[Artemisia] Side Discussion - was SCA Skills in a Modern Plague

[Allen Hall]

 > My husband is not on this list and coincidentally mentioned starting a food storage just this weekend. In my opinion, this area is is great to live in because of the culture of "preparedness" espoused here. It means there are a lot of resources and companies selling products for use in case of natural/human caused disaster or disease outbreak. I grew up around much of what has been discussed however, never learned the skills myself. I think I'd be much better off stockpiling the more modern supplies for survival and hoping to trade them later for other goods/services.
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> The thing I'd really have a hard time with is the smells and personal cleanliness. I do agree that being involved in the SCA has probably outfitted more of us to knowing what to expect and being better prepared for what might happen.
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> Kristine the Killer Rabbit

There are indeed many resources available in most of Artemisia.  For those in the UT region, there is a store called Emergency Essentials that has some good deals on a wide ranging variety of "stuff".  Our medieval ancestors would have had some familiarity with the "stuff", though certainly not the packaging or materials it's made from, but function, yup.

And those there is a culture of preparedness, surprising few people are actually taking steps to be there.  The general awareness is there, but the actual movement to do something about it isn't.  Our ancestors would have been appalled, particularly with how bare our larders are going into winter!  They were quite aware that they needed to be prepared for those long, cold months when nothing grows, and they actively took measures to have food during those times.  Remember that the lower portions of castles, primarily below ground level were storage areas for food and drink.  The underground temp is generally in the 50's or lower, so it's a good place to store "stuff".

I'd just consider that storing some food is just being a "good medievalist", practicing period actions and precautions.  LoL!

Alan