apocalypse « Robin Writes

Okay, not really, and not now. Now. Maybe later this week. Definitely later this week!

A few days ago, I tweeted that I sure hoped SHTF would hold off until spring. Real spring, not like last year when February lasted approximately 97 days.

But just in case it doesn’t hold off, are you ready for the cold?

Physically, it seems pretty obvious – have plenty of firewood, propane, insert-fuel-of-choice. Don’t forget matches and tinder, like saved dryer lint or firestarters made from old candle ends wrapped in waxed paper.

Be prepared to layer your clothing, including thermal pieces, and have lots of warm and/or wool socks. Don’t forget to change those before you go to sleep – your feet sweat during the day and those socks will chill your feet before they dry out overnight. Use mink oil to condition, clean, and make your boots water-resistant.

Mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves, but are a pain if you have to use your fingers. Consider wearing mittens over your gloves, or buy a fancy pair or three that incorporate both designs. Have extras too, as well as waterproof gloves.

Those hand and foot warmers are nice for now, but keep in mind that they usually require a microwave to initially heat them, so, yeah . . .

Hats and scarves will help keep the heat inside your body, and the chill off your head and neck. Make sure to tuck in the scarves, though, inside your coat, so they stay out of the way. And out of the fire.

Forty-below-rated sleeping bags are a must-have, as well as blankets to pile on top. And I’m sure someone will mention body heat, so there ya go! The thing about sleeping, on a serious note, is that if you’re shivering all night long, you won’t get the rest you need to survive.

I’m sure all of you can think of a few things I didn’t cover . . .

Let’s say you’re on the way home from dropping the kids off at school; you’re at the halfway point. Suddenly, you hear jets screaming overhead and huge explosion shakes your vehicle; off in the distance, you see a black cloud of smoke rising.

What do you do?

Do you go home, grab your BOB, batten down the hatches? Turn around and go get the kids first? Or do you gaze at the horizon and think, “Huh, I wonder what happened?”

Most people will probably have that last reaction.

For myself, I’d hit the radio to find the news, tap my Bluetooth to call my husband, and turn around. Since, initially, most people will just stare openmouthed and/or come to a screeching halt while they try to take in the entire scenario, traffic could be a little dicey – but not nearly as bad as will get within the next hour, or less.

In fifteen minutes, I’d be back at school and running inside to get my kid. Now, even school admins are going to be among those who are busy “wondering,” and that’s if they’re aware of what’s going on outside. Presumably, in this situation, almost everyone will have heard the explosion, but reactions are going to fall along the most conservative lines.

I’d probably go straight to the office, claim a dire family emergency in as few words as possible, and follow whoever is sent to get my kid. This is still going to take oh, ten minutes. Now, it’s been nearly half an hour since SHTF. At this point, it would likely take 30-40 to arrive at home.

Of course, the news would be full of stories by now and many will be panicking; some will be prepared; some will still be clueless. But within the hour, we should all be home.

There’s also the question of any others in your group, and where they are and how or when they’ll be arriving. In my book (heh), it’s on them. You aren’t going to be able to hunt them down, make calls, etc. You have to have this plan in place. If they can get through to keep you informed, great – if they make it to the house, even better. But you can’t count on that.

And finally, it’s time to make that decision: go, or stay.