I started to post this on
What have you done to prep today subject but felt it deserved it's separate subject line.
We all do a O-Kay to great job of prepping food, firearms, ammo and other important items; however it's also important to take the time to cultivate your neighbors. What I mean by that is to spend some time talking and working with your neighbors at your home and near your BOL.
In the beginning we were only on a 'waving relationship' with the farmer across the dirt road from our BOL. We even had a few choice words in the beginning of our relationship (And yes it is a relationship) over some pretty stupid things. From those tenacious moments years ago to a true friendship today it has been worth it.
Through in part due to our friendship with the farmer, we have grown our 'neighbor base' to the point where we know almost everyone on the mountain. Some folks we try to avoid as they are trouble and others we consider just extended family. For the most part we are all just trying to survive and it is a bit easier with the help of your neighbors. To have someone to ask help from or even better to give help when asked is a true blessing.
Here is an excellent example:
The farmer across the way sent me a text this past Thursday asking me to let him know when we were coming home from our holiday visit down south. So I sent him a text Friday night letting him know we would be home Saturday around 1:00PM.
We got back at the cabin at 3:00Pm as the snow made the trip home ugly. As I drove down our unploughed dirt road I was thinking about starting the wood stove in the cold cabin and where would I park the truck. As I inched my way down the road the road was plowed in front of my neighbor and my house. As I pulled pulled up to the cabin our parking area was plowed, there was smoke coming out of the chimney of the cabin and our deck was shoveled! WOW!
I helped my wife into the cabin which was a nice toasty 64 degrees! I immediately called my neighbor to thank him. He just told me that we were family and he didn't due anything more than what he would of for his family.
Here is a picture of my wife this morning after we came back from breakfast.
So cultivate those friendships with your neighbors. Who knows when you will need each other.
What have you done to do the same...Share your stories...