Being Prepared

[Small-Time]

Just to let you know Youtube has got some neat vids on storing food.
With food riots already underway, puting some food aside doesn't seem so foolish anymore. Athough it is amazing to see people still in denial amid news stations reporting it.

[CaryC]

Hey,

Experimented with making flour tortillas yesterday. What a disaster. We bought some, just in case, for a back up, we're thankful we had them. Also noticed that they have close to a year of shelf life.

[Small-Time]

For those who want to know, Rice can be stored in Mylar bags as well as flour and sugar. The mylar bags can be sealed with a hot iron and a piece of wood to press on. If you dont have oxygen absorbers you can use hand warmers(the dry,air activated kind). The rice i got had an exp. date of 2010 which is real good right so. So by sealing and removing the oxygen i expect it to last alot longer. I have also seen where flour will keep a few years like this but is still not as good as storing wheat. Storing wheat requires a grinder that is expensive so we didnt go that route. Also dont foget stuff like extra contact lenses or maybe extra glasses.BTW hand warmers are more expensive but at least you can buy the in almost any camping section.

[Salty Skipper]

Navymom had posted this link and Small-Time asked me to post it here.

http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

[Small-Time]

Although this is a sticky thread i just wanted to give it a "BUMP".
Also, I came across something that i thought was neat. It is a woodgas stove. It can cook alot with a little wood. If you make one big enough you can run a truck on it-thats right you can say by-by to gas if you have to! You can even run a generator on it to make electricity. You can search yuotube for Wood Gas or Biofuel and also Hybrid stove. This is a neat concept and would be a great addition to your Being Prepared info!
God Bless

[daffodyllady]

I've been researching small stoves. Have you ever heard of the homemade alcohol stove? The directions say to buy denatured alcohol for fuel, but I have read that many people use rubbing alcohol, which is much easier to find.

The stove is made of two pop cans, cut and fitted together, after punching some holes around the top one. Some type of non-flammable stuffing goes in between. Perlite or fiberglass insulation.

These things are evidently very good! With 1/4 cup of alcohol poured in, you get a hot blue flame like a gas range, for a good while. Here are the plans:

http://wings.interfree.it/html/GLKirby.html

Another good idea I have seen, is a gallon can cut to form a container that acts like a directer for a small sick fire. It's called the "Can Stick Stove". Here is the link:

http://wings.interfree.it/html/sstove.html

I just think it is a good idea to think of ways to take care of ourselves with as little need as possible for supplies to be refilled later.

[lookup]

Colloidal Silver is the result of an electromagnetic process that pulls microscopic particles from a larger piece of silver into a liquid, such as water. These microscopic particles can more easily penetrate and travel throughout the body. Colloidal works as a catalyst, disabling the enzyme that all one-celled bacteria fungi and viruses use for their oxygen metabolism. In short, the bad guys suffocate. Unlike with antibiotics, resistant strains have never been known to develop. In fact, antibiotics are only effective against perhaps a dozen forms of bacteria and fungi, but never viruses. Because no known disease-causing organism can live in the presence of even minute traces of chemical element metallic silver. Colloidal Silver is effective against more than 650 different disease-causing pathogens.

HOW TO MAKE A BASIC COLLOIDAL SILVER GENERATOR

http://offthegridgirls.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/basic-colloidal-silver-generator/

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[lookup]

How to make a rock stove.

My son just told me about this and so I watched the video. Very easy to make but don't forget to wear your gloves.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=797446823830833401

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[burien1]

THANKS for the info, Lookup!!!

[daffodyllady]

Okay, I just tried something for fun, and it worked!


Take a (roughly) half-gallon tall can. Be careful of sharp edges:

Using a roller can opener, cut three equal sections all around the bottom of the can, as if to take the bottom off, but leave the three points attached. Reaching in from the top, bend these three curved edges outward. It will form three legs to stand the stove on, and also allow air intake, ...also lets ashes fall out.

Punch triangle holes inward all around the top, on the sides, with a can opener. Leave them as is.

Put tinder in bottom, and short pieces of sticks on top. Light from underneath.

With only a three-foot dry pine branch, it brought a cup of water to boiling in 5 minutes.


Guess you can tell I'm a little weird. Never quite grew up, I suppose.

[lesjay]

I have felt for some time to get a first aid kit ready. Forget those things you get at walmart, I'm talking gunshot wound, burned skin, snake bite, etc type kit. So I went to the beprepared.com website and ordered a few things. I also got some heat blanket and emergency ponchos for rain, in case I'm running with the kids.

Maybe I'm getting paranoid, but I have the feeling that we will see "emergencys" like being stabbed, etc if you are in the cities, and you wont be able to find help in a hospital, they will be overrun, or under military control.

I got a dental filling kit, a snakebite kit, some big bandages for a lot of blood, and some magnesium strikers, etc. What else do I need to get? What am I forgetting?

[Soul'dOut4God]

lesjay, we put away Advil and Tylenol, water, canned goods galore, can opener, hard candy, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, wipes for toilet sanitation, extra TP, pasta, cooking oil, clam chowder in a can has 400 calories per can, 100-hour candles, a dutch cast iron oven, peanut butter galore both in pouches and jars that have a 2010 shelf life, canned soups, paper plates, paper cups, seeds for a vegetable garden, extra batteries, headlamps, and a hand-crank radio, listerine, hand sanitizer. I was so driven until we had all of the basic essentials and now we are at peace. You must think: if I couldn't buy anything, what would I need for basic survival? Prepaid phone cards or prepaid cell phones would be a good idea also.

[Pretzelogical]

For treating water, add the following to water to chemically treat it if you can't boil it:
1% bleach...

No way! Use CLEAR Colloidal Silver to kill all things viral, bacterial and fungal. (See other thread.) I refill milk and juice jugs and add some CS to keep it fresh. I am lining the jugs up along the wall of the basement "to insulate" so family admits it is not so crazy.

Setting up camp seems very unrealistic under persecution and possible injury. I am stocking up granola bars. They are sealed in mylar and I put them in rubber tubs. Very costly, indeed! VERY nutririous, fiber, etc. and chocolate! (Chocolate may become a valuable commodity at that time!) If the bars go stale, who cares, as I said, they have chocolate. It takes longer to eat a stale one, and that is an added bonus, in my opinion. Use a steak knife and thank God for all the great steaks He has provided over the years!

I have identified what weeds in my yard are edible, and what flowers are poisonous. (Hungry children will be tempted by plump red berries for sure!) It is interesting to us how the edible weeds are growing like crazy this year, and the tomotoes, peppers, beans, etc. are doing practically nothing. We had dandelions this spring that were over three feet tall! I am also storing oil, vinegar, spices, and bottled salad dressings as I can only imagine how bitter all those weeds are. (No, I do not feel lead to experiment in advance.) By the way, our local Walmart has not had honey for over a year now. I would be interested in recipes/methods for eating pine needles as Youle Gibbons toted in the sixties. What I have read so far seems very discouraging, yet I planted several pine trees in addition to the few we have. They are a great wind break, of course, so family thinks that a good idea too.

Counting the number of bridges on the roads, figuring the roads will be blocked anyway, I need to learn to ride the in-laws' horses. Actually, I plan on staying put, be arrested, tortured, killed/raptured then see Him as He is. ...and eating chocolate up until the time of arrest. Perhaps my captures will hurriedly devour the chocolate while I praise my King?! I don't want to cook primitive style as I will want to enjoy the word and family in prayer and song. I've been camping before, and do not want to use up fuel for food prep. but for staying warm. I have carhardts insulated overalls, wool clothing, warm boots, extra blankets from Goodwill, small tarps for individuals to wrap up in some Toastie Toes to be used as first aid to prevent shock. Pray as we are commanded that it does not come in winter!

We have many small percussion instruments, songflutes, harmonicas and need to get extra guitar strings. Several hymnals, songbooks, Bibles and literature I have collected for twenty-five years would be a great comfort to have, I would think.

What is the best waya to store extra batteries and flashlights?

