From Flu Wiki 2

Forum: Oklahoma Preppers II July 032006

03 July 2006

Bronco Bill – at 17:27
Bronco Bill – at 17:28

Continued from here

okcinder – at 18:19

Dang it’s Hot!!!! I would be hurting without AC, scary thought, can’t go there!!

Happy fourth to everyone!

Bronco Bill – at 20:05

okcinder – at 18:19 --- Dang it’s Hot!!!!

Of course it is. Didn’t you know that’s what Oklahoma means in the ancient native tongue?:
“Damn it’s too hot live in this place without factory-installed air conditioning on my horse.”

Petticoat Junction – at 20:24

DC @ 18:01, July 01 “AND www.vermontcountrystore.com has the great neck scarf/ bandanna coolers that have gel beads inside. You soak in water for 30 minutes and they supposedly stay cool for hours. Will try them in garden. I’m not supposed to be out there in the heat- but I always push it too long when I go out in the early morning.”

Greetings from central TX (though dh grew up in Tulsa; his brother is a cop in Bixby & lives in Broken Arrow).

I have several of those neck bandana coolers that we bought a few years ago (not from VCS, but they do have a great catalog!) and they do work pretty well…they got the kids through a very hot trip to SeaWorld that summer, lol.

We just saw the neck coolers at WalMart this past week; it was the first time I’d seen them here (I bought mine in Colorado). I think they were about $4 each (well, $3.87 or some wierd WM price) and were on a freestanding cardboard display in the camping dept. I don’t know how their quality would hold up to those in the VCS catalog ~ I would guess that they might not be quite as good ~ but just thought I’d let you know they’re there.

okcinder – at 22:24

Petticoat- Hi, graduated high school in Sapula---and lived in Texas, so love for both. We used some of those bandanna things (the WalMart kind)at some 100 degrees little league baseball tournaments last summer. They definitely cooled you off, but for a short time…we had to keep re-dipping them in water about every 20 min…not hours. But without AC anything would help!

Bronco—20:05--I would NOT have made a good pioneer woman…would have HAD to move north!

Bronco Bill – at 22:41

okcinder – at 22:24 --- LOL! My dad was born and raised in Midwest City until he joined the US Marines in 1950. Came to California at that time and never left. I still have a cousin in MC…living in the same house that her and my Grandfather built in 1926. Small world…

04 July 2006

Okieman – at 08:49

bump

DC – at 16:21

Great to see so much OK. feedback- have company for the 4th and after guiding them through http://www.pandemicflu.gov have a slew of family and friends on board. My uncle (retired police) thought the bird flu “people” were a bunch of nuts until he saw the federal, state preps and the June 29th pdf from Sec. of Health Leavitt at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/PanfluReport2.pdf

Uncle just helped clean my new shotgun. A friend in Colorado says he can’t find any ammunition- stores all out.

One of the top 5 priorities on the document is “enhnacing outreach and community planning” So WHY is there absolutely nothing on OK TV news or national channels such as CNN and Fox???

06 July 2006

okcinder – at 11:06

DC-16:21- Don’t know…I have mentioned it to several people, no one knows what I am talking about until I pull it up on the computer. Scary thought that they are all in the dark.

OKbirdwatcherat 17:00

DC - May I ask where you plan to buy your re-charge batteries; and are the “D”s really that expensive??? Unless I was confused, one online source priced them as 2 batteries (NiMH) for $35! That would be cost prohibitive for use in our 10inch fans! :( Help.

anonymous – at 17:59

I did some serious google searching to find decent prices! A also saw those high battery prices and solar chargers going for $200 and up.

I chose the 2 sites below.

http://www.cetsolar.com Chargers and Battery holders for charging- they had a less expensive model but, I got the faster charging model for $89.95 My chosen Battery Charger: Maha Universal Battery Charger /Analyzer AND spent about $20 for charge holders- AAA, AA, C, and D

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/index.htm All guaranteed to have a life of 100 charges! Batteries Spent Total $73.12 Got 4-D 4-c 8-AAA 4 AA

D BATTERIES PAGE--- http://www.thomas-distributing.com/dbatteries.php packs of 2 range from price of $12.97 to $25. I bought the $12.97

Will eventually save me a small fortune on batteries used for every day items and is good for the planet.

