Letter: A Few Random Thoughts

Hugh,

Here are some random thoughts on more outdoor work than usual when water is precious: Stock talcum powder, no-rinse washes, Lubriderm (or generic) hand lotion, lip balm.

More on non-power tools: Get lots of can openers, because they all fail, older U.S.-made ones from yard sales will last longer; stock U.S.-made GI versions as backup because they always work. Egg beaters and hand drills with an idler gear on the back side are more durable, not just from the support but because they are better quality to begin with. Antique shops are high $ place to shop for hand tools; instead, estate sales are best because the next generation often has no clue about grandpa’s “junk”. I found a quality hand drill missing the back cap (where drills were stored) tossed on a workbench with junk without a price. I bought it for 25 cents on offer and pressed a PVC cap on it. Yankee screwdrivers can still be bought new and are worth their weight in gold, if you have to build or repair something with that large stock of drywall screws you wisely stocked. Without a power driver, you will quickly figure out why grandpa drilled a pilot hole. As with all preps, start using non-power tools so you’re familiar with the operation of these tools. – Susan