Preparing for Storms

Thought it might be timely to repost these tips on emergency preparedness.  We've been hit with some wild storms here in the Pacific Northwest for the past couple of months and they came a little earlier than our usual winter, so it just goes to show you can't be too early in preparing for anything.

From the archives:

Winter / Storm prep tips.

While it's a little early to be thinking about snow here in the Pacific Northwest, it is not too early to prepare for it!
Women on their own must look out for themselves and be prepared for anything - because anything can happen.  I have been through many major storms here and been trapped for weeks, both at home and away from home.

I now have a preparation ritual.  In the Fall (sometimes sooner) I start thinking about what I need to do, from gathering supplies to making preparations.
Supplies always include extra canned and dry goods, anything I can cook or prepare on a camp stove should the power be out.
Preparations include winterizing the house.  Wrapping outside pipes, putting up heavier curtains inside.
I even pack an overnight bag that I keep in my car should I get stuck away from home.

I always make sure I have a flashlight and extra batteries, several small propane tanks, lanterns and oil, matches and ground coffee!  Until they design a battery operated coffee grinder, this is a staple for me!  Of course a small drip coffee one-cupper and cone shaped filters must be included.
[ update:  I found a hand grinder!  No batteries or electricity required!)

Other useful things would be a couple of bags of ice in the freezer, so when the power goes out it keeps the food cold.  One year it was so cold outside that I just put the food out there.
Extra containers of water may be necessary if your water comes from an electric pump,  and did I mention candles?  Lots of them.

Obviously I have a back up heating system that doesn't require electricity.  I have a wonderful wood stove.  It is actually my primary heat source. I get my fire wood in the summer, stacked, cured and covered by Sept.

Keep the gas tank full in the car and the snow shovel by the front door.  Have a corded phone to plug in to the jack should the power go out.  Cordless phones are useless without power.
Up until about a year ago I didn't even have a cell phone, but now that I do, I keep that charged up.  While I don't get service here at my house, at least I can use it in the car if need be.

So these are some of the things we can do to be prepared for a long winter living alone.
If you're on a budget like me, or just like to conserve your resources, we have to think outside of the box a little more, get creative and work with the resources you have.

I'm really quite content with my independent life, and grateful to have a sharp mind and willing spirit.  It just makes life so much more interesting.

If you have any tips you'd like to share on winter preparedness, please leave a comment!  I look forward to hearing from you.

Fern Frenzy

The Spring and Summer are really heating up around Huck Hollow, and I don't mean the weather!  It has been a slow warming trend in my part of the Pacific Northwest, a teaser sunny day here and there in the low to mid 70's, nothing like our unusually hot May where we were hitting mid 80's.

Such is life here though, and we just have to roll with it.  The lush plant life is hardy here, toughing out all kinds of weather.  Gardening is tricky though.

I have five (yes 5!) blog posts to get out to you over the coming weeks.  I have been crazy busy around here with outdoor projects.  To start off the show, I have been studying ferns.  I know, a little late for this northwest native, and I have been taking them for granted all these years.

I have several types of interesting ferns here at my Huck Hollow, and I work with several more at a clients vacation home nearby.

This is the Ostrich fern, the tall one in the back. (In the front is a deer fern). It has the most unusual way of coming out in Spring.  This one is taken in my yard, but the following images are taken from the cabin.  

These are early, early Spring, probably March actually.  They have the most uncanny way of uncurling out and up.  They continue to do this throughout the summer!

These are Harte's Tongue.  Apparently there are several sub species of these, but I'm going to generalize here as I am not a botanist.  These are deciduous as well, to some degree, as I have to cut back the old ones each year.

These freaky little guys are my favorite.  The book has several sub species with long names, but I think the general term is a Cristata.  They remind me of a caterpillar or a centipede, as they uncurl outward, looking like a million tiny legs.

So this is my contribution to the fern world.  I never knew there were so many ferns!!!  Many of whom live right here in my neck of the woods. 

Stay tuned, next week I have a project post for a bamboo screen privacy fence.

Times a 'changing

Greetings blog peeps!  Spring is in full gear for most of us in the northern hemisphere, buds are popping, flowers are blooming and color is returning!!

I have been thinking about changing the name of this blog.  I think "New Pioneer" has served its purpose and it's time for a new name.  The theme will stay the same, we like talking about old mobiles and building and yard projects.  

As I look around me I am always being reminded how totally immersed I am in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by tall pines and an abundance of huckleberries, salal, and Oregon grape.  Even my street name is called salal!  But mostly I see huckleberries, everywhere.  It's a huge food source for many of my birds here.  

I am thinking about Huckleberry Hollow.  It just feels so right.  I'm tucked back into the forest with a section of land carved out of the hillside.  The hill is covered with huckleberries!!  

So this is my first "warning" post of sorts, to let you know it's coming.  I'll be changing the blog name but you should still get my posts via whatever avenue you now get them.  I'll make another announcement again soon and on Google Plus.

This is going to be a great new start for the New Pioneer!  Forging ahead, creating new projects and carving out our place on the net!!

New Calendar!

The new 2013 wall calendar is out!  I have used MagCloud, my trusty book making company, to compile the top 12 images for this years calendar.

This is a nice size, 8x8, not too small, not too big.  Beautiful color images, and only $12 plus shipping.
Here's the link: