Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 2 ~ 8, 2021

[SouthernBreeze]

We had two severe thunderstorm warnings for our county late yesterday afternoon. Had one tree limb come down in our yard. It's not big enough to use for firewood, so Cary will just drag it off to our backyard burn pile. We got lots more rain out of them.

Then, our power went out. Went out at 6:33, and was still off when we went to bed at 9. Cary said it came back on around 10:30. We still don't know what caused it, but it was probably a tree that came down across a power line somewhere close by from the storms. Supper had already been cooked, eaten, and the kitchen cleaned, before we lost power. I didn't think it would be out as long as it was, so I just lit some candles that I have sitting around just for this purpose. I didn't want to light the oil lamps. Cary and I just sat around by candlelight, and enjoyed chatting with each other about the events of the day.

 

[Marseydoats]

I guess it's really good thing I try to be so careful with money. My pension was supposed to start May 1. SS had told me it would be 6 weeks before I got my first check, so I knew money was going to be tight. Today I get a letter from Human Resources telling me that my pension will not start until 6/15. They screw up everything. That's what preps are for though.
I'm tired. I'm going to enjoy my summer, staying home, playing with my animals, piddling in the garden, and reading. Too many of my friends who were looking forward to retirement have died recently, before they made it. I'm at least going to have this summer off whether I have to go back to work later or not.

 

[20Gauge]

Wife told me today that this summer's project is a chicken coop.

Fun,,,,,,,,,

 

[hiwall]

Wife told me today that this summer's project is a chicken coop.

Fun,,,,,,,,,

I usually do a big project each summer. This year I have nothing planned so far. If I don't think of something, I'll be like a little lost puppy.

 

[Marseydoats]

Wife told me today that this summer's project is a chicken coop.

Fun,,,,,,,,,

Pay the extra $ for the coated chicken wire, if you can find it.

 

[20Gauge]

I basically have to build a level 4 prison.

We have cats that like birds a lot. They actually hunt vultures.
We have a ton of possums
We have a ton of raccoons.

Yep a prison or I will lose them all for sure.....lol

 

[Marseydoats]

I basically have to build a level 4 prison.

We have cats that like birds a lot. They actually hunt vultures.
We have a ton of possums
We have a ton of raccoons.

Yep a prison or I will lose them all for sure.....lol

The mixed Savannah cat I used to have loved to stick his arm thru the wire and smack the chickens in the butt. One day 2 of them grabbed his arm and about ripped it off. I thought they were actually going to kill him, it took dh and I both to get them to turn loose. They tore his poor arm up pretty badly.
It wasn't a week later that he snuck in the coop behind me and tried to eat their table scraps. That didn't end well for him either. I really miss that poor dumb cat.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I basically have to build a level 4 prison.

We have cats that like birds a lot. They actually hunt vultures.
We have a ton of possums
We have a ton of raccoons.

Yep a prison or I will lose them all for sure.....lol

And, don't forget the SNAKES!

 

[nomifyle]

DH had a chicken yard when he live in Illinois. The fences were wooden, made from scraps, he uses everything. We hauled those fence sections to Louisiana and they held up for a good long while. He continued with the wooden fencing until last year. I'd suggested he make the chicken yard a lot larger so the chickens would have more space to hunt and peck. With this expansion, its probably at least 1/4 of an acre, he went with chicken wire. The chicken yard has a lot of trees and stuff the keep the chickens relatively safe from flying preditors. The dog patrols all night long and has kept the walking preditors at bay, and God bless her she leaves the chickens along. We are so blessed in so many ways.

A project for DH last year was building raised beds using those 275 gallon tanks cut in half, and building a frame for them. I can't see them all right now but I think we have 12 of them.

This year, with the aid of his portable saw mill, he is building a four room cabin. In addition to cutting lumber for other people. The man the did the limb falling on his truck repair is picking up 50 1x4x8s this morning for $4 each, a good bit less than lowes. He's excited to make some money.

Dh is the type that has to be busy, he works steady and gets it done. We like to sit on the porch of the cabin and talk when he takes a break. We were talking about how we handle emergency situations. We work together and get done what has to be done, neither of us gets crazy or bitches about having to do what ever it is. It it was my ex he would screaming and carrying on and would do nothing to fix the situation.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[nomifyle]

And, don't forget the SNAKES!

