Kathy Harrison

In Aesop’s fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper, the Ants dutifully prepare while the Grasshopper fiddles away. He scoffs at the Ants, pointing out that food is plentiful and they should have fun while they can. When winter hits, the Grasshopper would have died if it weren’t for the help of the ants. In Kathy Harrison’s Just in Case, we are reminded that a little organization, preparation, and planning can keep our families safe and comfortable when something happens.
Rather than scare show more us with the ideas that the sky is falling and no one can help up, Kathy Harrison assures her readers that yes, sometimes bad things happen, but not only can you and your family survive, but you can be comfortable, happy, and good neighbors to others. Whether the issue is a rolling blackout because of an overstressed power grid, a harder winter than expected, or even an injury that can leave a family member unable to go grocery shopping for a few weeks, we should know that something CAN and probably WILL happen. It isn’t insane paranoia to plan to keep one’s family comfortable any more than health and car insurance are paranoia.
Though she is far more self-sufficient than most of us will ever be, she assures us that thriving in a snow storm, a flood, or rolling blackouts is within the average family's grasp. Rather than panicking every time we hear a warning and running to Walmart to buy them out of bottled water and canned foods, she give the reader a flexible but clear method for stocking up a home and getting the whole family involved. She reminds us throughout to be one of the good guys--not hording those last-minute emergency supplies and sharing if possible with some of our less-prepared neighbors.

This is a wonderful handbook for any house than needs suggestions on how to make a 72-hour kit, to make sure the kids don't freak out in emergencies, and to keep a family together, safe, comfortable, and well-fed in any kind of emergency. She isn't telling us how to skin animals or set traps or survive in the brush. Use survival manuals for that. She is showing us how to avoid having to stay in emergency shelters or to need FEMA every time Mother Earth goes a little crazy. This book had the added benefit over many other preparedness guides I’ve seen in giving clear ways to involve the kids in planning, preparation, and preparedness. After reading this, I actually felt like I could do those little things you’re supposed to do with the kids without scaring them—my son can now dial 911 for the police, firemen, or doctors. Next step—fire drills. show less

All I can say is WOW. I wish this book was required reading for everyone. I was intrigued and ordered it on Amazon, and saw that I could get the audiobook from the library while I waited for my package to arrive, and I ended up listening for hours on end and finishing the entire book before it even shipped. I could have cancelled the order and saved my money, but I was so dumbfounded that I just needed to have the physical copy. This is a jarring firsthand account of the foster care system, show more from a woman who has fostered over 100 children in her lifetime. One hundred! Children who traumatized, children who are violent, children who are born from tragic circumstances, children who have been sexually abused, children who sexually abuse other children. It seems like for every situation possible, Kathy Harrison has experienced it and lives to tell the tale. I have always wanted to foster/adopt, and rather than deter me or scare me away like this book probably should have, I now have a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The system is absolutely broken but people like her make such a huge difference and it was so inspiring to see, even amidst the heartbreak and the custody battles. It gave me more insight as to what life is like for the adopted special needs kids I have worked with and the struggles I see them facing now. The world is being changed, one broken child at a time. I really appreciate the brutally honest portrayal of what accepting foster care children into your home is like and the heavy weight and trials that come with it. This book was so raw and real and simply amazing- may there always be another place at my table, too. show less

With short, actionable chapters full of suggestions and practical advice, I couldn't put this book down. Skipping the parts that don't apply to me, jumping to those that do - I found this a highly useful book that I'd easily recommend for anyone's reference guide. As well, the author is smart enough to know when other sources are required (for more in-depth conversations, recipes or how-to's); many of the chapters end with a recommended reading list.

I should note, as the author does: this show more is NOT a 'hunker down in the wilderness survival guide, nor a how to create a bunker information kit. It's meant for families, couples, singles - anyone dwelling in an environment where they might need to live without power, water, sewer or internet for weeks (as I did during a hurricane in the Bahamas a few years back).

My best recommendation? I've housesat full time for years, traveling around the world. I'd easily give this book as a gift to everyone whose homes and animals I've cared for. show less

What I thought was going to be a handy manual for preparing for unexpected emergencies turned out to be a tiny bit more alarming than I had hoped.

The book begins with some moderate fear-mongering and then offers predictions of catastrophic pandemics and urges for communities to band together in resiliency groups. Hey, I just opened the book to look for tips on food storage and supplies needed for an extended loss of power. Let's take a breath. If I were not reviewing this book, I would have show more stopped reading at the introduction. Maybe lower the tone of imminent apocalypse so the readers do not do a runner.

Setting aside that, the book was organized very well, and had some great ideas about planning for emergencies.

The book will help the reader to learn how to:
- prepare a binder / container to safeguard your important documents (with a suggested list of documents)
- store food and water (and how much to store)
- make a water filter
- take care of pets during emergencies
- stay clean and healthy with a low water supply and/or no electricity
- dispose of all types of waste
and much more.

There is also a lot of great everyday advice like use local banks or credit unions, and volunteer to help others affected by disaster.

I did not care for the overwrought flavor of the introduction, but there are some good ideas inside. I would advise the reader to skip the introduction and go right to the useful information.

*eARC Netgalley* show less