Looking back on the Great Recession, there were signs.

Big ones.

For example, when I bought a house for which I didn't qualify for a loan, I could get it anyway because the bank offered me a "no-documentation" loan where it didn't matter that I owned another house.

That was a pretty big sign that something was amiss.

But I didn't see it.

A year later. . .BAM!

My world changed.

I got caught with my pants down, and I vowed that would never happen again.

In the years since, I've taken steps to insure myself from another financial catastrophe.

But that's not enough.

All the money in the world won't save me if there's nothing to buy.

When the zombie apocalypse comes, the unprepared billionaires will perish beside the unprepared poor.

Not that I think the zombies are coming.

But I'll be surprised if I make it to the end of my days without a significant supply chain disruption.

Perhaps the food supply chain.

And, for that, I want to be ready.

You know how when there's a big storm, all of the sudden generators are super popular?

Like, everyone wants to run out and get one.

By the end of the day before the storm, there are none to be had.

The unprepared are either freaking out to find one in a store or freaking out because they can't find one in any of the stores.

Meanwhile, it's just another day for the folks who already have one.

No big deal.

That's how I imagine it will be with food when the supply chain is eventually disrupted.

After thinking about it for years, I'm finally getting started.

A few weeks back, a sawyer dropped off these 17' long, 2" thick poplar slabs.

Yesterday, we started turning them into raised beds.

The dirt arrives next week.

Then we plant.

And while we wait, we'll buy the compost bins.

We're scouting out a place for a chicken coop, too.

Between hunting and raising pigs, we're getting closer to ending our dependence on others for our meat.

Vegetables & berries from our backyard further ease our dependence on others for food.

It's a lot of work.

But I don't mind.

Whereas I missed all the signs of the pending financial crisis, I see the signs of a food crisis everywhere.

And I don't intend to get caught with my pants down a second time.