What did you learn for a PO world and how?

sittinguy · Heavy Crude Joined: Sep 07, 2007 Posts: 384

Night vision scopes are not a luxury

Pops

Here is what I've found more and more over my 50 years;

Macro Events affect my own Micro Economy.

And lately that I need to make my own Assessment, Rules and Plans: Mine and others' are here...
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Make a plan and work it:

RedStateGreen

Oh, and that every action has consequences. The bigger the action (say, something the government does), the bigger the consequences seem to be. Biofuels, for example.
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Conservation is conservative

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change. -- Charles Darwin

killJOY · Fission Joined: Feb 21, 2005 Posts: 2510 Location: ^NNE^

"Organic" gardening (heavy emphasis on " "; I don't subscribe to the superstitions of the "organics" movement. Call me a traditional, cheap-ass gardener).

Canning, preserving.

Titty squeezing, cheese-making.

Fiddling.

Pops

Don't be a stranger KJ, we don't get much talk about titty squeezing around here lately.

Let alone any Black Eyed Susie...
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Make a plan and work it:

SpringCreekFarm · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 942

I'm like some others on here who are modern day homesteaders. We didn't prepare for peak oil but we just like the independence that comes with being homesteaders. In a way, peak oil and it's pitfalls are reassurance that we are doing the right thing and justifies all the hard work that goes into it.

The best preparation I could have had for this life was to be raised by older parents. My dad was 38 years old when I was born so he was a whole generation ahead of me. He was born days after the stock market crash in 1929 and grew up seeing some hard times. My grandpa was 60 the year I was born so the combination of those two raising me was the biggest experience anyone could imagine. We'd visit some of the truly old timers in our area and they took a shine to me because I've always been facinated with old timey stuff. If these guys were still alive they'd all be about 120 years old now!

Other than what these guys taught me, I've taught myself mostly all the practical stuff I know and for the most part do all my own work myself. Books are invaluable because it is like having elders words at your constant disposal. Some on here will argue that you need to seek out old timers instead of books but I prefer books now because the old timers I talk to these days didn't listen to their elders and unfortunately don't seem to know crap about how to live post peak. Believe me, I've asked them questions and they just don't know. They go off on a tangent about how it's immigrants, < racist crap censored >, or a government / oil company conspiracy.

If you know any 90+ year olds, go talk to them and ask them some stuff. They'd be the only ones left with first hand knowledge of the depression era and what people did to get by.

Books and talk are not enough! Get out there and get your hands dirty. Work 16 hours a day and get your work done while there is time.

The end is near. Very Happy

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 883

good post Spring Creek Farmer!

countrymomma · Tar Sands Joined: Jun 07, 2008 Posts: 43 Location: Midwest

We learned to live without AC starting about 10 years ago & learned to bundle up in the winter and keep the heat low in the winter.

I learned to use a bow & DH is picking up a muzzle loader. We learned to hunt deer, turkey, pheasant, etc. I learned to butcher our own livestock & wild game.

I learned how to raise rabbits and chickens. We learned how wonderful it is to have fresh eggs each day. I'm learning how to raise goats for meat & milk. I'll start learning to milk this weekend!

I learned when to look for ripening wild berries. I'm going to be learning to can this summer. I'm studying herbal remedies.

I learned how to build a barn, a fence, and a hen house.

I learned how to teach my children all these things.

I'm learning to make fewer and fewer trips to town & to watch for good deals & stock up when I'm there.

I'll be learning to use a reel mower & scythe to put up hay for winter.

I'm learning that there is SO much to learn! Shock

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Country Momma

patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1736

The good part is, you only have to learn these things once. There will come a point when you feel like you are getting on top of it all, even though there is always more to learn.

And most of the skills apply to many things. Learn to butcher even a small animal, and you find that the process is the same whether it's a rabbit or a cow. Planting most things is very similiar. All plants need soil, water, and sunshine, and competing plants removed. Chin up!
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Local fix-it guy..

careinke

Countrymomma,
Welcome to the board. Here is a video to inspire your desire to learn to use the scythe.

Awsome Scythe VID

I look forward to your future posts.

Cliff (Start a rEVOLution, grow a garden)