Heatring with wood

bfast- oatmeal and grain combo, toast, coffee
lunch- fruit sandie, waster
dinner- hoagies and chips form rthe Wallie.
I found this article on one of the sites I read regularly and thought to pass it on. I picked up a ben Frankilin wood stove a few months ago for a 6 pack of beer and it is ready for use.
enjoy.

There you go scratching your head, trying to figure out how you are going to stay warm during the cold winter months after the Saudi's import sanctions against the U.S., preferring to sell their oil to China. After all the Chinese produce over ten percent of the world’s consumer goods and they are ready, willing and able to sell or trade military secrets and technology to countries hostel toward the America.

There is no easy answer, at least long term. I think the problem will be more a lack of funds rather then of supply. Those holding the wealth will control whatever resources left. As usual the poor will be hit hardest, while the rich will continue on as usual, at least until actual Peak Oil happens and the oil flow decreases to a dribble.

The availability of wood for heating will depend on your location more then anything else. Someone hidden away in the deserts of Nevada would have a harder time heating with wood then the hermit secluded in the hills of Tennessee.

Only a few years ago just about everyone in my area heated with wood, now only a small number own a wood stove. It seems the ease of natural gas drove the final nail in the coffin of the wood burner.

I can heat my trailer all winter with three pickup loads of wood or less depending on how cold it gets and how long the cold snaps last. In the south our winters are fairly mild, rarely falling below twenty degrees, up north it may get minus twenty or lower requiring much more wood to stay warm.

Post Peak Oil, cutting the wood and getting it from woodlot to woodpile may present the most difficult challenge for the survivor, rather then a lack of supply. A crosscut saw and an ax would be worth there weight in gold after the chainsaw sucks the last drop of fuel from the tank.

Sleeping bags rated at -10 or better, thermal socks and underwear are a must for colder parts of the country. I can remember as a child of maybe eight or ten, my mother lost her job and we were forced to stay in an old abandoned barn. I recall waking to a bed full of snow that had blown in through the cracks in the walls. We survived only because we had those sleeping bags and thermal socks and underwear.

Do everything you can to make your dwelling more energy efficient. Plastic over the windows, blankets hung over the doors, skirting around trailers etc,. Little things can make a big difference, saving a lot of resources making your supplies last much longer then normal.

Wood heat may not be the perfect solution against the cold but it maybe the best option available for most of us at the moment. It sure beats propane post peak-oil or dying of CO poisoning while trying to feed a Sierra Stove with bags of wood pellets.

50 degrees an 60 mile winds

bfast- oatmeal, toast and coffee
lunch- chips and dip fruit and water
dinner pasta and turkey sausage, bread and water

as the title says its 50 degrees outside and winds have been howling at the stead all night. Supposed to wind down later this morning. Then will assess the damage. Right now cant see any but you never know. Anyhow I went and picked up about 200 leftover candles from a church nearby who was giving them away. Now I should have enough to keep the house lit in case of another power outage.
Also stopped by SPROUTS on the way back ( i took the dumpe bike) and loaded up on oats and grain cereal at 2 lbs for a $1. Checked the back door and grabbed a 5 lb bag of onions.On the way back I rode behind the Safie way and grabbed some oranges, pckged blueberries and a bag of cashews. gotta love the after Xmas snacks that didnt sell..
Spent the afternoon playing board games with the kidlets and havein a beer or 2. Learning alot during this time of reflection.

Sunday morning meanderings

bfast- leftover ham burritos, coffee
lunch- doritos and dip, oragne, water
dinner- roast chicken, yams, green bean casserole leftovers.

Hangin out at the stead yesterday working the CL for money makin opps I was catchin up on the TCM channel and am noticing the move towards Depression era offerings. Yesterday alone I caught Grapes of Wrath and Bound for Glory. The ideas of tent cities and Hoovervilles are rearing there heads again. More and more people are beginning to make attempts at self reliance and sufficiency. Something the missus and I have been doing for most of ourt lives. Welcome aboard.

Livi off the excess of others is something I profess to all. There is so much waste out there you only need to search locally to take advantage. Frsh dates and bags of Spanish peanuts were the fids of yesterday. Greast snacks and healthy too.

the day after xmas

bfast- holiday cheese ball quesadilla, fruit and coffee
lunch- ham sandies with catsup on wheat bread, fruit, water
dinnere fried ham, mashed taters, and doritos and dip.

yesterday was not m,uch fun. the kids were all snug in their roooms with the new games while wife was in bed in pain after throwing out the back. OUCH. pain meds and sleep for her. poor kid

did some front f door shopping for bread and chips (buy 2 get 2free) and some leftover pudding cakes (from the Safieway back door) yumyum. Anyhow it warmed up to about 40 yesterday so spent some time out of doors. the snow is melting and gaterhing in my tanks for later use.

happy Xttianmas

bfast- cheddar roll burrito, banana coffee
lunch- leftover homemade enchiladas- water
xmas eve dinner- hot wings, hot ribs, chips and beef stick cold beer

hohoho it was fun this morning and now the kids are playing with the board games and dvd games we gottem. Along with necessities. socks, gloves sweats and boots and coats.
got the missus some bath stuff and nail stuff on clearance at the Wally. She also loved her new crucifix and chain. She had tears of happiness. That makes it all worth while. Its hard livin with Trash. And i appreciate her.
Anyhow gonna have ham and scalloped taters and more cold beer later. And get ready to hit the dumpies tomorrow and the next week to see the goodies come out.

luv the holidays. free stuff good food and family dumpieing. Loadin up just in case times get tough, or even if they dont.

a Survivalist Night before Xmas

Twas the month before ChristmasAnd all through the houseThe storage was lowHardly a crumb for a mouse.
The shelves were about empty,Oh, what a plight!The wolf’s at the door,And no money in sight.
All the children were nestledTo keep warm in their bed,Hoping that before longThey surely would be fed.
The prophet had counseled“Each one be prepared,”We had procrastinated the day,Why hadn’t we cared?
ALAS! “Twas only a dream”,But that didn’t’ matterI jumped from my bedMaking a loud awful clatter.
Away to the basementI flew like a flash,Stumbling over boxes and bottles,Along with some trash.
As I surveyed my storage,With eyes all aglowThe security of filled bottlesAll straight in a row
Filled my heart with a warmthAnd my eyes with a tearTo think I had foodto last us a year.
This feeling of warmthAnd security too,Is what we as your friendsWish for you.
So put gifts of storageUnder each Christmas treeFor those on your list,Is our warmest plea,
Give honey, give sugar,Give flour or wheat.Give milk, give salt,Give something to eat.
And you’ll hear them exclaim,When Christmas is here,“Thank-you so much,It will be a good year.”
Author unknown (If you know, tell me )

monday monday

bfast- oatmeal toast and coffee
lunch- fruit and toast w/jelly coffee
dinner- homemade bean and cheese burritos with chips and juice

We spent most of yesterday watching the TV and taking it easy..
Came back to Babylon this morning with its bribery of sweets and the like.

A Jewish colleague of mine invited me to lunch so we went to an authentic Vietnamese cafe for a noodle soup bowl. I had the chicken one as I am not a big beef eater.. I ordered a medium one and it was way too much to finish.. But darn good. I will have to go back there. Also had some hot green tea . It was very pleasant.

One more day and the the holiday break from Babylon begins. A time to enjoy my family and the opportunity to gorge on holiday treats and dumpsterdiving finds. funfunfun