So. A year ago I fell ill. Up until then I had never needed a doctor in a serious manner. My prepping meant that I used my wit,strength and endurance to live in a pretty self sufficient way. I have done my best this year to continue that way,but unfortunately it would appear that The Creator has decided things have to change.
As I got older ( this last five + years) I did accept my wear and tear and was starting to ease work,in such a way as weed suppressant and very raised beds in my vegetable garden. My back and knees were grateful.
Let’s start with food production. 
We grew a lot of vegetables. Up until illness I also had fowls and rabbits. Had done for nearly forty years on and off.I had cleared the rabbits just prior to illness,as I was looking for less work,and I didn’t need the money from them. When I was in hospital last Christmas my wife said she couldn’t cope with the fowls. One phone call and a mate picked them up within the hour. My wife doesn’t eat eggs anyway!
.I had always been a hunting and fishing man too. My mates have taken me on some memorable fishing trips,but the hunting ( guns) was impossible. My wife likes clay pigeon shooting,so she got licensed and holds a couple of guns. I sold the rest.
So where is the point about my prepping?
Well,the extreme illness has caused a lot of ‘opposition’ towards what was normal. However,as I was getting older and body parts were wearing out I was seeing - roughly speaking - where my prepping and young man lifestyle was heading. So when I became ill my prepping was already changing. Hopefully this will help those who cannot live like Rambo!
No longer are the animals needed. I have to be careful how many eggs I eat,my wife doesn’t eat them at all. When I want some,I ring my mate and he brings them. If I fancy a rabbit,my neighbour gets me one. No need for freezers full like the old days. As for my vegetable garden,it’s mainly perennial plants. Cabbage,onions,artichokes,herbs,fruits etc. What we eat is now less. I used to pickle,and eat a lot of veg,but I am not allowed to eat those now,and they are not my wife’s favourite anyway.
When I am finally gone,my wife will not need the work,nor the volume of produce just for herself.
That doesn’t mean there is zero prepping though ,food wise. Whilst as a young family we had the animals,the garden and even another acre with poly tunnel and goats too,we also had two large pantries.Now we are down to one. We are drifting towards mainly my wife’s tastes. In an emergency she can find a meal easily from those shelves. We keep them stocked,and she easily has 3 months of grub there. Then is a new fridge freezer. When meals are cooked,there is enough to put into single portion containers and freeze. Jan finds this convenient , particularly when I am in hospital. It cheers me too,as I know she eats!
On a prepping basis we still have an emergency fridge and small freezer in the old storage shed just in case there is a breakdown too.
Going back to eggs and rabbits,we have old,old friends and neighbours as contacts too. Not only is physical storage important,but contacts are too. I cannot drive anymore, so if my wife is working and I need help ,mates are there for me. We are all now retired
Don’t underestimate community support.I’ll speak soon.
. Which meant I had to retire 4 years early because of the chronic fatigue. 