I’m going to be strictly a rechargeable girl.

DC – at 18:00

oops the anonymous – at 17:59 is DC

OKbirdwatcherat 18:21

DC. Thanks! I’ll check it out.

08 July 2006

DC – at 19:31

OKbirdwatcher

I put up the bird baths

09 July 2006

OKbirdwatcherat 11:38

DC -

Excellent! We have 2 up year ‘round, but had thought about not filling them. Can’t do it. Who could watch a beautiful bluebird look into an empty bird bath and not put some water in it? We had a flock of cedar waxwings stay in our yard for weeks last winter. They were always at the baths - was quite a job keeping water in them, but also quite a sight to see. Downside - have you ever seen the poo mess a flock of birds can make when they hang around for weeks? They are gorgeous birds, IMO, but it was an example of “be careful what you wish for”. They say you can attract more birds to your backyard with water than with food. I believe it.

DC – at 17:15

OKbirdwatcher

You’re going to be disappointed in me. By “put up” I meant put them away. I couldn’t watch them gazing into an empty birdbath. BUT the Beauties still get frequent water from the sprinklers- watched a hummer playing in a stream of sprinkler water this morning.

The bird “mess” is why I put them up. Since that mess would carry viruses. And I definitely was attracting lots of them. With the baths gone most of the messy grackles and black birds are gone but I still have the wrens, creepers, cardinals, wood peckers etc.

OKbirdwatcherat 17:31

DC -

Not disappointed at all. I understand the dilema and come fall we will probably do the same thing though it will break my heart to do so. I feel that we have “trained” them over the years to depend on and enjoy the birdbaths and now we’re going to take them away? But, bottom line is, I don’t want to invite trouble. I know they’ll do fine without our “help” :)

11 July 2006

CAMikeat 01:06

bump for BB.

Hurricane Alley RN – at 02:08

bump

13 July 2006

okcinder – at 22:09

bumped so Bill doesn’t get us

14 July 2006

DC – at 17:33

So, is everyone in a calming lull? All preps made? Following news at http://www.topix.net/health/avian-flu ??

News at US Govt site: The government seems to be getting more and more concerned…Not something one typically sees.

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ July 11 —

 Department of Health and Human Services Announces Additional $225 Million for State and Local Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Efforts More >> 

June 30 —

 HHS Assists States With Antiviral Drug Purchases More >> 

June 30 —

 Epidemiology of Human H5N1 Cases Reported to WHO More >> 

June 29 —

 Second Report on Pandemic Planning Released by Health and Human Services More >> 

June 29 —

 Department of Agriculture Releases 180 Day Pandemic Planning Report More >> 
OKbirdwatcherat 21:43

DC -

No calming lull for me. After reading the “Family Tragedy Highlights Flu Mutations” thread early this morning, I made a large prep run to Wal-Mart. Maybe I over-reacted:-?

17 July 2006

OKbirdwatcherat 13:20

DC -

Wondering if you’ve tried out your bandanna coolers yet? DH commented yesterday (while sitting outside in the 100+ heat) that if he can keep his head cool, he can handle the heat OK. So I was thinking of ordering some, but would be interested in your opinion first. Thanks!!!

okcinder – at 13:43

Don’t know that I feel calm (especially with MidEast situation what it is), but am definitely in a lull on prepping. (guess I need to read “Family Tragedy Highlights” thread!)

Have seriously been pondering starting a small “experimental” garden. I know that I have made a ridiculously big deal about it. But, I still have to say that it would be a forced endeavor that I don’t foresee enjoying at all. Although, I somewhat feel a need to “practice” in case the situation ever arose that we needed to be self-sufficient for some time.

OKbirdwatcherat 14:17

okcinder -

Yea, I’m fighting the urge to place another large on-line prep order. Current events do keep us a little edgy.

I’m with you on the gardening thing. I know it’s what we should be doing, but… DH did try some tomato plants this year and well, let’s just say it hasn’t gone well :( Besides, in dire circumstances (such as a country full of many, many hungry people), what’s to prevent those hungry people from stealing the fresh produce that you worked so hard to grow? Would we have to sleep in shifts and guard the garden? Gotta stop imagining those worst-case scenarios.

