Product Review: Portable Rain Barrel

Collapsible Storage Container for Water

Portable Rain Barrel

Water is vital to human survival. We may last only a week without this valuable moisture. To ensure your family has a proper allotment of H2O, stash at least a gallon per person for the emergency storage plan. If you are planning on two weeks of backup water and you have four family members, you will need at least 56 gallons. Increase that by the amount of water needed for washing and that number doubles.

(See H2O - A few dozen healthy reasons to love water!)

Water storage is a high priority with a preparedness plan. While on the search for options on large capacity water storage containers, I ran across this lovely idea and immediately had it shipped. Imagine a portable rain barrel!  The price was affordable and I had to check it out. It was soon put to good use as we had storms moving through the area within the week that it had arrived.

The Portable Rain Barrel holds around 35 gallons of rainwater and it was simple to set up. The zippered top was smooth to close and the only issue I had was the water spigot assembly on the bottom of the unit. That issue was user error. It seems I had forgotten to close the gadget and all the rainwater that would have been held in the barrel freely ran out of the spout. Turn this to off when you assemble the hose attachment. 

The box size surprised me when it arrived. It was no more than a large poster box. I looked at it suspiciously when the postal worker dropped it off to me. No way will this thing hold 35 gallons. I did wait to put it together for about three days. Once I broke it out of the box I realized what a treasure I had found. The container was put to work under the crease on my roof since there are no rain gutters.

The first set up proved to be a little flimsy, but once it held water, the container sat on its own and has ever since. In time, I will empty it for fresh water addition, but for now, I am curious how long it will take to fill up. It has been about six weeks and the barrel is over half full. I am optimistic that the capacity would be overflowing had I thought to make sure the spigot valve was closed.  I can assure you, I will be buying another one in the near future

Read more about the Portable Rain Barrel on Amazon

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Civil Unrest - Events That We Should Have Prepared For

When chaos pulls up the reigns on a calm society, the events can produce a sense of disaster especially if our homes are near the target areas. In our news, just this week, are incidents that are heated with violence and angry mobs. There is a real cause for concern if this is in your city. Readiness basics need to be in place before these things happen. 

We can be fearful of the dangers that accompany the event. We may have to defend ourselves and our homes. We need to be prepared for any scenario. This is certainly a situation that should take everything we know about preparedness. Our skills, testing, and supplies need to be in order in these times. Are these things in our toolbox, so to speak?    

Protesting Crowds

72-hour kits

Are your 72-hour kits in order? Does every member of the family have one of these supply bags? Three days of food, water, and hygiene supplies should be prepacked. A change of clothing, socks, and undergarments need to be ready to grab and go at a moment's notice. Keep one in the car for roadside emergencies. The better you plan ahead, the easier it will be to bug out or stay in place for #SHTF events. Include important medications for individuals and tailor fit each one to fit the family member. Do not forget to pack one for the beloved family pet. They may have to move with us quickly and there may be no time to pack the food dish and other supplies. 

Food Storage

Is there food storage enough for every one of our family members and pets for at least two weeks? Are the basics stored and all of the food groups covered? Does the family stash include multivitamins and other nutritional supplements? Canned goods, dried goods, and jars of necessary nutrients are a must for preparedness. It is the foundation of all we do to be prepared. Food storage is energy for the body. Without fuel, we are running on empty. A good food supply will aid in comforting our family in times of extreme stress. Read more.... 

Water Supply

Water supplies should cover more than that time period. The possibility of water shortage and the ability to leave one's home may come to pass. Plan for drinking water and potable or wash water. Potable may not be consumed, but is safe for bathing and clean up purposes. Do we have sanitizing tablets or bleach for killing bacteria if we have to process our drinking water? Is there a way to boil water to sterilize it? Do we have a life straw or another form of filtering tool for processing tainted water, if needs be? Read more....

Toilet and Hygiene Prep

Whether or not you shelter in or bug out toilet and hygiene preps are inevitable. In the home, if the water is shut off, using the commode can get a little messy. There needs to be a supply of water which will flush the discarded waste down the pipes. A five-gallon jug placed in the bathroom might last for a few flushes. Make sure to keep a container of bleach handy for sanitizing the bowl if needed. 

Bugging out to a wilderness location might require the digging of a latrine. Bringing a prepared sanitation bucket along packed with trash bags and bleach for a chemical toilet is a good alternative. The problem with a makeshift chemical toilet is disposing of that bag some place proper. 

