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Maine Preppers

by: bird-dog

Thu Nov 30, 2006 at 15:11:54 PM EST


A continuation of this Diary, Maine Preppers II, can be found HERE

Ok, here's our new den with a blazing woodstove, some of BB's very tasty RWFK (red wine flu killer), some hot mulled cider, a few cats 'n dogs (and a very sweet parrot), lots of pillows on the floor, and a plate of hot gingerbread with lemon sauce or whipped cream. Maybe some not-too-creamy hot clam chowder too. All it needs are Maine preppers and those from away longing for Maine. {and a good snowstorm}
bird-dog :: Maine Preppers
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Maine Preppers | 186 comments
terrific, and a welcome addition
I spend part of every summer on MDI.
thanks Dem
I'll try to behave myself if-you-know-what-I-mean.

I just ordered another Kelly Kettle over the phone from Patrick Kelly in Ireland. It was worth the cost of the call to have the pleasure of talking to him. I gave him fluwiki's url and he checked it out as we spoke and said that he might post but would definitely spend time reading. Finally one Christmas prep/present behind me for a lucky relative!

[ Parent ]
Maine Preppers
bird-dog  Thanks so much for starting a new Maine thread, thought about it today myself, but being only an out of state honorary Maine person, thought I would wait for you or Lisa to do it!  Had to attend a retirement party last night at Fanueil Hall and as I was leaving was unable to resist walking through the food stalls and looking at all the lobster rolls and such.  Ok, I did succumb to a half dozen oysters.  Made me think of Maine.  Just a couple of months since my week there and craving for it again.

Sounds like you have built a great spot for us Mainers (and wannabees) to spend some time.  Will bring a virtual cracker for Fiona.

Preps are at a standstill, been reading The Doctors latest and referencing things with his website, now worried about finances WTSHTF, he is advising turning our investments into something like a short term treasury bill fund and gold ETFs if IT happens.  Something else to think about.  DW has only 4 1/2 months untill retirement, or until Phase 5 hits, whichever comes first.

Today started to put together my new wood rack, now to get some wood to fill it!  Hope the winter is not too cold, oil and gas prices will make it expensive to heat this season.  Best to all my Maine friends. 

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Hey, Hi NauticalMan!
Fiona thanks you for the cracker offer. What a bird-brain!

That's great that your DW will be retiring but I can imagine that it would be an added financial worry. At least she'll be out of the work force if/when the flu-fog settles in.

I just started two new part-time jobs assisting two older women in their homes. One is a very very sharp, interesting, and sweet woman(in her nineties) whose family was from the Isle of Skye. Such fun stories she tells! I did ask her if she had any family tales regarding the Spanish Flu and she said that she'd have to think about it. I did spare her a spiel (for the most part). The other woman(late eighties) I drove to an eye doctor appt. last spring and am not sure how that will go. She was also very quick and friendly. We are all in agreement politically though so that's nice. ;-)

Anyway, the jobs should help with my prep finances a bit.

I wonder if Lisa and Al and MAV and NJKME and bluetide and missue and Adam and 2beans have mosey'ed on over. Missue and Adam haven't been posting for awhile, hopefully lurking though.

I must apologise for not being very sociable lately. I did write a long post before Thanksgiving but dumped it by mistake and then hadn't the energy or something to start all over. Sorry.

I hope that you'all had a great holiday. Moody's was perfect  though I couldn't order the oyster stew. We took a long country drive afterwards. It was a nice break from thinking about the normal daily concerns. Last nights' James Taylor concert on PBS was another!!!! Wow what a gift.

ok, now on to the news....

[ Parent ]
nice to be here on the new site
Ayuh, I'm here!  Just checking in because I have a long day of driving in the rain ahead of me for work.  I've been hoping someone would start our forum up on the new site but I've been busy at work and haven't had the time to figure out how to do it.

Fiona, I saw a nice young bird like you yesterday in someone's house.  He had the run of the house and he looked awfully cute.  You would've like him, very handsome too.  bird-dog, thanks for starting us up here.  Sorry I missed sweet baby james.

Hi al...
I have to run but a quick reply...

I did tape the JT show: Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Rait, Springsteen, Carole King, etc! and JT sang Jt's songs. A tribute. Email me (in Old Yeller's profile) and I'll send it up. Crummy old VHS tape though.

Fiona has the air/run of the house here too (she's *mostly* paper trained). ;-)

...still prepping but definitely less intensely.

Al, it's really good to see you here!

[ Parent ]
Thanks Birddog!
Hi All!
Thanks Birddog, for doing this.
I'm still on sons computer - my hard drive shot and new purchase will need to wait till post holidays.
Home with the FLU!!!! today and yesterday.  Forgot how much a flu hurts.  At least I think its flu - too much pain for a cold...could be strep I suppose...but my body's doing just what it should and getting better quickly.
My bird, parakeet, Merlin, died yesterday.  He has been with us for 10 years. So sweet.  Loved to dance and kiss and sing by sharing parts of tunes with me...I had to take my part, then he'd take his, and god forbid if I hesitated in taking up mine again on cue. Dogs are confused - looking at his cage, acting out without him yelling at them.
Preps now are just keeping foods replenished.  Set with foods/meds/alt. light/alt. cooking - still need wood stove and defense.  Have asked for gift cert for Kittery Trading for Xmas and that will take care of defense if anyone does get it for me.  It is the only thing I've asked for, but you know how people are...I'm not counting on getting it, more likely I'll end up with jewelry or perfume that will never be worn...Oh well!
Hope all are well here and there (heeya and theyah).  Take care!
So sorry...
Oh Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear about your little friend.

Sweet parakeets. I had two little guys years ago. Sadly, I went out to work one day only to return to find the door to their room opened, the door to their cage opened and both my two cats and two dogs standing in the room looking very guilty. I never did find their little bodies, not even feathers. It was such a loss. Their enormous little spirit energy is so unique. They are (generally)and were (specifically) so so sweet.

Had he been ill or was it his age/time? My heart aches for you all.

As far as your flu-type illness goes, I guess the only good news would be the fact that you're not needing to go out in this storm for food or medicine. :-) Do/can the boy's father take them while you are not feeling well? Hope so. Hopefully too they were able to say goodbye to their feathered brother. And your dogs...sigh.

Please feel better soon and since you're here(in our den), wrap that blanket and those pillows around you, skootch closer to the fire, drink down some thickly honeyed and lemoned Jamieson hot toddy, and close your eyes and rest. If you're feeling too warm or feverish one of us can open a window. And maybe NM can turn even further down the celtic ballads, we can quietly talk prepping while you sleep...

BTW good going on your preps! I'll have to check out that Kittery Trading Post one of these days.

Take care Lisa. And please tell your housemates(2&4-legged) that I'm very sad for their loss. Thanks.

[ Parent ]
Can almost smell the Maine air
I keep thinking what a great house to SIP I had in Maine.  Indiana house is ok, but Maine had the woods, and a natural spring, and room for a garden, and fruit trees, and the berry patch, and...  Just reading the word Moody's made my mouth water.  And then I thought of Red's Eats, and a lobster roll.  Oh well, at least this weekend I get to go see the grandkids on the East Coast, they're just way south from Maine.  Everyone keep prepping.  I'm from away, but sending good thoughts your way.  I'm sure the thoughts can get there from here.
They sure can... and have.
Hi Quilter.1!

I'm sorry that you're not here too! Thanks for the 'good thoughts' and I send some warm ones back to you in Indiana!

Where abouts did you live in Maine?

Right now we're having a lashing wind and rain storm.  Were you able to avoid that blizzard this week? Hope so.

Have a great time with your grandkids and don't worry, I doubt that any of us will stop our prepping completely any time soon. I usually pick up an extra small can of beans or veggies, maybe brown bread, canned fruit, a cheap toothbrush, a box of quick brown rice, RWFK, etc.. You know, it's probably where many of us who've prepped strenuously for awhile and have somewhat reached our goal (at least for today), find ourselves. The 'news' or 'rumors' can hike up that old PPF and off we go.... :-0

Take care Quilter!

(I hope that your East Coast relatives are as prep-wise as are you! ;-))

[ Parent ]
Maine Preppers
Lisa in Southern Maine - How nice to hear that you are ok, in spite of the Flu.  Did you give a thought to trying some Tamiflu?  So sad to hear that your little friend has left you.  Oldest stepdaughter had a parakeet for many years, always was amazed at his abilities.  bird-dog's soothing words will certainly be helpful, given the time of morning they are making me very sleepy....  So will sign off for the night.  best to all as usual  NM

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence
Thanks. I'm feeling better.
Birddog - I've decided that you'd make instant millions by recording your beautiful thoughts onto disc.  You could entitle it 'Soothing for the Sick', and just talk.  Tell some of your stories, speak some of your favorite poetry...what a balm that would be! My boys stayed with me and took care of the dogs and brought me water and the younger one rubbed my head!  So sweet!  The older one cancelled his social/extracurricular plans independently saying "I just wanna hang out here for a few days".  So both of them have been with me without interruption except school hours since Wednesday eve, and I am much better but how could I not be with the bumbling efforts of these gangly man/boy creatures around me?!

  Thank you all for your well wishes!  And birddog - please forgive me for laughing out loud (what's so funny mom?)when I read about your parakeets and the guilt ridden four legged tribe!  What a story!  I feel so bad for the little winged ones but I'm laughing at the visual you put in my head!

  NauticalMan - I only took tylenol.  I really don't like/trust medicine of any kind, although my stocks in case of pandemic are solid and will be used without restraint...until then, I just trust my body to do what it needs to do and am thankful that it does!

  Quilter - Maine smells exceptionally good today.  Brilliant clear blue sky and tang to the air telling us that storm on its way soon.  Our first snow of the year coming tomorrow AM. I hope you're enjoying the east coast grandkids this weekend!

  Al - I hope all is well with you.  Be careful driving in the morning, we may be having a morning-commute snowstorm.

Good Lisa...
I'm glad that you're feeling better.

Last night I ran out to WM to grab the 2-disc version of the Green Mile as a friend had mentioned that he'd seen it there. I LOVE that movie! Anyway, I picked up more propane, cheap nic. gum (still struggling,you too?), and a pb copy of 'The Historian', etc. and on checking out the very sweet cashier suddenly turned grey and said that she thought that she might be sick. Somehow it really scared me. I imagined folks in other areas of the store simutaneously clutching their bellies and a mass groan rising. I couldn't believe my reaction. I also couldn't get out of there soon enough and back to my pump sanitizer! I guess 'The Great Influenza' really sank in deep. woah. Anyway I sat there squirting my hands and then doing again for several minutes. I had one very very old dryed out  cig. in my car, found it and lit up.
As I started to drive away I noticed a man in the parked car next to me. I had to laugh---here I was sort of OCD-ing on my hands... and then dragging on a butt bringing major poisons into my bod. He must of just shook his head. ;-) ...back to the gum.

[ Parent ]
Maine friend
bird dog - Thought of you last night.  Got a call from a dear Maine friend who was spending the night at a very elderly ladies home taking care of her, one of two ladies that she helps provide care for.  Immediately thought of you and your two charges.  Always amazed me how many folks live to such a ripe age in Maine, must be that Yankee toughness!  Many times when vacationing there, would go to a church supper or some such and was just surprised when I would see so many older people turn out.  Hope to get up that way in January for a pot luck, not often I am able to make it up in the cold and snowy season, or, as happens more frequently there along the coast, the ice season!

Will certainly bring up the Pandemic if I do make it for the dinner, brought it up gently at the big lobster feed back in late August, but not too much response then, just some polite questions, comments.  As we know, can't hit people too hard too soon with this, have to ease into it.

Started a Massachusetts thread, oops, dairy, figured it was time seeing our old forum is being used less and less.  Sigh, I still like the soothing colors!  Anyone heard from MAV in Colorado?  Maybe the lobsters and such do not make up for the New England winter! 

Always thinking of my friends Downeast!

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

30 Dead Crows in Lewiston, Maine
Hi Everyone!

A friend called to ask if I'd seen this report on WGME at 6 tonight. I hadn't so I checked their website. The story is not available in print but the video is! I have dial-up and could still see it. Check it out! http://www.wgme.com/...

Slightly disturbing....gulp.

Now about 50 Dead Crows in Lewiston, Me.
more on the crow deaths - http://www.wgme.com/...

"Dozens of dead crows have been found near a shopping center in Lewiston, and nobody seems to know why they're dying.

Witnesses say as many as fifty birds have been found on the ground and in trees next to the Promenade Mall.

Neighbors say the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Center of Disease Control are testing the birds.

Many people are worried that some type of poison may be the cause of the death."

...so why haven't other birds/animals died too? West Nile has been a problem in the area but that's usually only affected one or two crows.

[ Parent ]
Re. 50 Dead Crows from a local Maine forum...
with pictures...

http://www.asmainego...

[ Parent ]
a similar event in Kansas last year...
happened when farmers sick of the crows spread poisoned grain for them.  The crows forage in the rural areas by day and then return to the urban ones to roost because the urban environment has fewer predators and usually retains more heat overnight.

medical information provided is for discussion purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. if you believe you have a medical problem, consult your practitioner.
[ Parent ]
Thanks Lisa the GP...
for the info re. crows returning to the city at night. A poisoning could explain their sudden deaths. It's a nightmare any way you look at it imo. Lets just hope it's not a viral die-off.
[ Parent ]
50 Dead Crows-more info/discussion...
Lewiston-SunJournal from yesterday, the 19th.
http://www.sunjourna...

a few folks definitely haven't gotten 'the message'!

'Perreault, who walks along the perimeter of the parking lot every day, says he found 10 dead crows along his morning walk just Monday.

"I picked them up and threw them in the Dumpster," he said Monday night. "But there were still a couple hanging in the trees."'

...

'Strout said he contacted state environmental agencies that could test the bird, but could not attract any interest. He reasoned that because the season for the West Nile virus is well past, nobody felt there was any reason to test the dead crow.'  more...

Rain Barrels, Solar Radios & Flashlights, etc....
I bought a 52 gal. rain barrel today including screen, brass spigot, and hose for under $60. in Brunswick at F. W. Horch - great place for books and sustainable living products and info.! The barrel had been a pepper barrel and is definitely food-grade. They also have beautiful oak barrels too for a bit more $. Also bought a solar car-battery charger that uses the cig. lighter and sits on the dashboard of the car when the car is resting. So cool...

>>>> http://www.fwhorch.c...

I hope that you all are managing ok and having a great Solstice evening and enjoying whatever holiday season that you treasure.
Stay safe and keep on truckin/preppin into the new year! We're hanging in there too!

Bird dog you are really back into the prepping!
Great work. Really slow with me due to Holiday, but did get a few cartons of MREs, mostly to have something easy to give to family member or neighbor if in need.

To all my good friends in Maine, and those who like me, wish they were in Maine, a wonderful holiday and may we all have a healthy 2007.  And pray that we have another year to finish our preps.

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Thanks Nautical Man <smile>....
If you come up in January (to Harpswell?) the Horch store is in the next town over. Very nice people. Not too familiar with BF so I gave him the fluwiki address and said that I'd bring in my Kelley Kettle in case he'd be interested in carrying it. We(I? haha) talked for awhile...

Great store.

My beautiful orange rain barrel is outside paying for itself right now. This was my Christmas present from the cats.

Can't wait to see what Fiona gets me! I did order the 'Bird Flu' book by Michael Greger so maybe that'll be it. Hopefully it will arrive today! Can hardly wait especially knowing how hard he's worked on behalf of animals. And I'm very curious to see what emphasis he puts on China's involvement.

As I wrote earlier (I think?) I gave copies of Woodson's book to neighbors and although they have barely acknowledged the book, we will have a 'road' meeting in early January and pan-flu prep is on the list of things to discuss. Whew. I'll print out Dr. Daves' report, etc. and some charts and graphs.

so on it goes...Have a good one!

