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Kulafarmer I cannot argue against your thoughts as they are accurate.
Thus my constant harping that folks need to see the light before that Train HITS them.
Prepare for stupid people voting for Socialism and all the real world Troubles that brings.
Plainsmedic and Miner Jim clearly you have more knowedge about woodgas and “Town Gas” than I am aware of.
Could you please post some sites where I could get educated about better wood gas filters for example? I’ve gotten used to having two lawn mower engines for the wood gas genset and tearing down and cleaning one each time it’s buggered up by the tars.
Steam over coal eh? Again sites please!
Water, food, shelter and ENERGY are critical for surviving the coming bad days of Socialism-Greater Depression.
Thanks
BTW the Edit Button didn’t pop up last post, odd?
The new edit button is under construction… had a problem with it this AM.
Tmac
There is no decency in society these days.
4th turning is upon us
NWMittem;
My ongoing suggestions for Urinal Cakes is for detouring critters from invading things like Car/Truck hoods, sometimes Gardens, and so-forth.
Now for detouring from Food Storage…. Well that’s just all out WAR.
Decon, Snap Traps, Napalm, C4 or any other means of Rodent Deterrent is totally expectable.
Seriously do not mess with Rodents in your stored stuff.
I have Pack-Rats around my area, they can chew through a Plastic Bucket like it’s butter. Hence the little piles of Poison sitting around. PLEASE make sure only the rodents can get to it though, very hard on Cats and Dogs, even worse on unknowing humans. Use Caution.
Kulafarmer
Using my shorties both in 556/223 I can’t give you group measurements but:
I can keep it on the head of a silhoutte at 100. My SIG Romeo red dot bout covers that whole head at that distance. The 10″ is on and the 7″ is in the neck. Both are sighted in for 50yds using Hornady SBR 75gr ammo.
At 200 there is a drop with the 10″ and a very substantial drop with the 7″. I put the dot level with the shoulders and it hits just above the belly button with the 7″ and center with the 10 at 200.
We shoot milk jugs filled with water freehanded out to 300+ once a year at unknown distances in a pasture and with the 16″ topped with a 6x magnifier and a Eotech it’s a first shot breeze but the 10″ and the SIG Romeo its first shot freehanded doable out to 200 and the 7″ and the SIG Romeo out to 100. We use that Hornady Spire Point 55gr ammo in the maroon 50rd box for all rifles during this.
I’ve used my buddy’s LAW folder on his 11.5″ and I can take it or leave it. I’m meh on it because with the standard AR platform you can’t run it folded. I can hide my 7″ in a regular backpack loaded.
I’ve run the 9mm AR and MP5 platforms at work and free handed I can shoot a fist sized group all day with the 9mm carbine with 30rds with rapid fire at 50yds using Winchester LE 115gr HP ammo. Even in full auto shooting burst it’s very controllable though the MP5 is better in both magazine dependability and muzzle rise. I ran a 9mm KRISS in a PCC competition a while back and did better than the guy I borrowed it from using Winchester 115gr white box. It’s heavy but flat shooting.
The 7″ 556 AR is IMO obnoxious to shoot with the fireball and muzzle blast. The 10-11.5″ category is much better and enjoyable.
Hope that helps
Matt,
Thanks for the info, exactly the feedback i was looking for and right along the lines of what would be expected based on calcs using a similar config to yours,
With the FoldAR kit i can fit a full 16”” into my pack, like you said, cand run it though, but can lock it in pretty quick, but still it cant be stored in pack charged,
Plainsmedic,
Have read a lot of old books on wood gasification, stuff from the late 30s-40s. Also did work on gasifiers in the late 70s. You get a lot of tars, furans, etc when you gasify wood. Good for providing heat, but not good for running engines unless well filtered. I would consider cooling condensers to drop these tars/chemicals out of the gas flow before entering the engine. As for steam engines, there is a whole bunch of books out there. Greatest source of old technology books I have found in one place is ForgottenBooks online. they have scanned close to a million books, and you can download them for a fee, or pay to have them send you a reprint very reasonably priced. Lots of what I call ‘grassroots’ technology books on steam, forging, metal casting etc, as well a ton of other subjects.
There has been a major FROZEN vegetable recall in the USA & Canada. The list is shown on Organic Prep site, IF anyone purchase said items check the numbers against your packages.
Guess who bought frozen vege’s yesterday, something I rarely do.😫
FYI, the USDA Current Recalls and Alerts List
Good link to have, Thanks Ken
Veteran,
You are so right about new tractors, too much electronics on them. This is why I have been repairing my 1965 diesel ford tractor, easy to work on. But it is very wide and hard to get down the vineyard rows. Finding an old, smaller diesel tractor is hard. I guess everyone is hanging on to them!. maybe I will keep looking for a small old diesel that I can work on. That makes more sense. It will have to be diesel though, I am trying to get all my farm machinery to be diesel powered. I can make my own bio-diesel from canola seed I can grow on the farm.
Minerjim
This is the exact reason I keep my 1970, 3020 JD, 4cyl diesel. You can fix it with pliers, crescent wrench and a few cuss words. And, It just keeps on keeping on, tough old girl, (ugly too.!)
Minerjim
Ford diesel tractor are very good. Here they are very rare but they have very good reputation. But I think John Deer or Massey Ferguson will be just fine for you. Just keep on with classic models without electronics. Here older tractors are domestically made licence of Massey Ferguson and Perkins!
You will not find any tractor on junk yard! They will be on the fields forever. Old models. New models are not so good. They are very complex and expensive. Same as new cars. Electronics everywhere.
– Dennis,
Sorry to hear this. You and your DW are in our prayers.
– Papa S.
Plainsmedic/Miner Jim,
I’ve built /helped built gasification systems. The downdraft design seemed(at least to me) to be the better option. Filters are the key to success with wood gasification.
Some types of wood fuel burn better than others.
The size of the wood fuel chunks is important as you posted.
I talked at length with another engineer who designed wood pellet extruder machines.
He has extruders that make pellets 3″×3″.a good size for larger engines. He’s excited because you can basically use just about any waste to make the pellets. He was experimenting with the soda cups(fast food trash) to make useable pellets.
They are using these in rural communities around the world. In India they are using rice hulls to run a rural community generator.
The problem I found was smaller engines are underpowered for their designated purpose.
Losing 30% power (horsepower) in a 454 chevy engine is not a big deal.
Losing 30% in 10 hp. Generator motor is a big deal when it’s under load.
My grandson and I made rocket stove style water heaters from discarded gas powered ones.
They work quite well.
I would be interested to hear your plans for a wood gasification heater for the homestead…
Bill jenkins horse,
I really don’t have a specific plan for a heater. I can make a 13 hp. engine, run like it’s running on premium. There is less power, as ya stated. My whole point, it is AN option. Not a great option, because of the never-ending filtering issues. Thus my point in an earlier post, use gasoline powered generators. Convert them to propane, until the propane is gone, then go to wood gas.
As Stand my ground pointed out, they are NOT the highest quality generators. I would consider them disposable, as there are likely to be many sitting around, without fuel.
With handy folks like you and your grandson, a woodgas fired steam engine might be the best way to go. No filtering needed, just the powerful flame of woodgas. I do not currently have the skills and knowledge to tackle steam engines. Just seems to be the best option, to me. Mainly, trying to brainstorm this problem. Easy fuel will not be around for long.
I’m impressed with your rocket stove style water heaters. How exactly???
Bill Jenkins Horse, Plainsmedic,
there is a site I have looked at that actually had plans for a woodgas generator. Woodgasifier dot com. they have a set of study plans, and you can buy the book. it interests me, but I live on the desert/farm/ scrub lands 20 miles from any real source of wood. I am still thinking small diesel genset and bio diesel with canola oil. if I decide I need something else, I will go steam and coal. there is an old farmer coal mine within about a mile of the farm that has not been used in years, but the coal outcrops and is easy to get at without going underground.(I hate underground coal mines personally)
Minerjim,BJH,
Check out All Power Labs. I think it’s dot com, but can’t remember.
Minerjim,
For using a gasifier for a 3-15 hp. engine, the wood chips are fairly small. Maybe 1.5 inches long and 1 inch wide. Just a sliver will work. Even scrub and mesquite would have big enough branches to make it work. Making the wood chip fuel is labor intensive.
Sounds like coal would be your go-to fuel. Your bio-diesel would be awesome. Are there needed additives to make bio-diesel? I have zero experience with bio-diesel.
Plainsmedic,
Biodiesel if fairly straight forward IMHO. Oil or fat source, methyl or ethyl alcohol, and a base like lye. Reaction is simple but filtering is a must. Besides biodiesel, canola seed oil can be directly used in farm diesel engines when the temperature stays above freezing. This is why I am trying to get everything running on a diesel engine of one sort or another around my place. I could run it on canola oil with seed grown myself. Some of the canola can produce upwards of 150 gallons of oil from an acre. A fellow in my area has done this for a number of years. Otto Diesel, inventor of the diesel engine, originally ran his engines on vegetable oils and thought that his invention would be a boon for farmers. Then someone discovered oil from the earth, and the rest is history as they say.
Minerjim ,
The FEMA gasifyer plans aren’t the best. It will burn dirty. The downdraft design is much better IMO. Look for that design. You can gasify coal seeing you have a ready supply.
We should probably mention to folks here that these need to be run out doors.
I read history where people in WW2 shut down their cars but the gasifyer was still burning.
They fell asleep and never woke up.
I like these type of discussions. Gets the mind thinking on new and better projects.
And there’s always more than one way to skin a “cat”…
Bill Jenkings Horse,
The first gasifier I built was the FEMA design. I still have it. I agree with your assessment. It does produce a dirty gas. Lots of filtering required, but it will run an engine. The downdraft is an improvement.
