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127 comments on A Trip to Todd's
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127 comments on A Trip to Todd's
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My wife just noticed an error...the nearest place with a multiple selection of stores is actually 120 miles each way. I should have figured that one out since it takes 2 1/2+ hours to get there. (Todd whacks himself on the forehead.)
Do you actually need to go further than Willits (ca. 40 miles) or Ukiah (65 miles)? Is Santa Rosa really important for shopping options?
Jason,
You raise an interesting question? Now, I could buy almost all of our needs at our local market, Geiger's, and not go to Willits, Ukiah or SR at all. Why make the trip? I should add that we usually go to Costco in Eureka when possible. (This will mean nothing to people outside the area.)
First of all, I noted that I buy in bulk or on sale in my essay. Let me give you an example of cost: I bought a package of thick-cut pork chops at Costco for less than $3/pound. Geiger's, my local market, was $5/pound and it makes no sense to drive 30 miles each way to Willits for a few dollars...unless there are major savings on lots of stuff. And, I want to put my purchases into context - a typical Costco "run" is $300-900 and, in most cases, I'm saving over 50%. You have to remember I'm on SS plus a small state pension. I don't waste bucks.
Now, I've noted that I "stock up." I buy big quantities of stuff, especially at Costco or Trader Joes. I can or freeze it or put it in storage. The problem with chain stores is that their savings do not cover a broad enough area. So, I'll just keep doing what we are doing.
Good stuff, Todd. Thanks.
I'll try and hook up with you in a few weeks. Been tied up for a few months. (This is the first time I've been at the Drum since the election; must be cosmic). Started with my mom moving, and I've been going down to her place and bringing my father's hardware store up here. 60 years of collected nuts and bolts and nails and switches and everything one could desire. And all his tools. Cement mixer with 2 back-up electric motors fromo old washing machines. Etc.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Glad to hear you're back. Give me a call if you have a chance because I'd like to know if you'd be interested in our once a month lunch talk fest when the weather gets better.
Todd
For meat.
I envision a time when one will be able to 'open range' stock.
There was still some open stock in some areas when I was a youth.
My Gparents alwasy put chicken wire around the garden because we let chickens,ducks and geese free roam on the farm. They stayed close.
But with the demise of population it would be possible to ear cut your hogs and let them fend for themselves. Predators in your area may make that unfeasible but here it would work easily. For cattle you put a bell on the leader. The rest follow and you can 'call' the up of a morning and evening. Same with calling pigs and chickens and even horses. We always did that. They came for they knew they might get some feed.
We only had problems with chicken hawks and snakes. But not that bad.
I have already stockpiled some rolls of chicken wire for exactly this reason. I need more hi-tensile though. Can run it with a solar fence charger and its maintenance free for the most part. The hi-tensile I put up here 20 yrs ago is still in perfect condition. In-line strainers and good corner posts make it work and then I just put spreaders in most of the rest with an occassional post every 300 ft.
To my way of thinking its going to be hard to do full blown sustainable without animals. First for draft use ,milk ,fiber(leather) ,meat and manure for fertilizer.
Airdale