Country Living With Emma

What I am doing to get ready for winter in general and this winter in particular.

A discussion of how aging affects what we can do. H

There are recurring themes from past disasters and crises. First, we need to be able to survive on our own, and second, being prepared gives us the ability to help others. The pioneers and the early homesteaders understood this and we need to understand it as well.

There is no limit these days to the number and subject of conspiracy theories. How can we tell what we can and should believe? Trying to discern the truth in a time when it seems to be hard to find.

Why does everything seem to take longer than I think it will? This is a discussion of trying to set realistic goals for the amount of time it will take to complete a project.

The living history event where I will demonstrate hand quilting is fast approaching. This is the update on my progress. Portable Wooden Sawhorses: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Burro-Brand-29-in-Wooden-Folding-Burro-Sawhorse-2-Pack-FBP/313328953 Dress Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1306545914/pdf-pattern-bundle-1860s-womens-clothing?click_key=73e651682482d208c6746fce3163ae172637be67%3A1306545...

Our pets and animals are integral to our lives. We need to make sure they are prepped as well. Here is what I'm doing to make sure I have their needs covered.

Fiction and reality are rarely in the same realm. Apocalyptic fiction commonly starts with a complete meltdown and then goes downhill from there. Real events don't usually happen that way. In history, times of crisis tend to start slowly and then ramp up. That seems to be where we are now. We are seeing more and more issues happening with greater frequency, but there is still time to prepare. 

I'm noticing more and more people openly discussing prepping. What used to be considered crazy and eccentric is now looking like normal. Does everyone feel that something is coming?

Bear Independent did a recent episode listing the three P's of dealing with our current chaotic times. I'm sharing those and how I'm doing them.

This past week has been filled with one calamity after another! What happens when we have to deal with multiple issues at one time? Referencing the book I discussed last week, "The Fourth Turning is Here", we are currently in a period of history defined by crises.  Ways to donate to Hurricane Helene relief work in Tennessee and North Carolina: Pinball Preparedness Grindstone Ministries

How would we function without the internet? What kinds of preparations should we make in the event we don't have access to it?

Sometimes the situation is so big that preparing for it becomes overwhelming. What strategies have others used when the situation looks bigger than my preps.

Finishing up the discussion of the book, "The Fourth Turning is Here"

The first part of my thoughts on the book, " The Fourth Turning is Here " by Neil Howe. Another book recommendation: " Witness to Nuremberg " by Richard Sonnenfeldt

This is a different discussion of community. As times get harder, our "circle" gets smaller.

Explanation of how we preserved pears for future use.  Pear Butter Recipe: https://gritsandgouda.com/easy-crockpot-pear-butter Pear Cider Recipe: https://julieblanner.com/pear-cider/#wprm-recipe-container-84266

In the 21st century, we have many modern conveniences that would make previous generations speechless. Those conveniences make our daily lives much easier and we often take them for granted. Is it always better to do things the modern way or is it always better to only use the old ways?

My financially eye-opening movie and dinner outing. 

Financial preparedness is just as important as other areas. The most important thing we can do is be debt-free. Where can we get the best bang for our buck?

Updates on the progress of the fall garden and other random topics

We have almost unlimited access to knowledge of all kinds. As a society, we seem to be expecting less and less of ourselves. Learning is a personal responsibility.

During the pandemic, we all went home to "flatten the curve". Are we ready to be isolated from others during hard times?

This is the story of one family's struggle to survive during the dark days of World War II in Eastern Europe. What can we learn about being prepared and surviving daunting challenges? https://www.amazon.com/Last-Green-Valley-Mark-Sullivan-ebook/dp/B07CGCTSNW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27JTTBCVRIA7C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Lee0LaJfgXdcNyafYCflw4DN7t7YwZWyKgvnSeZZy1KBJtaNtb41dnizApLyJ5xRpKRnH-zBS6If-3KgceL-cWFlsC...

The Zerohedge list contains a lot of helpful things we need to stockpile for an emergency. However, there are some things that might be at least, if not more, helpful.