I highly recommend snake away, it does work. We've only had a few snakes around here from time to time, so Dh spreads snake away and then we don't seen any for another couple of years.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I highly recommend snake away, it does work. We've only had a few snakes around here from time to time, so Dh spreads snake away and then we don't seen any for another couple of years.

God is good all the time

Judy

I'm going to check that out the next time we're in town. We have lots of snakes around here every summer, and I don't want us or our doggie to get bit. I've already dreamed that he got bit by a rattler, and found that dead snake just off my front porch the other day. Cary likes to keep a check on all of our bird houses he's built that are scattered all over our yard. Many times, when he checks, there will be a snake coiled up in them! They go after the eggs.

 

[blackguard]

Blackguard, do you shoot IDPA matches or a different type of competition? Hubby shoots IDPA, and had a match this past weekend; he hadn't practiced since the last match and only came in 9th out of 22. He says 18 of the shooters at the match were using electronic carry optic sights, but since he doesn't want to put them on his carry gun, he's going to stick with his standard iron sights.... at least for now.

It is IDPA, have a good friend who owns a shooting school and has his own range (western OK). Also just finally got my federal tax refund back so we just did an extra grocery run. Becoming increasing concerned about supply shortages and rising prices so trying to increase the on hand amounts here at the place. Stay safe all

 

[20Gauge]

And, don't forget the SNAKES!

The cats eat the snakes.

 

[moldy]

Managed to get thistle sprayed this morning and a couple chairs steam cleaned. Been looking for my rocket stove that DH made out of a keg. I've found 2 other kegs, but not my stove!

 

[aviax2]

DH bought 2 of the whole pork loins and had them sliced at the store (free slicing is always a great price) so we didn’t have to do that. We got the chops divided up in portions for the 2 of us and some for the whole family and got them vac packed for freezer. We also did the same with the 3 packs of chicken breasts he bought the other day, I think he’s going to try and get some more tomorrow since he’s going to a farm auction close to that store. So glad to have fresh chicken and pork on hand. I also discovered 3 turkey breast that we bought last fall, I’m thinking of canning those along with a few packs of bone in chicken breast that I bought to can and haven’t done yet. He found some Pioneer gravy mix today too, chicken and turkey are always hard for us to find for some reason. He bought the 4 turkey ones they had and 6 of the chicken as he didn’t want to take them all.

I got my Walmart order today and some of my Sam’s order(s). Email says I should get most of it tomorrow and a few things on Sunday but I don’t ever recall Fed Ex delivering anything on a Sunday in my area. Instead of ordering from the Jackson store this time, I chose Sam’s from Franklin and I think this order has gone way better than my last one!

 

[moldy]

Today has worn me out. My heart rate is higher than I'd like (110-120), but my oxygen saturation is ok. Dang, I'm getting so old and worn out!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We're going to visit Mom today. I can't go tomorrow for Mother's Day, since my own children are coming here. I'm taking her Mother's Day gift to her. She has a need for a carpenter's eye on something, and Cary will be helping her with that. He fixes things for her all the time.

I'm going to ask her if she will ask her friend's husband if he wouldn't mind getting us a few boxes of food the next time he goes to the Farmers to Families food give away. Cary said that when he was over at Mom's the other day, while the man was there, the whole back of his truck was stacked with boxes of food. He gave some of it to Mom, but we would like to have some, too. I will even offer to pay him for his time if he would do it. I really don't want to wait in line for over an hour to get it ourselves, plus the extra trip to town 35 miles away. I think he gets boxes of food for others, because what he gets is way too much just for himself and Mom. He could add us to his list if he would. We wouldn't need much, because I'm really out of room in the pantry and my freezers are full. I like the fresh produce, though.

Thanks again, Barry, for making us aware of this program. I'm glad Mom's friend is taking advantage of it for himself, Mom, and hopefully, a bit for us, too.