Today’s blessing: Air-conditioning. Thank you, Lord.

Stay cool, ladies (and gents)!!!

DC – at 18:09

Tried the bandanna and my visor battery fan while dealing with the trash cans. The 2 combined defintely helped but I would hate to have to live without AC. My 10 inch battery fan would also be a big help. I only go out now for trash cans and early AM bank/ milk runs. Think its about 105 right now. I just got a $225 electric bill in the mail today.

Done with online prepping! The UPS guy asked me if it was an early Christmas. Just local stuff now. Couldn’t find powdered eggs (yuk)anywhere locally - got a big can at www.nitro-pak.com - would be useful for all those egg requiring recipes.

Stocked up on vegie seeds but like OKbirdwatcher my TOMATOES are pretty SAD this year- one here and there - not what I used to seeing. But the squash and hot pepper plants are going gang busters- I think they are virtually indestructible and one plant could feed an army if need be.

OKcinder- anyone (I promise) can grow yellow squash and green zucchini!

Hiding vegies- Mine are hidden behind 10 ft fences lined with evergreen shrubs and rambling roses- no one can see them. But I’ve had neighbors hit by tomato rustlers the past few summers. I’ve suggested that they interplant vegies with shrubs and flowers so they just look like part of the garden chaos.

18 July 2006

okcinder – at 14:00

Okbird- 14:17 Had the same pessimistic thought the other day. Considering that I am not an “outside” girl, don’t prefer dirt (unless at baseball or fishing), and HATE bugs/worms…it would really be my luck that I would take a shot at this gardening thing to save my family and someone would snatch the goods!!

DC- I posted on Gardening for Emerg. thread that I was about to the point of a “trial” small raised garden. But, really am interested in raising vegs that my finicky children will eat. (potatoes, beans, carrots)…but don’t know who those do around here.

okcinder – at 14:01

Don’t think AC has cut off for 5 days!! If bird flu or other catastrophe hits in summer, resulting in power lost…pretty sure I won’t make it!! ;) Stay cool!

DC – at 18:24

okCINDER Went to walmart at midnight- it ws 95 out. Couldn’t help myself- got “more” groceries, alocohol, and a small coffee pot just in case. Just gaze wistfully out at my garden and try not to think about the weeds I can’t see from the windows.

Your Kids don’t like squash? I thought that eating fried squash and okra was a requirement for living in OK? If frying doesn’t work- Try steaming in and adding cheese! Do casseroles, make zucchini bread.. the possibilities are endless!

potatoes, beans easy here- even in poor soil- you’ll get something. Just throw out some bean seeds and get a crop. Pototoes - can buy “starts” at farm supply stores OR just cut off 1–2 inch chunks that have started sprouting on your store bought potatoes. Each sprout is an “eye” , Bury 4–6 inches in the ground and by late fall/ early winter you’ll have potatoes.

I have better luck with carrots when it gets just a touch cooler. Fall will do seeds for winter/acorn squash, all types of greens and carrots.

For more info on Oklahoma gardening go to http://www.dwmtech.com/Reference/Oklahoma%20Gardening.htm

19 July 2006

DC – at 17:02

released July 18 —

 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices Releases Pandemic Primer 

http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0607PANDEMICPRIMER.PDF

Page 16 of the PDF in the GRAY box is very interesting— especially the STOCKPILE foods and Supplies part. I would be very happy IF all governors get busy- it looks like food, water, energy are TOP prioties on their list. Also emphasizes on page 18 “involve the public in planning efforts early and often”- does this mean that we will soon be seeing news items encoraging prepping?

PAGE 19-- COMMUNICATING TO THE PUBLIC on PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

AP synopsis: If the nation hopes to avoid the worst of a severe bird flu outbreak, states need to act now to build a network of workers, create public-private relationships and make the time to train, the nation’s governors say in a new report.

The report released Tuesday by the National Governors Association aims to guide governors and other state leaders as they prepare for what could be - in the gloomiest scenario - a catastrophe that takes thousands upon thousands of lives, devastates government operations and shuts down businesses.

