Lack
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010Author James The Wanderer
Nicholas Nassim Taleb (The Black Swan, Fooled by Randomness, several other great books) has generated several good ideas, among which are:
( 1 )Events will occur which are both unpredicted and unpredictable. These he calls Black Swan events, in honor of the utter amazement of European naturalists, who KNEW all swans were white, upon the discovery of Black Swans (in Australia, also recently discovered at the time).
( 2 )Just because a certain variable (blood pressure, population growth / decay, stock market prices or indexes) have varied between X and X+5, say, for a long time, they need not do so in the future.
In fact, a variable may happen to occur between X and X+5 for specific reasons (not always
apparent), non-specific reasons (a chain of circumstances, all related, or not) or even SHEER
RANDOMNESS. Reality and the behavior of the universe are NOT tied down by past performance;
it may vary between X and X+5 for generations, and TOMORROW be at X / 10,000, or X + 10,000.
Both of these, to me, speak of a similar trait; the lack of imagination. This is explained by the existence of long-term phenomena; the sun ALWAYS rises in the east on this planet, or at least what we have declared to be the “east”. The seasons progress, due to axial precession, year after year. We see something every day, year after year, and conclude that things as we know them today are immutable; they CANNOT change, at least not to any great extent.
But the truth is, there are very few phenomena in this category. Geologic time periods indicate a Great Inland Sea where Kansas is now, an ecology-rupturing event that concluded the Age of Dinosaurs, and the River Thames froze over completely in recorded history (it hasn’t for the last few centuries).
We neglect this because WE WEREN’T THERE TO SEE IT, and therefore it didn’t happen, really.
We suffer from a lack of imagination, and draw patterns where none existed, or ignore oncoming
catastrophe even when we see it coming, because we WANT the present patterns to continue.
I imagine a dinosaur scientist, a Tyrannosaurus sapiens, who carefully and sagely counts the
populations of herbivore dinosaurs in a certain area, then multiplies by the known area of temperate
lands on all continents, before issuing the reasonably-derived opinion,
“In regard to the question of available foodstocks, the estimated population of herbivorous dinosaurs (neglecting tar pits, oceans, and barren areas) is sufficient to support an increased population of carnivorous dinosaurs in the region of one-thousand fold increase. Alarmist opinions regarding the population explosion (in the last two millennia) of carnivorous dinosaurs can be abandoned.”
Then, a week later,
“In the matter of the great fireball and explosion observed in the southern latitudes, we are assuming no impact on carnivorous dinosaur society; the explosion was too far away and too ineffective to threaten us. Please continue your present course of predation, reproduction and exploration without concern.”
Then, a few short years later, scratching in the sand as he finally starves,
“It appears I was mistaken about that fireball in the southern latitudes…..”
The whole point being, we will probably observe the Black Swan event that causes the Crunch, or what causes the cause that causes the cause of the Crunch – and totally miss the point. Our pattern-seeking, pattern – confirming and pattern- faithfulness behavior, so necessary to successful evolution, will prevent us from perceiving the tipping point until we are well beyond it.
The real criminals in this analysis are our own government, who cannot imagine the collapse of
America (or, worse, are actively seeking it!) as they tinker and grind away at the foundations of
society. “Equality demands that poor people get home loans,” which they cannot afford, and destroy
the banking system. “Justice demands that terrorists get the same treatment as citizens,” even though they AREN’T citizens. “Fairness demands that illegal aliens be granted all the rights and privileges of citizens,” even as border states face economic collapse from providing free services to illegal aliens. Obama, his Cabinet and far-Left supporters either cannot imagine that America can break – or they want it to, and are doing all in their power to make it happen. Where are they planning to hide until order is restored? And why would we want them back, once it is?
Are you prepared for the crunch yet? Making preparations? Or holding onto your “patterns”, saying…
“It can’t happen here. The [Fed, Obama, Treasury Secretary, local union, Blue Powder Fairies,
extraterrestrial Grays, insert your own saviors here] will prevent any real collapse…”
“God will save me”. [Perhaps, but why not make it a bit easier for Him?]
