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66 Comments

  1. Why, oh why, can bears not eat pesky bulb eating squirrels and not have a hankering for beloved hens?

    As commented in your first article, I’d live next door in a heartbeat. Tenenacity and humor are qualities worth their weight in gold (or salt).

    1. Sounds good. Maybe we could barter: perhaps in return for the amusement of witnessing my daily “Ms. Magoo” type forays into self sufficiency, you could be available to provide the inevitably necessary first aide and trauma care?

  2. Grey Woman, Must admit that was the most entertaining articles I have yet to read on SurvivalBlog . I also must say you have offered good advice and I am glad you survived to tell it!

    Best of luck going forward.

    1. Locals will spot you as an outsider if you say Canadian Geese. And keep in mind that these geese mate for life, and that bonding leaves them acting grief stricken and desolate if their mate is killed.

  4. Good articles, though. Serious but lighthearted view of the prepping newbies. Things change. I’m now a widow, what we did together as a team, I must now do alone. It’s all not gonna happen. After 30 years of prepping and preparing for the “collapse” I’ve learned whatever is going to be, will be, whether I can do it all or not. At this stage I can’t do it all, have the time to learn it all, or even want to do it all.

    I’m at the stage I want to live a little, breathe free a little and tired of being burden by worry of am I prepared for the future enough to survive it. No, I’m not. It’s okay. I have today and I want to enjoy living and serving and being. I wasted a lot of precious life trying to prepare for something that never happened in those 30 years and I’m at the point it takes very little now for me to survive. I can’t use up what I’ve got stored, and some of it is having to be thrown away. Taking care of just myself never occurred to me all those years ago when we started.

    Prepping is for you young folks that may have to face the actual collapse, if that day ever comes. I don’t think it’s gonna happen like we thought it was gonna happen. Just don’t forget to prepare for being alone.

    1. Thank you for your heartfelt words. From what I have observed, there are many preppers in their golden years….let’s all remember to enjoy each day and not dwell on doom. I, too, have been “getting ready” for decades. I’m still not ready! Is 90% prepped enough? With no children and no spouse, and much closer to the end of my life than the beginning, what becomes of all this useful stuff I have amassed when I am gone? It’s a topic that has been on my mind.

      1. Great comments Didi. I completely agree that we should not dwell on doom. But much better to be prepared and have unused stuff than to face the alternative scenario of disaster unprepared. Maybe your questions regarding unused stuff would be a great topic for a future survivalblog article. Thanks and be well.

        1. Thank you for the comments. I am planning on meeting with an estate planner in the next couple of months, and hoping to get some good ideas on how to handle it legally. Can’t bear the thought of cases of freeze dried food being thrown in a dumpster. And is there a legal way to pass down ammo? So many questions.

          1. Didi, could you blog that as an article. Not the details, protect your privacy! But in general terms. What does a good estate planner look like. All the best to you. Don

    2. Indeed, one should never prep to the point you miss out on life. If prepping doesn’t ENHANCE your life experience, you’re doing it wrong. That being said, “I can’t use up what I’ve stored” is a hell of a lot better position to be in than not having anything, and needing it. My philosophy; prep, then go about your day. You’ll NEVER have EVERYTHING you need if the SHTF. No use in dwelling on what you don’t have. I’m pragmatic about my prep as well; I may not survive whatever comes down the pike. I have a wife and kids though. If I don’t benefit from my forethought, they will. If not them, whoever God designates will get my goods.

      Prepping is a modification of my lifestyle; not its dominant influence. What harm is there, having a few months worth of food put up? Where’s the downside of keeping the Jeep’s tank at least half full at all times?… that kind of thing.

      If you’re still here, God has purpose for you. Enjoy your days… with eyes open…

      1. Great thinking Peter. My stockpile of numerous #10 cans of freeze dried food does indeed enhance my life experience. I have the peace and satisfaction of knowing I can get by for a few weeks and that is a stress relief. So much better to be prepared than not. If some stuff gets passed on to others after I’m gone, so be it. Considering the extended shelf life of #10 cans, it’s unlikely that this food would go to waste. God Bless, we are just passing through this place and all we can do is our best.

