Brought to you by the great state of Oklahoma, home of the Sooners! Continued from here
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
Woohoo!!! Thanks, BB and to quote okcinder from last month:
>”Dang it’s Hot!!!!”
OKbirdwatcher – at 18:49
and going to be hot tomorrow…and the next day…and the next…you get the picture. I’m ready for October.
Okieman - Same here. I do enjoy the fall. We did get 1.2 inches of rain Sunday evening - quite a wonderful surprise.
OKbirdwatcher,
We got a two inch sprinkle. Two inches between drops. Boy it is dry.
DC,
You should be seeing little purplehull pea plants pushing up out of the ground by tomorrow morning. Yea, I think I will plant some carrots too, if it would just cool off a little bit.
Watch it with that Sooners stuff…some of us are Cowboys!
I am trying to envision cool, crisp fall weather…the kind when you need a sweatshirt at a football game!
Strictly an OU girl myself!
AMAZING- purplehull pea plants - had to go out and have a look - and yes they are coming up! Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything come up so fast. Just turned thesprinkler on them.
We also have the joy of “Two inches between drops” Have not seen a measurable rain since- well I can’t remember. Tomatoes not doing much- but they look good. Yellow squash and bell peppers have been very reliable.
The clouds are such a tease-
DC – at 16:48
It tickles me to see just how fast and consistent purplehull peas come up. You plant other things and you wait, then a few come up here, and later a few there. Purplehull peas, water them, wait two days, and all of a sudden they are popping out of the ground saying “Hi” all at once.
I planted some pole beans at the same time as the purplehulls. A rabbit has eaten half of them now, but pretty much left the peas alone. That’s another advantage of purplehulls, they don’t get attacked by pests as much as other garden vegetables.
I’m glad their doing well for you. Also glad for somewhat cooler temps today too.
I posted this in one of the prep threads, but wanted to place it here also.
Ya’ll might like to take a look at this website that describes pioneer cooking. Seems to have very good instructions. I’ve already saved it to my favorites. I believe it is wise to gather info concerning how to do things the “old way”, pre-1900. Very good site.
A little late, but I finally got purple hull peas planted (a day and a half ago). I put a soaker hose on low and kept the ground wet yesterday. I think I’ll go check to see if any are peeking through… More later. (Thanks for the advice.)
Hey Michelle,
Are the purplehulls up?
I told our nephew the vet school student about fluwiki today. Maybe he will pick a handle and join in (if he has the time).
A sight to behold, it’s not very old, A wee little pea, I surely did see.
Okieman, only one is up so far. Hopefully the rain they are forecasting will encourage the rest. But I did see some okra that needs to be picked… so more later, and hello from the kids who started reading the poem.
Michelle If you don’t see rain today- try keeping those little peas wet- 1–2x a day. After doing so I had boo-coo come up.
bumping
Hi Everyone!
Have been very busy recovering from various pretty minor but necessary surgeries. Missed checking in on you guys.
DC: I have given a lot of thought to hops for shade. These hardy vines grow just about anywhere. They are bushy and fast, really tall growers. Only drawback is that they are so heavy. But I think it’ll be worth the effort to grow them fairly close to the house on the south and west sides until the trees get taller for shade. Also, I once checked on routing water from a small pond under the house to help cool it in the summer. There are lots of really good ways out there. After a lot of research 15 - 20 years ago, I concluded that I really couldn’t afford anything! But, I carefully checked out a brainstorm, and if I ever get around to it, I will implement it. Plastic recycled bottles filled not quite to the top with water, under and around the perimeter of the house will make a genuine difference and cost only time and energy. As water cools and freezes, it gives off heat, and so helps to reduce heating costs in winter. AS it thaws, it gives off heat, and helps with heating costs again. In warm weather, it absorbs the heat, while giving off some cooling, and helps to defray costs of cooling. In our large and inefficient manufactured home, my daughter and I survived our first Oklahoma summer with one window mount Air Conditioner in the north end. We shut off all the rooms and mounted fans down the hall to rest of the house. We put an 18-inch by 5-foot diameter plastic wading pool on the floor under the air conditioner and filled it with ice. After a week, the melted ice water was still lots cooler than room temp. The middle of the second week, we scooped out the water and put it into the unused bathroom tub and replaced the ice. We soaked towels and sheets in the water and hung them enroute with the flow of air from the fans. It was actually quite comfortable and we were able to study and do our sewing and cooking without suffering from the heat, although the house had taken on a strange look. Also, a lady in Ada patented a vest she made for elderly folks who had no A/C. She made a vest out of a bath towel, with pockets inside, over the chest—I tried it with a pocket in the back, also. You put ice in ziplock plastic bags and put them in the pockets. This protects your vital organs from the heat. In winter, you can use the same vests with bags of warmed jel-beads or dried corn. Of course, if there’s no ice, then there’s my granny’s trick, which I used one summer during canning season. I was living in a very small 50′s mobile home and the a/c went out. With the stove on and the pressure cooker brewing nonstop 24/7, I was desperate. I bought a kid’s wading pool and put it in the shade. Then I made pajama-style clothes out of bath towels. From time to time I would just lie down in the water and get soaked, but just to keep damp and have a little moving air is the idea. It really works. Also, an old-style brush arbor really works, and if I have to, I will build one about a foot over the top of the house, to provide a layer of air, extra shade, and a way to catch the wind to advantage.
A friend of mine did some investigating into insulating a metal building for living in Colorado. He found some rigid foam panels that could be slapped on under metal siding panels that proved very efficient. Also, remembering when I was very young and there were no a/c’s and sometimes no electricity. We would live just on the ground floor, and the vents that carry heat upstairs in the winter, carry it up in the summer, and out the upstairs windows. The downstairs floor vents my dad fixed up brought cool air inside from the cellar vents he put it (some kind of tubing or something he built out out of scrap WWII surplus metal containers of some kind, I think) Just keeping the downstairs and upstairs windows open a little on the shady sides of the house was enough to provide airflow, since heat goes up. I remember in July and August, all the kids came to our house because it was so much cooler than anywhere else, including some of the basements.
You gardeners out there, don’t forget lessons from desert and tropics, Asian and Mexican style straw hats keep air above your head to protect from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. And, Granny always wore a damp towel over her head in the hot weather.
Recipes: Summer squash is great canned with tomatoes and onions. If you’re among the adventurous and have time on your hands, steamed, blended or smashed squash makes good noodles, and can be used for dishes like goulash and lasagna.But, then, my rule for kids and everyone else has always been “You don’t have to like it, you just have to eat it.” I recommend preparing attitudes as well as supplies, because if tshtf, you won’t have time, energy, or patience to coddle people, large and small alike. Seriously. It becomes a point of honor and courage to eat whatever is on the plate and still keep a harmonious atmosphere in the dinner conversation, especially in times of hardship, believe me! If someone gets sick or injured, you will not have time or energy after taking up the slack and tending to the sick to even be creative. You will be glad anytime you manage to get 2 reasonably nutritious meals in front of your family, and they need to know in advance how to help you out by not being persnickedy. Serously folks, if you really look at the long-range picture and are preparing for the worst, this is part of the worst. On the bright side, kids like to know they are really helping, and the days of make-work will be long gone. After hauling water and wood and helping do laundry by hand, they will be tired and hungry. Do not underestimate how much they will be able to do to help. I recommend figuring out how much soup will feed your army at one sitting, and canning meals in quart jars accordingly. If you figure out how to make some kind of hard tack and store it up,it will save you having to make some kind of bread from time to time when you are really strapped for time and energy. ALWAYS figure in the time you need to rest and make your children responsible to help you get it. If the only adult left to do the work gets ill or injured from working while fatigued, then the kids will have to do it all. Bottom line: If the kids don’t like squash today, then tomorrow, they need to come up with a recipe they can tolerate, and help to can it.
MOst of the summer heat enters my house through the windows. I have learned that in a pinch, anything can be used like curtains or wall tapestries to help insulate at least one room. So if nothing else, install some kind of curtain rods where the walls meet the ceilings. Use them and even a staple gun to cover the ceiling, too. Plastic shower curtains over the doorways will help to keep cool air in, as well. What would be really great, would be some little fans that worked like the crank-up radios we have all found. Keep the Eastside windows covered in the mornings, and the Westside windows covered in the afternoons. Get used to the gloom and shadow—this is the hardest part for me. Work outdoors in the wee hours of the morning. Read, write, or sleep in the afternoons. There’s a reason most of the middle of the world has a culture of siesta. I wish I had an earth-bermed home. Maybe eventually.
Hope this rant helps someone.
Hello fellow Oklahomans. I now have purple hull peas, Yeah!
Thanks for the advice DC. Water does work wonders. I had my soaker hose ready, but did not need to use it because we did get rain.
