silica gel oven drying in the
spring and fall when the AC is not in use.

I also place the 200 gram silica gel boxes inside many of my regular storage tubs and ammo storage cans.

 

[ainitfunny]

For us the issue with candles is the fire hazard. As always practice basic safety with them especially if you have insude cats and little children.

No cats, no dogs, no kids, no hubby.
Just lil old me.
Candles are safe if you bave them contained, and on a stable shelf or table, away from other combustible items.