23 years of preparing and still learning.

COUNTRYSIDE: Regarding the comment on economic problems (May/June 2009), all I can say is I know firsthand that a lot of people will receive a big wake-up call if things get worse.

Pressure canners have come a long way. Just read the directions on the basic set-up about three times to settle your nerves, then go for it. (One item to prep for the canner is extra rubber gaskets for the lid!) When you find jars and rings on sale or at a yard sale, get them! I will even buy a box with canning jars and mayo jars (the glass kind) because the mayo jars are great for dehydrated foods (five pounds of veggies in a quart jar!).

There are several other areas that you will need to address in prepping-basic medical supplies (prescriptions, etc.), alternative fuels for cooking and heating, generator and/or solar for lighting, etc., extra clothing and bedding for winter, ways to move water, the list goes on and on.

The ice storm we had in February pointed out an area we hadn't thought of. We figured out that carrying a flashlight everywhere meant that you only had one hand to work with! So, when that income tax check showed up a solar panel was ordered, the big batteries were bought, and, now, Paul is installing low-voltage lighting everywhere.

My husband and I have been prepping for about 23 years now. (Of course, in the 1980s we were just two 20-somethings moving from the big city to a little rural town in Arkansas and we weren't so sure we would find jobs right away.) I was raised with family on both sides that had animals and did canning, which helped a lot.--Theresa Schot, [e-mail], Bruno, Arkansas