When the Smoke Clears

Our homes are repositories for all those components of our lives we like to have around but do not need on our person. This goes well beyond the basic needs of providing shelter for ourselves and for those whom we love. It’s more than a place just to lay our heads. It is also our refuge.

But there are still those of us doomed to wander, to hear a call and to try to see how simply we can make our lives and move towards that goal of completion. My wolf and I were a bit nomadic at times but wherever we lay down for the night was our home, whether it be for a few days, or a few months.

The cabin is full of flotsam, items and memories I want to keep with me, but do not truly need. After all, I can get by without a french food mill, though the potato puree won’t be as smooth. C’est la guerre. And then there are the books. But do I need it all? No.

Every once in a while I reexamine and even prepare myself for a lack of these things. There are emergency stashes hidden around for crises, to include food, fuel, water supplies, etc. (with thanks for the reminders, Laughing Wolf), but what I am more focussed on is what would I need to live on a day to day if I were to have to simplify down to whatever would fit only into the back cargo section of the Jeep, better yet, with the cargo cover on top, nothing sticking out.

I have two large trunks, one of which I keep for traveling which carry emergency supplies, food, etc. should I be stuck in the middle of nowhere at some point for more than a few hours. In keeping with that I would see those two black boxes, as well as one small and one large backpack, and a couple of extra water bladders. All of this fits nicely in the cargo with some extra room for packages, hiking boots, etc. The backpacks would be left empty for now, filled when called into service or when traveling by plane or train.

One black box would contain the clothing portion, a variety including my workout gear, basic, utilitarian clothes and one set of high quality “nice looking” clothes that travel well. It’s funny how much space is taken up by running shoes in one of those boxes, even with socks stuffed in them. Tossed in might be an extra blanket and at the bottom a flattened yoga mat, which also serves as a great sleeping pad. Never forget rain gear and a hat.

The other box, the Simplification Box, takes more thought, and in consideration of these items, it is not for “survival” level existence but a way to make a comfortable home:

Laptop: it’s my main center of entertainment activities as well as creative outlets. I write, I read, I watch movies, I communicate all through this simple, thin collection of plastic and silicone. In addition, I can get electronic copies of many of the books I reference regularly, especially medical and anatomy books. Sure, I would prefer a hardcopy, but we are simplifying and this one device can save a great deal of space and weight.

Spare hard drives: portable external ones since they can always be removed from their carriers and popped into place if I do have a hard drive failure. Actually, I keep one external as a mirrored backup of my system anyway. The other 2 take up very little space and contain movies and audiobook files, an incredible amount of material in a very small space.

iPods: almost a necessity. Peace, isolation, chance to share.

CD folder: containing computer system restoration discs, additional software, additional media on DVDs. e.g. I’ve ripped down a lot of my DVDs of classic movies into a smaller format and can fit 6-8 on a single disc. I don’t need high quality, just comfort of the familiar of Bogie and Bacall.

Tool kit: small, containing multi-function tools and tips, especially T6 and T8 torx for electronics and a decent set of pliers for the bolts on the vehicle.

Important Paperwork File: birth certificate, passport, medical documents, insurance, etc, all in page protectors in one of those project notebooks that’s essentially a box itself with binder rings inside. All these items are also scanned in a protected, encrypted file on both the laptop and a USB drive on my keychain.

Photographs: a few of the key people in my life. Yes, I can store thousands on the laptop, but occasionally I want to operate without power. They lay flat.

Thin power strip: comes in handy more often than you realize.

Cigarette lighter power converter: also handy. And a cigarette lighter.

Small Lockbox: with a few very sentimental items.

Headlamp, flashlight, spare batteries: important to have in a variety of situations

Portable stove: either the Snow Peak tucked away in practically no space or a Jetboil set. Either way, extra fuel can and the small, non-stick pot/pan set for either. I’ve been enough places where there was no way to cook, and we know how I like to cook. cou

Basic office supply set: mini-stapler, paperclips, pens, pencils, highlighter, hole punch, stamps, etc.

Extra Towel: handy, can be used as a tablecloth.

Two thin notebooks: one pocket, on average sized. You can always get more.

Small portable fan: yes, it takes up a lot of space comparatively, but since I started traveling with one in the back of the Jeep I am always glad to have it. Never know when staying somewhere if the room will be cool enough to sleep, and the white noise always helps.

Shaving/cleaning/shower stuff: in a basic kit, but one with a hook that can hang. Helps to have your own.

Small thermal bag: for keeping things cool for a while. When not in use for that purpose, it can keep things organized in the box.

Sleeping bag: mine packs down tightly, taking up less space than 4 pairs of socks and is extremely handy while being familiar. Can double as a pillow in a pinch.

A couple of paperback books, a couple of magazines (including a puzzle mag), 2 decks of cards, and a thin New Testament: basic, power-free entertainment and centering. Books and magazines will be swapped out regularly.

At this point I’m leaving out the weaponry though I’d consider a couple of good knives and one of the heavy duty pistols as “comforting” as well. All of this is predicated on the fact that I do not have children, but if I did, I could help them come up with their own system as well.

So what goes into your Simplification Box? What might I have left out? I’ve experimented, there’s still a little space left.

UPDATE: As pointed out, my little, tiny camera would also be in the box. And as to the medical supplies, thanks for remembering. I seem to always have my basic gear on me and a larger bag nearby. So much so that I seem to forget it is even there, just a device grabbed out of habit like the light switch on the way out the door.

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