My thought with the FEMA gasifier, use the woodgas produced, to provide heat for a boiler. The powerful flame, could heat a boiler with speed and efficiency. Certainly makes for many steps. All the steps require labor. We are all spoiled by the ease of gasoline/diesel/propane/natural gas. I hope the day never comes, when we HAVE TO rely on something like wood gas.
Even minerjim’s bio-diesel will require some labor to make it work. I would think the days of “joy rides” will be over. Might take 2-3 guys to consistently provide wood chips and to maintain the gasifier. It can be done. Maybe a job for us OLD GUYS.
Plainsmedic ,
The reason FEMA put out the paper on gasification was all the “old guys” who had the knowledge were dying off. Someone had the foresight to not let the basics of gasification die with the old guys. For that I’m grateful.
On YouTube there’s a video of an “old guy” running an old truck factory set up from the thirtys in Europe.
Very cool to watch.
One thing I noticed is there are levers to control air flow to the engine on the steering column.
I also seen Fords in Europe with a gasification system that looked like it was factory done .
If you can, watch the video. I know you will enjoy it and will give some ideas on the setup.
I saw an old WW2 video of Japan where you see these big bushes with a gasification system on the back. Australia too.
They took work and participation to keep them running.
So when gas was readily available they were sent to the junk yard.
I remember my dad telling me my grandfather had a set up on the back of an old Packard during the war.
I sure wish I could of talked to him about his experiences with it…
Busses…
Darn spellcheck!
Plainsmedic, BJH,
just went through my downloaded library. two books on what we have been talking about.
“Handbook of biomass downdraft gasifier engine systems” by the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, CO 1988
“Chemistry of Gas Manufature” by Harold M Royle, 1907 (coal gas, town gas, blue-carburetted water gas production as done back then)
Miner jim
Found the first on line in PDF form so it down be downloaded. The other is available via Amazon in a reprinted form.
I am not an engineer but the knowledge could be useful JIC
AC,
A lot of knowledge out there. I think I have several hundred book of “old technologies” downloaded on a Kindle. Wish I had a more secure storage, but printing that all out would be a library in itself, and with a wife who is a former working librarian, we already have too many printed books, LOL. Hope you and ACDH are recovering from your recent experiences of going dark. I have been studying a little book called, ” a letter to Robin” by Walt Woods. slowly digesting everything I have been reading.
Minerjim
This is the gentleman who was friends with my teacher Carl Bracy, although I never met him in person. Carl & would discuss his(Mr. Woods) teachings, and when I attended the beginners class Walt was one of the name Carl happened to mention.
Have a feeling that Walt was Carl’s instructor, who then went on to teach classes all over the USA.
For some reason I have the feeling that those of us who have the old knowledge of divining are few and far between now. No longer see the Society putting on classes as they once did, now it is via phone or mostly back east.
Minerjim, Bill Jenkins horse,
Valuable info. Please keep it safe (emp). I’ve got an old notebook with paper print out of similar info.
There was a guy on youtube who was converting old Dodge pick-ups to woodgas. A very well done installation. Had bed rails (pipe) for cooling the gas and controls in the cab for air/fuel mixture etc. He used v-8 engines to get six cylinder performance. The gasifier itself, used only a small portion of the back of the pick-up. A talented guy. Great discussion!!!
Plainsmedic,
I saw those videos.
There’s a guy who drove a full size Ford truck all over the countryside. It is doable.
They are using these types of setups in static engines to bring power to areas that would never have it otherwise.
India, south America.
I bet China too but not heard of it there.
Of course, these green new deal fanatics want to do away with all gasses and just use electric.
Of course ,they never talk about how you generate the electricity.
Their plan is to move everyone in to 100 sq.ft condos in cities to combat climate change.
Scary part is there are plenty of useful idiots who think it’s a good idea.
I’m actually rooting for a small meteor hit to ruin their plans…
I appreciate that.
I really enjoy reading the old engineering and science papers from the 1880’s to 1930’s.
Alot of what we take for granted came from that era of engineers and scientists.
One interesting tidbit was them calculating the energy of a gallon of gasoline.
The potential mileage using a 4 cylinder engine in a car on a flat road was about 175 miles per gallon. All you needed was the right fuel/air mixture and proper gearing between transmission and rear end. That type of mileage was not in the best interest of the oil barons so that would be squashed at all costs.(pun intended)
We know it’s possible when a couple guys from Mother earth news built a car out a couple junkers,dropped a 25 hp. Kubota tractor engine in it and got 75miles to gallon right away…
Greed and corruption is the way of the world.
Minerjim,
Thanks for the info/books etc. The thing is, you have to be using the power or a wood gasifier will shut down. The continual draw from running an engine or just burning the wood gas, creates a semi-vacuum which draws in additional flow to continue the process. There is no idle on a gasifier. At least, not a very long idle.
There is no safe way to store wood gas, that I’m aware of. I think a few folks have tried heavy duty balloons and other things. Basically, a very hazardous operation.
It’s not like the grid or a generator, where ya just use what ya need. You must use enough to keep the process going. Even if ya have to waste some energy with extra lights or an electric heater. It is a self fulfilling process, for it to work correctly.
The grid is the same way, “they” just handle the various usage rates, for you. With wood gas, it is critical to size your gasifier for what you want to run. Ya need for the gasifier to be producing near 100% capacity, to get the best result.
Our grid is truly a wonder. Even as old and rickety as it is. It too is very vulnerable.
Me2,
On YouTube there was guy who did a bunch of videos about filters about 6 years ago. Explained his process well.
Flash001USA is his moniker.
A good place to start…
Dennis, my prayers and condolences for your family. Peace be with you all.
Stand, I will add do not store landscape timbers in your 20 ft. Sealed container as we did. The container wood floor absorbed the smell from whatever the timbers were pressure treated with. Took forever to air it out. That was a few years back when I was on a bend to store timbers, posts, plywood, nails, screws (no many different types we use regularly), hardware cloth….you get the idea. I still add to the items I want on hand as we use them. We were using some landscape timbers as posts in areas that we might not keep the fencing permanently as a test to see how long they would last. That container reeked for months!
Any animal that eats a mouse dying from massive blood thinner, Tom Cat/ D Con, will die too. Watch your cats and dogs if you have any. Happened to me.
Dennis,
That’s a tough call to get…
Give your sweet wife an extra hug from all of us.
Plainsmedic,
I met a guy who does warranty work(plumbing) and he R&R’s water heaters. I guess if they meet a certain repair price threshold they just put a new one in.
So I was able to get 3 pretty new natural gas/propane water heaters. He’s just required to remove the gas parts so they can’t be “reused”(haha).
The gas ones already have a flu through the middle so I just Mcgyvered in the rocket stove style where the burner used to be. The best part is you dont need alot of wood. Just small branches and sticks. Like anything else someone has to monitor the fire. Now we have 3 water heaters so we can have 3 seperate fires going on to heat the water quickly.
The grandson suggested we put in a recirculating pump so we only need one fire going. Takes longer but works well. Just need electricity plus the cost of the pump.
You could probably do a radiant heater with a setup similar to this.
Now is the time to work out the bugs…
Btw ,over a million vehicles used wood gas during WW2.Germany,Japan ran busses too on it…
Bill Jenkins Horse
Basically the same set up I have. Except, I built mine from scratch, with old 50 gal galvanized tanks. We can heat to boiling in about 30 mins, with just scrap fuels, mostly newspaper and cardboard logs.
I do have quality pressure relief valve in place, and we don’t usually let it get much over 140.
Plumbed into our clothes washing set up, but can be transferred into house plumbing, by just opening and closing the proper valves
Bill Jenkins Horse, Stand my Ground,
Saw a youtube video where he used the thermo-cycle to move the water, without a pump. Just the difference in water temp. moved the water from cold to hot. Might be an idea to incorporate into your set-up, instead of electric powered pump.
Good work gentlemen. I’m always looking for ways to accomplish what we all take for granted now. If we were neighbors, I’d like our chances.
Plainsmedic
I use thermo-cycling in my green house, where I have a wood stove, with welded 2″ galv pipe on top of and in the fire box, transfers into a 50 gal holding tank, (pressure relief at 120 degrees),( don’t know PSI), then travels through, under, grow beds. works okay, but slow, and you gotta keep feeding the furnace 24/7 to keep from losing crop to frost.Temps run about 90to100 in the pipes, but cools quickly to about 60 soil temp. 12” of soil over pipes. Once it starts to circulate, it runs fine, just slow.
The one I have for laundry? I use a water pump off of a 454 Chevy. Chain drive to a stationary bike, the ratio is 14/1, 2″ plumbing, 4ft lift. Doesn’t take muck pedaling to fill the washing machine, but, takes some sweat to pump over to in-house hot water heater.
No electricity required for either set-up.
Oh well, my lard ass needs the exercise.
SMG,
You sir, are a doer. Very impressive stuff. Lots of folks “TALK” about doing this or that. Many will stand back and make fun of those tinkering. I spend lots of time in my garage. I would rather tinker on a failed project than watch the drivel, on most tv.
Good evening
I just want to say,
that in spite of the masses of Godless, classless, genderless, and clueless libtards,
There are a lot of good all American folks out there in our country, like most o all of yall.
I am a Proud American,
I will stand for what i believe in,
I will NEVER bow down to the bullzhit that these garbage people who are trying to destroy everything that is good about and makes our country a desireable place to live.
Just remember what really makes America great, its good folks, hard working folks, God fearing folks, folks like most All of us here.
God Bless America, its right there,
Kulafarmer, what makes this country great is limited government (like we used to have).
Kulafarmer
I’ll Stand my Ground.!!
God Bless AMERICA.
God Bless you
Dennis:
Sorry to hear about the passing of a family member. I will say a prayer for you and your family tonight and I wanted to pass on my sincere condolences to you and your wife.