“The rest of the world is in far poorer shape. We’ll be just fine.” [Are you willing to bet your life on it?
Your wife’s and children’s lives?]
“I’ll get ready when it gets really bad”. [Just like the other 4 billion folks who haven’t planned?]
I could go on – but I hope you will prepare, first, before the lazy and stupid finally wake up and start getting prepared. By then, of course, it will be too late – and so will you, if you wait long enough.
Related posts:
Kurt says:
June 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
I have noticed this in humans as well, even in my own family, nobody wants to believe what is coming really will. I believe it is partly due to a tendency to desperately want it not to happen, partly because it is so horrific, partly due to a lack of imagination, and a spirit of delusion on the world.
A very large part of what I’ve been running into, just because of the circles I run in, is an attitude of “God will take care of me, He said not to worry.” So in case some of you others are bumping up against the same thing in spades like myself, here is a small bit that might help you out. Yea, a spiritual lesson, stop reading if that offends you. The rest might find it helpful in talking with loved ones.
God said not to worry. This is true. He did NOT say don’t plan. There is a difference believe it or not. The Bible has multiple references to planning ahead: Joseph, “Go to the ant you sluggard” in the book of Proverbs, and “A wise man sees trouble afar off and hides himself” also in Proverbs. Skip forward to the New Testament and you have “you reap what you sow”. You plant corn, you get corn. You plant wheat, you get wheat. You plant weeds, you get weeds. You plant nothing, you get NOTHING. The New Testament says that if any man lacks wisdom, let him ask. You mean God actually wants us to have wisdom? Yes. You mean God might actually want us to “hide ourselves from trouble” that is coming(meaning prepare)? Yes. Think about when God has done miracles in the past. When has He done them? Only when the humans involved could not do for themselves. The people had to do their part, or neither would God. There was famine coming, so God sent 7 years of plenty, but they still had to gather it up and store it. Israel needed to get out of Egypt. They could not defeat Pharaoh’s armies holding them there, so God took care of that part. But they still had to walk. They didn’t have enough to eat, so He rained Manna from Heaven. They still had to gather and prepare it. You think God could not have done it where they didn’t have to eat? Why not? He did it with Moses when He went up the mountain. How many days was he up there without eating? How many times? God can to what He wants to do. There are many examples in the Bible. God chooses for us to do what we can, and only then does He make up the difference between what it is we need, and what it is we can do on our own.
Prepping is the wise thing to do. I’m not saying to let it worry you, but just because you ain’t worried, doesn’t mean you can’t show some wisdom concerning it. People go to”Christian based” financial planning talks. Why do that even if God says not to worry? He said not to worry, not don’t plan at all. He wants us to use wisdom.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 30th, 2010
2:54 pm
Darling James, around laughing uproariously I AM SO VERY PROUD OF YOU! That is a terrific article, as I expect the crew will concur, clamoring for more.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 30th, 2010
4:49 pm
Kurt, dear, very nicely done. We are not a “religious” site, but a scholarly exposition is quite appropriate and germane to the problem many of us face, too. I’ve been doing this longer than most of you and heard more wails of “They won’t LISTEN to me.” I was writing to our Steve (not Steverino) last night on that very subject, and we were talking about what I commented to you recently: at what point do we tell family members firmly, “I love you very much but I refuse to die uselessly for you? The last train out of Dodge leaves at 3:17 this afternoon, four hours from now, and it is your choice whether to be on it or not?” Richard Marmo could pitch in some good tales of how difficult it was to get his bride to marry him NOT because she doesn’t love him very deeply but because she “couldn’t bear the thought of not knowing what happened to her only child and two grandchildren” and refused even to consider TEOTWAWKI. She agreed it was dumb not to try to save herself and unfair to Richard, but she was adamant. I am not the stuff of which cheerful martyrs are made, myself, and I know my limitations. My very beautiful, very much beloved daughter will either pay attention when I say, “Get yourself down here NOW and don’t pack anything except the silver, your makeup, your game box, the dogs, and the skeet guns,” or she won’t. I’m not about to undertake a 450 mile or so round trip in an effort to rescue her. She’s very bright, she has been warned, and if she and Chad choose to ignore all warnings and end up trying to survive for a month on the outskirts of one of the biggest cities in America, on their own heads be it. If my darling Andrew, joy of my life, can’t make it with what I have provided and his character and skills there isn’t anything else I can do about it. Seattle is so very, very far away…
Oldmanriver says:
June 30th, 2010
5:15 pm
“The All-Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won’t live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing.”
