If you have never read the
graphic novel Maus, get a copy and read it. It is the story of a Jewish man who
did his best to escape the Nazis but ultimately failed. In the book the main character
makes a statement that it is always good to have a skill, something to fall
back on if things go badly. This is absolutely true. If you have a skill you
will always be able to trade and barter. With that in mind, consider expanding
your repetoir of abilities.
A meat grinder and a
sausage tube will serve you well. Even if you have never made sausage, you
should do so once just so that you can have the basic understanding of how to
grind, mix, salt, pack into casings, and dry sausage. Corona makes combination
meat grinder grain grinder units. Consider only those which are all metal and
handcranked.
Brewing equipment can be
used for a fun hobby, but it is also an excellent skill to have for unhappy
times. A visit to a brew shop and a brief talk to a clerk will result in your
having the necessary equipment for very little. Homebrewed beer is better
tasting and healthier than store bought beer. It is also made for about 20
cents a bottle.
Materials to make cheese
and yogurt will serve to give you a way to make something most people don’t
have the slightest idea how to do, but desire in their diets.
Kerosene lamps are a good
idea because they can be run off of whatever will burn that is still liquid
enough to make it up the wick. It is suggested that you purchase lamps that use
as their base a ball jar. This simplifies things in the event that the base of
your lamp gets damaged. If you have a proprietary type of lamp you cannot
easily replace the lamp in an emergency. You will have plenty of Ball canning
jars around though. If you get emergency lamps, get paraffin that has dye in
it. The dye will let you see how full the jar is as a safety measure.
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