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Author: Gaye Levy

I grew up and attended school in the Greater Seattle area. After spending many years as an executive in the software industry, I started a specialized accounting practice offering contract CFO work to emerging high tech and service industries. Awhile back I abandoned city life and moved to a serenely beautiful rural area on on San Juan Island in NW Washington State.

These days I call Arizona home and am actively pursuing the purchase of a mountain retreat along the Mogollon Rim.

As you may have noticed, I am a bit of a glamourista but hope you do not hold that against. me. My bug out bag includes makeup and other items to make me look and feel good if SHTF.
Living in a Post-Apocalyptic World

Living in a Post-Apocalyptic World

Back in the 60’s there was a tune recorded by Barry McGuire titled “The Eve of Destruction”.  Yes, that was a long time ago but yet today, I can still…

Survival Friday: 50 Excuses For Not Prepping

Survival Friday: 50 Excuses For Not Prepping

As smug as we may feel about our own prepping efforts, sometimes there is still a tendency to procrastinate a bit with one thing or another.  I am not pointing…

Survival Basics: 10 Steps for Preparing a Family Emergency Plan

Survival Basics: 10 Steps for Preparing a Family Emergency Plan

Sometimes it is the simplest things that are overlooked.  Case in point?  The Family Emergency Plan. Here we are, so diligently putting away food, storing water and purchasing gear when…

Tips for Creating a Pet Preparedness Plan

Tips for Creating a Pet Preparedness Plan

Anyone who has been hanging out here for awhile knows that my little four legged friend, Tucker The Dog, is an important part of my family.  He is my constant…

Survival Friday: 10 Ways to Use a Frisbee for Survival

Survival Friday: 10 Ways to Use a Frisbee for Survival

Problem solving is one skill that is common among all preppers.  And face it. From time to time, we have all called the most ubiquitous items into action when we…

Survival Basics: 12 Things You Can Do Now to Stop the Bad Guys

Survival Basics: 12 Things You Can Do Now to Stop the Bad Guys

A big part of being prepared has to do with planning for the unexpected.  That not only includes prepping for a natural disaster, but also coming up with a strategy…

10 Things That Preppers Get Right

10 Things That Preppers Get Right

Everyone likes to read about someone else’s mistakes so that they can learn from them.  When you think about it, that is a great way to avoid common pitfalls and…

Survival Friday: Water Everywhere But Not a Drop to Drink

Survival Friday: Water Everywhere But Not a Drop to Drink

In a recent giveaway, the question asked was “What pioneer skill do you feel will be the most valuable following a disaster, collapse or other “stuff” hits the fan scenario?”. …

Secrets of Successful Fuel Storage

Secrets of Successful Fuel Storage

One of the benefits of maintaining the Backdoor Survival website is that I am often asked to review various products of interest to the preparedness community.  I have personally tested and used…

Easy Peasy DIY Berry and Fruit Liqueurs

Easy Peasy DIY Berry and Fruit Liqueurs

Here in the Pacific Northwest, late summer and early fall is prime picking time.  That is because in this neck of the woods, blackberry brambles are everywhere.  You will find…

How to Use a Bandana to Save the Day

How to Use a Bandana to Save the Day

Who would have thought that something as ubiquitous as the common bandana would have so many uses? I know that I have used these colorful squares of cloth for many purposes over the years, not the least of which was keeping my hair in place and wiping the sweat off my brow in hot weather. If you have not put a lot of thought into the usefulness of a bandana, think again!

The Basics of Ham Radio

The Basics of Ham Radio

Today I continue the conversation with George Ure of Urban Survival as he shares  his thoughts on the value of getting a ham radio license as well as an explanation…

Survival Friday: How to Open a Can Without a Can Opener

Survival Friday: How to Open a Can Without a Can Opener

Have you ever been stuck somewhere with canned food but no can opener?  Or perhaps you were prepared but your cheapie can opener broke?  Now really, this is one area…

Shortwave Radio For Preppers

Shortwave Radio For Preppers

A year and a half ago, I asked my friend George Ure at Urban Survival to help with an article on emergency communications.  And since he’s the kind of guy…

Grinding Wheat with the Incredible WonderMill

Grinding Wheat with the Incredible WonderMill

When I first started prepping, the last thing on my mind was purchasing wheat for long term storage.  Heck, what was I going to do with 100 pounds of wheat…

DIY Liquid Castile Soap “Wonderful”

DIY Liquid Castile Soap “Wonderful”

Have you ever tried making your own liquid castile soap? It’s really easy and to coin a favorite phrase, dirt cheap!