I used to get really panicky when I did worst-case scenarios in my head. What if the lifestyle I'm used to disappears? I'd think of all the skills my grandmother has that I don't, things like making butter, building and maintaining an outhouse, taking apart clothes at the seams and sewing something new, etc.
At one point I made a list of all the skills I wanted to learn/felt I needed. It included stuff like bee-keeping, raising rabbits for meat, spinning, making soap from lye, keeping and using a medicinal herb garden, cooking on a wood stove, and on and on and on. Basically, everything to be COMPLETELY self-sufficient. And when I looked at the list I would despair. It didn't seem possible to learn it all.
Then DH and I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Nauvoo. The Relief Society has restored the house that it was originally organized in, and there is a missionary couple that works there as tour guides. I knew about that first meeting of sisters, and the charter they presented to the prophet. What I didn't know were the events that led up to that first meeting.
The home was owned by a wealthy sister married to a non-member. She had a single sister as a boarder, and they got talking about how they could help the men who were building the temple. If memory serves correctly, the men needed clothes, but the sister who could afford the material couldn't sew, and the single sister knew how to sew but couldn't buy material. You see where this going. Later they got talking with their friends about the greater good women could do when they combined their talents and resources, and thus the first meeting was held.
As I heard that story, the Spirit was very strong, and I was told to stop worrying. That I should listen to promptings and focus on learning those things the Lord wanted me to know.
And who knew that it would be so much fun? I've learned to quilt, and I love it. I now own a guitar and will be taking lessons next year (it dawned on me that my piano isn't portable, and music is so effective at bringing peace and laughter). Just this fall I was doing research on buying a new stand mixer, and stumbled across some wonderful breadmaking sites. Right now my Bosch is sitting on my counter while I learn how to knead by hand. I'm obsessed with bread.
And even if worse-case scenario never happens, all these things have benefited me and my family.
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They might not look it, but bunnies can really take care of themselves.
There were many examples of this during the great depression as well. People would often let out rooms in their homes to people or even families. They would then share resources. I read about a Lodge of Freemasons that became a defacto farmers market where people would bring their extra farm and garden produce and trade for what they needed including for things like clothing or the skills of others. So I might have a bushel of apples and trade that for some sewing of kids clothing that I needed. Then the person who did the showing might keep some apples and trade the rest for something else. Since no one had any money no one was going to get rich trading at the Lodge but it was a way for the community to get by in extremely trying times. So if you had a skill or two that you could trade you could probably get by. Many things can be learned as needed too. Maybe you've got the green thumb in the area and with the extra vegetables you could get someone to teach you to do a certain skill or at least trade them for their labor on something.
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Jason (Formerly salesortonscom)
As I walk through this earth, nothing can stop, the Duke of Mirth!
I love this idea. I still need to be willing to learn to make bread, though. That one's probably important.
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"The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path. Our path is uphill most days, but the help we receive for the climb is literally divine." --Elaine S. Dalton
I'll pool my few skills with anyone that is game... For instance... hubby promises not to leave me sitting in my wheelchair somewhere stranded, but it's always good to have a back-up... cause when the batteries die on the electric I am toast... I can't get myself anywhere without help!
Anybody that wants to use their "pushin' skilz" to help me...? If yer game, come up with something you need me to trade with you for and I find a way to get it... In a pinch I have kids/adopteds I could always trade for other tradeable items... kid[slaves] are VERY valuable...
On a serious note... I have NO doubt we will all be doing a LOT of pooling of talents and supporting one another. Crisis brings out the best in us... honestly I KNOW from what I speak... My family is a prime example. There are SO many times that I have needed their skills to trade on... and I really had little to give back.
This is great! I think we'll be pooling skills and banding together with like-minded people when things go South. (No offense, Bama. )
jest persactly what is them things acomin' South? and does they respond well to 30-06 pokin' out'n of the livin' room winderblinds?
seriously, I have always maintained that pooling our skills and talents to benefit the group as a whole is a different ball of wax than just being one of those who expects to "just show up on one of the member's doorstep and be taken care of with no effort on my part at all".
and if everyone can consider what they could CONTRIBUTE instead of just what they could obtain, there would be a marvelous change in the membership as a whole, which could, in turn, change our world.
and I teach guitar lessons . . . the commute may be a problem with gas prices being up and all . . .
