That also might be a difference between survival theory and after-disaster reality.

Armchair survival isn't as comfortable as reality. The real thing has GOT to be quite stressful. And if you can handle it okay, what about the people you're living with? A couple of lights and a bit of hot water goes a long way toward helping people who aren't mentally prepared for a distressful situation.

Besides, if you can afford a small generator, you can keep that $800 worth of meat in the freezer from going bad. Just think about all that labor you'll save not having to dig a big hole (at 110 F) to dump all the stinky, rotted packages in when you find out that garbage pickup won't be available for the next 5 weeks! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (Sometimes there just aren't enough big dogs around when you need them.)

Sue