Yes, donate food to soup kitchens too! We accept outdated food. I'd say perhaps one out of every 1000 cans of outdated food I've opened at the soup kitchen has bee bad. Cash will do soup kitchens no good if economy collapses or inflation goes crazy. Even at today's 15% inflation rate, food donation is better than cash. Storage of the food is never a problem as food can be sent home to the people who are coming in for meals or extra cans can be given to the food banks for distribution. Perhaps you are considering a donation to the soup kitchen as a kind of firstfruits offering before you store for yourself? That might get others to watch for the Lord's appearing? Perhaps buy for the soup kitchen each week as part of a tithe of what you store for yourself?

Any churches saving up and/or making preparations to be salt and light at time of disaster before the mark is put upon us?

What about organizing with neighbors? Some of ours are saved, some are not, others I don't even know.

I really admired all of you with the pioneer spirit! What a testimony to those who may be fed because you understood the times as revealed by our Lord Christ Jesus!
Wow, do I ramble!
Lisa

[Lightseeker]

Hey Lisa,
Thanks for the helpful and enjoyable post!
Blessings...

[CaryC]

Hey lesjay, and others,

You mentioned ponchos in your post. I would recommend the military type ponchos with a liner. A little pricey but well worth it, compared to the cheap flimsy ones you get at Wal-mart. Not only will it keep you dry and warm, and last with rough wear, but you can use it for a tent for two. So long as you remember some rope.

Those emergency blankets that look like tin foil, might be great for emergency use, but I wouldn't count on them for long term. Cold rated sleeping bags are best, and if you think it will be cold where you are, add a couple of wool blankets for each. Also cold rated under wear. You can always take clothes, blankets etc. off if it gets hot, but if you don't have it when it gets cold, you will die from exposure.

As for batteries and such, forget it for long term survival. A small flashlight (AA type) with 6 or so batteries might be good for the short term. Anything electrical is only for short term. Crank radio, or one of those shake flashlights, could go for longer term. Believe it or not when you're in survival mode or 1860's living you won't use much light at night. One reason you'll be tired and the other is your eyes adjust very well to night time seeing. I don't use a light to walk into/out of my hunting stands before sunup or sundown, and I'm going through wooded areas. Although I do use a flashlight to follow a blood trail, but it can wait till morning when there is natural light to see by.

Make a small container for the purpose of a "tinder box" have things in it to make fires. Have several methods in it, because each method has it's fallacies. You can make any match waterproof by simply dipping them in fingernail polish.

When looking at clothes have a couple of sets of clothes that are long lasting and durable. They are going to have to stand up to being wore for weeks at a time. You can still take a bath (sink type) and sun your clothes to "air" them out, but they will be wore a lot. Carhart makes good durable clothes, but again a bit pricey. New military clothes are designed to last for about 3 years, with constant wear.

For cooking think about the military canteen and canteen cup.

Think about a bug out bag, a small back pack already packed with some/most of the essentials. If you get the military type it will have places to put the canteen and other military stuff (first aid bag) clipped on the outside of the pack.

Just some thoughts.

[WOODHENOT3]

Canned tuna fish is great for storage, great protein. I started storing food 2 months ago....would be nice to have alot more money to do more....how do you store ziti, speghetti and noodles, etc since they come in boxes?
thanks, Woody

[CaryC]

Hey Woodhenot3,

If you're a little short on funds (aren't we all?) and you've just started storing food. I would suggest going slow. Start off by just transferring the noodles and stuff to storage bags with a date written on them. Rotate, and as you begin to build up a supply then go to something more permanent. Mylar bags, probably. Once you get to that point we can all pitch in and do a whole thing on it.

Also you're storing tuna, which is a great food. Something to consider, no matter how much you like tuna you will get tired of eating it every day. At Wal-mart real close to the tuna is cans of chicken, beef, ham, and the all time favorite of storage meat, Spam.

Think about mixing up your noodles with rice, and canned potatoes.

One thing I try to tell everyone storing food is to store the things you eat, now, and like to eat.

One of the things I heard and we practice is two for one. When you use one can of ......Spam, buy two to replace it, until you build up a supply.

If you've got more questions please feel free to ask, surely we can all work together to find an answer for you.

