It's the Apocalypse - Do You Die or Live?
I've often thought about this and Perrie's seed about India and Pakistan has got me thinking again. Yes, I know, that can be dangerous but just read.
My family calls me a defeatist and other sorts of names because if there's a global apocalypse I don't want to hang around. I want to be one of the first ones to go. I see no point in holding off the inevitable fight with my neighbor over food/water/ammunition. Just kill me now and don't expect me to be a survivor. I have no survival skills.
So...what do you want to do? Live or die?
Maybe I watch too many end-of-the-world movies and maybe watching "The Walking Dead" has warped me, but I've felt like this
I wouldn't 'pack it in' because of a war scenario unless it's nuclear. If they take out Chicago, just outside the blast zone and down wind...
Then there is the whole 'super volcano' @ Yellowstone thingy. That doesn't look too promising for anyone above the equator. Global starvation will ensue.
As someone that has lived through the 89 San Francisco earthquake and so many multi day snow storms I've stopped counting, I'm ready for at least a week of being cut off from civilization. Generator, fuel, food, water, medical supplies and yes weapons/ammo. But I'm in the country and don't need to worry too much about the 'hordes'.
I could probably go for a few months on the stored MRE's, dried and canned food plus my stocked fish pond, garden and orchard. There are plenty of deer, turkey, geese and ducks out here and the neighbor raises cattle so no worries on that score.
Solar and wind power and a backup generator plus huge tanks of propane and gasoline and a cast iron stove with lots of cured hedge pretty much take care of my power needs if services fail. My 4X4 even has a solar panel for keeping the dual batteries charged when using the convertor.
Have a collection of firearms and stored ammo plus a bow and crossbow, a few swords and a chainsaw, but as I live way out on the prairie, am also not expecting to have to fight off the undead hordes.
Damn! You're prepared
My garden and orchard do me well in the summer and fall but since I share the bounty with my multiple elderly neighbors and my mom, I'm left with a minimum to can or dehydrate for storage. I still have pears and beets from last year but that's about it. I dry most of the herbs I use.
Looking outside right now, it's a hungry time of year. I do maintain rabbit warrens in a couple of areas on the property so a couple of weeks of rabbit and squirrel would be available, there are tons of tracks in the snow out there right now. I could sit in the back with my .22 and get dinner, no worries. I practiced some with a sling shot last year and got pretty good with it. I painted the steel shot orange so I can find my target misses easier this year...
A salt lick on my elderly neighbor's property would bring an abundance of deer. We have permanent tree stands back there, unused for a decade for anything but photography. The year round creek has salmon starting to run in it right now, not so much in the late summer through December.
My greenhouse has starts in it but it will be a couple of weeks before I can harvest any greens from it.
If the SHTF, I hope it's in early fall when I've got fruit and vegies in abundance.
BTW, MRE's suck.
They taste better when you're really hungry. They taste just as good as a lot of freeze dried food.
I love the self heating bags. Always keep a few in my bug-out bag, in my truck and in my bike bags.
I will gladly trade you my 'entree' for your 'apple turnover'. They're not bad when toasted over a fire.
I make my own dehydrated 'beef stew' and it ain't bad. Dehydrated root vegies and home made beef jerky vacuum sealed. Gotta soak it for a while in hot water and then heat it up again.
I do have one MRE in my Jeep BOB, Chicken and Noodles...
Try getting your hands on Canadian MRE's they're pretty damn good, my fave is Sweet and Sour Chicken
After the C-Rats I had in Nam, MRE's are like fine cuisine....
Everything tastes better when cooked over a campfire. Mom and dad were both scout leaders and I learned how to cook over (and under) the coals on our many camping vacations as a kid. Most of my survival skills I owe to my parents.
Been shooting slingshots since I was too short to ride the big rides at Disneyland.
Own a few world class competition slingshots and they are an integral part of my armory.
Thanks for the tip on painting the ball bearings. I normally practice shooting into a few layers of heavy canvas so they just drop and don't have to be chased down.
The black tubes are the best for speed but don't seem to last as long.
I learned (the hard way) to always wear eye protection when shooting a slingshot. Bands break!
One of my dad's favorite stories that his mother thankfully didn't hear about until years later is shooting a marble as high into the air as he could with a slingshot. He told my aunt to watch and see how high it went, and when it came down, it hit her right between the eyes and knocked her out cold.
I think they were both in their 50s before he ever fessed up. Grandma thanked them for not telling her at the time it happened.
Oooops!!! Sorry, Trout. I've also been posting Science Fiction articles/seeds - all about the future...
It's your fault! lol
Don't spank me TOO hard, please. Nowhere Man has to share SOME of the blame - he posted the movies themselves.