[ Parent ]
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are all well!  Things are good here in southern maine - an incredibly busy time with work/kids/holidays.  Older son learning to drive and I'm thinking of learning how to dye the quickly sprouting greys out of my hair!  Just trying to keep preps level now, but want to do big honeywell order after christmas...Much more prep messaging/school closure talk in msm lately...and suddenly activity in multiple locations...and how about the group of poor little ones on life-support/vents in Georgia?Alabama?  I remember one of the science brains (Monotreme?  Anon22?) once posted that seasonal flu was more intense just prior to 1918 pandemic - hopefully just coincidence...Does anyone have a rec for elderberry?  Are people buying a juice or tincture or supercritical derivation or powdered capsules?  Good brand?
Well...I'm off to finish making the tree look pretty.  Youngest son did the lights this year - to surprise me.  What a mess!  It's the most beautiful tree we've ever had!

Take care all.  I send warm wishes to each of you tonight.  Lisa

Hi Lisa!
It's a shame sometimes that our wiki doesn't have an album just for pictures of non-bf related photo's. I'd love to see a picture of your tree, for instance. That's so sweet that your boy did the lights to surprise you and that it's the best one yet! (Re. pictures...I sent a picture of me and Fiona and my old dog Maizey to MaMa in response to her email just to put a face to my name. I hope that sending it was 'ok'.)

I've used (and prepped with) the Sambucol syrup and a Traditional Medicinals elderberry tea off and on. I also have several bags of elderberry berries/leaves to make a tincture, several jars of elderberry jam and several bottles of elderberry juice concentrate. I'll try to find you a recipe for the tincture. Someone posted about making gallons on FW, FT, or CU. Can't remember which though so tomorrow I'll look around.

I am also concerned/sad about those kids in Alabama and the seemingly sudden uptake in AI reports in the news. Yikes.

Having my new rainbarrel is so exciting (doesn't take much...)- I love it! I hope that you get that certificate for the Kittery Trading Post on Monday. You'll have to tell us what you buy...

take care, have fun, hope it's a peaceful day!  Sally

[ Parent ]
Lisa, making Herbal Tinctures (from Current Events)...
[ Parent ]
and here w/ recipe & info re. Sambucol...
>>> http://www.herbalhea...

SIMPLE ELDERBERRY TINCTURE RECIPE

Clean Quart Jar  add 1/4 pound dried elderberries (Must be Sambucus nigra)
Now fill to top with vodka.  Put lid on tight.
Store in a dark cupboard and shake once every few days.
Label and date your jar.
Let it sit for at least 30 days before you strain it.
You can use it without straining it too and it will just continue to get stronger.
Preventative - Adult - 1 teaspoon in water once a day
Children scale back by weight.

[ Parent ]
Birddog
Thanks you for the elderberry info.  I'll pick some up today at the local 'witches' shop, get some vodka, not get orange juice in case of temptation, and make a brew!  I'd like that in my medicine stock.  Christmas was great.  Boy's home and happy this week.  I'm doing BJs run today - we went under 200gal bottled water over Christmas and that unsettles me...a little OCD or this readiness stuff has gone deep now.  You did some marvelous shopping for prep bargains over the past few weeks!  Well done!  I'm glad you're enjoying your rain barrel. 
I have next week off - can't afford it financially but had to energetically.  I hope to reorganize here, and draw up good 2007 prep plan since a few big items (like that wood stove/shed/wood/installation) remain. I made it through this holiday season with only one night of smoking relapse, which involved wine, lots, red and white.  Can't imbibe one without the other, which is why I don't drink.  But got right back on track, thank goodness.  In the past, a cheat like that could have set me back for weeks, but this new 'fruit chill' nic gum is a lifesaver!  That's on my list for prep items now too!
By for now.  Take care.  Hope all the critters are well and that the queen/empress is ruling with compassion and not beak!
A Happy and A Healthy New Year to All DownEast!
DW and I would like to send our best wishes to all our Maine friends, bird-dog, Lisa, Al and all.  Not to mention your families, dogs, cats (and parrots).

Ooops, have to stay on prep note, so today had half a cord of wood delivered, and the two of us spent about two hours of leisurely exercise filling up my LL Bean wood rack, almost to the ceiling in the garage.  Now that we have about a cord of wood I feel a lot better knowing that I could heat the house for about a month in the coldest part of winter.  Have another small pile in the edge of my woods, seasoned but some of it needs to be split.  Like to use unsplit wood at night when I can, makes for a longer burn.  Wish wood was cheaper as it is in more rural areas because we got about $335 of heating oil the other day.  This wood will be strictly Pandemic use only!

Looks as if things are heating up in Egypt, Vietnam, Indonesia, about normal for the cold weather as the birds move South?  Notice more deaths this year than last few combined.  Still a few things we need, seems as if it will never be done.  We will drink a toast to all our friends and loved ones tonight, strictly for medicinal purposes of course!

My thanks to all my fellow fluwikians for all I have learned from you over these past 15 months or so.

NM

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Happy 2007 Everyone!
Good to hear from you NauticalMan!
What are goals for prep this year folks?  Assuming we have a year...
For me, still the big stuff - most importantly the wood stove purchase and installation, the sexy 40ish handyman to go with it, gun and tazer, generator.  Big list really, but if tshtf tomorrow, we'd do OK.  A bit cold, but OK, and that's the important thing.  Anyway, what's on everybody elses 07 to-do prep list?
Hi Lisa & NauticalMan! A *very* Happy New Year to you guys too!
I cheered in the New Year with Garrison Keillor and some Wild Turkey. (Lisa, GOOD FOR YOU re.smoking! I'll be three weeks tomorrow. Don't ask me how as I haven't a clue. When I'm out and about and start thinkin about buying some I remind myself that I have some old dry stale tobacco at home and a rolling deal and papers. If I want one badly enough I can make one. Then I get home and find the thought of it nauseating. Of course I'm chewing that gum like crazy. Haven't tried the new flavor! It's reduced at CVS this week so I'll check it out. I've always smoked my brains out on holidays when alone - not this year. Weird! ...but a gift)

Wasn't that small bit of snow wonderful. It has been so beautiful when I've traipsed(?) out to feed the deer late at night with the moon through the trees. Against the snow I could even see them standing completely still, waiting for me. Then later, in bed, I and the cats watched them leaping/playing around in the moonlight. Without the snow they're invisible.  That was another gift!

I'm still not sure if I want a firearm for defense. An aquaintance who's a retired sheriff (and who has been active in county pan-flu prep and homeland security) may have some suggestions on staying safe. I'll ask him. I did ask him a few days ago about the dead crows in Lewiston and he said that it had been determined that they had been poisoned. Sad ending but it's good to know. 

My road neighbors are having a 'road meeting' next week and have asked me to talk about AI- hopefully they've read the books that I left for them(Woodson's). I'm going to try to get my sheriff friend to come.

And my sister returned to Ct. from Nepal the other day. Unfortunately she will not talk to me about AI and when she said that she had been staying at an inn with some Tibetan doctor friends, I asked her if anyone had discussed/mentioned-even bf or chik or if she had asked, she said somewhat forcefully 'no'. 

Sheeeesh...give me a *@#$%^& break! Such a lost opportunity.

The only prep. present that I received is a great one, *The Sunrise Guide, Southern Maine Edition. The Coupon Book for Healthy & Sustainable Living*. As far as preps to find, tomorrow(today) I'll be searching around for a more effective vit.D. I've been using Solgar but PFI has had a good discussion on other ways to get it. And I'm sort of looking for a good dog at the shelters. Still miss my girl.

Fiona, the cats and I wish all you flubies a Happy New Year and great 'thanks' to my Maine/Massachusetts friends and the mods, the incredible posters, and the fluwiki!!!! 

 

Btw, The Sunrise Guide...
>>> http://www.thesunris...

Also, I've read that amazing HHS Plan but am a bit annoyed with their reference to "snow days". Nothing like minimizing a problem! And I wish that it could be had on paper to mark up. Oh well...

[ Parent ]
Maine pandemic planning / information resources
Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to let fellow Mainers know about a few diiferent resources for following state planning and info.
If you email mathew.chandler@maine.gov , you can request to be put on the Maine CDC avian and pandemic flu newline mailing list. This online newletter dtails county by county what planning is happening and provides alot of names of local people involved, so that we can follow up.....Also, the Emergency Preparedness Monthly, at www.hsph.harvard.edu/hcphp/epm/, offers lots of good links to more general emergency related trainings throughout the state.
A Major Prep Accomplished !
A Large (very sweet) Deep-Voiced (oldish grey-faced) Obedient {cat & bird-friendly (!)} yellow Lab known as Molly. From the Humane Society shelter. I met her Thursday and picked her up yesterday. It's an adjustment for all of us...especially on the bed!

[[Lisa, I guess I'll have to wait a bit before I ask you to send up your handsome hunky work man. NO ROOM in the house for a human. Now if he was a prepper and loved animals, hummm...]]

And Molly loves to ride in the car so I have a travelling partner too!

She's not my beautiful Maizey though... /:-(
- and I prefer mutts. I've kept my name in for an either hospice-needing dog or a puppy to keep Molly company.

She'll be great as an alert system and a body for warmth; and her eyes could mellow out any tense situation. Again, she's very sweet. Ball crazy too...

My county, Sagadahoc, is doing an excellent job alerting residents to AI prep as Edna Mode posted yesterday in the News. It's been such a relief to see the awareness grow.
http://www.timesreco...

And *Thanks* bluetide for posting those links!

I hope you all are doing well today!

yay, Sagadahoc County!
hey, bird-dog, how'd your county score such a good Pandemic Preparedness person!

:-)

[ Parent ]
It's *Thanks* to you crfullmoon, & the wiki!
Really though, I've done very little... Just my friends, doctors, and neighborhood. I will try to do more, now that I know that I'm not alone! Whew.
[ Parent ]
btw
your county has much nicer housing prices than my county, too!

;-)

(What are those meetings at the library and the firehouse going to cover? We wonders, yes!)

[ Parent ]
We wonders too...and plan to go :'). n/t

[ Parent ]
look at this page
http://larry.transit...

Now, if they only had a link to The Flu Wiki !

And why don't we have this in MA?
(We pay enough taxes to!)

"Innovative County Pandemic Influenza Ideas: 
As I have visited and had the privilege of being a part of all 16 Maine county pandemic influenza planning activities, I have heard of many interesting ideas of how Mainer's are planning to help Mainer's during a pandemic event. Every week I plan to highlight a couple of these ideas. If you are aware of any within your county, please call or e-mail me. I would enjoy hearing about the idea and including it in the newsletter. Thanks, Matt Chandler 287-5330 or matthew.chandler@maine.gov.

1. Knox County has been preparing for an influenza pandemic event for the past three and a half months. From the time of the Knox County Pandemic Influenza Planning meeting, the three funeral homes within the county have been planning. They meet a couple of times a week, when schedules permit, and have been doing so with potentially great outcome. They are very aware of their strengths as well as their limitations. Staffing and supplies top the list of potentially great limitations during a pandemic. The answer to this has been to combine the staffing and supplies of the three homes into one at one centralized location. From this location, at one of the funeral homes, bodies could be brought and taken through a respectful process in preparation for burial or cremation or just storage if the number of dead becomes too overwhelming. An excellent example of three normally competing businesses coming together for the greater good. Thanks Knox County for your innovative idea.

2. NorthStar EMS in Franklin County has looked at the ramifications of potentially not having enough EMS staff during a pandemic. The answer: During a pandemic, schools will be closed thus school buses will not run. The qualified school bus drivers have the reputation of being excellent drivers and are very aware of the area. Memorandums of Understanding have been signed between NorthStar EMS and SAD 58 and SAD 9 to be able to use those school bus drivers to drive the ambulances and to allow the qualified EMS staff to assist in the back with the patient. Another part of the agreement is that during a pandemic, the diesel fuel that would normally run the buses could be used by the ambulance service; not a transfer of goods and services that would happen during normal times but, during times when neighbors will certainly need to help neighbors. Thanks Franklin County, NorthStar EMS, SAD 58 and SAD 9 for your innovative idea."

[ Parent ]
Maine has done much better than MA since they split many years back
Hello to Miss Molly, Ms Fiona and all the two legged flubies down Maine way..  bird dog, am amazed that your county has done so much and as crfullmoon says, wish some of our MA PTB would get on the stick.  A bill to buy medical cots, ventilators, etc., has been stuck on Beacon Hill now for over 10 months.  Hope the new governor here can jar that loose.

A little short moneywise after the Holidays, little added to my credit cards, but no extra money either until next month.  Got a couple of things to add to my stash, few more mantles, extra chimney for my Aladdin lamp, today got a 4qt Presto pressure cooker, potatoes in six minutes for supper tonight, less than half the time for conventional cooking.  Think I am going to enjoy using it..  Usually make the BB Beans in the old 100 year old family beanpot, slow oven takes 4 or 5 or more hours.  Will still use that on occasion, but not in the Summer, and certainly not if the grid goes down.  Recipe in the booklet says you can cook them in the PC in about 45", other bean recipes in less time.  Very important to save fuel.  Will have the woodstove in cold weather, butane in warm with a backup of one of those folding tablet stoves which work well but once you light it, it burns until gone..

Another death in Indonesia, but thank whatever God you worship that so far there has been no spread beyond these initial small clusters.  Worry about some of these countries that are controlled by TPTB or some that are third and fourth world with equivalent or non-existant health care systems.  I pray for another six months to finish our preps.  Feel as if it could happen anytime, but that is strictly intuition, hope it never happens in our lifetime..

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

hope our new gov. will cut to the chase and just tell the public
send 'em to the Flu Wiki, for shopping lists ;-)
That, the truth, and local, citizen, planning, will save more lives than any cot or vent orders or Tamiflu by this point; we need to mitigate collateral deaths, and, get households stocked up, and, schools ready to bug out...(too bad they aren't using the CBO's Dec.2005 figure of a wave will last "three to five months" in any area. If I hear "two week peak" again, I may throw something.)

If I knew we had six to eight more months, I'd be trying to move downeast.

Wanted to go to the Sagadahoc County meeting the 25th, but, I'm getting cold feet; we'll see. Maybe the H5N1 news won't seem so creepy after some sleep.

[ Parent ]
YES- T/G for N.P. & the rest!!
I have great hope and belief that they will ...cut to the chase. They need to hear from us that this is what we want though. (Isn't she amazing/wonderful/refreshing...very exciting.) Political rant over.

NM, I need to find a small pressure cooker. Great idea! Are you still planning on coming up in Jan. or have you already?

Neighborhood meeting last night....

We talked about AI and I handed out copies of the newspaper article and the front page of our FW forum. Thank goodness for that article! I really hate to have to give them such disturbing news but there really isn't a choice, imo. I *do* think that they got the message though. They're a great bunch and very eco-friendly. It's just such a hard thing for anyone to consider especially with so many other worrisome situations in the wings.

{Please call your Congress-people & tell them how you feel about p/flu plans, etc.}

[ Parent ]
January visit apparently is off for now
as our good friend has been ill, but still optimistic about getting up there soon.

Great job on the neighborhood meeting.  Have given a couple of the neighbors we know the best a copy of Woodson's small first book, one is doing some prepping, other thinks I am nuts and that it will not happen.  Assume he will be calling me when IT happens for food, advice etc.  Have a few xtra cases of MREs for someone like him, although my two duaghters/SIL will be on top of our list obviously.  Gave them the book and Tamiflu last year, but....  One old friend, a nurse, who also thought it could not happen is now prepping.  My batting average on this is very low sadly.

Best to you bd and rest of Maine friends.

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

I'm feeling like I miss you all...
It is because the virus is so active right now, and showing all of the scary signs of being hairline close to doing what we all have thought for so long it would do...  I hope you're all well.  You are all in my thoughts.
I refreshed our preps over the last 2 weeks, just foodstuffs.  I've decided to get amantidine if I can, as reference to subclade (right word?) showing no amantadine resistance on Monotreme's site is stuck in my head, taunting me..."and everyone gets tamiflu and the WHO blankets create tamiflu resistance and the virus had to modify its previous amantadine resistance in order to defeat the tamiflu and the world was unprepared"...You know me, when things heat up I go thru a mandatory doom and gloom period!  This is it!
On a positive note, my oil burner is working quite well and so is my computer.  The negative in relation to those two things is, of course, my bank account.  I need the evil-flu to hold off this season until some funds are replenished.  Think it'll respect that need?