My late mother paid good money for me to goof off, not practice and scam my older sister into 'helping' me on my pieces so I could learn them by ear.
end result, she plays beautifully and I run dogs out of the room.
but i make up for it with the fact that I play guitar, drums, banjo (just learning) and assorted chimes and bells.
all equally badly.
however, I am a really good outdoor cook with the dutch oven skills of a chuckwagon master. No kidding. people will shove helpless children and old people out of the way for my cherry cobbler.
Ok, what if you would very much like to contribute, but can't think of anything you know how to do that is worthwhile?
Well, I take that back. I know one thing. My SIL taught me how to extract the gluten from wheat to use as a meat substitute. Haven't done it in awhile. I should try it again sometime.
I drove my piano teacher crazy when I was a kid. I would not read the sheet music while I played. I would watch my fingers. I would basically memorize the music and then not read the music while I played. After a year she moved and I never went back. I never regretted it.
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Jason (Formerly salesortonscom)
As I walk through this earth, nothing can stop, the Duke of Mirth!
I would sooner eat that than chitlins, though. Each area has a cuisine that is disgusting. For instance, in Colorado we have Rocky Mountain Oysters.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
My dad said if I don't have time for piano practice I must not have time for horses either.
That's why today I can rattle off something like George Winston's arrangement of Canon in D at the Ward C-mas Party having not looked at it for 6 months.
I've always thought it would be cool to know the guitar... camping trips... more portable than the piano... all those John Denver songs...
Anyone teach harmonica lessons? They're pretty portable, too. We had an 80 year old woman do a solo on harmonica of Come, Come Ye Saints in sac. mtg. and it was very good!
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
Hey, if I get all y'all's little ones out of your hair for a few hours each day and teach them to read, will you share some of that homemade bread and maybe some cobbler with me?
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
Yes, please, yes. I'll learn to make the best bread ever for that.
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"The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path. Our path is uphill most days, but the help we receive for the climb is literally divine." --Elaine S. Dalton
Hey, if I get all y'all's little ones out of your hair for a few hours each day and teach them to read, will you share some of that homemade bread and maybe some cobbler with me?
You betcha! In a heartbeat!
Well, the 5yo already knows how to read. You can get her started on Constitutional law. (I've actually thought about getting her to memorize the preamble. She's a good memorizer. Already has AoF 1-4, 6,7 and 9 passed off.)
I actually would like to learn the violin. I play cello, and I own a violin. I can actually play tunes pretty well, and read music. It's mostly technique I'm shabby on. For instance, my left wrist will not stay rounded. Technique...and practice time. I actually am recording a violin/cello duet of "In Wondering Awe." Wanna hear?
yep. I play harmonica. I am actually passably good on guitar and harmonica and drums. those are the instruments I have spent actual rehearsal time on and have had lessons for the guitar and drums from the time I was a kid.
the harmonica I picked up when Daddy got us all harmonicas at Christmas one year for our stockings. I can play "Come, Come Ye Saints", "Gently Raise the Sacred Strain", "I Need Thee Every Hour" and several other hymns.
I also play stupid stuff for Scout and YW activities as well.
My maternal grandmother played the harmonica like nobodies business. We used to sit at her dressing table and listen to her play for us when we were just 'wittle kids'.
so basically, I'll be cooking and playing instruments to entertain the kiddies while the dinner gets done.
Well, I take that back. I know one thing. My SIL taught me how to extract the gluten from wheat to use as a meat substitute. Haven't done it in awhile. I should try it again sometime.
You should post that information. I have it in one of my preparedness cookbooks, but have never tried it.
Well, the beard is back. The cycling tights? Last time I wore them, they felt pretty snug at the waist. Either I need to wear them for their intended purpose a whole lot more, or I need to face the fact that this middle-aged body is starting to look embarrassing in tight clothes.
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
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