I value your opinions very much and would appreciate your feedback on this one. I caught on to Y2K rather early and so have been able to get what I felt was needed for our homestead. We have a diesel generator, some solar panels, a bank of batteries, an inverter, tanks for fuel, etc. The primary reason I wanted the generator is to pump our well which is prohibitively deep to pump by hand or with wind. Some extra electricity from the solar panels for lights, radios, small appliances, etc. would be awfully nice.

Now, however, I'm wondering if this was a good idea. We got a cistern some time ago, so water is not the problem it once was. None of my neighbors have generators and most could not afford them even if they were up on Y2K. So if I'm the only one here with a generator when TSHTF I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb and be the object of all kinds of envy and jealousy. The last thing I need is to have somebody come to kill me and my family to steal our fuel and generator. So, did I make a mistake? Should I sell this stuff later in 1999 and just focus on an Amish-style lifestyle instead?

-- Franklin Journier (ready4y2k@yahoo.com), November 24, 1998

Answers

Have manual back-up systems -- they're quiet and don't require fossil fuel. Have lots of wood, matches, candles and candle-making supplies. Learn how to naturally create light and warmth and practice cooking over an open fire. Cast iron camping equipment is useful too. Learn "how to" camp at home.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 24, 1998.

Share your survival knowledge with your neighbors. Sooner the better.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 24, 1998.

We thought about getting a generator also.

Then we decided that for many reasons, some of which you mention (noise, sticking out like sore thumb, mainly unavailability of fuels), that we would go the "old" way. Having lived at our camp for three years without *any* utilities at all, we do know how to do some of these things (like riding a bike...you never forget...heh).

That's why I stocked up on oil lamps by the gazillions and got a treadle sewing machine, and got cast iron for cooking so I can bake bread in my fireplace if I need to, got non- hybrid, open pollinated seeds so I can save them forever and always have my garden for food, got tons of canning supplies so I will be able to preserve all our harvests.

We debated getting a propane fridge, but decided against that too, cuz if things really crash for a long long time, propane wouldn't be available either (although hubby says he can do the methane thing eventually). We have a "hidey-hole" in our cellar, where the electric pump and water tank is. It's about 45-55 in this hole year round. I am fashioning a box and that will be our fridge. It should work quite nicely. Of course, in winter, we got ice! LOL boy do we ever!

Also, the old dug well where the hand pump is, could be used to lower items down by rope to keep them cool that way too. (based on the principle of the old "spring house"). Should work okay.

I have almost every electronic/electric toy/gadget/kitchen appliance known to man; but...I can still do the basic things we need to live quite comfortably post-y2k, without electricity, phone, fuel. I remember life at the camp as being actually very comfortable and cozy. We both miss being there. We sacrificed that lifestyle for our present-day "techie" one. There is a lot to be said for living that way though...really there is. Gives you a sense of accomplishment when you manage to figure out how to do something using just what is at hand, and it actually *works*!! Sitting by the fire on a winter night, and the wind's howling outside, and you are toasty warm, cuddled up with a good book or a good friend.....well it's pretty hard to beat. :-)

I would opt for the "amish" way myself. Easier, maybe not really cheaper at first, but in the long run you will be truly more self- sufficient; and that is always good.

-- Bobbi (volfnat@northweb.com), November 24, 1998.

If you think the generator will attract unwelcome attention when/if used, then sell or trade it. Not now though: in late 1999 when Y2K panic develops. And if you're paranoid, not locally but in a town where you aren't known.

If pre-event panic is worse than the actual event, this might pay for the rest of the preparations you didn't need!

A note for the serious EOW'er: find out about solar panels, inverters and deep-discharge batteries. Expensive, but silent and hide-able, and the "fuel" is free and inexhaustible.

-- Nigel Arnot (nra@maxwell.ph.kcl.ac.uk), November 25, 1998.