Bird-dog - The pressure-cooker I paid too much money for somewhere is at Reny's for very little money.  Works great.  Medium size.  I'm so excited that Molly is with you now!  Especially if things continue worsening, you'll need her.  My town sent out an emergency questionnaire this week.  I thought it was excellent.  It asked if you would prefer to shelter in your home or be evacuated in an emergency (dependent on type of crisis).  If you had medical background, would you be willing to volunteer in emergency.  If it would be difficult for you to store food and water for emergency.  If you had medical equipment that would not run if no electricity. If you had pets.  If you have pets, what kind are they and what are names, as pet evacuation would occur after people evac. in emergency.  Etc...I wish I could find it as I haven't filled it out yet.  I'll have to go to town hall to get another.  I thought "ah" when I read it.  Maine is getting active.  It's a good place to be.

Bluetide - thanks for the info.  I plan to follow up with it.

goodbye for now folks!  Take care.

Lisa, thanks for the tip re. the pressure cooker...
I'll run over to Reny's tomorrow. I'm feeling quite worried about the uptake too and drove down to the health food store in Freeport today to buy more vit. D, Grandy Oats granola, wheat berries, lentils, and other preps. Hadn't done that for awhile. I hope that you're 'ok' and have just been busy. I do read PFI occasionally but tend to spend most of my time on fw. I've missed you here. Al too.

And yes, Molly is/will be a great comfort. I think that even Fiona likes her. It's been a pain trying to get used to her snoring though. MJ the cat snores too so I finally bought some of those purple ear plugs. Haven't tried them yet. Two enormous cats and a 90 lb. dog make for a warm but noisy bed-time! I still have to prep for old Molly. So expensive.

That emergency questionnaire sounds very hopeful except for the part where they ask about volunteering in an emergency. I'm feeling so conflicted about getting more deeply involved in the community info drive; don't want to be terribly at risk out and about when I'd rather be SIP-ing when tshtf. I would imagine that it's a tough one for you too. You simply can't as you need to be home for your boys. Right? Since I talked to my neighbors the other night, several have told me that they've started to prep this weekend. One even asked if he could stow his propane tank (20) in my barn. I said 'ok' of course. He thinks that that is all he'll need for cooking (on his grill). Yikes. Well, it's a start. Had to be careful to not overwhelm them. They were quite upset as it was. I hope that you post the questionnaire. I'm wondering if the booklet for my county being released on the 20th will have the same message/same questions.

I agree, Maine's gov't really *is* getting active. Just think of how hopeless the infrastructure appeared to be when we started posting on FW last Spring(was it?). I'm still not convinced that more than 2-5% of the population has a clue though. I've written down FW's address for {what feels like} hundreds of folks and we're still only 4 to 6 souls from Me. who visit (according to the map). Those folks must think that I'm such a nut-job. Ok I am, BUT... I hope for all of our sakes that the virus doesn't make it here. < Shudder >
Such a nightmare. 

Take care Lisa and have fun in the snow on Monday!!!

-and don't be a stranger.

fyi, I did send an email several days ago to the address that Bluetide posted but haven't received anything back yet. The sites that crufullmoon noted were very helpful too.
 

[ Parent ]
Sagadahoc meetings - Who's going?
..."The first will be held at the Topsham Library at 6 p.m., Jan 15.

A second will take place at the Woolwich Fire Department at 6 p.m. on Jan. 25."...

The county is fortunate to have Misty Green as director of Sagadahoc Emergency Management.
http://www.theforeca...
..."Green believes an influenza pandemic is more than just a possibility for the region in the near future.
"It's just a matter of time. It's not `if,' it's `when,'" said Green.

"Even if we prepare for it, it will be a calamity."

As many as one in four people could contract the virus, said Green. Nearly half of those cases are expected to be fatal.

Even for those who don't succumb to the illness, life could become pretty uncomfortable. Green and others who take the threat seriously predict that public quarantine mandates and the reduction in the labor force, due to the loss of sick workers, will result in closed supermarkets and pharmacies and and the loss of most public utilities, including water, for as long as a month.

Given that possibility, agencies like the EMA are recommending every household stockpile a 30-day supply of food, water and prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Green said stockpiling prescriptions could be a challenge, given the limitations placed by many insurance companies and, in the case of controlled substances, the government, but said emergency response agencies are looking for ways to suspend those rules in some cases.

Some businesses, including Hannaford supermarkets and Wal-Mart, have already begun putting plans in place to service customers with necessary products without exposing their employees to the virus. Groceries and other products would be pre-ordered and placed outside for pick-up, minimizing the need for human contact. According to literature scheduled for dissemination by the county, "social distancing" will be a necessary strategy for limiting the spread of the virus. "...

(Weather permitting, I'd like to drive up for the 25th in Woolwich - or maybe just take a few days soon and go up thataway, look around the county.)

I am, but....
it will probably be only the Woolwich FD meeting as we're expecting a storm tonight through Tuesday plus if I'm able, I'll be working 25 miles away from Topsham, not finishing up until 5:30pm. If the weather is ok and if I can finish up earlier then I'll try for the Topsham meeting too tomorrow night. And I will tell folks about The Flu Wiki!!

I'll also try to get the speaker to talk about Barry's book, 'waves', and if she really believes that a thirty day supply is enough. {Plus a million other questions}

I'll ask her before the meeting as she may also not want to overwhelm (the 2 or 3) folks who might attend. I'm not very confident that there will be more than a handful, even if the weather and road conditions are meeting-friendly.

Now if I can just manage to go w/o breaking my almost 5(or is it 6?) week run, off of cigarettes. I'll be fine... ;-)

I sent The Forecaster article to my neighbors. Thanks Crfullmoon!

[ Parent ]
BTW, it would be great to meet you Crfullmoon...
and have you there! And it would be fun and helpful to have more wikians show up. Calling Leeesa, etc. Also btw, I have mini panic attacks {honestly} when I think about meeting people on a social basis but usually am fine once it happens. Hence my happy solitary ways. AI is a biggie, much more important than my quirks. Sorry for the muse-ing. Hey, it's our human condition. :-/
Ahhh, Billy Bragg just got me back to rockin the day... yay.
[ Parent ]
I'll ask her before the meeting too,
as that is a bit of a trek up and back for me from MA, and I haven't figured out where I'd overnight, and a few other details.

Good for you for clean lungs! Ignore those urges! Those tobacco CEOs are rich enough, and, you'll be more resiliant and independant soon.

[ Parent ]
Leeesa here
But I couldn't get up there on Tues.  Tell me if you go bird-dog, OK? You too Crfullmoon.  I need to do big order from herbal advantage today (maybe. If I want to add that final insult to pocketbook).
I have been OK bird-dog.  My computer has been out of commission for over a month.  I couldn't fix it or get another till after the holidays. (and thank god I didn't need to buy a new one!).  I should be a little more active here now.
A little rwfk should help with those social anxiety symptoms bird-dog!  Ahhhh, a glass of a good red wine and a fresh american spirit cigarette....Vices are sooo good....Time to get that gum out!  I'll talk to you soon.  Glad Fiona is letting Molly be part of the family.  Good move with the earplugs!
Yup. Had BB's rwfk before my nbrhood mtg...
just a shot. Did the trick! ;-)

Lisa, the meeting is at 6pm tomorrow in Topsham and the other is Thurs. the 25th in Woolwich. Very near my house...you could meet the gang, or not. It is probably a long drive. Maybe you and crfullmoon could hook up for the drive. And NauticalMan too! Anyway, I will tell you how it went if you can't make it.

My thoughts are constantly focused on our devastated neighbors in Indonesia, people and animals alike. If only it could be stopped...

We are *so fortunate* to be able to prepare.

I'm off to check out the pressure cookers at Reny's and buy a car battery. enjoy the snow!


[ Parent ]
so fortunate
Yes.  We are. (fortunate, that is). I was doing cellar inventory and am reassured at length of time we can go without stepping out.  I'm even a bit impressed with myself because as I look today I realize what a lot of work it took to get this far.  And I think that work might save my boys.  And that's all I care about really, as far as ultimate goals go.  But my heart is aching for the Indonesians too, and for all of us when I think about the grief potential of loss if this goes pandemic with high CFR.
I will check my work calendar re the 1/25 meeting and get back to you if I can go.  The 6pm tomorrow isn't possible.  But oh, I would LOVE to meet the family!  And I too would be in need of a 'shot', but after initial ice break I'd be fine!
And we don't have snow here - :( - it's freezing rain.  Everything covered in slick sheet of ice.  Beautiful, since I don't have to go out in it, but treacherous - even sanding the steps was risky!  Pups are house-crazy - playing hide-n-seek tag and wrestling and showing all signs of being cooped up!
I'm doing too many wiki checks the past few days.  I've been good with quick 5 minute once a day check-in (couldn't do longer anyway since I was on boy's computer and they're terribly greedy little creatures about sharing it!), but now  things are too active for 5 minutes to suffice.  I'm bopping over to news thread again.  Talk to you soon.
[ Parent ]
MEMA County EMAs link
Just if new lookers wander by and need the info:
http://www.maine.gov...

interesting prep tips:

http://www.maine.gov...

(they used the 12 days of xmas to list different prep ideas, too!)

Why aren't all those preparedness tip ideas on my town's website?? Or discussed in schools with the students?

Maine & Tamiflu
I hope the New Year is going well for everyone, I haven't posted in a while, but attended the Southern Region Healthcare Pandemic Planning Conference in December and was relieved to see so many attendees.(over 150 people from health related agencies )I'm wondering if any of you know whether Maine purchased the additional Tamiflu that was offered to all of the states. I haven't seen anything about it but I've read that all but six states purchased the extra.Take Care.
how is everyone?
The wooodstove and hot gingerbread is sounding better and better, bird-dog.
shelf stable Gouda cheese in Lewiston
Hey Maine preppers- The Lewiston Shaws has several shippers of Shelf Stable Gouda cheese. The units are 3.99  and they are 1lb each. exp Oct 07.

checking-in
Hi Mainers and favorite almost-Mainers,
I admit to topping off preps past couple of days.  Anyone else?  I'm not near final fresh-foods run, but did order more powdered eggs, 30lb oat bran, 40lb more whole wheat flour, and a few other things.  Will pick up on dehydrating again - green beans are the project of this week.  An incredibly beautiful day today!  I hope you all enjoy it.  I'm on my way to Home Depot - just trolling, nothing prep-specific on list but will grab wood stove if they're on sale.
Take care!
Hi Lisa...
from where are you ordering the oat bran and flour? I've been buying wheat berries off and on but still haven't put them up properly. I'm so dumb. :-/ I'd still like to order some that has been packed away.

Did you see the segment on WCSH6 and WGME13 last night on the Woolwich EMS/FD panflu door-to-door project? It is so amazing that they're getting out and alerting people. All communities should be! >UNDERSTATEMENT< As soon as I find a pamphlet I'll let you all know what they're advising.
Jack Albis and the others are doing a brilliant job.

I've had a small electric heater running nightly in the crawl space to keep my preps from freezing. Even though I use the green tags/hydro power for electricity, my bill is going to be to the moon, and I'm not too happy.

Anyway, good for you for topping off!!!!!! Especially with the recent news. I think that I'll run out this afternoon and make a few stops too. Hope that you're well!

[ Parent ]
so how's the weather look for Woolwich the 25th?
I'm nervously plotting logistics. I know I'm about two hour drive from Portland, and then, quite a ways more to go.

Any good real estate I should look at, while I'm out thataway?
;-)
(Can't be gone too many days; cat will get too hungry.)

Snow, I'm afraid...
The meeting in Topsham was cancelled last week due to an ice storm and my phone(dial-up)for my computer has been out since then. I'm on another phone now. Crfullmoon, I have a couch-bed that you would be welcomed to use but you'd probably be more comfortable in a B&B or a motel due to the animals. ;-) You really are welcomed to stay though! The closest town is Bath. >>> http://www.cityofbat....

We are supposed to be getting a significant storm on Thursday according to last nights' forecast but hopefully it will come earlier or not at all.

[ Parent ]
Bird-dog
Bran and flour (and raw almonds, brown sugar, vitamins (shelf-stable for when we run out of our good ones brand), tomato powder) from Waltons.  More powdered eggs and banana chips (addiction) from Honeyville.  WalMart has seemingly decent wood stove for 400.00ish, but it's steel, not cast iron.  What do you think about that?  I've been looking hard for small used Jotul and Vermont Castings but nothing decent found yet in my price range.
I wish I saw that segment on the news last night.  Good for them for putting it on too.  I still have to go to town hall to get the ?airre I told you about and lost/threw away.  I will absolutely not volunteer for emergency medical service.  Not even difficult choice with the boys.  If I died, they'd have no-where safe to go.  No-one else in family prepped, though they've all reassured me that they would.  Even Monotremes update about why the virus now meets 'pandemic' criteria (the one he wrote on blog from Nature article) hasn't moved them into action.  I feel angered and sometimes call these people that I love stupid (in my head).  It is not paranoia to prepare, just rational, and what I consider to be their reckless and irrational behavior angers me.  And I'm not rich.  I have been unable to prep for them (so perhaps some of the anger is a feeling of helplessness here).  I'm not even done for us and I've been working steadily, weekly, for the last year....bitch, bitch, bitch...whine, whine, whine...and then remember we can only do our best and have to accept that...
Would a consultation with a handyman (I know - I have a 'thing' for handymen!)be helpful in the crawlspace keeping-preps-from-freezing-issue?
Talk to you soon (I hope!).  Good shopping to you!
Thanks Lisa...
I had a steel stove years ago and found it worked well but I had to keep up with the rusting. Hope you get it!

I'll do an order from Waltons' today. Maybe they'll come in on the same truck? Wheat berries, tvp, aduki beans, oat groats, maybe almonds,... Do you think that 10# cans would last as long as a SP pail? Might cost less re. transport.

I read their section on root cellars, interesting re. temp. and humidity. My rice and flour and beans and pasta are in my freezing cold attic. I guess they'll be ok. I figure if/when tshtf and the stores are closed/empty I'll be happy to eat ANYTHING even if the food is in a strange condition. As long as it isn't rancid or rotten. ;-/ I have this BAD tendency to stash it away and hope for the best instead of prepping it/the food, properly. If crfullmoon stayed here man-o-man I'd really have to finally rally and make room/put cans/bags away and clean! It's doable though. ;-)))

Molly is a 'tennis ball addict' so she'd probably really like more running room in the house!

And like I said earlier, a handyman would be nice (but must like animals, prepping, and be a dem/green &/or non-repug.) ;-)

Naaa, I'm 'ok' re food storage. I bought the book 'Root Cellaring' by the Bubels. Now if I'd only read it properly...

[ Parent ]
hey I'd be scared to let you see how messy my
house is, too - seem to either be online or asleep, or avoiding cleaning house...

(How can Sagahdahoc county start recruiting more preppers?)
;-)

[ Parent ]
Blue-tide
You asked if Maine was on list of states that did not take Tamiflu-purchase assistance offer from fed gov.  I remember seeing the list of states that refused and I don't remember seeing Maine on it...But bird-dog can attest to my inconsistent memory function!
Take care.

crfullmoon - still going Thurs?  I cannot - school-related function with youngest.  Storm might keep you home too...

not sure; still would like to look around at some point
if I get time. I think I need to relocate.

:-/ My car is nice for gas mileage, but not for chuggin' up hills during blizzards or anything... and I don't handle the cold as well as I did 10 or 20 years ago... Have to see about some medical appointments, and the weather, but

I do want to check out this county that wants to warn its people!

[ Parent ]
If not Thursday, then maybe later, sometime, to check out the area...
The weather is supposed to be clear Thursday for the meeting, but very very cold {minus zero}.

Crfullmoon, you may email me- >>> spd at prexar dot com <<< and I'll give you my phone # if you'd like to call. Please include 'fluwiki' in the subject line. I'm not on-line as often as usual as my 'computer' phone line is still out but I'll try to check back after James Webb tonight.

It would be a great area imo to SIP and with the Brunswick Naval Air Station closing in the next few years there are homes to be had... and Bowdoin College is nearby. Although, possibly, *THE* most important consideration is the fact that Sagadahoc County appears to be up to the (initial) AI challenge.

And you may bring your cat too if you come on Thursday...

