I’ve always maintained a deep pantry, courtesy of food insecurity as a kid. I prep because I’ve lived on the financial edge now and again, and because I’m now so rural that it just makes sense to be ready for inconveniences. It’s also just a lifetime habit that gives me comfort.

My water is from a spring on my own land, but for spring emergencies I’ve got twelve 2.5gal jugs of water, rotating one into the fridge and replacing it each month. I’ve increased my garden by 1/3 over last year, and my pet chickens keep me in eggs.

I grew up camping, cooking from scratch, baking bread, weaving, sewing, canning, and foraging. I’ve got weird anachronistic skills thanks to hippie boomer parents.

When Helene hit WNC, I was without power for over 30 days, and without water for 10. I set up an outdoor kitchen/laundry station on the front porch, brought 2 days of food onto the kitchen table at a time, and leaned into my preps. I was surprised at how well this fluffy old disabled lady managed.

I’ve since upgraded my camp stove, purchased the generator that was going to be needed someday but was too expensive (insert eye roll here) and changed my basement storage system to one where the first 2 feet of shelving are empty because of potential flooding. I’ve also replenished my deep pantry since Helene.

3 weeks ago the pipe from my spring clogged and I was without water for 3 days. Cue extra water from storage for drinking, and the bucket for hauling flushing water from the hot tub. Line was cleared, the settlement tank refilled, and I barely missed a beat.

I love knowing I can weather storm, job loss, illness, or financial hiccup without a doubt. That’s safety. I love that when my kids didn’t know if I was alive for 4 days, they comforted each other with stories of the power outages, camping trips, and emergency survival I’d shepherded them through in their childhood. They trusted that if I hadn’t been drowned or crushed, I’d be fine. Even long-distance, my prepping makes my kids feel safer.