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Open Thread - 4-17-2026 - Uncertain Times

Morning

Going to start the day with an article on setting and storing food back for future use. It is a life long habit. Even in the best of times I try and have all the food necessary for the livestock in the barn by September for the upcoming winter.

For us humans it is a little more complex do a desire for a varied menu. Some thoughts -

The 5 Worst Food Storage Mistakes Preppers Make – And How to Avoid Them

Mistake #1: Failing to eat what you store and store what you eat, leading to unfamiliar foods that cause digestive problems in a crisis.

Mistake #2: Neglecting proper rotation using the FIFO method, which results in expired or wasted supplies.

Mistake #3: Storing food in improper containers that allow air, moisture, or pests to ruin stock.

Mistake #4: Choosing poor storage locations exposed to temperature swings, humidity, or easy access by rodents and insects.

Mistake #5: Overlooking water requirements for rehydrating food and lacking alternative cooking methods during shortages.

The broader lesson from experienced voices in the preparedness community is that food storage should enhance daily life rather than sit as unused insurance. When supplies are rotated and integrated thoughtfully, they provide peace of mind without becoming a financial burden or source of regret. Families that treat their reserves as a living pantry rather than a static stockpile gain both practical benefits and greater confidence.

________

Everything is fine - just a long week and overslept the alarm. Need to go harvest some asparagus for today's breakfast omelet. The strawberries are starting to bloom, will see if survive the mid 20's projected for tonight.

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QMS's picture

.

speaking of omelettes - have found a new method to create
a very fluffy egg dish. The trick is to separate the whites and
yokes, whip them individually, then softly mixed together. Cooked
over low heat till set then fold. I use a Ninja immersion blender to
speed up the process. Light and tasty. Go easy on the add-ins
(like cheese or mushrooms) as too much weight bogs it down.

Cheers.

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Zionism is a social disease

Those are good suggestions for how we prepare ourselves for shortages. Once or twice a decade, we get a hurricane that puts everyone in the dark, and in very rural ares, it can stay dark for months. All the locals know how to prep for this, but what is predicted to come at the end of the year is a much more severe food shortage that will last for a very long time.
It might be a good time to stock up somewhat on underwear, socks, etc...
We are off to the store now.
Thanks for the OT, friend!

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

enhydra lutris's picture

freeze stuff. I have an old vacuum sealer tht I haven't used for ages, we seldom store anything that long to justify all the plastic, though I do hae some cannisters I should did out and use as appropriate.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

MOA appropriate comment:

“ The Trump Shrodinger’s Strait of Iran is Open and Closed at the same time as before.

Can someone please solve this quantum superposition by Open the Live Ship Tracker and Observe whether the Straits is Dead or Alive.”

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Anya

is not an insult--it is speaking the truth.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

@on the cusp Well this helps explain a few things. As far as our Navy’s blockade, I gather they’re saying it’s sort of a pretend thing—not really serious, placating Trump I guess. (Wasn’t where I could turn the sound on so just read subtitles.) Let’s hope somebody gets him under control long enough to end the Iran War.

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Anya

@Anya The Navy takes the position that if Trumps believes they are truly blockading, he won't send them in to get killed in the Straight.
Biden was demented, but nobody feared him. He was easily managed, as were Wilson and Reagan.

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3 users have voted.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981