a reminder of why we prep

The South Carolina flooding is again a good reminder as to why we prep. The middle of the state that we have adopted has been devastated. Some people have lost barely anything, while others have lost everything.  My Aunt lives a block off the ocean in Folly Beach, her entire bottom floor was flooded, when I talked to her, she was in tears, one of the things that was destroyed was an antique doll house that my uncle bought her before he passed, it is irreplaceable. But while in tears,  her spirit still was not diminished, she knew others were worse off and had lost much more. ....she told me that even Hurricane Hugo wasn't this bad.

My faith in the human spirit has been a bit renewed as neighbor has been helping neighbor The donations are pouring in from everywhere. and I am happy to know that in a time of need, people can put differences aside and help others.

in 2004, while still living in Florida, in a two week period we were hit with several tropical systems. the local big orange store, announced that evening on the news, they were getting a shipment of generators. Senior, immediately rushed there to get us one. The next day, our area was hit, Power was out for a week. Fortunately we were one of the few who had a generator and was able to keep our fridge going, make coffee, and run some fans when needed.
That Thursday, the Red Cross announced they would be giving out ice, and sandwiches to those people in our neighborhood who were still without power. So, I went. and I stood in the long line that you so often see on the TV.  And what I witnessed made my stomach turn. People there only to get something "free" the items were not truly going to those in need. I left.
 Like Scarlett O'Hara eating a raw potato...I swore that day I would never be one of those people standing in line waiting for others to help me. That entire ordeal was a turning point for Senior and I. Buying that generator was the first step we took towards prepping.

Do you remember what triggered your concerns? Can you recall what it was that made you realize that you needed to be prepared?

Our prayers go out to all those people across the midlands of our adopted state that have lost so much with this disaster.

Why We Prep

The other day, I read comments on another blog. The post was originally on Veterans Day, but some how  and for some reason the comments went negative and preppers was brought in to the subject. One person commenting referred to us as "cockroaches" the blogger who admins. the site went on to call us "DumbA--, and too cocky to survive"  Really?
I actually take being mentioned in the same circle as a cockroach a compliment. They have figured out how to survive for millions of years, so they must be doing some thing right.

About that time the Philippines were hit with a major typhoon. Massive destruction, and thousands dead and or missing. In the aftermath, people are doing desperate things to survive, especially in hard to reach areas. Supplies and aid is slowly flowing in. But more is needed. An entire country as been devastated, towns and villages completely wiped off the map. 

And people ask why I prep?  I, and others like me prep because we don't want to rely on our government for aid in case of the same disaster that hit the Philippines. I prep because I refuse to be a victim. I did stand in line ONCE  after the 2004 Tropical Storm outbreak in Florida for a bag of ice and  peanut butter jelly sandwiches...I didn't get those items because I was the wrong color. I will never do that again. It woke me and Senior up to a lot of things and we will never depend on government ever again for help.
Has this country gotten so complacent that we have forgotten the effects of Katrina and Super Storm Sandy, numerous earthquakes, floods, and wildfires?

So, for people like these bloggers, and others like them who think it is comical to be prepared-
This is still a quasi free country and you are currently free to express your opinions.
But, when the lights go out, you lose power and your oxygen cuts off- remember your jokes and comments... Karma sucks !

-JUGM