[casegreti]

Costco also has multipacks of turkey, chicken and roast beef for less cost. Walmart has canned gravy too, which I
found that my family likes with the turkey over rice or noodles. It helps to have a "Preparedness supper" sometimes.
We have only things from storage so people get used to the idea, and the food! Expect some grumbles though,
especially teens. Also don't forget the condiments and spices. They can make the same ingredients ( rice, beans, pasta,etc.) taste very different. We have a supply of canned tomato or paste (small for storage) so we can do mex-
ican, Italian, and soups or stews. I want to try canning peppers this year. Anyone ever tried it?

[kids]

I just wanted to post that hubby and I completed our food storage prep this weekend. lol we only have a 5 week supply of meals, but thats better than a few days Hubby and son made a 8x8 storage shelves last week in the basement, but after our 5 wk plan almost filled the shelves we told son that he was going to have to make at least 2 more shelving units... I feel better but really not prepared. I did do some research on evaporated milk. It is a good idea to store some cans, because it can be used like milk or cream in recipes. Also, you can add water to it and drink it like milk in your cereal or in a glass.

Sister in Christ,
Nancy

[WOODHENOT3]

Thanks Cary!
I believe I have about one year's worth of food stored. Hope that is enough...ha.....I have another question, I bought 2 (50 pound) bag of rice and 2 (25 pound) bag of sugar. Is it safe to put it in the rubber bin?, I put all 4 bags in the bin, will it still last long?
I bought 100 pound of ziti and also put them all in one bin and sealed it....is that OK?

Thanks......I thought of mylar bags, but when you seal a great amount of sugar, you won't be able to re-seal it.....oh, by the way, where do you buy mylar bags, on the internet or some local stores?

much blessings, Woody

[CaryC]

Hey Woody,

I haven't been ignoring you, but I work a swing shift and when working I don't do much on the internet. Anyway:

Mylar Bags: Get them over the internet, umm google "Best Prices Storable Foods" (an outfit in Texas) or "Walton Feeds". I would also recommend breaking down large bag items into usable portions.

I don't see anything inherently wrong with using "rubber bins", someone else may see it differently, though.

Here's a tip you might consider. I admit, I haven't used this. We're not up to a years worth of storage...yet. When you have a full container, like your rubber bins, before you seal it down, place a small portion of "Dry Ice" (CO2) in on the top and just place, not seal, the lid on it. Let sit for 24 hours. Then come back and seal the lid. Don't pick the lid up and see or check, just snap it down. Here's why. Placing the Dry Ice in there, will remove Oxygen from the container. Placing the lid on there will allow the excess Dry Ice to escape. If you don't let the excess escape, it will make a way--explode. (If you pick the lid back up you will allow oxygen back into the container.) If done right, you'll have to experiment to get it right, the stored items will last, or is said to last, 20 years. Oxygen is the thing that causes things to spoil, confirmed that on Modern Marvels-Cans. No oxygen will also keep out or kill any bugs.

We got in to storing, back in 1999, (wonder why), then got out of it, and are now back into it. Hopefully this time around we got a little sense about us.

[Small-Time]

Thanx to all for the input and keep it coming. Things are starting to heat up and food is becoming an issue.

Woody, I get mylar bags from http://beprepared.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1216334624
They are big and would be better used in 6 GAL Buckets but 5 gal will do to.
To solve the -once you open it-problem, seal the pails with gamma lids also found at that site.They screw open and seal back when the lid is replaced. Using oxygen absobers in the bag before you seal it helps too in the long run.
I found this 3 part video to be helpfull and most of their videos are geared toward self relience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW7_cTn6YpE.

Thanx again for everyones support of this Thread.
God Bless

[WOODHENOT3]

Thanks abundantly you guys !!

I looked into everything....I found a special of 500 mylar bags for 68 dollars which is great, it's....12.0 x 12.0 OD Mylar Black Inner Layer Open Zipper End (500 per case), I haven't ordered it yet...just checking more sources....but this one is in....www.sorbentsysstems.com
thanks for all the information....I am learning a few things about storage, etc...got to prepare, I am not going to pay 100 dollars for a loaf of bread when this day comes.....God bless you all !

Woody

[daffodyllady]

Question here...
If we are talking about getting thrown back to the 18th century here... we are not going to be able to rely on chainsaws to cut wood for heat, will we? Should we be getting axes and bow saws to be able to take care of ourselves years into the future? And what about the transportation of said wood? How would we get it from the forest to our homes? No pickups anymore... and who has oxen or horses and wagons anymore...? Just musing.