You're right! He did!
I'll save half of the spanking for him. LOL!
Love the Walking Dead. Anyway I wouldn't want either life or death I think I would simply go with whatever fate brought for me.
Depends. If any of my family were among the survivors, I'd fight. If they're all gone, what's the point?
I think I am with Sandy. Depends on who else is alive. I'm a fighter, but I don't want to do it alone.
I've never been a fighter. I would tell my family to go on without me. I would only hold them back or get them all killed so I would rather just go right away
Why are folks sooooo afraid to do things Alone ?
I find that thinking to be a MAJOR "Problem" in this country !
"Eagles commonly fly alone. They are crows, daws, and starlings that flock together. "
John Webster
Not afraid. I just don't see the point. If my loved ones are gone, what's left to fight for?
Loved ones you haven't met yet
One's "SELF" ?
Maybe.
Not really into a life that is a constant struggle, with little potential for reward, which is what life would be without my family.
No.
Life is a struggle even WITH family around. In Fact...."Family" can even be a struggle at times !
Of course it's a struggle even with family. But family (and friends, I'll add) make the struggle worth it.
If it's just me against a horde of zombies/killers/cannibals/whatever trying to kill me, and nobody else around that I care about, I'd just as soon die straight away.
You, of course, are welcome to feel differently.
I agree. I think living in, say, the aftermath of a nuclear war would be a horrible existence. And people who talk about 30 days of supplies ... 30 days will go by pretty quickly. What about planting for next year? And fresh water?
I love my life, but I have no interest in hanging around if my life is going to absolutely suck, and every day is miserable.
Family struggles can make the "Worlds Problems" seem miniscule !
"If it's just me against a horde of zombies/killers/cannibals/whatever trying to kill me, and nobody else around that I care about, I'd just as soon die straight away."
A bit "Overdramatic" there !
You're choosing to discuss an overdramatic topic. By definition, an apocalypse is pretty dramatic, no?
Or are you just arguing to be arguing?
The FBI says family members are who they look at first in any murder.
Apocalypse is the "END" of everything. If the "World" explodes.....you won't feel a thing. So why worry ?
Then why are you so concerned about the fact that I don't want to fight without a reason?
Or are you just arguing to be arguing?
If you are here to troll only, then be gone.
Membership in this group is a privilege and I grant the privileges
Best answer of the week!
It's trolling because you can't just accept my opinion and be done with it, but choose instead to insult me and those who share my opinion.
Curious as to how a long-time, paid, right wing troll can expect his opinion to be respected here.
I hate to be the room mom, but can we forget that it's there and let the subject drop? Thanks.
Well, being alone in such a catastrophe has its drawbacks. Can you see behind you? A firearm only fires in one direction, what if you are attacked by more then one armed opponent? All people have to sleep sometime, and no device is as good as another person to keep watch. There's also a problem that develops when you are alone for too long a time, and you might start running risks to find some human contact.
If you have a small group of four people and one gets knocked down, hurt or killed you still have 75% of your force and can still survive and might be able to get the wounded one back on their feet, maybe even a full recovery but if you're alone and get knocked down for any amount of time you're probably done, nobody there to protect or even bandage you.
Trooout!
LOL
Do you really think that anybody in your family is going to drive away while you dramatically wave your hanky from the top steps in farewell? At best you'll have your family and friends frog march you to what ever vehicle they have, at worst Mr. Giggles drags you down the steps by your left ankle and a "no time to argue, woman!!" and throws you into your camper. Either way, you're going, unless the plan is everybody hunker down at your place.
I'm actually trying to make you and the people who don't think they'd be useful after a disaster feel better. Just another set of eyes, ears and hands are a big help, or take some first aid courses and make a first aid kit (you'd be surprised what terrible things you can head off with a little antiseptic and a clean bandage IF someone thought to bring some) and/or get a camping cook-set and some strong spices a couple pound bags of rice or beans and a big bag of jerky, it lasts quite a while. Not gourmet but editable. Throw in some strong plates and silverware and a couple of sharp knifes.
Find an old boy scout manual if you like, the older the better it has lots of ideas and camping tips in it. Put some matches or cigarette lighters in a zip-lock bag. Put that stuff in a zippered bag (called a bug-out bag) or two. Youtube has a pile of vids on pre-made bug-out bags or what to put in yours. It's a hobby for some people.
Ping!! Do ANY of that and you're preper, it's sort of a interesting project, not very painful and you're not only useful (you are anyway) but very valuable.
"Nobody remembers all the useful things they know until they need to or knows what they can do until they have to."
Uh....chapter 16, paragraph 3, lines #3-#4 gospel of nightwalker. Sorry, been a long week and a short weekend and I get lippy (or typey?) when I'm tired.
