Disaster Response/Emergency Supply Kit

Over the last few years I have been in the vicinity of both a few major and minor natural disasters; including Hurricane Katrina. As a result; preparedness has become a priority for me. In the event of a natural disaster or emergency I want the ability to survive for up to three days before assistance is available. Luckily, we have an abundance have outdoor gear around the house, however, I have been developing a more comprehensive and "official" family response kit, which is pictured above. This is also part of our family effort to be more self-reliant and responsible for our own safety and well-being as opposed to being dependent on external sources. The development of a plan and a kit can be fairly simple and inexpensive and I would encourage every family to do it in this uncertain day and age. The project is empowering and truly offers peace of mind. Feel free to contact me for tips on equipment selection and tip design. In addition; check out the book: When All Hell Breaks Loose by master survival instructor Cody Lundin. This reference will serve as an excellent guide.

Ode to one of the greatest songs ever written: A Country Boy Can Survive by Hank Williams Jr.

This song is about self-reliance, resolve, truth and a reduced BS way of living. The message here has been with me for a long time. After a hard day of complex urban living and dealing with endless issues; I crank this one up and get straight again- I have done this time and time again without fail. With that said; I wanted to take a moment and celebrate the brilliance of this tune on the blog. So here's to all the survivors out there! Thanks Hank!

The preacher man says it’s the end of time
And the Mississippi River she’s a goin’ dry
The interest is up and the Stock Markets down
And you only get mugged
If you go down town

I live back in the woods, you see
A woman and the kids, and the dogs and me
I got a shotgun rifle and a 4-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

I can plow a field all day long
I can catch catfish from dusk till dawn
We make our own whiskey and our own smoke too
Ain’t too many things these ole boys can’t do
We grow good ole tomatoes and homemade wine
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

Because you can’t starve us out
And you cant makes us run
Cause one-of- ‘em old boys raisin ole shotgun
And we say grace and we say Ma’am
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn

We came from the West Virginia coalmines
And the Rocky Mountains and the and the western skies
And we can skin a buck; we can run a trot-line
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

I had a good friend in New York City
He never called me by my name, just hillbilly
My grandpa taught me how to live off the land
And his taught him to be a businessman
He used to send me pictures of the Broadway nights
And I’d send him some homemade wine

But he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife
For 43 dollars my friend lost his life
Id love to spit some beechnut in that dudes eyes
And shoot him with my old 45
Cause a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

Cause you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
Cause one-of- ‘em old boys raisin ole shotgun
And we say grace and we say Ma’am
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn

We’re from North California and south Alabam
And little towns all around this land
And we can skin a buck; we can run a trot-line
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive