Not So Far To Fall

I read something interesting on the 'net earlier this weekend. The next depression is going to be much, much tougher on a lot of people because they'll have so much to lose. In the 1930s, the gap between rich and poor wasn't as pronounced as it is now. So there will be a lot of people who will be going from plasma screen and SUV to an occasional movie and WTF.

And it's going to take a lot, too. Even if you're lucky enough to live in a place where you can fend for yourself -- and still pay the mortgage or rent -- it's going to take a lot. The thought occurred to me this afternoon while we were doing chores, which consisted of:

*** Feed bucket of spoiled veggies and fruits to pigs

*** Take big goats to pig pasture for afternoon browse

*** Break hole in ice that's crusted over pig watering tub

*** Carry water to pigs

*** Break up bale of hay in pig house so pigs don't get pneumonia

*** Refill hay net in big goat barn

*** Break hole in ice that's crusted over goat watering bucket

*** Carry water to goats

*** Feed grain and lettuce to broilers

*** Carry water to broilers

*** Feed corn to ducks

*** Carry water to ducks

*** Feed grain and lettuce to laying hens

*** Carry water to hens

*** Feed grain and hay to small Nigerian goats

*** Carry water to small Nigerian goats

*** Clean hooves of small Nigerian goats

*** Collect 18 eggs from hen nesting boxes

*** Pick up spoiled fruit and veggie bucket from market

*** Take big goats into goat barn

*** Feed big goats

*** Milk big doe

*** Replace heat light in broiler shed

All told, it's a little more than an hour, hour and a half's worth of work. It pays off, eventually: fresh, free milk every day. About 350 pounds of pork for the freezer. About 100 pounds of chicken for the freezer. Eggs when we need them, with the surplus generating a very small amount of cash (and more importantly, food for the pigs and chickens). Endless entertainment for the border collies.

And I didn't even think about the heating issue until now. It's supposed to get down to -20 or so tonight. That's with the wind chill, but it's still pretty damn cold. But we've been struggling to keep the fire hot enough to warm the house beyond 45 degrees or so. Right now, it's maybe 50 degrees in the kitchen.

I don't think we're some great, uber-survivalist couple. But I've got to wonder: How many people could do this, even if there weren't any choice?

Scary thoughts for scary times.