You were wonderful. Thanks, Night!
Anytime.
I am with you on that. Without my family, what is the point in going on?
In my youth I would live on in a Mad Max adventure. But now I am old enough to know that would suck.
People have a will to live that they really can't control. But they also have a will to die, which is normally kept deep in subconscious.
When the time comes, your choice will reveal itself.
"Live or die?"
I'll "LIVE" life while I can
...."DIE" when it's time. 
That's just the way it is !
If I actually thought of either/OR constantly....My "Life" would be "Miserable" !
I agree wholeheartedly. Our time here is limited and there is no sense in stressing over when it ends when there is so much to enjoy while we are here.
I always tell my kids (they worry about me) .....when it's time....it's time ! There's not a damn thing you can do about it....so "ENJOY" what you see NOW !
I know that. Mine are so upset with me because I won't go & have physicals and tests run. I tell them when it is my time I do not want to drag it out. Quality of life is a must for me.
Enjoy the short time while you can !
Cheers !
I do agree with you and "it is ME" very much about enjoying life to the max, but in the (X)Apocalypse I would resent someone or some thing trying to take something as valuable and unique to me as my life.
It took generations of ancestors to get me here, and by god any attempt to cut my life short is going to get as much unpleasant violence as I can dish out and I wouldn't fight fair.
And to top it off, if there is such a thing as a vengeful spirit, I'd be there haunting whoever or whatever killed me to boot.
In reality, for deadly things that aren't physical entities, "Death smiles at us all, all a person can do is smile back" to misquote a movie.
I am in the proces of purchasing a 10 acre property out in the middle of the Sonora Desert about 20 miles from where I currently live down on the AZ/Mexico border. No other houses in sight. Property already has it"s own well and septic, as well as solar panels on the roof. I have about 30 days of survival rations as well. I have multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammo. The house sits in the middle of the property with 360 degrees of vision all around. I have several small flexible solar panels as well for portable electronics. There is plenty of small game around like rabbit, squirrel, dove, deer, and javelina. I could survive if I had to.
I could look it up, but what's a javelina?
Javelina is the Native American name.It is also known as a peccary or a variety of small wild boar.
Thanks. I was too lazy to look it up.
Neither rodent or pig, but most similar to a small pig, without the trichinae, so it can be eaten when cooked medium or rare.
Tastes like pork too.
You are quite correct. I did not feel like going into the taxonomy of the critter. It was just easier to call it a pig. They are in fact vicious little critters that you want to make sure you kill with the first shot. They have been known to attack people and other animals with little or no provocation. But as you said, they are good eating.
This is a Javelin,
No wait...this is a Javelin
Hold the fort, this is a Javelina.
Aren't they cute and cuddly.
Just don't piss one off.
They are kinda cute
From that photo Kavika has, it looks similar to a tapir
Yes, but with big teeth and a bad attitude!
There are old wives tales that the javelina will not attack humans...That is pure BS there are a number of recorded attacks on humans in AZ and TX. They will attack as a individual javelina or in a herd. An male adult weighs around 40 lbs but with their attitude and teeth that is 40 lbs of danger.
Javelina, also known as collared peccary, are medium-sized animals that look similar to a wild boar.
Dear Friend Trout Giggles: I would remain.
If things go well or poorly, it is my choice to accept my lot of being there for others who want and need what I can provide in pastoral services.
In an extreme crisis situation, I may be needed and wanted more than ever.
Chaplains, Rabbi's and other clergy are here not for ourselves.
Rather to serve the Almighty by being of service to those who request and require help is our goal.
Peace and Abundant Blessings to One and All.
Enoch.
You have something to offer. All I have is whining. And crying. And screaming.
And using up all the resources that would be best used for the strong and the young
They are not always the wise and the experienced, both of which are invaluable.
Ok....the young, the strong, the wise, and the experienced
See ya!
I think you'd qualify as wise Trout...and I KNOW you have experience in a very important method of acquiring food; FISHING!
LOL.....but I need someone to take the hook of the fish's mouth!
Hunger has a way of getting us past the creepies...
You can always have the munchkins do that as part of their 'training'. I wouldn't let my 7 year old neice get away with the creepies when she caught fish. I told her, if you want the fun of catching them, you have to take the slim of taking them off the hook. We were fishing for catfish and she was killing it but afraid of the barbs and the icky slim. She got over it and even helped me skin and clean them. We ate her catfish the whole vacation.
I can bait the hook even with worms. I have no problem with night crawlers, but I'm always afraid I'm gonna tear the fish up.
We're doing another fishing trip in May for rainbows so maybe I'll get Mr Giggles to teach me how to take the hook out.
