Received my box from Vina yesterday and it was packed with a rainbow of flower seeds. Vina grouped them each in a color grouping to make a rainbow. Seeds to numerous to list but fantastic selections. She also included a mini shovel which will work great with transplanting seedlings and a frog that hangs on a planter. She also included a very nice rainbow poem. Thank you Vina for the great package. Was busy in the garden today. It was not an expected project because I didn't think the weather was going to be good for it. I started weeding and mulching the garden next to our garage. I usually start in the front of the house and this garden is the last one I get to so I decided to start there this year. I have a rough time with it because the soil isn't very good. After five years, it is finally starting to flourish so after weeding and mulching, it looks pretty good. I still have the roughest part to do. I let it go last year and a weed took over. It could be an invasive flower for all I know since I am always planting new things. I like the little white flower but hate the plant so have to pull it all out. It really hangs on when pulled. Will start back on it tomorrow. Margo

Most of that makes a good start. Not sure about the rationale of some of it though but you pick and choose what's appropriate for your needs and area. Couple other thoughts, some of which were on the other thread: A seatbelt cutter. Some now will attach right onto the seatbelt so if the seatbelt jams you can cut and exit quickly. Medications, extra eyeglasses, and other special needs A charger for that cell phone I always keep some money but use change. Keep $10-$15 or so in quarters for parking and other incidental needs. Some basic hand tools & a set of folding wheel chocks are nice Tow strap/rope/chain, shovel & a come-along are good ideas too And in the northland you don't want white rags for a signal - you want red, lime green, fluorescent orange or something that can be SEEN in the snow! I don't want to surrender, I want to be FOUND! Current proof of insurance A disposeable camera is a good idea but a digital camera with batteries is a far better idea. They're not as susceptible to the temperature extremes as are film cameras. If you're in a southern climate and leave a film camera in an enclosed vehicle it's ruined in a short time. In freezing weather the film emulsion can crack and spiderweb as you advance the film unless you warm it up adequately so the film is soft. I carry a tarp. Multi use. For when you have to crawl underneath the vehicle, cover something or whatever. Takes next to no space. I guess you could use it for privacy, but if you're in trouble around people, isn't that a good thing? And if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere I think there's enough privacy isn't there? Pen, paper & Purell Sunglasses, spotlight and digital recorder Aspirin, IB, etc 12v air compressor, extra oil, antifreeze and washer fluid Tire pressure gauge, Ice scraper & snowbrush Sometimes some softener salt and the spray deicer is great Battery charger and extension cords are occasionally priceless If you have a pet, and are going far, keep copies of immunization records in case of a bite or if the animal gets sick Item #c could be very bad advice. Be sure to check with the law enforcemnt agencies in your area before you do this. Around here if you call the station phone number requiring a reasponse, you will have to hang up and call 911 to get it handled through dispatch. THE CLERK ANSWERING THE NON EMERGENCY NUMBER CANNOT DISPATCH. If it's an emergency, it could make a big difference. So I'd be careful before advising this. If you just need to know what hours they're collecting for something, that's a different story, but I don't know of many people who would worry about that when they're broken down! I use my cell phone as my address book, but as said I still print out one and keep in there. I have people's numbers I can call and even have some mechanics numbers. With a cell phone, ASSUMING YOU HAVE COVERAGE, you can call someone and get a number. A friend broke down about 100 miles from home about 2 weeks ago. The timing belt broke in his car. He called a number of people before he finally got his daughter who looked up numbers for a tow truck. Why he didn't call 911, I have no idea, but that's the way he is! LOL One other number that I never see mentioned that is an excellent resource is a good library's reference desk. They will look up phone numbers for you, resources for you, and can provide a wealth of other information. This is one you shouldn't overlook.

A lot depends on for what events/contingencies you're preparing. Some of the list is humorous. "Big dogs"? Kind of goes with goats & chickens? Liquor for bribes! And seeds? Probably should include an alternate mate to repopulate the world! LOL Ease up folks, some of it clearly was for entertainment purposes. But there are basic items I can't excuse people for not having in stock. If you don't have a supply of batteries in your refrigerator drawer, purchased when free or cheap, you deserve to suffer during a power outage. Again I endorse the crank flashlights/radios (until analog radio is turned off of course). I would suggest going with propane for lantern and stove fuel rather than the white gas ("Coleman" type) fuels. That stuff is explosive. If you doubt it, take a tablespoon and throw it on a campfire sometime. But be back a ways when you do it. A 20# propane tank can have splitters on it to run multiple lanterns and a stove, even a heater, much more safely than the white gas. Heavy garbage bags make excellent makeshift raingear. And don't forget about firestarters. If you're talking emergency situations, I'd suggest waterproof matches. Make your own by dipping the wooden matches in paraffin wax. Firestarters are many different kinds. Save some dryer lint. Works great. Keep it in a coffee can. Dip some cotton string in paraffin wax. Some books of matches waterproofed (with? yes, paraffin) works too and even the end pieces from candles you use in the house at holidays. A hatchet is a good idea to keep handy too. Essentially, camping fans will do fine in a lot of emergencies. Other cooking sources are your propane grill, kettle grill if you have charcoal and starters. A good alternative to thermal underwear is sweatpants and shirts. Even southerners often have these. Depending on the clothes sizes you can put a pair under and over a pair of jeans. Or the flannel lounging pants under and sweats over them. A few cans of waterproofing spray like Scotchguard will help keep them and you dry. Another little camping tip. Oh, and instead of a dedicated toilet, a portable toilet is made easily from a 5 gal pail, seat if you want to get fancy or even a folding camp stool or a lawn chair! A camp shovel and squat will work too. And if truly an emergency, modesty goes out the window. Fasten the toilet seat to the 5 gal pail and you won't have to argue about who left the seat up! :) Wire clothes hangers can be versitile tools. Use them to make your own lantern hangers, repairs, tie things together, and you can even hang clothes! (To dry and more.) Can also be used as a weapon to beat off people trying to steal your rats, chickens, goats and big dogs! ;) Personally, I think I would use duct tape instead of stockpiling screen patching but the idea of all of these suggestions is to get you thinking. I really think that doing some research on camping tips and tricks would be of great benefit to a lot of people. I live a rather modest life, austere to the view of many. But when the power was out for a week here the last time, I survived quite well. Comfortably under the circumstances and even had some luxuries that many others didn't. I had tv, radio, light, food, water, telephone... Not a huge disaster compared to some, but being prepared not just with supplies, but also in a state of mind. My last suggestion. On these ideas, why not put together a 3 ring binder or something with lists of what to do in certain situations? For instance, power outage, turn off as many breakers as you can, the crank flashlights are located in the hall closet, 1st aid tips, important phone numbers, insurance info, etc. Even ideas for food, crackers & PB (sans-salmonella, eat first from the frig, etc.) and how about including notes like check on the handicapped neighbor, your elderly relatives, etc. Could be helpful. Even though I disagree with some of the ideas, I do like these lists minnie_tx. Keep 'em coming. I like going through them and see how they compare to my checklists and I get ideas from most all of them. I appreciate your efforts.

I went to see the movie of The Hunger Games over the weekend. Heartily recommended. Excellent acting and unusual restraint for Hollywood in handling the violence of the story. I guess they wanted their PG-13 rating but IMO it made for a better movie. I had read the first two books in advance, and am now in the middle of Mockingjay the final volume of the trilogy. I am just about to get in the car and drive to the post office to mail Maddy Clare back to Pam. Thanks for circulating this book! Rosefolly