First. Let me apologize. The name of the book is The Taste of War:World War II And The Battle For Food.
Next. Guy McPherson. I must tell you that he is a very nice man. He did a great job with his presentation and stayed at the house much later than we had any right to keep him discussing the future, choices and possibilities. We were joined by a bunch of 20 something wwoofers from the dairy farm up the road so we had an age perspective that made the conversation pretty interesting. Guy sugar-coated nothing. We’re in trouble.
I recognize that I’m preaching to the converted here so I’m not going to beat any dead ecological horses. The “whys?” are well-established. The “what next?” is a work in progress. The truth is that what to do next is determined so many variables. Where do live and who do you live with? What are your financial resources and what are your obligations? What are your skills and what are your liabilities? Is your family on-board or are you a lone voice, crying in the wilderness? I can only answer for myself and in the next few weeks I’ll try to speak to what changes I’ll be making.
The first change is my health. I’m actually in pretty good shape but, like lots of post-menopausal women, I have put on a couple of extra pounds. Bruce and I returned to our daily 2 mile walk-around-the-block on the day Guy arrived. We had gotten lazy about it and we just can’t afford to slack off. Old age creeps up on everybody but I plan to stave off the infirmity as long as possible. That means staying the heck out of the Easter candy and paying better attention to my exercise. I am a big fan of Peeps.
Next up is the state of my house. I’m pretty neat by nature but I have let some of the clutter get out of control. I have big boxes and bags ready to head to landfill or thrift store. I think it matters that one has a home that functions well. The great spring purge will continue.
Waste is number three. I may be better than many but I have a long way to go. I believe it will help to get back in the habit of menu planning.
These are all personal goals rather than Barefoot Farm goals. Guy did speak to preparing in three ways. First, secure a source of water that is not dependent on electricity. He doesn’t mean storing water which is a short term solution only. Next he says to secure your food supple. Just as with water, this isn’t about stockpiling but about knowing your food shed and working with it. Then he addresses body temperature control. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter. How will you manage? The final thing he discusses is community. He emphasises the need for healthy community relations. I feel that his priority list is a good one but personal wellness needs to be the final leg of the table.
Bruce and I spent some time last night talking about the farm and what we need to do. I know I’ll be doing a lot more research on planting for a different climate, one than may be warmer and drier than my current climate. I have ordered sassafras trees and I think I may put in some cherries. Generally, we can only grow sour cherries here but I think sweet ones may be possible in the not-to-distant future. In case you were wondering. This is not good news.
April 10, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Of all or the real and/or potential hazards we humans face, over population is the most extreme, yet no one even mentions it. The exponential growth in the number of people is placing an unbearable load on the water supply of earth. This is a far greater problem than is food, oil and/or any other resource.
April 10, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Kathy – please don’t stop preaching to the choir. Your goals sound good to me as well and the exercise reminder is good for everyone at all ages. I would add for myself, learning how to cook so that what food is available can taste good.
(The rest will be a roll of the dice, although whatever we can do will improve the odds!)
Clyde – I fear what is coming will take care of that issue.
I spent the late afternoon doing a little planting with my daughter, then started to set-up the rain barrels. A month early here, but I think they’ll survive any freezes we may get – I think they’re predicting 84′ here Sunday. Unheard of for early April! My concern is as dry as we’ve been we’ll have a drought this year. Since we’re finally expecting a little rain I’ll collect what water I can and hope for the best. Last year was too much rain. Feast and famine. But I am guiltily enjoying being out in the yard and getting so much done so early – although I don’t dare plant anything but cold hardy items – and some of those I don’t dare plant as we have this blast of hot coming! I think your cherry trees will do great. I have annuals that have come back this year. (PS – The bees are doing great. Lots of things have flowered early as if to feed them. Although I could do without the ticks!)
April 10, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Let us know every detail, Kathy. I’m sick of sugar coated lies and half-truths. I’m tired of feeling like there is something wrong but being told that everything is OK. If we are in for some big changes, and I think we are, then I want to hear each possible scenario. Even if we can’t be ready for every detail of the catastrophe that awaits us, then at least I can begin to steel my psyche for change. I think that a major step towards survival, no matter what the situation, is to be mentally strong.
“I will survive”.
“We can do this”.
“We will not go quietly into the mist”.
But to begin this process, we have to know the truth. So please don’t leave anything out no matter how scary it may be. To really be prepared, we have to know what we might be up against. We have to know the truth, finally.
April 11, 2012 at 8:59 am
A family member mockingly urged me to tell everyone at Easter lunch about my food “bunker.” I’m so weary of being ridiculed. I read your column to reassure myself that I am doing what is best for my beloveds. So preach on, Kathy. Amen.
April 11, 2012 at 9:23 am
as the others said – “don’t stop preaching!”/ We each have different situations, but we can learn from each other and what all are doing. We are constantly reviewing our goals and the job we are doing, but sometimes we delay or stuff gets in the way. I believe we are at the point where we really have to buckle down and make some changes. I’m looking ofrward to hearing more!
April 11, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Ah, it’s times like these that I would love to be in your neighborhood. I’d love to have a community like yours – and to be able to hear someone like Guy speak.
Your cryptic last sentence or two …well I’m with Elizabeth – spell it out. I like thinking I have more time to be prepared and learn…but I’d rather know the truth. My mental and emotional outlook is as important (if not more so) than my physical.
Having the truth, the knowledge, is food for all those things – I don’t want to just survive, I want to live…and I’d like to do that with those I love.
So please, Kathy….tell us why it isn’t good – spill the beans – then you won’t have to eat them (the jelly beans lol)- or the peeps – I really want to know.
Thanks for all you do.
April 11, 2012 at 4:33 pm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080509-sixdegrees-video-wc.html
Watch this one too – if you haven’t already.
April 11, 2012 at 9:04 pm
To the link Wendy posted, I would add, watch a presentation Guy gave in Michigan last year that was similar to what he’s giving now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yOq2A_SGTYA
Things have only gotten worse since then.
I believe he’ll have more recent talks posted on his website soon, as soon as they’re done with the editing. (He spoke in our community last week.)
In a nutshell: its going to get very, catastrophically warm and climatalogically chaotic, which will upset food and eco-systems all over the place. We need to not just store by for a short term crisis, but work to grow resilient foods for the long haul. And to grow resilient selves, resilient relationships.
Now.