TT in Ada, I hope your recovery from surgery continues to go well. And thanks for the stay cool while gardening tips. I barely remember my grandfather working his rows while wearing a lightweight long sleeve shirt and straw hat.
TT in Ada
Hops! heh couldn’t I use these to make home made beer -if I got desperate?
Already 104 here today- and that’s an accurate thermometer in my backyard shade!
Major investment on staying cool- and added bonus safe from tornadoes. Had a bare dirt cellar under my house- from the olden days. Have contractors down ther now. By next week it will be a modern tornado shelter, have electricity and a phone jack. It’s under the north side of the house. Plan is I could hang out down there with battery fans and a mister bottle!
DC -
Please let us know how the tornado shelter turns out. Great idea. We’ve talked about putting one in, but for the lack of a few thousand extra dollars, hasn’t happened yet.
We borrow the neighbors, but in light of preppin needs would love to have our own. Hi all! Actually got some of that wet stuff from the sky today!
Should be thrilled, but as I mentioned on the PPF II thread I am feeling pretty “doom and gloom” today…it will pass.
okcinder -
Some of that “doom and gloom” around here too. But we do have rain knockin’ on our door, so excited about that (even tho DH is in the middle of a (small) roofing project). Don’t know why we ever make plans based on a 3–4 day out weather forecast.
No wet stuff here- 2/10 in. on Saturady is all we’ve seen.
OKCINDER---Also feeling doom and gloom- past 4 days. I had been doing fine- just checking news each day and feeling pretty calm, THEN: Increased BF cases. WHO stating problems with vaccine attempts because of mutations in virus. UN saying US businesses need to get ready- detailed business planning items recommended. LOTS of news items in past 4 days from cities across the US having BF community meetings (of course none in OK). Iraq cases including 2 dead cats that tested positive. Another release from that Epidemilogy guy that was on Oprah- saying it is coming- no maybes.
SO, Made another prep run. Thank God I make a good living and have been able to do this. Spent weekend going over list- one more run for toiletries this week. Then its just replacing used items each week. Ordered 2 boxes of bank checks instead of the usual one. Made dentist appt. Talked to bank about setting up a home equity line of credit (Just in case BF stopped my income.)- would take 2 days.
CELLAR/ shelter now has concrete poured and electrical - phone lines. By Thursday PM- they tell me it will be done- walls / ceilings/ outlets, stair railing. Already have a “pool” lounge chair ready, a shake flashlight and some large storm candles. - in case i need to stay cool down there during a summer power outage or take shelter from a tornado. Will also provide some much needed extra “storage” space.
I think I need a wine rack- could now have an official wine cellar!
Since dirt cellar was already there- cheaper than starting from scratch. Still total cost will be ~$4000.
BUT we live in Oklahoma. This is an investment that yields security on 3 fronts:
DC - Our thoughts also on the storm shelter. Sizeable investment but very multi-purpose. Maybe one day.
I am very thankful we received rain today! DC, I wish my husband would agree to a storm shelter. Congratulations to you for building one.
okcinder, I too have been feeling a little “doom and gloom.” The rain helped, though. It always reminds me of getting a fresh start. Our grass went from brown to green, almost overnight.
Wonderful rain here, as we speak. Did shut down the roofing project. Oh well.
Okieman or any gardener - Can you recommend a local or online source for non-hybrid garden seeds? Thanks!
I did a search over “Heirloom Seeds” and ended up ordering from a company called just that. They have worked fairly well for me this year.
Happy gardening!
Ok, new day, got rain, and Iran didn’t blow anyone up (yet)…so I am feeling better. I think maybe sticking to the news thread and easing up on the others for awhile might help my emotional state. Thanks everyone for the replies!
over 1 inch of glorius rain. Feel better about preps- but still have that “bad” feeling” Purple cow peas growing like weeds. Cellar work continues- looking good.
Some more great seed sites: http://www.cooksgarden.com/ http://www.johnnyseeds.com http://www.seedsofchange.com/default.asp http://www.victoryseeds.com/
I can’t seem to shake that bad feeling either, but trying to focus on home projects and other things with a more optimistic outlook to them, but with a watchful eye on FluWiki every day and still prepping. Balance, I guess, is what I’m striving for. Thanks everyone for the seed sites. No reason now for not getting that prep item taken care of.
Yes balance. Play with the animals, have family over for dinner, early AM stolls in the garden…
I go back and forth between wondering if I’m being smart or if I’m over reacting. I never got concerned about Y2K, Sars, any other potential disaster. I just have a bad gut feeling about this one- especially because it is so obvious that information is being “handled”
Every time I think I am done with preps- a week or so will go by and I start thinking it’s not enough food/ water. I believe food will be available (with some shortages) but the ISSUE is not have to go out and get it. Everything else is as taken care of as it can be- cellar will be finished today, non-electric gas heat/ stove, ammunition, healthcare and mental health supplies….
I really don’t think we would go long without water/ utilities. They may be down from time to time but these critical functions would most likey be a priority item for government- especially since I live in the old part of town- on the same grid as stores/ businesses/ city offices/ fire and police stations.
Its almost as if I sub-consciously wish it would get started, to stop the wondering, the waiting.
DC- I share your sentiments on wondering if I am being smart or over reacting. Sometimes I am at a point of accepting it all and just wanting to survive, sometimes I wish I was like “the others” (oblivious to it all), sometimes it seems to much to deal with, and other times it just feels so surreal.
I also know what you mean about almost wishing it would just start. Isn’t that the CRAZIEST! Of course, what I would really prefer is for it to just go away. But, even if it did…I feel like I am to a point now that I would always be looking over my shoulder for the next big thing to change our lives!
There are lots of days I’m sure I must be over-reacting. But no matter, I’m making another prep run tomorrow:) I do believe it has become a way of living for us. I now prefer it that way. Whatever may come along, I think we’ll be able to handle it better than before (even if it’s just unexpected dinner guests!):-O
You know those “preps you might forget” threads?
I woke up in the middle of the night Sunday- thinking: those tiny batteries for all of the individual windows/ doors wireless alarm system, “long” nails for the 2×4s and plyboard sheets stored in the garage, extra mop buckets-for emergency “toilets”, 1 year’s worth of high allergen heat/air filters, extra warm blankets, books of stamps.. made another run.
And yes there are immediate benefits- had family over for buckwheat pancakes- ran out of maple syrup- went to the pantry and took out a bottles from preps- then added to shopping list to replenish stocks.
And I look at all the food/ supplies as emergency savings- like money in the bank. Since prices just keep going up, what is purchased today would cost more in 3–6 months, right?
Seems that the summer heat has broken (at least for now). Feels like an early fall, but then I know better than that. What a gorgeous day!!! 75 degrees and a light north breeze - my idea of “just about perfect”.
My daughter and her fella decided at the last minute to stay for Sunday supper. Not a problem. I could have made any number of things thanks to my well-prepped pantry. It’s great. And yes, I do believe we’re saving money. I sure can’t remember a time when food prices overall have gone down.
DC,
My purplehull peas are blooming. Since I planted mine a bit earlier, you ought to start seeing blooms in a few days. One of the good things about these peas is that the pods stick up in the air waiting for you to pick them. With green beans you have to hunt around the plant to find them.
No pods yet- but some are almost 2 ft tall. I’ve been told I need to shell the cow peas - like black eyed peas. Can you eat them like green beans?
Planted lots of short season lettuce today. Yellow squash beaten down by a glorius 5in. of rain but have flowers and new leaves. Got some bell peppers and a few cherry tomatoes today. Lots of bush beans, collards, turnips, and carrots coming up after the rains. Plenty of green pecans on 3 trees.
Note to Okies visiting this thread for the first time.
Feel free to post here and ask questions. There are several of us that have been posting for some time, but we welcome additional preppers (fluwiki for people preparing for a pandemic). One of the difficulties in knowing what a severe pandemic could do and wanting to warn people, is that most folks don’t want to discuss it and even ridicule the messenger. On this website, you can discuss the issue without fear of ridicule and gain valuable tips on how to prepare.
I figure most folks already know this, but I want to offer an invitation for any Okie lurkers (those that tend to read but not post) out there that have not gotten up the gumption to join yet.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, change what needs changing.
DC – at 18:06
What we usually do is shell them out like blackeye peas, but also snap a few young pods as well. Then you cook them together. Making me hungry. But alas, I am on a very rigorous self-imposed diet right now (changing one of the things that needs changing, my shape). Next week I will be able to eat one meal a day, and I think I will have purplehull peas;-)
Planted some spinach earlier today. I think I will plant some carrots too, if I can find my carrot seed. It’s somewhere in the middle of all the bags of seed I have squirreled away in the freezer. My pumpkins, winter squash and cucumbers are blooming up a yellow storm. If they all make we will be over run, especially by the cucumbers.
