Dear friends,

Somebody I know has the following solar power system for sale; they sent me the following description: it can generate 7500 watts/day and store about 24,000 watts. For more information, call Kevin at (970) 323-0102. Note: this isn't vendor spam that somebody sent me that I am forwarding, I actually am acquainted with these people, they have one (1) for sale, not a warehouse.

Robert Waldrop on-line free book on coping with y2k disruptions (6800 hits and climbing!)

Brand-new turn-key Y2K home solar power system available to you immediately at a huge discount! Save thousands of dollars and weeks of planning and shopping.

Our family must sell due to change in Y2K plans. This solar system will provide you with power for essential things so you can maintain a comfortable lifestyle if the power is off for a week or a month. ** Immediate delivery (shipped to you right away). ** Highest quality components. ** Everything still in the original boxes, ready to be installed. **

Original manufacturers' warranties apply. ** A complete, compatible system, from a single source - all the "homework" (research) is already done for you. ** FREE consulting with expert solar installer. We pay him. ** Can be installed and running within 30 days and well before Jan 1st. **** For detailed specifications of equipment being offered, and other questions, call Kevin at (970) 323-0102.

-- robert waldrop (rmwj@soonernet.com), November 16, 1999

Answers

GENERATE Watts/day and STORE Watts?

-- Watts coming out? (eng_still_laughing@confuse.all), November 16, 1999.

I wish I had such but it wouldn't be wise where I am. (Volatile Santa Ana winds and numerous peacocks for starts.) I'd have loved to have purchased a freezer and been able to stock it up with some favorites. I'm burned just looking at the canned goods. Urgh, they're so unappetizing in replicated mounds. I used to enjoy a can of Chef Boy Ardee Ravioli especially on a cold winter afternoon...until I purchased dozens of cans.

Stockpiling has made me almost allergic to canned goods. I haven't had a one and I feel like I've had too many and can't face another.

Another Y2Ker is experiencing the same crises and oddly with Chef Boy Ardee Ravioli. She is a senior and her husband is on a restricted diet thus she limits daily purchases. She often sat and would fantasize about having something like a can of ravioli. She was so tired of having to deal with anothers dietary restrictions. Until she purchased dozens of the cans.

Joy is with those who can rig up a freezer.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), November 16, 1999.

Can you give us more info on the actual components in the system- brand, model, and size of solar panels, batteries, inverter, etc? I assume you (they) mean "watt hours" stored, not watts. The amount of power produced could vary considerably depending on the part of the country and time of year. Also, what price are they asking?

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), November 16, 1999.

Generators take a lot of fuel be sure fuel will be available if they ration you will not get nearly enough to maintain a generator. Also fuel doesnt store well for long periods it breaks down and forms sludge this is for pondering before you spend your money.

-- Susan Barrett (sue59@bellsouth.net), November 16, 1999.

For details about the system, call the number in my original message, as I didn't get any details. I think the figure for storage should probably be amp hours, I talked with them on the phone a few days ago so something obviously got garbled in transition. Oops.

-- robert waldrop (rmwj@soonernet.com), November 16, 1999.

The secret to appetizing meals made with canned goods is a good selection of spices, and some creativity in preparation. E.g., you could have warmed canned new potatoes, or you could drain the liquid for a soup, and sprinkle the potatoes with parsley and a bit of rosemary, and parmesan cheese, drizzle with olive oil, and serve with freshly baked French bread (baked in your own outdoor bread oven, of course, which you build from materials scavenged After The Collapse).

Besides your canned goods, you could store some hard cheeses. Dip a block of hard cheese in a salt solution (salty enough that an egg floats), and put it on a rack to dry. Each day rub it with salt. It should begin to develop a rind. When the rind is smooth and hard (about 2-3 days), coat it with wax (either by dipping it in melted wax or using a brush). Wrap with cheese cloth, coat with more wax (several layers, until it is smooth and shiny).

Canned goods combined together can also be the basis of a good stew, e.g. a can of Veg All plus tomato sauce plus some beef boullion -- or any can of soup, and some cooked rice, plus seasonings to taste e.g. the "Scarborough Faire" spices (parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme) or maybe a bay leaf -- or for an Italian flavor use garlic powder and oregano or some "mixed Italian spices", or make it fiery hot with cayenne, paprika, chili powder, and garlic.

Canned sweet potatoes? Drain the liquid, mash, add pumpkin pie spices (all spice, cloves, cinnamon, maybe a hint of nutmeg), bake in a pie shell (in a dutch oven or that bread oven you built), and voila sweet potato pie (you can add some butter or margarine or olive oil if you have it).

Creamed corn? How about some corn chowder, or Chinese corn soup, or 3 bean casserole?

Green beans? Soups and stews, green bean casserole (if you don't have the commercially canned crunch fried onions, make your own crispy onion rings, or saute some dried onions and add without rehydrating to the cream of mushroom soup and green beans, sprinkle cornflakes on top for crunchiness and texture, or crushed crackers that have been sauteed in some butter.

More Veg-All? Well, yum, vegetarian shepherds pie -- cans of veg all, mixed with some cooked rice, and a gravy/flavored white sauce is made, topped with instant mashed potatoes. You could make this is a fondue pot.

Canned beans? Bean soup, 3 bean casserole, Mexican casserole.

And then there's the famous "five can casserole," a staple of the poor . Take five cans, combine them, and heat. Voila, five can casserole. I'm going to put a sign on my neighborhood Y2k soup kitchen: "Chez Bob's Country Cookin." For more recipe ideas, see Better Times cookbook and almanac of useful information for poor people

-- robert waldrop (rmwj@soonernet.com), November 16, 1999.