Improve your chances, tip # 2

Put a few plastic bottles of water in your freezer when it isn't completely full (leave about three inches empty at the top of each one). This gives several additional hours of food safety in a blackout. If you also put a baggy of ice cubes in there, you will know if the stored food might be dangerous when the freezer kicks back on (the cubes will have melted and refrozen into a shapeless mass).

What's in the box?

It's been raining so much is my area, I've decided to start an indoor series focusing on non-conventional uses of household items. I get bored a lot. Special thanks to S.B., R.B., C.B. and B.N. for helping me figure this one out.

Three stick deadfall trigger - balance is everything

These were poplar sticks I had squared with my table saw for another project. A lot of the most common triggers are reliable but require multiple notches. This simple example was probably an ancestor of the more complicated varieties.

Plant profile - Winter Hardy Kiwi

These are Russian cousins to the larger kiwifruit we are used to eating at restaurants and catered events. The taste is quite similar. Those bigger ones originated in southern China, were carried to New Zealand and are now grown commercially in California. You can grow your own winter hardy kiwis in north Georgia (zone 6) and further south.

Improve your chances, tip # 1

My maternal grandfather always carried a hanky. The accessory fell out of fashion in my parents' generation, but I tolerated teasing from kids in school to be like Papaw. Over the years, the standard piece of white linen in my pocket has evolved into bandanas running the color gamut. I don't leave home without one. The uses are myriad; hygiene, food processor (crushing, soaking, straining), water filter, first aid (tourniquet, bandage, sling), hat, sleep mask, storage (hobo bundle), germ/pollution protection, glove/wrist guard, sweat band, identity concealment, fire assist (char cloth, cotton fire roll), binding/cordage... why aren't you carrying one too?

Four block rocket stove

In the event of an extended power outage, it helps to have multiple means to cook meals and sanitize water. This is a cheap, easy stove that sets up in seconds.

Plant profile - Goji Berry

Goji is a Chinese native that enjoys popularity in American health food stores. It is often called Wolfberry in the states and is typically sold dried like raisins. Fresh berries and leaves have superior nutrition and higher antioxidant levels, so why not grow your own?

Plant profile - Black Walnut Tree

Learn to identify this important tree. The nuts are delicious and can be pressed for a healthful cooking oil. Iodine in the hulls is medicinal, a curative for fungal skin infections and an antiseptic. Watch for brief discussions of the tree's value during atomic emergencies and its place in appalachian folklore.

Plant profile - Yucca

In Georgia, these used to be called "meat hangers" because the long, sharp leaves were threaded through slabs of meat and tied to sticks for the smokehouse. The plant was used extensively by our ancestors for food, cordage and fire making.

Fresnel lens - Experiment # 2

First there was burning, now we melt something. Stay tuned for water purification and cooking.

Fresnel lens fire

My friend Jimbo asked me to haul his broken television to the dump. I took it apart to remove the fresnel lens (a large sheet of thick plastic covered with concentric circles). The circles are designed to focus light, making it a huge magnifying glass capable of fiery carnage. I'm the only person in my neighborhood that has one. Mwwwhahaha!

Fire roll - ember from a depleted hand warmer

These chemical hand warmers are very common among outdoorsmen. They basically expose iron to air and moisture to create an exothermic reaction (heat). After all warming stops, they're meant to be disposable. In a bad situation, you can spread some of the pack's contents on a wad of cotton or natural fiber (yucca, hemp, jute...) roll into a "cigar" and, with speed and pressure, create an ember to set your camp fire.

Plant profile - Hickory nuts

If you can get past my comment about nutmeat being so wonderful, there is an interesting point made about the relative value of hunting versus gathering.

Plant profile - Persimmon Tree

Another tree to feed you. The fruit are an appalachian tradition. Yum!

Plant Profiles - Echinacea and Jewel Weed

Medicine is everywhere in nature. We've been taught that all cures come in bottles, but the earth provides healing. Most of what pharmacies sell is based on chemical properties of plants. Skip the middle man when you can (it's better for the environment and better for you).

Plant profile - Passion Flower

The maypops are beginning to ripen. When their skins are shriveled, it will be time to enjoy this excellent fall fruit. The flower that precedes it is exotically beautiful, as is its aroma. Tea from the leaves is medicinal as a muscle relaxant, sleep aid and treatment for anxiety.

Passion flower fruit

My son checking the ripeness of this year's maypop crop. Not ready yet. Most people are familiar with the beautiful flowers and perfume of the Passion Flower, but fewer know about the edible fruit the vines produce. It reminds me of a pomegranate.

One stick deadfall trigger

This is the simplest trap trigger I have worked with. It can be improvised to set almost any type of deadfall.

Snapping Turtle

Turtles were everywhere this summer. This guy wasn't huge (compare to my toe on the right), but he wasn't hard to catch either. I'm a sucker for turtles, so he survived the encounter. My grandfather raised four children on this, squirrels, fish and a well kept vegetable garden. You could too!

Muscadines!

Found these on a walkabout. Always carry a plastic bag in your pocket - you never know what nature may have on special.

River Cooter (I don't name things, blame science)

Another random turtle picture (we didn't eat this one either). It's amazing how much protein a person can find wandering around the lawn or along the road. Oftentimes, keen observation of your immediate area is better than a trap or tromping through the woods with weapons.

Big fish

                                                   I once caught a fish this big!

Edible landscaping - Rose of Sharon & Hosta

Ohmmmmm!

My impersonation of one of those statues you see in cool people's yards. Beautiful surroundings inspire enlightenment. The picture is meant as humor, but this spot delivers on the pose. We are small in the world, but vital for our ability to experience it. Eden is everywhere for open eyes.

Fresnel lens

Baby primitive

My 19 month old son learning the basics of the bow drill fire making method.

Jerusalem Artichokes

The Jerusalem Artichokes (a.k.a. Sunchokes) reach skyward. Related to sunflowers, mine get about ten feet tall. The underground tubers are edible year round, but sweetest in the cold months. The leaves are high protein forage for our goats.

Plant profile - Jerusalem artichoke

I grow over forty different edible perennial plants in my yard. This is an introduction to one - the Jerusalem artichoke.

Char cloth

Extra protein

                                                            Eating wood grubs

Fire starter

                                 Easiest friction fire technique - the Rudiger Roll.