Off The Grid News Better Ideas For Off The Grid Living
Dear Editor,
I just received the Off the Grid’s email about an offer for the 72 hour meal kit for a Christmas gift. I have a story that relates to that very well. Personality wise I tend to be practical and “functional” and the same holds true when giving a gift. As well I love it when I receive a gift that I can use or make use of.
In ’95 I went back home to Manitoba for Christmas where most of my family was at the time, including my dad and mom. I wanted to get each household something that was useful for a gift and still within my budget. One day I was in a hardware store and it dawned on me that no one had a fire extinguisher in their house and, seeing the store had some on sale, I thought it was a great idea! So I bought four of them, wrapped them, and gave them as gifts.
When it came time to unwrap them, their expressions ranged from confused to outright chuckles. A little embarrassed at the time, I just reminded myself that someday one of them would need it. Sure enough, the following summer I got a call from my mom and she told me. “You remember that fire extinguisher you gave Richard for Christmas?” I replied” Yeah, I do.”
She went on to tell me that a wire shorted in the electrical system of his car when he was working on it and the motor caught fire while in his yard. When this happened he remembered the extinguisher that I had bought him. He got my nephew to run to the house a few yards away to get the extinguisher and they put the fire out. My mom commented that it saved my brother’s car from real serious damage. He got the wiring repaired (I think he had to get a new harness); nonetheless mom mentioned that it saved his car and thousands of dollars. My brother also told me later how glad he was when he remembered the extinguisher.
So though it seems this emergency meal kit is “unusual,” someday someone will be thankful they got it.
I also wanted to thank Off the Grid for their wonderful newsletters and offers. There is so much info that at times it’s hard to keep up. My wife and I also listen to the radio program when we have the chance.
Thank you,
A long-time subscriber
Dear Long-Time Subscriber,
Thank you so much for your letter! I wanted to include it in this edition of the newsletter because it points out so beautifully how important it is to not only be prepared, but to be willing to be exposed to ridicule in our gift giving when we give those items that are not in keeping with our culture. I’d rather be exposed to a little embarrassment over giving a gift that will be useful in the long term than to waste my money on junk. Thank you for the encouragement. We certainly appreciate all our readers, from long-term subscribers to those just joining us.
The Editor
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And then… a few more additions to our natural insect repellent suggestions…
Dear Editor,
Here is some information on natural insect repellant that I have saved on my computer. Here is the recipe that was shared at the Young Living Farm in Utah by the head “farmer.”
1 gallon of water
5 cloves of garlic blended and then strained
3 drops of oregano
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon dish soap.
Hope this helps,
E
Dear Editor,
Lavender and tansy are also supposed to work as repellant. Tansy in particular will self sow and limit mosquito population. Also consider installing a purple martin bird house. I understand that, “if you build it, they will come.” These are those bird houses that look like a whole apartment house for birds. Purple Martins will eat copious amounts of mosquitoes, as will bats, so consider a bat house too. Scented geraniums, particularly the citronella scent, are helpful too.
L-
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