Prepare for the worst, hope for best

"Nobody knows what will happen," Pa said. 

"Prepare for the worst and then you've some grounds to hope for the best, that's all you can do."

   First thought I'd share last night's sunset, framed by our casement windows. As part of the re-do of our fixer upper home, Hubby took out the old windows back to the brick in order to install new windows, as opposed to replacement windows. Only regret? That they are not TRIPLE paned, only double paned. Otherwise, love, LOVE these windows, so very easy to clean.
   Okay, mostly I read non-fiction, and for the record, my all-time favorite novel to re-read is Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice.
   But right now I'm re-reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. Yeah, I know it's juvenile fiction, but the can-do spirit of those books never fails to spur me to greater action. And while in the middle of reading her novel, The Long Winter, where the little Ingalls family nearly froze and nearly starved through seven long months of blizzards, I was spurred to clean out our pantry, as I wondered how we'd manage through such a winter.
   Since learning that the BPA (bisphenol-A) plastic lining in most canned goods actually LEACHES INTO THE FOOD stored in them over time, I have stopped buying up cans for long term storage. But while looking for alternatives in glass containers, we've been eating our way through the foods already stockpiled.
   And while waiting for our FDA to catch up to the science on this issue (not to mention the many other countries that have already banned BPA), I'll be buying only enough canned goods that I can use up quickly. Getting harder to save by stockpiling these days. *SIGH*
   No need to get discouraged though. This BPA business is just one more reason for me to learn how to can & put up more fresh, organically grown produce from our own garden. Surely I can learn to can and preserve something other than freezer jam & frozen chopped peppers. Surely!
   Hopefully by next winter I'll be able to show off a pantry filled to the brim with beautiful jars filled with our garden's bounty.
   I'm sure I'll be visiting many of your blogs for ideas, so wish me luck!