“Our rule of thumb here is plan for the worst and hope for the best. And the planning has to happen now,” said Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat. She and Minnesota GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty are leading the NGA’s effort to get states up to speed on the potential threat.

State leaders need to revisit their laws, the report says, to make sure they have the power to quarantine populations, limit travel or restrict certain activities. They need to build relationships with private business so that essential services and goods are still available, even if nearly half the work force can’t leave their homes. And they must make sure to set up a thorough communication system so that the public knows what’s going on.

The 23-page guide “Preparing for a Pandemic Influenza” boils down the preparation to four areas. It says:

- States must set priorities so that essential services continue and also encourage citizens to be as self-reliant as possible.

- Since medical services will likely be overwhelmed and drugs may take months before they’re available to everyone, state leaders must take firm steps to limit the spread of the disease by restricting travel and activities.

- State leaders must work closely with the private sector to set up pre-existing networks so that critical needs such as food, energy and health care are provided. Businesses must be aware that as much as 40 percent of the work force could be out sick for months.

- Thorough testing of emergency plans and responses must begin now.

okcinder – at 22:30

DC-18:24- Unfortunately my fault the kids don’t like squash, zuc…I am not a big fan. (like ‘em fried, but trying not to fry) Thanks for the additional gardening info!

20 July 2006

OKbirdwatcherat 11:27

DC -

Had trouble viewing the NGA Pandemic Primer, but on the News thread yesterday someone pointed out that on page 16 it was suggested that individuals store food for *1 week* though a pandemic could last for *12–18 mos.* or so. That doesn’t compute for me. I wonder, when will TPTB start connecting the dots and give the public more realistic recommendations? I guess they’re still working in “don’t overwhelm them” mode.

DC – at 12:04

www.pandemicflu.gov now saying 2 weeks of food and water. I think they are saying two weeks because the nations food supply/ delivery system could not handle if everyone went out and bought just an extra week of food. Ex- when hurricanes are predicted - stores on the coast quickly sell out of food, water, batteries etc. People need to prep and the governor’s document emphasizes this BUT our delivery system can not support everyone prepping.

I’m watching very carefully for BF to once again pop up on the news- with messages from state officials as discussed on the gov. document

When it does not everyone will pay attention- but many will. I imagine there will be a run on supplies. I will immediately head out for fruit/ vegies./ milk.

Are you finished prepping?

I maxed out my credit cards to do so- but still wonder if it is enough. Now I’m just restocking what I use each week.I’ve got non-electrical heat for the winter and lots of battery fans/ gel bandannas for summer.

I’m surprised there has not been more discussion of the Govenors report on any of the threads. It’s as if almost no-one has read it.

Okieman – at 12:16

DC – at 12:04

“I’m surprised there has not been more discussion of the Govenors report on any of the threads. It’s as if almost no-one has read it.”

Many here in FluWikiLand, myself included, have gotten used to all the “talk”. I think many of us simply no longer pay attention to the “talk” unless it actually brings about action. Talk is talk, action can make a difference.

OKbirdwatcherat 12:17

DC - Re: “Are you finished prepping?”

Nope. Still workin’ on it. But I’m feeling better about our preparedness with each trip and online order. I’m estimating to be at 4–5 mos. Hard to determine exactly. Only have one credit card and trying to not let that get out of hand. From your original post, I’d say you are *very* well prepared, but I understand wondering if it is enough. I *know* I’m not to that point yet.

DC – at 13:37

Okieman- I understand that no-one pays attention to the contant “talk”.

BUT the 6–18 Gov. document is heavy on “action” language. IT indicates that they are seriously worried, emphasizes stockpiling at gov. institutions such as prisons, nursing homes, and talking to the general public about BF.. Since this was released on the 18th I keep expecting to hear “something”

Considered the ususal lackluster gov. response to disasters… it makes me wonder if the officials know something we don’t.

DC – at 14:24

Seen a lot of articles stating: At least six states plan to buy smaller quantities of antiviral drugs than the federal government has offered them, a setback for part of the government’s bird flu pandemic plan.

I’ve been looking for WHO those suix states are. And yes- Oklahoma is one of them!

Just found this on Oklahoma preps http://www.habersaglik.com/default.asp?Act=Dt&CatId=4&NwId=72472 “Arizona and Nebraska are trying to get local entities to pay for more anti-virals. So is Oklahoma, which now plans to buy 9% of its allotment but may increase it. Montana and North Dakota also don’t plan to buy full allotments.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN- trying to get local entities to pay for more anti-virals?

Do they think the money is going to come out of all the small town/ rural budgets?

Okieman – at 14:31

DC – at 14:24

“Do they think the money is going to come out of all the small town/ rural budgets?”

I think you got it. After the Oklahoma summit I attended I decided that we are on our own in Oklahoma. The only ones that are taking this serious is the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce.

Okieman – at 14:33

The anti-viral issue is a non-issue really as far as I am concerned. I think they will be useless in very short order if this thing goes pandemic. The real issue is maintenance/continuation of essential services.

DC – at 14:45

Agree- on the anti-virals and real issue being maintaining critical services. But the states planning on fewer anti-virals are also the states with the least planning. They seem to go together.

At http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab2.html#stateinfo I have spot checked/ clicked on other states to compare their preps to ours. Oklahoma and Texas aren’t doing much of anything. VA is way ahead of the game! CA, FL many others also doing “something”

On these other states I keep seeing this type of link Planning Resolution between Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt and Governor Jeb Bush of Florida [PDF - 318KB]

But none for OK or TX- does this mean we don’t want to sign a planning resolution with Leavitt?

Okieman – at 15:00

DC,

I get the feeling that the present leadership in Oklahoma, in several different agencies, don’t think the threat is as serious as we do. I will change my mind on this when I see actions taken to prepare local governments and the population at large. Until then, I will continue to believe they and most of this state will be caught flat footed.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

DC – at 15:05

Agree I’ve always been an optimistic pessimist type

OKbirdwatcherat 21:55

DC -

Was just reading the “An Open Letter to the Flu Community” 2 thread; in particular, the post by Dan at 17:46 and the posts that follow. Very interesting. Thought you might want to check it out if you haven’t already.

21 July 2006

DC – at 11:55

OKbirdwatcher- Yes i have been following that thread. I agree that much is being kept from us.

DC – at 18:07

Making one more big run tomorrow morning: more nuts, cranberry juice, TP, PT, kitty littee. I have a bad feeling.

24 July 2006

DC – at 18:02

bump

OKbirdwatcherat 22:37

DC -

Has that bad feeling eased any after your big prep run? I have another big online order ready to go (just waiting for the credit card billing cycle to roll over). I’d like to put it off a while, but I feel some sense of urgency about it. Maybe a combination of pandemic flu concern and world events?

25 July 2006

okcinder – at 10:06

In light of our extended dang hot weather and our AC on the blink I am looking into battery-operated fans today!! (Can not imagine doing a summer without electricity!)

The world events are definitely adding to my uneasiness about lacking preps. Okieman posted on another thread that the combo of natural disasters, probs in mideast, and possible panflu makes you wonder what is ahead. (I am reading the last of the Left Behind series right now and don’t like the similarities!!)

26 July 2006

DC – at 15:42

I still have that bad “feeling”

Done with preps except for re-stocking -as supplies used and a last minute large water delivery when SHTF. Working as much as possible to build back up funds after all of the prep purchases. With this heat my vegie garden is pathetic- I’d starve if that was all i had.

Lots of push nationwide to prep this past week- seen in local news from acround the country from google news page. Of course nothing from Oklahoma- but many states having drills, emergency planning, community meetings- picked up by google news.

1918 flu started in August…. Chicago red cross group talking about Sept. possibility in their community outreach.

That’s awfully close.

Okieman – at 16:57

DC, OKbirdwatcher, okcinder,

Plant purple hull peas now for a fall garden. They are very heat resistant. I planted a long row of them over the weekend and they are now two inches tall.

In this heat water your garden everyday. When it gets above 100 degrees this becomes a must. The goal is to keep it alive until cooler temps so it can produce during the fall. This fall may be important to have some fresh veggies available. My “bad feeling” has the pandemic starting this fall. Let us hope that I am wrong.

27 July 2006

okcinder – at 10:13

So, assuming I get going on this garden thing, PRONTO—I have heard that people in the area have probs with deer getting their garden. I have two labs…one tolerates deer, one doesn’t…so, don’t know if they will be enough to keep them out or not.

