Preparing for Winter like the Squirrel

Being prepared and ready for anything! Or is that impossible?

Like the squirrels preparing for winter, are you one who scurry around, storing nuts as Winter trickles in? But, the squirrel,races around hiding and storing in secret places. He hides more than he needs because some other critter will come along and find atleast one of his secret stashes.

Do you prepare like a Squirrel? Maybe your style is more like the Bear? Forge and store up inside where no one else can steal your hard work, then hide away in peace and darkness until Winter passes?

The herd animals don't prepare at all, the eat what they need and move along being pushed by the elements of Winter and hope to survive.

While sometimes I would like to sleep through Winter like the bear, the squirrel is more realistic. I know I can not hide away all winter. However, I can store up my cupboards and be ready. But for humans, food alone is not enough to survive and prepare for Winter.

Animals do not rely on things like, Power, running water, heat. The animals can burrow down in a warm den or nest and wait out some of Winter. If I stayed in my house without a heat source, it will get cold. So in preparation for Winter, firewood cut and stacked. That is not quite the end, its stored away from the house to protect the house, so a couple times a week I need to haul over more to have close at hand. Best to bring it over when we know a new storm is due in.

Power, something we rely on heavily. Last year we had a good 5 days with snow and ice and, no power. Back up generator can be quite handy. Batteries, candles and if you are on a well, a supply of fresh water for drinking and cooking.

I do hide out on Bearcreek, but also know I need to get a few places. Which means having the vehicle prepared. Snow tires, keeping the fuel filled ( it never goes below half in the Winter), after

all, if the power goes out, the pumps won't work.

Do not forget your pets! Keep a back up of food and supplies for them as well, including water! We can go usually all of us with a little less to eat, but water is needed for survival.

So as Winter makes its approach, sometimes it gradually slips in and we have lots of time to prepare, or it might come slamming in without much warning. Take time like the squirrel and the bear to prepare for the upcoming months. Don't get caught like the deer can, in snow storm, with the food source buried and dragging through the deep snow to hope for a better grounds.