Some threads have stated that wide spread long term electrical outages would affect gas supply. After confusing info on threads about gas / electrical supply—
I talked with 2 people at Reliant Energy today- gas supplier for this part of the state. Both gave me the same answer that earlier my long term gas guy had said:
All of them informed me that electrical outages - even large scale long term grid outages would have no effect on my gas supply. They used the NE blackouts as an example. No electricity used in their supply lines- all energy needs fueled by the gas itself.
DC- Wow, nice to know!! (Of course, I am all electric…figures!..but family has gas---they wouldn’t want me sharing that.HA!) Thanks for the info.
I may have posted this before, but it is worth posting again.
Check out the Oklahoma State Chamber pandemic preparedness website. As far as I can tell, they have done more to try to educate the public with this one website than all the Oklahoma state government agencies combined. Someone please correct me and direct me to some state resources on-line that address pandemic preparedness. So far, there is next to nothing.
Here is the link to the OK Chamber of Commerce site:
You’re right- they are the ONLY mention of BF I’ve seen anywhere for OK. I think Texas is just as bad. Keep seeing towns/ cities across the country in the news with community meetings but nothing for our neck of the woods.
Struggling to maintain that “balance” with the news of the past few days:(
I’ve been wondering how all the Okie gardeners gardens are doing after some rain and cooler temps?
Also, a huge thanks to Michelle and Okieman (and all their fellow news hounds) for their hard work keeping the rest of us up to date in so many areas.
Shelled out my first crop of purplehull peas this evening. Picked them day before yesterday, but just got around to the hulling. We are covered up with cucumbers and okra, and my wife gave away a tub each at church last evening (I was on the road with work, but am back now). The winter squash, cucumber, watermelon and pumpkins vines are poised to take over the garden, but they are very pretty with their orange and yellow blossoms, so I don’t mind as long as they produce. I pruned back the tomatoes a few weeks ago and now they are taking off on a flowering spree too. The bees think it is spring again;-)
Thanks, OKbirdwatcher.
Okieman, glad you are back. Our tomatoes are blooming as well, and we are getting more cantaloupe now that the weather isn’t so hot.
I saw the strangest sight the other day. I was watering the okra and saw something huge and pale hanging down from one of the plants. I’m not the brightest gardner on the block, but I knew that was not okra. It took me a while to decipher the trail to find that my husband had planted spaghetti squash (just to see what it was like.) It is now trailing all over the garden.
Does anyone know how you are supposed to cook a spaghetti squash? I guess I’ll have to search the cookbooks (or just call Mom) to find out.
Just saying howdy! Nice to have the “lull” in the news, so haven’t been on as much. Glad to know y’all are still here.
oh..dadgumit! that was me---
Michelle - From memory, seems you bake them, cut in half and scoop out the flesh, which resembles spaghetti. But your mom would probably know best;)
okcinder - Howdy!!! Have you been keeping up with the “Pig” and/or the “Indonesia” thread??? Worrisome. Keep on preppin’!
still here- also enjoying the lower stress lull
Man!!! I nearly got derailed from my prepping by that “Just a Fat Housewife” thread today. I, for one, just hate being called a “housewife”!!! I’m married to a man not a house;) LOL! I refrained from participating in that thread, but I knew I could say it here and my fellow Okie preppers would forgive me. Peace:)
Funny! Never thought of the breakdown of “housewife” that way. The atmosphere of the fluwiki has changed from when I first started. Doesn’t seem to be as much love! Still glad to have it though.
I was almost to the point of decided that maybe we would be in the clear for awhile…then the clusters start up again in Indo. Kinda scary!
Awesome weather today…break out the crock pot and some chili!
okcinder -
Just goofin’ around with the above post. But seriously I never have understood the title. I’m a homemaker. Seems much more accurate to me. I have asked my family, when I die, PLEASE do not describe me as a “housewife” in the obit :)
Made a big batch of chili the other day. We’ve had chili with cornbread, Frito Chili Pies, 3-way, chili dogs… and put some more in the freezer!!! I’m movin’ on to soups now.
Guess I am a true “housewife” married to my house and not a husband!
Have really slowed down on threads, and on worrying. Getting on with life and enjoying it, but keeping the preps stocked.
SO gorgeous and cool outside- fall weather is really a breath of fresh air for the spirit.
dc - lol! Yep, I did that worry thing some days ‘til my head felt like it was in a vice! Yikes! Can’t keep that up so, like you say, getting on with life but did another large prep run today:)
OKbirdwatcher… thanks for the advice on the spaghetti squash. Mom gave the same advice - to bake it (unless you’ve failed to plan ahead, and then the microwave works well). Added a little salt and butter and it was really, really good. It did, indeed, look like spaghetti.
We’re still getting okra, green beans, cucumbers, and squash. The cooler weather makes me realize the fresh vegetables won’t last much longer.
I just got in an order of 10 forty-five pound buckets of grain along with a manual grain grinder. I use electric for now but want to be prepared for whatever. My husband thinks I’m a little nuts, but at least he’s tolerant of my preps.
I never look forward to saying “Honey, you were right all along”… but I sure hope I get to this time. After 18 years of marriage, I think he’s a little baffled by his conservative accountant wife spending money on something he thinks isn’t necessary.
Michelle-
Would be interested in what grain grinder you purchased. I have one in my “cart” at Internet Grocer, along with some wheat, but even after the research I’ve done, it seems to come down to how much money you’re willing to spend. I still can’t make a final decision. I’m also wanting to be prepared for “whatever”. Like yours, my DH will likely think I’ve lost it, but he’ll be OK with it in the end.
OKbirdwatcher… If you travel anywhere near Wayne, I’d recommend ordering wheat from Healthy Living Distributors. They can get about whatever you want, and then you won’t have to pay shipping charges. The cell number is 405–640–6682.
The electric grain grinder I use is a Wonder Mill. It was fairly expensive, but my daughter has some food allergies, so I felt the extra was worth it since bread is one thing she will eat. The wheat comes out as fine as white flour you buy at the store.
My husband informs me that the manual grinder I got off e-bay is a piece of junk. It is one of the cast iron covered in tin models where I paid as much for shipping as I did for the grinder itself (I guess the conservative accountant in me did have an influence.) The flour comes out very coarse - I haven’t tried to make anything with it yet. I figure if it’s bad enough that we don’t have electricity for an extended period of time, we’ll be happy with anything we’ve got.
I hope that helps in your decision making process.
Hello all.
dc, how have your purplehull peas been doing. We have gotten several messes off ours, but they are starting to play out.
With the cooler temps the okra has slowed down, but my squash has taken off big time. While watering the garden last evening it was kind of sad thinking about how all my pretty vegetable plants will be gone in a month or two. On the happier side, I will be able to start planning for the next growing season.
If ya’ll haven’t all ready, I would suggest stocking up on fertilizer now for next season, just in case “you-know-what” comes to visit the U.S. Seven Dust would be another good article to have laid away somewhere.
OKbirdwatcher 16:59- I didn’t mean to imply that you were the source of “un-love”…just meant the overall tone in general on other threads.
So much for the fall weather, huh?
Wow, isn’t it amazing how the threads can change in just a few weeks? It is seeming ominous again.
Definitely have to get some seven dust…for the scorpions that get in house…HATE THEM! Also, got bite by a brown recluse two weeks ago, looked into some insecticide called Demon (helps with both)…any other suggestions for fiddlebacks?
okcinder - OMG! a brown recluse bite! Hope you are recovering OK from it. I have a real fear of those things, although I don’t know for sure if I’ve ever really seen one. But know of several people who’ve been bitten and read awful things about them. I don’t have any specific advice, but I “encourage” my DH to spray frequently outside all our entry doors. I do think it helps with all insects.
As for the “fall” weather, yea I’m puttin’ my soups on the back burner (so to speak) until the next cold front comes sweeping through and puts that nip back in the air.
Definitely an ominous feel to things recently. I’m hoping and praying it will pass as has happened before. But I am making some prep purchases that I’ve been holding back on. Take care.
Had a few pots of purple peas- between up-down temps and heat- drying things out.. the only big perfomer at the moment is lettuce.
Tried all types of seeds but the romaine is the hands down winner. Came up fast. doesn’t mind the temp swings and even recovers from a little drying out.
OKbird- I am doing fine with the spider bite. It wasn’t one of the bad ones you see the horrible pics of.
Sweat like a DOG today…hope it cools off again soon!
okcinder don’t know what they used but since I started with terminex haven’t see a single brown recluse in their usual garage hang outs.
The threads also have me spooked again- have been topping off preps and adding to my personal “preps you might forget” list. Staying inside under the AC and praying for fall. Need that cool weather to slide in and take all the mosquitoes away.
Have been getting to know local farmers at our little 2x week- farmer’s market. Wonnderful people and could be very helpful knowing them.
The very next day after okcinder’s post, I was taking some floor-length curtains down and out from under them ran a spider. Having nothing else handy (wasn’t usin’ my bare feet or hands!) and not about to let it get away, I smooshed it with a pillow. Have you ever tried to off a spider with a pillow? Well, it took a little doin’ and let’s just say I couldn’t make out whether it was a brown recluse or not :-/
Hubby just killed brown recluse in bathroom the other day!!! I hope it was the one that got me…we never found that one…and not a “friend”. We have never had them inside before. Yuk! Definitely makes me more skittish making a middle of the night bathroom trip!
okcinder.. sorry about the spider bite. We are surrounded by trees, so on rare occasions we have found scorpions and fiddle backs inside the house. But Monday night was a new one. My DH graciously called me over to see a centipede crawling across our bathroom floor! Yuck, it still makes me cringe.
I really need to water the garden, and am considering doing so in the dark, with the help of our extra bright back yard light… (I’m married to a cross between Tim-the-Tool-Man and MacGyver.) The Indonesian thread was lots of work to sort out today. The news gatherers gathered a lot.
Bump Bump
Isn’t the cool weather wonderful? Hope everyone gest a good two inches tonight/tomorrow.
Saw in news this weeknd another verification of cats dying from BF, but no evidence of them transmitting.
Bought backup batteries today for my wirless alarm units.
Placed an order with Vermont Country Store. They have some great new versions of “long johns” for the coming cold months and “fleece” sheets that sound quite cozy. Also plurged on some gourmet canned goods— lobster newburg and crab bisque— which will be quite a treat.
And got a light weight non-electric sweeper, the type used in restaurents and hotels. Will be using it in between the times when I drag out the monster that kills my arthritis to push it around.
All of these things will be useful, BF or not!
Dad called a few minutes ago and was headed into an Avian Flu semiar in downtown OKC. He just happened upon it running some errands. Were any of y’all aware of it? I will let you know what he finds out…hopefully some of y’all are there.
okcinder – at 16:55
Almost went to that seminar at the OU Medical Center. Had it on my calendar, but at the last minute decided they probably were not going to tell me anything I did not already know, unless they got deep into the medical/science side of it all. If they got that deep then I’m not interested anyway. I’ve already dug as deep as my poor little mind is interested in going.
Anyway, let us know what your Dad found out. I’m interested in how it turned out.
Just remembered something. I spent the night in Bartlesville a couple of nights ago on a work related trip. While eating breakfast in the hotel restaurant I overheard two older couples talking. I wasn’t paying much attention until one of the men started talking about bird flu. He discussed it for a short period of time (mostly him talking and the others listening) addressing more the economic fallout of losing 10% or 50% of the population. Nothing noteworthy to repeat here, but significant in that it seem the news is getting around by word-of-mouth among the older folks. I think there probably is a lot more awareness about the issue than most realize. That is a good thing. Hopefully they are not only aware of the risks, but are preparing also.
Ends up the seminar was geared towards health care (don’t know if dad said officials, workers, establishments?). I will get the epidemologist’s name that spoke when I visit with him again. It was the same stuff that we already know…but at least they are talking about it…bringing others up to date on it. Dad visited with him personally and mentioned that we prep. He gave dad his card and said he could call if we ever have any questions. The only thing the guy really said was that he believed that it would for sure happen, but not in the next year.
Thanks okcinder and please say thanks to your dad from me for taking the time to attend the seminar.
Every one around her is getting more and more certain that I’m nuts- since they see/ hear nothing about BF. I think I’ve gotten a few familes to put away a week or two of things, but that’s it.
So, I’m keeping my month shut.
Yea, the only ones I talk to about panflu are Me, Myself and I. lol! DH and DD occasionally, but they both seem to have a limit as to how much/often they want to hear anything about it. At least DH is still on board with the prepping - last trip to Wallyworld, he actually bought a prep item I hadn’t even thought of. At least he’s still thinkin’about it.
Had a reasonably productive day today re-organizing preps; mostly canned goods, 4 bags had yet to make it into the house from the last prep run.
OKbirdwatcher, What was the prep item he bought that you had not thought of? I’m just a visitor from NW Arkansas (Fayetteville). I go to Tulsa sometimes for shopping at Steinmart. Though since I’ve started prepping I don’t have money for stuff, just food. Two of my best friends are in Edmund so I also go there occasionally. Thanks for the visit.
PBQ - Welcome to the Okie thread! DH and I love your state. We travel there with our RV a couple times a year. Beaver Lake was our very first destination with the RV about 3 yrs. ago. This time last year, we stayed on the White River south of Bull Shoals and earlier this summer stayed in the Hot Springs area. Had planned to come back over next week while DH is on vacation, but decided we had too many things around the house we want to get taken care of. Just not enough time and money to do it all. No clothing purchases for me either, unless it’s prep related (like my silk long johns) ;)
The prep item was just a little thing, a 6V battery for a camping lantern that we’ve had for about 28 years. Great little light. I’ve bought lots of batteries, but that had completely slipped my mind. DH has a list of prep items to take care of - one of the things to get done next week. Maybe he’ll think of some other things I’ve overlooked.
I’ve visited the Arkansas thread many times (just lurking:), hope you’ll visit here again too. Take care.
It is great that your DH is on board with you and prepping. He will even think about it! My DH is fine with me prepping as long as he doesn’t have to do anything. :)
We do have a great state but every state I’ve been to have wonderful things about them, including Oklahoma! Glad to have you as a visitor to AR!
Hey, did anyone see that News channel 5 had something on the bird flu last night at 10:00? (Isn’t that the one with Robin Marsh?) I was on the phone and could not get off…it was driving me crazy to watch but not listen!!!
okcinder at 15:51… thanks for reference to News channel 5. I went to their site and found the following links. The one on the left will show you their news clip from last night. The one on the right takes you to the Oklahoma State Department of Health site.
I’m glad to see there is an official Oklahoma Pandemic page now.
OKbirdwatcher
Got myself some of those warm long johns from Vermont country store- and a “men’s’ red union suit- hope it doesn’t fall off of me when it gets here.
Took a quick look at the new Oklahoma Pandemic Influenza Management Plan. It appears to be much improved in a number of ways. It no longer assumes a mild pandemic. It allows flexibility of response based upon characteristics of the new pandemic virus. This is good. Here is a link:
http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/cdd/flu/OK%20Pan%20Flu%20Plan%202006.pdf
Also took a quick look at the State Emergency Operations Plan (different plan). No where in it is the word “pandemic” found. But it does contain this statement in the “PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES ANNEX” portion of the document:
‘’In accordance with the Oklahoma Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act (O.S.
63:6101), the Oklahoma Catastrophic Health Emergency Plan was developed as an addendum to ESF #8. It’s purpose is to prepare for acts of terrorism, resurgent infectious diseases and mass casualty incidents. Copies of the plan are maintained by the Health Department and support agencies.an “Oklahoma Catastrophic Health Emergency Plan”’‘
So I guess we will not be privy to that plan. Considering the content and purpose of the plan I can understand why. Still would like to take a look at it though. I just hope that it addresses the issue of collateral damage and the need to protect critical infrastructure and the workers that keep it running (water, wastewater, electricity).
Anyway, here is the link:
http://www.ok.gov/OEM/documents/State%20EOP%20Aug%202006.pdf
Hello Fellow okies. I have been a long-time lurker (a year?) but infrequent poster. I am in Tulsa and just wanted to say hello. My family and all but one friend think that I am a little batty. I am prepped for about two months. We live in B.A. but we still maintain a mobile home on 20 acres between Beggs and Bristow. We are planning on selling but I am slow because I picture it as a “rural retreat.” Anyway, hope you are all are out enjoying this weather! I guess it changes tomorrow!
Hey Kim! I’m about an hour NE of Tulsa. You’re braver than me. I don’t talk to my family (yet) about panflu. They’d probably have me committed;) But I’m feelin’ the pressure after reading the “…Cutting Bait…” thread. Yep, super weather today but this time of year, we just know it can’t last. Keep on preppin’!
Hey Kim…think I’ve seen you before. Glad you are here! It is always comforting to me to keep up with the fellow Okies. My mom and I prep (mom more than me…I’ve got some basics). The rest of the fam tolerates it. I think they kind of have the attitude that we are batty if it doesn’t happen…but glad we’ll have them covered if it does. We don’t discuss too much with them.
Gorgeous weather today, a good day to be in Oklahoma! I’m actually looking forward to the colder weather too though…I love the holidays! (would prefer that they be bird flu-free!!)
OKbirdwatcher – at 20:32 Whew! I have been reading and re-reading the Cutting Bait thread. It really has my wheels churning. Thanks for mentioning it. As I said there, it’s back to wal mart and bass pro tomorrow.
okcinder it is nice to talk to someone close to home. I am also looking forward to some cozy weather!
Today DH offered to paint an unused TV cabinet and add more shelves so it can be used to store (many)canned goods or other preps so they will be out of sight. Will wonders never cease?!