First Aid Kits and Medical Supplies

A first aid kit is one of those things that is unappreciated until it is needed. Stocked well with the wound packing items and bandages it can turn a bad situation into a livable one. Be sure to stock this kit with medicines like ibuprofen, antihistamines, stomach remedies, anti-diarrhea meds, and antibacterial ointments. Buy one pre-packaged then stuff it full of additional goods. The better off this is set up the easier it is to treat wounds and common ailments.  

Safe Shelter and Evacuation Planning

If you are blocked into the home, there is no choice. You must stay safely indoors. There may be a chance of a break in or windows knocked out so stay somewhere you can be safe. A large closet or interior room without front facing windows is best. Go quietly about your business if possible. 

We may need to evacuate the home if crowds get too unruly, but what to do and where to go? If evacuation is possible staying at a shelter or a camp area are options. Shelters will not allow pets or certain preparedness tools, so be aware of those conditions before you start out to that location. A campground might be ideal if you have a good tent and the necessary items to set up your camp properly. There will be camp fees so be sure to have enough cash stashed n the emergency kits to cover a week or two outdoors. If you have done your research on the area surrounding your home, you may have already found a safe zone to camp in that does not have an entrance fee.

Remember that leaving the home may entail a traffic tie up as everyone in the area may be thinking and doing the same thing and heading in the same direction.

Defense Training

Do you have weapons training and proper permits? Let an intruder pass unless they confront you.

If confronted, there are a number of ways to handle that situation. Protect your family and yourself at all costs if this is the situation. By all means, do not make a situation worse than it already is by causing more harm. In a split second, things can get deadly. Make this a last resort, but by all means, be ready for it. Stay on the side of the upper hand.

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Don't wish you had planned. Be thankful you did and keep adding to the stores and stock set aside. Grow a garden. Network with people who have this same mindset. Follow groups and newsletters of preparedness sites. Planning for a disaster and not using the supplies is better than the crushing, panicky feeling you'll get when you do really need prep items and are foolishly stuck without them.

Related links:

More from this blog: https://preparedness123.blogspot.com

http://www.optimumpreparedness.com/long_term_water_storage_article.html

www.survival-recovery.com

Camping with a Dog and a Dutch Oven - part two

Spring Valley National Park is a little over three hours north of Las Vegas. It contains the Eagle Valley Reservoir which is stocked with three varieties of trout. 

Campsite View of the Eagle Valley Reservoir

This is a new destination for my camping itinerary and I was not disappointed with my find. My dog and I had a wonderful time in the wild here. I'd like to thank my long-time, dear friend for the suggestion.

I am experiencing the call of the wild, but I must be crazy. I wait until the very end weeks of summer and early fall to start this adventuring thing. I guess it was time. It is better than baking in the summer heat, I guess. Something got under my skin this month about getting out of town and camping seemed to be the most economical trip I could plan and afford. The largest expense I had was fuel. It took a little over a tank and a quarter to round trip this excursion. 

Horsethief Gulch  the campground, at
Eagle Valley Reservoir

Horsethief Gulch Campground

The campsite at the Eagle Valley Reservoir is Horsethief Gulch Campground. The fees are only $17 for the night. It  covers parking, park entry, and the camping site itself. Check the entrance postings at the park for specific fees.

The firewood was donation only, so I generously gave when I took a small pile of the cut timber for my campfire. I had enough to last me the two nights I would stay. Other campsites I have visited charge $5 to $7 dollars for firewood. Let this be a guide for donations. These funds help support our nature preserves and parks,

The camp site has a shade cover over its picnic table, a fire ring for campfire, and is conveniently located near a bank of bathrooms complete with shower rooms. Unlike Mt. Charleston, the showers are free and are operating at this time. Bring shower shoes. Those tile floors are frigid!

Cedar Ridge Granite Falls
4-Person Tent

Plan for a cool night's stay. The temperatures can dip quickly after sundown. Check the weather forecast ahead of time and pack accordingly. A tarp folded in quarters and set under the tent where I planned my sleeping area helped insulate me from the cold ground. I did have a foam pad and several blankets in addition to my sleeping bag.

Directions To Horsethief Gulch Campground

Tips on Staying Warm Overnight 
 Double up on socks and wear a set of thermal underwear when the evening temperatures are going to dip below 60 degrees. Toss a few blankets on top of your sleeping bag and try to stay covered. It is a good idea to keep a warm coat or sweater close by in case the frigid night air seeps through the bed coverings.

