Winter tips for country living
We’re expecting an ice storm in Vermont, and last night six inches of wet, heavy snow fell (I was out early this morning wrangling the snowblower through chunks of ice-thanks so much, town plows, for always plowing me in. I heart you too).
First, the fun romantic part, then the serious part:
If you’re new to living in the country, here are some tips. Those who grew up there will know this stuff, and it’s very basic. But for city dwellers like I’ve been, better to be reminded before you need it.
I’m referring to those of you new to living rurally with a septic system, a well for water (that needs an electric pump), and who have electric appliances.
Always assume the electricity will go out. It does for me at least twice each winter, sometimes for two days. If you live in the sticks, you are last-priority for restoration.
Your water will stop running if you have no juice for your well pump. When a storm is coming, fill your bathtub all the way up. You need this water to flush toilets, wash dishes, and give yourself sponge baths.
Have lots of jugged drinking water put by.
Get a Coleman propane camping stove. Sixty bucks at Walmart. Get extra propane cylinders (they come in four packs of small bottles). Then you can cook and heat water.
Have a number of kerosene lamps ready to go, and have a goodly supply of kerosene. NO, your “chargeable LED” electric lights are not a substitute. They give no heat, and how do you think you’re going to charge them when they run out?
Think LOW technology, not high. Flame heat and light, flame cooking. You’re living in an analog world, not a digito-electric one, when the “grid” goes down.
Have a charged battery pack for your cell phone.
Keep your car’s gasoline tank full at all times. You may need this for a warm place and a spot to charge your phone.
MAIN HEAT—Do not, under any circumstances, install a furnace or heater that runs on electricity OR requires electricity to ignite. You want a propane running system that requires no power. Yes, you can run them on thermostats without electricity (I do). Remember that mechanical technology exists and is more dependable than electric or digital devices.
Stock up on canned food, ESPECIALLY meat. Canned ham, canned chicken, Spam, corned beef, whatever you like. Don’t just buy canned beans and vegetables. Low-quality protein in beans, and vegetables aren’t enough to keep you going. Put up some fully cooked canned meat.
Very à propos. Ice storm today in Ontario. No power, no water. Wood stove for heat and gas geny to keep the sump pump going to avoid flooding. Fun times.
Thanks for the advice! Growing up in rural Alaska, I'm shocked at how unprepared a lot of New England folks are for storms. A lot of people in my rural hometown didn't put up a lot of meat due to cost, but made sure to store fat (especially lard or other animal fat) with their beans and rice buckets - higher quality protein is better, but not having fat in your food is so much worse.
I'll look into kerosene lamps, that's an awesome improvement over the million candles I grew up with. Hope you have a lovely storm and may your shear pins stay intact.