  6. Grey Woman, well done!
    The school of hard knocks teaches us all. One more tip for your readers; in the summer use caution when wearing short pants in the area wear ground bees have set up camp. Please do not ask.
    PJGT is right, you would be a great neighbor.

    1. Taking care of ground bees can be simple if you can spot the entrance to the hive. Wait until a few hours after dark. A headlamp makes this far easier than a flashlight. Boil a large pot of water and slowly pour all of it into the entrance. A few may stumble out but won’t make it far. You can assess the destruction in the morning. This has completely solved the problem for me every single time.

      2. A small amount if gasoline down the hole than seal with dirt works good.. Mark the hole with something in the daylight so you can find it in the dark.

      4. If you have raccoons in your area, just throw some table scraps around the ground bee / yellow jacket hole, and raccoons will come in the night to eat the scraps, then will dig up and also eat the ground bee nest!

  7. I sense a kindred swollen and itchy spirit! Ouch and thanks for the tip. I will also mention that the tip on leveling a rain barrel also apparently applies to stacking firewood to an even greater degree.

  9. Found the ‘bear’ info quite interesting as I too have been told the same regarding bears. Your sage advice I will keep with me as I move ahead–thanks.

  11. Love this article!! I am in a rural area now and considering moving farther out in the boonies as it is building up more than I like with people both from South Fl and mostly from the North-East. So will definately keep these tips in mind.

    One thought for people moving to the “country” where ever it may be. Be a considerate neighbor and do NOT let your dogs run free OFF of your property, or at least do the best to let others know if they are gone. I have one with a wonderlust that is unbelieveable, and a fence does not keep her in when she is determined. So to run free she gets a Jolly Ball attached and she is off to stay on my property. Now I do enjoy her company but she does not like to hear the word COME. In fact that is when she will turn her tail and go the opposite direction. (I know about the various training methods to stop this, but as I said she is Very determined.) And she loves to play keep-away. The reason for the Jolly ball is that she (and her sister from another mother) will dig 6 inches for a hole to get out. Fortunately they have not figured out to dig another 6 inches and take the ball with them. By keeping your dogs controlled you do not have to apologize to neighbors when their livestock has been injured or killed, you won’t have to pay for said livestock or vet bills, and you won’t worry when the dogs do not come home due to being shot or hit on the roads. And one other neighbor is now watching their little Chi-mix more closely since it came through my fence one time too many and my dog caught it. It is not dead but it did get chewed on a bit and it happened on MY property so I am not responsible for vet fees.

    Just my two cents worth.

  12. We didn’t see a bear for years, then they suddenly moved in. One mama bear ripped the feed room door off its hinges & tried to haul one of the feed bins (an old small fridge) out the door. It was too big so she dumped it for her 3 babies to eat.

    After several years of dealing with the bears, they’ve taken off again – haven’t seen one for several years.

    Skunks were our main problem last summer – we killed 12. I really hope their relatives don’t come back this year. We lost several chickens to the skunks, including a pet hen. That made it personal.

  15. How prescient you should start out with chainsaws. I’ve been thinking about chainsaws lately. No, really

    Am longing to get a used RV in about a year and travel the country and then do so full time if I like it. And I want a wood stove for it. Yes, there is one made specifically for small spaces and that brings us to wood. I’ll eventually try my hand at boon docking, I know, and I initially thought it would be incredibly handy and useful. Another site suggested a small battery operated one and gave a well known brand name. I’ll not be limiting myself to the sunny side of the country so I could make my own heat and save money doing it. And besides, even if I didn’t run out of fuel, how marvelously empowering to know I could do so. Besides, who can possibly not like looking at a fireplace?