My family camped out one year and overnight we decided to try heated rocks to keep us warm. We dropped several in the firepit and then wrapped them in towels. What happened next could have resulted in disaster. The rocks were so hot they melted and burned the material the towels were made of. Do not do this. Also, do not use propane or gas heated space heaters in a tent. The noxious fumes are deadly and the heat source is an extremely risky fire hazard. My best advice for staying warm is to bundle up and stay cuddled under the covers.

A Note About Air Mattresses
I, personally, do not care for air mattresses. They tend to cool down over the evening hours and create more havoc than comfort. As the air cools down, they contract, leaving the sleepers to have to wake and refill or repair a flattening mattress. Save yourself the expense, trouble, and energy. Foam insulates comfortably and retains body heat where an air mattress dissipates it and leaves you cold.

Dutch Oven Cooking

The minute I get to camp I set up my fire and proceed to heat the dutch oven up for some bacon and breakfast items. I arrived shortly after noon and was a bit hungry. Thankfully, the coal starter makes the process of getting coals up to heat easy and quick. About 20 minutes after lighting the coals I was ready to cook my meal. 

For this breakfast meal, I started with bacon to grease the pan, I removed most of this while allowing several slices to brown. The others will be reserved for later cooking. I then added ham slices. When the ham was almost ready and slightly brown on both sides I added eggs to the bacon grease in the bottom of the dutch oven. The pan was set on a grate that was sloped so the grease gathered at the side nicely for cooking the eggs. 

The only thing I was missing for this excellent breakfast was orange juice, grits, and toast!

Wildlife In The Park

Dockside view of the Eagle Valley Reservoir

The first wildlife I saw were a trio of Mule Deer on the road into the park and a curious wasp. The deer were grazing on grasses outside a fenced area near the road. That was a really neat site. I love spotting animals on my travels. They tend to leave a good memory.

The wasp was interested in my dinner, a piece of chicken I had tenderly prepared in the dutch oven. As I was sitting down to eat, it flew in, hovered, then flew away once again. When said wasp returned, the insect landed on my dinner item and proceeded to cut a wasp sized piece out of the meat. I did not disturb the creature as I thought it might get aggressive and the last thing I want to deal with is is an insect bite of that caliber. I cut several very tiny pieces of chicken and set them aside on the table for the critter's return. It did come back and I was able to finish my meal undisturbed.

Rumor has it that there are skunks in the area as well as rattle snakes. I neither smelled, nor sighted either animal. Thankfully, the only really wild thing I had encountered happened to be a feral, domestic cat that crept in in the middle of the night to ransack my garbage bag. I was not careful disposing of my trash so the refuse was fair game. The next night, I had prepared and set aside a small piece of butter to lather up my sweet potato baking in the fire pit. I turned my back for a few minutes and it had disappeared. When I turned around, there was a small black spector near the front of my campsite. Growling and menacing cat noises mixed with the cricket and frog croaking during the night. They spooked my poor dog enough he did not want to sleep without me in the tent.

My second day brought a surprising set of visitors over the lake. I spotted a couple of eagles swooping and grazing the air stream over the canyon. It was breathtaking to watch their flight.

Fishing the Shore and Boating Dock
Fishing from the dock seemed to be the easiest way to pass the day after camp was set up. Why refuse an invitation from that beautiful water!? Drag up a camp chair and get cozy or wander the shore line and drop in a hook. There were many families in the camp area and the echoes of their catch and lost fish repeated around the small valley. It was refreshing to sit and cast a line and drink in the scenery. Kids, adults, and dogs alike splashed through the water, although it is not a great swimming area. Just so you are aware of State Park regulations, dogs are required to be on a 6 foot leash.

Supervise youngsters closely while around the dock area. A young man about seven years old proceeded to drop not one, but two fishing rods over the side of the railing, lost forever in the algae green waters. In the following hour, he personally stepped off the dock area and drenched himself and his mother in the water as she reached in to pull him back out. Children are not required to be leashed.

The boating dock at the Eagle Valley Reservoir facing the campground. Boat rentals are available just a few miles from the campground, however, there  is ample room on the dock facing the lake to fish.

