Prepography
The Art & Study of Self-Reliance
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of WD-40 (2,105)
Snake Eater – How to Field Dress a Snake (661)
Prepping with Garage Sales (649)
OCOKA – A Key Survival Acronym (638)
Fan of the Ammo Can – Top 10 Uses (598)
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Mineral Oil (574)
Top 10 Initial Steps to Preparation (504)
Don’t Be ‘That Prepper Guy’ (420)
Prepper SALUTE Report – An Observation and Reporting Tool (360)
Physical Security and the Forms of Protection (306)
Situational Awareness – An Introduction (271)
Beware the Butt Bomb (254)
The Joy of Fatherhood – Today’s Quote
Nothing I’ve ever done has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to my children.
Family is Everything – Today’s Quote
Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.
Happy Mother’s Day – Today’s Quote
If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! I know whose love would follow me still Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
King on Love – Today’s Quote
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
The Communist Easter Egg Hunt & Family Dynamics
As the economy gets worse and many families return to multi-generational households we must remember that successfully forming, blending and combining families and households requires more than love… it requires communication, cooperation, sensitivity and tolerance. What does this have to do with a communist Easter egg hunt?
I’ve had a couple reminders of these family-forming (and transforming) challenges recently thanks to my daughters. If properly handled, the new blended or multi-generational (household) family offers many opportunities to meet or improve everyone’s situation and needs.
While my oldest daughter is considering moving her mother-in-law in and creating a multi-generational household with her new husband, my middle daughter is newly engaged and has already begun negotiations with her fiance on how they intend to raise their children…yeah… she’s much more mature than her dad was at that age.
I recently caught a snippet of conversation between two of my daughters that caught my ear… “they only do communist Easter egg hunts…” As you can imagine this strange statement piqued my interest so I asked my daughter what a communist Easter egg hunt is…
Continue reading
The Prepper Blood Chit in Spanish
Andrew’s Note: Prepography reader Eduardo was kind enough to provide a Spanish translation for the sample language from our article on creating a Prepper Blood Chit. A Prepper Blood Chit is another way to assure your loved ones make it home safe after a disaster. Thanks Eduardo!
Here’s the Spanish for you…
==========================
FOR DAUGHTERS / FEMALES:
La portadora de este documento (cuya foto aparece en el dorso de esta tarjeta) es mi hija preciosa, [NAME], que ha estado estudiando en la Universidad de [Uni Name]. Ruego que la ayudes con comida, alojamiento, transporte y cualquier otra asistencia adicional que necesite para regresar a casa lo más pronto, y de la forma más segura, posible. Reugo que la trate como si fuera su propia hija.
Todos los que la ayudan a [Name] a regresar a casa serán recompensados. Si puede traerla a [Town & State], le recompensaré con alguno de lo siguiente: $1,000 en efectivo, 20 onzas troya de plata pura (.999) o comida suficiente para dos semanas; usted elige.
Gracias por adelantado por cualquier asistencia que pueda proveer,
SIGNATURE & Name
====================
FOR SONS / MALES:
El portador de este documento (cuyo foto aparece en el dorso de esta tarjeta) es mi hijo amado, [NAME], que ha estado estudiando en la Universidad de [Uni Name]. Ruego que le ayudes con comida, alojamiento, transporte y cualquier otra asistencia adicional que necesite para regresar a casa lo más pronto, y de la forma más segura, posible. Reugo que le trate como si fuera su propio hijo.
Todos los que le ayudan a [Name] a regresar a casa serán recompensados. Si puede traerle a [Town & State], le recompensaré con alguno de lo siguiente: $1,000 en efectivo, 20 onzas troya de plata pura (.999) o comida suficiente para dos semanas; usted elige.
Gracias por adelantado por cualquier asistencia que pueda proveer,
SIGNATURE & Name
======================
Building a Bug Out Bag – Part X, Family & Community Support
In Building a Bug Out Bag Part I we discussed why building a Bug Out Bag is important and what type of bag to select. In Part II we discussed the Transportation Items to consider, in Part III it was Water preparedness, in Part IV it was Food preparedness, in Part V we tackled Shelter, Clothing and Protection from the elements, in Part VI we considered Communications options, in Part VII we discussed Security Preparedness, in Part VIII we explored Financial & Identity preparedness and yesterday we in Part IX we discussed Health & Medical considerations for your Bug Out Bag. Today we’ll discuss Family and Community issues to consider while building a Bug Out Bag. Remember, this is your last ditch, carry on your back, walk away from trouble Bug Out Bag…not what you hope you can get to your bug out location if your car, SUV, or Oshkosh TPV makes it.
Continue reading
Donne on Community – Today’s Quote
No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
Happy Thanksgiving
Today it’s traditional to take a break from the day-to-day and gather with family and friends to count our blessings. We face many challenges individually, as families, and as a nation, but no matter the challenges there are blessings to be counted…I urge you to do so.
Additionally, as you gather today remember that those you choose to spend this day with are likely those that you would gather with in the event of a disaster… for mutual aid, support and even survival. Family and Community Support is essential to preparedness.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Andrew J. Jackson
Kuralt on Family and Friends – Today’s Quote
The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.
Charles Kuralt
Am I Too Old to Prep?
One of Prepography’s readers recently asked “am I too old to prep?”
Before we answer this question let’s consider that maybe it’s better to think of preparedness as a multi-generational journey…the Matriarch or Patriarch takes the lead until they can’t anymore and then they pass the preparedness leadership (Chain of Command) on to the next generation. Preparedness efforts are most effective when they are group, especially family efforts.
This same concept applies if you are new to preparedness. If you are unable to lead your family’s efforts due to age or circumstance… hold a family meeting and choose another to lead the efforts… then help your family and the preparedness leader in every way you can. To return to our ‘journey’ metaphor…you may no longer be driving the bus, but you are along for the ride and can contribute immeasurably to your family’s preparedness in other ways.
Because you are a seasoned citizen you have a lifetime of resources available to help your family’s efforts. Consider your resources and contribute appropriately. Some of the resources you may be able to contribute are: Continue reading
Preparedness Chain of Command
Dangerous situations are no time for rule by committee. The time it takes to whip out your Roberts Rules of Order and ‘call the [first] question’ is enough time to lose your key preps to fire or theft or worse… someone in your family or preparedness group could be injured or killed. Today’s discussion is on the necessity of a Preparedness Chain of Command.
What is a Chain of Command:
“Chain of Command” is a military term for the clearly defined leadership hierarchy where a single leader is in charge of all efforts by a unit and/or within an area of operations. Subunits or echelon’s each have their leader who must answer to the next higher leader. An non-military example of a chain of command is the Roman Catholic Church where the Pope (senior leader) works through his cardinals (lower echelon leaders) who lead through their bishops (still lower echelon leaders) who in turn lead through the parish priests to eventually reach the congregants.
How does a Chain of Command Work: Continue reading
Angelou on People – Today’s Quote
When people show you who they are, believe them
Maya Angelou