This weekend’s Preparedness Project;
Bought Two 5 Gallon Buckets/Lids on sales at my local hardware store. Will fill them with Basic Firearm Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies. Each bucket will have;
Bore Snakes in various calibers
1 Frog Lube CLP 4oz
2 Hoppes #9 Solvent Pint Size
4 Hoppes #9 Gun Oil Squeeze Size
1 Box Q-Tips
1 Gallon Freezer Bag w/Cotton Patches
2 Utility Brushes
1 Old Utility Towel
Should fit with a little room to spare depending on the size of the old towel that I put in the bucket. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated!
Good read over at Alt Market, quite insightful and something to ponder
“Things worth fighting for”
Kulafarmer;
what is Alt Market? Is that the name of a blog or website? I’d like to take a look at that article.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and sympathy. Tough for time my wife, this was the only sister she was close to (not geographically, but spiritually).
Reminder to all, sister-in-law has always been financially challenged. Her children and grand- children don’t have the resources for funeral/burial. No will, no final wishes. We’re in process of trying to solve this delimma.
Just got through showing my wife and children where our wills/trusts/insurance/deeds/titles/cash stash are stored in our safe. Save your loved ones the anguish and heartache of trying to take care of business while having to search.
Again, thanks to all for your outpouring of love and prayers. I means a lot to us.
Mrs. U,
All spoons around here. I always check the seeds, but I’ve never kept track of the accuracy. Maybe a regional thing or more likely, just a fun exercise. My grandchildren insist I do this, every year.
Set out “Tomcat” brand rodent killer bait in the barn, had enough of those little chewers.
To quote the X22 guy, “Well Well…” Last week Multibillionaire George Soros noted Antifa supporter gave his support to Elizabeth Warren of “Tax the RICH” fame for President. He seemed Unafraid of her Tax plans…
Now Bill Gates from Microsoft has been invited to speak to Elizabeth Warren about exactly how much HIS Taxes might be under her plans. Seems Ms. Warren offered a twitter olive branch to his comments about paying high taxes last year with a counteroffer of a more reasonable amount.
Keep an eye on this folks, the Millionaire+ Democratic Money Folks who CHOOSE who will be “Electable” were publicly supporting stumbling Biden and with holding funds to Elizabeth Warren’s campaign thus far are WATCHING how Billionaires are talking to her….
Yes, As I’ve said before “Tax the RICH” is a slogan for the ears of broke Millennial Voters BUT the Truly Rich are NOT going to be harmed at all…
We are the Tax Donkeys for the “New Green Socialist Deal”. Prepare for that fact. Roosevelt grabbed the savings of ordinary Americans with his forced Gold deal 30% Haircut in values to fund HIS “New Deal”.
Think about what President Warren is going to grab? Your 401K? Your Retirement plans? A LOT of Billions there all Electronic…. Only to “Protect you” from the evils of the Stock market with “Liberty Bonds” Guaranteed Rates” for You! Between that and “Modern Monetary Theory” our dollars will be worth less like the Argentine Peso.
Hard assets are harder to steal than electronic ones, think about that friends. RICH people OWN Gold and such to protect their wealth from Tax Thieves.
Me2, you give me the money and I’ll go buy gold, lol.
Extra food maybe extra foot gear stuff you will have to buy even when the price is higher. When hyperinflation hits the best time to buy was last week.I
Gold is for Preserving Excess Wealth from hyperinflation and tax thieves.
Had a very good friend in years past, he was from Germany and was a child during the hyper inflation. Told me when his father came home with his weekly earnings all of the kids were ready and the money was parceled out then and there. Each child and adult was given a task to run to a store, pay a bill, pharmacy or what ever needed purchasing. Prices were going up as they ran! A million Marks for a loaf of bread. He also remembered the socialist running through the street screaming, “Hitler has taken power. Hitler has taken power”……..
I gotta say, I’m REALLY concerned about them swiping my retirement. I have been keeping an eye on politicians suggesting this sort of thing for a while..
Something to consider (although if you can just withdraw the funds and purchase it might be better–depends on your situation) is a self-directed IRA. It is still held by a bank, so there are risks.
I took my 401k and bought real estate, which I’m now renting. Hard assets are harder to convert when the political idiots need cash and it’s not subject to market swings in quite the same way.
Soros has already hid 32 billion in his ‘philanthropic agency’ Open Society Foundations. Now he only has 8 billion…….. Called a 501c. This per Wikipedia
Coup, impeachment, left, right, whine, jab, lie, steal, and I could on and on is going TO PALE in comparison to NO SUNSPOTS!!! There have been appox 235 days in 2019 with no sunspots. Likely we will reach or pass the record of 269 days. Grain is still available, for now…………..
Read about the Dalton Minimum if haven’t already.
Mrs U,
Just saw where Britain recorded their coldest October since the late 1600s. yeah, good chance we are going into a Grand Minimum. Looking into buying cold weather grain seed from farther north, like Montana and Canada. We’ll adapt and be ok, but I can’t say that about the hordes in town. I just put my trust in God and try not to get excited.
Minerjim,
We are aware of and concerned about the grand solar minimum event that appears to be upon us . We have been researching vegetable seeds that have shorter days to maturity . For example we have been growing Mortgage Lifter tomatoes that have 70-80 days to maturity . We are now going to an Oregon Spring variety with 60 days to maturity.Both varieties are heirloom seeds.
Bluesman,
That was a major topic at our local group meeting.
5 local groups represented and all are concerned about the food growing situation. All have problems with the performance of their crops/gardens.
Folks need to shift their gears and thinking cuz the growing season is changing for sure. We expect shortages soon or big jump in prices. Both most likely.
A good start is what you proposed. Quicker plant maturity and buying the seeds now before you can’t get them.
Plants that grew well last year languished this year.
Nature will adjust. We better do as well.
Bill Jenkins Horse
Just something for thought. Wildcraft.?
I do a lot of foraging from the wilds, there is a lot out there.
Some thing to think about, maybe just in addition to gardens, Natures Garden.?
BJH
People now live in places that historically did not provide a living for a population even though they were better equipped to survive without our modern technology and electricity.
We have been lucky with the growing seasons in the past years, but when the cycle turns even a little bit, the marginal growing areas begin to fail. Where did the people settle? Not in northern forested areas away from bodies of water, not in desert areas, not up mountain slopes, … so the truth is that no one lived where I do now. I know I can not survive beyond my stored supplies and what I can produce in challenging growing conditions.
Without the most drastic changes to our lifestyles and just plain good luck, most of us may be doomed through simple over-population and not living in natural areas of good production – with diversity of foods should one sector fail.
SMG,
Foraging(knowing what is and isn’t edible) is a viable solution. It only becomes an issue when you have 20 knuckleheads roaming around the country side destroying edible plants while they search for wild berries to eat.
If you have an area where you are the only forager you can eat well enough for it to be worth the time.
I’m not well versed with mushrooms so I would stay away from them. Acorns would be a great food but you have to leach the tannins out of them. Knowledge is PRICELESS . It’s really lifelong learning…
Bill Jenkins Horse did you see my comment to you about seeking seed stocks 1-2 grow zones worse than you live?
About the in ground Walipini style green houses with Crimean oven heating systems? About combining those Walipini green houses with small livestock (Chickens/rabbits/sheep) to protect both from thieves and provide a little extra heat and CO2 for the plants?
Walipini was developed for the Andes Mountains grow zones. They can be used to grow dwarf fruit trees also.
Also as a side note look at how American Wood Heating came in with abundant hardwood trees to be burned freely. Now look at places like Finland and Russia where it’s really cold and pine is the bulk. Masonry Stoves allowed full ON burning of inferior pine efficiently. Expensive to build but a multi-generational life time investment.
Poor mans version is the Crimean Oven (May need rebuilding in your dirt floor every couple of years) and a better version (But you need a supply of replacement steel oil barrels) Rocket Mass heaters seen on Permies.
The American home has no bullet resistance and stands proudly out where storms, twisters and Nor’easters can beat on it. That Hobbit Castle I described is more humble (Where do you go in a Twister eh? underground) and if done properly have a Crimean oven heating system as well as an indoor well and serious bullet resistance.
When I saw the pictures of that Mormon Car convoy in Mexico shot up and burnt all I could see is a Typical American home after you and I try to defend ourselves from inside it.
Time is an asset, time and energy spent inefficiently burning wood is time AND Wood Supply wasted
Hermit us
People farming/living in places that most normally wouldnt is a big problem, not only climate wise as in too cold but because of water, or the overabundance or lack of.
Here on Maui they are starting a huge farm on old sugar lands, before the sugar it was basicly a desert, they stole water sources from across the island via a ditch system that dried up all of the taro farms and homesteads on the north, east and north west side of the island to grow sugar cane in the very early 1900s, without water even cactus doesnt grow there.
The other fun one we are seeing is people have built hotels, condos etc all along the shoreline and in low lying areas,
Now that they are all in danger of erosion dumping them into the ocean and flooding during rainy season because these areas were all tidal flats and shoreline subject to huge shifts from storms etc, the county gubermint in its incredible wisdom is suing the fuel companies! 😳
Stupidity is the term that comes to mind.
The more people i meet the less i want to be a part of society
SMG,BJH, and others interested in processing acorns. There was a post- by a lady called the southern forager. She detailed a Quick way to process acorns.The short of it she hulled them normally, then ground them , ran boiling hot water thru them for about 15 min. tested for taste/tannins, then..repeated for 5 or so more min. tasted, were ok she dries and uses..
Me2,
I did see it. I agree on storing more seeds from the different grow zones. On your thoughts about the inground greenhouses.
That’s a viable option to help control the temperature. I’m always amazed how folks figure out a way to get around what seems like an impossible situation.
I got interested in the vertical growing towers. Saw a young couple grow a lot of food in a fairly small place. Lettuce,strawberries, bok choy, green onions,garlic and other vegetables as well.
They bought them and boy,were they expensive!
So I made my own.
I took over the basement area of one of my cabins. Put in some towers and installed grow lights.
Vegetable plants are growing well.
Now obviously power consumption would be an issue if the grid is down. But I believe food production would take priority over watching old reruns of the loveboat.:)
BJH, are you experiencing a lack of pollinators (honey bees) in your area?
