We here in south central MA – we LIVE on a ginormous rock — cliffs, etc .. better than the various sand hills around there tho so there is that. (We are in the glacial drop zone just south of the Quabbin valley region)

The breadth of preparation that your readers have is impressive – spans the gamut and the world indeed.

I chose not to become a prof because I didnt see how I could afford all my debt and do the academic thing. Still regret it but what can you do, water under the bridge.

The Stella weaken concept – somehow that doesnt give me comfort – maybe I am just not in the right place for that right now. I always have to work hard against rigidity and overcontrolling. Food for thought (esp re: dealing with recently diagnosed autistic child and his intense needs).

I have been listening to Studs Terkel’s interviews from the depression — and also watching Grapes of Wrath – and also thinking about the massive stress we are living with right now – and I sure wish I had the grace of peace and perfect parenting skills and boundless optimism because I dont have any of that!

We only lost power for 1 day (our power lines were put in only some 15 years ago so we dont tend to lose power for long).

re: wood boiler – we love our Seton Boiler and can recommend it but ONLY if you commit to getting a good and flexible plumber who will rig the system for you (its not DIY). Our plumber loved this job and was just amazed by the boiler.

This is a link for the boiler http://www.rohor.com/ and if you would like more info from the buyer’s perspective just ask. Buying it sooner than later (while crude is low in cost) then you may save on shipping.

Reframing a problem (what is called “looking on the bright side”) is the number one mechanism families use to deal with troubles, according to studies, and it makes sense. In couples, it is the ability to accept “chronic” problems between them, and not take it too seriously or, more importantly, too personally. They take the “issue” lightheartedly, as it won’t change and it won’t go away. Of all the reading I’ve done on the Great Depression, to help people deal with this next one emotionally, what stands out is how some folks created paper dolls at Christmas, to be colored in and cut out by their little girls, while others simply said “We have no money for any gifts…” The love between family members and the honest caring, was long remembered as “priceless,” and the destruction of that bond is devastating. Sticking it out together made a huge difference.

We lost electricity for 5 days, as well as telephone and running water, because of an ice storm a week ago. It was just remarkable how peaceful the household was (although it was bitter cold). We figured out how to keep warm, use daylight, and cook on a camp stove, and we played games at night. Everyone had a job to do, and everyone did it, without complaint, because we needed to. We all sort of missed it when the power came back on.

As long as people don’t cling fiercely to the ways things “used to be,” (what you usefully frame as “entitled”) they’ll adjust to the way things are.

You’re right about the necessity of letting go of the entitlement piece. After the first few years of Peak Oil awareness, I saw that there really wasn’t a way out, and scaling down and relocalizing was our only option. And the people who write to me have made pretty good lives for themselves, albeit quite different from what they’d imagines they’d be.

As far as the student loans go, you are right on the money. The deck is stacked, the deal is rigged. While there has been some change in the horrendous inescapable burden these loans put on students (lower interest rates) the reality of living with them remains frightening (and I’m a university professor…)

Finally, our wood burning furnace needs replacing, so I’d be interested in you letting me know how yours is working for you.