OKbirdwatcher- one of the joys of having a DH!
Anyone noticed that channel 5 news is running a BF news story every night at 10?
Started Sat. I think.
One of my neighbors noticed it and it lowered my nut status a few notches.
DC – at 19:33
After so long you begin to feel like your are in one of those old Almond Joy commercials:
Some days you feel like a nut, some days you don’t.
;-)
I don’t get Channel 5 very good most days, but I’ll have to try to check it out this evening. Thanks for the headsup.
The #5 BF nightly news has been the scary type but with no mention of preparedness.
Maybe that’s how they will wrap it up- but so far they seem to be aiming at just scaring people- without empowering them with prep options.
Ch5 bird flu news links at http://search.koco.com/query.html?la=en&mkt=LOKY&heading=&qt=bird+flu
VIDEOS of the BF newscasts at http://search.koco.com/query.html?col=keyword&col=video&qt=bird+flu&charset=iso-8859-1
Ch 5 last night- still covering BF. Had news on new mutation
Interesting. I hear nothing in this part of the state. Maybe I’m watching the wrong channel.
Practice at having no water. water has been off all morning- they are “switching” from old to new tower.
Brushing teeth, cleaning hands etc with minimal water from bottles. Yuk!
What a coincidence. Doing the same here. Brought out the Purell and have a wet dishcloth for minimal use in the kitchen. Glad to have water on hand to brew some tea, etc. My M-I-L has nowater - will take her some in a little bit. DH working from home today and even though it’s a minor thing, he sees the benefit of our water preps.
OKbirdwatcher,
Noticed your reference to being about an hour northeast of Broken Arrow. By my calculations, that would place you somewhere around Vinita? If that’s the case, I’m in Miami…just a little further up the turnpike. Been lurking here for some time and would be interested in dialoging with another prepper from this area; preferably one not to far away. My wife is slowly coming on board regarding the Flu Pandemic. But, in any case, it would be nice to visit with someone else on this matter, besides just me, myself and I.
Hi all. Welcome Brown. I’m some distance from you in Edmond, but I’ve gathered some great prepping tips from this site. My husband is not quite on board, but he accepts my concern. Best wishes for you and your wife in getting prepared.
Welcome, Brown.
Hey Brown! Glad you decided to join us. Yes, I’m near Vinita - rural area. Anyone prepping in your area? Other than fellow FluWikians, DH and DD (now and then), the only ones I talk to about panflu are me, myself and I so I know how you feel. But don’t let it get you down; just keep learning and keep prepping. I’m sure that one day we’ll be glad we did:)
OKbirdwatcher,
As a retiree my income is somewhat limited/fixed, so my prepping has been slow and somewhat erradic. Todate, we’ve got our Pneumonavox-23 shots, Tetanus shots, updated dental work, new lenses in my eye glasses (the wife needs one more cataract update), antibiotics, small medical kit, solar/windup/plug-in AM/FM radio, Dutch Ovens, flashlights, Aladdin kerosene lamps, stored gasoline and kerosene, food enough for the wife and I for about 5 months (if the adult kids come to crash here, then it’s a lot less) and yet to be filled water barrels (3). I too live out in the rural area, in my case between Miami and Wyandotte, so our primary heat is with a wood/coal stove. Currently we have about 4 rick of wood put by, but hope to go over to the Phoenix coal mine (near Nowata) and pick up a ton or so of their “chestnut” coal…soon. Haven’t tried it yet, hope it works as advertized. They claim that many of the large chicken growers use it as their primary heat. The local water pump man is coming Tuesday to install a manual pump in my front yard well. The water’s not too good at that well’s depth (approx. 22 feet), but it’ll be just fine to flush the stool contents on down into my septic tank. Well, enough for now. Be hoping to hear from you and anyone else, but especially those in this area…at your convenience.
OKbirdwater,
Forgot to answer your question about knowing about any others in this area prepping? Actually, now that I think about it, there sort of is one. He and his family are holdovers from Y2K and still have many of those prep’s and and some additional as well. He lives between Wyandotte and Grove, back in a very secluded hollow. Nice guy and I consider him a very good friend.
Good morning Brown! Sounds to me like you’ve done a terrific job of getting prepared. You’re ahead of us in several areas. May I ask how long you’ve been at it? I started prepping in early April. My husband has slowly joined in. So far, he’s been more talk than action, but he’s also been very busy with work and projects around the house. We’re winding up one of those projects today - then I hope we can shift focus back to preps again. DH has been very supportive of what I’ve been doing. He’s never asked how much money I’ve spent on preps and never said anything negative about it which says clearly to me, he’s concerned; and not just about panflu but other scenarios too. He just doesn’t want to talk about it too much, so I’ve learned to pace myself in that area;)
I also know exactly one other person - a neighbor - that is prepped, although I don’t know how extensively. The Mr. is in his early 80s, I think his wife is quite a few years younger. I don’t know the reason behind their prepping, maybe just their lifestyle - he did mention the Mormons. Maybe I’ll ask sometime.
On weekday mornings I usually have breakfast with the Wiki and try to catch up on some of the threads. I’m never able to read them all, it would consume my life. Then I check in periodically through the day and always before bedtime (but I try to avoid reading posts by Monotreme, Medical Maven, Tom DVM, LMW and a few others - I sometimes have trouble sleeping after reading their posts) in case something urgent has come up. Guess I have a little anxiety goin’ on there, huh?
Off to get another cup of coffee……
OKbirdwatcher,
Looks like we share some similiar daily habits…I too check the Internet (mainly the Wiki, OSU basketball and Frugals) most every morning and occasionally in the evening as well. In regards to how long I’ve been prepping? In the broad sense, probably the majority of my life. However, my specific preps for possible Avian Flu have been ongoing (very slowly) for almost the last one and a half years. Although, they have picked up somewhat over the last 8–9 months…as both the perceived threat level has increased and I’ve been able to earn a little extra money.
To be honest, while Pandemic Flu is number one on my current hit parade, I’m aware of other threats and try to prepare for several of them as well…given my limited funds, time and unpleasant surprises (Van breaking down, etc,.). If the truth be told, I would have to admit to having a prepping disposition, and always have had. Must be my frugal Scotch and hard headed German genes…a sometimes difficult for others to deal with combination, especially in our throw away society.
Some other preps we’ve accomplished include 12 quarts of Elderberry Tincture; building a metal outbuilding to house flamable fluids (kerosene/gasoline/lumber/yard tools) and remodeling a stone building for workroom/limited wood working tools. Also, have purchased several medical books and am slowly hammering my way through them (Where there is no Doctor, Where there is no Dentist, Survival and Austere Medicine, Merck Manual, etc.). Hopefully, we will get our garden spot tilled up before the Winter rains come, in preparation for early Spring planting.
Time to stop and get another cup of coffee…
To those gardeners more wise and experienced than me,
Would like to order non-hybrid garden seeds soon, but am somewhat unsure what kinds/varieties to have on hand…for here in the far corner of Northeastern Oklahoma.
We have late frosts, and early hot/dry summers. It is my understanding that we’re in the middle of a long term drought (supposedly 24″ short of average spread over last two years).
It’s been several years since I’ve had a garden and then I tended to have whatever seeds/sprouts were in the local Wal-Mart’s and/or co-op…almost exclusively hybrids and many not all that well adapted to this area or the needs of a SIP pandemic family.
Would I be correct in assuming those needs would be for those varieties which tended to be non-determinate (as in Tomatoes) and short growing season (early producers)? If so, what specific varieties would you recommend and why? What has WORKED for you? Please, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, include both Spring and Fall planting success experiences.
If this Pandemic virus hits, much of the talk I’m reading recommends a SIP of 3 months to two years. Three months we could store up supplies for. However for anything even remotely approaching two years, we’d have to have a renewable food source available within our own micro-environment. For us, that means a garden. A garden producing relatively easy to grow (given our above stated weather conditions) and relatively easy to store veggie’s and fruits.
Eagerly awaiting your responses.
Brown - We are not gardeners so I can’t answer your questions. We did try growing tomatoes in containers this year without success (how sad is that?). My brother, who is a long-time and successful gardener had assured me we would have all the tomatoes we would want. Later on, we talked about our failed experiment. He observed that some years the garden does really well and some years (for reasons not clear) it just doesn’t, even with the best of care.
So, this leaves me wondering just how much we can really depend on surviving on what we can grow ourselves - and if we should have an abundant garden, how much of it will be stolen by other hungry folks? We do not live in a secluded area.
Nevertheless, we too will have our non-hybrid garden seeds on hand; otherwise we really have no chance at all if we find ourselves in a dreadful and long-term situation.
OKbirdwatcher,
Funny you should mention both the:
1). experimental/unsuccessful container growing this year (also tried it this year/failed miserably) and 2). possible hungry and consequently desperate/thieving neighbors present in non-secluded area (I live on Spring river and have probably 35 households within a four block radius).