28 July 2006

DC – at 18:52

Okieman

My “bad feeling” is also for the fall. I hope we’re wrong.

Last Water bill was $125- garden only- not only vegies but lots of trees/ shrubs less than 3 years old. Have been trying to water tomatoes/ squash daily - but even that does not seem to be enough, but they are alive and producing a little bit. Old guy down the street is getting tons of tomatoes- watering 2–3 times each day.

purple hull peas? What are these? Have seeds for -oregon giant,Alaska peas, green arrow peas plus brocc,lettuce, winter squash. Thought about planting weekend of August 12th- full moon.

any advice?

DC – at 18:53

okcinder you probably need to deer -proof- completely enclose vefies with fencing- including top part.

Melanie – at 18:57

For the deer problem, mix a bottle of tabasco with vinegar in a hose end sprayer bottle, one of those little Ortho deals, and spray your veg. The deer don’t like it.

Okieman – at 19:44

DC,

The purplehull pea is a southern pea. I think it is also called a “cowpea”. It just takes 65 days till it starts producing, and if you keep it picked and watered it will just keep on producing. The way we prepare them is by shelling them out and snapping a few small pods (like you would beans) along with the shelled peas. Once the pods are full and shell out easy, that is when you pick them. They taste good, produce well, are easy to grow, take the heat well (southern pea), and can be grown in not so fertile soil. okcinder, this crop would be a good one to start out with if you have never gardened before.

Here are some websites that I found that might help you out some. If you ask for purplehull beans at your nearest garden store they will know what you are talking about and will probably have some seed to sell you. I like the Pinkeye Purplehull Peas. Hope this helps you out.

http://www.southernexposure.com/productlist/prods/16108.html

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/40772/index.html

http://www.purplehull.com/peaseed.htm

01 August 2006

just bumpin’ – at 17:28
OKbirdwatcherat 18:22

While driving home from a large prep run today, DH called and he was at Home Depot *looking at a generator*!!! Nearly ran off the road. He’s also brainstorming with me on ideas for *rainwater collection*. A couple weeks ago he was checking out *wood stoves*. Will wonders never cease? For all those prepping with less-than-enthusiastic spouses, hang in there. There is hope. Mine is sure coming around and without any arm twisting from me:)

Okieman – at 19:24

OKbirdwatcher – at 18:22

From a man’s perspective (we usually see ourselves as the “Protector In Chief”) we see problems across the country with the electrical grid, massive heat wave across the Northern Hemisphere and drought here in Oklahoma, Tropical Storm Chris (soon to be Hurricane Chris?), high oil prices (and going higher as Chris gets closer), the Middle East crisis becoming more and more critical (soon even higher oil prices?), and now a possible new H5N1 cluster in Karo, Indonesia. It can turn us into “Worriers In Chief”, or if that does not sound manly enough, then “Highly Concerned In Chief”. It is much better to be “Well Prepared In Chief”:-)

If he has not bought the generator yet, I might suggest looking at the ones Sears sells. I bought a 3600 Watt Craftsman a few months ago for $542. If he is going to get one, better to get it soon. Hurricanes may be in the near future and they will likely drive the prices up.

Okieman – at 19:25

That was $542 after taxes by the way.

OKbirdwatcherat 22:59

Okieman -

He was looking at one that would operate a 4-ton heat pump. $2400, marked down to $1900. I’m thinking overkill and over budget:) No purchase yet. I’ll pass on your advice. Meanwhile, we need to read all the generator threads here on the forum; I’m clueless on the subject.

Okieman – at 23:34

OKbirdwatcher – at 22:59

If you get a wood stove then you wouldn’t need the heat pump. We have a $300 dollar wood stove (the old timey type, but new) and we heat a 1842 square foot house with it. Of course we have 40 acres of oak/hickory forest too, so getting firewood is cheap. You can also cook on the older types of woodstoves like ours.

