Preparedness – Page 4 – The Laughing Wolf

Why The Emphasis On LTS Of Knowledge?

I’ve talked a bit recently on the need to preserve knowledge, and in particular a lot of “obsolete” knowledge — or at least forms of knowledge. In fact, I’ve talked about saving printed tables, guides, formulas, and more. Things easily found today on the Internet. Between that big article and some other posts where I talk about such, the question “Why?” has come up.

The answer comes in two parts. The two parts can be summed up in the words “Ooops” and “Bootstrapping.”

“Ooops” covers a range of possibilities, all of which exist because the system that is our modern world is a fairly fragile thing. People who have worked not just in, but with the systems that make up the System, understand that. Those who gleefully call for changing the system (political, technical, economic, etc.) in a radical fashion have done either only extremely rarely. In point of fact as several people have recently pointed out, they have no equity in the system as well as no experience with maintenance of the system (or anything else). They have no skull sweat, no real sweat, and no other type of real investment in any of the systems. It’s the reason they think that any current system (think Republic, power production, transportation, etc.) can easily be taken down and replaced — often by something new and unproven.

Most systems that make up the larger System are not only delicate, however, they are fragile and/or brittle. Take the electrical grid (Please!) for but one example. It is a jury-rigged system that includes equipment and control systems that were produced in multiple different decades (two different centuries even) that have to work together. Right now, it does so (sorta, mostly, sometimes). Or, look at data and communications, which depend on a limited number of undersea cables far more than they do on satellites. Or modern grocery stores, that depend on just-in-time deliveries from a network of warehouses that also depend on just-in-time deliveries made by transportation fleet that is heavily dependent on both data (communications) and computers, which depend on the grid and on a transportation infrastructure that is crumbling in far too many areas. Not just roadways and railroads, but look at the travesty that is the U.S. Merchant Marine, U.S. shipbuilding, and surface transport in general.

I could go on, and may one day lay out more of the fault trees, but this is enough to give you a basic feel for how fragile things are. If anything happens to the power, the data, the computers, the communications go down. Something happens to the undersea cables, your data transmission capabilities could go drastically down. Your data and coms go down, so goes your just-in-time logistics system. Which means that you are talking about three days of food in most stores, and with panics and such, you could be talking as little as three hours before it is gone.

Now, there are many things that can cause that “Ooops.” A terrorist attack on military and other infrastructure could do the trick. Combine that with more general terrorist attacks, and you have something that several orders of magnitude worse. If you follow space weather, you should already know about that odd spot on that great big fusion reaction in the sky, our star Sol — aka the sun. It is odd, and has even done a few things it shouldn’t. It’s also why the aurora have been seen so far south this year. I’ve talked a time or two before about Carrington Events, and if you are not familiar with them you might want to dig in on that topic. Yep, war, pestilence, or another bad software update (you might remember that update that temporarily bricked about a billion workstations not that long ago), or a host of other factors. Heck, world-wide political upheaval can not just set the stage (look here, Brazil, France, etc.); but, could do the trick quite nicely on it’s own. Any disaster (remember, there are inconveniences, emergencies, and then disasters) that goes on for a sufficient period of time can do the trick.

In one of his series, John Ringo had an “Ooops” that took the planet from a Golden Age to something close to medieval in just a few seconds. Think he presented it by showing a young girl who for her (16th?) birthday was digitized so that she could exist as a cloud of nanites, and she did so, for a very short time before the system crashed/was crashed and the cloud that had been a young girl full of joy fell scattered to the Earth. It really doesn’t take much to have the “Ooops.” In fact, if you take out just one system that makes up our current System, you get that “Ooops.” Energy, transport, data, etc. if you lose one, you are extremely likely to lose them all.

Ooops.

Which is why people who plan for disasters (at least those who know what they are doing) have as a contingency plan the concept of bootstrapping. In the event of an “Ooops” we can’t maintain our current technology, much less manufacture replacements. For a pretty good discussion on this, you might check out the late Eric Flint’s 1632 series from Baen Books. In it, he and a group of other good authors deal with this concept even as they create an alternate history. Good books, and also not a bad series to have around if there is an “Ooops.”

