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Some would say it is too late. Others would say do whatever you can with whatever you got on hand. We’ve been talking about this since before the pandemic. According to the government and their various cheerleaders, the pandemic is over and there are sunny skies ahead. True? Probably not. Let’s take a look.

Here are some issues you may or may not be thinking about.

1. Climate change – drought, natural disasters and pollution
2. Emerging technologies (artificial intelligence or quantum computing) and the potential exploitation by adversaries, such as China, Russia, North Korea and others.
3. Covid-19 was a wake-up call for what can happen with an uncontrolled virus. It isn’t the only one out there.
4. China and Taiwan showdown – we’ve promised to protect the little guy.
5. North Korea is doing business with the Russians for weapons in exchange for food.
6. Migration of displaced persons that can be weaponized for political gain.
7. Pentagon officials has raised concerns that China could soon ‘outpace’ U.S. military capabilities
8. Inequality in food consumption within societies, have listed13 countries whose combined population approaches 2.5 billion people: Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Sudan and Thailand. Hungry people aren’t friendly and make bad choices. I would add more than this.
9. Ukraine War – I could go on and on concerning how close we are to war ourselves on this one.
10. Power grid compromised.

Oh, for goodness sakes. There comes a time in all of us we just turn off the news and say “ENOUGH!” I get it. However, that doesn’t erase all the reasons being prepared for your home and family shouldn’t be front and center. If you’ve missed some of the other posts on how to be prepared in a national emergency, scroll down to find out more. In the meantime, I’m going to give you a short list to think about. Are you ready if the power grid goes down?

1. Water for at least a week
2. Food for three weeks (don’t forget the pets)
3. Medical supplies, including first aid, medicines, feminine hygiene products
4. Batteries
5. Flashlights
6. Walkie Talkies   
7. Full tank of gas
8. Tools such as a knife, rope, nails, anything to make repairs
9. Duct Tape
10. Important papers including a paper map.

If the power grid goes down, whether it’s because of an assault on the power grid like happened recently, a solar flare, or a EMP (nuclear bomb exploded in upper atmosphere) it’s only a matter of time before we feel the effects of this. It is predicted that a new EMP warning says the US will ‘cease to exist,’ and 90 percent of population will die if this actually happens in the near future.

I’ve lived most of my life in places where I had to drive 40 miles to get supplies, groceries and medical attention. I learned to stock up from a young age. I learned to grow my own food as a teenager, camped with a dad who taught me how to fish and many other things. It’s second nature for me to think about what I’m going to need before I need it. I don’t live in fear or worry about tomorrow. I don’t go overboard with spending money. I buy a few extra things each time I go to the store. That’s a sensible plan. What are your family needs today? What are the basic necessities? Do you shop the sales? All these things make being prepared easier. Don’t get scared, get prepared.

Watch the news once a week to catch up. There are news magazines and podcasts if that is your jam. But be informed, not scared. Take an inventory of what you have on hand and make a list of must haves. Just doing that one little thing will make you feel like you are getting a handle on what you need for any future emergency.

Let me know how you are getting prepared. I would recommend several books for you to read. The first one is ONE SECOND AFTER by William R. Forstchen. There is also a documentary I plan to watch called Grid Down, Power Up. Find the trailer on YouTube.  Here’s to living prepared!

The next one is