When times get hard

       I buy the idea that we humans can go three days without clean water, but can go 30 days without food...if we have to.

            And I buy the idea that a general rule for clean water for humans is about a gallon a day per person for planning purposes. Now remember, many have access to  a water heater, generally a 40 gallon water heater in a single family home, so be sure to use it if you can. Plus you can fill up your bath tubs and sinks, and do other such things, especially if you want to flush your toilets periodically. All you do is transfer water from the tub to the toilet bowl, and flush. And don't forget you can always dig a hole for human waste, if you have to. Nobody wants to get cholera, for example. And not everything flushes and dissolves OK, so those kind of things should be collected and disposed of elsewhere.

            What prompts this post is reading a Discovery Magazine article about using fire to cook food. Apparently we humans have been doing it a long long time. And just heating already canned food and other such things is so good for morale if times do get hard.

            And during the cold season one just needs to wear layers of clothes to keep warm. No high tech stuff is required, though its use is nice if one has it. And in any season being out of the rain, and it will still rain or snow, is a big deal. Once one is wet, they can chill down pretty quickly, to the detriment of their well being. In that case most can tough it out once or twice, but in the long term shelter from the rain and snow, and being able to put on warm dry clothes, is important, too.

            And think about security where you live. We humans are better than every person for themselves, but a good dose of home security is also a good idea. And it may be simpler than you think. There's nothing like messing with the bad person's mind. For example, where I live I have yard dogs who are pretty good biological alarms. But they have to eat, too. So much of my time will be taken by just snaring animals to gut and serve offal to the dogs. And a regular bow and arrow will probably be intimidating enough for most bad people, who, after all, are probably cold and hungry, too. And they talk to each other, too.

            And I would be remiss if I did not mention health, and care. Mostly, think about preventing disease, as best you can with what you have on hand. For those scouts and military types, they may know more than they thought, all from prior training. Then, if and when someone gets sick, think about the basics, like keeping them warm and hydrated, and let the human body do its tricks, like healing. Of course some may die, too. But remember, this is a "if times get hard" situation discussion.

            Last, think about others when the time exists. Things like home schooling for our kids may become a big deal depending on the time situation. And things like barter for trade may replace going to the store to get the things we need, and getting rid of the things we don't need. Even knowing the weather and the news will be a big deal, like a morale enhancer; as well as listening to music, be it from a radio, or locally played and sung.