How big would your back yard have to be? And Emergency Preparedness week.

Infographic: How Big a Backyard Would You Need to Live Off the Land?

Seriously interesting way to visualize boring statistics.

I've longed to be "off the grid" and quit paying for utilities that only make other people wealthy. Don't get me started on high voltage transmission lines.

Besides, there was a time, not too long ago, barely a generation ago in my family, where they didn't have electricity or telephone service on the farm.

Speaking of self-sufficiency - did you know it's Emergency Preparedness Week?
May 1-7, 2011. Check out the links and great tips on these websites:

• Government of Canada's website here,
• Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness,
• Get a Kit, and if you have any food issues it's even more important.

Emergency Preparedness Week

May 1 – 7, 2011

Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is an annual event that takes place each year during the first full week of May. This national event is coordinated by Public Safety Canada, in close collaboration with the provinces and territories and partners.

The City of Edmonton, also has an annual event coming this weekend.

This Saturday, come and join us for Get Ready in the Park 2011 on May 7th, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m