 

[philkar]

We're going to visit Mom today. I can't go tomorrow for Mother's Day, since my own children are coming here. I'm taking her Mother's Day gift to her. She has a need for a carpenter's eye on something, and Cary will be helping her with that. He fixes things for her all the time.

I'm going to ask her if she will ask her friend's husband if he wouldn't mind getting us a few boxes of food the next time he goes to the Farmers to Families food give away. Cary said that when he was over at Mom's the other day, while the man was there, the whole back of his truck was stacked with boxes of food. He gave some of it to Mom, but we would like to have some, too. I will even offer to pay him for his time if he would do it. I really don't want to wait in line for over an hour to get it ourselves, plus the extra trip to town 35 miles away. I think he gets boxes of food for others, because what he gets is way too much just for himself and Mom. He could add us to his list if he would. We wouldn't need much, because I'm really out of room in the pantry and my freezers are full. I like the fresh produce, though.

Thanks again, Barry, for making us aware of this program. I'm glad Mom's friend is taking advantage of it for himself, Mom, and hopefully, a bit for us, too.

Sherree
You live in NOrth Mississippi? I was raised in Corinth and my SIL is from Iuka. Small world!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Sherree
You live in NOrth Mississippi? I was raised in Corinth and my SIL is from Iuka. Small world!

Yes, small world! We're just outside of Tupelo. I'm sure you know where that is! Born and raised here, and have lived here my whole life. My ancestors on my dad's side helped settle this area of North Mississippi even before it became a state. Do you happen to know any Rutherfords up that way? Most all are located around the Ripley area.

We go to Bay Springs several times during the summer. Great fishing up there. Camping, too. We've also come up to Shiloh Battlefield many, many times, so we're very familiar with that whole area.

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

Gosh, I just got a nice surprise....

If he keeps going to the free food give away, I'm sure he'll keep bringing Mom more free food. I'll enjoy taking anything she wants to share with me! I won't even have to drive to Tupelo and wait in a line a mile long to get it, either. Yes, he said the wait line ran for a mile!

We got apples, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti noodles, and a #10 can of mashed potato flakes all for free! All good quality stuff, too.

The line for Farmers to Families gets to be so long because it really is that good! Especially in a place like Tupelo, where locals heap on extras on top of what the program itself is distributing. If it was not worth the time and trouble, would you keep seeing mile long lines form week after week after week?

 

[nomifyle]

The line for Farmers to Families gets to be so long because it really is that good! Especially in a place like Tupelo, where locals heap on extras on top of what the program itself is distributing. If it was not worth the time and trouble, would you keep seeing mile long lines form week after week after week?

I usually have to wait in line for one of the commodities that I get, its time consuming, but there is no free lunch. sometimes there is a lot of food and sometimes not so much. I appreciate what we get and if its something we are not going to use I share with others.

Our chickens are laying so much these days that its even too much for the pastor. Besides his we take several dozen to church on Wednesday night for anyone who wants them. We do ask that people bring eggs cartons for them.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Marseydoats]

I had hoped to clear about 60 feet of fence today but I only got about 25 done before my back and arms gave out. It really sucks to be old. I had to get dh to pull the fence wire back up where all the brambles had taken it down, they were all that was keeping the stock in.
I did get the kitchen table cleared of all the junk mail so I guess that was something. I swear I get 15 advertisements or more for insurance every week...

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I usually have to wait in line for one of the commodities that I get, its time consuming, but there is no free lunch.

By the time we drove 70 miles round trip and had to idle the car for an hour or longer waiting in line to get the free food, no it's not exactly free. Think gas prices these days. Especially, when I can only use the fresh produce and very little of the rest of it. I have no one I know that I could share the rest with.

 

[coloradohermit]

If you don't have anyone to share excess food with, check to see if there's a local emergency food pantry in your community. They'd probably be delighted to have it donated.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

If you don't have anyone to share excess food with, check to see if there's a local emergency food pantry in your community. They'd probably be delighted to have it donated.

There's not one anywhere close to me. We are very rural.

 

[aviax2]

DH bought 3 more packs of chicken breast and we divided them up, vac packed and in the freezer. I’m so glad that’s done!