Once had some voluntary blackberries grow up at the end of my garden fronting on the county road, and had folks stopping and picking them. When I asked them why they were picking my berries, they were indignant about being questioned. They said it must be public property as it was along a public access road and they had a “right” to pick as they pleased…even if on my place and in my garden.
But, I cannot easily move and like you, I have yet to find any reasonable alternatives to gardening, in the survival situation presented by a long term SIP/Avian Flu pandemic situation.
So, I guess it’s gardening for me and I’ll deal with the neighbors as need be…fenses, dog, shotgun, bartering, etc,.
On a lighter note, from my limited gardening experience, some things here seem to grow if anything will, regardless of variety: Okra, squash and bush green beans. Probably are more, just seem to have a mental block and cannot think what they are. Your thoughts?
Brown - I think peppers would do pretty well and I know my mother always had no trouble growing lots of beautiful cabbage. Onions too perhaps?
The actions/attitude of the berry pickers you describe are why I have no doubt that in difficult times, it will get ugly very quickly. I don’t even think it will have to be a worst-case scenario. Too many people seem to be “on the edge” of civilized behavior as it is, IMO.
In going through some of his accumulated magazines, etc., my DH ran onto a little book he got through Outdoor Life many years ago called “The Complete Encyclopedia of Wild Game and Fish Cleaning and Cooking” by Pat Billmeyer. It’s a small (75 pg.) softback book. A nice variety of recipes and sauces, info on drying, salting, smoking and freezing. Recipes for cooking turtle and frog(legs), even a recipe for Dandelion Boiled Dressing to serve with catfish. Could come in handy. It’s a wonder it hadn’t been thrown away over the years and how timely that he should uncover it now. It’s found a new home in my cookbook collection.
In the meantime, it just seems prudent to keep stocking the preps (as limited space will allow). So I continue to put away canned foods and periodically add to the dehydrated/freeze-dried supplies.
Hope this fog lifts soon, I can’t remember when we last had some sunshine. Have a great day!
Brown - Okieman is fond of purple hull peas, as he posted somewhere above.
OKbirdwatcher,
Thanks for the suggestions regarding peppers, onions, cabbage and purple hulled peas.
Got the front yard manual water pump installed this morning…works “well” (pun intended).
Sun’s now out and it’s starting to warm up, somewhat. The Mrs. is down ill so I need to be especially careful that her needs are attended to. Don’t know what’s causing the problem…has the seasonal flu yet arrived? In any case, we’re well stocked with medicines, soups and humidifiers.
Only fools say that preppers are wasting their time/energy/moneys on preparing for the unexpected, but inevitable.
Brown - Good for you! …works “well” - lol, Thanks for that:)
Trying to remain calm after reading the Hong Kong thread here and over at CE.
Just before checking this thread, was wondering if I have adequate food preps in the event I became ill. Very simple things I could make for myself or DH could prepare easily. I think I need to work on that. My planning thus far has assumed that I would be doing all the meal prep and taking care of others.
I don’t know if seasonal flu has arrived. My DD and her boyfriend have had allergy symptoms lately. Do take good care of your Mrs. and I hope she feels much better soon. Isn’t it great to have the meds, etc., you need already on hand? Several times over the past few months, DH has said “Next time you go to the store, I need…” and I go to my preps and there it is - in his hands in mere seconds. Yeah, no complaints from him about the prepping.
Brown
I am a hard core gardener and have learned the past 5 years to adapt to central OK growing conditions- after moving from the great Northwest, a very different climate!
I have better luck with smaller tomatoes (and cherry tomatoes) than the big beefsteak type. Hot and Bell peppers produce all summer- as well as yellow and zucc. squash, green and purple string beans. The purple pea pods (recommended by Okie Man) came up within days. Onions- white and yellow produce better for me than the reds. Do a spring and fall crop. Have cabbages that actually come back each year. Lettuce crop still going strong- romaine and red. Basil reseeds itself. Sages, thymes, rosemary and lavenders all get huge. Violas and pansies ( edible flowers) bloom all winter in protected spots.
I have more luck growing everything in partial shade as protection form July sun. I actually mix vegies and herbs in with my shrubs and flower gardens.
Hope I’ve been of some help.
DC,
Thanks for the input on gardening. The bit about smaller tomatoes makes sense. However, I am somewhat confused about cabbages that “come back each year”? What kinds would that be? “Green and purple string beans”? Are you referring to pole beans, bush beans are something else? Not trying to be contentious, am just confused. Don’t give up on me, I’ll get it eventually.
Hello Brown and everyone,
I’m glad to see a new person on the Oklahoma thread. I meant to write something up yesterday concerning the gardening question but I got sidetracked and have not gotten around to it till now. Better late than never I guess.
I have bought my seed at a nearby garden center, a small grocery store that carried seed/plants and Walmarts over the years. I’ve had pretty good luck with all of it. This winter I am going to try to order a variety of heirloom seed, but haven’t decided where yet.
Onions - As DC mentioned, white or yellow onions do well. I have grown the purple variety of onions, but their problem is that they do not keep as well as the others. At least that is what I have seen.
Okra - Great producer during the summer, just make sure you keep them watered and don’t plant them too close togehter. Initially plant six inches apart, but then thin them till they are 18–24 inches apart. If you have gaps in your rows anywhere you can transplant them when they are small. Just remember to water immediatly after transplanting.
Tomatoes - I’d plant both the big type (Beefsteak or Big Boys…etc) and also the small cherry tomatoes. I have not had much luck with the Roma’s, but some folks do.
Squash - Plant yellow, zucchini and patapan. They all do well. Zucchini will do better in direct sunlight. Plant yellow squash in the shadier portion of the garden and they will produce longer and will survive into the fall if you keep watering them. I planted the patapan (am I spelling that correct?) in the middle of the summer for a fall garden. They produced real well and have a more delicate taste than either the yellow or zucchini. A positive point with them was that the squash bugs left them alone. Had problems with them on the yellow squash and pumpkins, but not the patapans.
Peppers - This year I grew Jalapenos, Tabascos and Chiles. The Tabascos will cover you up, but they are sooo hot. Plant what suits your tastes. They all do well in the Oklahoma heat. Just make sure you keep them watered.
Purplehull Peas - They grow fast, take the heat great and are easy to pick and shell. As mentioned above, I recommend them.
Turnips - They grow well in the early spring. I did not try them this fall though because my family will not eat but just a few.
Corn - My opinion, skip the sweet corn and grow something that will continue producing instead of one harvest. Corn takes so much space and nitrogen it is just not worth it to me. Others might disagree though.
Potatoes - Ok, even though I said skip the “one harvest crop” concerning corn, potatoes are the exception. You plant late winter/early spring, harvest them, then go in and plant something else, like green beans or cucumbers, where the potato row was. Hey, maybe plant sweet corn there;-)
Sweet Potatoes - Pick out your poorest ground in your garden and plant sweet potatoes there. Sweet potatoes are a crop that when in rich ground will get great big, but will have less nutrients. In poor ground the tubers might be spindly, but will be rich in nutrients. Plant them in your poor ground and they will plod along and produce you a crop regardless. Just remember to water.
Green Beans - Plant the bush or the pole type. If you have a trellis/pole plant the pole beans. They are much easier to pick. My problems with beans is the rabbits love to raid them when the plants are small. If you have a rabbit problem try to go with the pole variety, because then you just have to protect them until they are up high enough off the ground that the rabbits will leave them alone (hopefully).
Cucumbers - Plant the long green types that are good for eating at the table. If you want to pickle them, then you can also use them for pickles. The pickleing types are prone to being bitter. I’d plant the table varieties and then use them both ways.
Some additional thoughts:
Use this winter to start getting your soil ready for next spring. Find someone with an abundance of manure and start composting it this winter. Composted manure will help with both clay type soils and sandy type soils. If your soil is poor, then of course it will help with that too. Purchase some bag fertilizer now as a prep. If you have to depend upon it will growing a garden in poor soil during a pandemic then feed it periodically over time when watering. It is better to try to improve your soil now. I have very sandy soil. I just recently got three dump truck loads of manure hauled in near my gardens. The piles will compost over the winter and I will incorporate it into the soil late winter. The manure was free from a cattle salebarn. I had to pay for the hauling though ($65/hour).
Watering is probably one of the most important things to pay attention to while growing a garden. Don’t over water, but also don’t under water. When the top half inch of the soil has dried out then you probably ought to water. When it is close to 100 degrees, water everyday, maybe twice a day. In a severe pandemic situation this will be where the real work will be if water supplies are down. But if that happens, everything will revolve around getting water and food, and other things will take second place (with the exception of security).
Finally, weed your garden early in the year, and keep it weeded all year until the first hard freeze. Weeds take up nutrients and water, but of which you can not afford to lose. Weed until the winter because you do not want seeds to be produced because they will cause more work the next year.
