11 Lessons Grandpa Taught Us That Are Important In Today's Uncertainty

My grandpa was like most—wise beyond a young persons comprehension. We had a special bond even though our family was large. I now know it's because we were so much alike when it comes to getting back to the basics; incredibly hard times growing up and being a Marine taught him not just to survive, but how to live. I wish I was a bit older when he was alive so I could soak in every ounce of knowledge he had, but below you'll find his greatest gold nuggets of wisdom that I squirreled away to remember. And lately, these seem more important than ever.

Just about everything was done by handPhoto byRichelleg

Grow Your Own Food

"You'll never go hungry if you can make your own food, be it farming or foraging," Grandpa used to say. He was teaching me about food security and the profound satisfaction that comes from eating food that you have grown yourself, not simply about having a green thumb.

Seed Saving, But More Importantly, Heirlooms

The value of preserving seeds was one of the most important things my grandfather ever told me. "You can buy seeds, but nothing is better than seeds from your best plants year after year."

Choose seeds from the healthiest and most fruitful plants in your garden to assure the best outcomes when saving seeds. After harvesting, place the seeds on a paper towel or screen in a warm, dry place to ensure they dry properly. Once the seeds have been completely dried, put them in airtight jars and keep them somewhere cool and dark to preserve their viability. Don't forget to label them.

Save those seeds!Photo byRichelleg

Heirloom tomatoes were especially beloved by Grandpa, who loved their deep flavors and ability to fend off pests and illnesses. Cherokee Purples, Arkansas Traveler, and Aunt Ginny's Purple were some of his favorites.

Food Preservation

Grandpa's root cellar was never empty. He was the king of preservation, along with grandma, working together to fill the cellar. It was a beautiful thing to see—shelves full of homegrown food. Canning is a lost art, and I urge my readers to pick up a book or learn on the internet how to preserve food. Of course there's also drying, freezing, and vacuum sealing.

This summarizes Grandpa's techniques for preservation:

• Canning: fruits, vegetables, and meats. 1-2 years
• Drying: some vegetables, fruits, and herbs. 6-12 months. Can extend with vacuum sealers and mylar bags.
• Freezing: Most fruits and vegetables are good frozen for 8–12 months after blanching.

Always a packed cellarPhoto byRichelleg

Tend To The Tenderlings

He showed me that caring for animals involved more than just providing food; it also involved developing a friendly and mutually beneficial bond with our four-legged (and feathered) companions.

His philosophy of animal husbandry was centered on respecting and understanding the needs of each individual animal type. He seemed to know who needed what and when. And everyone was given access to sunshine and green grass in a time where most people were penning in their animals in smaller and more sterile environments.

A rotational grazing system is essential for all animals, and Grandpa liked to do everything by hand since he thought it helped identify health problems early on.

Natural Treatments for Typical Animal Illness

He had a vast collection of organic remedies for his livestock, pets, and family. Adding a spoonful of apple cider vinegar to water to cure and prevent respiratory problems in poultry, using a comfrey poultice to sprains or bruises in larger animals, and using garlic as a natural dewormer and "vigor immune booster" were some of his favorite medicines.

Old, but still runs with the best of themPhoto byRichelleg

He consistently stressed the value of prevention through a healthy diet and always with rotational and seasonal grazing. He always used to say a healthy soul never gets sick.

Never Pay For Something You Can DIY, It'll Always End Up Fixed Better Anyway

A plethora of tools, each with a unique tale to tell, filled Grandpa's garage. Knowing how to take care of your tools so they take care of you is only half of it. A homesteader is only as good as their equipment.

He had a nearly monastic ritual when it came to maintaining his tools. He used a whetstone and honing oil to sharpen blades on everything from kitchen knives to ax heads. If you couldn't find him, and he wasn't in the garden or root cellar, he'd be in his garage sharpening and oiling tools. If you asked him, he'd boast that a tool never let him down in his life.

Being Weather Ready

Nature provides all the signs we need; we just need to learn how to read them. He could tell a storm was coming a whole day or two before; nothing ever snuck up on him. I learned from Grandpa to pay close attention to the indicators of changing weather. Cloud patterns and caterpillars can be read for what's brewing, rain is coming when cows lie down or birds fly low, or when you can see the underside of leaves on a tree. Foggy days, red skies in the morning, it's phooey to some but absolute certainty for others.

He was an expert cloud readerPhoto byRichelleg

Surviving In The Wild

Grandpa spent his whole life hunting, fishing, and camping, honing his wilderness skills. When he was a young man, the Marines taught him even more. He would tell stories of how to create a fire using matches, friction flames, reflection, and other techniques. Another important lesson was how to purify water using methods like boiling, chemical treatments, and homemade filters.

Building shelters was essential for survival in the wild, in fact, before securing a food and water source if possible. Speaking of, finding water in the wilderness was one of his best lessons. He taught me where to find water-loving plants, how to find and track animal tracks, and even how to gather morning dew by tying a plastic bag to leafy branches. Lastly, he taught me how to read a compass, analyze natural indicators, and read the stars. This is all very important and may come in handy very soon.

Self-Protection

His most well known saying, if I had to pick one out of thousands, was to hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Rather than relying on fear, he knew that knowledge and readiness would create a safe environment.

Strong windows and doors were another priority for him, and he made sure they had sturdy frames and high-quality locks. Holly shrubs were placed under windows for their prickly factor. A huge storm shelter was built underground that doubles as a cold cellar and safe room. Motion lights were used before they were even popular. He wanted safety from both human and animal threats to the farm.

You'll remember landing in these holly's LOLPhoto byRichelleg

He was also VERY strict on who we could tell about the storm shelter and it's survival supplies. I didn't understand this until I got older.

Choosing Vital Food Items for Extended Storage And Survival

Grandpa's food preservation plan included both carefully chosen store purchases and items preserved at home. He gave priority to calorie-dense staples like rice, beans, pasta, and oils. He kept peanut butter, dry beans, and canned meats on hand for nourishment.

Because of the war, he also included things that are known to lift people's morale during difficult situations, such as chocolate, coffee, and hard candies. He added multivitamins, powdered milk, and dried fruits to his stocks to ensure a complete diet.

This is the best apple butter you'll ever have!Photo byRichelleg

He often stressed how important it is to only store food that you eat. He would laugh and say, "There's no point in having a year's supply of food you hate."

Building Community

Besides his own personal storm cellar supply cache, he thought that belonging to a solid, encouraging community was the key to developing true resilience. Grandpa was a pillar of our neighborhood and taught me the importance of helping others, especially in a crisis situation. You can help others be fed, full and safe without compromising your own supplies and safety.

He used to say that your neighbors are your best asset during hard times. And boy was he right.

Why This Is All So Important Today

All this is becoming more and more important each day, even now. In light of the current global unpredictability, I invite you, my dear reader, to consider this knowledge and adapt it for your own family. Maybe you have some of your own gold nuggets to share!!! Please do so below!

Everything has a place..Photo byRichelleg

Attributions:

Personal, my own grandfather.

Family albums, journals, and stories.

The below website was utilized for the correct spellings and knowledge of the heirlooms listed:

www.tomatofest.com. (n.d.). https://www.tomatofest.com/Heirloom_Tomatoes_Top_10_s/140.htm

The website below was utilized for weather prediction techniques, as I couldn't remember the old adage about the cows and the leaves:

Merissa. (2023, October 5). Old Fashioned Ways to Predict the Weather. Little House Living. https://www.littlehouseliving.com/old-fashioned-ways-to-predict-the-weather.html