Me2 and all,
One of the issues I see coming our way is the knuckleheads want to do away with any gas applications and the use of any wood burning equipment.
How do they think they can generate the electricity ?
When I see an electric car being recharged by the diesel generator it puts me over the edge.
I remember reading a story about a man and his aged father in Canada.
Seems they have nothing but electric appliances. Gas/wood is not allowed to be used.Power goes out in a big storm for a week or so during the winter. So all the folks in this townhouse community have no heat,lights,ability to cook.
It was so cold that the butter was frozen solid on his table. He grabs his battery out of his car and hooks up a 12 volt bulb so they can warm the butter enough to spread it on bread.
Folks died in their sleep from the cold…crazy
So your idea of having an underground Hobbit castle has real merit no matter what your particular climate might be.
Of course folks in Florida might have a swimming pool instead…
Bill Jenkins Horse I am not surprised you were trying growing in a basement with grow lights.
There is so much data out there about what lights from el cheapo florescent shop lights to truly odd looking expensive LED Red and Blue light set ups.
What kind of lights did you use? How was the effectiveness of them? One thing I consistency see all over is the need to have adjustable lights as to keep them at the proper height as they grow.
Now the hard question was is the wattage draw of the lights? Thus we can determine the solar array and battery bank needed to power this grow setup.
Some might ask why a battery bank but you know that the clouds can prevent you from getting solar electricity for your grow lights EVEN though Plants would still get some growth from it. Also it’s a nice option to have additional hours of “Light” for the darker months to keep up production.
After all the feudal serfs didn’t call Spring the Starving Season for nothing. Winter foodstuff almost gone and months before the seeds become food. I am very interested in expanding my winter-grow light season.
Wow! What’s going on in Mexico? Cartel slaughters getting bolder everyday. Is the government castrated?
Yes they have been gelded by AMLO a Bolivarian socialist. The new president of Mexico. Look at last week when Serena (Army) let Chapo Guzman’s son go after the cartel started shooting up family housing threatening soldiers civilians alike.
Sorry for your loss and as you know it is never easy. I do hope that when my time comes that I too’ pass in my sleep. For the most part it is the easiest way to go. Condolences and prayers to you and yours.
Sedena sorry auto correct
NRP,
Don’t worry about it. Trolls have a way of getting under our skin.
I responded to one that pushed my buttons and it wasn’t my finest hour. I felt much better after I did, but I knew better.
We r all human and can only take so much crapola when they infiltrate a place where we normally don’t have to out up with that.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
Peace to ya and Blue
MadFab
The source here for all of the local news broadcasts of national news is AP (Associated Press), which is primarily one and the same as th media headquarters for the Democrat party. No mention of the coup activity to overthrow our president, but despite that and even with the bombardment and saturation of their propaganda (lies) nobody around here is at all taken in by it and see it for what it is, phony.
No mention outside of reliable sources that the so-called whistleblower’s lawyer had been planning a coup since Trump took office!
On the Global horizon: Taiwan is concerned that China, whose economy is imploding, might be on the verge of invading them. You know about Hong Kong; a lot of very serious problems for Chinese leader Xi who has a lot of anxious leaders uncomfortable with a failing premier with a lifelong term. And then there is the imminent threat of war between Pakistan and India. S.E. Asia is ignored by our news media that is totally consumed with overthrowing the presidency; meanwhile some very big things are happening. Our news media is derelict in their duties.
“Just a Thought” — for all those thinking of using DNA sites/Ancestry sites, here is something to think on…
“Your DNA Profile is Private? A Florida Judge Just Said Otherwise” —
“genetic profiles that 20 million people have uploaded to consumer DNA sites”—-
“two largest sites, Ancestry.com and 23andMe and GEDmatch,FamilyTreeDNA, etc” —
“been overridden by a court. It’s a signal that no genetic information can be safe.”—
“
Jane Foxe,
Excellent point. I, for one, will NEVER pay someone to gather data on me. Nothing is truly secure. What is more personal than your DNA? Some folks do it willingly. Is it worth it? NO, IT CERTAINLY IS NOT!!!
People will do, what people will do.
To each their own.
Decisions have consequences.
Your choice, your result.
You mind your business, I’ll mind my own.
Just a few sayings I’ve heard through life. Must be something important there.
Plainsmedic & Jane Foxe
On DNA. Have you ever done a blood test for a family member who needs your bone marrow or other ‘life saving’ donation?
If you believe your DNA is safe from that which you gave to save the life of a family member it is not on file somewhere? Please do not delude your selves.
When my brother was dying from a rare form of cancer caused by AO, they tested my blood as a matching donor. Did I say NO, I did not! He was my brother, the other sibling was to old for them to use their blood if a match occurred. Do to all the medications they required it also made them in eligible for matching process.
Yes, as stated before I did the DNA test for tracking down my grandfather who’s last name was changed. Yes, I know my DNA is on file with his medical records, and the other search sight.
Life has choices, the DNA for research I was hesitant to do, but for my brother. It was a possibility of giving him his life back.
Antique Collector — No, I haven’t ever done this type test. YES it would be tough to say no.
One other “source” of folk’s DNA, which I read about long while back….WHAT does happen to all those “medical” tests folks have? (Blood Tests/Urine Tests/Biopsies/etc etc)…I had used to assume, well — after testing is done, biological waste, incinerated…..—–Maybe yes, maybe no. Lots of these type of tests could be “saved” (if it was worth a tech’s time, and golly some folks might pay ), and could be used to determine other factors such as ….Some rich/important folk is looking for a certain type of organ match….”Does this person match”, etc…The testing could be done, and the data/info stored or sold. Every year, in North America alone (U.S. and Canada) I see ten to fifteen reports in the news where entire data bases of all patient info/data somehow is “stolen”..Me, I am thinking it was “sold” by some employee……All concerning. (and that is just the reports which hit the news)
Jane Foxe
Db used two different unbiblical cord transfusions for his cancer. Those unbiblical cords were a 100% match, which blew my mind since one was a type A blood and the other was type B.
Hope everyone is setting down for the cost of each viable cord was $100,000 USD.
Antique Collector — Interesting info re the unbiblical cord transfusions — So (do you know), is stems cells (is that what was used?) from umbilical cords “universal”?
Jane Foxe
As I recall they removed all his DNA through radiation. Basically wiping his body of his original DNA. They used the genetic material inside the two umbilical cords to re-implant the his body with the hosts DNA. May fall into the type of a stem cell implantation.
Wiping the human body of the original DNA is a gamble. Although they try hard to remove it all some of the cancer can & possible remain hidden in the human body. Heard of it occurring in more patients than is let on, discovered this while dh went through this treatment.
Can give you the medical facilities and doctor, but she let WA to move to CA.
Antique Collector — Thanks for the information/explanation. I do know someone whose cancer has spread/not responded to usual treatments, but, they also are not open to further ………Should that ever change, I will “hunt this post down”, and ask for more info.
On the other hand, if you are disposed to share more info etc, may well help/interest someone else on here/reading here.
by the way, “how is the patient doing now”?….just curious, no need to answer if prefer not, of course.
Jane Foxe
It depends on the type of cancer that they have been diagnosed with, my db had a form of Myeloid Leukemia from AO.
You asked how my brother is doing unfortunately he passed over 2 years ago. He thought he had pneumonia or bronchitis, but when they did the tests at the ER he was then informed he had Leukemia. That is when he was admitted into the hospital.
My personal opinion
If you are in the ‘medical field’ please do not be offended for what I am going to say on what occurred on my db’s treatment. The tests that they put him through looking for cancer cells was extremely painfully. Drilling into his hips bones for samples every few weeks, gave me only one conclusion he was being used as test subject.
Understand how your friend feels about anymore “medical marvels”.
This is what I told a friend who’s sister had an aggressive form of cancer. If she were interested in the article I found would give her a copy of it. Then it would be up to her, IF she wanted to try this alternative care plan. She was given weeks to survive unless she wanted to go through more intensive chemo, she opted for the chemo along with the plant based material which was in this article. When the numbers took a dramatic drop the doctors assumed it was from the chemo only. Was it chemo only….I do not know.
Not a doctor, nor pretend to be one, but a person who has seen the inside of ONE to many hospitals in my life time.
Have your friend look up the data on different search engine besides the G. She/he will need to find information on Graviola. Like all the things in life,, some work for some and not for others. Hope this helps you, to help them.
Antique Collector — Thanks much for info/explanation…..No, am not at all “pushing” anything with this person. I do wish she might consider some types of alternative sort of treatments, but she is much against same, so have NOT said a word. I did after yrs, and when things are looking pretty dire, send her a link for a couple of new clinical trials, “in case it might be of interest”…But, that is it. You’re right, a person has the “right” to decide and not be harassed. I do feel sad she would not even consider some simple alternative or diet things which might help, but it is what it is. If her “cancer doctor” does not recommend it, then it must be bad. Ah well. (I have kindly not pointed out how many times they have been so wrong).
— I am not in the medical field, but have grown to some age (ok, didn’t want to say older age..grin), having seen many close friends/relatives basically be used as test subjects. And mostly as far I could tell it was NOT “informed”. Not at all. It would go something like “Hello, I am Dr So and So. I need to do this test”…Being polite folks raised to trust Drs and such, and do as one is told, as “Doctor knows best”, it wasn’t pretty. It was very painful to watch. Sometimes I would point out, that Dr was actually a “student”, and this IS a teaching hospital, and did they explain how this might actually benefit you. Sometimes this changed the patient’s point of view and they were more able to voice their “wishes’. (as take a hike.
Antique Collector— so was it Graviola that the person took? I hadn’t heard of this. Had a quick look and it does look interesting promising. (I like to sort of keep track of a few of these things, because well, one never knows.)