One of my favorite quotes.
Nice article, I really liked the black swan when I read it. A lot of what is wrong in the business world can be traced to quarterly earnings reports and relying on excel to produce forward looking documents.
Desertrat says:
June 30th, 2010
10:38 pm
Quarterly earnings reports were a mandate from the SEC. It had been an annual thing…
Discovering science fiction back around 1950 sorta made the Black Swan concept a, “Well, of course!” deal for me. Being a child of the Depression and WW II made prepping pretty much a part of my everyday life, and the various ideas of Mel Tappan weren’t really anything new.
I’ll take luck over skill, anytime, although I note that the harder I worked, the luckier I got…
‘Rat
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 1st, 2010
12:57 am
Interesting, isn’t it, how many of us here are Sci Fi fans.
Oldmanriver says:
July 1st, 2010
5:38 am
LOL Annual thing? What I mean is that we have very few people in business that think much past 3 months ahead. Everyone is focused on the short term. Most farmers I know are thinking at least about how to set up the next generation so that they can farm. It makes a big difference in the choices a company makes.
James the Wanderer says:
July 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
Wow, what a response, and it’s barely published…
Thank you all.
Taxas Lady, now that I’ve finally remembered to look up the rules (LOL!) about how to get it submitted, you may well see a few more out of me. Glad you enjoyed this one .. and I suspect most thinking people at least SCAN sci-fi, at least once in a while. Good luck with Chad, your daughter and anyone else you care about – I just put in an order for more shelf-stable food. I won’t fall without trying!
And last month, my daughter applied for her passport (one last option in extremis) … after I badgered her mercilessly since February! Two down, two to go…..
Kurt, I loved your comment. God gave us brains for a reason, and it’s amazing how many folks can’t or won’t use theirs properly. All you can do for such folks is hope … and pray.
OldManRiver, I finally had words for an old form of stupidity when I read his work. Another is Michael Lewis’ _Liar’s Poker_ , which explains nearly every stupid move on Wall Street for the last twenty years. Satan sure has a sense of humor sometimes….
DesertRat, who’s Mel Tappan? Got a book title you like? Thanks!
This ring is getting to be addictive…
Desertrat says:
July 1st, 2010
4:24 pm
Tappan was the James Wesley Rawles of the 1970s. He was the first to write calmly about survivalism. His main work was something like “Mel Tappan on Survival”. I merely skimmed through, as most of it was old hat for me.
I came across Ernest Thompson Seton’s works before I was even in my teens, and those plus country living and Boy Sprouts had me working hard to be an outdoorsman. “Tracking? Well, son, I killed an old mossy-horned buck, one time, and just for fun I tracked him back to where he was born.”
‘Rat
James the Wanderer says:
July 1st, 2010
8:48 pm
“Tappan was the James Wesley Rawles of the 1970s. He was the first to write calmly about survivalism. His main work was something like “Mel Tappan on Survival”. I merely skimmed through, as most of it was old hat for me.”
Thanks, ‘Rat, and I will see how much of his writings I can find – just to see if I might have missed something. I read E. T. Seton’s stories (at least some of them) too, and remember Ragglyrug the rabbit, a crow, a litter of foxes, and maybe I could find the book itself back at my parents’ house in Tennessee.
Boy Scouts is a fond memory for me too. I grew up hiking, camping and various other outdoor suffering, and neither of my children was fortunate enough to enjoy it. I simmer at a slow boil these days – ten Scouts could build a hiking trail in a state park, and the NYT minions would report it as “Homophobic conservative youth cause environmental damage without punishment”! GRRRRR!