A short version, since you can literally write a series of books on the topic, is that if something takes out the current System, you are pretty much going to be having to drop back to 1800s steam tech for a lot of things. Without power, you are not running advanced manufacturing (3-D, CNC, chip fab, etc.) if you have it at your location. Even if you can get or keep some power on, you still can’t run it long given modern logistics. Even then, you could not make the machines to make the current levels of machines without the current base. Long story, but you are going to be dropping back several generations of machines and tooling just to hang on, and begin the slow process of rebuilding a tech base. You are also going to have a big knowledge gap since a lot of critical information (and skills) are likely to be lost in the “Ooops.”

So, again, people who know what they are doing plan to bootstrap and to do what they can to prevent having to drop back too far. One way to do that is to have on paper or other archival form as much basic data as possible. Everything from Trig tables to on to chemical formulas for products from the early 1900s (or later if possible). You want and need your engineering and physics calculations and tables. You need your metalurgical tables. Heck, you need your meteorological tables and histories even. You need your chemistry tables, formulas, periodic charts, and more. All in forms that will last and can be accessed without the need for power or modern systems.

Also, the more sites that have such information, the better. Dispersal ensures survivability, both of the data and quite possibly humanity. It provides resiliency that is essential to create a new System in the face of disaster. Keep in mind that it literally took thousands of years to collect and codify that data to start with. Having it on hand and widely dispersed cuts down on your recovery time. It is the difference between having to drop back to a pre-industrial society or to a point just before the greatest technological boom in human history. Keep in mind that we went from powered flight to landing on the moon in less than a hundred years. Because we had the data, the skills, and could (would and did) develop the materials and systems required.

We have that data and more now, just as we have computational power in our pocket via that smart phone that was considered fiction even unto the 1960s or later. Remember that for a period of time, given how fast computer tech moved, the most power computer on the Shuttle was the calculator in the pilot’s flight suit.

Which also reminds me, include medical data with the items to be stored. Even old (say 2000) text books that are now outdated have information that, again, was only a dream even in the 1960s. It’s a good idea to be able to bootstrap more than manufacturing.

Which is the other key to a dispersed effort. Trade. One of the most important, and valuable, trade items in the face of disaster has always been knowledge. In a disaster, it would not be surprising to see medical data being traded for geological data that might also be traded for materials or construction data…

Store as much as you can in as many forms as you can, if you have a means to print any data that is not already printed. In a real disaster, print is always going to be king.

Finally, thanks for the great comments in the post linked above! Your comments always rock and my regular readers are a fantastic bunch. Thank you!

Still having some fun, but hope to get back to regular posting.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

LTS: Preserving Comfort

Today is trying to get away from me, so before it does I wanted to get up at least a short post. Yesterday, I talked about preserving knowledge in the face of disaster. Today, I want to talk about preserving some of the comforts of civilization, comforts that can have a profound effect on health and well being.

If you have read John Ringo’s Black Tide Rising series, you probably already have an idea of what I’m talking about. Which is personal hygiene products.

I’ve done some of the ‘live (for a short period of time) like a colonial settler’ and primitive camping and such. Heck, I even thought about trying out for Naked and Afraid even though that’s way out of my league. The fact is, we don’t appreciate the comforts we have and would be horrified at living at a level of a century ago (hint, that’s the 1920s, not the 1820s). When disaster strikes, I want to survive in comfort and style for as long as I can.

Little fact is that as hygiene improves, so does lifespan. So does quality of life, as with cleanliness can come a lowered chance of illness, infected wounds, and the other joys of primitive (and even fairly modern) life.

So, here’s a tip. In addition to keeping supplies of toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, soap, hand soap, and even laundry soap and sanitizer around to get you through the inconveniences (short term) and emergencies (mid-term), stock away enough for a true disaster.

You really are not going to appreciate toilet paper until it is gone. Field expedients blow, and I still remember being warned back in the early 1970s about finding wax paper, a form of sand paper, and tissue wrapping paper being put into public toilets in a certain European country. That was when I learned how to core a TP roll and pack at least one roll (and carry several small packs of tissues) for travel and boy howdy am I glad I did so. You still find interesting ‘substitutes’ or nothing at all in various places around the world.

Feminine hygiene products are another you almost can’t have enough of in a disaster. It’s amazing though how many tampons and pads you can fit inside bags inside a 5-gallon bucket. Also, tuck away a few “starter” kits that are available for young ladies just hitting puberty.