Sure you have seen this/know this, but here is a bit of a first search on Graviola…Looks promising
“Overall, there is no full proof evidence to show that Graviola works as a cure for cancer. In laboratory studies, Graviola extracts can kill some types of liver and breast cancer cells that are resistant to particular chemotherapy drugs. Hence, we don’t know yet whether it can work as a cancer treatment or not.” —-
I note they say “no proof”, but then go on to mention some good results.
Jane Foxe
Here is my standing if big Pharma is not making big $$$$$ off the latest greatest find they are not giving said information to the lay person who is ill. Nor is it shared with the medical community. mo
Acdh had a stem cell transplant for damage caused by radiation treatments. The hope was that it would improve the damaged caused by that procedure. It helped in other areas which he required but the stem cells caused the PSA levels to elevate. The Graviola started the dropping his levels back down into the normal range with out surgery. It also knowing how much your body requires and does not require. Again this may not work for everyone we are all different in so many ways.
This plant information was shared many years ago by a herbologist who posted on a site that is no longer viable under the original owner.
If I understand correctly they even wiped everything off when they closed it down. Those that could harvested the articles and other data into their computers hard drives for a JIC.
The original article have search for it on the net, and have not come across it-yet. I trying to locate it again for the nurses who had never heard of this until I brought in what data was out there for them to read, same with the plant ‘Ever Lasting’. You will have to converse with Just Sayin on that subject.
Jane Foxe,
The graviola is used 2 times a day and Pau de arco once daily concurrently. People who like and can drink hot tea enjoy it as a tea,these two can be combined in same cup. must steep at least 30 min in very warm water. the graviola leaves is naturally sweet, it is in same family as the paw paw.. capsules can be swallowed for similar results.
The sweet everlasting is used for lung and intestinal problems.Amerian indians used it.The best source for info on this herb is by the southern herbalist Darryl Patton.. on you tube. has vids. also can pull up his article on sweet everlasting by putting in search bar his name and Rabbit Tobacco.He had it evaluated with some high tech equipment and tells the qualities.
Just Sayin’ — Thank you for info. More to copy/keep track of for me. Hope I myself never need it, but, good to have the info..
Of course most would help their sibling. As for DNA I have blood type B which proves I have ancestors from the Mongols that raided Europe. Enough info for me.
JF, is anything safe anymore?
C
After posting my comments, I thought long & hard about the DNA question.
For those who are unaware the military started taking the DNA of soldiers for identification from the battlefield but Prez G Bushes on Dec 2, 2002 over road that decision by giving access to all LEO’s under the NDAA 2003.
IF you have a family member who served during or after that time frame your families DNA is now on file.
Ken
Wood gasification seemed a pretty popular item in the Open Forum this past week. Could you do an article?
I’ve captured all the comments and will send to you in an email.
Completely anecdotal, but I’ve used DRY oak leaves on my gardens for a while. I think it may be live trees (like the juglones in walnut) that cause the damage.
NW Mitten,scrubbing pads, of all kinds/for different surfaces. baking soda( used for cleaning)Laundry soda/Borax/soap to make laundry detergent.Empty jars, used rings for those jars. clean and spray with clear protectant.hang on a wire coat hanger…
Thank you JustSayin. I have a whole shelf of your suggestions that I will be moving from the temp controlled area. (Maybe I shouldn’t have thanked you, that will be some heavy work). I do appreciate it, that’s a lot of space you just helped me gain. It will also prompt me to get more of the powdered laundry supplies.
FYI tidbit, big wind storm came through Clarksville and knock down trees. 6000 were without power for several days. WHY, because the electric co op did not have any poles! NO POLES. Had to order poles and then had to farm out the install. I post this because how many other smaller co op’s do not have poles. Are you a member of one?
Heads up if you are buying chicken..Just out Simmons foods…Chicken. recall in 8 states because of METAL contamination… featured on dahboo77 channel on you tube…Arizona, Ga and Arkansas are the ones i remember.
Veterans day weekend! Many on here have stood the watch moved to contact held our comrades. Take care brothers and sisters. AATW RLTW DOL
Bill Jenkins Horse and gardening friends. I was curious when Nailbanger said Bok Choy bolts (goes to seed production) in June at his place in Maui.
I know it’s a cool weather planting best in early spring and fall here in New England.
I did some research to what makes it bolt. Stress from too much heat, too much or too little water and MOST interesting too much SUNLIGHT Hours (12+). Age of the plant is irrelevant as successive plantings of older ready to harvest plants to fresh starts can go to bolt at the same time due to above factors.
Why did I research this? Because inside a greenhouse it can get too warm in spring or fall season or AND in a basement under grow lights you can control hopefully all these factors. Thus maybe that wood fired furnace in the basement with the grow lights might not work well?
Bolting is GOOD for Seeds for next plantings BAD for eating Bok Choy.
Bok Choy a good survival garden plant. Quick to grow, easy to grow indoors during winter, several harvests possible IF you can keep it from bolting. A non-heading cabbage easy to dehydrate, make kimchee, Sauerkraut and all that goodness. An IMPORTANT source of Vitamin C which is typically LACKING in most long term packaging survival foods like beans and rice.
Relating to the postings on elderly parents I want to mention what Prepper Nurse said on a video.
Get rid of scatter rugs. She says that most of the elderly patients come in and say, I tripped on a scatter rug. Now I look at my scatter rugs in a whole new light.!
Also pets underfoot, extension cords, O2 Hoses, Increase wattage of lighting, contrasting paint colors instead of muted paint selections.
Balance, eyesight both tend to fail as we age.
My live in 94 year olds have taught me a lot about Long Term Care.
Take advantage of Respite services as the care giver needs care too to continue the good fight.
I’ll add dog leashes to the list. The kind that you loop over your wrist. I’ve had too many elderly folks come in over the years with broken hips from walking the dog. The dog sees a cat, bolts and the old person goes down. Use the retractable kind since you can’t put your hand through it.
I didn’t want to derail the canning lid topic, but a related canning topic, which wasn’t mentioned in an older canning article here about canning rules is the danger of oven canning (which will absolutely destroy the gasket). Oven canning (hot air) will not be able to raise the temperature inside of the thick glass and the contents like hot water can.
Prove it for yourself; walk around one summer day when it is 105 degrees outside when the high humidity negates any cooling effect from sweating. Next fill up your tub with 105 degree water and see if you can stay in that as long as you can stand outdoors in that heat.
Now, if you were a tomato, (which some of you might be) where would you want to be to stay out of the heat? If you answered, in the middle of a mason jar in the middle of the oven as opposed to in a hot water canner you would be the survivor.
But grandma always oven canned and it was okay, and your mom, and you’ve done too. Luck of the draw does not supersede science. Take you chances with your money at the casino, but don’t take chances with your life with oven canning.
Jane Foxe
Will answer the questions you have in depth in the morning.
Bought the extra gun cleaning supplies yesterday to fill two 5 Gallon buckets and put up in the basement. Was able to fit everything into the buckets easily so I added an old cotton t-shirt to be used for bore patches.
Added some Chicken Manure and part of a hay bale to the compost bin yesterday. Spread the rest of the hay over 2 of our raised beds for the winter. Have decided to plant more pansies in the raised beds so looking for a good deal on a few trays of pansies.
I’ll limit my range time to 1 midweek 20 minute session, will continue to practice handguns with off hand (left) as arthritis is getting worse in right hand. Also bow (deer) season is upon us and gun starts in a couple of weeks, want to respect the neighbors who hunt. Sure wish the idiots in congress will give us the freedom to legally buy and use suppressors without paying the government a bribe.
Just did the paperwork same questions as on form to buy a firearm so pay them extra so they have it for months not the minutes it takes for a firearm. Gov efficiency. No way deregulation will push through. The promises ring hollow once again. Having coyote issues again building a low light low signature option.
I was told that in some countries in Europe that suppressors are mandatory. Might want to check it out.
Good FROSTY Morning to all! 19 degrees happily no wind…
Remember that Hide and Seek Game we played as kids? You know “Ready of NOT here I come!”
Real science (not the social media version where you can decide your NOT really a Human Male…) says we are heading into a Para dine Shift where the Sun’s Maunder Minimum (NOT Man Made Global Warming…) is going to send our food production into the Freezer.
Recent weather in the USA (IGNORED mostly by the Media) has our basic crop supplies in the toilet with farmers spending a lot of money for Propane to DRY Corn and other crops to have anything to sell this year. Bankruptcy is at an all time high for farmers already.
When ever there is a BIG Shift in reality there is winners (or at least less losers) and Losers.
We are heading to the era where Retirement is a sad joke, dying of cancer is a small issue compared to the whole family dying of cholera (from bad sanitation-water issues), starvation and the Violence of good peoples (and not so good..) stealing to provide basic needs for themselves.
Today you can buy for a pretty cheap price per kilocalorie white rice, dry beans, whole corn (got a iron plate corn grinder?) salt, sugar and ALL is easily stored for YEARS in a simple clean cool dry place in a CHEAP food safe (Like Wal-Mart) 5 gallon bucket with a lid rubber malleted on.
A MRE or a several family meals of beans and rice, you decide…
MAKE Sure that it HAS a Gasket, I’ve seen some with out one, waste of your efforts there.
Deception and disinformation (to hide food, animal and seed stocks), SANITATION and a good relationship with your family and God is going to be keys to survival in the Socialist hades we are rolling into.
“Ready of NOT here I come”
Me2,
Well,you’re one big ray of sunshine today!(lol)
I understand the sentiment…
Now on to something completely different!
On the indoor growing I’m using T5 flourescent bulbs. Definitely brighter than the old T12 bulbs.
The learning curve is pretty steep on indoor growing. Fortunately for us,folks freely share their knowledge. (Folks growing cannabis have been at awhile).
Understanding the light spectrum as it relates to plant growth is the key. Matching your artificial light to a plants needs during the different stages of life brings success .learning which bulbs are the best for the different growth stages too.
Most opt for a bulb that on average will work for all stages.
