Linda Gale

We've been looking for a secluded home and 2-3 acres, primarily in Northern Missouri. We currently live in a city 2-3 hours from that area, and need to stay reasonably close because of family. We are educated, and have been keeping tabs on U.S. changes - economic, political and geophysical. We know that it won't be safe in cities, in the near future. We have been 'looking' for over a year - and can't find anything that is in our price range - $35k +/- for a home with (preferably) 3 br, at least 1-1/2 baths, a basement, garage or building for car and workshop. Prefer ranch style or master BR on 1st flr; son with lung cancer would like to have his own private area - a 1 br "apartment" or area where he can crank-up his stereo! Want to have large garden - in-ground greenhouse - and hope to find fairly wooded land, with a clear area for garden, as well as some kind of 'water' (pond, stream, nearby lake, etc) as well as a good water well. Thinking of raising a few chickens, and experimenting with pond-raised fresh water shrimp. Must have groceries, at least some shopping, doctor, pharmacy and hospital within 15-20 min drive (or less). Looking for friendly people we can share our skills with - retired home builder, sewing, quilter, knitter - incl socks for cold days! - almost all crafts incl home decor, gardening, canning, preserving, dehydrating. PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN LAWS UNFRIENDLY TO RETIRED - HIGH TAXES, INHERITANCE TAXES, ETC. ALSO INTERESTED IF STATE AIDS PEOPLE WITH PURCHASE OF HEAT PUMP (IOWA PAYS FOR IT), GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION, FRESH WATER POND FOR SHRIMP, ETC. Want to pay cash for the property - and MUST MOVE BY MID-MARCH. Any info can give would be very appreciated. Thanks!

We are planning on moving from our present location in SE Nebraska. Due to family and other concerns, we are still trying to decide between southeastern/central Iowa, or SE Oklahoma/NE Texas.....two very different areas, and rainfall may be a deciding factor. We probably will end up with 1-2 acres, due to prices. BUT, we are attracted to a couple of small towns that have half an acre or less. These are TINY towns, and I don't think there would be many restrictions. We're even thinking about drilling our own water well, and not be reliant on county water - and thinking about the possibility of combining a water well 'drill' with a geothermal system, which would be placed in the same hole. I just saw videos about how several acres were transformed to having several ponds and water system, swaled, and so on. Fascinating, and I want to learn how to all of this on a smaller scale. Is it possible? Thanks.

We're planning on moving from our home in Omaha - we're really concerned about the economic collapse that is supposed to happen the third week of October - and want to find a place where we can use the land in the easiest, and most bountiful manner. Permaculture seems to be just right. Is there anyone from SW Iowa or SE Missouri who could talk about their areas? We think Nebraska will eventually have poor rainfall and a climate that won't be good for longer growing. Thanks!

Thanks for your reply - and I understand what you're saying... but I'm not quite sure about your "final decision". Do you mean to say that it would probably be OK, but mushier, if I reprocessed it properly now? Or that I just better trash it now and not take the chance?

Sorry - The jars did seal - no problem there, and they "look" great. No evidence of anything gone wrong, no bulging lids, bubbles inside, or other nasty things.

I think the pressure didn't come up properly - so they were only "steamed" in the pressure canner - and probably did not get the total amount of processing time. My book had a stain on the "time to process" - and I think they properly only got about half as much as they should have received.

Several days ago, I pressure canned green beans, squash and collard greens. I used the hot pack version, in sterile jars, and was careful as I filled jars, making sure everything was very sanitary and nothing touched the boiled lids, rings, and jars.

My pressure canner malfunctioned - and I think, although the food was processed at what should be the correct time, the pressure may not have been up high enough.

I have read that you can only re-process food within 24 hours - but I'm wondering, since I was so careful when going through the process, if I might be able to replace the lid with a new one, heat the food in the jars and then pressure can it again, being sure that the right temp and pressure was reached this time.

I know that the food won't have the same "first time" consistency, but with collard greens, it might even tenderize them more - the squash will be mashed, anyway - and the green beans.... well, I can live with "well cooked".

I just hate to loose 15 jars of food that will be important in a few months. If I reprocess these jars, and then mark them to ONLY SERVE AFTER BOILING FOR 10 MIN (in addition to the reprocessing), will this be reasonably safe? PLEASE DON'T REPLY IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN THIS SAME PROBLEM!!! I KNOW "WHAT THE BOOKS" SAY!

Thanks for your help!
Linda
Omaha, NE Anybody from around here???