see any stockpiling in food stores?

I went to Safeway over the weekend, and they had sales on canned food and non perishables like you wouldn't believe, 10 for $10 on so many items.  It was as if the government secretly told the stores to put all this stuff on sale now, so people would buy it....

I actually doubt that was it, but it was strange.  I've been trying to stock up for a couple months now, and haven't seen a good sale in a grocery store on so many items all at once. 

Thomas,

My day of treating water per your post above was a ways back - I know it works because I have drank some nasty yeesh.  One thing though the shelf life of the iodine tablets was not so good.  I can't remember a time frame though.  I think by inspection when they turn dark you throw them away.  I think also the bottle is good until you open it - then they start to degrade.  Can you comment on that?

Thanks - I will look at Wal-Mart for some - they would be good to have for an extreme event and I would imagine that they are fairly inexpensive.

Wow.  I purchased my crank radio about a year ago.  Not because of BF but because we often go camping and I wanted a way to hear about the weather.   It's probably from my days (okay many years) living on the Gulf coast and hurricane seasons.  I always want to know what it going on with the weather.  Probably explains my need to prepare, as well.  Got very used to it down south. 

I lived in Gulfport, MS for about 17 years.  Many of you probably recognize that town now, after Katrina.   I still have a lot of friends down there, even after over fifteen years of being away.   Still rough living down there even after all these months.  I feel for them.  Helped out my friends the only way that I could..I called in the troops..my family..and we all helped the best that we could.  We also packed up all the goods and clothing items that we could and send them off to be given out to strangers. 

I know, as they know..we have to make sure that we can take care of ourselves and we cannot count on the government.  They may not be there, or be there in time, or for a long time. 

Good to hear that so many people are preparing, listening and watching.  I pray that our worst nightmares are not realized but if they are..I know that we are not alone..others are preparing and others will be better off for having done so.  Peace to all.  Good night. 

I am really amazed by your phobia. With billions (India + China + others...) of people living in very poor hygienic conditions what is the death toll rate in Asia? around 100 .

Keep cool cowboys.....

In all seriousness here, getting back to the topic... I hvaen't really noticed anything out of the ordinary in my "travels and expeditions" prepping.

I think that a lot of us are seeing things a bit differently than we did say six months ago and this heightened level of awareness may be a factor in how we look at the world in a larger sense.  When we see someone with a couple of carts full of stuff like that we have been purchasing we kinda make the connection mentally that " Hey, there's another one of us", when it's sheer speculation on our part and probably a subconscious attempt to make our own behavior seem, well, not odd or extra-ordinary, something closer to "normal".  This is something that always happens when situations like this come about, where patterns of behavior are self-modified and people begin to look for "acceptance" of their own behavior on some primal level.

Screw that.

You don't really need to put yourself through that.  Just carry on, knowing damn good and well that while there may be a very tiny percentage of people out there prepping that we are only a very small fraction of the population doing so and what you're more than likely "seeing" is the result of heightened perception more than anything else.

I can think of about a thousand reasons why someone would be buying most of the stuff I have purchased, in sizable bulk, with a few exception of course.  If I was to see someone walking out of one of the military surplus places with half a dozen M9A1's  with his family in tow, then I might think that there definitely is a person that's on the same wavelength.  I see someone coming out of Costco or Wally-World with a cart of "goodies" near and dear to my own heart, I know that it's probably someone getting ready for the storm season or getting ready to go camping, or doing a event somewhere that requires a case of tuna and bottled  water...

I'm sorry, I just don't think that Joe-Six-Pack and Sally-Soccer-Mom are really aware of the threat potential, and if they were they would probably toss it because they don't want to think about it period.  The world is a busy place, there's hundreds of news stories every day competeing to some extent with  BF, and winning most of the time because the "Powers that Be" prefer it that way, and 99 percent of people are paying attention to begin with or are just distracted to such an extent that they can't "center".