Some go from flourescent to LED at certain stages.
I have seen some nice setups growing alot of vegetables in a relatively small area.
My grandson (I’m his elective in his homeschooling) helped me build and set up our indoor growing project.
He gave me permission to share his idea from yesterday. Not sure if others are doing it but here goes…
He thinks indoor plants will be “happier” if we mimic how they receive sunlight when their outdoors. So he drew up sketches of his design. Basically there will bulbs placed in different heights around the plants that will be on timers.
For example,one that will mimic sunrise to 10 a.m.Then one will come on from 10 to 2. Then the sunrise to 10 bulb turns off when the 2 to 5 pm.bulb comes on. He’s enthusiastic about it so we will build his setup and experiment on one of the growth stations. See how the plants do against the setup we already have. Don’t know if it will make a difference but we will find out.
I’m truly blessed to have my grandchildren within walking distance…
BJH
You are blessed with a grandson who thinks outside the box. He sees the life of the plants requirements for survival. Tell him I said he is doing great work–awesome!!
Thanks AC,
I will.
The kid is wicked smart.
I have a good math and science background but this kid can do math in his head that I need pencil and paper to do it.
I encourage him to Express his ideas. Even if they end in failure lessons are learned. He understands that now and doesn’t get as frustrated as he used to get.
He sure keeps me on my toes.
We were watching that series “the last Alaskans “. That’s the one where families have cabins out in the Alaskan boonies.
He tells me:”I could that Granpa. I could make it out there.”
I believe he could…
BJH
My step dad was one of those blessed with the ability to do math in his brain without a piece of paper. This for a man who never went beyond 3rd grade because he had to work on his dad’s cattle ranch early 1920’s.
Bill Jenkins Horse I try not to say Prophetic but way too often in my 60+ years my cold sweat nightmares came true in a horrific Deja vu style.
I’ve avoided some pretty terrible situations by fleeing when that Deja vu feeling came as I read about the situation later in a newspaper.
Last night was a cold sweater nightmare of walking among starving begging people trying to blend in as I was suffering just like them. American dollars were strewn across the streets like old Mc. Donald’s bags. Smoke from burning homes and children crying…
“Ready or not here I come” was the refrain of the nightmare.
Bill Jenkins Horse more darkness (sorry but truth is often dark)
Well, you’re one big ray of sunshine today!(lol)
I understand the sentiment…
TODAY is the date of Kristallnact where the Brown Shirts (And average Germans) assaulted Jewish Shops destroying their windows and window displays. Jews went from bring Good Law Abiding Germans to NON-Persons almost overnight.
Shortly afterwards the Judean Stars were issued to ID the Non-Persons and so on….
Remember that average law-abiding Germans VOTED Hitler into Power and supported the Jewish Solution. They deny it but they enjoyed keeping the “salvage” from the Jewish businesses when the Jewish families went to the work camps. They were SUFFERING from the Great Depression at the time and Jews were blamed for being “Too successful”.
Much like way too many Americans enjoyed GAINING the fruits of Japanese-Americans family businesses when the Japanese-Americans were sent into Concentration Camps in the USA during WW2.
Remember 10% are Evil, 10% are good and 80% can be persuaded by Media Propaganda. Soon enough the “Evil Gun Nuts” and “RICH Boomers” will be lumped into the Non-Person status by the majority voting Millennials.
When 911 Operators DO NOT Respond to Noted Conservative family’s inside their houses being accosted by Antifa Goon packs then YOUR Personal Kristallnact with out the Windows being broken, doors smashed and house set afire….YET.
MY family left Germany just before Kristallnact because they saw the signs to lose much of the family wealth to go to America with bits of gold sewn into the children’s clothing as German Guards were already robbing leaving Jews.
Where do we go when it happens here? Prepare, the nightmare may come sooner than we hope.
Me2,
I was not making light of what you posted.many of your posts are meat and potatoes being read by folks still drinking milk…
Your family history is similar to a man I talked with while waiting for a flight.
His grandparents convinced his mom and dad to leave when Hitler first came to power. The other people in their village made fun of them for giving up their home,business to go Canada or America.
His grandparents and parents are the only folks from their village that survived the war.
I recommended a book awhile back called “The good old days”. Written by Germans with truth about what the Nazis did to so many victims.
It’s a hard read but helped reinforce my stance on the constitution and the resolve to not just lay down and die.
I don’t see much difference in the mindset of the brown shirts and the antifa thugs.
Both had the local governments blessings to do what they do.
Most people in America are clueless morons easily led astray.
Still rooting for a meteor strike or a CME to settle our hash…
Thank you BJH but I knew you’d not make light of the dark truth.
You have actually done the hard work of going SHTF while most of us are play acting (and talking Politics) about it. Your food, shelter, energy, medical and water is secure I hope. My only concern is your ability to defend in typical stick build homes (bullets goes both ways friend) and Sanitation. Cholera (and such) kills the well fed and the starving you know.
Even my efforts are SHTF preparing lite compared to what needs to be done. I suspect I have better bullet resistant hardening and sanitation but I would like to be pleasantly surprised friend.
When a few electronic key stokes can make ANYBODY a NON-Person with out basic services, access to their money and even legal rights it is frighting.
I would THINK that the Power being turned OFF in California over the fire risks would be a Reality Check to the POWER the electronic Overlords have on us.
1984 and Hunger Games are nearly upon us. Yeah we have G U N S, what happened to the Jews doesn’t matter. REALLY? so what you have GUNS, IF your family is homeless, hungry, no medical care and with out resources.
History doesn’t always repeat BUT if Often Rhymes. The Recent Mexican Mormon Convoy ambush is a lesson of what happens when Socialists allow (OR Encourage) Cartel Warlords freedom of action. We are very likely to see this happening here in America.
Venezuela’s Government has been using Collectivo’s (their Cartels) as deniable shock troops to control the people. I expect that lesson is not lost on the Socialist-Democrats working for a Green New Deal America.
I hear the X22 report and such and pray they start arresting traitors before they successfully Impeach Trump (A Congressional Procedure NOT A LEGAL Procedure so political standards apply) and put a STOP on the IG’s reports hitting the streets. The Deep State killed off Epstein with “sleeping guards and inoperative cameras” in a HIGH Security Prison. A LOT of Democrats slept better that night eh aside from them knowing the Deep State still has those skeletons at hand… I wonder how many RINO’s have Epstein corruption available for an Impeachment vote…
Praying for our Republic and hoping my 94 year olds don’t have to SEE the end of America.
Enough gloom for now. Psalms 23 because HE is still in control.
One of the things (among many) that allowed this to happen was that the Jews were visually different from those around them. Same with the Japanese in WWII. Visually different, not integrated, living in their own areas and so on. So they were easy to isolate and cast as the enemy, and easy to round up without accidentally including others (not that they particularly cared). The Germans in the US weren’t visually different–they blended right in. They saw the writing on the wall as well. Many changed their names or pronounced those names in a way that they would not be considered “German.”
In the current situation I don’t think they will be able to identify “the enemy” quite that clearly. It won’t stop them, but sooner or later we’ll have “The father against the son and the daughter against the mother” as prophesied.
Your vision just ran through my head. All I see is Hilary Clinton.
Mr. and I watched a climate special on the Weather Channel 2 nights ago. NOT one peep, bleep, whisper, nod, or grunt about the solar minimum. All about warming with comments from the presidential candidates. NASA brought up the subject in June or July this year. No scare tactics mentioned. Descriptions of the Dalton minimum mirror what we endured this year. Late Cold/Cool/ Wet then bam, 90 degree days, bam again, fall Cold/Cool/Wet. We may set a record here on Tuesday night. One difference was Mount Tambora erupted in 1816 and caused the year without a summer. Interesting also is during this time New Madrid shook the Mississippi in 1812.
Sooooooo the Mother will bring us around to her way.
Got da winter blahs already.
Time change last weekend, accumulated snow mid week, below normal temps.
Only five, six more months of this crap. Yea
I’m sure to go batcrap crazy by then. More than the norm…
Saw two bucks and several doe this morning…..from the deck door, with the wood stove going.
Maybe I’ll head out tonight
Changing over the daily driver battery, as it has lasted 6+ years since I’ve owned it (no telling how old it actually is) and is a little weak rolling over these recent cold mornings.
Lost a good, broody, garden chicken due to a possum or coon.
And the old rabbit doe had to be put down. She was in rough shape one morning FWTB said. Bad enough that she dispatched it.
Our old heeler has a ruptured disc, so we have been running her to the vet for laser treatment and meds. Because of her age surgery is out.
Seems as if old age ailments have been the topic this past week, on the farm.
Joe C. There is a lot to be said for the winter blahs, SAD is seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D is helpful and good for the bones also.
me
Yeah, I was thinking I need to take more D this time of year, after I posted.
Seems as if summer flew by and many summer projects not accomplished. Only a few weekends off the farm to relax. That also adds to my blahs.
But the sun is shining, today. Yea!
🙁 agree gets dark at 5:00pm.
Joe C,
Winter blahs, SAD, whatever you call it. Been fighting it since I was 17, and I’m about your age now. I have been taking OMEGA-3 EPA s for 5 years and they are pretty affective. 2000 mg of EPA daily. Country Life EPA Mood is what I use. You need a high EPA/DHA ratio, . Like 1000mg /150mg. Anyway, you might give it a try, . Might get some relief.
Joe c,
That was me. Dumb spell check took over when I pushed submit.
Minerjim/Immersion
Lol
Thanks for that info. I will try that along with the vit D.
I was taking Omega 3 years ago, but it was dropping my Blood Sugar. I will try again as my sugar has been high for some reason the last few weeks.
Joe C,
Might also try 400mg of this stuff called SAMe. I have been trying it the past month or so, seems to really help.