What damage the Left has done the Boy Scouts is unforgiveable – and do they propose anything else positive, uplifting and educational for boys eight-to-eighteen to do?
***crickets ***
May the Lord forgive them, I doubt it’s in me to. Peace,tonight, I’ve got to cool down enough to sleep. Blessings to all, even the ignorant and destructive of what they’ve not sense to value.
Lynne says:
July 1st, 2010
8:53 pm
Great Post James.
I’m so glad you are getting your food. I just got another 50# of flour and rice. I’m splitting the rice with my Mom.
She’s been focusing on food items in a box that the other kids can cook. Now we are working on some items for the kids to be long term storage. Rice, whole grains, beans, oils and preserving our meats. Plus food and stuff for the critters.
Don’t overlook what my
friend called square inch gardening with sprouts. All you need is a jar some cheese cloth, water and a dark place and you will have fresh greens and vitamins year round. I want to try malting my own barley and wheat for beer as a project.
I will be smoking, corning and salting away some Brisket, turkey legs, ribs and Salmon this weekend. I think this is a appropriate Independence Day project.
Waxed some cheese and got recipe for making my own cheese I will tryout next month.
I know I tend to focus on staples for a start on prep. But I add to or experiment all the time. I have over 40 # of pasta I can use for anything from a summer salads to a casserole. I have eaten MREs for weeks trust me after a couple of weeks of that you will kill for some “Real Food”.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 1st, 2010
9:29 pm
Delighted laughter, James. ISN’T it fun to be published and find that people LIKE what you wrote and write you fun and nice comments? I picked you out of the herd the first time you commented over on W&G, you know. I KNEW you had what it takes, intelligence, knowledge, a sense of humor, willingness to try, and enjoying the people we meet here. You bet the Ring is addictive, and Charles commented recently that we could get to be BIGGER than W&G. Michael thought so from the start.
I have never had so many great friends before in my whole life. We may never meet–or, who knows, maybe we’ll throw together a week at my place next summer because I’m the most centrally located and can put up at least a dozen in comfort–but there are quite a few of you who could show up here unannounced, comes TEOTWAWKI, PROVE you’re James the Wanderer or Desert Rat or Kurt or Lynne, and be accepted immediately even if your hands were empty and you were being chased by bikers. We’re a bunch of very individualistic people but we share ideas, ideals, principles, and goals.
What awes me is how we’re growing. When we started I had chosen every last one of you from reader mail (not all of it mine) on W&G. I don’t even have to go beat the bushes any more because the newbies are finding us and fitting in as though you had been here forever. Thanks, all of you, for all the pleasure, knowledge, and stimulating ideas you give me. Linda
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 1st, 2010
9:35 pm
Lynne, there is always a special smile when I see your name. You’re getting a lot more done than I am, although I DID get the biggest kitchen counter down to the Early Pleistocene and threatened mayhem if anyone put anything on it. I’m a great believer in putting a little money into research, too. Pick up the off brands and see if they’re good. How do you know when you’ve smoked meat to the point where it doesn’t have to be refrigerated? When dear Charles and I can’t think of anything we really want for dinner, one of us grins and says “We could have…” and the other finishes, “Field peas and sausage!” I’m not a bean person, but those little field pea critters are addictive. I like multi-use dried foods, such as the very palatable, inexpensive escalloped potato mixes. Throw in some goats’ milk and make a nice soup?
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 1st, 2010
9:45 pm
I’ve read Tappan, and he’s good, for a fellow who died in ‘84. There is plenty of good stuff on the ‘net for free, but we do buy books on the subject, too. Charles knows Seton, but I didn’t. Did he used to write for Outdoor Life? (And yes, a pox on those who have spent years trying to destroy Boy Scouts.) We should all do a little reading for fun (since we can’t prep ALL the time. Snicker. Sure we can.) and one of my favorites by Louis L’Amour is “Down the Long Hills,” about a six-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl who survive an Indian attack on their wagon train. (Actually, our young hero realized he hadn’t hobbled Big Red and went to get him, and Betty Sue followed him.) Using what he has learned from his father the kids manage to travel several hundred miles. All turns out well after some hair-raising (but not any more scalping) adventures. The joy of it is that Louis makes you BELIEVE the little boy could have done it. We own all of L’Amour.
oldmanriver says:
July 1st, 2010
10:02 pm
All,
For some pretty good books on doing things yourself try the Foxfire series. I had forgotten that I had them until today. I’m visiting the family and going through my library and there they were. All kinds of usefull stuff for preppers. Can’t remember if anyone had mentioned them before or not.
