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IT NEVER HURTS TO PREPARE, WHETHER FOR EVENTS THAT OCCUR AS REGULAR ACTS OF NATURE OR TRULY RARE ONES

We're opening a new category in our bookstore that includes an affiliate program with a supplier of emergency items -- from food and water (or purification tools) to lights, cooking utensils, and means of starting a (cooking/warming) fire.

Don't interpret this as some kind of omen from here that we are facing imminent disaster.

We do think the future and even near future will involve major events. But we're not indicating anything other than a feeling that it's always good to be "ready" -- to be prepared -- whether for something unusual and perhaps even without precedent (at least in our lives) or simply having what you need when, as periodically happens, the power goes out during regular if intense winter storms. Look at what an ice storm can do. And a hurricane. Or tornado. Or quake. Or flood. Or economic crisis.

In 1998, for example, eastern Ontario and western Quebec in Canada were hit by three clashing storm fronts that some have described as the worst natural disaster in that nation's recorded history -- 1,000 electrical pylons (towers) and 35,000 wooden power poles collapsed. At one point the entire city of Montreal was tethered to the power grid by a single remaining line. After days without power, residents began to burn wood decks and even furniture for warmth. One-fifth of Canada's work force was out for the better part of a week.

It never hurts to be prepared whether for something entirely unusual or for those events that simply come in the natural course of -- well, of nature.

The new store is here. Use your own discernment. We ourselves recommend always having batteries, several flashlights, empty jugs for water, some big bags of rice and pasta (see Sam's Club and Costco), canned foods, and especially freeze-dried food, Chlorox, peroxide, medications, a means of purifying water, and if you can afford it, "meals-ready-to-eat." It doesn't hurt to have several weeks' worth, or whatever you decide in the realm of periodicity (along with some cash). Peanut butter is great to have on hand. Honey lasts forever. (And remember aspirin.) Meanwhile, we saved this list below from the internet -- a list that was compiled of what one person considers essentials. It may be worth perusing (and discerning).

1. Generators
2. Water Containers (we ourselves have a well and hand pump)
3. Water filters, purifiers, water tablets, and water testing kits
4. Portable toilets, wood shavings & plastic bags
5. Seasoned firewood
6. Coleman fuel

7.  Lamp oil, wicks, mantles, oil lamps
8. Charcoal, lighter fluid
9. Gasoline containers
10. Propane cylinders
11. Lanterns with batteries that are rechargeable and a solar powered battery charger.
12. Solar thermal water heater

 13. Survival Guide Book, The Boy Scout Manual
14. Fire Extinguishers
15. Batteries
16. Matches
17. Flashlights
18. Fishing supplies/tools
19. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
20. Mousetraps, ant traps & cockroach magnets

21. Duct tape
22. Super glue
23. Tools – hammer, allen wrenches, files etc. propane soldering iron, solder
24. Candles
25. Garden tools & supplies
26. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid)
27. Washboards, Mop Bucket with wringer for Laundry
28. Cook Stoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)

29. Cast iron cookware – Dutch ovens
30. Insulated ice chests
31. Can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks, kitchen utensils.
32. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
33. Rice – beans – wheat
34. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
35. Flour, yeast & salt

36. Vegetable oil
37. Tuna fish
38. Canned fruits, vegetables, soups, stews, etc.
39. Crackers, pretzels, trail mix, jerky
40. Popcorn, peanut butter, nuts
41. Milk – powdered & condensed
42. Paper plates, cups, utensils
43. Canning supplies

44. Feminine Hygiene
45. Haircare, mouthcare, skincare products – including bars of soap
46. Shaving supplies
47. Toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels
48. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & antibacterial soap
49. Baby supplies (if needed): Diapers, formula, ointments, aspirin, etc.

50. First aid kits
51. Chapstick
52. Vitamins
53. Prescription medications, antibiotics, pain meds, Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tablets.
54. VINEGAR, food preservation, flavoring, tenderizing, antibacterial, cleaning and MANY other uses!

55. Bow saws, axes and hatchets
56. Garbage cans
57. Garbage bags
58. Clothesline, clothespins
59. Aluminum foil
60. Writing paper, pencils, solar calculators


61. Heavy duty work boots, belts, jeans & work shirts
62. Shoe laces
63. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
64. Woolen clothing: socks, scarves, ear-muffs, mittens
65. Socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc.
66. Hats & bandanas
67. Thermal underwear

 68. Gloves – work/warming/gardening, etc
69. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
70. Reading glasses
71. Laundry detergent
72. Bleach
73. Knives & sharpening tools: files, stones, steel


74. Sleeping bags & blankets/pillows/mats
75. Backpacks, duffel bags
76. Cots & inflatable mattresses
77. Tarps, stakes, twine, nails, rope, spikes
78. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
79. Wagons & utility carts (for transport to and from)

And last but not least….
80. KNOWLEDGE and TRAINING can’t be over-estimated

Mary Undoer of Knots plus The Holy Cloak novena, $7.25

Michael Brown's books on Kindle or Nook

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