Happy Saturday! What a wild and crazy week at SEMA, over 200,000 attendees, per LEO’s on site. Of course this means TSA-style checkpoints at each entry…. sad, but probably necessary these days. ’20 sales projections which are already double ’19, just grew again. There’s an old saying, something about taking flak and knowing you are over the target. My service department has been inundated this week answering goofy phone calls full of obscure, trick questions – someone apparently hoping to get a dumb answer to exploit. Praise God – They are all smart people.
I’ve got 11 more hours to do laundry, pack and replenish several weeks worth of human and dog food, plus a lot of consumables here at the homestead. This is yet another great thing about preps, you can take off for awhile and not worry about family running out of stuff. Time away is also a good gauge for consumption rates.
Next week is booked solid at the factory, reviewing first production units off the line with our customers. High confidence we’ve fixed the stupid s..t from this year, confirmation expected shortly after Black Friday.
It’s a gorgeous clear, blue sky day here in the Land of Fruits and Nuts; headed to 87F. Having taken Lauren’s advice, my patch of white onions is actually growing well. Guess I better tend to that too.
I’m collecting leaves and covering the dry garden. I planted peas and lettuce in the greenhouse.
The greenhouse “mass” test of a single buddy burner (cardboard and wax in a tuna can) inside a cement block resulted in an inside temperature 4 degrees higher than was normal. I’m thinking of making a small mass stove in there but I’m not sure yet. I need to do the next insulation step this week.
The bean with the phosphorus deficiency is still not doing well. The progression stopped, so that’s good. I’m hoping that the new leaves will come out normal. The almond shell ferment is in its second week and I’ll try that when it’s done. But I’ve been stupidly concerned about giving these things TOO MUCH of the nutrients. Like there’s a shortage. I’m also thinking of dissolving the the ash and eggshell in vinegar before I put them in, so maybe the nutrients will be more bioavailable.
More experiments, coming up!
Lauren, cant recall if you’ve tried a)adding coffee grounds b)actually planting some seeds in a heavy coffee ground mix? Havent tried it, but supposed to be good stuff.
”
The dry coffee grounds contain significant amounts of potassium (11.7 g/kg), magnesium (1.9 g/kg), and phosphorus (1.8 g/kg). They are especially appreciated by worms and acid-loving plants such as blueberries, although due to acids being leached from the grounds while in use, they typically have a neutral pH.”
No, I haven’t tried that. Something for the future, right? : ) I think the greenhouse must be a huge relief to my family–I can assuage my need to experiment without getting (too) dangerous.
Lauren — if you ever do try the coffee grounds, please let us know how it turns out. And, I personally would just try one box/etc…Why….? well, sort of personal experience.
We had/have individual growing boxes in our yard. (Not that I have much luck at all growing much of anything). One year I went to the coffee shop and got few backs of used coffee grounds (as advised on many sites these places are happy to have you take these). We thoroughly mixed grounds in one of the garden boxes, and then planted same thing in that and another, couple yrs in a row. Frankly, still lousy outcomes. now, as I say, we don’t have enough light (I thnk is problems) in backyard, due to large trees, but sheesh. I keep thinking some yr I am going to make a greenhouse over one of the boxes and put a grow light in it. Not a handy person, but it is in my mind.
Another thing, I have read about, and it might work in your greenhouse. (well couple things).
1) dig out a box. Place pipes that run under the dirt and up the ends in garden box. Every five or six inches. Put dirt back in. the pipes should stick out at the ends, up above the garden box. When I read about these they were made of metal. Unless your very handy the metal pipes idea with bends to come up out ends might be harder than plastic ones? But, then again, the metal might dissipate heat better. THEN, keep the pipes topped up with water. The water is supposed to give off some amount of heat through the metal pipes and warm the growing roots enough to make a difference.
2)same as above, get the dirt out of a box. Run electric heating cables under dirt and up sides. This could put on timer or left on very low. Put dirt back in and grow plants. This was reported to help on two fronts. The heat was (as similar above) heat roots and help growth. In addition though, have read a few studies where electricity under plant roots actually stimulates growth.
#1 is a combination of geothermal and chinampas. It could be very effective, but probably not for an area with little water. It would create a more moist growing zone in the air as well as keeping the soil from freezing.
What I’ve done in the past (before I had my greenhouse) was a hoop house made of plastic sheeting over plumbing hot-cold PVC. I do have the hoops up in the greenhouse but the tomatoes were too large to isolate under them. : (
I used ten or five foot lengths of the 1/2 inch PVC depending on the size of the hoop house I was trying to build and fitted it down over rebar pushed into the soil. Gallon milk jugs filled with water went inside the hoop house and were traded out if they froze. It worked quite well in the garden boxes, and no technical expertise required.
If you wanted to try #2, metal would dissipate heat faster than PVC but PVC would also work. If you use existing duct-work you would only have to be concerned about sealing the joints so your water doesn’t leak out. With a hoop house over the top you may be able to grow year-round with that kind of setup (and no milk jugs to fill!). Remember that water will not necessarily keep temperatures high, but only above freezing.
Lauren…thanks for info/explanation. I keep thinking I may try something, but…..have had such lousy success for yrs am much jaded. I think my only solution is to have a greenhouse with some type of heater and lights over one of my garden boxes (and if I did the piping underground/water or electric wouldn’t hurt either), and see what happens. Of course, I live in a city, and my neighbors are the curious sort…Can just see me getting reported for “growing something”. What a disappointment it would be when officials came out, only to find tomatoes….
Jane, maybe you could try something. I’m not sure what area you’re in so I don’t know how cold it gets.
Get a large flower pot. Measure the surface temperature every morning for a week, adjusting for the difference between the air temp and the soil temp. Dig out the soil and put a sealed container of water under the surface. Measure again for a week. See what kind of difference it makes. This should be roughly equivalent to your buried pipe.
Next test, drape a piece of clear plastic over the pot and do your measurements again for a week.
I can say that when I did hoop houses I had greens (lettuce and spinach) every month except December and January. I was harvesting in the snow. In December they died back, and by the end of January they were perking up again.
Lauren….good idea, thanks. I do have a largish flower pot. Will try that come early spring…We’ll see if it makes any/much difference.
Jane, maybe better to do this when the outside temps during the night are at or below freezing. You want to prove whether the alterations will keep the soil from freezing in sub-0 temps.
Lauren — good point, thanks.
Lauren,
Something similar to a smudge pot,
If one little heater raised it 4degrees, you could do more to raise it higher,,,
A coal heater comes to mind, or an old webber BBQ?
Googy a web page
Journey to forever waste oil heater, cheap to make, cheap to run, could work pretty good?
Dh asked me what I wanted for Christmas. We have so much that I am giving it away, preparing some of it for donations. IF possible a ‘yard sale’, yes I know in the boon docks you have very little traffic coming in for items. OH, well who knows..🤩
Any way said nothing that I could think of at the time, as he was looking at the Costco wish book which they send out for the weekly sales up the St. Nick’s day. When it dawned on me that was something we needed, a Berkey water filtering system. It was an item had been on our list to purchase but other items kept jumping to the head of the line. As in vehicles going into the repair shop for above & beyond maintenance.💸😣 Yah,,, the Berkey is on its way to us(!!)via the big A through this site. Ordering extra filters through the Berkey Man who advertises here, they are having a sale–fyi.
Smart foods shopping yesterday, price of certain beef products has gone up. Price of Ham’s was way UP!! I went ahead an grab one spiral cut ham for the freezer, even knowing it was going to be pricy. When it rang up the clerk and I both looked at each other…someone had mismarked the ham. He had to sell it to me at the price of $11.00 for a 15+ lb ham which was way less than it should have been.
Picked up cookies for acdh’s special prepped meals at the discount bakery. They must have thought I was having a cookie melt down for the amount of packages I purchased..lol.
An observation when in Smart foods yesterday. Olives, medium & large sized canned fruit(s) were limited, especially olives. There was plenty of salt on the shelf this time, last time it was non existent. Frozen vegetables were back on the shelf, frozen fruit in the boxes are no longer available, they have gone to plastic bags which are smaller in size. This is only from the areas I happen to be shopping in for our home.
Very cool AC. That is an excellent Christmas present. Bought the Berkey Light for older son’s Christmas last year. Asked him if they had set it up yet. Answered, No. Oh, ok. What you are talking about Mom is not going to happen in my lifetime. Ahhh, well son, no one EVER thinks it will happen in their life time……………….. Youngest son likes his Berkey Light uses it everyday.
Activate the extra filters, dry VERY WELL and put away ready to use.
AC, have you heard of Car Shield, auto maintenance insurance?
Saving some folks big $$.
CR
Yes on the car shield.
I use dh’s allowance, not really, we have set up an emergency fund for such items.
Good deal on the ham, reminds me of when DW went to Costco and came home with 5# of king crab legs. “Look honey, it was only a $1.99 a pound.” “Quick honey go back and buy 200 more pounds before they realize they have a decimal point in the wrong place!” They had found their mistake by the time she got back. That was back in the 90s and before we moved away from Costco.
Saturday morning,
Moved the chicken coop (homemade on wheels) and the chicken tunnels. A better set-up for winter. How long does the molt last???? I guess I could look it up, but there are many experts on this site.
There are many talented folks, on this site. Really enjoyed several comments. Thanks to all.
Plainsmedic
Molt generally lasts bout 3 months for me. It’s gone as long as 4.
It varies from place to place, breeds, weather swings and nutritional issues.
Fight the urge to heat them even with the feather loss. Just protect them from the wind and they will be fine.
Using a tractor and tunnels can deny them a few things so I like to rake up leaves and toss them in with leftovers so they get to scratch and break winter boredom. Now is the time to use those old feed sacks and put back some leaves in a dry place.
Did you guys see the WND article about the guy who got 1000 chickens for $1.50? 😲🐔🐓🐥🐥🐥…
Winner winner chicken dinner !!!
Matt,
Thanks, good idea on the leaves.
Life can be tough sometimes. Things happen. Things can hit all at once. Hard things, things that hurt. We may not understand why, but we have to face them, deal with them, and hopefully, come out ok on the other side.
