Survivalism

These horses would probably trample me.

It's funny how one can be obsessed with the zombie apocalypse and at the same time be completely unprepared. I've been reading "Into the Wild" lately (a great book for anyone interested in real-life journies) and I realized that while the idea of leaving everything behind and living on the land is incredibly inticing, it's just not the road for me. For one, I kind of freak out a little if I can't wash my hair every day. Not that I'm some girlie girl, but I have thin hair that gets very greasy. And, for the record, if you touch me on the head when I think my hair is greasy, I'll probably want to hit you. Pretty hard.

At any rate, I realize this leaves me in a very poor position for an emergency situation. I can't tie knots. I don't know how to kill animals, and even if I did I wouldn't know what is safe to eat and what's not. I can't tell poisonous berries from nourishing ones. I can't take a twig, some tin foil, and a length of cord and McGuyver it into lodging.

This guy can survive anywhere, anytime.

In other words: I'm screwed.

I love to watch shows like Survivorman and I like to think I've learned a fair amount from these programs. However, do you really think I'm going to remember how to spark a battery into a fire if I find one in the middle of the Alaskan tundra? In fact, quite possibly the only fact I remember learning is that you can get sick from eating nothing but protein. I had no idea this is possible! Even if I could kill a deer, if I don't eat some fat and grass with it, I'm still a goner.

Oh boy.

I think, this year, I'm going to make a point of going into the woods a bit more. Taking some hikes, maybe even legitimately go camping. Take up archery. Learn to tie a good knot or two. Perhaps build a small survival kit for the house. And think about how to survive.

At least, I'll think about doing these things. It seems like a good idea.

In the meantime, I'll keep reading "Into the Wild" and see what I can gather. Definitely, don't eat bad berries. Check.

Braaaaaiiiinnnn Food: What do you think best prepares you for survival when our modern conveniences are stripped away from us?