Feels Like a Monday
30 Apr 2025 10:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ursulas_alcoveWhen I posted my YouTube video (https://youtu.be/uzC-iq6f08I?si=N2Uz0FNlQE5REfvo), it was about to storm. The storm had plenty of time to practice being fierce as it traversed the midwest. By the time it got to Pittsburgh, it was mighty. There are downed trees everywhere. A good portion of Pittsburgh was without power. The 911 call center was fielding 1000 calls an hour. A neighborhood called Allentown, had a man electrocuted right outside the police station, with the electric company helpless to turn off power to the downed line. Weather reporters think a tornado touched down in Penn Hills. This morning on the way to a doctor's appointment, we had to drive under an electric line that was holding up a tree. The power was out throughout that township. Our township was fine. We still have power. It has got me doing some serious thinking.
One: I need to can safe water for emergencies.
Two: I need to pressure can meat for storage without refrigeration.
Three: I made a wishlist of tools I want. Obviously, I can't buy them all. But I can make a start.
Four: I need to work on firewood storage for winter emergencies.
I know a lot of people are thinking about what it might mean to have empty store shelves. It's probably too late to stock up now. We are there. Right now is the best it will be for the foreseeable future. Separate wants from needs. Prioritize.
I had been looking at replacing my 25 year old solar oven. I paid all of $120 for it. It's a Solavore, made of plastic that has warped over time. I started using it for low temperature applications. I can dry wood in it; dye yarn; and dehydrate food. Its days of 325° F temps are over. I have been wanting a Sun Oven. I went to their webpage, almost nothing except accessories and replacement parts. I looked on Lehmann's website, also nothing. They always had Sun Ovens in stock. I went to eBay and found what I wanted but the oven was too expensive. Out of the blue, the seller offered a reduction of $80. I couldn't make it work but found a 'second' with a defect for much cheaper. The flaw is that the height (angle) post is missing and it has no manual. I don't need a manual as I have used a solar oven for years. The post isn't necessary. I live on a hill and already know how to optimize thermal radiation for my area. Keeping it from sliding off the table is the only thing necessary. A reduction in price? So very worth it!
I tallied the lettuce, spinach and asparagus for the year. I have harvested 5 lbs. of produce so far. Asparagus season is almost over. I have to get out and harvest spinach. The seedling trays are back outside after the 65 mph winds; they are hardening off. The Mexican sunflowers went in today. More plants get planted tomorrow before the next storm. So much to do!
One: I need to can safe water for emergencies.
Two: I need to pressure can meat for storage without refrigeration.
Three: I made a wishlist of tools I want. Obviously, I can't buy them all. But I can make a start.
Four: I need to work on firewood storage for winter emergencies.
I know a lot of people are thinking about what it might mean to have empty store shelves. It's probably too late to stock up now. We are there. Right now is the best it will be for the foreseeable future. Separate wants from needs. Prioritize.
I had been looking at replacing my 25 year old solar oven. I paid all of $120 for it. It's a Solavore, made of plastic that has warped over time. I started using it for low temperature applications. I can dry wood in it; dye yarn; and dehydrate food. Its days of 325° F temps are over. I have been wanting a Sun Oven. I went to their webpage, almost nothing except accessories and replacement parts. I looked on Lehmann's website, also nothing. They always had Sun Ovens in stock. I went to eBay and found what I wanted but the oven was too expensive. Out of the blue, the seller offered a reduction of $80. I couldn't make it work but found a 'second' with a defect for much cheaper. The flaw is that the height (angle) post is missing and it has no manual. I don't need a manual as I have used a solar oven for years. The post isn't necessary. I live on a hill and already know how to optimize thermal radiation for my area. Keeping it from sliding off the table is the only thing necessary. A reduction in price? So very worth it!
I tallied the lettuce, spinach and asparagus for the year. I have harvested 5 lbs. of produce so far. Asparagus season is almost over. I have to get out and harvest spinach. The seedling trays are back outside after the 65 mph winds; they are hardening off. The Mexican sunflowers went in today. More plants get planted tomorrow before the next storm. So much to do!
