A brief moment of Panic

I admit it today I looked at what I have and what I would like to have on hand to protect my family and stressed. I am nowhere near ready!

I look at Peak Oil and the environmental issues. I look at my daughters and know I need to teach them for their future, whatever it may bring. But I get the feeling it is going to change a lot. I mean the price of fuel just keeps going up and up and where I live there isn’t much public transport… all right aside from the school bus there isn’t any. And I wonder how long before using our vehicle is going to be for special occasions only.

The panic doesn’t last long though. Between K and myself we are pretty handy people. He has extensive knowledge in plants and animals, he can also design, build, repair and figure it out when needed. He is a trial and error kinda guy. If this doesn’t work then maybe this will. I have to admit though he rarely has to try a second time.

For myself I am pretty much in control of animal husbandry as well (from breeding to the table). I know how to sew, knit and cook from scratch. I can make soap, cordials, ice cream and even chocolate. I have books on how to do other things I don’t know how to like spin, weave, crochet, make baskets and many other things as well. I need to remember I don’t need to know how to do everything just have the knowledge on hand to teach me what to do.

I will make do with what I am able to at present and in the future when we have land we will do even more. But I am starting and the garden will soon have a different landscape full of vegetables, herbs and fruit. My life isn’t quite as dependent as I was 6 months ago and as time goes on we will be less so. Will I hide away from the world? No. I may make some changes but we need to be part of our society, have our bonds to form friendships to rely upon if needed. The bonds to barter for what we don’t have. My girls need to live in this world and they need to have the information and skills to deal with their own lives.

There panic over we are on the right track for us and what I am aiming for and I am better off then what I was this time last year imagine what another year will do.