dystopia « Robin Writes

And of course, you’re prepared for this, right?

The kid is prepared too—he left for church this morning at 7:00 a.m. with temps in the single digits and windchills hovering around -16. Naturally, I reminded him to make sure his windshield was clear and that, if he had any trouble, to stay in the car until help arrived. He texted me when he got there, and I’m sure he was still rolling his eyes.

See, the kid is 18 and, like all teenagers, thinks he’s invincible. Pretty sure that he secretly thinks we’re totally crazy for prepping, etc., although he hasn’t actually said anything. Yet.

He was wearing two coats this morning, but I saw no evidence of gloves. I suppose he could have used his pockets to keep his hands warm if he’d had to walk, although that could be awkward for any length of time. No hat, no scarf.

Hey, you try convincing a teenager . . .

However, he does have the requisite supplies in his Jeep: ice scraper, water, snacks, heat blanket, paracord, knife, matches, and a small first aid kit. And probably some other things. I seldom actually look in my kids’ cars, because it’s so horrifying . . . my daughter, for example, treats hers as a second closet . . .

But you do need to stay prepared for vehicle issues, any season, as well as for your general preps. Particularly because your vehicle is also your safety net if you have to bug out. Keep it maintained, keep supplies in the trunk or wherever, and have at least half a tank of gas at all times.

And if you don’t want to dress for the weather, at least take along those items you may need: extra coat, gloves, scarf, rain gear, and so forth.

As for being skeptical of “needing” preps, at least on a sizeable level, well, you never know . . . and yes, I know what I said last week, but things are changing. Have you looked at the market lately? A definite downhill slide; wonder why gas prices are dropping? That’s why. China sending troops to back-up Russia. The Saudis and Iran stirring up stuff, as usual of course, but stepping up their game.

Be careful. Be watchful.

Oh, I still hear a lot of prepper ideas and plans and things, but has anyone else noticed that the sky doesn’t appear to be falling these days?

We had some tense moments in 2015, like Jade Helm and the economy and the Pope’s visit with Congress and the UN and whatnot, but it’s now 2016 and there haven’t been any dramatic differences.

Huh. Maybe ISIS just settled down for the holiday or folks are still chugging holiday spirit . . .

As for me, I’ve been watching and waiting. Watchful waiting. Whatever. I never expected, really, to have to throw stuff in the truck and take off, but I could have if it had come to that. But, while my Facebook feed has slowed down a bit, as well as the media, both mainstream and otherwise, I’m still plugging along.

I have a garden planned for the spring, and the means to get it planted and fenced.

I have alternate power sources.

I have plenty of stored consumables and other things.

I’ve been hoping all along that things will hold off until we’re “ready,” and it looks like that’s going to be the case. Or not. But I am at the point where that “or not” doesn’t seem as scary.

And you know, while writing and researching my book series was enough to scare the bejeezus out of me, I’m still convinced that things—in general, I mean, politically and economically—are going to get worse.

And that’s what prepping is about.

Then, too, I’m at that point in life where I want to do what *I* want to do, and be out in the woods and be self-sufficient. That’s the plan, and I’m sticking to it.

And, too, when something happens, I’ll be ready. I’m not going to scour the Internet for the crazies and report on every single conspiracy theory, but I’m still checking my sources, the ones I trust, and I’m still keeping an eye out.

You probably should, too.