Anyway, I'll let all of you know how it weant(can't spell tonight!) and I absolutely understand if the trip is too much or not possible due to other necessary obligations.

take care...

 

[ Parent ]
Brr I'm staying home tonight -sorry-
Bowdoin College eh?

I had also been wondering how far I could live from a decent library and stand it. ;-) (Hey that's the least of our worries, right?)

I will go put your email into my address book.

(Huh; anything worse than a 4 hour time in below zero windchill would have been with that cat saying, "What? What? What'd I do? Where are we going? Is this the long way to the vet? Help! Help!")

[ Parent ]
LOL! Smart move cr, it *is* very cold tonight...
The poor deer, I only just fed them! Too cold to go out earlier  to feed them plus the Dixie Chicks were on Austin City Limits...maybe I just needed to vedge/rock-out a bit with some of BBRWFK and some truely courageous musicians. :-)

The presentation was very worthwhile and I'm so impressed with the state's commitment to panflu awareness.  There weren't many people there, only about twelve. But there was a man who has prepped for ~ 3+ months for his family and I enjoyed sharing info with him. He's the only local person I've met face-to-face who completely understands the situation. It felt good. He was even aware of the recent cat problem.

Maine, ie. Sagadahoc County is way ahead of the curve and I'm hopeful that the other counties will follow. There will definitely be more meetings throughout the state. I mentioned the Colorado site, plus a million other things including, of course, 'fluwiki'. I hope that I wasn't toooo obnoxious. My friend there said that I wasn't. Oh well; hope not...

Now on to the news... 

[ Parent ]
glad you went, and met a prepper!
(Glad I stayed home; woke up about 2am because the sump pump couldn't shut off, because it couldn't move water out of the basement-  the hose outside -it's about 2F, is all froze up -duh!- it's not like this hasn't happened before why didn't I at least wrap the first few feet outside with something?)

(Yawn! ) At least the LED headlight is wicked easier than a flashlight...

Need to see if I can bail again and then have time to go back to sleep. At least I won't have a flooded basement.

[ Parent ]
I found the Sagadahoc guide for flu planning...
and it is an excellent one! Maybe it could be mailed to you! The phone number is 207-443-8210 or go to www.smrrc.org/. The website is not functional yet but the letters stand for the Southern Maine Regional Resource Center for Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

The guide even has a recipe for a Rehydration Formula! And the guide is small enough to fit in a pocket.

It calls for "at least 30 days of" food, water, prescription medicine, otc pain meds & cough syrup, a cell phone & charger, face masks and gloves, and disinfectants & chlorine bleach.

It has a description of Social Distancing ("Social Distancing is Our #1 Strategy"), Isolation, and Quarantine.
Has a comparison between 'Seasonal Flu vs Pandemic Flu', phone numbers for hospitals, disaster related assistance, etc., and a place to write down imp. personal numbers like your children's schools, your doctor, etc..

There's also a section 'About Avian Flu'...

"Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but this latest outbreak of bird flu has infected people, mainly in Southeast Asian countries. When the illness infects people, it is very serious and over half the people sick with bird flu have died. It has not been found in birds or people in the United States (as of Winter 2006)."

more...

"Because it is not possible to prevent or stop a pandemic once it begins, the pandemic flu can cause serious illness and death"

"There is no vaccine for bird flu."

And on another page...

"As many as 1 in 4 people could get sick during a pandemic, with many of them seriously ill. Services and supplies we count on every day may not be available. Every individual and family could be on their own, without care, for quite a while. This makes being prepared even more important."

WOW...they've done a great job!

thanks bird dog for the reference to SMRRC
That is a great website for the folks in Maine.  Have written a long email to my town manager here in MA suggesting we put something like this up on our website, or reference folks to Maine's!  As you know CrFullMoon, my town has zero info on flu, pandemic, preps., etc., and all my efforts have increased preparation awareness 0% that I am aware of.

Lisa, re your question about a steel woodstove, my woodstove is about 25 years old, heavy steel with a cast iron door and have had no problem at all with rust, repainted it about ten years after I got it with a spray can with heatproof black stove paint.  Of course I have not used it much in recent years, but fire it up at least once or twice every Winter.  My stove is in my basement, which is very dry though.

Preps still on hold for the most part, money tight what with Holidays, filling the oil tank.  SIL and husband here for the weekend to visit, showed him my Aladdin lamp, he is going to buy one!  He seems to be taking my talk about the AI seriously.  We shall see.  Sounds like all are well up there, still hope to visit briefly next couple of weeks and spend the day with my old friend.  Keep on preppin'!

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Stoppin' By For a Minute
Just in the neighborhood and thought I'd say howdy.  I have connections in Maine (BIL).  We have visited several times; Wish it was closer to Alabama.  I have found great friends in Maine during our visits. 

Good Luck.  Stay safe, stay dry, and stay well!!

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Never say can't. Never give up. Never surrender."

And you dear friend in Alabama...
much thanks for the shout-out, Hide in the Hills and Wait!  Come by any time, we'd love to have you visit. Hopefully your BIL is 'staying safe' too, as you are.

another, with hopefully, not-so-many 'miles to go'...

[ Parent ]
Crfullmoon, Lisa, and others nearby...
As I hadn't seen any reference to the meeting tonight in the local papers, I called around. Turns out the meeting is only for a hour (6-7) for local folks to ask questions. Doesn't quite seem worth a six hour drive up to here and back.

Anyway, it's being held at the Woolwich FD across the bridge from Bath a few miles down Rte 1. At the blinking light turn right and then left into the FD driveway. 

I think that all the counties in Maine will be having similiar panflu projects/presentations. I'll ask tonight.

now a meeting in Cumberland County pops up
I just saw a flyer for a similar talk given at the old HS in Brunswick on Jan 30. It looks like that "Southern Maine Regional Resource Center" is doing great things in this part of maine by developing these meetings. Maybe we will be a modle for the rest of the state.
Yes, I hope that you go, franknbeans. We are all needed...
And 'welcome' to our den!
[ Parent ]
check-in
Hi everyone, and new everyones (franknbeans and hide in the hills).

CRfullmoon - York county had preparedness meeting last spring and will soon post date for this years meeting.  I will get date to you when its avail.  That won't be as far a drive for you, and we can go to coffee together before or after!  Sorry about your frozen hose/sump pump problem.  You must have frozen your a** off trying to fix that one.  Ouch.

Still have stove pending as purchase - may commit tomorrow, but I believe I said that last week...I have always had trouble with commitment...Thanks for feedback NM and Bird-dog.

And Bird-dog - my #10 cans have 2012 exp date...

Did make official entry into world of home defense today.  At least now I have ability to protect preps if trouble.  I am relieved.

Re: check-in (Lisa in S. Maine)
I believe 2012 expiration date is (way) more than adequate. A year or two is probably more than enough. I feel that we are sitting on a snowball going downhill, gathering speed.

I am curious about your choice on home defense.  Cheapest, close range would be Remington 870 pump (can be modified legally with magazine extension and folding stock). In the rifle area from highest to lowest (cost & stopping power/fire power): HK 91 .308 , Ruger .223, AK-47,and SKS.

I would get the stove soon.  We bought a used one in Maine at a yard sale for $150 back in the '80s and used it for several years.  That was one heavy monster to carry in the back of a pickup.  I finally sold it for scrap after I overheated and warped the internals one really cold winter.  We now use a heat pump for primary and propane for backup (after the Blizzard of '93). 

Take care Lisa and Vya con Dios.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Never say can't. Never give up. Never surrender."

[ Parent ]
fix it? nah, the outside hose is froze
and I will just bail out the pit in the basement; the water isn't coming in as quickly as say, a rainy season, hopefully temps will rise outside soon; usually the Sun on the hose and the fact the water moves through keeps it from freezing except in these extreme cold times.

My basement pantry seems to be only getting down to 50F, not sure what would happen to it if I couldn't run the furnace in weather this cold.

I have to have some renovation work started on the house soon, and when I know more about that timeline, I'll know when I can sneak up your way.
Coffee with a real person  ;-) sounds good.

Keep hesitating to call my old Maine friends; don't know if I want to find out they're not prepping, but, maybe things are better up there than around here.

[ Parent ]
Hide in the Hills
Beretta 92fs.  On order is 9mm carbine - using same cartridge.
1000 rounds so far and another 1000 with the short-barrel when it (this - http://tinyurl.com/2...)comes.  On wish list is M-18L air tazer.  Had debate re wood stove vs defense and went with defense first - even if tshtf with highest cfr tomorrow, grid likely to last a couple months and then we wouldn't freeze to death, but preps would possibly be vulnerable to aggressors.  I am working hard on wood-stove though - checking classifieds and craigs-list every day.  We were out of power for 5 days in the 93 storm.  I know I've got to get moving...
Funny...I thought Alabama was warm year round?  What's it like there?  Is it beautiful?
Re: weather
Cool carbine.  Wish you good luck on the wood stove.

We were out of power for 4 days.  That blizzard in '93 was bad.  The power was out by midnight. The temperature was 45 degrees in the house. 
  My refrigerator for the duration was a five high snowbank behind the house.  We slept at the neighbors house who had propane heat.  I kept food in the freezer from going bad by filling the freezer with garbage bags of snow.
This was in March.  We had very little firewood left on the woodpile to burn to keep the house temp above freezing.  Other than all that, it was great. 

  "Necessity is the mother of invention".

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Never say can't. Never give up. Never surrender."

[ Parent ]
crfullmoon
Interesting info on the forced placement of convicts to Australia on Monotremes site.  Thanks.  I have relatives there and though they didn't arrive 'that' way, they have referred to the country's penal colony history as being largely responsible for the high level of independence reflected in the people.
My basement hit 45 the 15 below night this week - I'm not worried about any damage of preps.  Even if it went to freezing, the dried goods and fats would survive well.  Waters might explode though...
So, what's your basement like in the rainy season?  Nah.  Forget it.  Probably don't wanna know...
"Coffee with a real person" - that's the nicest thing I've been called in a long time! :)
internet and Wikipedia are so fast - I used to have to browse the library
I guess, if last names are anything to go by, my father's side has relatives of some kind in Oz.

My basement was down to 50F the other day. In the Spring, if the snowpack melts in a rain/wind event that puts the power out, the one time I recall, the water comes in as fast as you can bail a 5 gal. pail out into the backyard, and, you have to doze in the basement. (This is if you're too broke/dumb to buy a battery back-up sump pump.)If the power stays on, the pump comes on early and often...

Wonder what having a house without a water source in the  basement is like?
;-)

[ Parent ]
Hide in the Hills, welcome to Maine!
Nice to see folks from away here.  I am a MA native, although Maine is like a second home for me, and the good folks posting here are like a second family, both humans and critters!

Hello all, got a nice surprise Friday, as some friends from Maine came by on a journey with a grandaughter returning to school.  Wonderful to see old friends. A treat in the off season especially.

Posted just now on MA diary about my hitting the old head against the wall as far as my own town and its (lack of) preparing or even acknowledging Pandemic flu.  Maine PTB at least seem to be trying, although as here, individuals who are prepping appears to be on the low side.

Lisa, your comments on protecting your family have made me think about maybe it is time to get back into that mode again, clean and oil my self protective devices! and renew my permit, perhaps something new in that regard also.  Not something I like to think about, but....

Our best to all our Maine friends and friends of Maine.

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Reply to crfullmoon and NM
"Wonder what having a house without a water source in the  basement is like?
;-)".............OOOHHHH, I feel so very evil laughing at your misfortune!  But thanks!  Nice way to close a long work day! 

NM - read this thread at Monotremes: HA M230I Convergence in Egypt.  It is time to oil and clean...Likely we'll never need to use, but...
Permit?  Oh ya, the Commonwealth rules.  Redneck country can be so much easier when it comes to things like this!  So glad you were able to spend time with your Maine friends!

Hi Bird-dog - hows the new family member doing?  My pups 'escaped' and visited all the neighbors today.  Boys said they looked like one large moving blur of black fur as they run hip to hip.  They were in exploratory mode - but didn't get into trouble thank goodness!  Honeywell order in today.  Waltons likley to take a few weeks.

Hi Hide in the Hills.  I think you are resourceful.  I (and others) would likely  benefit by hearing some of your 'necessity/invention' interventions!  Like the carbine, huh?  Not a big fan of Beretta pistols though?  This is first foray into ownership for me.  I couldn't be picky - don't have enough knowledge.  Just chose something I've used before comfortably. And a model that I know a couple of my neighbors (ex-military and police) have in case we need to share anything.

IMHO -
I don't know anything about Berettas.  If you are standardizing ammo among a group or between rifles and pistols, I can understand.  But pistol ammo in a rifle will result in sacrifices in range, accuracy, and IMHO, stopping power, especially if someone is wearing a Kevlar vest. I tried that with .357 some years ago.  I was not satisfied with the accuracy/range from a rifle using a .357 bullet.  With an HK 91, if you can see it, you can hit it.  Sometimes you can hit it, even if you can't see it.  I believe the max range is 1000 meters.

My first pistol was a Ruger security six .357 SS. 4 inch barrel. It is very dependable, but a revolver is much slower to load than an auto. I have been using a Ruger P89 9mm for some years.  It is accurate, dependable, and the recoil is not bad.

This is not to dissuade you from your choice. Knowing limitations can forewarn you to avoid situations which would put you in danger or at a disadvantage.  It is also a distinct advantage to be comfortable with the weapon that you have.  Can you find the safety in the dark? Do you know by the position whether it is on safe or fire? Is there a bullet in the chamber?... a magazine in the gun...if not, you have a club.

Lisa, I hope this helps.

Vya con Dios.



"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Never say can't. Never give up. Never surrender."

[ Parent ]
Bird-dog and everyone
did anyone read frenchiegirls post on PFI today?  She's anxious, and anyone who's followed her posts knows this to be quite meaningful.  On page 5 of Personal Pucker Factor board.http://tinyurl.com/2...
Yup, I did see it ...
and will be very interested to hear what her friend ADOM has to say when s/he's had some time to really check things out. Also am wondering what Melanie, Susan, and Dem will have for us tomorrow. I listened today to the CDC and was furious about the Q & A segment but relieved that this nightmare is finally being addressed. Talk about mixed feelings!!!

Sort of how I felt last week after the local panflu meeting. It's very frightening to suddenly have it out there in your face being truely discussed, but, on the other hand, such a relief to hear some plans! BIW will be taking every employee's temp. as they come through the door in the am, etc..

I still need to buy one or two more rain barrels, boards, dog-cat-parrot food, seeds for sprouting, and on 'n on. I'm definitely feeling that I'm close to a topping off point.

Decent 'AI 101' article in the NYT re. the CDC guidelines- notes that the Cat.5 refers to a CFR of 2% but, in parentheses, that the CFR in Asia is now > 50%, etc.

http://www.nytimes.c...

The PTB better hurry the h*** up and get the word out. After all the prepping that you and I and the rest of us flubies have done: the planning, the work, the time, the money, I'm so afraid that the uninformed and especially their charges are goners. The naysayers, well, good riddance!? Their poor kids and animals though. sigh.

I've gotten into a very bad habit of listening to Coast-to Coast in bed most nights and either because of a discussion on C-t-C on solar flares, or the general state of the world, or my focus on AI, I had the most horrific end-of-the-world AWKI nightmare the other night. You know, watching folks go on about their daily business while KNOWING that an enormous meteorite is hurtling toward the earth destined to hit within hours or days. I think I'll read instead tonight...

BTW, the animals are all best buddies now. A happy crew! 

[ Parent ]
bird-dog
check your computer for viruses, OK?  CDC a-f podcasts infected last Thurs.
Hope you've stayed away from coast-to-coast this week and no more nightmares.  I've been listening to audiobook Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel by Suzanna Clarke.  Such a well-told and looonngg story.  It's put me to sleep for the past month and I highly recommend it!  Actually, I could send it to you when I'm done.  26CDs, around 25 hours of perfectly narrated well-written story.
"Their poor kids and animals though" - I know.  I want to get yard fenced in for dog adoptees...but sooo much money, and wood stove/shed/wood come first...
death in Egypt.  Activity in Afghanistan, Pakistan, England, Indonesia, Japan, and on and on...Still waiting for Waltons.  Honeywell very fast and low shipping on their deliveries, but no super-pails.
[ Parent ]
Hide in the Hills
Nope - I don't want a club.  Already have one.  Beautiful antique redwood billy club, lightweight and just about 16 inches long.  Packs a punch!
I am practicing with my Beretta.  Not yet at place of familiarity where I can assemble/dissemble in dark - that'll be a while ( I am slow with this kind of learning) but that is a goal.  I do want usage to be second-nature eventually.  Thanks for your input!
Hiya, Mainers!
just sitting here, listing to the workman put my bathroom walls and floor back on... waiting for a big snowfall tomorrow. Hope you all are well.

