Well, I was still thinking about getting a freezer to stock up on meat, chicken (price has doubled here already) and a few other things. Oh, I know that once l/l/2000 hits, there most likely will not be power, but my reasoning was this: I am thinking about NOW until that time, that once people start understanding y2k, grocery shopping will never be the same again (will be worse than the Christmas rush!) I am sure that the prices will be raised even higher. I still have not located a generator, but if I do get one, won't it be able to keep the freezer running? (Sorry to seem so dumb about this!) Also, it snows and is so cold here in January that I would probably be able to cover my freezer stuff out in the back yard with snow! Even things put out in our back porch freeze in the winter and I could even put them there. Lately when I am eating great meals out or that I have taken the time to fix...I try to savor the taste for as long as I can because in just l5 months or more I will be eating pork and beans, canned soup, spaghetti-o's etc. and even though it won't taste the same or be as good, I will still be thankful for it, that I took the time to prepare and that I was encouraged (and warned) by the people on this forum and others. Sorry to be rambling, just wanted to share some feelings. I better get looking for that generator and maybe a freezer. Thanks, Blondie

-- Blondie Marie (Blondie@future.net), September 15, 1998

Answers

For myself, I am not getting a generator. You need 40-70 gallons of fuel per week to run a generator. There is no way I can store that much fuel. I am replacing that capability that I get from electricity. I figure large containers packed with snow will work for a freezer. Some portions of my basement will work for a refrigerator, I will get a wood stove, I got 100 hundred-hour emergency candles, I got an RV propane stove/oven at a garage sale for $10. I buy any camp stove I can buy at garage sales. I figure the juice will be out for 1-3 months. By the time it warms up (weather-wise), we will have at least some electricity. Unless people burn power poles to stay warm, we should all be OK.

-- David Holladay (davidh@rdcbraille.com), September 15, 1998.

Blondie, Am enjoying your postings! I for one plan on still eating good in 15 months! Hubby and I have purchased a 3 burner coleman camp stove (on which I cooked a pretty decent breakfast Sunday morning as our power was off for some unknown reason, hubby joked was a good excuse to "practice!):o) We are going to get a generator, and are also going to purchase a small freezer to stock up on some meats (13 year old son says Blue Bell is high on his survival list! LOL) Also going to put in a wood burning "stove" for heat (can also cook on it). We live out in the country and so for our anniversary next year I have asked for chickens so we will have eggs! Hubby said the other night he wanted a DVD player & I told him he should get a tiller instead, much more practical I think! In case you haven't been to their website you might check out Lehmans. I have ordered their paper catalog but have not received it yet. Their catalog is online but no pictures. They are a wonderful source for non-electric "stuff". I plan on purchasing one of their hand turned washing machines. Good luck in your prepartions!! Donna

-- Donna B (Dd0143@aol.com), September 15, 1998.

Blondie, You could also get a pressure cooker, canning jars and lids, etc. and can some meat. Stock up on meat now and freeze it. Then can it as you have the time.

-- none (none@none.com), September 15, 1998.

Blondie,

Go ahead and get the freezer. If the power stays up it will be a big plus. Get it as efficient and insulated as possible. Forget running a generator to keep it going, except for a few days. You COULD just run the freezer a few hours a day on the genny, kepping it wrapped in blankets the rest of the time. Still, you are talking lots of fuel.

Also go ahead and get a big pressure canner and lots of jars and lids. We often can extra meat and soups. WONDERFUL stuff. Keeps a long time without a fridge and is easy to do. Just follow the heating times exactly.

We have friends who get all their meat from his hunting. Two freezers kept full most of the year. Now that we are all doing Y2K preps they have started canning meat chunks, sausage, stew, etc etc. They say their carribou is better than it's ever been, tasty and tender. I can attest to that as well!

Even a dead freezer makes good food storage. It's great place to put dried foods and canned stuff. It will stay dry and free of bugs/rodents. I have one that I am seriously thinking about unplugging, cleaning out, and filling with a ton or so of wheat. Once it's filled I can nitrogen purge the whole thing and leave the lid locked down. More I think about that, the more I think it's a good idea.

Luck,Art

-- Art Welling (artw@lancnews.infi.net), September 15, 1998.

Have you thought about a propane freezer? Lehmans has one, although it is only 7 cu ft. If it is like the propane refrigerators, it will run on electric now and use propane later. You can store enough propane for several months.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), September 15, 1998.

Art, Great idea about the wheat. If someone comes to steal your food, they will be much more likely to steal the Spaghetti-Os and Pork & Beans than they will the whole grains.

-- none (none@none.com), September 15, 1998.

Blondie Marie, instead of taking your food out to bury in the snow, just take out a couple of your jugs of water. Allow plenty of room in the jug for the water to expand as it freezes, then put the frozen ice in the freezer. It will work like an ice chest to keep the food cold. (I did laugh at the thought of you burying your food- it reminded me of the commercial I have seen of the man whose wife tells him to go get the food out of the deep freeze. He goes out of the igloo and digs in the snow. :-) Anyway, for as long as the temperature gets low enough to freeze water, you can keep your food from spoiling.

PS- Lately, when my husband and I have eaten out, I, too, have been thinking about how thankful I am to have that privilege. If Y2K ends up being not that bad, at least it has shown me how much I take for granted. It has caused me to be thankful for even the little things.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), September 15, 1998.

Blondie - I also live where it gets pretty dang cold in January and as a matter of fact, we HAVE left food out on our back porch like that and kept it frozen. And I also have been learning to can meats with a pressure canner. It is SO good, and when time comes to cook, it's basically open the jar, simmer for 20 mins (on top of the wood stove we just ordered) and eat. No wasting other resources to cook the stuff. Hope that helps.

-- Melissa (financed@forbin.com), September 16, 1998.

This does give you a new appreciation for everything from garbage collection to Chinese food. Why don't they sell canned hamburger anyway? I don't have time to can. I liked the idea of freezing jugs of water - sometimes it snows here and sometimes it doesn't, so I can't depend on snow. I'm not getting a generator either - it's like running your car all day - who wants the fumes.

-- Amy Leone (aleone@amp.com), September 16, 1998.