Sorry if I have given everyone more than they really cared to know, but I have come to enjoy gardening and talking about it. Start reading up on it now, and preparing your garden spot now. You have time, you have gasoline to run a tiller, you have dump trucks to haul in manure…etc.
Good luck.
Okieman,
Bless you. I needed specifics. Generalities are helpful, but specifics are critical. You have provided that and I thank you for it. I am acutely aware that the difference between success and failure can often hinge on a single specific (plant types, brands, dates of planting, watering tips, predator problems, Spring vs. Fall planting success ratios, etc…all for Oklahoma and especially for Northeastern Oklahoma.
To any and all, other such tidbits of advise would be greatly appreciated.
Again, thanks to each of you for what you have already provided!
brown
green cabbage- planted for butterflies -picked up at garden center- i harvest a few leaves now and then but left in ground last winter and they survived.
use bush beans - not pole.
brown
green cabbage- planted for butterflies -picked up at garden center- i harvest a few leaves now and then but left in ground last winter and they survived.
use bush beans - not pole.
Catmint planted around my squash kept the squash bugs completely away- even when local farmers told me the bugs had demolished their squash crops
OKbirdwatcher, Okieman and DC,
Many thanks.
If you think of any thing else that might be helpful in gardening in NE Okla., especially the little things, please share. I have the feeling that gardening in a pandemic flu situation is going to be challenging…and necessary.
Being 64 and a pencil pusher before retirement, I’m not a mass of muscle and could therefore benefit from any labor saving ideas, as well.
Some of my favorite gardening websites http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/okgard/ http://www.texasmastergardeners.com/ http://www.pfaf.org/ http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ConHort.html http://www.herbmed.org/
SEEDs and plants http://www.cooksgarden.com/ http://www.fragrantpathseeds.com/ http://www.johnnyseeds.com http://www.seedsource.com/catalog/index.asp - native american seeds http://www.antiqueroseemporium.com/
Howdy Brown and fellow Okies— Haven’t posted in awhile…life outside of BW has been crazy!
Dang it’s cold!
Oh come on now, cold?
It feels awfully good to me! I have the windows open. Hate those hot summer days. I’m a sweater weather kind of gal.
And the multitudes of bright yellow and red leaves blowing about in the wind are gorgeous! My lettuce and carrots like these cooler temps.
whoops that anon was me!
Came across a statement in the Washington Newsletter of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Sept. 2006, p. 1, that kinda hits home. It is in regards to Climatic Change, but it could be just as applicable to Pandemic Flu:
“No one wants to be an alarmist or a prophet of doom. Those who try often find that no one wants to listen after a while. The issue is too remote, too depressing, too big. People feel powerless and can easily become overwhelmed and disengaged.”
To do more than a polite and non-agressive inquiry is to invite ridicule and seriously risk loss of credibility…along with finding oneself the object of social distancing. What’s the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink”. All I ask is that they don’t shoot the messenger, even if he is polite and non-aggressive.
On a positive note, my immediate family is aware of my prepping disposition and still say they love and respect me…even if I am a bit “eccentric”.
Brown,
Very apropos.
The day may come when others will concede that we were just ahead of the game.
okcinder and dc,
I agree with both of you! It is cold, but I’m enjoying the change. But about the first of March, I’ll be getting real tired of it. Good thing I live in OK ‘cause I do love all the different seasons.
Ok, being dramatic…I actually love the cooler weather. And assuming that we have electricity, am totally fine with it getting even nasty! (I should have been a meterologist…I love weather changes and extremes!)
Wow…rumors thread is alarming, hadn’t read it in awhile. Found a wind-up radio (which I already have), flashlight, cellphone charger in a catatlog last night—may need to go ahead and order!
OKbirdwatcher,
I’ve got to come to Vinita for a meeting this Friday morning (wife still ill and this is predicated upon my not coming down with it as well). Then, later in the afternoon, hope to go pick up my first pickup load of coal over by Nowata. If all this transpires, I’ll post how the coal works out as a home heat source.
Oh, by the way, got the front yard manual/hand water pump installed and it works just fine. One more thing done (of so many yet to do).
Brown,
DH and I went to Sam’s Club in Tulsa on Sunday. We’d never been in the place (can you believe that?) We’re a small family so never did that kind of bulk shopping. We just did a walk-through, didn’t buy anything, but checked out their stock and got familiar with the store. Lots of beans and rice, including 50# bags; didn’t notice anyone buying them though. Anyway, the point of going was this: DH works in Tulsa and if I get some info that I feel merits a top-off prep run, (OK, panic prep run), he will load up his truck at Sam’s before coming home. Thought it would be helpful if he knew where things were.
Also shopped for a new chainsaw and saw chaps, although he’s resistant to buying the saw chaps (you know, it’s only other people that get their legs gashed open by a chainsaw.)
I’m trying to focus on preps, but there’s so much going on right now, DD’s birthday, niece having twins, M-I-L with recently diagnosed cancer, Thanksgiving nearly upon us and Christmas just around the corner. My attention is fragmented to say the least.
Good luck heating with the coal; I’m interested to know how it works out. That’s something I’m completely unfamiliar with.
Brown You need to pick up that wind up combo radio- cell phne charger- light. Great during storm power outages!
Just a few hand cranks and mine goes 5 minutes, cranking for a couple of minutes keeps it going about an hour.
OK birdwatcher- I envy you- a private water source!
DC,
The windup cell phone charger would be nice, but given that in a out-and-out electrical power failure, all that I hear is it is highly likely that even the emergency battery power would fail for the Cell Towers, after 2–3 days. Surely my vehicular cell phone chargers would work well enough for only that long?
Insofar as a radio, have already got a Freeplay AM/FM, windup, solar, AC plugin beauty. However, I do lust for an economical, quality, Short Wave/Single Side Band capacity radio. Just haven’t found the money for it yet…but am leaning toward a Kaito 1103.
Lights? Well, I have got 3 mag-lites, 3 shaker lights, a D cell “railroad bull” light, 3 Aladdin lamps, 1 el cheapo hurricane lamp…and about a dozen large candles.
My shallow well private water source is unfortunately contaminated with E.Coli and is consequently undrinkable without treatment. Boiling for 10 minutes is the safest way that I’ve heard of to make it acceptable for drinking. However, as is, it is just fine for flushing the toilet…and it’s only a dozen steps out my front door.
Finally, thank you for calling my attention to these matters, I would rather go over every issue, every preparation, a hundred times, than to merely assume that my family is OK…when they’re not. The well intentioned questions of those on this board help me to not take anything for granted, but to check and recheck, thinking matters through from several different angles…being sure.
Please, feel free to share or question whatever is on your mind.
WATER – filer/ Boil 15 minutes OR use Chlorine Bleach (Ratio for water purification: 2 drops per quart, 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. Double dosage if water is cloudy) If bleach old ( 6 mo) 2x amount. Wait 30 minutes. put 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the water and stir. no yucky taste.
HEAT •warm stones in or near the fireplace, wrap each in a towel, and then place them under the covers at the foot of the bed for warmth. •using newspapers as insulation under clothing to hold in body heat can prevent someone from freezing in some cases.
DC,
I have had an on again, off again, affection for backpacking. From those readings, I’ve noted that several (minority) long distance packers report that despite faithfully using state of the art portable filters, they got giardias (sp.?). So, I’m a little hesitate about depending exclusively on water filters (not that you were suggesting that). Boiling ALWAYS seems to work, given enough time. Chlorine Bleach…I’m admittedly ignorant as to it’s dependability with such nasties as E.Coli. Almost always works is not good enough, in a pandemic flu S.I.P. situation. So, is it truly, always, dependable? If so, then my private water supply would truly be a blessing. Oh, one last thought on this topic, are you aware of any negative consequences of long term (3–6−12 months) ingestion of Chlorine?
Newspapers have been one of my favorite heat retention devices since early childhood. My father used to layer them over himself while watching T.V. from the vantage point of his sofa (instead of using a blanket). Subsequently, I tried it and it works. My adult children still laugh about this habit of mine. But, my favorite bedtime heating device is my sweet and darling wife. Smells good too. Really beats a hot old stone, going away…maybe that’s why I rarely leave home without her?
This is fun! Keep them coming. These comments/questions bring back some old happy memories and just might make some new ones as well.
Interesting and unfortunate situation for folks on Lone Chimney water supply. Am sure that y’all have heard about the drought causing the lake to get so low that they are cutting off the water. Many people saying, “you can’t do that…you have to get us water.” When it is not there, it is not there. Am not sure what businesses and schools will do??