Honorary Downeaster here crfullmoon
from one Ma resident to another!  Has been very quiet on both diary spots as of late.  Waiting for our first real storm of the Winter as we speak.  Hope all is well with our Maine friends, both humanoid and assorted other critters!

Really in a dead spot on the prep front.  Need to do a lot yet, but in my usual Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder?  Want to move half the junk in my basement just to gain access to my old woodstove, but doing that will trigger the urge to go through those old boxes of "stuff".  Not ready to take that on right now, although power failure would cure that right quick...

Lisa, bird-dog, Al, hope you are all surviving the sub-freezing temps ok..  Had company one day last week, old friends and I went out for some Vietnamese pho, (that's the national dish of Vietnam, a wonderful beef soup), and when we came back to my house, dipped into the flu preps for a strictly medicinal glass of NMSMFK (NM's Single Malt Flu Killer)  Hey, we keep reading that we should use what we store!  Happy to report that like the RWFK and WWFK, it works very well, no cases of flu reported amongst the three of us since that day!

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

propane shortage
An example of JIT delivery:

http://www.burlingto...

By the way, the railway strike is only a week old.

Bird-dog
Haven't heard from you in a while.  I hope you are OK?
Thanks Lisa, 'yup...
but.. I had to scramble last week during the snow storm.

  I lost my power overnight for 8+ hours (right after Sec. Levitt on Charlie Rose--whew!) so my tiny electric heater in the crawl space went out and the temperature dropped to below freezing. I set up a Mr. Buddy which helped but I sure was worried. Wind chill was ~ -15 or more. The old wood stove had to be refilled several times so I slept on the floor with the dog and cats and moved Fiona's sleeping quarters closer to the stove. She requires an air temp to be at least 55 degrees.

I do have two Coleman Sport Cats so I placed one upstairs by my med preps but am not sure if it helped much.

It was a good trial run but can't imagine what would have happened if the power was out for days in a zero degree stretch of weather. I did figure out afterwards that my solar-powered Zantrex Powerpack 300 could run my Rinnai propane heater as well as my laptop, etc. so we'd be ok for a few days.

It was a beautiful storm though...

[ Parent ]
...
hi, bird-dog. Too "blah" to write much(at least the days are a bit longer). Still don't have the workmen done at the house yet.
[ Parent ]
Cold weather preparations
This southern belle loves to look in on you guys from time to time.  It is interesting to see how Mainers prep differently from us 'folks south of the mason-dixon.  Heating seems to be a huge issue for ya'll, although it can get very cold in Bama!  We are in the process of moving and I pray this thing doesn't hit until we re-locate.  My next house will definitely have a real wood fireplace so we can install a wood insert for heat and cooking.  What do you guys recommend?  I have researched, but it is confusing to me.  Every website says their products are the best, etc.  I want something that will not rust,give off good heat and perhaps a place on top for a kettle or one skillet? It would be nice to have a brand or type recommendation,since I really have no personal knowledge. Thanks for any suggestions, I will check back later.
withoutabisquit , Hi!
I have an smallish old green Jotul woodstove which has been a possible lifesaver. Jotul makes inserts but you'd have to have a woodstove if you were planning to cook *on* it. You could probably cook inside the insert though. There are two dealers in Alabama for Jotul >>> http://www.jotul.us/... . I hope this helps! They are excellent stoves but a bit pricey these days...
[ Parent ]
Wood stove cooking
seems to be a problem with fireplace inserts.  Am familiar with both the Jotul and Vermont Castings stoves and looking at the fireplace inserts online, neither seems to be suitable for cooking on top as all their models seem to be made to fit as flush to the front of the fireplace as possible.  Both of these companies make high quality products, and if I did not have an old but still sturdy woodstove, one of these would be my first choice in a traditional woodstove.  Suggest you contact the companies and ask that specific question about cooking.  None of these stoves are inexpensive.  Perhaps an option to be thought of would be to get one of the larger stoves on a hearth.  These stoves are very beautiful, have glass inserts and the fire is very visible. 

Years ago Vermont Castings and others also made grates that would allow you to burn coal as well as wood.  You might check out some of the pellet stoves. They may make one that is an insert type, but I have read that these need power to feed the pellets.

After a very warm early Winter here in New England, the last month has been very cold, and am glad Spring is only a few weeks away.  Of course that brings the worry about Summer without A/C, a real worry given the warming trend, especially for you folks in the South, but even here, it has become more of a necessity than it used to be. 

Good to see you here withoutabisquit.  Welcome to New England!

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Heating and cooking
OK Jotul and Vermont Castings.  If you guys think they have quality products, I will take your word for it.  Back in the 70's and 80's, because of rising heating cost, people around here put wood inserts in their fireplaces. Although they did not have an intended and purposeful spot for cooking, they did protrude about a foot from the brick fireplace so you could put a small kettle or black skillet on it. Unfortunately, most of the people I know who had these have since taken them out and installed gas logs.  But to tell you the truth, I am not sure how efficient they were.  I think they were more of a knee jerk reaction to the high fuel costs at the time and people soon tired of either buying or chopping wood.  When we move I want to be an informed consumer, so thanks for the tips! 
Ah, a good snowstorm...
This may be a day to crawl down into the netherworld and shake a few cans of evaporated milk, check expiration dates, unload about six full bags of dated canned and jarred preps into their age appropriate totes, change my house water filter, and, maybe... start doing my taxes.
I haven't actually examined my prep totes and water for months so hopefully the small electric heater has done its job and reached throughout the crawl space. I've mostly only had to plug it in at night.

I think that this Maine history of the 1918- 1919 pandemic  has been posted earlier but in case it hasn't been >>> http://www.maine.gov...

excerpt of just two days:

Friday, September 27

The Fourth Liberty Loan parades, which were initiate this year's effort to raise money for the war effort, were postponed throughout the State because of public health concerns, and Liberty Loan officials urged Mainers to not forget to contribute to this cause.

Dr. Leverett D. Bristol, the health commissioner of Maine, said that he believed the epidemic of Spanish influenza in this state seems to be increasing, and he thought moving picture theaters ought to be closed temporarily as a preventative measure, but that the schools should remain open.

He noted that the state department of health has no authority to order the theaters closed, but the local boards of health could act in the matter.

One of the unusual instances connected with the illness and death at Camp Devens is the case of Private Philip Doyen, Jr. of South Portland, who was detailed to accompany the body of a Waterville boy to his home city.  Private Doyen was himself stricken by the disease on the way to Portland. 

The epidemic seems to be waging the fiercest in Portland, Bath, Lisbon Falls, and some scattered areas all over the state.

Dr. Thomas Tetreau, Portland's Health Officer, reported there were approximately 300 cases of influenza in that city. 

Four nurses have died from influenza in Portland the past week, according to one local doctor, who also expressed the belief that all public places should be closed at once.

Following a conference of 30 citizens in Portland Mayor Clarke's office Friday, 22 voted informally to close all places of public assembly.

Dr. Bristol, state health director, was in favor of closing immediately places of general resort, or else the adoption of a gauze mask which every person known to be afflicted with the disease should be compelled to wear in public.

Mayor Clarke quickly frowned on the latter suggestion, which was met with subdued laughter.

Lewiston Board of Health Chairman late Friday said, "To close the schools and theaters, or to in any other way suggest to the people that there is an epidemic here - for there most certainly is none."  He voiced the sentiment of many prominent business and professional men.

The suggestion, advanced last night by State Health Commissioner Bristol of Augusta, that the theaters of Maine be closed, met this morning with very decided opposition here - not an opposition inspired by commercial reasons, but by a genuine desire for the city's good.

Saturday, September 28

Governor Milliken formed a military unit of 15 doctors and nurses to be known as the Maine Unit, which is to be sent to Massachusetts to assist in the epidemic of Spanish influenza.  A general appeal was issued for additional Maine nurses to volunteer to Massachusetts.

Dr. Bristol, Maine's Health Commissioner, said that although the epidemic of Spanish influenza is showing a gradual increase, he did not think people should be particularly alarmed or panicky.  The malady is raging worse in Portland.

Reports were received by the department that the epidemic had struck Biddeford, Saco, and Eastport.

Dr. Bristol sent letters to physicians urging them to be very careful to report cases of the Spanish influenza to the local boards of health, so as to keep track of the cases.

The United Baptist convention was to start in Augusta next week, but has been postponed for two weeks. 

The Portland Board of Health issued the following order:
"In order to conserve the public health it is ordered until further notice:  That after September 28th, no assemblage or gathering shall be permitted or held in theaters, moving picture houses, or dance halls within the City of Portland, and no other unnecessary assemblage or gathering of people shall be permitted or held within said City.  Public schools shall also be discontinued."

Portland Editorial:  With the influenza epidemic reaching a stage where it has been found necessary to close the public schools and theatres and forbidding all unnecessary gathering, would it not be a wise measure for the Mayor to request the trolley company to use open instead of closed cars until such a time as the epidemic has abated?

Fresh air is advanced as one of the best preventatives.  The comfort of a closed car should not be taken into consideration when the health of the community is at stake.

An active campaign of education in preventing the spread of grip or influenza was started in Lewiston Saturday following a meeting in Mayor Lemaire's office Friday afternoon.

Printed instructions will be posted in the factories, shops, stores, and other public places.  Every possible means will be used to teach citizens how to fight this disease.

Mayor Lemaire said Saturday morning that the situation depends "more upon the person himself than upon the board of health or the doctors.

If every man, woman and child will follow the instructions we are having printed, there is no reason why the disease should spread.

If every person who has the grip will take every possible means to keep from giving it to other people, it will soon be checked."

more...

thanks Bird-dog,
Depressing but good reading.  Probably won't be much different this time round, ie, resistance to rational and timely preventative action by public officials is sure to unnecessarily kill many innocents.
[ Parent ]
This weekend's storm...
Hi gang! Looks like we'll have a good opportunity to test our wind-ups and alternative heat if the 'foot or so' comes to pass!

Just be sure to have a good supply of Guinness Extra Stout, Smithwick's, and/or Jameson's to toast Naomh Pádraig on his feast day as you listen to 'The Thistle and Shamrock' Saturday night. I'm sure BB would approve! We need to get in those antioxidents afterall...

I hope everyones's doing well and taking advantage of the great prep sales as the Spring gear arrives.


Fully prepped with medicinal alcohol down here in MA bird-dog
Only expecting a few inches in Northern MA.  Glad to see you are well and have the most important preps close at hand.  Don't know about the anti-oxidants, but the alcohol content should do the trick!

Been busy with family things the last weeks, MIL passed on after 98 good years, a great celebration of her life was had by her family.  A wonderful, one of a kind lady she was.

Best to all my Maine, and MA friends.
Be Well..

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

98
What a life! Condolences. Glad she had so many good years.

Brr- more snow tomorrow -just when it felt like Spring down here in MA. The renov work inside, is done, but now I'm getting some tree work; less shade on the veggies this year, and I might get some oak firewood-size logs out of this, too. Don't have my taxes done yet. (Ferry doesn't go to NS until June? wow.)

[ Parent ]
Good idea, Crfullmoon re. tree work!
I had a tree taken down last summer and have a bit more sun but would love to have more. When I moved into this house in the early 80's the house came with a solar panel. Because of the trees and the fact that the panel leaked every time it rained, I had to have it taken it off the roof. Oh I wish that I had it now.

My taxes are still waiting for me. I have an appt. with my tax lady on Monday but my birthday(58!) is on Sunday so I guess I'll be celebrating while I sift through the receipts of 2006. 
Maybe it will focus me enough to finally arrange my documents for my prep records. It'll be a relief to have it behind me. Good luck to you! 

[ Parent ]
Nautical Man, so sorry but so happy...
that she had you all to support her! I just got back from visiting an absolutely wonderful 92 year old woman. I'm sure that I come away from her home every day more grateful for the connection than she feels. Such a nice lady. And I even get a kiss when I leave...

Please know that I'm thinking of you and your family. Good life, long life well lived, it's always a great loss. I'll raise a glass in her honor... and will be thinking of you and your wife and family. Best to you too! moi

[ Parent ]
Thanks bird-dog and crfullmoon for your condolences. n/t


Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence
Ooops, and a belated happy birthday bird-dog! n/t


Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence
Aw thanks, Nautical Man! It was a good day. N/T

[ Parent ]
Kudos to these folks
In case of flu outbreak

  By ELIZABETH COMEAU
Staff Writer

Monday, April 09, 2007

It's not hard for Superintendent Richard Abramson to picture himself sitting in his Readfield office, faced with closing Maranacook Area Schools because of a flu pandemic.
And because Abramson would rather have that imaginary scene include a well-thought-out course of action -- rather than one that has him throwing up his hands in despair -- he and numerous area officials have formed the Maranacook Area Pandemic Planning Group.

The group, nearly 20 people strong, is made up of town and school officials from the small, central Maine towns of Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Fayette, Winthrop, Kents Hill and the directors of the Kennebec county's emergency management agency and Winthrop EMS, the area's emergency medical team.

[snip]

http://morningsentin...

Yes, Okieman & thanks for the link!
Maine via her counties is doing an excellent job. I'm so grateful and relieved to be a tax-payer up here... though not all our counties are equal. Mine, Sagadahoc, took the lead (I think) and months ago even recommended a months' worth of personal food/med./survival preps. Unfortunately, most folks who I have questioned have dismissed it.  

Anyway, maybe this article will trigger their memory...
and hopefully, other counties/states who haven't come on board will follow, and soon!

BTW Crfullmoon, have you found an old farmhouse up here yet?

[ Parent ]
no, haven't even got across the state line yet, this year!
Trying to get all my gardens dug and my peas in. Light frost on the roofs in the morning, but, supposed to hit 80*F tomorrow!

(And given the overall national situation, I keep wondering about even farther north than you; just starts to look so  difficult to emigrate, and difficult not to.)

Your counties sound like they want to prep! I hope they really do.

I'll let you know if I suddenly decide to make a day trip up to Portland, (used to live up there and have some people I'm just trying to give a head's-up to) or, a weekend farther north, some time in the next couple of months.

[ Parent ]
CrFMoon & NM--Was 75*F here on the coast today...
and my old cats were screaming/tearing/wildly leaping up and down, off and on my (recently)felled(?) trees like crazed kittens. They'd been indoor cats up to this Fall when I sprang them from the shelter. (They are very well supervised & wear bells when outside!)

The storm was terrifying at moments and the tide covered my only road off this island several times. We critters just hunked down and I read (by lamplight) The Last Town on Earth (panflu novel) >>>  http://www.amazon.co...  and NPR interview w/ the author >>> http://www.npr.org/t...
The storm did give me a good opportunity to test my preps for a few days. NM, even Fiona was nervous listening to the gale...kept saying ouuu, ouuu. LOL

Yes, I hope that both of you can get up here. Crfullmoon, I have a friend who is trying to talk me into moving to N. Alaska. I think that I'll just look for an old row or sailboat with a 3 hp motor that can carry a 90# dog, two 10# cats, a parrot and a ton of preps. (and me) Guess I could sell my house to afford one? Not likely...

[ Parent ]
Seen any good farmhouses going unsold?
Sagadahoc County? Any Flu Wiki neighbors?

(Hey, Bowdoin College listed Flu Wiki as an international  resource link http://www.bowdoin.e... Tsk tsk; they didn't use the "P" word; "a detailed response plan in place to manage the anticipated issues associated with a local outbreak of epidemic disease, including avian influenza" doesn't quite get students nor the community ready for a panflu year, but...)