Lynne says:
July 1st, 2010
11:20 pm
Linda it depends on the smoke. Long and slow under 100 degrees is a long term storage smoke and cure. Mostly a 18 to 24 hour smoke.
Most spice rubs include a salt/sugar cure/ marinade which are preservatives. 150 degrees plus is a hot smoke. Smoke is for flavor and not for preserving at 160 degrees +. Just a rule of thumb, your mileage may vary.
I did have real good luck with my 1st try at jerky. Salted the meat via soy and Worcestershire sauce and a few spices. Smoked the meat slow and then froze it to kill off any bugs. Stored in a container that let the air get to it to dry. Made it at least 9 months that I ate and others ate and was yummy, I thought it was good as well. It may have been overkill on being safe. But my life may depend on that jerky so I’ll be as safe as possible.
Linda I’m not special. Yes I’m doing prep on the frugal side and trying to get the most bang for my buck. Heck I hear about the “Coupon Queens” and some of the deals they get and I’m jealous.
I do believe in getting your “basics” and then adding too them. But also getting the most out of any product. I’ll fillet my salmon and use the collar and spine for stock. I’ll freeze it in ice cube trays or small bags. Nothing goes to waste, without squeezing the last drop of flavor or value of it.
How many times have we gone to the local “Megamart” and paid premium prices for herbs or bread or cheeses. What you cam do a home? Waxing cheese is easy, growing herbs easy. A sunny window sill will give you herbs. Whole grains can be sprouted. With no sun, a little water, a jar and a grain or bean.
I am an realist but I’m optimistic as well. You get it and you will tell others. If not that’s on you and not me.
Lynne says:
July 1st, 2010
11:37 pm
I think most big chunks of meat can be salt/corned/smoked. It must be in a cool enviroment even salted or smoked. I know you can get 6 months out of a good salt cure and smoke on most meats.
This is why folks killed critters in the fall. It could be salted, corned or smoked. You would have meat year round even if you couldn’t hunt.
I think 6-12 moths is the best you could hope for on home smoke and dried meats. Not to bad considering an Emergency! Till that happens you have home made jerky spiced how you like.
CheriVNB says:
July 2nd, 2010
1:21 pm
OMR
I had been meaning to mention the Foxfire books. When my dad passed I requested the 3 volumes (don’t know if there are more) he had and no one objected. I scavenge yard sales for older (<1970) cookbooks(the kind with pictures and "how tos") and methods books, even some old text books case there is no electricity for the computer. A book library could become popular again….
Cheri
James the Wanderer says:
July 2nd, 2010
2:48 pm
Comments follow an exponential growth pattern…
Hey Lynne! I’ve only got a week or two’s worth of MREs, mainly to get past the “shock and awe shucks” period of Crunch, and I’ve been looking at condiments lately. Rice and beans NEED some powerful sauces, or boredom sets in REAL quick. We’ve got a small freezer, need a generator / power source to keep it solid for a few weeks at least (don’t want to eat all your meat due to a grid failure). Maybe I should look into solar, living in a desert and all…
Sprouts? Tried once not-too-successfully a while back, need to try again. Growing tomatoes (well, tomato flowers at this point), Bell pepper plants, and strawberries (a couple green ones so far); forgot to plant carrots, could probably get in a late crop. Have charcoal barbecue grill and charcoal, can grill. Dead limb that fell out of backyard tree, unexpected bonus (missed the storage shed by inches, took me and two teen children to pull out of the way and start chopping up). More and more…
Texas Lady, this is fun; I’ve been published before (and even got paid for it!), but I figure this is so rewarding I can skip the paycheck (although, now, if you want to offer….) Please continue flattery as time permits(;-)> . If I’m being chased by bikers, it’s because they mistook me for someone else – I (briefly) commuted on a Yamaha XJ-550 when I lived in Bakersfield. And if I did show up, I’d have to move on – unless there’s some available land to buy and build on. I might drop by on the way to my ancestral home in Daingerfield (up by Shreveport, still in my dad’s capable hands); if it comes to TEOTWAWKI, I’d have no mortgage payment, but the old house probably needs six months of repairs just to be liveable. Life just isn’t convenient sometimes. YES, Louis L’Amour, several other Western and outdoor writers … by candlelight if necessary! Glad you’re getting a kick out of these, literate people write well is seems.