The supplies that are needed are a few fishing basics. A light tackle pole, a few hooks, a pair of needle nose pliers, weights, bobbers, and a stringer line will get a fishing enthusiast through the afternoon. The fish are small and require very little than a hook removal and water storage. Of course, there is the cost of a Nevada fishing license if you plan on fishing here. This may be purchased ahead of time at any sporting goods store counter. Be sure to add a trout stamp as that is most likely the fish on the hook. There are several types of trout in the water - Rainbow, Brown, and Tiger are among the water residents here.

The predominant bait used here is Power Bait. I used bright green, but the popular flavor is yellow or tan. I did see folks using worms and lures, as well. One woman came up next to me with a long leader, bobber, and a fly like lure and on her first cast caught a decent sized rainbow trout. Take the time to let the bait drop and remember where the bites are. Cast back into that area and you may be successful.

After a few fish are caught, take advantage of the cleaning station available near the dock area. It boasts a nice, deep double sink area with running water and a garbage disposal for fish heads and guts. This makes for easy clean up of that catch of the day. The fish are quickly cleaned and prepped for cooking.

I understand that there are crawfish in the water here as well. It would have been fun to rig a line with a chicken bone and reel a few in for supper, but I did not have a pot big enough to boil them in. I only brought my dutch oven for cooking. 

Camping is an Emergency Drill

Be sure to take the time to plan for emergency drills. One's like this camping trip do not have to come with gloomy descriptions and elements of disaster. Camping is what happens when the power and lights go out and off and the family has to break out the tent and rough it for a few days or weeks after a catastrophe. Make it a family outing ahead of time so that an emergency does not have to be a crisis, too. You and your family will quickly adapt and face your situation in a more comfortable manner. Readiness pays in calm dividends. Camping and emergency supplies 

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Images on this site are property of M Burgess unless otherwise indicated. Please do not copy. Copyright 2015

Preparedness And Preserves - Canning Foods

Gathering is a small part of your emergency preparedness and survival planning. 

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Learning how to preserve and process your own foods be it out of your garden or the market are also important strategies to your family's survival plan. 

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The more you learn about being self-sufficient the better. Canning is a great way to get that accomplished. Not only are you producing your own food stock, you have the ability to control the ingredients. A simple exercise in jam making can be the doorway to foods that are a bit more complex to preserve. 

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Pressure Canners

Recently I purchased a pressure canner / cooker and will eventually put it to use in preparing my own vegetables, fruits, meats, and sauces. There are tons of foods you can store by having this very handy piece of equipment. It can be a lifesaver if you invest in the time and effort put into making your own preserved foods. 

Your foods are healthier because the contents of the foods can be controlled by you. I am planning on putting up stews and chili and preserving things like grapefruit in jars. With the pressure canner the higher acid foods are stabilized and sealed.

Making Strawberry Jam

This past week I took the time out to put up some strawberry jam. I used the canner for my water bath. This is a simple process but it does take up a little bit of time. Jam is probably the easiest way to get started with the canning process. And it is a very tasty lesson! When you are fully educated on making jam you will be able to understand how to move onto more complex food items like pickles.

The simple strawberry jam recipe is 1 package of pectin, 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 5 Quarts of mashed berries, and 7 cups of sugar. Oh, don't forget a pat of butter! The pectin will have a guide in it that will help you along in the processing. To preserve it you will need a dozen jars and a very large kettle for a water bath so that when you pack the jam into the sterilized jars you can submerge them in water and simmer them in the boiling liquid for 10 minutes. This process eliminates bacteria growth and seals the jars. Jam has a shelf life of about a year. See the steps I took in this article: Making Delicious Strawberry Jam 

This video is from my jam project -- It is under 14 minutes and will show you the steps you need to take to preserve your own strawberry jam!

Strawberry Jammin'!

(bear with me it is my first food video!)

My favorite canning project is jam but I am looking forward to trying out my new equipment on other foods like bottle pears in syrup! 

What foods do you like to preserve?

Work Schedules & Employment Preparedness

When life's daily work schedule and responsibilities get a bit overwhelming it is a really good idea to start an "Employment Preparedness" list. 

This is a daily schedule of things you MUST do in order to get out the door on time and to be certain you have what you need to get through the day. It is also a list of things you need to use on a regular basis to keep on your tight, busy schedule.

This is a fact of life for me in the beginning of the year with the job I do. Our convention season hits and I have no life! When I am doing a 10 to 12 hour and more shift for 7 days in a row (or more!) I need a regular routine and an idea of what I have at hand so I can get through this period of the year in a healthy state of mind and body.

My daily list?