Same holds true for bath soap, hand soaps, and shampoo. Fact is, you can store a years worth (at least at my rate of usage) easily and work through the stock as you live life. Also consider keeping some specialty soaps (surgical, etc.) on hand. I ended up with a couple of nice bottles of the generic surgical soap (generic hibi) courtesy of the shoulder replacements and have them on hand just in case.

All of this is not necessarily a huge cost, and it has a huge return on several levels. Just a quick thought to share before things get crazy again.

Preserving Knowledge

Today is going to touch on how to preserve books and such, and part is going to touch on what to save. Now, this is advanced preparation and is designed not for inconveniences or emergencies, but full-up disasters. Just keep in mind that it is duration that counts, and that it doesn’t matter if the cause is natural, natural stupidity, or politics (which I do count as different from natural stupidity).

A while back, I did several posts on long-term storage (LTS) and talked a bit about the need to tuck away books and such just in case. Let’s start with book preservation.

For the books that are truly important, allow me to suggest individually bagging in food-grade mylar storage bags, and sealing after getting out as much air as possible and with an oxygen absorber inside. Getting out the air will inhibit the operation of the absorber, but it also helps with packing the individual bags into other containters. If things are tight, omit the absorber and press on. My suggestion is to put the individually-bagged books into a larger mylar storage bag, such that you can drop two or three such bags into a five gallon bag, and then into a 5-gallon bucket with mylar liner as discussed in the LTS section. Oh, this is also where you should have copies of important legal documents and such.

Again, again, and again, it is all about layers and levels of containment. The more the better, as the last thing you want is a single failure to take out your efforts.

Now, that’s expensive, time consuming, and not necessarily going to be something everyone can do. While less secure in the long term, you can also simply place a 5-gallon mylar bag inside a 5-gallon food-grade bucket with mylar liner, load as much inside as you can fit (including oxygen absorbers), seal the good mylar bag, tie off the liner, then seal the bucket. That gives you three levels of containment, which can work even for a disaster.

Now, some quick thoughts on what to save. These are some personal suggestions, and I hope they give you some food for thought.

In terms of literature, I’m going to want to save books and series that I have enjoyed. Personally, I’m not inclined to save the ‘great works of literature’ which in many cases I don’t consider that good, great, or literature. That’s a discussion for another day, but how we treat literature in school is an abomination. While I would tuck away a tome with Shakespeare’s works, I’m more inclined to tuck away the works of David Weber and others. I would very much want to tuck away John Ringo’s Black Tide Rising series as it focuses on dealing with a true disaster in very practical terms, as does Eric Flint’s 1632 series (which is excellent in terms of gearing down to build back up). And you can bet Lewis and Tolkien will be in there too.

Now, for a disaster, I would also recommend two levels of reference books. The first would be things like the Foxfire series that detail how things were done in the past (and up to the present day) including home remedies and more. There are a number of good books that contain old recipes and formulas for everything from toothpaste to food preservation. These are all very good and practical things to have, and I suspect one could write a book or two on the options. In a disaster, having access to the old ways may be a very good thing.

However, the second level is one that is often ignored. These are the old reference books that contain calculations, tables of data, and the steps to derive information for everything from engineering to basic production. These are the old reference books that detail drugs and usages (PDR, etc.). These are the books no longer being printed (or if printed rarely bought) because the information is all on the internet. Yes, it is now. There are multiple causes of disaster that can take out the internet, temporarily or permanently. A lot of these types of books are being thrown away or given away by libraries of all types. You can find them for pennies in second-hand stores and even garage sales. In a disaster, they may well be worth their weight in plutonium. If you get the chance, tuck them away.

Finally, I do recommend tucking away religious books, particularly Christian and Jewish books. Why? Look at the news. If that doesn’t tell you why, ya need help. If you think the war on Christianity, and the rampant antisemitism, are just going to magically go away in a year or two, I think you are dreaming. I actually expect to see the war on Christianity and Jews get much worse. My thought on that is to tuck away as many copies of bibles, prayer books, reference books, etc. in multiple containers and multiple locations as possible. I would also work to make them hard to detect as well, just in case. It may sound paranoid, but I’m not sure we are being paranoid enough on this score. I’d far rather have such things tucked away at need, than to find we need them and not have them.

Just a few quick thoughts this morning, and I really should do a post on libraries and another on literature (even though Larry Correia and others have been doing a good job on same). Also, more thoughts on what to store for a disaster are coming. More soon.