Face it.  We are very different, a special breed of human beings that still retain a greater percentage of survival instinct and intelligence enough to cut through the crap and see things more clearly than others.  We are special.

siameselade wrote: well spoken TA!!

You can't see H5N1, no sattellite images, no radar.  If they won't run from or prep for a Cat Five Hurricane they can visually target we really can't expect them to prep for H5N1 making the jump...

I have stopped trying to talk to people about it.  I just mostly put lists together and prep for me and mine, try to help out here on this forum  and a few others when I see someone forgetting something that I thought of or kick myself in the butt when someone comes up with something I didn't think of yet or forgot about...

Yesterday, was the first time, in what seems like a very long time but really isn't, that I went to the store and did not come out with a buggy or two full of groceries and supplies.  I went grocery shopping for last night's meal, bug stray, and for breakfast stuff.  It felt strange but I liked it, too.  I used to shop like that a lot, and not that long ago, either.   

I did notice many great deals again..this time Oatmeal..10 for 10, and many other things but the atmosphere seemed different somehow..  There weren't as many non-perishables on sale..more perishables..in the produce aisle and fresh meats.. more than normal.  I did not notice anyone with a cart full but of course, it was a work day. 

I left the grocery store feeling good that I did not have a car load of supplies to deal with when I got home.  LOL.   It was a good day.   My job is very nearly done.   A few more things on my very short list..and unless I have forgotten something else important..I will be a free woman!  LOL.      I didn't realize it, but now, I can hardly wait for that moment.  I do feel much more relaxed now..and less anxious knowing that we are in good shape and ready for....whatever may come our way.       

Kelly, I envy you that you are almost done! I'm not (obviously), but at least I now have an accurate, updated list and know excactly what I still need to get.

Had a talk with my hubby yesterday about the current status of BF. His reponse:"Well, we just stay at home". I thought, great, he's finally on board. So, what does he do when I tell him we need to prepare? "Oh, no, not like that Y2K thing!!!!!!

I could rip out my hairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought that I was finished prepping until yesterday's news.  So, I am going this afternoon to get a few more things. 

Oh and women..(sorry men, I must go here) there are a few items that WE do not want to forget to pick up..just in case.. Don't forget about yourselves..and possible yeast infections..get something to deal with that, and the other stuff too.  I picked up some cranberry juice also..good for blatter infections..  My daughter used to get them..  It would be miserable to have some female issues..and not be able to get what you need, when you need it..  Just a thought. 

I have made appointments for my children to get the pneumonia vaccine.  That happens tomorrow evening.  I will check to see if I can get one also, but feel that it is more important that they do.  I've read that it helps.  They could still get the BF but it may not kill them.  I really don't want to think about that, but feel that I must for their sakes. 

So, don't forget..when you are out there prepping..you might want to add that vaccine to your list to things to do.  Take care of yourselves.  Peace. 

Oh, and on being special.. 

WE all must know it, at least a little bit, deep down inside.  I, for one, used to be called WEIRD by my friends in high school.  I knew that they meant it jokingly and not to hurt my feelings, but I always took it as a compliment, anyway..no matter what.  Just meant to me that I was an individual..with my own mind and my own ideas.  Be proud, People.. 

WE are the weird ones...not.     Okay, I hung around with a bunch of dummies when I was young..what can I say?   

But you know what I mean..right?  If you have ever been called NERD, or WEIRD, STRANGE..a BRAINIAC...CRAZY more lately..and numerous others..  You know WHO you are.   People tend to lable things (people) that they do not understand.    THEREFORE, WE ARE SPECIAL.    Embrace it. 

Kelly:

My teenager says, "Don't tell people you are stocking up for BF!!"  Then he keeps raiding the stash and taking the good stuff!  I am only buying things I normally buy but more of it and he has figured out I have extra goodies stocked and keeps stealing the goodies. :>(  Darned kids!  LOL  I guess one of my last rush items will be more water and ...snacks!