[CaryC]

Hey,

Great suggestions and ...musings.

I would say most definitely think way down the road to "no gas situations". Meaning shovels, hoes, axes, bowsaws, and a really good camp axe. Don't forget the files to sharpen them with. On bowsaws, I'm not sure how to sharpen them, so I've got a couple of extra blades.

If you've got a place to store it out of sunlight (condensation builds w/ sunlight) you can store gas. You have to add....what's it name.....Stay-Bilt...Stor-Bilt to it. Five gallons of gas will go along way for say a roto-tiller and chainsaw. One tank full of gas with a chainsaw will keep you busy the rest of the day. Also don't forget oil, regular 30 and 2 cycle oil for the gas.

As for transporting wood and water for that matter, water is a very heavy substance, we've got what I call a garden wagon. It's a pull type, just like the old Radio Flyer Wagons (the red wagons) but it's built to haul weight. It has high sides, which drop down, and air tires. Weighted down pulls really good, at least around here in the yard it does. Since it has air tires you will need a hand pump and maybe some patch material. The front tires also turn like a car, so you won't loose the load when turning. They're great. Saw them at Lowe's for a hundred bucks, and choked, so decided to wait. Good thing, saw them at another store for $60.

[Pretzelogical]

Go ahead Cary, and chock out the name, Walmart. I have one and love it! Had not thought about tire patch, thanks! Did not know about the additive for gasoline. Thanks again!
Freah water storage at colloidal silver thread.

[WOODHENOT3]

I have at least 3 years worth of firewood, but if we are truly in the last days....I'll be cutting down my oak tree...hehe....did you know you could get a 50 pound bag of popcorn seeds for only 16 dollars at Sam's.....I love popcorn!!
Have a nice weekend !

[CaryC]

Hey,

Pretzel.... if you need the name of the additive I can get it for you. They have it at this store we frequent (Wal-mart). My wife remembered it's Sta-Bil.

Woody: Three years worth of firewood It use to take us about 3 cords just to heat our house in winter. And you're going to be cooking every day and heating in the winter. Wow, you must have a yard as big as the parking lot of this store we frequent. Go for it!!!

[proparent]

I have at least 3 years worth of firewood, but if we are truly in the last days....I'll be cutting down my oak tree...hehe....did you know you could get a 50 pound bag of popcorn seeds for only 16 dollars at Sam's.....I love popcorn!!
Have a nice weekend !

Hey, we've got our 50lb bag of popcorn from Sam's just last month! We're ready to go!

Love, in Christ,
Lisa

[Pretzelogical]

Thanks Cary!
I am sure *that store* will be one of my stops this week! I'll look into it. By the way, I meant I love my wagon like yours, not that I love that store! haha
Gratefully,
The other Lisa who is also prograndparent.
(That seems better than "the old Lisa" in my opinion. haha)

[WOODHENOT3]

First time I worked with the mylar bags, it is awesome!! Use the iron to seal it and it works like a miracle! Thanks for bringing that up Cary ! I am using the bags for Flour, popcorn seeds, rice and sugar....it seals so good !
How long can the sugar, rice , etc last in mylar bags? also, what else can you store in mylar bags? pasta? m&m's? ha....

blessings, Woody

[daffodyllady]

whew, I am tired! I deserve this sit-down time, while the pressure canner is doing its job out there. Another 40 minutes, and that cannerfull of chicken comes off. The next cannerfull isnt quite ready, but I need to rest a minute. I bought chicken leg quarters at Wallyworld for about 58c per lb. When skinned and cut into pieces, and put into jars, it takes about 20 lbs to make 7 quarts of legs and thighs, plus about 4 quarts of backbones canned for the broth. That comes out to about 1.66 per quart, not counting the backbone broth. And talk about good eating! This stuff is the best for chicken soup, gravy, dumplin's, potpie, and even chicken salad.

Just layin up for the winter

My mom would even cook out the skins to render the fat. She says there is nothing like chicken fat to make homemade bread.

