THE ECONOMY: On 10/8/08, newsmax.com gave us a headline story: “IMF: World Economy to Slow Sharply, Led by U.S.”. The headline gives the prediction but it’s the IMF report quote that gives us the context: “ The world economy is now entering a major downturn in the face of the most dangerous shock to mature financial markets since the 1930’s.”
Speaking of context, the CNN (cnn.com) headline and brief article of 10/9/08 offers this chilling contribution: “U.S. debt overpowers National Debt Clock”.
YAHOO! FINANCE (biz.yahoo.com) shouts a snapshot (if you will) in its 10/9/08 headline, “Dow plunges 679 to fall to lowest level in 5 years”. Sorry, but this last bit of news can’t help but remind us of wag’s comment, “Remember, the market always comes back…except when it doesn’t.”.
Unfortunately, its left to Nouriel Roubini (rgemonitor.com) in his 10/9/08 article to give what is arguably our best status report on the macro financial situation:
The world is at a severe risk of a systemic financial meltdown and a severe global recession.
I say “unfortunately” because Profesor Roubini is regarded as an economic “uber bear” and because he’s been pretty much right in his evaluation of the U.S. and world economic situation over the past two years.
BOOK REVIEW: How to Develop a Low-Cost Family Food-Storage System by Anita Evangelista.
“Last Words” first: “ The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”- Proverbs 27:12
We begin our review by commenting on the “Last Words” section first. It’s just a couple of pages (pages 105 and 106) of quotes from various sources concerning food and the failure to be prudent. It complements Chapter 1, “ Why Store Food” and quotes from it to begin and end our review. We recommend the reader start with “Last Words” before beginning Chapter 1
Chapter 1. “Why Store Food”, gives reasons and perspective (both historical and rational) for a food storage program. As important, if not more important, are “The Rules of Food Storage”. They are given as the principles/guidelines for the development of the system. The Supreme Rule reads, “Do not tell anyone that you have stored up foods. Not anyone.” The remaining eight rules are important: the Supreme Rule is vital.
Chapter 2, “How To Determine Your Food Storage Needs” and Chapter 3,”Low Cost Sources For Your Food” describe how to determine your food storage needs (both in quantity and quality) and how to acquire the food inexpensively.
Chapter’s 4 and 5 take the reader from methods of food storage and preservation (with both the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods) thru storage containers, placement of stored foods, marking and listing of stored foods, thru food stock rotation.
Chapter 6 discusses “Bartering”. This involves the acquisition of items that should be acquired and stored for future use as a medium of exchange in /during difficult times. These items could include salt, spices, cocoa, coffee, sugar, and more. Also discussed is the security needed to keep stored food and barter items.
Next, in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2, the author presents the basic how-to’s of food preservation methods (with both advantages and disadvantages) and recipes for homemade goodies. As throughout the entire book, the information is clear, concise, simple and inexpensive.
A “Bibliography” is is presented just before the book’s last section (“Last Words”) that is a treasure trove of do-it-yourself and how-to books and periodicals.
In previous comments on the blog, we described the book as a “jewel”. It is that but more importantly it is a valuable tool. It is a source for food storage and preservation information that’s about unequalled for value: information vs. cost. For about $6 it offers a comprehensiveness seodom found in books costing 3-4 times as much.
The author shows perception and perspective as well as a mastery of her subject in presenting her material and its place in the current scheme of things. She respects her readers time, needs, and money. The lady can certainly lift her gear.
We at PrudentHome highly recommend this book and have purchased more than a half-dozen copies for friends and family.
We end this review with a quote from the “Last Words” section of Ms. Evangelista’s book :
“Do not let yourself be seduced into a false sense of serenity by men who do not understand that the old world is dead.”— Robert A. Heinlein.
HOMEWARD: Homeward is now both a direction and a destination. A look at current events, with even the briefest glance backward, argues for a return to faith, family, friends and neighbors. Homeward is a return to individual responsibility and self-reliance. Homeward is a return to the future.
Keep your eyes on the horizon.
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog.
Tim Ramsey