This is just for me. If someone else reads and benefits, that's great. This is just a place for me to keep my thoughts and dreams. A place where I can make a plan and change it without damage or cost.
The past few day showed me how unprepared my family is in dealing with what I considered an inconvenience. The Dallas and East Texas area had snowfall around 10 or 12 inches. It didn't keep me from work or going to the store or other necessary destinations. It did cause me to be without power in our home for 4 days.
We've had ice storms in our area that were more difficult to traverse, lasted longer and did more damage. But I had power at home. I had lights and heat and my food did not spoil. I slept in comfort, cooked, washed, showered, flushed and watched TV. But with the loss of electricity, these comforts, these necessities, were compromised.
This is what we had. A fireplace, small but kept us somewhat warm. What we didn't have was enough wood to burn. Yes, I tried to buy more, but everyone was sold out. So I cut down an oak tree and smoked us out of the house. Live an learn. Next year I'll cut plenty of wood in advance and have a place to keep it dry. 3 coal oil lamps, at least that's what we called them when I was a kid. Ran out of lamp oil after a couple of days, Oh yeah, everyone was sold out. A fair supply of food although what was in the freezer thoughed. No big loss, just an inconvience. On Sunday, I found our kerosene heater, no kerosene. You get the picture, everyone was sold out. Sunday night Sue finally found the coleman propane lantern and it worked great. Even heated the bathroom while I got ready for work Monday morning.
We now have a list of things which will help prepare us for other events that might happen in the future including wood on hand, 10 or 15 galons of kerosene for cooking and heat, another coleman latern, etc. Candles are better than nothing but hardly worth the effort, except it made Sue feel cozy.
Notes to myself, chickens, rabbits, ducks, and vegetables to plant next week and next month. Spring is almost here. Thank God I still have a job and time to get everyting ready.
Just a couple of pictures to show the snow, I'll have a picture page soon.
This is just for me. If someone else reads and benefits, that's great. This is just a place for me to keep my thoughts and dreams. A place where I can make a plan and change it without damage or cost.
This is what we had. A fireplace, small but kept us somewhat warm. What we didn't have was enough wood to burn. Yes, I tried to buy more, but everyone was sold out. So I cut down an oak tree and smoked us out of the house. Live an learn. Next year I'll cut plenty of wood in advance and have a place to keep it dry. 3 coal oil lamps, at least that's what we called them when I was a kid. Ran out of lamp oil after a couple of days, Oh yeah, everyone was sold out. A fair supply of food although what was in the freezer thoughed. No big loss, just an inconvience. On Sunday, I found our kerosene heater, no kerosene. You get the picture, everyone was sold out. Sunday night Sue finally found the coleman propane lantern and it worked great. Even heated the bathroom while I got ready for work Monday morning.