Layers

In the comments to yesterday’s preparedness post, longtime reader/commenter GWB makes some good points but I have to disagree with him on a definition of terms, and on a couple of very minor points. The term of discussion is “preparedness” and we do seem to have a different definition of same.

He makes the point that preparedness means stocking up on the manual items, which in many households are the backups to regular use items. I did touch on the need to stock up on the manual items, but since I’ve covered that topic before I did not get too far into it. I think it is important to have them, especially if things go south for an extended period of time. In fact, having multiples of critical items is a very good idea.

However, my definition of preparedness revolves around layers and durations. As in I plan and prep to have as many layers in place as possible, in order to handle a variety of durations with as much comfort as possible. Having a single layer for any point makes that layer a potential single point of failure. I want as many layers (and as many steps between pure electronics and pure manual) as practical (or possible if cost no object) in place.

Much depends on duration, or rather durations, of the things that happen. As I noted in the Preparedness Pays series, there are three types/levels of emergency and they are based on duration. The book-in-progress (sigh, still) breaks it down very nicely, but a rough idea is that 1- to 3-days is an annoyance; 3-days to 4-weeks (or so, forget the exact time frames I used) is an emergency; and anything beyond 4-weeks is a disaster.

In the case of yesterday’s post, I’m actually optimistic about the potential disaster (really disasters) that I see as possible. As Sarah oft says, Be Not Afraid. For all that I think things are going to get more than a little bumpy, I think the odds are that we bounce back sooner rather than later. Lots of reasons for that, and frankly Sarah is doing a good job of analyzing a lot of the reasons why. If you are not reading her, you should be.

What wasn’t obvious yesterday, though, is that I think that for about 90 percent of what could happen, we should bounce back to reasonable levels within 4- to 6-years. Now, I want shoes, batteries, and electronics that are going to give me the best they can during that time. For the products I mentioned, keep in mind that newer batteries will hold charge longer, are easier to recharge, and generally they will operate at maximum efficiency for a good period of time. The non-electronic parts of the system should last a good long while as well. With solar chargers and other means of recharging, I keep their ease-of-use and comfort for the longest possible time.

If I get new shoes next month, I should be good for at least 4 years on the main shoes, and I bet I can get almost that out of the tennis shoes at need. At which time, I would hope that we are back to where such things are once again widely available. Same holds true for several of the other items I mentioned.

Semi-aside, it used to be one of the hallmarks of a good barber was being able to keep not just your razor sharp, but all of your scissors and clippers sharp as well. If you’ve never had a haircut where the barber used dull manual clippers and/or scissors, count yourself lucky. For such biteth mightily and well beyond a mere ouchie. It’s why I want to keep the ease of use of the electric trimmers/clippers and other implements around as long as I can. For me, I think it important to maintain some levels of presentation, for reasons of physical and mental hygiene. Such is much easier and less painful with modern conveniences, so I want to be sure what I have will work and work well for an extended period.

Also, don’t throw or give away anything you do replace. Clean them, charge them, and tuck them away appropriately to have as backups. Stuff happens, and having extra layers keeps it from being a Hoover moment. If also gives you potential trade goods at need. Just a thought.

Yesterday’s post was about the need to stock up on critical items (shoes, edged items, etc.) that may have components from overseas, as well as some important comfort items (and, in some ways, I do count phones, laptops, etc. as comfort items). It is also a suggestion to add layers where you can to your preparations, and that this too shall pass — possibly like a kidney stone and sadly over years not weeks. But it will pass.

Thing is, be prepared for anything that comes, from any source. Keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Preparedness Thoughts

A week or two ago I promised to share some thoughts on current preparedness needs/recommendations. Given all that is going on in the world, it is far better to be prepared for the worst even as we hope and pray for the best.

Once I get my stipend, my hope this month is to buy new shoes. The current shoe is about four years old, and sadly Red Wing is slipping a bit on the quality front as they used to last five to six years. I’m semi-smiling as I type that, but it’s not fully a joke and yet not fully a complaint. One of the reason I want new shoes is that if things do go really far south, as they easily could, good shoes are a necessity and likely to be in short supply. They may also have to last a while.

As with a number of items, even if the shoes are made in the U.S., some of the critical materials and/or components are not. My Red Wings, for example, are composite-toed safety shoes and some of the most comfortable for walking and general activities I’ve ever had. I even wear them to Church as they look nice. A number of the components are not made in the U.S. (not sure about the shoes right now and too lazy to take them off to check) and are from locations where shipping could get iffy in certain circumstances (Pacific region, cough). So, new shoes are on the menu if I can squeeze the money out of the budget. They were $90, but with inflation may be up towards $120 now. Grumble.

