Farmgal, I just finished digging up some Hops for you - I can't believe how frozen some of the ground still was! I wanted to get it potted up before the storm hits on Friday - then I might not be able to see it under all that snow! lol
Thanks, but I don't need anymore horseradish or st. nettle. Any extra strawberries? This summer I can bring more comfrey when it's up too.
Denob, we'll miss you - but see you this summer, right?!

You bet your beans & bandaids you will!

bump,

We will be looking forward to seeing some of you tomorrow, I have heard from a couple folks how are making it or not, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!

If you know you are not going to be able to make it, let me know if possable to do so.. thanks.. see you guys soon..

Looking forward to seeing everyone in a few hours

Same here

It was a pleasure seeing old faces and meeting new faces today at the get together, the topics covered where wide indeed and the time flew, still can't believe we ended up visiting for four and half hours.. lots to talk about indeed!

hope to see some of you again..

I'd also like to thank Farmgal for organizing and hosting the meet-up. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone we met.

You folks gave us lots to think about!

Some thoughts from the meetup.

I live in 'urban Canada', where the majority of people have no more food on hand than their half empty refrigerators. Many of my neighbors are retired from public and private life, with good pensions. They have downsized to the bare necessities for living in high-rise condos.

With a few exceptions, most aren't skilled with their hands. Reflecting the trends of increased specialization, they possess certain cognitive skills such as high verbal and mathematical ability, but relatively low spatio-visual ability. City life, with all its conveniences, suits their income and aptitudes.

According to Canadafaq.ca, over 80 percent of Canadians are now living in urban areas. If any sustained interruption of services were to happen, I believe the stress on government to fill the void would overwhelm whatever plan is in place. Cities are highly managed, and from this culture comes a belief system that government is there to respond to every need. Cities encourage this blind faith, every time they offer justification for taxes.

Absent from city culture is talk of canning and storing extra food, making provisions to unconventionally cook or make heat, having a personal generator, maintaining a victory garden, having mastery of tools, or the ability to gather food. There is a pervasive feeling that cities are too big to fail.

They may be partly right in this belief, but it is historically naive to believe that present conditions will persist indefinitely.

When I get the chance to leave the city and talk with people from the outside, I'm reminded that not everyone is 15 minutes from medical care, or police, fire, grocery stores, hydro repairs, or even cel phone coverage. The ice storm of 1998 was a minor inconvenience in the downtown, but potentially life threatening on the outside.

For my peace of mind, I'll be prepping. In the event of change which may happen, I don't want to be limited in my options by lack of material. For a reasonable investment in time and resources, I can expand my resiliency so that I'm not at the mercy of circumstances.

Though we were a small group this time, I feel this was one more step in the process of greater things developing. From my own unscientific observations, dating back to before 1998, I conclude there more out there who share similar views, and it is only a matter of time before the mainstream catches up with us.

Farmgal, I just finished digging up some Hops for you - I can't believe how frozen some of the ground still was! I wanted to get it potted up before the storm hits on Friday - then I might not be able to see it under all that snow! lol
Thanks, but I don't need anymore horseradish or st. nettle. Any extra strawberries? This summer I can bring more comfrey when it's up too.
Denob, we'll miss you - but see you this summer, right?!

Hi Prepher, we sat to far apart this time, I didn't get much of a visit, next time, thanks again for the hops, I will for sure share how they grow and will do my best to get you some more strawberry plants for the next time I see you.

Some thoughts from the meetup.

I live in 'urban Canada', where the majority of people have no more food on hand than their half empty refrigerators. Many of my neighbors are retired from public and private life, with good pensions. They have downsized to the bare necessities for living in high-rise condos.

With a few exceptions, most aren't skilled with their hands. Reflecting the trends of increased specialization, they possess certain cognitive skills such as high verbal and mathematical ability, but relatively low spatio-visual ability. City life, with all its conveniences, suits their income and aptitudes.

According to Canadafaq.ca, over 80 percent of Canadians are now living in urban areas. If any sustained interruption of services were to happen, I believe the stress on government to fill the void would overwhelm whatever plan is in place. Cities are highly managed, and from this culture comes a belief system that government is there to respond to every need. Cities encourage this blind faith, every time they offer justification for taxes.

Absent from city culture is talk of canning and storing extra food, making provisions to unconventionally cook or make heat, having a personal generator, maintaining a victory garden, having mastery of tools, or the ability to gather food. There is a pervasive feeling that cities are too big to fail.

They may be partly right in this belief, but it is historically naive to believe that present conditions will persist indefinitely.

When I get the chance to leave the city and talk with people from the outside, I'm reminded that not everyone is 15 minutes from medical care, or police, fire, grocery stores, hydro repairs, or even cel phone coverage. The ice storm of 1998 was a minor inconvenience in the downtown, but potentially life threatening on the outside.

For my peace of mind, I'll be prepping. In the event of change which may happen, I don't want to be limited in my options by lack of material. For a reasonable investment in time and resources, I can expand my resiliency so that I'm not at the mercy of circumstances.

Though we were a small group this time, I feel this was one more step in the process of greater things developing. From my own unscientific observations, dating back to before 1998, I conclude there more out there who share similar views, and it is only a matter of time before the mainstream catches up with us.

Very interesting thoughts and great write up.. it was very nice to meet you..

Farmgal, glad you found the hops beside your van! Nice to see you again Mr. FG.
Mr. W, don't worry about it! It was YOUR turn to sit near Farmgal lol.... 😆
Mrs. W., I missed you - I hope to see you in the summer.
Ottawa613, thanks for your report. It was nice to meet you.
Highlandsgal and Mr. Highlandgal (lol) it was great to meet you and hear your story - my sincerest thanks for sharing.
Bandit86, wow, all the way from London! Come again!
Did I miss anyone?
Sorry I had to leave at 1 p.m............. it sounds like you all had a great time after I left!
See you all in the summer at Larose. 🙂

lol, ahhh are you saying that i have personality....?

Farmgal, you have SO much knowledge to share, it's an honour to sit at your side...... and besides, I had you and Mr. FG all to myself last spring! lol

Hi. New here but not new to Prepping. I've been looking for like minded people in eastern Ontario. Guess I found them. lol.

Hi Spey-fly,

There is a gathering coming July for the ottawa and area preppers, I hope you will come on out, there is going to be lots going on, but its pretty free flowing as well.

Here is a link to the gathering's information, look forward to getting to know you better.

http://internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3644&p=40786&hilit=ottawa+july#p40786

I tried the link for the gathering in July in Ottawa. It didn't seem to work. I'm interested in attending. Can anyone let me know where and when. I'm single and don't know any preppers so far in Ottawa. So feel pretty alone. I would love to meet others. I'm fairly certain we don't have more than a year or two left to prepare (if that), just personally speaking. I hope I'm wrong. I really want to get myself ready and help others too.