With the events that have been happening during the last few months, we have all seen more "doom and gloom " postings similar to those in the pre-Y2k era. As most all of us here at the forum have learned self suffciency skills and acquired various tools to help facilitate the lifestyle, I would like to ask what you consider to be the most valuable skill or tool that you posess in regard to the benifits that it provides.

I consider my most useful and valuable tool to be my reference library. Even though it consists of mostly second hand volumes , cdrom diskettes and audio/video tapes purchased for under a dollar each at library fundraisers or yardsales and PCs and video units salvaged from trash pick up day and rigged to work, it's a wealth of learning to me. With it I have learned gardening, construction, entrapeneurship, brewing, distilling and fermentation, husbandry, green energy production, survival skills, how to make paper and a host of other topics for less than the cost of a used car stretched over 20 years.

What do ya'll consider to be of the most value?

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002

Answers

Boy, that's really hard to limit to just one thing. I would of never thot about my re library but I guess I'd have to start with that too because what I don't know I can find out---right here at home.

Most of my "skills" are not so much "skills" as they are functionals or even marginally functionals but those are several. Welding, plumbing, wiring, auto mechanics, carpentry, wood working and gardening are high on my list.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), January 13, 2002.

Darn good question. I take your point on the library but to single what you have down to the most valuable!! Welder fixes things that would be lost, chainsaw is so useful, tractors would be sorely missed here, so would our skidsteer. I could say the rifles etc, provide what security they can in extreme times, and that's no doubt the most valuable then. I'll say the loader tractor would be most missed.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), January 13, 2002.

My DH-- he can do almost anything!He has all kinds of 'homesteading' skills and they have saved us so much time and money. Second, would be our tractors.

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), January 13, 2002.

I am going to have to say my mind and body.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 13, 2002.

I'd say that cutting tools are pretty useful; saws, knives, axes. Of course, a man needs a rifle. Check out www.coldsteel.com for some neat stuff.

-- Kevin (kevinmail@earthlink.net), January 13, 2002.

Can I say courage? I once knew a woman who left her husband and lived in a very small 12 by 12 shack with her teenage daughter. On her 5 acres she gardened kept animals and managed everything by her self!! Even chopped all her own firewood. Nobody would dare tell her she couldn't do anything!!! So I say the best tool is courage. The courage to live exactaly how you want no matter what anyone says or thinks about you!!!.....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

I would have to concur with you Jay, my reference library which includes all that you have mentioned. (which also includes my pc that gives me access to all these awesome forum friends)

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

A brain to think, eyes to see, hands to work, friends to support and be supported by.

-- Oscar H. Will III (owill@mail.whittier.edu), January 13, 2002.

Kirk,

There are no right or wrong answers. Just answers. Be sure to check in on this thread in a couple of days though. I'll be posting why i wanted to start this discussion, which may start another discussion. I hope everyone has fun doing this thread and finds it as enjoyable as I think it will be.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

A loving wife!

-- woodsbilly (coleenl@penn.com), January 13, 2002.

JAY....IT WOULD BE THE ESSENTIALS TO FEED,HOUSE AND CLOTH YOURSELF. UNLESS YOU WERE ON A DESERT ISLAND.THE MOST ESSENTIAL WOULD BE HOUSING CONCERNS.IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO BUILD.[CARPENTRY,MASONRY SKILLS]THEN YOU CAN PUT UP A STRUCTURE TO KEEP YOU WARM.WITH MINIMUM TOOLS. IN THE WORST SCENARIO`S YOU CAN GO TO GOOD WILL FOR CLOTHING AND FOOD BANKS FOR FOOD.

CORDiallY YOURS CORDWOODGUY

PS:I DO PRAISE MY BOOK COLLECTION HOWEVER.

-- CORDWOODGUY (cordwoodguy@n2teaching.com), January 13, 2002.

Hi Jay, I'd say determination and good old common sense. These help in figuring out and overcoming alot of problems. My second choice would be basic hand tools.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), January 13, 2002.

My puter.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), January 13, 2002.

a sense of humor!

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), January 13, 2002.

The flexibility to be able to formulate plans b,c,d,e,f....and the ability to think outside the box. Common sense is essential.

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), January 13, 2002.

Determination, the ability to look at an obstacle and want to figure out a solution. Ability to do without when necessary. Good attitude.

These are the emotional qualities I feel are necessary. After this I would say the ability to self-educate with books, computer sites, and from other people are also necessary.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 13, 2002.

Focus.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), January 13, 2002.

I'm with Sheryl-the ability to "think outside the box" is the most important survival tool anyone can have anywhere. What happens if your library gets burnt or washed away in a flood-if it's on CD what if there's no more electricity or computer parts, etc etc? "Thinking" outside the box is what I tried the hardest to teach my own kids, I'm trying to get my grandkids now, and definitely the Boy Scouts I work with on a regular basis.

-- Mitzi Giles (Egiles2@prodigy.net), January 13, 2002.

Stubborness has served me well. So has being in the habit of asking lots of questions. Also, it dosen't hurt to help the plumber, electrician, mechanic. A hot pot of coffee, a cold beer, a few bucks or a homemade lunch go a long, long way.