Odd find (at least they used the "P" word in a public document; more than my town has done, I guess): Feb 2007: "Approving City of Bath's Pandemic Influenza Plan"
Steve Hinds, Fire Chief, explained the plan was an off chute" (sic) "of the plan being worked on with the County EMS Board. Chief Hinds stated there were three points to address:

first was to handout information pamphlets throughout the City,
work with the County EMS on the Plan and
combining with the County and all county municipalities to make it a County-wide Plan."...

Wow- ! Uh... (Any link to this plan? Or the Town of Woolwich's Pandemic Plan ?)

Southern Regional Resource Center (wish there was a bit more Tell The Public Now, and then worry about writing more plan updates over the next 6 to 9 months,
but then, I say that about everywhere)
"Plans on paper" aren't citizen/community preparedness.

[ Parent ]
water barrels...
Hi everyone. Heard the 'peepers' tonight for the first time this Spring and the eagles and osprey are in their nests! I lost my power and many trees in the Nor'easter this weekend and I know that Lisa(inSMe.) has been out of electricity for days. Wild.

Anyway, Ames hardware in Wiscasset has food-grade ~50 gal. water barrels with screen and spigot for $59. and fg 55 gal containers for $15! They'd contained coca cola. They also have the screw-on tops for 5 gal. containers for ~$9. Oh and MRE Depot has a new canned cheese for sale. I finally bought some mylar bags from them recently. I guess I'm feeling a sudden need to add to my preps!

I hope that you are all doing well and don't go too crazy with the warm weather this weekend! ;-) Spring fever reigns...

3 radio networks join state emergency plan...
More proof that our state is paying attention!!!

Bangor Daily News
May 1st,'07

http://www.bangordai...

"BANGOR - Maine Public Broadcasting Network, Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Broadcasting have agreed to join forces during emergencies.

Their goal is to make sure their listeners have access to safety information.

At 8:55 a.m. Monday, May 7, the Bangor MPBN studio will broadcast a one-minute message in a test designed to reach all Clear Channel, Cumulus and MPBN listeners."

snip

"The test will feature Gov. John Baldacci explaining the agreement reached by all three broadcasters to set aside competition during emergencies, said Gil Maxwell, MPBN senior vice president and chief technology officer."

snip

"During the Ice Storm, only one station in eastern Maine withstood the freeze without interruption, Maxwell said. WVOM-FM 103.9, now owned by Clear Channel, remained on the air during much of the 1998 storm. Many stations ran out of fuel to feed their generators, or dealt with other setbacks."

and more...

Do the Emergency Mangement people, or other officals
look/lurk at the 'Wiki? How about the college/university students?
(Any way to get them interested?)

How's Sagadahoc County doing? Are the locals listening?

Where are all my Maine friends!?
NM, honorary down Mainer here.  Have not seen many posts from bird dog, Lisa, and the rest of the gang.  Know I have been guilty of the same as of late, busy with what life has been sending our way, and guess a little burnt out after a year and a half of prepping.  Maybe prep fatigue has set in?!  Still online here at the wiki, pfi, etc. about every day.  News seems to just go along at a fairly high state of concern, but PPF is level, guess there is a limited time that one can remain at such a high alert.  Still a few things to do and get, but unable to push to do them. 

Encouraged by a visit with relatives recently, they have shown an iterest in learning about Pandemic, SIP and so on.  Have sent them references to the wiki, and half a dozen other sites, recommended books, spoke about meds, preps.  Hope I have not overloaded them with too much too soon. After all this time and difficulty persuading others, still get excited when someone show an interest.  This must be how a salesman feels when he/she makes a big sale!

BD, hope all your critters are well..  Best to all of you good folks...

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Hi NauticalMan!
The critters and I are doing well! Thanks for asking. I hope that you are too. I'm also hanging out here and other PF sites 'scanning/reading' daily. I just hope we're not like the proverbial frogs in the pot. I don't think so esp. thanks to our hard-working toggletext wizards. Thank goodness that now that I've(we've) prepped enough for ourselves, we can relax a bit and focus on gently encouraging/helping others. It's barely once in a blue moon though, I'm sorry to say. I just continue to pick up used copies of 'The Great Influenza', etc., and pass them along.

I've been incredibly impressed with the PF Leadership Blog and all who've participated! Just sorry that I haven't had any helpful or unique thoughts to add to the conversation. I just wish that everyone would read the Barry book but I think that it has been mentioned by a blogger as an historical reference that caused the him to prep. I don't think that the title or author were noted though. Course I may have missed it.

SusanC's comment re. alarmist vs. alarming in the 3rd Sec. Leavitt blog was excellent! And why hasn't the New York Times had a major article about The Blog??? Or the NewsHour or the other tv stations ftm. None of them have mentioned the situation in Wales either afaik. And on and on... I kept thinking how great it would be if one of the CNN presidential candidates mentioned 'influenza' as one of the possible challenges facing the next president and how s/he would address it under homeland security.

I'm glad that some of your relatives are listening and acting. I've continued to send friends, family, and neighbors info like the PFLB announcement and link, but without any response. I'm still slowly and surely adding to my supply but, as many here have said, there've been times that I've really wondered (as I've squeezed by my boxes/bags/containers of [stuff] ) if I'm as "nuts/paranoid/negative" as the "why worry" folks have implied rather than wonderfully conscientious/clear-headed/well-prepared as we flubbies are wont to be. LOL!

And I do email back and forth with Lisa though not so often recently. I think that at some point we'll all be posting again on our 'state' sites. The site meter usually only has the same handful of folks from Maine(3-5 people) when I check the past 500 hits on the map, which is usually every day.

Fiona and Molly often accompany me to my afternoon job(my 92 yr. old woman) but she's now asking to meet the cats! Maybe after the rain this week. And I had lunch at Fat Boy the other day.  Excellent meal...as you know! Have you been up to Harpswell yet? 

Take care, And my best to you too NM!

 

[ Parent ]
Good to see your post bird-dog
No, have not been to Harpswell since last Summer/Fall, but have been in touch with friends there, some doing well, others not.  Have plans to spend last two weeks of August renting at my usual place overlooking the ocean, read many books, eat lobster.  As I advance in age these things are more important all the time, that and the old, and young, friends I have made up there over the years.  Read the Harpswell Anchor the other day, note that Sheldon Morse will no longer be able to open the snack shop on his wharf as TPTB have determined that it is not allowed due to fishing related activities only there after ten years of great lobster and crab rolls.  Good news is that he and his family will be moving their operation into the Holbrook wharf restaurant in Cundy's Harbor.  The community has banded together to keep that commercial and available to the Harpswell community.. 

Have your personal email bird-dog.  Will be in touch, and maybe we can get together when we get up that way?

Bless you for keeping that 92 year old going!  My 93 yr old cousin is taking a bit of my time now, over there twice a week, she will not let anyone help other than me and a neighbor.  Only problem is by the time I drive over and back, do some errands, pay her bills, have lunch etc., there goes a full day.  Now that DW is retired, had hoped we could do more together, other than doctors and that!

Enjoy the beautiful Spring weather this week...

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

Sorry I've been MIA
but all is well down here (or up here for you honorary Mainers - NM!).  Have been work-saturated last few months but trying to be more reasonable for the summer.  Big news which Bird-Dog knows is we have handyman!  He's great - presently building me large (beautiful) pantry in kitchen and next project opening up kitchen into the living room for (aesthetics and) good air/heat circulation for wood stove which I'm finally ready to purchase.  And when that is done and hefty supply of wood moved in I will really feel ready.  My prepping has continued.  We have enough soap and shampoos to last a few years!  Made another MRE depot purchase today - great butter sale and the coupon word 'prepare' gets you 15% off the sale price.  Their shipping is high but still a bargain with sale price.  Asked bird-dog in private e-mail earlier if I will ever feel that we are prepared enough...
Sad news - lost all of my immature fruit trees - 2 apple and one pear.  Root rot - too much rain the past year says the farmer next door and even his first-aide work last fall couldn't save them.  But the berries - bluberries and raspberries- are growing at phenomonal rates. 
A mailing went home from the superintendent/school health dept re pandemic preparedness a couple of months ago.  Inadequate prep recommendations but still good reinforcement for an unaware populace.  Kids out of school as of today.  Household healthy and really pretty happy (though eldest son rather tense since his unobserved forays into the candy preps exposed by wrapper trail) - we are lucky and we know it.  I hope you all are well and look forward to reading your updates. (and I'm still chewing the nic gum.  No smoking since Oct 01 - but will need dentist soon!).
Lisa
Lisa & Nautical Man...
"(and I'm still chewing the nic gum.  No smoking since Oct 01 - but will need dentist soon!)."

That's wonderful Lisa! I was afraid to ask...  and me too re. nic gum and dentist (but you've beaten me by almost two months). I haven't smoked even one puff since the end of November. Didn't gain weight either; must be the tumeric and red pepper! This is such a major health prep... tho' I don't even want to know what the n-gum could be doing to us. lol

sorry about your trees...

and NauticalMan, yes, email me before you come up and maybe Lisa can join us if we get together!

Did either of you watch the "Killer Flu" on PBS Wed. night? I taped it & will watch it again this weekend - had my town meeting to go to. No mention of pan-flu there. I've brought it up one-on-one with town officals but hey, it's only the flu. And I've still not received any feedback from sending out info about the PFL Blog. Lets hope that the India illness is not H5N1 and just suddenly burns itself out w/o taking more lives. Fat chance, I'm afraid. ;-(

Had an email from Honeyville Grain today >>>http://store.honeyvi...

"CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE AND SAVE 10% ON YOUR ALMOND FLOUR ORDER*.  SIMPLY ENTER DISCOUNT CODE:  FATHER  DURING CHECKOUT.  OFFER EXPIRES 6/18/2007 AT 6:00PM PST."

Glad you guys are back!

[ Parent ]
Still no organic grains, etc. at Honeyville tho' ...
but at least they're grown in the USA.
[ Parent ]
Lisa, Bird-dog
That is wonderful that you both are staying off the noxious weed!  Know from personal experience how difficult than is.  Have read somewhere that is harder to quit smoking than to give up cocaine!  While I luckily can not speak from experience on that latter one, will tell you that I gave up smoking on July 4, 1980 while on vacation in Harpswell.  Thanks to my ex!
Would be great to get to meet with you guys.  Will certainly email when the time gets close with hope we could meet somewhere.  Maybe the Scarlet Begonia in Brunswick, outstanding food very inexpensive, unless some medicinal alcohol is needed, think they only serve soft drinks!
take care and be well all

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence
NauticalMan, hoping to see you!
I had a wonderful meeting with RozGA in Wiscassett several weeks ago. Too short, but it was great fun to meet her. I'm hoping that Lisa will come up too... if you can swing it! spdatprexardotcom.
[ Parent ]
Oh, & Al & Crfullmoon & anyone else, FTM! n/t

[ Parent ]
GA-ME meet
Yes, it was fun spending an hour with Bird-Dog and Molly the dog.  I brought USA organic Giorgio mushrooms from Georgia, and was given Maine honey and canned brown bread AND a copy of Barry's book.  What a deal!  Bird-Dog is delightful.
[ Parent ]
aw-shucks, Roz...
and you are too! What can I say, flubies rule!


[ Parent ]
Fireplace conversions
Hey guys, remember me?  You gave me advice on woodstoves. I have another question.  My hubby and I are in the process of looking to move and we found a house we like.  It has gas logs in the fireplace (propane gas) and I am wondering if it is possible to change a gas log fireplace to a wood burning and insert one of the woodstoves you guys recommended to me?  The fireplace is located at the end of the house with a tall chimney so I am sure it is at least vented.  I know anything is possible if you want to spend the money, but I am talking about  a reasonable expense.  I am also wondering maybe it would be better to leave the gas logs?  The house has 2 units of A/C and heat; one is electric the other is natural gas; the fireplace has this buried propane tank which may be better than wood in case of emergency.  The house does not have a wood source so we would need to buy the wood unless we cut down every tree in the yard which I would not want to do because we live in the South and the summer heat here is intolerable; if the A/C went down shade trees are a must! Thanks for the help.
Hi withoutabisquit, 1st, I'd have the chimney inspected(!)...
and the rest of the system: after that, I don't know. I googled around for converting a propane fireplace to a woodstove. Nada. I'd call Jotul or Vermont Castings and ask plus I'd call a renewable energy professional on alternatives keeping in mind a possible collapse of the grid, obviously check out how well-insulated the house is, plus note if it has a cellar. Good luck! That's exciting!
[ Parent ]
withoutabiscuit...fireplace conversions...
As bird-dog says, have the chimney inspected. Even if there are minor problems with the flue and chimney stack, if you're going to put a wood-burning stove in there most locales require a stainless steel liner up the chimney. Wood stoves burn much hotter than a regular wood fire in the hearth.

If you want to remove the gas piping, have a professional plumber or the propane company do it...they can remove the attachment and gas logs and close off the gas feed pipe. My BIL has a gas fireplace (municipal natural gas-fed) and he uses it to heat his house in the winter here in Virginia. He has a two-story, 2100 sq. ft home, and it does a decent job. He's from CT, and has sworn NEVER to cut and haul wood again! ;-)

How big is your propane tank? It should be about 250 gallons, but some are larger...propane fireplaces will use a lot of gas in a short amount of time. If you use it primarily to heat your home, you'll likely use two tanks over the course of a single cold winter, even in the south.

When we bought our house here last year, we had the chimney inspected, and asked about putting in an insert. The company came back with a bid of about $2700, and that included a used wood-burning stove insert, a stainless steel chimney liner, minor repair on the chimney cap on top, and replacement of the cap screen. A pretty good deal. Of course, this means buying and storing wood each winter, but I prefer wood fires over the gas firelplaces...and if the gas grid goes down, that means no fire in the fireplace. Local laws don't allow propane tanks near homes here our area due to "the possiblity of hurricane damage". Go figure...

[ Parent ]
Fireplace conversions
You guys are great to give such a quick response.  I think everyone in the deep south have stopped prepping or posting or both.  We have not gotten into the details of how large the propane tank is yet - if we get to the "offer" stage that would be a good question.  I live in Bama so our winters are even less severe than Virginia.  I haven't seen more than an inch of snow in about 7 years.  So I guess we need to ask ourselves how important a wood fireplace is.  (thanks for the rough cost estimate)we could fill the propane to capacity - use it for atmosphere only.  If worst case happened - I guess we would need to make what little propane we had stretch. The house has  other great features - it is located on a lake created by a TVA dam - lots of fish and water; it has a storm cellar that could double as root cellar; 1/2 acre of land; although hooked up to city water it has a shared community well;  and best of all it is located about 7 -10 miles out of town in a quiet, safe lake community with a dead end road; lots of farm land across the street. Really the only thing I would change would be a wood burning fireplace, a full basement and a private rather than a shared well; but you can't have everything and this one looks pretty good.
It sounds great, esp. the lake! n/t

[ Parent ]
check-in and where is Al?
Hi Folks!  NM - I'm on board with wherever you and BD choose.  Where's Al?  CRFullmoon - how far away are you?  It might be fun to get together for a night of fine food and drink...though actually I don't drink...but would try it that night just for you folks...then would crave cigarettes...then would be accosting Bird-dog for possible tobacco stash...Nope!  No medicinal beverages for me but sounds like fun anyway!
Bisquit - hope you're making fine progress on home front!  If you stick with propane - maybe you could purchase large tank to bury and have plenty of backup on your property.  There was big discussion on the old fluwiki on that just about a year ago.  Weather is changing - you could be in for some less than mild winters in the next few years.  Here in Maine, we haven't had spring in a couple of years.  Very suddenly, our weather changed and eliminated a whole season.  Now we go from winter and below zero wind chills to sweltering heat in weeks.  And places that were not known to flood over the last 100 years have accrued heavy flood damage 2 years in a row.  Prep for the unexpected is my new ethic!
No stash here, Lisa in southern maine{G} ...
at least not today! I've been dreaming about it though. ugh. I keep telling myself how lucky I am to not be 'on oxygen' in this heat and humidity! Tobacco will take me there if I give in to the call. Hey, time to watch Tavis!!!
[ Parent ]
Al checking in
Hello everyone, I'm here, I'm here...I have endured 2 computer crashes (used my daughters for work w/ has no internet hookup by design) and a large increase in workload this spring and haven't been around much except to keep a detached eye on the panflu situation.  Most preps intact but I've dipped into the chocolate and daughter has decimated the Campbell's chicken noodle soup cache.  Missed you all and hope everything is good.

