Its anyone's guess what a worse case
scenario might be like. We have only
few indications from our experiences
with hurricanes and from watching what
has happened in other countries like
Zimbabwe and places like Argentina.

I imagine if I could not engage my
family to humor my concerns, I would
try my friends, and if not them, then
I would do what I could to reach my
own comfort level. This is a case of
whatever you do will be better than
doing nothing.

I have seen television specials about
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and
it showed how people came together to
solve problems and provide security for
each other. One man and his wife basically
had a tent city set up in their back yard.
They were in the heart of the city and
they had rules set up to govern themselves
since none of the folks staying in the
tents those folks provided had homes or
much besides what they had on their backs.
It was heartening to see that there were
people whose goals and motivations were
to make things better and to help. I
would hope that where you are, you might
also enjoy this kind of neighborhood
situation in an event where you might need
to leave your home.

Ideally, you should have enough water and
food to shelter in place while curfews or
other events transpire which would make
being out on the road or trying to get to
town less desirable. The hardest part for
me would be explaining the shift to my
children. While on some level they may have
already sensed that things have changed,
often a sort of magical thinking leads them
to believe that their lives will not be
affected. Even now, my grown daughter will
listen to me but as an aside tell me that
she is actually trying to live her life
with a degree of normalcy. I also try to
keep that in mind too especially since I
remember the experts on C-Span having the
country whipped into a frenzy over Y2K only
to have that event turn out to be less of a
threat than they thought it would be. I did
not regret what I did to prepare though
since it was the only control I had in the
face of impending chaos.

Basically most of us are in the same boat.
It only would take one round of thugs to
relieve me of many of my own preparations.
I feel better knowing that I have my
neighbors to count on. This last natural
disaster gave me a reason to go from one
to the other to check on them and sort of
solidify those friendships. Later, those
same neighbors drove over to check on us
here. It felt good to know that in a pinch
those casual relationships could be strengthened.
I am sure the neighbors we fed and showered
would be happy to reciprocate if the tables
were turned. If you have neighbors or groups
in the city that you associate with, it might
be a good idea to bring up the idea that these
political shifts have you concerned. In one
of my posts, I shared how I played the game
of "lets suppose...", and it was an excellent
tool in breaking through the ice of that sort
of conversation.

Years ago I was helping some friends move
and we packed up their survival supplies.
For the most part, past the guns...ggg, they
had water and bags and bags of dried beans.
Huge bags of beans. The husband explained
that beans could be soaked and eaten as is,
or sprouted. They had a pantry of food but
nothing extra-ordinary beyond the beans and
water. Keeping essentials like toilet paper
and some comfort foods and ways to keep your
children calm and occupied will be good
too.

Generators are great as long as you have gas
to go in them and filling stations which have
gas. That may help for a while and we have one
that kept our well going and our fridge and
freezer going. I knew I did not have much gas
but did not focus on that but on making it
through until the gas would run out or we
could get more.

If it is any consolation, I think that the
powers that be are going to do what they can
and need to do to keep everyone from losing
control. Even in the aftermath of Katrina and
other catastrophes there were curfews in place
and shortages but for the most part the looting
and violence was kept to a minimum and people
were more willing to offer help than a knock
on your head to get what you have. Sharing
will hopefully be the rule more than the
exception. Of course, it will be best if you
can be prepared for a week or two.

Having said all that, and knowing you said
you may not be able to trust your neighbors,
my plan to encourage dialog with strangers
and anyone willing to give help or needing
help is to share the little I may have. As
long as the sun shines, I feel I can offer
someone a cup of tea and a hug. I know you
have a strong faith and so would encourage
you to manifest that you will be in the right
place, at the right time, and that these kind
of problems will be dealt with easily. I know
that sounds like magical thinking too, but it
works for me. When I first came here, I did
not know anyone in Texas but if someone drove
by my house, I would give them a wave. It was
touching during the aftermath of the storm to
have neighbors that are not as close as some
stop by and bring us ice and share news.

One thing I would suggest is that if things
get strange and your children are not at
home, make a plan so you can meet at home or
somehow come together. In our family, we had
a first choice, in town, and a second place,
out of town.

To be truthful, the most difficult scenario I
have entertained is that some unmarked van
pulls up and drags me kicking and screaming to
reside in one of the gulag-concentration camps
they are preparing for, among other folks, the
free-thinkers...ggg. I know in my heart of hearts
that has to be okay and that finding peace will
take all of my inner strength and faith. I plan
on being able to find that wellspring within
should that come to pass. Until then, I stand
out each night under the stars and pray for peace
to prevail on Earth. I will, and continue to,
hope for the best.

best wishes,
Zoe

-_-