In fact, with the edema under control for now I would also like to get a new pair of tennis shoes as well. The previous pair is at least two years old and they do not hold up nearly as well as the Red Wings. Again, even ordering online, a good pair that can handle walking and even some light hiking is going to be around $100. But, having something light and comfortable for general wear and use is a good idea.

If you don’t have a good pair of boots, allow me to highly recommend getting some. Me, I’ve got one or two pair of uniform boots left, along with some hazmat-rated work boots in very good shape, and possibly a couple of other odd pairs of boots that should be in good shape. Think I’m set, at least for now. A pair of insulated or plain rubber farmer boots might not be a bad investment too, and you can get them at some place like TSC or Rural King for about $40.

On boots, get some that can be used for work, but are also comfortable for walking or even hiking. Boots are good protection on more than one level, so look at the area you where you live and get boots that will work for you. Having the waterproof farm boots comes in quite handy for dealing with rain, mud, and more. Good idea to keep the feet dry as much as you can.

This might be a good time to replace some electric/electronic items as well. In this case, I’m talking about things like beard and hair trimmers, razors, toothbrushes, and such. Again, most of those come in whole or in part from overseas. If your phone and computers are more than two or three years old, you may want to consider upgrading while you can. Me, I may look at a new beard/hair trimmer here soon.

I’m also looking to restock razors and razor blades a bit. Again (and again) most of these are made overseas. Having a good supply on hand is just a good idea and not necessarily a major expense. Cost more than they should, IMO, but not totally outrageous.

Now, me personally I’m looking to stock back up on olive oil as I use a lot of it. Also avocado oil. Keeping a good supply of fats on hand is a good idea, as if things get really interesting fats are some of the hardest things to find. I’m even looking into rendering and storing my own tallow, and upping the amount of lard on hand.

Also, if anyone wants to hit the Wish List and get me some 5-gallon or 2-gallon food buckets, I would love to stock away more flour. And wheat berries for grinding. However much you have, you almost can’t have enough flour on hand. Got a couple of other things I would love to put away in bulk, but flour is something I see as a particularly good idea. It has a tendency to be very needed, and to get scarce very fast.

A final thought for a quick post: Look to your edged weapons right now too. Many knives, and even swords and axes, are either made overseas or use materials made overseas. Have noticed that even on some knife brands that boast “Made In The USA” the blades are from China. Knives, hatchets, axes, machetes, and even swords are very useful tools in everyday life, and become even more important in emergencies. Prepare accordingly. And, yes, I’m still annoyed at having to throw away my pocket knife at the hospital. Dang things have gotten expensive to replace.

Just a few thoughts on things I think might be a good idea to acquire and/or put away right now. If you sew, fabric is something to think about too.

The ride is likely to get very bumpy. Be prepared, and try to avoid the bumps you can. So, be prepared. And keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

The Attack

Thanks to Dr. Alice, I got to read Kurt Schlichter’s The Attack (no, I don’t get anything for the link other than the joy of promoting a good book). It is a mix of horror, humor, and insightful analysis combined with very good writing that is hard to put down.

The style of treating it as first person interviews and recordings for historical purposes was indeed a great choice. It allows it to keep a good pace, cover a lot of territory, and build a believable world in a way that would indeed require a massive novel to do otherwise. It also allows glimpses into mindsets and characters that would be difficult to pull off in a novel.

The result is a fast-paced read that builds and fills a complex world in a realistic manner. While it is a fictional treatment of current events, it still deals with them in a mostly realistic way.

Indeed, my only disagreement with the good Colonel is that I think he understated some things, even though I suspect I know why he did so. For most of the public, what is presented in the book is going to be eye-opening and hard to believe. I suspect reality is much worse.

Personally, I suspect that we may be facing more than two divisions of Islamicists (and supporters, a concept well and convincingly explored in the book) given what has poured across the border in the last three years. That does not include the Chinese (again, well covered in the book) and others who are, again, known to have come across in very large numbers. Take a look at who is buying up land around military and strategic sites (hint, it’s not just the Chinese), and, well, I think that in this book we are looking at a best-case scenario.