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

I'm with you Woodsbilly------as long as Dena is there, no tool is even close to most important.

-- Jim NE KY (jedeweese@earthlink.net), January 13, 2002.

The Holy Bible and Prayer

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), January 13, 2002.

All my issues of Countryside.

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), January 13, 2002.

I am with the "think outside the box" crowd. Tools and skills are wonderful but unless you see the possibilities of what you can do with them--- they are just more stuff. I see people all the time who are dumbfounded by simple problems that they think they have to "hire" somebody to fix. Our family motto is "perserverance". More than one way to skin a cat!!

-- Tana Mc (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), January 14, 2002.

The most important tool/resource I have is the land itself. If I were dropped into a concrete city I would be so lost without a lot of help.

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), January 14, 2002.

Good friends, good books, good health!

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), January 14, 2002.

That spongy pinky-grey mass between the ears.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), January 14, 2002.

My most valuable skill would have to be raising, processing and foraging for my own food. (meat, veggies, herbs, etc.) My most valuable tool would have to be my mind. (it was a close race between my mind, duct tape and baling wire).

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

My first thought was a creative mind. Mother Nature and her creatures can be quirky and unpredictable, fouling even the best laid plans and the best equipment. Adaptability is definately a requirement, so I'm in agreement with those who say a good mind.

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), January 14, 2002.

Willingness to learn new skills.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 14, 2002.

Hello Jay,

As tools go, I would have to say a pick up truck. As individual support, I would have to say my wife, Melitza. And for both of us....self-determinism!

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

This is by no means relevent to the higher question here....but I have always thought the most valuable tool I have, indeed the one tool I most repect.....is the metal fence post driver. What a wonderful invention!

-- Rickstir (rpowell@email.ccis.edu), January 14, 2002.

Jay, This would be a wonderful article for Countryside. Go with it!

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), January 14, 2002.

The ability to read

-- Sandie in Maine (peqbear@maine.rr.com), January 14, 2002.

O.K. in building a unscientific poll and evaluating each response (some counted in two catagories. Those with more than two directions are general/ undecided)it breaks down this way: Knowledge / skill seekers 37 %, Tool users 15%, Faith based 25%, Community/ co-supportive 15.5 %, Undecided 7.5%. Just thought it would be cool to see how the community balanced out. I for one feel its quite a healthy mix for a diverse society base. It also shows the importance of forums such as this to balance out the above percentages for all. Community is a great thing, don't you think ?

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 15, 2002.

Very interesting Jay!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

Is it too late to vote? I am such a beginner at homesteading, I don't have many skills yet, but I think my curiousity serves me well.

-- Debbie in Mo (risingwind@socket.net), January 15, 2002.

Never to late. Right now your poll entry lowers the margin of error. If other poll entries are posted, it will be part of a percentage change.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 16, 2002.

Hmmm...

The ability to think on your feet.

The ability to be flexible yet not waver.

A strong sense of resolve to accomplish your goals.

A curiousity to seek out knowledge and skills you don't presently have.

Those four things will get you through pretty much anything. Physical tools can make the work easier or go faster but you have to have the mental/spiritual tools to use them to good affect.

I'm still working on them myself and I'll master them all by and by.

.........Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), January 16, 2002.

Alan,

I doubt you will "master" them all as it is a continual learning experience, but you won't get bored.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 16, 2002.

I can only answer with my own experience which is almost everything I do seems to envolve using my garden cart in some way (hauling water, carrying tools, unloading the car, firewood, hanging laundry...). I am just back online and this is supposed to be my active email. So hope it is.

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef@getgoin.net), January 18, 2002.

Jay. Having had all of my possessions lost in a fire once, (all but some tools that I could re-handle, and re-temper, even my cast iron pans were warped, and cracked.) I'd say my most valuable tool is my ability to take on a new challenge with an open mind. Having lost my reference library, the majority of my tools, my seeds, and my bulk foodstuffs. I was away at the time, and a friend was staying in my cabin, and was not injured. I had a backpack full of travel gear, my bicycle that someone else was borrowing, and a couple of books (also lent out). My friends, community, and family were very supportive, but I really didn't need all that stuff that had burnt, anyway. I remember the day I arrived back, and there was a potluck dinner for me, and everybody wanted to know if I wanted/needed anything (thinking clothes, pots, pans, dishes, whatever, I said no.) I could have used a new bucksaw, and a new file, for sure, but I had my knife, and I could fix my old axe back up. I missed my journels, my photographs, and the quilt my Grandmother had made me when I was nine, everything else was replaceable. Survival, and medical skills, which I have been aquiring over time: the ability to Identify, and forage for food, and medicine, locating and treating water (without a purifier) create vessels for cooking with hot stones, make fire without matches, shelter building, building snares, and deadfalls, tracking animals, making a bow (or crossbow), tool making from stone age sources, these are the sorts of things that will get you through even the most dire of circumstances, beyond homesteading, into the forest. Above all, it pays to keep in mind that all the skills and tools will be useless to you, if you don't keep your cool, and be rational when the ca-ca hits the ocillator. All the possessions in the world will pale with your survival needs.

-- roberto pokachinni (pokachinni@yahoo.com), January 20, 2002.