Question I

[Jonetta]

Mercy left home primarily to live a more independent life beyond the cult-like world of her family. What were your thoughts when you learned of her secret cabin where she had her own level of preparedness for a potential catastrophic event? Surprised?

[Robin]

I was kind of surprised that she had a cabin where she was actually stockpiling things in case she needed them. It makes sense since this is how she grew up. At first when I read that she had left because of her family, I thought she didn't believe the things that she had been taught. Of course, it was more that she didn't like the way they treated women in the group.

[Charlene]

Yes, Robin. I was also surprised that Mercy had bought a property in the area for those purposes. But her distancing from some elements of the philosophy, including the role for women, did not cause her to shake those deeply ingrained instincts.

I had a hint when I read about the backpack and other things under the blanket in the back of her car. She seemed uncomfortable with food prepared in restaurants, for example.

[Robin]

The food confused me. At first I thought she had some kind of illness (celiac disease, etc.) where she can't eat certain foods. But it was never explained. She was carrying around celery and peanut butter. It seemed strange to be carrying celery.

[Jonetta]

I was blown away when that cabin was revealed but after I thought about it, her level of planning and preparation made sense. There’s no way she could avoid being impacted by a lifelong immersion in this kind of thinking and not all of it is paranoid behavior. I agree, Charlene that to some degree this thinking is forever ingrained.

Robin, I missed the food oddities completely.

[Sharon]

I wasn't surprised that she continued to prepare for a disaster. Once a prepper it is hard to stop. The constant reminder in her head that something will happen so be prepared never goes away. In a big city, you can't stockpile like you can in the country so she carried her little supply with her.

Mercy's appreciation of Truman's uncle's supply is an indication that she didn't give up preparation.

The cabin in Eagle's Nest surprised me. I can see her with a cabin, but not in that area. It told me that she wanted to be close to her family in case of a crisis. Deep down, she believed her father would let her contribute if needed.

[Jonetta]

Great perspective, Sharon.

“Once a prepper it is hard to stop. The constant reminder in her head that something will happen so be prepared never goes away.” Perfectly stated.

[Sharon]

Jonetta wrote: "Great perspective, Sharon.

“Once a prepper it is hard to stop. The constant reminder in her head that something will happen so be prepared never goes away.” Perfectly stated."

My parents voices are always in my head. My husband & kids teased me all the time about "my stash." They weren't laughing so hard when they needed TP.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Ah yes, Sharon. My husband always ribs me about having" extras" in the pantry. Not so much now, LOL.

[Sandra]

I wasn't surprised that she had a cabin & supplies stocked...I was only surprised by where it was located. I thought there were hints early on that she adhered to that part of her early training. There was mention a time or two of a secret beyond the BIG secret that was revealed. Something she didn't want known about her. And I agree Sharon that her appreciation of Truman's uncle's organized stash was another early hint.

My husband no longer questions my "stash", just accepts it. My philosophy is if I open the last bulk package of anything - toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, trash bags, Kleenex, then it's time to lay another one in its place. And I'm talking the SAMS Club huge bundles of these things. lol I do also however, have plenty of supplies during this crisis. I also preserve most of our own food - no, I'm not a "prepper", but I love growing lots of vegetables and preserving them. :)

[Ellen]

I wasn't surprised that she continued to have the compulsion to prepare. She had 18 years of the culture ingrained in her. At first I was curious about her location; however, the more I learned about the "community" aspect, even though she had been shunned, they were still her family.