I've been busy trying to sell my little beach house on the ocean.  I live in an old sea captain's house w/ backyard fronting the ocean and a smaller newish ranch sitting down at the beach.  Unfortunately when they reassessed the property taxes here they tripled my tax bill and sadly, it's too much for this working stiff to handle.  So I  subdivided the backyard into an 1 1/2 acre lot and put the ranch on 1 1/2 acre on the market, keeping a right of way to the ocean for myself.  It's a magical spot and I'm sad to see it go.  I've been planting flowers, hauling seaweed away, trying to make the house shine-actually it really glows already.  Doing most of the work myself since I have no money to pay for help. For me, selling this is the ultimate prep, since my plan is to use the money to pay off the mortgage on my house and do a few much needed repairs on my house.  I usually keep the rental house booked solid all spring and summer but if it's booked this particular summer, no one will be able to get in to see it.  So I've had to increase my workload to make up the difference since there's no rental income and I do hope the house sells soon.  There are lots of vacationers up here already and we've started to have showings so keep your fingers crossed for me. 

Daughter and I are also digging on the beach looking for pirates' treasure, just got a metal detector at a yard sale.  Legend has it that this was a pirate's cove.  We've found some very nice 19th C pottery shards and arrowheads but so far, no dubloons but we keep on looking.

I'm up for getting together-it'll be fun.  Has anyone picked a date, place and time?  Daytime might be better for me due to child considerations-maybe a weekend midday?

Hey Al!
So good to hear from you!  Glad you are well and so very sorry about the tax imposition.  My town reassessed last year and increased the valuation of my home by 110,000.  I am so very screwed with 2008 property taxes.  They gave us a years grace.  It won't help my elderly neighbors.  What the hell are they going to do?  They can't work more to pay.  This is terrible.  A ton of for sale signs have gone up since the revaluation but nothing is moving.  Scary situation.  I hope your ranch sells well and soon.  A good financial prep move - to have mortgage debt paid off.
About getting together - I think NM is going to tell BD when he's moseying up this way for his summer Maine vaca and we'll try to schedule around that.  I'm not traveling this summer.  Nowhere is more beautiful than Maine in the summer so here'll I'll stay put.
Again - very good to hear from you.  Glad you are OK.
Lisa
property taxes - mine went up for no good reason, too
-and they aren't even warning the public- since I'm in MA and not Sagadahoc county, anyway-

so, when way too many of the taxpayers die from panflu and collateral impacts- what are all these bureaucrats going to do ??? We won't have enough of a tax base to pay for any services, including local govt, police, fire, schools- if town have any kids left (and, would trust their lives to a public school system employee ever again).

They want to build more housing here- (we're about at build-out now for space as it is!) and no one ever discusses we might face a housing glut and no one needing to, nor able to, move in here, post-pandemic!

I could make a day trip and still get home as far as Portland; (if not during tourist rush hour - is that still Fri. and/or Sun. pm?) much north and I'd have to sneak an overnight somewhere- I do still have a few contacts that I might be able to crash with. (Would you believe I am worried it could start this summer and I'd get trapped away from home?)
:-/

[ Parent ]
Hey crfullmoon,
you are still welcome(d?) here! It's now an even tighter squeeze (as opposed to last Fall) with the new-ish dog, cats, bird and "stuff" (prep) but I *could* rally and try to find a spot for you! ;-)

Now, LisainSouthernMaine... I think that she's much more organized than I! heh heh

I doubt that NM will want to stray too far from his get-away place. I may be wrong though. Hopefully he'll let me know in August. And maybe it won't be possible for him to 'break free'. Just have to see...
 

[ Parent ]
...
hey, I still (oops -they got buried behind stuff) have to dig out and try the tent(s) - you get bears up there?
[ Parent ]
another 'plus' for (a sm. town in) Sag. Co....
***warning***

-not directly(in some minds) PF related and could be considered inappropriate...

Please, this his is NOT as a discussion on Iraq; this is only to impress crfullmoon further re. Sagadahoc Co..

"Sagadahoc County town says no to Iraq war"

My town was the first in the state to vote in favor of a resolution asking President Bush and Congress to immediately stop all war funding, to end American occupation in Iraq and to bring the troops home.

An article was added to the warrant for the town-meeting as a result of a petition drive. 300 other municipalities in the country have done the same but we were the first in Me. In a town of 500 souls, the vote was 71-17.

---It's pan-flu related *to me* as our Troops, Guard, would then be *here* to help with the p-f, plus, more money/equipment would be available. Plus the Iraqi's would hopefully be able to focus more on *their* health and well-being, etc., etc..---

Who knows...
It's heartbreaking any way you look at it but my town, at least, did/said something.

[ Parent ]
...
Hi, interesting little town! ;-)

If I ever get a trip planned up that way, I'll let you know.

Your population can actually all fit in a Town Meeting; I'm impressed. (Ours should stop having them, as there is no way everyone can attend if they wanted to.)

[ Parent ]
July 9th, 8am-3pm, Freeport, Pan-Flu Mtg,!
http://www.smrrc.org...

Materials Management and Pharmacy Planning for Pandemic Influenza Meeting

When:Monday July 9, 2007
Time: 8:00 am ? 3:00 pm (Includes Breakfast and Lunch)
Location: Harraseeket Inn 62 Main Street, Freeport, Maine
**Cost: Free for those that register!**
Travel directions: Harraseeket

Sponsors: Southern and Central Maine Regional Resource Centers, Maine CDC, Maine Health

Target Audience: Materials Managers and Pharmacy Directors from healthcare organizations Materials management and pharmacy issues are two of the major areas of focus for pandemic planning.

In this meeting we will hear from leadership at the major vendors who service our region to discuss what plans have been put in place to assist us as we move forward with planning.

This meeting will also address some of the major challenges and planning issues faced throughout the region.

crfullmoon
Bird-dog gives me too much credit.  This place is a mess!  But it is a mess that could surely fit an extra person if she happened to get stuck while away from her more southern home!  And we'd put you to work - canning or chopping! Another set of useful adult hands would be a gift!
For F-Wikians in the Orono area!
I wish that I could go! For anyone who does attend, please share your thoughts afterwards on the presentation on AI . Thanks so much!

http://www.umaine.ed...

Bird Experts Flock to Orono; UMaine Hosts Field Ornithologists? Annual Meeting

July 16, 2007
Contact: Rebecca Holberton (207) 581-2526; David Munson (207) 581-3777

ORONO, Maine ? More than 100 ornithologists from across North America and the United Kingdom will be attending bird watching trips, sampling Maine cuisine, and, more importantly, sharing the latest breakthroughs in avian research at the Association of Field Ornithologists' 2007 Annual Meeting from July 26 ? 29.

Hosted by UMaine and co-sponsored by Maine Audubon and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the event brings together the world's leading experts in bird population dynamics, biology and behavior to discuss current projects and establish goals for future research. Featured presentations on seabird conservation and avian influenza will be open to the public.

[snip]

...and Peter Marra of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and National Zoo, who will present "Pathways of Dispersion: The Flyways and Byways of Avian Influenza" on Saturday.

[snip]

*Marra will address avian influenza's far-reaching implications and discuss the role of bird migration and the international bird trade in the spread of the disease.*

Marra's talk will be held on July 28 at 8:30 AM in D.P. Corbett Auditorium. Members of the public who wish to attend these free presentations should enter D.P. Corbett Hall from the Flagstaff Road entrance.

Message from Sagadahoc County EMA Director
[Misty Green had stated in the Fall pamphlet, 30 days of food, meds, water, etc. for every household. In this article, she just says "several weeks"! Too bad. So happy that she's keeping the heat on though! Good job, Misty!]

bits from the article; http://wiscassetnews...

Sagadahoc County, with our partners at the local, state and federal level has been working aggressively to develop and test plans and raise awareness at the local level so we can be sure that we respond effectively.

The key to help with the survival of a pandemic influenza will be being prepared and having plans in place at all levels, all the way down to a business, family and individual.

snip

What Sagadahoc County Residents Need to Know

There is no Pandemic Flu in the world today but there have been three pandemics in the last 90 years.? Flu experts worldwide agree another deadly pandemic is a real possibility.? A pandemic can start when three conditions have been met: a new influenza virus subtype emerges; it infects humans, causing serious illness and it spreads easily and sustainably among humans. The H5N1 virus amply meets the first two conditions: it is a new virus for humans and it has infected more than 318 humans, killing more than half of them. In 10 years, the virus has spread to at least 54 countries. The virus has directly killed millions of birds. No one will have immunity should an H5N1 virus emerge and experts agree that another pandemic is inevitable.

Be Aware. Prepare.

  *

  Influenza pandemics are recurring events.

  *

  All countries will be affected.

  *

  Widespread illness will occur.

  *

  Medical supplies will be inadequate.

  *

  Large number of deaths will occur.

  *

  Economic and social disruption will be great.

  *

  Every country, state, county, town, business, family and individual must put a plan in place.

  *

  The World Health Organization will alert the world when the pandemic threat increases.

Pandemic Flu can spread quickly and is life-threatening to people of all ages. You should be aware of the risks and what you can do to best care for yourself, your family and your community.

Have a Family Plan

Talk with your family and relatives about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what's needed to care for them at home.

  *

  Talk with your doctor about getting an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs,

  *

  Have non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, such as pain relievers, cough and cold medicines.

  *

  Have an extra supply of food and water (at least several weeks' worth).

To obtain a copy of the Sagadahoc County "Preparing for Pandemic Flu" pocket guide or other pandemic influenza planning information, please contact the Emergency Management Office at 443-8211 or sagema@sagcounty.com.

**Excellent** Pocket Guide To Pandemic Flu!
Thank you, Jane!!! I hadn't realized until your post today that this was available on pdf. This is the pamphlet that I've been madly raving about since last Fall. It's not absolutely perfect but incredibly concise and informative, imo.

http://www.smrrc.org...

As I've said before, folks can also contact Misty Green by phone or email and she'll send the pamphlet out. From yesterday's post above; "contact the Emergency Management Office at 443-8211 or sagema@sagcounty.com.".

Gee, maybe due to so many requests/pestering from f-wikians she has made it available online? ;-)

Maine visit
Hi bird-dog, hope you and all yours are well.  Tried to send you a personal email using email from your message to me but did not work.  Could you contact me, my email you have should work fine.  Message basically is too many commitments while up there, between folks up there and folks from down home,  will not be able to get together looks like.  Thanks..

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence
NauticalMan...
Sorry to hear that...plus I don't have your email address. I checked in 'Profiles' on Old Yeller but it's not there either.

At any rate, I hope that your time here is as wonderful as ever! Just soak it in for those long winter nights. ;-) b-d

[ Parent ]
NauticalMan, just in case...
try to email me again. If successful, I'll send you my phone # and if you have a break and I do too, we can chat. There are too few of us! It's cold up here this week, but I love it! When are you arriving? Maybe you are already here... Have a good one, at any rate!
[ Parent ]
Excellent op-ed in Times Record on prep.
The article also includes suggestions on food and safety items, communication, masks. An all-hazard approach which strongly implies long-term prep. supplies.

And on this very very sad and infuriating anniversary of Katrina, this paragraph really stood out;

"A prepared citizenry increases the availability of emergency workers to focus on those with the greatest need during critical situations. Being prepared also enhances our ability to help one another."

Disaster Preparedness Starts at Home >>>http://www.timesreco...

08/24/2007

By Joshua Frances
[Joshua Frances of Brunswick is the emergency preparedness adviser for the Brunswick Fire Department]

Less than nine years ago, the great ice storm of 1998 paralyzed much of Maine and the Northeast. Thousands were left without power and communication for, in some cases, weeks.

[snip]

  Experts say the Northeast is long overdue for a devastating hurricane. Moreover, new threats such as pandemic influenza and terrorism, both biological and 9/11-inspired, have elbowed their way into our consciousness. Our nightly news programs, not to mention Fox's "24," virtually guarantee it! Aside from generating new worries, these concerns should also underscore the importance of household preparedness for every type of disaster.

Unfortunately, disaster preparedness is often associated in the public mind with budget battles and political wrangling when it should be considered a personal responsibility. Gathering and updating emergency supplies should be elevated to the same priority level as lawn care, oil changes, and routine physicals.

[snip]

To do your part, you need to take the time to do what you can do to prepare now. Not only will you be keeping yourself and your family safer, but you will also be lessening the burden on emergency responders during a disaster.

Yes, a good article
Bird-dog, when we had our mini-meet in wiscasset, remember I'd just come from an old college friend's house.  I've got her DH prepping!  Out of all my connections, that's my only convincee.  Smart Mainers!  Roz
[ Parent ]
Roz, that's great!
Do they know about the fluwiki?

I just wonder how much impact these dribs 'n drabs of op-ed pieces have on the folks out there. There are so few, that when one appears I feel so elated/hopeful. I had some blood-work done on Friday and, as is usually the case, I asked the tech and the nurse if they'd had any training or talks about avian flu or H5N1...nadda. Barely, or didn't know, what I was asking about.
Pretty discouraging!

I did manage to swing some major pain and nausea drugs for my prep stash though![grin]

Hope that you're doing well!! -S.

[ Parent ]
Quick reply and a recipe
Every time I tell someone of my interest in prepping, I urge them to visit Old Yeller, "new blue", and PFI, but so far it's seemed more complicated than their amount of interest.  As they hear more things elsewhere, maybe they'll take a peek.

There are researchers on here that want to stick to business, as their time is limited, and perhaps other people like me who are disappointed when the reading runs out.  So for the latter I include a recipe from the Ask Heloise column that I copied down this morning.

  WAR TIME CAKE

2 cups brown sugar 
2 cups hot water 
2 tsp shortening 

1/2-3/4 cups raisins 
1 tsp salt 
1 tsp cinnamon 
1 tsp cloves  

3 cups flour 
1 tsp baking soda 
couple tsp hot water

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a tube pan.
Mix first 3 ingreds. in med. pan.  Add next 4.  Mix and boil for 5 min. after it bubbles.  Remove from stove and cool completely(very important).  After cool, add flour mix that's been dissolved in the hot water.  Mix well, pour in pan, and bake 1 hour.
 

[ Parent ]
RozGA, that is so sweet of you...!
As we both now have our Solar Ovens[LOL!] and I definitely have all the ingredients to this 'War Time Cake' I will SIP with great appreciation to you for this yummy cake. It's so often unsaid how much our fellow daily wikians do/will help us to feel taken care of, appreciated, not alone, if/when all normalycy(sp?) becomes unglued.

Thank you ma de'a... I will eat this and think of you and hope beyond hope, that you & yours' are safe and sound! S-

[ Parent ]
Sept.13th Brewer Workshop & Me.Emrg.Mngt dirtr on radio
Description of Event:

Regional Workshop: Preparing for All Abilities: Including People with Disabilities and the Elderly In Emergency Preparedness

Emergencies and disasters take a huge toll on vulnerable populations. Preparedness improves the ability to cope with, respond to and recover from them.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency invites you to participate in a Regional Workshop aimed at improving the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities, the elderly and the communities in which they live. There is no cost to attend. The workshop is scheduled for 12:30 to 5:00 pm.

more >>> http://www.maine.gov...

PLUS: http://www.maine.gov...

Also-
Governor Proclaims September "Preparedness Month" in Maine

http://www.maine.gov...

The 'Maine Prepares' 24 pg. insert
This came out this past week and weekend in the Thursday and Sunday Press Herald, etc.. I found it helpful re. disaster kits, emergency resources, contacts, but had absolutely nothing really helpful on avian/pandemic flu. Too bad. They could have had at least a paragraph but only used the word 'pandemic' two or three times in the entire insert, avian flu, once.

And it's still just "a week(or more)" of food and a week's worth of water(7 gals) for each person for their "disaster kit". 

Bangor Daily News / Special Section
http://adserver1.har...

