We have four seasons in Central Ohio, and when the weather changes, it reminds me to do some of the seasonal chores. I'm posting an edited list that might be helpful:

-Rotate water supplies, and this includes the water kept in the vehicles. Later in the year, I have to bring in water to keep it from freezing.

-Rotate other car supplies: food, add the heavier sleeping bag, winter boots. Check the first aid supplies (also those in the house). Replace as necessary.

-Rotate stored gas (or acquire new gas for the season. I generally do this in October when the "winter blend" is available, but for obvious reasons, I've started storing and rotating now.

-Check and rotate batteries -- stored batteries, batteries in smoke detectors, batteries in emergency flashlights, emergency batteries in alarm clocks.

-Check and rotate pantry supplies. I have a two pantry system -- what I use daily and what's in storage. After I slept off my travel fatigue, I went to Sam's Club and bought a year's worth of TP and more floss, shampoo, and such.

-Start or maintain the compost pile (I turn mine every six weeks).

-Plant cold weather veggies (peas, carrots, radishes...). (I'm also starting a window garden -- sprouts).

-Order seeds for spring planting (if possible)

-Check/clean weapons. Buy or rotate ammo as necessary.

-Check available cash (small bills) and change on hand.

-Inventory barter items. Touch base with barter partners if necessary.

-If I had a generator, I'd start it and let it run for the suggested time.

Your Milage Will Vary.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Answers

Worth its own space: check the supplies in the bug out bags and rotate/replenish as necessary!

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Meemur,

Thanks. I never before created a BOB. Guess I better think about one now. I didn't before cause I worked so close to where I lived. Heck, now I have to drive 15 miles to get to something they call a grocery store (little bigger than a road side veggie stand). I went there yesterday and got a little over a hundred dollars of items. Felt that I need to spend some money in the home town, gotta keep the property taxes down don't ya know. But I hate to pay .95 for a can of campbell's chicken soup.

This coming weekend, I may try to venture on base to check out the commissary. Haven't ever gone there before, as hubby was the one that always put up with the hassle there. I need to get some more hamburger and lean meats. The prices are way better there on food items than at other places. TP and the like I'll get at wally world.

I'm gonna make some more burger rocks, as I have just now about depleted my stock for Y2K. Gonna make some more jurkey. Gotta make a run to Sams to see if they have anymore of the Bear Creek soup mixes. I was surprised that my son likes them, but he does. I kinda like them too. If he'll eat it, I'll buy it. Gonna make some more fruit roll ups, as they are a hit with everyone. Maybe make some more fruit chips.

I need to find out how deep my well is, to determine if a hand pump will work on it. If not, I'm thinking about buying a small generator just so I can pump clean water. When I mentioned this to hubby, he laughed and told me to get water purification tablets and just get water out of the pond.

Lots to ponder the next few days. Sniff, Sniff... the sheeple are sniffing but they haven't caught the scent yet.

But this Sheeps has...

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Sheeps, your BOB doesn't have to be elaborate or heavy. I only work about ten miles from home, but the BOB I keep at work is more to sustain me if I'm trapped in the building for 2-3 days; otherwise, I'd try to walk home or live out of my vehicle. No matter what, I always keep at least two bottles of water there, plus another two hidden away in another part of the building. Would that there were more places to cashe supplies! I'd hide things all along the routes home, but that's hard to do in a city.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

(slightly OT)

I beg to differ that we have four seasons in Central Ohio! I am a firm believer that we have six: summer (Jul/Aug), Indian summer (Sep/Oct), fall (Nov/Dec), winter (Jan/Feb), cold mud (Mar/Apr), and spring (May/Jun)!

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Yerf, you have a point! I had forgotten about "MUD" since I now live in an area that has mainly paved roads and no high hills, but when the rainy season hits, most of Hocking Hills will be "mudlushous."

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001