Here in WNC, we have had a gasoline shortage for at least a week and so far, the resupply is spotty. A tanker, driving through town, will have a line of cars following it to it's destination to get in line. The waits are averaging 45 minutes to an hour. I understand that Nashville and Atlanta have the same conditions and worse, and I can't fathom the damage done to the economy in a large city; it's tough enough here right now. At least Atlanta has some public transport.

Nothing that has been scheduled that requires driving will be fully attended. The studio tour and music festival that I have been planning on for income  this October - normally the biggest tourist month in this area because of leaf season - are likely to be a fraction of their normal size. This isn't because the attendees can't afford it, which would be one thing. But if there is no gas to be had, there will be no way to get here from the surrounding areas.

I just lent an artist friend the last $200 I had in my  business account because she can't pay her mortgage or electric.  She doesn't have an ex-husband helping with the basics like I do. She is waiting on the same tour and several fall festivals to cover all her bills over the winter, but she is also expecting a lower than usual turnout so that $200 won’t go far. She is getting her resume together, but there aren’t any jobs in this area that pay anything more than minimum wage, certainly not enough to pay a mortgage.

I am luckier than most since I am being supported by my ex. Even better, he is employed by his brother, so it's unlikely he will be fired in the economic downturn. Of course, the business could fail completely, if it loses all its customers, so I know there are no guarantees for anyone. I am expecting to take in some family and friends if the worst happens, but even so, if my ex loses his income, then I may be out on the street too.

In the early 90's there was a recession in the ad business, and I lost all my corporate graphic design clients. I couldn't find another job because I was "over-qualified"  - that is, I could command a higher salary than the 20-somethings that were vying for the same entry-level jobs. At that time, if I hadn't had a boyfriend to move in with, I would have been homeless. Even with somewhere to live, I sold everything I owned and rolled pennies to buy food, so I know what it's like to scrape by.

You would think that it would be easier in a rural area to endure a recession/depression but even the farmers have mortgages to pay and trucks and tractors to fuel. You also have to drive in from the country to resupply and to get the goods to market. The buyers have to be able to get to you as well. At least  those with an established food garden and livestock won’t starve, and will have goods to barter. The barter groups in WNC are very active right now, in fact. Eggs, bread, veges are being traded for services and rides.

I didn’t get a full garden in this year so the few tomatoes and greens I have left won’t last. I have been thinking of sneaking some laying chickens into the back yard (against zoning in my little town) just to cover my protein needs for winter. I also didn’t get the woodstove in yet and am afraid to spend the $3000, but that would be the smartest thing to spend the money on - there’s plenty of wood in this area so I would stay warm over the winter for free.

With the bad economic news and the army being stationed here in anticipation of civil riots, I am expecting the worst. I have stopped trying to warn people to prepare, because most everyone I know is positive that Obama will win and everything will get fixed. Or, they live in the city and are locked into a way of life that depends on the status quo. Things could get very, very bad. Or I could be worrying needlessly. I certainly hope that it’s the latter.