Hey CheriVNB! Yes, libraries … with textbooks, technical references, dictionaries, math books, how-to books, Sci-Fi and even romances for those who like them. Private lending libraries may be a way to earn some easy cash, after the collapse. How much would you pay to read a book that describes how to make glass? Steel? Braze aluminum? I’ve done stained glass work, copper-pipe plumbing and 110V electrical wiring, for starters. Talents, skills and knowledge – how we’ll Rebuild the Republic! But I bet I can generate enough 110V from solar, wind and hydro to keep a computer running for hours at a time – with the software that lets me design piping systems for pressure drop, and other “engineering” software I can find for not-too-much money. How much would you pay for a bridge across that gulley on your property that will hold up under your tractor? Or your own hydro power dam on that trout stream? My own little Fluor / Brown & Root / Jacobs Engineering Company side job….
Back to your regularly scheduled reality now. Two inches of journal articles I need to read & digest by Monday or so. Sigh.
CheriVNB says:
July 2nd, 2010
7:14 pm
Love Sci-Fi.
A couple of other things I have been meaning to mention on the prepping…
I keep all the small sized grooming products, soaps, shampoo, lotion, etc. from hotel stays, even the kind I don’t like. For instance, conditioning shampoo, I hate it but if water is scarce it will be more practical and great for barter! Don’t overlook feminine hygiene products, all types, they could be used for first aid and trade if you don’t need them. They may replace silver, second only to ammo, just kidding. Thought of that a month ago but failed to mention it.
A book can be read by candle light and reduced solar in winter may limit computer time.
My one regret is I have no trout stream on the property, can’t you raise sardines in a tank?
Cheri
Oldmanriver says:
July 3rd, 2010
2:33 pm
Cheri,
There are 12 books in the foxfire series. You can still get them, just google foxfire books. From how to make blackpowder to home cures for diesease they have a little bit of everything in them.
Also when I graduated high school I went on a people to people trip to the Soviet Union. Some of the thngs we were supposed to bring with us for barter were perfume, make up, toilet paper, cigarrettes, condoms, feminine products. Those were the things that were in the biggest demand. I had a buddy that traded some makeup samples for a soviet ww2 officers uniform, complete with medals lol. That just shows you how valuable that kind of stuff is when you dont have it.
Lynne says:
July 3rd, 2010
3:49 pm
@James, You are correct on the rice and beans that’s why I consider them just a start on your prep. I have over 40# of pasta of different types. Lentils are a great source of protien and good for long-term storage. An herb garden is a great way to add all those flavors and sauces. Whole Spices, and Gallons of different oils and vinegars.
I have over 150 # of lump charcoal for cooking/smoking not counting the 2 other propane ovens I have as well. That’s the great thing about having an RV/travel trailer you have an extra oven and fridge that can run on propane. If you can keep your meat from spoiling for a day or 2 you can get to work smoking, drying and salting that meat away for the future. That’s my project for this summer is preserving meats and making a modified root cellar for vegies and fruits. I hope to get a good Solar oven this year. I think that will be my last major purchace for equipment.
@Cheri I think it was Kurt Saxon that had plans for raising your own catfish in a couple of 55 gallon barrels. You should be able to google it.
