In 9/99 (according to the sticker on the battery casing) I bought a 35 Ah marine battery to keep handy for powering some small devices. I kinda forgot it was down there in the bunker until the other day when I was dragging out the radio gear. It had enough of a charge to run some small lights but not enough to power the radio. Figured its been sitting for six years so perhaps its gone to battery heaven. Nope, threw it on the charger and it seems to run just fine. Need to get off my butt and get the several AGM batteries, charger and other goodies Ive been wanting and put together the bloody backup power supply….esp. since it looks more and more likely the girlfriend and I will be getting more radio gear.
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I had a source for Sellier & Bellot rubber buckshot and slugs but it seems to have dried up.  Watching Katrina footage reminded me that sometimes its easier to just start tromboning rounds into the legs of an unruly mob than it is to say “Get away from my house”. Anyway, I’ve only got a handfull of rounds sitting here and the more I think about it, Id like to have at least 50 rounds or so.
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Speaking of pre-Y2K preperations, I’m still working off my stockpile of rice from ’99 and can say that it appears to be just fine. Cooks up and tastes like it should. Stored in ‘blue barrels’ set on wooden blocks to keep them off the floor. Moral: rice doesnt require very complicated preservation. Keep it dry and big-free and it’ll last quite a while.
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Beaucoup mad props to lemonhd for riding out the last hurricane in grand style. Generator, steel shutters, fuel, water, guns & ammo and she not only came out just fine she’s probably made some new friends with her neighbors and her secret recipe for Fried Water. (She’s using a turkey fryer to heat large quantities of water.) Feels good to be amongst the prepared when your neighbors are huddled around candles like French  peasants.