    Then you had to show up with the reality of the thing. And the comments were like a lifetime of experience on the subject. Sure, I knew it was dangerous, but how so and in what ways I never imagined. I’ll not be felling huge trees, of course, but maybe small limbs, and I don’t want to lose my limited number either.

    If I boon dock it’s likely I’ll be alone. One commenter suggested to never do this alone
    and now I really understand why. I’d still like a fireplace but I’ll spend far more time on the subject because you shared and others did also. Maybe I will decide this is not a good idea after all. Now I have information to work with and plenty of time to make a good decision.

    This is why I love this blog. You learn so much. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Ladywest,
      As you state, you will mostly be cutting limbs. A battery powered sawzall with the proper blade will work well for that purpose and be much safer. Also, it will store more easily in your limited space vehicle. Remember that you want to cut limbs from dead and DRY trees if you want a good fire.

        1. If you haven’t already done so, check out the YouTube van living videos by Bob Wells. He has lots of great info for living the mobile life. If you install a wood stove, let us know what you chose and how well it works. I am considering a wood stove for van traveling, but have not researched it, and would love to know what you do.

          1. Only researching now but will let you know when I eventually do it. Am already working my way a little at a time through YouTube on tips pros and cons about RVing. I am amazed how many people do it full time.

  16. Raccoons are also soooo cute but frightened my 8 year old son terribly trying to get the compost he was taking to the compost pile. He passed that chore on to his dad.

    A deer is not an adorable Bambi but a destructive critter. The loss of flowers is sad (so choose them carefully) but destroying fruit trees is what makes my husband really dislike the varmints.

    Bears break branches off of fruit trees if the orchard is not inside a really strong fence.

    The beautiful countryside can be like living in a hostile environment but I don’t want to live in the city again. It’s all a learning curve. Some parts are steeper than others but you never want to stop learning.

    Thanks for the memory reminder. My theory has always been: you can laugh or you can cry and you will probably laugh later so might as well do it now too. And I laughed again with you.

  17. Another thing for new preppers to remember is that in a rural area, everybody knows everybody, and everybody knows everything about everybody. Each local person is likely related to at least 20 other locals, as well. You wouldn’t believe the earful of information I got about my neighbors from my rural mail carrier the first week I moved out here.

    So it behooves you to remember, keep OPSEC always, keep your lip zipped about your plans, your preps, why you moved. Don’t just move in and start calling yourself a prepper. Homesteader, yes; prepper, no. Once you reveal pertinent information, you cannot call it back.

    I decided on giving out a true story which simply omits information that would expose me as a prepper, saying that I had retired and had always dreamed of living in a cabin in the woods. Period, the end. No mention of food storage, amounts of ammo, golden hordes, politics, nothing. Just how happy I am to be here breathing this fresh clean air and enjoying my retirement.

    With time you will start to meet other like minded but if you are a blabbermouth about your own prepping, they will not trust you with their own story.

  18. Grey Woman, loved your articles (:(: Just a little comment on the firewood and tinder…why does it seem so hard to get across to people that a match stick will not lite a 6″ to 8″ log? I’m helping my daughter and family get set up on their little homestead, they have a wood burning fireplace…. I have explained the concept of fuel/oxygen/heat but my son-in-law still tries to start what he calls kindling (2×4, 4×4 sized wood) with a little paper and a match!!! My six year old grandson has now taken over the job of starting the fire. He takes the time to make a small teepee of (real) kindling and with one match and no paper has a fire roaring in a few minutes. Oh, the teachability of the young!

    Hey Gray Woman, you don’t have a twin sister I can steel away to my homestead out in NE AZ, do you?

  19. I think the world should be greatful that there is only one of me! Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue with that kind of double trouble? Might be the rare case where 2 heads are not better than one…but thanks for the smile.

  20. Chicken coops should be made with strong wire.Chicken wire ain’t that.Top and bottom also. An electric fence(with a strong charger) Will help fight off the hordes of animals that find chicken tasty! I would consider this for your garden and greenhouse also.