[GodsStudent]

OK, Daffodtllady: Your posts always intrigue me! This most recent one has me interested too! As I look at the numerous cans of canned tuna, salmon, potted meat and vienna sausages, my stomach churns and dreads the day I have to open one up and be grateful because "tonight we eat meat!" Nevermind that I dont like any of those canned meats that I just named.

So, what other kinds of meat can be canned and how does one learn to do this? I am, sadly, one of those more or less city girls who is doing overtime to try and catch up with those more fit to survival.

edited to correct the spelling of "Daffodyllady." I made a mess of it the first go round!

[daffodyllady]

Tee hee! I understand, it isn't easy... but I've been typing it for years. In the dark, way too late... the experience really pays off.

You can can any meat, probably! You need a good pressure canner, jars, lids, and rings. And the time.

I can low-fat ground or cubed beef. The ground beef works wonderfully on sandwiches! Or mix either kind with BBQ sauce... oooo baby! Or in soups, etc...

You don't need to pre-cook, but you can. After packing into jars, process under pressure for about an hour or more. There are charts in modern cookbooks.

[CaryC]

Hey,

In line with the thread but not so much in the current line of thought----seems like someone mentioned something about medical stuff. It occurred to me that I hadn't mentioned this book we got. It's called "Medicine for Mountaineering" by James A. Wilkerson, M. D.

"Medicine for Mountaineering" is almost a must have, especially for survival. It does not deal with long term diseases, but with illness and injuries. It's much better than a first aid book, and deals with more stuff. If you were going to back pack into the "outback" this is the one medical book you would take. It's designed to keep you alive, and keep you going until you could get back to civilization, and get a doctor.

It can be had at Amazon.com

[daffodyllady]

woo hoo! just got back from camping, and had a tremendous amount of fun. This 45 yr old lady actually cut her own firewood with a bow-saw, and felt better from doing it! (ummm, that is after a day of being on Tylenol for her shoulder. ) But it was pretty primitive camping... made me think a little about how we might need to prepare better...

Whew... cutting wood to heat a house for a winter, and all by hand, that would take a strong young man! Maybe that is one reason God is instructing me to adopt this "He-man" barrel-chested 3 yr old! LOL He'd better grow up fast!

One thing I learned quickly, is the value of layers for warmth. Extremely warm clothes are of limited use. But you can layer sweaters and thin knit pants, and somehow it's warmer than you would think!

Another thing that really struck me, is how attitudes of parents are absorbed by young children. We lay there in the dark, cuddling and talking about all the noises we were hearing. Katydids are horrifically loud! Little Lexi asked me, "Is Mommy scared?" And I said "Noooo, Mommy's not scared!" ( I know God will not hold that one against me. )
I got her mind off her fear by telling her to listen for the Daddies starting to snore. And sure enough, my BIL who was sleeping in the next tent over, started to let er rip. LOL So, I sang them softly to sleep, half drowned out by the katydid racket. Next morning, it was so quiet. Just me and God and the campfire, as the world began to wake up. One by one, the little ones came out to be wrapped up and cuddled by the fire and roast a hot dog for breakfast... Hey- it's better for you than most kid's cereals!

Yeah, I could live more primitive and really love it. I think I could even make do without a computer.

[CaryC]

Hey,

Sounds like you had a good time. We enjoy doing that stuff too. Whenever I get dreamy eyed thinking about Jeremiah Johnson, I just think of all the hardships they really endured, daily. So we do some of things at home.

The other day we baked some bread in our Dutch Oven, out back in our fire pit. With the temps being near 100 we started the coals, placed the Oven and went back inside under the AC for about 40 minutes. When temps allow, we sit out back at night, and listen to all the bugs, and distant dry lightening and stars galore.

I would encourage everyone to try doing some of this stuff, now. Don't think you're going to walk out of all your conviences, and be a seasoned survivor. It's going to be physical, and slow day long work. How ever you envision cooking in survival mode, even different stages of survival mode, get out there and do it. You're going to encounter problems, find out what that/those are and deal with them now, while you can still walk in the house and fire up the microwave and still eat supper. You don't have to load up the Jeep and travel to a national forest hundreds of miles away, just make it an event in the back yard. Hey, if you make a mess, you haven't lost anything, you're life isn't on the line, just throw it away. So you're out a couple of bucks, have one less Starbucks.