• Wake 2 hours before time to clock in
• (I Should meditate and do some spiritual reading in the first 1/2 hour awake)
• Do Breakfast
• Feed my pets
• Shower - Dress - Grooming
• Pack My Lunch
• Leave For Work within 1/2 hour of start time.

Preparedness can be applied to many areas of our lives and not just disaster planning. By preparing we are not only saving time and money, but we are saving a little piece of mind along the way. This is what frugal living is! Saving time and money and not just being a spend thrift! Create lists of things you need to function daily and fill that list. This should be a small portion of your food and goods storage. Survival isn't all about emergency items. By doing this you can create a less stressful life pattern.

Now, in order to keep up this work schedule I need to stock up on my household needs. Having a back up of products like a bottle or two of shampoo and other household goods enables me to glide through this time period. I am too tired to think about going shopping and I don't need to hassle of being out of something I need just to get ready for work. What I need to do focus on at this time is doing my job, get enough rest, and make sure I have plenty of nutritional items to help me have the energy to keep up this grueling schedule. Without a routine, I am flustered and my day is sideways. I can't be a good employee this way.

Stocking up on the goods I need are easy in the off months. I simply buy a couple of extra things to put away.  If you want to boost the storage on them and have the space, plan on adding a box of items per person for their use.

This is what I try to keep on hand at all times. When the stock is down to one item then I do add it to a shopping list. I keep these together in a file box in my linen closet.

Bathroom And Bath Items:
The following is a list of goods for one person. It should last about 90 days or so.

• Shampoo: 3 bottles
• Conditioner: 3 bottles
• Hairspray: 2 cans
• Bar Soap: 6 cakes
• Liquid Body Soap: 2 bottles
• Toothpaste: 2 tubes
• Toilet Paper: 30 rolls

Cleansers and other cleaning items can be backed up with just one of each of the products you use. They aren't an essential part of your daily routine.

Busy Times 

Fast Meals

My kitchen has to be able to support a good, healthy, and quick diet. If I am eating poorly, my energy suffers and my attitude gets cranky. With the right nutritional support, as we have discussed in previous blog posts, I can maintain this schedule as long as I can also rest in between shifts.

My breakfast is simple. I grab cold cereal or a bowl of oatmeal and make a cup of Pero. Pero is a chickory beverage like decaf. I would drink coffee but I am allergic to caffeine! And that makes things really tough for trying to keep up the energy for this schedule! I take a multi vitamin for the energy and essential minerals I need in the morning as I rush off to work. I bring a package with me that has extras in it in case I am feeling a little off after about 6 hours and I will take another vitamin. They do not always absorb completely in your system so I don't think there is any harm in taking an extra one. I tried cutting them in half but they get stuck in my throat and cause me a bit of heart burn. I don't need any hassles like that during my day right now!

Lunch is two sandwiches if I am not too short on time to make one to take with me. One sandwich is meat and cheese and the other a peanut butter and jelly. With me driving almost constantly I need them cut in quarters so I can eat them quickly. This is not a good diet but it keeps me fed and rolling! I add a few snacks and try to bring fresh fruit with me. Bananas are a must and an occasional apple. Dinner? I stop and get it or have things in the cupboard or freezer that can be heated up in 10 minutes or less. Any more time than that and I would rather go to bed without supper. (Not Good)

Prep Your Pets!

Stock Their Foods

I have a couple of guinea pigs I need to feed in the morning and evening so they are part of the list of things to do daily. I do not ever want them to go hungry. I promised to give them a good life and being prepared for them too is part of that. My lunch is prepared shortly after I feed the piggies and out the door I go! The only shopping I do at this time is for fresh fruits and veggies. We, my guinea piggies and I need a fresh base of salads and goodies to eat daily. I do store away their dry foods and the timothy hay they consume. An extra bag of their bedding is also part of their storage. They eat an 8 pound bag of pellet foods per week so I try to keep an extra bag of that on hand. It would be great to have room for bigger bags but this works for now. Ideally our garden would produce the things we need in fresh foods but in winter that is not possible.

Another area of my life has been prepared by stocking up on undergarments and socks. I have enough of both to go a full 6 weeks without having to do a load of laundry. The only thing I have to do is toss a suit in the dry cleaners and I am set for the week. I couple the things I need for waking in the morning in the bath and get myself some much needed rest.

So, I am just rambling here at the end but I want to know what things are important for you to keep up a hectic pace? Feel free to share them here! Thanks for reading about my hectic schedule!