Milk, bread and toilet paper

It seems like a long time ago, but less than a couple of months – we were talking about emergency preparedness. As we roll into more winter, I can remember getting responses that included a number of stories about weather, bad weather….

And in the US, that means that risk of bad weather means everyone who possibly can, goes shopping. For milk, bread and toilet paper. In Germany the list is quite similar. Diane assures me that in the UK – one or two whispers of snow and the whole world seems to be buying out Tescos.

Deployed? Bad weather means power failure. Most important are flashlights, bottled water, long underwear and sleeping bags. The clothing and sleeping bag should be already on hand, the water is there by the case which leaves only the flashlight.

From not having any source of light (note, no candles or matches. Burning things in a wooden shack is a really bad idea. People who are dumb enough to do octupus with extension cords and overload circuits have been know to start fires. Yes, I know I just said that power could be out.) I now have two! I have this neat little velcro gizmo that attaches a tiny light on the end of my finger so that I can see what I am doing with cipher locks (thanks Steve!) and then there is this thumb long extremely powerful flashlight received from my SF buddy Mark. Both have been added to my pockets.

I can now find my way around at night and set off metal detectors. Check the people with a wand and ignore coats and jackets – right? I will never figure it out, but at least I am not in the dark…..

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6 Responses to Milk, bread and toilet paper

  1. Bruce says:

    We tend to forget the basics with our current technology.

    My IPhone app tells me the temp at 0303in Bagram was 27 F.

    This comes through the WiFi in my hotel in Belize where I just finished an E meeting with an NGO board.

    Yes, we did bring a flashlight.

  2. Cheryl says:

    What’s a Tesco?

  3. April says:

    I have an led flash that clips and it is usb so it can be charged while working and its awesome

  4. Diane says:

    Certainly does sound a bit rough where you are. You had me in stitches mentioning ‘milk, bread and toilet paper’. I thought this was something strictly native to the Pittsburgh area! Imagine my surprise! Think about it…now if you were preparing for a weather emergency why on earth would one choose milk, bread and toilet paper. Toilet paper, ok, I can see that. Sears catalogues are not as soft and absorbent 🙂 Milk, well ok, if you are desperate for tea or have small children, but not a necessity. Same with bread. Buy a bread maker for emergencies and make your own. Everyone else will be hoarding bread but you will have a field day with flour, yeast, etc. My three main staples, other than the above mentioned toilet paper which is a given, would be candles, a Monopoly board game and a supply of batteries for radios, etc. Makes more sense….:) I wonder now if a survey was to go around as to what three things people would stockpile in hearing of a weather emergency…..how many people would actually say ‘milk, bread and toilet paper’?

  5. Ann says:

    Do you have one of those great gizmos which wind up? We have one (from LLBean) which has flashlight, radio, cell phone charger, and who knows what else, and can be powered by electricity, batteries or WIND UP!!! So far though, no power failures in Maine, so we haven’t put it to a reality test yet.

  6. Allison says:

    Sounds like your SF Buddy gave you a SUREFIRE 🙂 Those are the best tactical shooting (and general purpose) lights around 😉 nice score Colonel!

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