As for the attacks on the schools, again I think it understated. Years back, several of us took a look at schools, security, and more as a result of Beslan. If you don’t know what it is, look it up. In short, a “hostage” situation (as often is seen in this book) that was really a front for rape, torture, and murder. This is one of the few times you will hear me say I don’t think the Russian’s went far enough in dealing with those behind this. (sorry, still working on being more New Testament instead of Old Testament). Back to subject, I know that at least one of the people Kurt thanks at the start of the book is one who took a look at this and what could happen here.

I don’t know about him, but the thought of such here doesn’t scare me: it terrifies me. It terrifies me that every effort to harden and protect our schools against this and other threats has been fought for domestic political reasons that willingly sacrifice our children. Beslan proved that not only were schools great targets, but that faking it being a hostage situation was a great way to draw things out for propaganda purposes while allowing maximum time for rape, torture, and murder. It’s a concept tested again to some extent on Oct. 7, and one that features prominently in the book.

Which leads me to the one overly optimistic thing in the book, and the thing that came closest to throwing me out of any suspension of disbelief: the response. The response(s) shown in the book only work in the presence of strong leadership and a tangible form(s) of collective justice. In the absence of such, you are going to get mobs, vigilantes, and worse as civilization is a veneer even today. While there are some who want to see such, so as to justify yet more radical restructuring, they are fools. They do not understand that what we witnessed on Oct. 7 is the way most of the world works and has worked for an age or three.

There is a reason in the past that people fled when it looked like towns were to be sacked. It is not limited to the distant past: Look at the sack of Berlin and what happened to females 8 to 80. Look at the looting (though I do tend to think the Soviets did the Germans a favor by taking all those stool-shelf commodes, look it up), and outright murder that went with it. If you really want to, you can find examples even more recent.

The concepts of just war, limited war, rule of law, and even the peaceful transfer of power are recent and quite possibly fleeting. When one actively circumvents safeguards, such as opening a border, guess what goes away?

Now, imagine a world where The Attack happens and strong leadership not only does not emerge, but you see the multi-tier “justice” of the last few years applied to those who took part in this. What do you think will happen?

Especially given that the schools and our children will be targets just like Oct. 7. In fact, here’s an equation for you: (Beslan + Euvalde) * Oct. 7 = X² That is the horror that will happen in our schools. The response to it by the public, however is likely to be: (Beslan + Euvalde) * Oct. 7 = X⁴ Now, imagine that released in an uncontrolled and uncoordinated manner not just in the U.S., but around the world. That is what will happen without strong leadership and a good grasp of history and social dynamics.

Enough on that. Back to topic, this is a good book that I highly recommend not just as a good (and enjoyable, though not necessarily fun) read, but also as a warning and full of things to factor into your planning for life. Get it. Read it. Just remember, it can be enjoyed on many levels.

As always, be prepared. Keep your friends close and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Manual Grain Grinders

I’ve been thinking about a manual grinder for grains, that if it can handle more (nuts, spices, etc.) great. Real key is to have something that is easy to use, adjustable, and can handle a variety of grains. So, I’m asking you what you think of the following, or if you have a better suggestion based on experience. If it is something that can be added to the wish list, so much the better.

This grinder seems to get a lot of praise, and can even be motorized with an accessory kit. Pricey, but if it works and lasts…

This hand grinder and its electric sibling also get good reviews. I like the idea of stone or ceramic grinders for a lot of reasons.

This one looks to be identical to the very first one, though less expensive. Anyone have any experience with it?

This one is very inexpensive, but tin plating worries me. Anyone try it?

Finally, another that can be electrified. I wouldn’t mind having that option.

Feel free to list others that work for you in the comments. For a number of reasons, want to stay manual though being able to motorize is a big plus for me. What are your thoughts?

UPDATE: Thanks to a comment by RCPete, I’m adding this, which is the first referenced grinder in cast iron. Will last decades longer than the aluminum, and should withstand any emergency. Much higher cost, but is effectively multi-generational. Sounds like a plan to me. Thoughts?

That’s Not Good

By now, you’ve probably seen this story or similar about the missing NYPD uniforms, car markings, and other delights. Not sure about you, but I’m hearing from sources that NYPD is not alone. In fact, it sounds like this is far more widespread that anyone sane should like.

One of the things that I’m finding interesting is that not all the missing uniforms and such are in major cities. That said, the areas where they are missing seem to be in areas with interesting (and critical) infrastructure, military, industrial, or other. Worrisome that is, at least for me. That this is traveling via LE-member and related circuits, and is NOT being discussed by politicians or political leadership military, LE, etc. could well be speaking volumes.

What just happened in Russia could be the opening bell as it were. Given the large numbers of military aged Chinese, Muslims, and others from a variety of countries inimicable to the United States and the tenets of Western Civilization… Well, if you were the Chinese and wanted to prevent a U.S. response to an invasion of Taiwan or annexation of portions of the Philipines; if you were Iran and wanted to cripple the United States while setting yourself up as a significant/major nuclear power (not just regional); or if you were one of several others: what would you be doing different via our open Southern Border?

Even if the tsunami of military aged males (and tens of thousands of children being trafficked too) weren’t a real threat, look at what is happening with our economy. Look at the debt, look at the loss of the petrodollar, and more. There’s more beyond that, lots more, and the new Kristallnacht that is underway here and abroad is but one sign . None of the things is good of itself, and offers much worse in synergistic terms.

Stock up. Keep your eyes open, head on a swivel, and your things where you can find them in the dark. It’s not the end, but I doubt it is going to be fun. Keep your family and true friends close, and be careful out there. If you care to help me with some food and preparation, feel free to hit the tip jar.

Building Underground, More Thoughts

Going back to a previous post, I want to continue my thought experiment on building underground. There were a number of good comments on the previous post, which serve as a good jumping off point.

Re-purposing old silos is a tried and true thing, and there are some very nice ones out there. The problem on water is well taken, as I know one around Abilene, TX where the silo is/was actually used for swimming and scuba instruction last I heard. In pretty much all cases, silos can become cisterns, though the living quarters usually stay dry. Good planning is required if you want a dry silo.

The take on them still being targeted is quite valid. For all that our bureaucrats are horrible at getting things done, Russian bureaucracy is worse IMO and there is no guarantee that Russia has updated its targeting — though I hope it has. As noted before, if they have not, I am going to be (very briefly) amused and annoyed given proximity to former targets. Though I admit the strip mall now in one location is somewhat hideous in architectural terms…

The one I know of that was just left “as is” not for sale and buried quite deep. So much so I could do an underground house on top of it and a house up above that. If I had millions to acquire, renovate, build, etc. would be tempting.

As for former mines being converted into homes, that remains a very good option if one has the funds. Keep in mind that not all mines are pits (literally or figuratively). Many hard (or semi-hard) rock mines and such are actually up local mountains/hills. The ones I saw out in West Texas are literally carved into mountains, and are up above a canyon system. This simplifies water/sewage/other runoff issues and offers good opportunities for water mitigation.

One of the things I had looked at with shipping containers was going on top of a hill or into a good hillside, doing all the digging and such required for household and rain runoff, then putting down a concrete pad and going from there. The key point there are to involve a special type of geological engineer both to guide with where to put a well (and what depth and other considerations are needed) as well as dealing with normal and emergency runoff (any number of disasters will change rain/water patterns temporarily or permanently). Once structures complete, backfill and be good to go.

Problem is, as several noted before, shipping containers can make decent housing in certain circumstances. Sadly, underground is not one of them. The real problem is the need to put about a foot of reinforced concrete around them. By the time you do all the bracing and such just to pour the concrete, it is not worth it. You would be far better off just doing regular temporary construction bracing for such.

Another option that sorta combines both concepts is to do like Cheyenne Mountain: dig big “cave” and put up buildings in it. Works, but a bit expensive for the average homeowner. Smaller scale, however, is not impractical.

I really like Old Paratrooper’s idea from a personal standpoint. Again, my thought is to go into a hillside or take off the top of a hill. Though, to put in a decent small library may have to use two quonset huts with one dedicated to being a library (smile). Gives you more than enough volume for a home, the opportunity to build and even change the interior at need, and works on several levels. Again, get good geological/hydro advice (as well as structural engineering involvement), dig out gravel drain fields (and put in diversion walls and such if/as needed), then put down the pad, the hut, and upper concrete. With the right planning, you have water/air/other issues worked out well in advance.

For a limited budget, the above works. If you win the lottery, look at converting a mine or mining out “caves” for use a la West Texas. If you win insane amounts of money, there are other options.

