By JACKIE TAYLOR | April 16, 2025

The old ways

Modern civilization has its definite perks; for instance, I walk into a room and reach for the switch and light comes on. Once the light comes on, the water faucet produces clean, drinkable water when it is activated.

We open our garage doors with the punch of a button that sends a sound wave or electric pulse; amazing – until its not. 

The vast majority of us have faced major power outages where we were left, literally, in the dark ages. My house for instance, has a Google nest, great for programming to the minute how warm or cool you want your house. It knows when you leave the residence so it can go into an eco-mode – but without power, you might as well have a stick. I managed to figure out how to override it one time; pain in the rear didn’t describe it well enough.

My dad and I attended an Amish auction a few weeks ago; now there is a group of people that have it going on. They live comfortable lives without the necessity of modern conveniences.

If the United States were to be attacked by an electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) bomb; the Amish would go about their business like nothing happened. The rest of us would be flailing like whales on a beach.

But, many of us realize that we are one bomb, trigger, etc. away from disaster and we’d better prepare for a worst-case scenario. Everything sold at the Amish auction was mechanical or gas powered, nothing modernized with electricity.

A person that is thinking beyond today was able to purchase a few gems that would provide great comfort if the need ever arises. I purchased another kerosene lantern, after being gifted one by friends. Another goodie I’d been looking for came my way when I managed to purchase a Dutch oven.

Those type of cast iron cooking pots can be used in an oven or in a camp fire; and, as shown by one of my friends, some awesome meals can be prepared in them without one ounce of modern invention necessary.

Back to the basics comes in many ways; one of my friends put a post on Facebook about her venture in making redbud blossom jelly. Last week, I hit my road and picked two quarts of redbud blossoms and managed to produce some tasty jelly. I’d never heard of redbud jelly; but I’ll guarantee you I could make it again, and over an open flame if worst comes to worst.

Many of us are oblivious to the “what ifs” in life. So, you drive to grandma’s house and have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. How do you survive if conditions are terrible and help is not on the way for hours? Days?

I am a junkie for survival tidbits; I find the old ways interesting and knowledge that could save my life or my family’s life in the future a bonus for longevity.

My daughter-in-law and son gifted me with an herbal remedy book for Christmas – well used is an understatement. I’ve found that using herbal remedies seems to lessen the severity of whatever ails me and keeps me from the whims of the pharmaceutical industry. I’m not saying that one of these days I won’t need medicine; but right now, if I can use something natural, I’m all about it.

There’s a show on Nat Geo called “Alone.” It takes approximately 20 survival experts and drops them in northern Canada to survive 100 days without food, shelter or other necessities. They get certain tools, maybe an archery set, knife, string with fish hooks, etc. to begin gathering meat, making shelter and more for the long winter days and nights.

What is interesting about the entire competition is that many hardcore survivalists succumb to their own mental weakness. They begin missing family and friends and their health deteriorates at a rapid pace.

If, we in the United States, were to be hit by an EMP and civilization was cast back into the 1800s without choice; how many of us would survive 100 days until power could be reestablished in our homes?

Thinking ahead to a disaster situation could save your life; or, it could add items to the garage sale your kids may have to hold when you pass on. 

My son asked me that he not have to deal with 500 pounds of wheat at my death; I’ve managed to keep that promise.

Meanwhile, here’s to flipping a switch and having lights turn on.