So, that brings us to pandemic preparedness…people can not grasp that America in this day could run out of anything, much less water. Aside from contracting the virus, it is the second scariest concern for me.
okcinder,
Drought is a major concern of mine. In fact, anything which would likely effect the supply of water is a concern of mine. Somewhere there is a saying (I’m about to badly butcher it) which goes something like: three minutes without air, kills; three hours without heat,kills; three days without water, kills; three weeks without food, kills. Obviously water is a major, major issue.
From my front porch, I can easily see out over lower Spring River and it’s low, very low. Mud flats are spreading. My front yard well normally has about 10′ of water in it, now it has 3 - 3 1/2′. While I’m on rural water and it’s gravity flow from a high tower, it’s electrically dependent upon hoisting the water up into that tower. Once the water in the tower flows out and there is no electricity to replenish it…no water is available.
Because I believe in redundancy, I also have three 55 gal. plastic barrels to be filled with water at the first hint of imminent water failure. Just hope all this is enough.
We cannot prepare for everything which might threaten us. However, preparedness is both a mind set and a virtue. We (on this site) value that virtue and are making a effort to get better at it. In my case, my current preps include: air (N-95 masks/SIP), water (see above), heat (wood, coal, electricity, propane, kerosene), shelter (house, outbuildings, tent), food (7 months) and medicine (antibiotics, OTC, first aid kit), but I plan on doing better…if the disasters that threaten will only hold off long enough.
The indeterminate “kicker”, for me, will be my immediate family and their significant others. I have made no secret of my preps and I hope that rather than quietly dying, that they come to stay with me. If so, that will dramatically lower the length of time my preps will allow us to hold out in a S.I.P. situation.
However, when it’s all said and done, my faith rests with my God and I will depend upon Him to help us through this and other “disasters”. I will do my part and He will do His part.
2 drops per quart of water would not result in any significant bleach consumption This link to the Canada Gov Environmental & Workplace Safety site goes into great detail and actually discusses how much bleach (and how to) add to a well for killing ecoli
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/well_water-eau_de_puits_e.html
I have bleach ready and some water treatment tablets, wish I had well!
Amen
Everyone got their heaters running?
It sure is nice about 1–2 but at 4 pm the temps really start to drop. I’ve been trying out the new vent free fireplace. Really warms the place up fast.
Everyone got their heaters running?
It sure is nice about 1–2 but at 4 pm the temps really start to drop. I’ve been trying out the new vent free gas (no -electricity ignition) fireplace. Really warms the place up fast.
Yeah, the cold blasts really make me dread a SIP with no electricity! I love modern technology!
DC,
Thanks for the link to the Canadian water treatment site. I am unsure as to how effective it will be for me, but am going to try it anyway. My suspicion is that either a local “fishing camp” turned “trailer camp” has contaminated the sub-surface water (down to less than 50′ or so, at a guess) with an old outhouse arrangement that they had for several years. That is no longer in place, but the effects may linger. Or, recent tests of Spring River indicate that it to is contaminated with E. Coli. Given that I’m very close by, maybe that is the source of my problem. In either case, I’ll give the ol’ well about three gallons of Chlorine Bleach for a “shock treatment” and see if that corrects the problem. Again thanks!
DC/okcinder,
After heating with wood for the last 30 years or so, I’ve got to tell you it’s might nice to awaken to a warm spot in the house. Throw in some more wood and shortly the whole house is as warm as toast (except for those distant corners at the far end). However, cutting, stacking and lugging that wood into the house and carrying out the ashes is WORK, especially as one gets older.
So, I’m giving coal a chance to win my heart (got my first pickup load yesterday). Just in case, I’ve got some wood put by if the coal doesn’t work out (bought a “coal stove” a couple of years ago and have been exclusively burning wood in it until now).
Heating my house (when it’s really cold) with propane and/or electricity is just too expensive, even in the current times…much less the chancy combinations of a Just-in-Time supply chain and a S.I.P. situation. Plus, it does feel nice to look out and see a stack of wood and/or coal sitting there. Gives one a bit of a feeling of security.
I have a fireplace…but learned during the “Ice Storm” (was it “02) that we were still cold, of course, that is relative. Faced with a pandemic with no electricity, I will be grateful for it.
OKbirdwatcher,
I promised you a report on how the coal was working out as a heat source, so here are my preliminary conclusions:
It’s not as familiar as the wood and hence it’s not as satisfactory, yet. It doesn’t smell right, it is somewhat awkward to handle with my wood handling tools, it’s dirty/black/grainy sort of a substance and finally, it’s not putting out as much heat per minute as I anticipated.
On the other hand, I’m not familiar with it yet and consequently I’m probably not getting the full potential out of it. It’s much more compact, impervious to rain or termites or carpenter ants or rot. I like going directly to the mine and picking up 1,600 + lbs. at a time, from the source. Not many are likely to steal it, for they don’t know how to use it…like me (but I’m learning).
In conclusion, it has a niche in my redundancy preparations…more than one answer for every major need. Who knows, once I get to know it better, it may move into a primary heat source status?
Have a happy holiday.
Brown,
Sounds like the coal is going to take some getting used to, which is to be expected, I guess. Like most things, I’ve found, it will likely have it’s good points and it’s not-so-good points. Your “redundancy” plans are very wise, IMO. We, however, aren’t there yet.
Have to shift gears for the next few days although I’ll be keeping watch for any important news that might surface. I hope you and yours (and all the Okie Preppers) have a blessed Thanksgiving :)
I’ll watch too…but doing the Holiday thing now! And so blessed to be doing so, have a happy Thanksgiving!
Also taking a week long THANKSGIVING break with brief news checks. Starting tomorrow its a 6 day mini-vacation with family, food, and getting down all the Christmas decorations.
May we all have a wonderful Oklahoma holiday filled with the warmth of family and friends.
Wow! The stuff of nightmares!
Last night finished reading the “Black Death…a Human-to-Human virus” thread over on Current Events. If I understand it correctly, there is a growing body of evidence which indicates that the dreaded and extremely deadly “Black Death” of medieval Europe was probably not the Plague, but primarily a human-to-human virus, very similiar to what we are starting to see with H5N1; with a ± 50 % kill ratio. If this turns out to be true and it’s something which happens every so often…then we’re overdue and ripe for a repeat. If so, and it’s not H5N1, then it will probably be a viral something very much like it.
All the more reason to PREP for S.I.P., and for an extended period. Given the periods recommended from medieval days, we’re probably looking at a time frame of at least a year.
It certainly got my attention. Don’t know that I’ll do anything different, am already doing everything I can to get ready for H5N1. Still, makes me wonder if I (and others) have been focused on a “tree” and missed the implication that a forest exists out there.
To put it in other terms, this may not just be a wave that washes over us, but a long succession of waves which constitute the new (to us) reality. The 1918 Flu might not have been an abberation, but merely a continuation of the “old” episodic reality…as such, the norm, not the exception.
brand new here , just checking in from central Ok.
Hello chigger digger. We’re always glad to have more Okies join in. Unique handle you’ve got there;-) I’ve had my share of chiggers over the years.
Today is moving day on the fluwiki forum. Everybody checked out the new site? It takes a bit to get used to it, but I believe it is a big improvement over “old yeller” we’re on now. Michelle has started an Oklahoma diary (thread). The quickest way to find it is probably by using the regional diary on the opening page which has a link to all the states. Or you can click here and go directly to it.
Hope everyone has had a good Thanksgiving Day. Keep posting chigger digger, and if you have any questions, ask away. We’re happy to help out.
ya know, ya really have to live here to appreciate chiggers.
Just popping in from MA to say, Welcome, and that is quite the powerful visual, with bonus points for rhyming. Not sure I’ve seen a chigger, (only harmless adult harvest mites ?) but, I hate the dog ticks we get outside here every Spring.
How did you hear about the Flu Wiki?
heard about it on another site and I also did a few searches
The more the prepared-i-er! (ugh- did I type that? Better go drink my coffee)
All the best to you, chigger digger. Stay warm down there, people. Sounds like shirtsleeve weather up here today (not like Nov.s when I was a kid!) Good day for me to declutter my garage.
brown Re: “The 1918 Flu might not have been an abberation, but merely a continuation of the “old” episodic reality…as such, the norm, not the exception.”
It is my understanding that there would most likely be 3 waves. Each wave lasting 8–12 weeks /period between waves 8–20 weeks. Which could stretch it to 1.5 years
Haven’t had a chigger bite since I moved back 5 years ago! Used to get lots of them as a kid. Mom used to put dabs of red nail poilish on them- made me look like I had the measles. Alas none in my yard, maybe I keep the lawn too short?
NEW FORUM signed up- logged in- posted on new okie forum but the post never appeared.
And how do I chnage the password supplied in the sign up email? After playing on it for a few hours (and I make a living on the computer!) —Must admit I like the old site format much better than the new.
Brown,
I attempted to read the “Black Death” thread on CE. I just couldn’t get through it all. Way too frightening. But all things considered, I don’t think it’s possible to over-prep.
Long thread closed and continued here