Dear Friend Trout Giggles: Its your life to live.
Your choice on whether to extend or terminate it under any circumstances.
That will and should always be respected.
One factor people who chose to leave this earthly plain for many reasons is the effect their departure has on those who love them.
Never sell short how much you are loved.
How much you mean to those close.
Its a item that is properly part of the total picture.
P&AB.
E.
My favorite fish of all time. Caught a lot in CA. None here yet, mostly salmon, crappy and cat.
Once you learn it, it's easy. Then you can still get Mr. Giggles to do it for you anyway. Men like to be needed...
You are correct there. I went through jungle survival training at NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines back in the early 70's. I ate stuff that would make most people cringe. I ate grubs, snake, lizards, monkey, and a host of other things to survive when hungry. If you can get past your personal dietary prejudices, you can eat anything. Those little Negrito tribesmen made the best instructors!
I ate all of those but the monkey while living with my adopted Cherokee Grandmother and Grandfather on the Cherokee reservation during the summers when I was 7-8 and 9 y/o. Also Squirrel, rabbit, some type of fungus I can't remember the name of now, and worms of various types
Those along with various types of natural herbs and flowers. My adopted Cherokee siblings and I were taught how the Cherokee survived in the wild for many centuries, and maintained good health. Squirrel and rabbit can only be eaten at certain times of the year or they are full of worms and the meat is tainted.
It is important to know when some types of foods in the wild can be eaten, and which ones to avoid. Death comes in pretty packages at times.
We also learned how to look for plants for medicine. Survival does not depend on food alone.
Yes, my peeps from the PI know their shit when it comes to living off of the land.
Yep.
I owe and operate a Survival School where I teach Native American survival skills....You'll learn every conceivable survival skill known to American Indians...
The first skill that we teach is how to properly order off the Tatanka Truck...
As you can see the puggy white guy did a fine job and is ordering manoomin and tatanka without so much as a stutter.
You too can become a survivalist living off the land. None of that dried food, solar panels, or stick build houses.
Remember our motto...''Vegetarian is the Ojibwe word for can't hunt''...
That's a skill I can master
Dang! That is too funny!
Dear Brother Kavika: Those who live most in harmony with, and closest to nature have the least to fear by the unraveling of civilization.
Enoch, Foraging in the Urban Jungle.
LOVE bison, yum.
Buffalo burgers are the best!
Yes, they are.
Damn! All I ever saw were chip trucks - where the chips were usually the best.
Wait, you bought wood chips from a truck and they tasted good...Probably red willow, they are kinda tasty
OMG, you bought buffalo chips!!!!
They make good Frisbees when there dried in the sun...
Well, you know Canada is part of the British Commonwealth, and how much the Brits like "fish 'n woodchips" - makes for strong teeth.
If it is a nuclear war, I figure I would be toast anyway.
With having an Air Force base, a Navy base, a shipbuilding yard, an Army training camp, National Guard training camp and the space center.
Kind of a bullseye on our back.
If I did survive, I have a couple of cases of Mardi Gras beads left. I could throw them at the survivors.
Yeah....you're kinda screwed.
I was watching a news story this morning that the government has released a bunch of nuclear testing films and some guy is restoring/digitizing them. I hope he uploads them to You Tube or something
The closest military facility to me is Fort Huachuca Army Base about 60 miles away. There is a mountain range between us. The next closest is Davis-Monthan AFB about 120 miles away. That would be a prime target, but there are multiple mountain ranges between here and there.
They were released a long long time ago, I have most of them already......
I can't remember if Davis-Monthan is a tactical airwing base (I could look it up), but it would seem to me that the enemy would want to concentrate on strategic bases like Fairchild in Washington or that one in Omaha (what the hell is the name of that base?)
Either way, it really doesn't matter. The radioactive fall out is gonna get you whether you live far away from a direct hit or not. Then there's the nuclear winter aspect none of us are talking about
I live right in the middle of Fort Apache...They won't screw with us...
DM is in fact a ACC base with A-10 Warthogs and electronic warfare C-130's stationed there. Blast damage would be negligible. Precautions can be taken for fallout.
Beneath the terrifying exterior lies the heart of a Javelina.
My first base was Eielson AFB, Alaska. It was a Tactical base and hosted the A-10s. Cool aircraft. I really like that Gatling gun it has
JBLM is less than five miles away, I won't be here to see it.....
I chose my little house on the prairie carefully. Nothing within 100 miles can possibly be considered a target by anybody.
All of the nuclear missile silos around here have long been deactivated and a few have actually been turned into some really beautiful subterranean homes.
Die why prolong the inevitable.
But then again I am 67 so I'm close enough anyway.