30 Days, 30 Ways Challenge

At work I heard about a "game" to help people prepare during National Preparedness Month, which if you didn't know just started today. It's known as 30 Days, 30 Ways and it is being run (I believe) by CRESA or Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency. So since I have a great competitive nature I signed up.

The first task is to talk about the last thing you have done to prepare for an emergency situation. You earn a point for your answer and another one for talking about it through social media, such as this wonderful blog. I would get a third point if someone mentions me in their response (hint). It's all about points, it's what makes the world go round.

So I know it has been a long time since I wrote anything on the blog and I should update about this year's garden. Quickly, tomatoes not as good as last year, but some. Zucchini grew but I harvested it too late. Pickling cucumbers going good, first batch in the fermentation crock which I will talk about in a later post. Eggplant is starting to bloom, as you know I have had trouble growing it before and have posted about how wonderful it is before too. And I am determined to get it to grow! And actually got two small pumpkins from seeds I saved from one I bought at the farmer's market last fall.

But back to the main point of this post. What have I done lately that would help me and my wife prepare for an emergency situation. I could mention the cucumbers I canned this weekend, but in an emergency pickles are the last thing on your mind, sadly. I could also mention how I harvested the zucchini and made a large batch of zucchini pancakes which I froze to eat over the winter, but in a real emergency I might not have electricity. I could also mention how I expanded the garden, perennial and annual portions, but growing food is a long term project and not the best response.

It would have to be the three day water supply that I finally put together earlier this year. I saved the gallon sized apple cider bottles because they have the plastic handle on top that makes it easier to carry and pour. That and it's easier to clean out than a gallon sized vinegar bottle. I don't mind having a hint of apple in my water, might be annoyed if it tastes like vinegar. The bottles sit in the garage and I also know in a cabinet in the laundry room are a bunch of 12 oz water bottles as well, they may work better if we have to leave the house. But six gallons of water for my wife and I would last us three days. I will try to increase by five days later this year, but if the worst happens we'll be able to wash down those pickles with apple flavored water.