It takes a village, or at least a family

This morning it was driven home to me just how important family and community are in rural life.  My mother is visiting us this week and I needed to take her to the emergency room, quite suddenly, for a potentially serious stomach issue.  But while I was waiting in the ER, I realized I hadn't had the chance to check water on the chickens and the dogs, and the temperature was supposed to hit 99 degrees.  So I texted my son Groceries, who luckily was coming home from class and was able to make a stop at home before heading to work for the afternoon.

My mom is back here now and resting, and will be on broth and toast for a day or two, both of which I'm thankful to have on hand, in abundance.  So today also made me realize that it's not just people we need in our personal "village," it's also supplies.  

Preppers always talk about stocking up for the zombie apocalypse, war, or major disaster, but the fact is, your next disaster could just be a bad case of the flu, when there's no one around to run to the store for you for potentially several hours or, if you live alone, a day or two.  Having canned soup or frozen broth around can be a lifesaver, along with juice or Gatorade (I realize it's not homestead chic to laud the antifreeze green liquid known as Gatorade, but it's saved my life on several occasions when I've taken ill suddenly and couldn't hold any food down).  

No one ever regrets having a stocked pantry and someone around we can call to check on our livestock, that's just a fact.  Because you never know what tomorrow may bring.  It may bring the zombie apocalypse, but more than likely, your next disaster will probably just affect just you or just your own family.  

All the more reason to be stocked up and ready.