The reason I got the generator that I did was that it would run the refrigerator and freezer or computer. (Recently we pulled it back into the woods and used it to operate a skill saw and hand drill while building a tree house. It worked fine.) I could have gotten a larger generator, but the fuel volumes start adding up quick. Go online and look at generator specs concerning run times on a tank of gas and how much it will hold. If you have to use a large generator to keep your freezer cold, then it is similar to using a Mack truck to pull a lawn mower trailer. It will do the job, but will use up a lot of fuel while doing it. You have to ask yourself whether you have the fuel storage space and the cash to spare to fill it up. There is a tendency (especially for men) to want to get the tool with the most power (insert a Tim The Tool Guy grunt…uHH, uhh, uhh), but if the fuel to run it is in short supply, then you need the tool that is best suited to the job using the least amount of fuel. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t want to short yourself on the power to run the equipment, but in an emergency situation where fuel is scarce you don’t want a gas guzzler either.

Sorry if I have given you and your husband more advice than you might have wanted, but I would rather say it and ya’ll be informed, than not say it an ya’ll make a mistake. Do your research first.

02 August 2006

OKbirdwatcherat 10:20

Okieman -

Sounds exactly like the conversations we’ve already had on the subject. Weighing the pros and cons. We will likely do the inexpensive-but-new woodstove option and only install it in a have-to situation. We do have access to firewood.

The generator solution seems almost futile to me for anything other than a fairly short-term situation - all the fuel issues. But, as you said, a smaller one for fridge, freezer, and a few other uses seems like a great idea. That’s likely what we’ll end up doing.

I guess my point about DH *looking* at the generator was the fact that he’s now beyond just *talking* about them and moving closer to actually buying. I see it as a breakthrough, because even though he has been supportive of the kind of preps I’ve been working on, until recently he’s not been actively involved in some of the larger issues that I can’t realistically work out on my own. So glad to have “Tim the Toolman” on board:)

just bumpin’ – at 10:36

Okieman- if you don’t mind me asking, where did you get your woodstove and did you install it or have someone do it (cutting the roof, etc.). I have a regular wood burning fireplace with flush insert, no blowers…would a wood burning stove in addition be efficient or should I look at getting a different insert with blowers for fireplace (seems expensive).

okcinder – at 10:37

oh dad gum…sorry that was me, hadn’t changed from yesterday

DC – at 14:56

PINKEYE PURPLE HULL PEA

found them at my local feed/ grain store. I was planning on planting some fall crop seeds- August 12th (full moon) Feed store thinks it will still be too hot then. Suggestions- OKIE MAN?

03 August 2006

Okieman – at 16:52

okcinder and OKbirdwatcher,

We purchased our woodstove from a dealer in Colorado. We had already decided we wanted a Vogelzang BX42E, and found a dealer on the internet near Colorado Springs where I had a meeting to attend. I contacted him, agreed to a price, and met him at the hotel where I was staying while attending the meeting. Saved some money on shipping by doing it this way. We had it installed in the new house we were building by the contractor that was building the house. I suspect you could hire any carpenter to install it, or do it yourself.

As you can see on the website link provided below, the woodstove is an old timey type of stove with no blowers. My wife grew up using this type of stove, except theirs were smaller. We installed a ceiling fan in the room with the stove (and in all the bedrooms). We also place fan behind the stove, which is set in a corner of the living room, and turn it on whenever it is extra cold outside and we want to distribute the heat a little better. It works fine for us. I think the older type of stove does a much better job of heating the house when the electricity is out since it depends more on radiant heat directly from the stove, whereas the new ones depend upon blowers to get the heat out of the stove. Just my opinion.

This type of stove is not as efficient as the modern stoves, but if you have plenty of wood that really doesn’t matter. I like the look of the older stoves better too, and you can also cook on them, something you can’t do on the new ones. If another bad ice storm (or panflu) comes along and it knocks out the electricity for a week or more we will stay warm and have a place to cook too.

Below are the links I mentioned. The first is for the Vogelzang company. The second is for Ace Hardware, which is a distributor. okcider, if I were you, I would probably leave the fireplace “as is” and put a woodstove stove somewhere else in the house with ceiling fans in both rooms. (The fireplace will also be good for cooking.) OKbirdwatcher, I suspect that for a thousand dollars you could get the same Vogelzang woodstove (and stovepipes) and Craftsman generator that we purchased, and have your emergency home heating, cooking, and refrigeration/freezer dealt with and be prepared for whatever comes along. If no emergency comes along, then you use your fireplace and woodstove to keep your home heating bill next to nothing. I believe our woodstove paid for itself the first winter we used it.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Hope this has helped.

http://www.vogelzang.com/bx42e.htm

http://tinyurl.com/gk6le

Okieman – at 17:05

DC – at 14:56

I would go ahead and plant them on the 12th as you planned, or in this cool spell (if you can call 98 degrees cool) we are going to have the next couple of days. Yes, it will still be hot, but mine seem to be doing fine right now (they are about 6 inches tall now, with multiple leaves) so I suspect yours will do OK too. Just remember to water them everyday. While they are small I would water them in the morning or evening, and around 3 or 4 o’clock in the afternoon to help cool them off. Since they don’t have a very deep root system when they are small, you don’t need to water them as much as the mature plants you have, like your tomatoes or okra. That should help with the water bill some, but still get you an early start on a fall crop. Good luck. Let me know how they do.

OKbirdwatcherat 22:54

Okieman -

Thanks for the great advice. I think that’s exactly the direction we’re heading. It makes the most sense to us.

04 August 2006

DC – at 17:28

bump

Okieman – at 23:05

DC,

Here is a very good OSU factsheet concerning fall gardening in Oklahoma. Notice the planting times, they surprised me the first time I read them.

http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1114/F-6009web.pdf

06 August 2006

Okieman – at 23:03

bumping for newbies to read and prepare

07 August 2006

Okieman going bump in the night – at 00:05

bump again

Okieman – at 17:20

Just want to give a heads up to the Okies that read this thread.

If you get your electricity from Tulsa PSO you might want to prepare for possible rolling blackouts. Maybe they will get their problem fixed before they have to resort to this, but their large users are being asked to go to backup generation while they try to fix the problem. PSO serves a large portion of Oklahama, but I don’t know if the rest of their service area is affected. If rolling blackout occur they could have an effect upon water and wastewater service. Be prepared.

And no, I do not work for them, nor can I say where I got this info. I do not live in the Tulsa area. All of this may be common knowledge around Tulsa. If not, well…now you know. Hopefully they will get everything fixed and there will be no problems.

okcinder – at 17:27

Just out of curiousity…how long would electricity have to be out for water to be affected? During the ice storm, we lost power for a week and had water. Sorry if this is obvious…thanks!

Okieman – at 17:34

okcinder – at 17:27

It would depend upon the water system and whether they have backup generators.

Has this been in the news around Tulsa? Just curious. I got the info kinda through a back door. I suspect it will be in the local evening news there. You live north of Tulsa don’t you? Let me know what you hear.

Here is a link to their website that shows the cities and towns they serve.

http://www.psoklahoma.com/about/serviceTerritory/citiesAndTownsServed.asp

okcinder – at 17:48

No, I am in Perry (I’m on rural water)…hadn’t heard anything about the Tulsa deal. With this heat, that would be horrible!

Okieman – at 17:58

In this heat, it would be a killer. Perry is not listed in their service area, so I bet you are OK. Let us hope they get whatever is wrong fixed soon.

DC – at 18:42

Okieman - thank you my goodness- the document shows JULY planting times for winter squash AND THE COW PEAS.

I will definitely get all seeds in this weekend - at the crack of dawn - before the heat of the day.

OKbirdwatcherat 21:00

Okieman -

I live NE of Tulsa, but in a rural area served by an electric cooperative and with rural water supply. The news story on kotv.com said PSO expected to be operating at full generating capacity Tuesday, but they are still encouraging conservation because any day that’s over 100 degrees pushes the system to max.

Okieman – at 21:02

Thanks OKbirdwatcher

09 August 2006

DC – at 18:33

Got in all of the fall crop above ground seeds early yesterday morning! Waiting until next week- new moon- for below ground turnips, carrots etc

Closed and Continued - Bronco Bill – at 18:39

Okie Preppers get a THIRD thread here

Last post copied to new thread.

Retrieved from http://www.fluwikie2.com/index.php?n=Forum.OklahomaPreppersIIJuly032006
Page last modified on August 09, 2006, at 07:28 PM