It's going to be different, so get ready for it.

[CaryC]

Hey,

Want to add this: Want some practice? Try making a fire without matches? Have fun.

[Pretzelogical]

"you will heap burning coals on his head"

I've been taught that the homeless in Biblical times survived as long as they had fire, so they carried burning coals with them all the time. (Puts a whole new meaning to the verse, doesn't it!) How is the best way to keep some coals hot without using them up, so that you can fan a flame for the next meal?

Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.

Missed you while you were away Daffy Gal!

[CaryC]

Hey,

Pretzelogical: Don't know about keeping the fire going, but:

Ol' Survivorman took some fabric and put it in some metal (can) and bent it up so the fire won't get to it, just the heat. It charcoaled the fabric, and all he did was put a spark to it and it fired right up.

Hope that put your answer close.

[Pretzelogical]

Sounds like how my twin sons would set fire to socks when camping out! Thanks!

[CaryC]

Hey,

Gosh I hope you're not serious, but with boys it's possible.

[daffodyllady]

HAHAHAHA with boys, all things are possible, especially on a campout!

I knew some 12 yr old boys that vowed to live off the land for three days... LOL.. couldn't get that fire started.. ate those little fish RAW!

I have bought myself a magnesium fire starter... you are supposed to scrape magnesium filings off with a knife, and then somehow get a spark to land onto them... I haven't tried it out yet. But the package says that magnesium filings will burn so hot and long that it will set even damp tinder alight!

Yeah, I need to get out and try it. Any excuse to go camping again. Oh we had sooo much fun! I think we will head for the gulf coast of Florida for a week in October. I can call it educational, and take the kids out of school. That still works at this young age.

And thanks for the welcome back, Pretzel!

[Pretzelogical]

okay...where do I find one of those magnesium starters for my pyro-boys? (Now grown, married fathers.)
Once I saw this fire ball fly across the front window. There were my boys with their college buddies sitting on the front porch: they would take off their sweaty socks in a ball, light them, and throw them at each other. My boys were so disappointed their socks would not burn due to their chemical make-up. I'm telling ya, twins are different in every way! haha It was 35 degrees out there! The socks did not burn. Just the chemicals burned and the socks went out. Bizarre, I know.

[CaryC]

Hey,

Can get the Magnesium starters at Wal-mart in the camping section. Online at Cablea's and Bass Pro Shops not to mention just about any survival/camping site.

If you can get to Florida, daffodyllady you might consider Sipsey River in Bankhead National Forest in AL. Largest National Forest East of the Mississippi River. Also known as "the land of a thousand water falls." Can primitive camp anywhere, so long as you register with the rangers. Horse back riding, ATV's, Campgrounds, Canoing-Level I, (easy going) cave exploring, easy rock climbing.....just a bunch of stuff.

[CaryC]

Hey,

Just a thought, how about those who want, posting their fire making experiences?

I would hate to think that I was the only big dummy when it comes to making a fire. I haven't burned my socks ...yet, but then I'm not a teenager either (barely).

[Pretzelogical]

Ok, my twin sons were away at college, so I can't blame this one on them...
...it was a the first lovely day for yardwork and grilled burgers since we had moved into the family homestead built by my husband's family in 1865. As the coals were just about ready, I got distracted and started hacking away at a monster of a vine entangled around itself in a tight, intricate mass. This vining weed a few yards from the grill was quite the puzzle as it had been growing for over a century. After cutting one layer of vines after the other, my husband came to the rescue, as I could not get the pruners to cut through the last thickness of vine. His muscules got the job done, but instantly we heard "psssssssssttttttttttt...." The vine had been wrapped around copper tubing to the propane tank! Gas was pouring out fast on one side of us, and the grill was hot on the other side of us! I began the wildest prayer meeting ever, while my husband urgently stomped the pipe closed, jumped on top of the propane tank Indiana Jones style, and turned off the gas! Whew! We were so happy to be alive, that those were the best-tasting burgers we ever enjoyed!

[burien1]

[Pretzelogical]

Hand-crank radios that also charge cell phones? True?

[CaryC]

Hey,

Googled it and yea they do.