Most of my Sam’s order came in today and we got that put away, I’ve still got 2 packs of paper towels from that order to come and another small order to come in.

We’re celebrating youngest grandsons birthday tomorrow at our house for Sunday family dinner. He has requested a breakfast spread that includes sausage, bacon and pancakes with cheesecake for dessert. That may sound odd to some but that’s how we roll LOL, of course there will still be eggs, gravy and biscuits too.

 

[summerthyme]

I had hoped to clear about 60 feet of fence today but I only got about 25 done before my back and arms gave out. It really sucks to be old. I had to get dh to pull the fence wire back up where all the brambles had taken it down, they were all that was keeping the stock in.
I did get the kitchen table cleared of all the junk mail so I guess that was something. I swear I get 15 advertisements or more for insurance every week...

Get a decent paper shredder and turn it into livestock bedding! It's all I bedded chickens with for years...

Summerthyme

 

[aviax2]

Ugh, guess who can’t find the 10 lb bag of pancake mix in one of the freezers!

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

By the time we drove 70 miles round trip and had to idle the car for an hour or longer waiting in line to get the free food, no it's not exactly free. Think gas prices these days. Especially, when I can only use the fresh produce and very little of the rest of it. I have no one I know that I could share the rest with.

That is true. I only have to travel about three miles from my home to get my boxes. It incurs some time on my part, but little gasoline expense.

The distance you would have to drive would be a problem, but believe it or not, additional gasoline burnt in idling is not the problem you would think it would be. You get into line, but then you park. When they start to give out food, you start your engine up, of course, but there really isn’t much idling - they have it so automated that the line moves along pretty quickly. You would really be surprised at how fast they can service a mile long line of cars.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

That is true. I only have to travel about three miles from my home to get my boxes. It incurs some time on my part, but little gasoline expense.

The distance you would have to drive would be a problem, but believe it or not, additional gasoline burnt in idling is not the problem you would think it would be. You get into line, but then you park. When they start to give out food, you start your engine up, of course, but there really isn’t much idling - they have it so automated that the line moves along pretty quickly. You would really be surprised at how fast they can service a mile long line of cars.

As long as Mom's friend's husband doesn't mind, I'll let him pick up some fresh produce for us. He can leave it with Mom when he brings her boxes. I don't mind giving him money for his time and effort. Knowing him, he won't take it, though. He just enjoys doing this kind of thing for others.

Mom lives in a small town. She gets to go to a church there once a month for commodities. She usually shares with us what she doesn't want, or can't use. She qualifies for it, but we don't. Mom and her sister always goes together to pick up their boxes. Sometimes, Mom gets a lot, and sometimes, it's not much.

 

[Dinghy]

I recently discovered that Dollar Tree has small packages of freeze dried fruit. I love putting some of it on salads. So far I have seen, apple, mango, and strawberry. Being the only one that eats it, it’s much handier than having to re-package if I open a #10 size can.

 

[nomifyle]

That is true. I only have to travel about three miles from my home to get my boxes. It incurs some time on my part, but little gasoline expense.

The distance you would have to drive would be a problem, but believe it or not, additional gasoline burnt in idling is not the problem you would think it would be. You get into line, but then you park. When they start to give out food, you start your engine up, of course, but there really isn’t much idling - they have it so automated that the line moves along pretty quickly. You would really be surprised at how fast they can service a mile long line of cars.

Mine is a 60+ round trip. And I wait in line. The extras that I don't use I pass along, so I look at it this way, its not just a benefit to me but to others also. Sometimes I give the whole box away, usually to our pastor, I'm helping him build his pantry. There was a time that what I got in commodities was the only way I could add to my pantry. Its a personal choice.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[hiwall]

I recently discovered that Dollar Tree has small packages of freeze dried fruit. I love putting some of it on salads. So far I have seen, apple, mango, and strawberry. Being the only one that eats it, it’s much handier than having to re-package if I open a #10 size can.

My wife really likes to add it to her oatmeal in the morning. We buy a LOT of it.

 

[Dinghy]

My wife really likes to add it to her oatmeal in the morning. We buy a LOT of it.

I have used the strawberries in oatmeal in the past. It’s really good.