I go to the dollar stores for those soaps, shampoos plus extra razors, generic meds and tooth brushes. I picked up a couple of Mediterranian, Mexican and Oriental cookbooks there as well, so I have new recipes for all my rice and pastas to try out. I buy a lot of my canned meats there as well. I have a some great Italian recipes to tryout with sardines, clams and smoked oysters. I get chunk chix, and ham for flavor and protien.
I have been picking up Kerosene lamps on sale and at yardsales. I like the light they put out for reading/working better than just candle light. Plus I have a kerosene heater as a backup heat source.
If you don’t have it yet I recommend Cast Iron “Dutch Oven”, a 12″ cast iron frying pan and a good Wok. All of these can be used over an open fire or charcoal as well as a regular oven.
Lynne says:
July 3rd, 2010
4:38 pm
Linda, I forgot to ask have you used your calf’s milk replacement in any recipes? Do you need to reduce the sugar content in a recipes like biscuits and stuff? It may work great for sweet breads like brioche or cinnamon rolls.
I am looking to to try it out as a powder milk replacement. Do you need someone to try it out and report back?
Congrats on the Kitchen counter.
This is a great time to tryout some new ways of doing stuff. I have done my own sourdoughs for breads with just a little yeast to start the process. I use Active dry yeast and it can last 5 years in an air tight container stored in the freezer and a least a year in cool dry storage. I use mine pretty fast since I bake my own breads. No, it doesn’t need to be warmed or bloomed. It’s very forgiving if you are new to baking yeast doughs.
Lynne says:
July 3rd, 2010
10:13 pm
I do wish I was better writer. I want to tell you why I think you should prep and how to do it. But I don’t express it well, or post. I’m good at check lists and stuff as add on. But not so much on stories or basics.
I wish I could express all of the trials of baking my own breads. and getting good at it. Doing my own smoke, and cures. Yes it does take some practice. yes I pickle, cure and smoke. But I’m a lousy story teller. Well not so much a lousy story teller as a lousy writer. I’m working on that. I’ll have to work on that.
Kurt says:
July 5th, 2010
12:01 am
Well Lynne, maybe the thing to do is for you to tell a story. I mean that literally. Get somebody to video tape you doing what it is you need to get across, then transcribe it for you. If nothing else, the whole idea of video is getting more attractive each day as younger people don’t want to read it, they want it in video format. You could tell people as a story, what you think they are likely to need, then have it available as a checklist. You could tell the story of how you pickle, and I’m sure many would love to watch, plus then they could have it transcribed by the person helping you do it.
Lynne says:
July 5th, 2010
8:21 pm
Well I’ll keep working on it. It’s something I can practice on and I always enjoy the writing process. It’s just when I’m done I’m not always pleased with the finished product.
James the Wanderer says:
July 6th, 2010
12:56 pm
Hey Cheri!
Ever read _Farnham’s Freehold_ by Robert Heinlein? “You tear or damage a book, and I’ll bind that book in human hide!” or similar. I feel much the same way = Kindle and Nook are nice, but books don’t need batteries or Internet to function.
Lynne, I don’t think any of us really like what comes out, since we see the pimples and warts when others see the smiles and dimples. Keep it up anyway – if no one read what I write, I’d be annoyed, but not diminished – just lonely.
I do like Kurt’s ideas on video – that could be a treasure for generations!
Cheers!
james
Lynne says:
July 6th, 2010
2:28 pm
I know it sounds odd but I’m enjoying learning and doing stuff the old way and being as independent as possible. I don’t think I would have ever thought of roasting my own coffee, making jerky, beer or smoking my own meats. I think prepping has been good for me mentally as well. Instead of feeling like a victim. I have projects lined up for the rest of the year. From doing more food preservation to making my own beers and wines and my own cleaning products.
James I don’t know if it will help but it takes me at least a couple of tries on anything new I am learning. I tend to make just about every mistake in the book and invent a few of my own until I get the “feel” of the process. That’s why I practice so much now, I need to get those mistakes out of the way.