RVA Disaster Prep

  Hi gang.   As you recall, I wrote about snow issues a while back. (OK, it was January 2021) https://rvadisasterprep.blogspot.com/2021/01/snowing-is-it-disaster.html   But what tools do you need for your car and home?   Well, you are a bit more limited in the space you have for a car. In your car, you need the tools to get out of a problem and get home safely. These are specific tools to the car. Lets talk about that. Of course, one of the things you will want to do is keep gas in the car. I recommend keeping the tank at least half full, because that gives you some range- half the range of your car. Most cars have a range of around 300 miles on a full tank, so you should have at least 150 miles of gas in your car. If you are running an electric car (Tesla or Chevy or Hyundai or Toyota or any other all electric) you have a different problem. The cold reduces the ability of the battery to charge and retain the charge and the heat in the car is ...

  Hi gang.   As we all know, things go wrong in life, in your house, in your car, etc. You will need some tools for stuff around the house. But what tools? Here is an article. https://theamericanhouse.com/tools-for-most-diy-projects/   Utility knife Measuring tape Adjustable wrenches. At least 2. Some things need to be held on both sides. Power drill. I have electric, but I think a battery operated one is also necessary. I would think a hand operated drill would be a good thing as well, but they are not as easy to find. Gloves. Yeah, you will need them. Get the heavy duty ones. It helps. Hand saw. I also recommend a power saw. Have both, in case the power is out. I have an electric circular saw, but a battery one, and maybe a SawZall/saber saw would be good as well. Hammer. You will need one. Even if only to put up pictures. Screwdrivers. At least Phillips and flat, in several sizes.   I would ad...

 Hi Gang. Lets talk about food storage. This will, again, be a multi-part series.  Part 1- Brief discussion of the different types of food storage and why store at all. Part 2- A brief history of canning and the biology and chemistry of canning, why can, and resources of canning. Part 3- Dehydrating/drying foods. Part 4- Freeze-drying   Part 5- Vacuum packing Part 6- Storage of foods that have been canned, dehydrated or freeze-dried. Part 7- Water.  PART 1 Why would anyone store food? Very simply because bad things happen, and having a store means that you are not immediately a part of the zombie crowd that has no clue where the next government meal is coming from, or even if that government meal will come.   Additionally, many religions suggest or recommend or even command preparation for difficulties. In the Hebrew bible, Joseph went down to Egypt where he suggested to Pharaoh to prepare for 7 years of famine. In modern times, we have floods, drough...

  I figured out what was eating my lettuce. Yeah, I should be able to do a better job of it than I do, but I am still a beginner.   Turns out they are EARWIGS. Earwig image UGLY little things. They were about ½” long in my garden.   BUT, it turns out they are another bug that is driven out by diatomaceous earth. Article here: https://www.almanac.com/pest/earwigs   Diatomaceous earth is fossilized diatoms, which is mostly, if not completely silica dust. Silica is a stone.   The silica dust something the bugs really don’t like. It gets between their joints and basically saws them apart, so the bugs leave that area alone. And because it Is basically stone dust, it washes off the plants like, well, dust. You just have to reapply every time it rains (or you water).   Next year I will be using a soaker hose to water my garden, which will make this easier.   Thats all for tonight. Jason