Keep Calm and Mind the Turf…

Daily writing prompt
Create an emergency preparedness plan.

Keep Calm and Mind the Turf…

Some countries have emergency preparedness plans that involve complicated kits, evacuation routes, and color-coded threat levels. In Ireland? We’re a bit more… practical.

Step 1: Check the weather.
This is less about knowing what’s coming and more about preparing yourself for the fact that the forecast will be wrong anyway. “Light showers” might mean sideways hail, or sunshine so strong you’ll get burnt while hanging out the washing.

Step 2: Stock the essentials.
Tea, bread, milk, and a good supply of biscuits. None of that “plain digestive” business either, proper chocolate-covered ones, because hard times deserve good snacks.

Step 3: Mind the turf.
Forget gold, in a real Irish emergency, dry turf is currency. You’ll need enough for the week, and maybe a hidden stash for when a neighbor calls in “just for a chat” and leaves with half your pile. Damp turf is no use, it’s basically smoky peat mush, and will have you coughing before you’re warm.

Step 4: Neighbour watch.
It’s less “neighborhood patrol” and more keeping an eye out for someone who turns up mid-storm to “borrow” your iron, your lawnmower, or God forbid, your turf.

Step 5: Backup entertainment.
When the power goes out, the TV goes out (now this wouldn’t bother me!), and suddenly you’re left staring at each other. You’ll need cards, board games, or the ability to retell the same story three times without anyone realizing they’ve heard it before.

Step 6: Stay calm.
Panic is only permitted if the kettle won’t work. That’s a national emergency right there.

Step 7: Weather the weather.
With your raincoat, your wellies, and the quiet, smug knowledge that you made it through 2010’s Big Freeze, so really, nothing can touch you now.

So there you have it; Ireland’s true emergency plan. No sirens, no drills, just turf, tea, and the will to survive… in style.

Mae 🧡



Comments

25 responses to “Keep Calm and Mind the Turf…”

  1. How’s she cuttin’?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Grand thanks Tony. Shur, she is cutting like a banshee on a windy hill 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hear her loud and clear!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Definitely ‘ in style, ‘ … and I totally agree about the kettle, … without which lives would collapse, spelling utter ruin, … 💫

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Exactly, the kettle is basically the unsung hero holding civilization together, one cuppa at a time. ☕🧡

      Liked by 1 person

      1. And so many cuppas, …‘ cos civilisation needs a lotta help,…💫

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Beautifully said, those are the moments that somehow hold the whole story without saying a word.🧡

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Absolutely Penny! ☕ The kettle is the backbone of civilization. Without it, there would be chaos in the streets and tears in the teacups. 😂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Grass roots survival……

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Absolutely Mike. Thanks for reading 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Your beautifully dry wit captures what makes Irish emergency planning so wonderfully authentic. While other nations complicate things with colour-coded threat systems, you’ve identified the real essentials: proper biscuits over plain digestives and the sacred importance of turf stockpiling.

    The kettle clause is absolutely spot-on – a true national emergency indeed. Your neighbour watch system perfectly mirrors Ireland’s community-focused approach to weather preparedness, where informal networks often prove more effective than formal protocols.

    Mae, this brilliantly balances practical wisdom with that distinctly Irish acceptance that weather forecasts will inevitably disappoint. Pure class

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ah, thank you, Bob! ☘️ I reckon we mightn’t have the flashiest emergency systems, but by God, we’ll have the kettle on, a stash of biscuits, and a neighbor keeping an eye out. Priorities in order, I say! 😄
      🧡

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you 🧡

      Like

  5. Dear Mae
    Excellent, that kettle on hearth
    It is like the evolution of Darwin to read posts like yours.
    Thanks for liking my post ‘WritingThree’ 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 😂 Thanks you Veerites. Nice post.

      Like

  6. I agree that stocking chocolate is important!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Absolutely, Max, it’s not just important; it’s a survival strategy… like batteries, bread, and milk, but tastier.🧡

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Joey Jones Avatar
    Joey Jones

    You’re a funny ( ha ha ) lady..Thanks for the first smile of the day x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, glad I could start your day with a grin Joey! 😊 That’s my good deed done… now I can put the kettle on! ☕🧡

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Joey Jones Avatar
    Joey Jones

    You often do x

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Joey Jones Avatar
    Joey Jones

    Make me smile, I meant ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Dear Mae
    It’s a cool breeze of revelation of certain unknown facets of life to read your posts, this too.
    Thanks for liking my post, ‘TuneIn’ 🙏🌹💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you 🌻

      Like

    2. Thanks, Veerites 🌻

      Liked by 1 person

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