Just a few thoughts on what I may make a continuing discussion/thought experiment. Keep those good comments coming!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Some Thoughts On Building Underground

If this seems a bit disjointed, blame it on this being baking day. I’m working on this between all the do-and-waits on the bread. Which means I write a bit, dash back upstairs to do-whatever to the dough, then come back and try to pick up my train of thought.

I’ve mentioned a time or two my desire to build a home underground wherever I end up. That desire remains, though I have worked it down to two basic concepts that might be within reach of my finances, particularly if I win the lottery.

Now, one option that I’ve had to toss as it truly is not possible absent a massive influx of cash is to find an old missile silo and turn it into a home. I actually know where one is out in Arizona, though it is not currently for sale. Given circumstances, and it being well buried at this point, I would not only refurbish and re-do the silo and control center, I would build a somewhat underground house above it, and a humble abode on the surface to mask what lies beneath. That’s a post in and of itself one day, but it would ride out most disasters quite nicely.

Which leaves the other two options. One is building into an existing mine. The second is to build a structure out of shipping containers and bury it.

Now the first has a lot of potential, if you can find the right type of mine. Most of the mines I found out in Arizona were not what you see in Hollywierd. Rather, they are excavations that meander and work around some of the hard rock and are quite organic if you will. There are few straight lines and large chambers unless nature made them. You can build into them, but they will require a lot of work and you will need to build structures within them to be weather (and critter) tight.

Now, out in the Texas panhandle and elsewhere, you have mines that are more typical of Hollyweird: straight shafts in, square(ish) chambers, tunnels on multiple levels, etc. You still would need to put walls and/or structures in place for many of them, but not all of them. There was a B&B-type place I saw an ad for out in the Texas panhandle where they mostly utilized the existing walls and structures, adding glass and walls as needed to make it weather and critter tight.

I will note that caves are an option and I’ve seen more than one turned into beautiful homes. For me, however, the price of the land is a non-starter. That said, if you have the means it is something to consider though the natural ventilation of caves will be an issue to be considered for certain disasters.

Right now, what I’m looking at — being a remote possibility — is to buy some land, excavate, and go in with modified shipping containers. I did have some more elaborate plans, but have downsized those via eliminating all but minimum needs. In fact, the only two things where I want to get semi-extravagant are with the kitchen and the library. More on that in a bit.

I’m playing with some ideas, but the structure would consist of a kitchen/great room/access to a guest room; a library; a chapel; storage; and a master bed and bath. Now, if you need it you can add more bedrooms, and if worried about housing in an emergency I’ve got some ideas on double containers as bunkroom and bath. For me, as things stand now, I’m looking at the minimum and adding to it if and as needed.

Note: when doing containers like this, plan on adding arched roofs. This improves structural strength, water drainage, and more. Doesn’t need to be a huge arch, but it needs to be there and not a flat roof. There also needs to be extra preparations for drainage as well as utilities, but that may be a post of it’s own.

My basic thought is to have a single container going in, with a quarter or half container entering into it about three quarters of the way down. That entry leads into the great room/kitchen/etc. set-up.

While it is not the best way to do things on some levels, I would like to have the kitchen with some energy-efficient disaster-resistant windows (not huge) looking outside. Part of that is knowing that from a psychological standpoint having such access is a good thing. Part goes back to childhood and the window in our kitchen as well as the windows in the kitchen of an aunt’s house where that side of the family often gathered. I should note that both sides of the family have always tended to gather in the kitchen rather than anywhere else.

The kitchen I want to do right. As in Viking double range if insurance won’t let me do commercial; extra oven or baking set-up; two refrigerators; meat aging and brining refrigerator set-up; large freezer (or two); commercial sink arrangement; lots of counter space. If I thought I could get away with it, wood-burning pizza/baking oven. No saintly moderation in setting this up I’m afraid.

The great-room would be a place to relax, entertain, and should include a fireplace or wood stove. A bathroom and guest room/bath should be just off it.

The chapel could be two half- or quarter-containers, and you should be able to get there from the master bedroom and the kitchen/great room area.

The master bedroom is not intended to be huge, but more functional. In some ways thinking more European on the bathroom (tile, etc.) and if needed you could use a quarter-container as a walk-in closet.

Now, the library is where I would like to go hog wild. Here are a few modest examples that I think have the potential to become a real library, even if only in the home:

I may sketch a few things out soon, but maybe tomorrow I will get into some of the prep and what I think would need to be done for a good underground house. This is a start, and while the photos above are a bit modest, they do have the potential to become a good home library.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.