  23. I would recommend snaring a man. A three strand cord is tough to break [as God states in his word]. I don’t recommend the advice about “girls prepping by themselves” in a single configuration. When the grid goes down, sadly women will be rapped and physically abused without her “crown” a husband. Think about young men today not allowed to marry until well into their 30s and 40s due to society and how it is setup – men are sexually starved as it is. Girls have power today, only because of law enforcement and attorneys. I recommend any Prepper woman [starting now] to be married and set the standard for future generations of girls. There will be no more “Girl Power” when the grid goes down and I’m sure there will be some upset men having to put up with all this genderfication for so many years.

    Nice article otherwise…. Funny!

    1. Goodness, Gran. Well, I had a husband but got tired of the abuse. I now love and value my freedom, and at my age am not interested in “snaring” anyone. I live in a low crime area surrounded by God fearing law abiding neighbors. I am well armed and trained. A nice county sheriff lives across the street. This is the life God has planned for me, and I am grateful and content with it.

      1. After prayer, I’ve decide to leave some thoughts. It’s not 4-billion men that are abusive. There is a good Godly man out there for you! Sorry you had to meet one bad one out of a sea of good men. Also, the Sheriff across the street would attest, domestic violence also has a component of domestic button pushing–which is the common thread in our media stories today! Lastly, my husband of 50 years would claim that he’s a better man because of me [a woman] in his life. The only way to make men better is to be involved in their lives as it’s difficult for men to live single and alone [for a lifetime].

        God bless, we will be praying for you and your hurts in the past- there’s no excuse for it.

  24. From bear country – Take the time to store your Bonemeal inside the house. Bears think it is very tasty. I discovered this the hard way when one morning I discovered a mauled 30 lb bag halfway down the lane from my high tunnel greenhouse. The claw marks determined the culprit. Luckily, I had accidentally left the doors open to the greenhouse that night, or I might have had to replace the plastic of my high tunnel greenhouse…

  25. Your self deprecating approach will take you a long way. Laugh at yourself first. If others beat you to it they may not be so kind. You are to be commended. You have made it obvious that you are good people. Thank you so much for sharing. Real life can be a hard teacher but you have chosen to acknowledge, adapt and overcome. Can’t tell you how many times after a screw up I quietly whisper to myself “dumb a*s”. Keep on keepin’ on and thanks again for an awesome article.

  26. As a thoroughly experienced landscaper, I’d suggest plastic wheelbarrows are much better than metal ones IF you buy quality. Those from big box retailers are often junk but those from suppliers in the industry will last almost forever. It always pays to shop wisely and avoid Chinese junk.
    As to solid wheels, they won’t go flat but are harder to use, especially in soft dirt or sand. A can of fix a flat will keep a normal tire inflated. One of the most useful things a property owner can have is an air compressor. Mine moves around in a plastic wheelbarrow with a non-solid tire.
    As to bears, coons or skunks, think 12ga with a good light on the barrel.

  27. What a great writer. Unlike some , she doesn’t push her faith on us, make wack a doodle predictions or subscribe to the theory she knows everything .

    Good read

  28. I love your can do attitude and humor. It can and is taking you so much farther than those who just think and dream. Most of us didn’t grow up with a prepared mindset and have had to learn as you’re doing. Your stories are delightful and full of good advice. Please keep on sharing your real life experiences.

  29. Grey Woman and Others: Thanks for your good comments! Respecting privacy and OPSEC, it is helpful to give us readers a very rough idea of your homestead locations to better visualize and relate to the terrain and climate you are dealing with. Some of us have bears and some of us have rattlesnakes, some have garden soil and some have rocks. Northern Rockies, eastern Utah, Mojave Desert, Everglades,etc. gives us readers a general clue on type of environment and resource options. For example, I’m a grumpy old man living alone in the lovely central Sierra foothills:) Thank you all and good luck!

  30. Grumpy, that is a good point. My travails occur in the mid Atlantic area. Surroundings are a mixture of heavily wooded and farm land. Pretty sure there are no rattle snakes but with my luck you never know…

  31. Dear Grey Woman,

    Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, you literally had me rolling on the floor laughing hysterically at your descriptions of the bear encounter. I’m still laughing and even have tears rolling down my cheeks. It takes a lot to get me laughing like that! You have just the right knack with your words describing your experiences. Anyways, thanks, I needed it. Sometimes we’re way too serious here. We have the “weight of the world” on our hearts. We’re so very concerned with the news of the events of our country and of the world.

    So thanks for the laugh, I’m looking forward to your future articles. Please be careful in all your prepping adventures and be blessed.

    Avalanche Lily, Rawles

  32. So glad you enjoyed it. Two of my favorite quotes are “Earth laughs in flowers” Ralph Waldo Emerson (perhaps this is how I justify the time and energy I spend on my flower gardens when there are more practical things I should probably be doing – they make me smile and remember that nature’s beauty can be it’s own purpose ) and an old Jewish proverb: As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul. Be well and laugh often.

  35. This article reminded me of many lessons that I learned the hard way . I may not have laughed then but have since learned to laugh soon after if not immediately and for the rest of our lives . A sense of humor regarding our daily troubles is a very valuable tool . We really enjoyed your article . Thank you and keep up the good work .

  36. “…keep (galvanized steel trash cans with tight fitting lids) in the house or basement and not the somewhat derelict shed because of bears and raccoons…”

    I once purchased a 50 lb bag of wild bird food, and put it into the shed. Sure as God made green apples, a rat found the stash, and started helping himself to it; a really LARGE rat. So… I moved it into the house, putting it into a cabinet in the kitchen. A couple of days later, my wife heard several things hit the floor in the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen, she saw the boxes of cereal we stored on top of the refrigerator on the floor, and the tail of a rat disappearing behind the fridge. The next day, I went for the wild bird food, and found the rat had once again found it. The rat had entered the house through the drier vent, chewed through the exhaust hose, and helped itself to not only the wild bird food, but everything else it had found.

    Moral of the story; don’t store “feed” anywhere you don’t want bears, raccoons, rats, …

  40. Might have to be a block party bbq. In this case I think you could say “It takes a village to eat a bear”. He was truly huge. In case it was not clear, the photo was not stock. That was a picture of the actual former bear (check out the size of the bears head vs. the size of the shooters hand). …I think I need a bigger basting brush!

  41. Thank you for such an entertaining AND informative piece. Just recently, while looking at mountain locations, I rolled my eyes at the admonition by several different agents concerning not putting out bird feeders OR the need to bring them in at night. My spouse got a smile as well and said “We’ll put them up very high.” I gave him a glance as I’ve heard that not only do bears ………… in the woods but that they also climb trees….

    Now my spouse is a primitive camper so we’re not talking the usual city-bred boy (though he is but he is also an old time boy scout and an avid off-the-grid hiker and explorer). And he’s encountered bears, panthers and wild pigs (and if you believe him, a big foot or two). So I halfway believe his solution to bears and bird feeders. However………..

    Thanks to you, I’m a believer………for all things bears and beyond. I’m saving your piece, both for amusement and sage advice. My eyes and my mind have definitely been opened.

  42. Glad to have given you a giggle. If you want to keep you bird feeders safe, refer to the picture in the article – that is one of my “crazy person birdfeeders”. It’s been a few years now and they are still bear proof. The PVC and concrete were the key for me. If the PVC is on all four sides, they can’t climb it and if you mount it deep enough in enough concrete, they can’t push it over (a grizzly might be able to, but thankfully that’s not an issue where I am). I use paracord for the pulley cords and it is tied off right down at ground level under the bottoms of the PVC – they haven’t figured that out yet…One caution: don’t lose hold of the paracord when you are lowering them to fill or the birdfeeders will fall down on your head – I’ve had the lumps to prove it and the suet holders have sharp corners…

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