10/23/07 Augusta, 8:30am-4:00pm
Maine Public Health's Annual Meeting

Public Health Emergencies . . .
for EVERYONE involved in
the health of Maine people!

Participants have the opportunity to:

Hear what's happening on the national level
regarding preparedness for public health
emergencies.

Understand your role during a public health
emergency in Maine.

Learn what's happening in Maine.

Recognize award recipients.

Network with other public health professionals.

[example:

"Session #7 - Case Study: Healthy Community
Coalition - A Leader in Pandemic Flu Planning
This session will highlight how a community coalition
partnered with a health system to develop Maine's first
hospital-based pandemic flu plan.
Presenters: Leah Binder, Executive Director, Healthy
Community Coalition,Wilton and Vice-President,Franklin
Community Health Network; Sandy Richard, RN, BSN,
Healthy Maine Partnership Project Director; and Randy
Gauvin,PA-C,Emergency Preparedness Director,Franklin
Memorial Hospital"]

FMI--- http://64.233.169.10...

Hello and thanks
Hi folks,

Just thought I would say hello to other Maineiacs, after lurking around the site since June.  I fell into the "Old Yeller" site back then, while googling the meaning of "waterglass" that puzzled me while reading a mystery about wartime England and the preservation of fresh eggs.

I've been prepping ever since.

Also wanted to just say thanks to all who have helped to create this amazingly helpful site.  You are all very inspiring.

Prepping seems pretty daunting in these first few months, but, my partner is onboard, and we just keep at it, and our tiny home is beginning to bulge in places.  I am learning to enjoy living in a stockroom.

I wrote a letter to the manager of the Super Hannaford's in Portland the other day, suggesting that - particularly in the light of Preparedness Month - they might consider creating a prominently-placed system for folks to buy in case-lots.  No word back. Maybe Shaw's?

Well, enough for now.  Thanks again to all.

Welcome CrowCrone!
So glad you're here....and, that's a great idea.

Hannaford's plans for the first 'green' grocery store in the country is so exciting. You'd think that the company would be open to and aware of the need for an all hazards section in their stores. And being able to buy case-lots would be smart. I'll talk to the manager in Brunswick and see if there's any interest. I'll mention Preparedness Month! ;-)

I've never 'joined' a store like Sam's Club and I'm sure there are many other 'singles', etc., who would like the opportunity to buy in bulk especially if there's a sign that reminds them of 'stocking up' for emergencies. The pocket-sized pandemic focused pamphlets are now being distributed to other counties and they clearly recommend two weeks or more for preps and note waves of disruption. I haven't actually seen the ones for the other counties, only Sagadahoc, but a friend will be giving me one shortly. 

I'll let you know who it goes! Thanks for posting.

[ Parent ]
more on Hannaford's 'Green Store'...
unfortunately this store won't even be started to be built 'til next summer but that shouldn't prevent other H. stores from being open to the health needs of their customers re. disaster prep. Shaw's, I don't know...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 -- SCARBOROUGH, Maine -

"Hannaford Supermarkets president and c.e.o. Ronald Hodge and Maine Governor John Baldacci said yesterday at a press conference held at the site of the former Cony High School in state capital Augusta that Hannaford would seek Platinum certification -- the highest available, naturally topping Gold and Silver -- from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for a store scheduled to be built on the site next year. The Hannaford location would be the first Platinum-certified LEED supermarket in the world, according to the retailer.

The Platinum designation, granted through USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a national green building rating system, means that a business has committed to constructing a building with such environmentally responsible features and systems as solar photovoltaic panels, a green roof, geothermal heating and cooling, high-efficiency refrigeration, energy-efficient lighting, and an advanced recycling program.

According to Hodge, the store will serve as a research laboratory for the company to test innovations that lower energy usage, waste, and water consumption, while improving air quality, stormwater management, and the use of sustainable materials."

more: http://www.progressi...

[ Parent ]
Food by the case
Hi Bird-Dog,

Thanks for the posts!  I am a little shy about posting, because you all have been so thorough over the years, I am not sure I'll have anything new to offer, but I haven't been able to read all that's here yet.  So, if I offer up an idea that's been around the block twelve times already, please pardon me while I'm playing catchup.

I actually heard back from the Hannaford's manager today - he said he coldn't act on my suggestion, one way or the other, but he did straighten out my order for a couple of cases of sardines, and gave me an unsolicited gift card for my trouble (which wasn't at all necessary, and I think I'll give it back).  I think I will send the suggestion for a Preparedness sction on to the corporate offices, and see what happens.

The manager did say that, while they are able to take special orders, and do on a daily basis, they can't give a case price on same.  I would guess their margin is cut to the bone due to competition. 

I don't buy much food at Sam's Club-type places, because the great prices are often due to the short storage dates.

I belong to a food buying club in Southern Maine.  We buy organic foods by the case, and do get a discount that increases if the club maintains a certain sales level over six months ($1000 per month, I think).  The dates are great, too. Orders go in by computer once a month; food is picked up at an agreed upon site, and comes labeled by household, so it doesn't take much time to get it sorted.  You can find a club near you by going to www.unitedfoodbuyingclubs.com

Thanks for the info about Hannaford's Green Store.  I hadn't heard about it - and it truly is exciting.

Back to work now.  Best to all.

Maybe if enough of us contact...
Hannafords', they may consider it. Again, great idea CrowCrone.

And thanks so much for the link. I'll look into it. I do order bulk organic herbs from a local natural food store and have bought cases of org.rice cakes and rice at a slight discount. I really don't feel that I need much more for my prep. larder but then again, if my nerves get rattled, who knows? :-)

I'm going to try to head up to the Common Ground Fair on Sunday  for some fresh wool, some tools, and my yearly fix/whiff of animals. Hope I can make it! Missed it last year. Lots of good ideas there for living off the grid.

And such wonderful Fall weather...have a good weekend. 

[ Parent ]
I find this strange...
According to the new CIDRAP site on state preparedness(Promising Practices,..), 'our' Dr. Kathleen Gensheimer is one of thirteen folks on the Advisory Committee but Maine is not apparently providing any satisfactory pandemic preparedness tools(practices) to CIDRAP or the Pew Center. I'm very surprised as I thought that 'we' were doing well regarding communications, etc.. I need to look into this further...just had a quick glance. I'm very glad that she's participating though!!! Thank you, Dr. Gensheimer! ;-}

http://www.pandemicp...

Maine Public Health Association Meeting in August 10/23/07
Hi Folks,

Anyone going to the meeting in Augusta next Tuesday, 10/23/07?  It's their annual meeting, entitled "Public Health Emergencies...for EVERYONE involved in the health of Maine people!!"

You can check it out at http://www.mcph.org/... 2007 Invitation.pdf

I'll be going representing Acupuncturists Without Borders.  Would love to connect with any "flubies" that are there, but don't know how I'll know you.

Anybody else going?

I hope all are well and staying dry in this big storm!

Regards,
CrowCrone

Hi CrowCrone!
I'm supposed to be working all day but will try to change my schedule. Thanks for the reminder, and also, thanks for the info on the pressure points regarding nausea! Very very helpful. If I can go on Tuesday I'll post Monday morning and give you my email address. That would be fun and hopefully informative.

I love this wind and rain!!!! Time to go upstairs, read a bit, and get carried to sleep by the storm. It's a wild one.

[ Parent ]
Great! Hope to see you there. - CC n/t

[ Parent ]
ME Public Health's Annual Mtg-& more...
CC, that link didn't work (for me) but this might >>>http://64.233.169.10...

10/23/07 Augusta, 8:30am-4:00pm
Maine Public Health's Annual Meeting

Public Health Emergencies . . .
for EVERYONE involved in
the health of Maine people!

Participants have the opportunity to:

Hear what's happening on the national level
regarding preparedness for public health
emergencies.

Understand your role during a public health
emergency in Maine.

Learn what's happening in Maine.

Recognize award recipients.

Network with other public health professionals.

[example:

"Session #7 - Case Study: Healthy Community
Coalition - A Leader in Pandemic Flu Planning
This session will highlight how a community coalition
partnered with a health system to develop Maine's first
hospital-based pandemic flu plan.
Presenters: Leah Binder, Executive Director, Healthy
Community Coalition,Wilton and Vice-President,Franklin
Community Health Network; Sandy Richard, RN, BSN,
Healthy Maine Partnership Project Director; and Randy
Gauvin,PA-C,Emergency Preparedness Director,Franklin
Memorial Hospital"]

LisainSouthernMaine and others, maybe you can attend this?

{btw, Lisa, whenever you email me the message is blank but the email claims to contain an attachment which (again, for me) can't be opened. Hence my frustration and lack of reply. Sorry!}


[ Parent ]
CrowCrone, wish that I could go...
but it does not look possible. So frustrating. I going to keep trying though.

  How about "Flubies Without Borders" or "Therapy Animal Practitioners Without Borders"? (grin)

[ Parent ]
Sorry you likely won't make it
Hey bird dog,

Sorry it seems you won't be able to make it.  Another time.

In the meanwhile, the possibilities for names appear to be - well - limitless!

Enjoy our extended Late Summer.

Regards,

CrowCrone

[ Parent ]
CrowCrone, how did it go?
Would you please post your impressions of the conference. And thanks so much for going!

I'm wondering if anyone else from here attended and can also give some feedback. I wish that I could have gone!!!

Green Funerals in Maine...
GREEN FUNERALS: Putting aside embalming and tombs
http://pressherald.m...

By JOHN RICHARDSON, Staff Writer October 28, 2007

Klara Tammany's mother didn't want a typical American funeral. No embalming, no metal casket, not even a funeral home.

When she died after a long illness a couple of years ago, family members and friends washed and dressed her body and put it in a homemade wooden casket, which was laid across two sawhorses in the dining room of her condo in Brunswick.

Then, for two days, friends and family visited, brought cut
flowers, wrote messages on the casket's lid and said goodbye.

[snip]

Next weekend, green funerals will be the subject of the annual meeting of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine, a nonprofit group that provides information about alternatives to modern funerals.

Mark Harris, author of "Grave Matters: A Journey Through the
Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial," will be the keynote speaker.

[snip]

Embalming is not required by the state and is not necessary for health reasons, said Dora Anne Mills, director of Maine's Center for Disease Control. Chem-free burials are done in most of the world and are not a health risk under normal circumstances, she said.

------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHOR'S APPEARANCE

Mark Harris, author of "Grave Matters: A Journey Through the
Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial," will speak in Falmouth on Saturday at 10 a.m.

He also will be signing books at Bookland in Brunswick at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Harris' speech at the Oceanview Retirement Community on
Blueberry Lane is part of the annual meeting of the Funeral
Consumers Alliance of Maine.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is
requested (725-2217).

---------------------------------------------------------------

Also, watch Frontline on PBS, this Tuesday night at 9- "The Undertaking" with the amazing(imo) poet/undertaker Thomas Lynch. On coping with death, dying, and grief.

Good Halloween/Pandemic fare....

Sagadahoc County rescue workers complete mass disaster exercise
How'd that go, earlier this month?

How are you all? Sorry I haven't been up.
(I'm at PFI rather than here lately, too.)

not a clue....
and where did you find that?

Crfullmoon, when I think of how I was feeling about PF ~2 years ago, thinking that even toothbrushes, everything!, would cease in production for years, maybe more, and I scrimped 'n saved and spent *everything* on multiple, and then more, batches of the daily necessities, foregoing movies, my years-long summer classical music concert subscriptions, a vacation to Ireland, a wedding in California, the respect of my siblings(sister is now happily back in Nepal for next 12 months, niece soon to travel to India for months!),.. anyway, things have changed. That Booz-Allan pdf and  all the other financial, etc. reports and exercises have me feeling that 'we're' definitely not alone, definitely not the only folks who can imagine the whole picture. (And it's thanks to Dem & Susan & the amazing Indo folks, etc.) It's still as scary as hell and I'm still 'here', still prepping, still talking one-on-one to folks, still trying to keep my body strong- the mind 'went' long ago. And I have great hopes for a health-oriented vs. harm-oriented country in a year- given the ballot-box has been de-rigged, so-to-speak. grrr.

But, like I said, still prepping every day. And that can simply mean sending emails to representatives, collecting kindling, rereading Barry's book or 'The Last Town on Earth', etc. It all makes me feel safer for PF, or any emergency situation ftm. It's all good. And the SOX won.

Anyway, many of these exercises/conferences are for 'healthcare workers', police, EMT's. So I'm not pushing like I might have 2 years ago. I've shared with my neighbors, friends, family. They've been warned!!! It's just me, my dog, my cat, and my bird. We'll be fine. 

and crfullmoon, *you* were definitely the one I was thinking about when I saw that green funeral article in the paper. lol.

Hope you are well. bird-dog

[ Parent ]
...
I think I googled news, "Sagadahoc county" - couple of papers were quoting Misty Green, but, I didn't want to jump through hoops to access the articles. Same old same old; 'we do these drills to find areas we can improve' - yeah right - but, at least your county got told 30 days. (Not "3 casinos"!)

Maybe I can get up your way for a visit before the snow flies. And yeah, I think 'green' cemeteries are a growth "industry". (Oy.)

[ Parent ]
yes, would be fun. n/t

[ Parent ]
"I think 'green' cemeteries are a growth "industry"
And don't ya know, people are just dyin' to get in on them!

groan

[ Parent ]
BB + Batten down the hatches, gang!
NauticalMan and friends on the coast, looks like we'll have our opportunity to test our 'goodies'/I mean, I mean, our serious life-saving appliances(grin). Nothing too major but the power may be out for a day or more.

I need to find someone *today* to clean out the 'trees', etc. in my third story gutters. I may have to simply rent a ladder and do it myself but I'm not too keen on 'heights'. Nothing like waiting to the last minute.

BB, care to take a drive to Maine today? Think of my poor gutters...

Or maybe just make a Part 2 for Maine Preppers? Thanks. (Also I read somewhere recently that your 'flu killer' needs to be 'used' within two years or it goes bad. So I've been working on it. Gallo definitely doesn't keep well. Told you I was scrimping...)

bird-dog--"care to take a drive to Maine today?"
bird-dog, I'd love to go up to Maine...it was the only state I didn't get a chance to visit when we lived in CT :-(

Unfortunately, I'm gonna be busy this weekend in DC at the APHA expo, so mebbe that ladder idea is best. Or hire a teenage kid in the neighborhood?

You're right...Gallo doesn't keep very well, so I'm constantly rotating the RWFK stock as necessary! Personally, I don't do Gallo...my preference is the boxed Almaden Cab! ;-)

I'll go ahead and start a Maine Preppers II diary for ya!

[ Parent ]
And a new Maine Preppers diary
has just arrived as Maine Preppers II
[ Parent ]
thank you, thank you, thank you, BB
and I'll have to check out the Almaden Cab...can't wait! Well, I guess I'd better(wait) as I still have to 'go through' many x-tra large bottles of the Gallo cab. LOL

I *will* pick up some of yours' though and I'll let you know!
Thanks again. Sally

[ Parent ]
Maybe you don't want to do it yourself.
One time I was in the waiting room for physical therapy, and there were 3 men there at the same time who had fallen off ladders and needed therapy.  I guess it depends on the height; DH has given doing the gutters over the second floor now, he only does the first floor porch gutter.

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor
[ Parent ]
Thanks, Jane...
It isn't actually three floors but I live in an old NE-type salt-box and the second floor is much higher than my longest ladder-seems higher than most 2nd floors.

  I had to work this afternoon so I wasn't successful today but the storm isn't scheduled to arrive until about 2 pm tomorrow. I may have time to 'get it done'.  The first floor gutters are a breeze.
I may just have to wait and hire a do-anything man for the high ones.. hmmmmm  ;-) never mind...

I must do this now... as it's necessary to tie up loose ends before tshtf big-time, with H5N1. Must make it my mantra...

[ Parent ]
bird-dog's mantra
hire a do-anything man
hire a do-anything man
hire a do-anything man
hire a do-anything man

NO! Wait..WHAT?!? That's not it!

tie up loose ends before tshtf
tie up loose ends before tshtf
tie up loose ends before tshtf
tie up loose ends before tshtf

Whew...that's more better! ;-)

[ Parent ]
;-) n/t

[ Parent ]
Maine Preppers | 186 comments
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