Still in the midst of wife’s sister’s passing, dealing with family that was totally unprepared, working with them to get done, what has to be done.
Got a phone call from my son. Cancer. Surgery this coming Tuesday. He will be 48 next month. Some things I just can’t understand.
Still, I will rejoice. God is still on His throne. He is my Rock. I will not despair. I will still marvel at the good He surrounds me with and the beauty of His creation. I will give Him praise for allowing me a life to be part of it all. I will lift y’all up as part of the good in my life.
Good night all. May God bless you as He has blessed me.
Dennis ,
We do not know what tomorrow may bring our way, but what a relief to know that He is with us no matter what we face . He will see us through . May He bless you and your family with comfort ,understanding and peace in the days ahead.Bless you brother.
Dennis
And we will lift you up in return.
You take care of yourself, and let others take care of you, too.
One day, many years ago, my mother received a call that her mother had died. While she was making flight arrangements I called to say I’d been diagnosed with cancer and had surgery scheduled in a few days. Thankful that my diagnosis was an error, and had a much better prognosis after the surgery. My poor mom was rattled for the next couple years. Dear lady just hated to fly.
Dennis, Sorry to hear about your son, hope and pray he has good results. You hang in there and let friends/family help you and yours. Remember, you are not Atlas and you can’t carry the world on your shoulders, let/allow other people to help. Prayers to you and your family.
Wishing you strength Dennis.
Words are not sufficient,
😎🤙🏻
Dennis,
So sorry to hear of your SIL’s passing and the subsequent issues. I’ve been out of town and away from the internet so just now saw your note.
Saw a sign in one of the local Amish/Mennonite stores today that said something like: “When life gives you more than you can stand…..kneel”
Condolences and prayers for you and yours. We never know what the future holds, but at least we know Who holds the future…..
God bless and keep you close.
Dennis my friend I grieve and I pray you and your remember Psalms 118 His Love endures forever. Grieving is not a sin Jesus Wept upon hearing that Lazarus died.
As we age and look back at the hardships and the glories of our lives we must remember HIS Love endures forever.
Someday we and our faithful friends will stand before him with out pain and guilt because HIS love endures forever.
God continues to bless you and yours and hold them in HIS hands friend. HIS Love endures forever.
Dennis I was praying and wondered. Cancer develops over YEARS, is discovered now and MUST be cut out next Tuesday? I am not a Doctor but as a medical professional I ponder what cancer requires such a sudden action.
Some cancers are so slow growing like prostate cancer that you stand an excellent chance of dying of old age before it causes any real issues. Some are so fast and lethal like Pancreatic cancer that surgery is just an EXPENSIVE Hail Mary toss with little likelihood of a good outcome aside from the bank accounts of the hospitals.
Please check with his insurance because bankruptcy from medical bills is #1 cause in America sad to say. Check to see with Insurance if a second opinion and confirming tests can be done first. As mistakes in initial test results occurs more often than known.
Then we must ask the HARD questions of what is the likely outcomes? As an example prostate cancer is as said before to be an annoyance most of your life as you die of something else (like old age) BUT surgery for it will leave you wearing diapers for constant leakage and impotent. I often assist in surgery for cancer of the brain and CNS and know from talking to my Doctors how often the prognosis afterward makes me wonder if “Survival” was worthwhile. What will this do to my family financially? Doctors and Hospitals don’t like these questions, sort of like the Predatory Funereal Homes acting like your disrespecting the dead to keep costs reasonable for the burial. But those questions need to be asked as to evaluate the worthiness of the services offered.
I’d prayerfully ask for a moment of reflective waiting before you commit to a fast surgery and maybe due to haste family bankruptcy and a lousy “Survival” afterwards. Cancer took years to be noticed, what is a few weeks of intelligent (non-reactive) thinking and asking questions going to change?
Your in my prayers Dennis as is your family. Cancer is the terrifying scare word of our times.
I don’t know about cancer in general, but a friend of mine died of some kind of brain cancer. She was fine, went in for a routine checkup (funny how often that happens) and the doctor sent her straight to the hospital. She was dead two weeks later.
I had noticed some behavioral changes but nothing extreme in the week or so previous. The doctors figured it had been developing for maybe a month or two total.
Dennis, Your unwavering strengths and faith continue to guide and inspire all of us. Know that your friends here surround you during this difficult phase.
Your son will be in my prayers.
Kyrie eleison.
I’m so sorry Dennis. Praying for your family.
Dennis
Just read the posting about your son, an his surgery which is scheduled.
As our Ms. Shepherdess would say {{hugs}}to all of you, an especially to your son. Blessing to you and your family, understand the path which you are walking now. May the guardian angels be with you & yours during this time of need.
Dennis
May the Lord always be by you and your families side.
Stand strong, as we all here also stand with and yours.
God Bless
Dennis
Buddy it is hard week for you and your family. Be strong and clear in your mind. If your son has children, then they will need support of their grandparents.
You can’t do more than you hope for the best.
Your son will be good. You deserve that.
Dennis, I’m so sorry to hear of your son’s cancer. He will be in my prayers throughout the day. It is so hard to see our children afflicted with these harsh, life-threatening illnesses. You are a true prayer warrior and I know your prayers are heard. Peace be with you.
Dennis,
So very sorry for the loss of your SIL and your sons’ cancer diagnosis. Sending prayers your family’s way that surgery and treatment are successful. May you continue to find strength in faith, family and friends through the oh-so-difficult times you are enduring. Take care.
Should I get a passport just for the heck of it? I don’t need one, but will I if…?
chevy
The other good thing about a passport….you can GOOD.
Hi all,
Been working on re tiling my shower this week. I like the work but it kills my back. Getting old isn’t for wussies, lol.
So not alit of prepping going on. Did hit a few sales this week. Baking items and butter in sale so stocked up there.
Have a question for all archers out there. Oldest grandson wants a bow and arrow set for Christmas. No problem, but I don’t know anything about them.
He is almost 11, but very tall and thin( 5’5 and 94 pounds). I know he looks like he is starving, lol, but the way he eats he is not. His dad is 6’9 and looked like this until he was about 15.
Just need a but of guidance before I get to Cabela’s and talked into something that won’t work for him.
Thanks in advance.
Peace to all.
MadFab
P.S.
Joe C, hang in there. I also hate winter and here in the PNW, it will be rainy and gray until, oh about July!!
Take care my friend
MadFab
MadFab
Thanks
Winter is just starting too, early.
I guess if I hated it that much, I’d move.
Ain’t gonna happen and will continue to make do. It is what it is.
Chevy,
Get the passport. As of October 2020, all will be required to have a new form of government issued I’d. For flying, even domestically, and entering some state and federal buildings. They will run about 100.00, and a passport is 125. And lasts 10 years and may be used in place if the new I’d. Plus, ya can travel outside if us if u desire.
Just my 2 pennies.
PEACE
MadFab
Good to know. where can I find this information you cite? do I need a birth certificate from the hospital or government?
chevy
You will need a notarized copy of your birth certificate, that one I recall. Passport photos you can acquire at Costco or other places. There will be a list of what they will require for filling this government id, besides money.
We acquired our original forms from the County Clerks office around the year 2000. You can now print off the form online if you want to start that way.
The new drivers licenses now have a hologram logo in the upper righthand corner of said license, it is call the REAL ID. Yah, another way of tracking US citizens. If you do not have one of these you must have a passport &/or a military ID in order to take a flight in the USA. Let alone enter any government building. Reminds me of Germany after H took over “PAPERS PLEASE”!
How I found out is CA is lagging behind in this department. Yes, they spent the $$ on feel good projects–as usual.😫🤑
Thanks!
Chevy,
In some areas of the country, it is only regional post office that takes pictures and sometimes requires an appointment.
You will need at least two forms that prove your address. a change of address form or letter from the post office can be one. a bill or bank statement is acceptable.
Tax bill or similar from county, state or federal level is also acceptable proof of address. Envelope is usually what is used. Those that have name changes must present ID forms that demonstrate name changes, like a marriage license or court document of change.
Our local post office will also take passport pics.
Mad Fab
Is this ID requirement for American citizens, or does it also apply to illegal aliens here in the US?
Oh, nevermind….I already know that answer.
Time to begin saying “I identify as a ‘migrant’.”
Dennis,
Man you are getting the one two punch this past week.
Please know I have had ya in my thoughts and prayers this week. I will continue to keep you and your family there .
Don’t forget to take care of yourself, also, in these trying times.
MadFab
Time to change oil in the vehicles and snowblower. I wonder if I switched to artificial oil for the snowblower and lawnmower if I would ever have to change it ever again.
Hello to all of you!
I made some tough decisions last week. I will make new safe haven for my children and wife. Old family farm definitely will be destroyed with new coal mining operation. My parents have not interest to have new farm. So I am on my own. Fortunately my wife has one acre of land with house made by her parents. House is never finished. Brick walls and wooden windows. Need electrical installation and plumbing. Inside plaster and outside insulation. New well. There is small orchard in not so good condition. I will do my best to make there one good homestead. It is 5 miles from my condo in town. It will be great site for weekends and for garden.
Yesterday I bought one lawn mower for high grass. It has Briggs and Stratton engine in good condition. Guy don’t need it anymore. I bought it for 250 us dollars. Very good price. It will be great tool for new orchard and garden.
Fortunately new fruit trees ordered for old farm will be here just on the time for new place. I am very happy about that. Some new trees are very expensive.
So my friends I will have adventure of making new homestead.
good luck in your new adventure sounds very exciting
bill posters
It is my friend! But very expensive. For example electricity access is about 600 us dollars. One monthly salary of my own. Well is 100 us dollars per meter. I will need between 10 and 20 meters. With plumbing it will be at least 2x monthly salary of my own. For sceptic sistem is probably the same.
Veteran
It sounds like a big chore, but I know you will make it a grand homestead.
It sounds great with what you want to accomplish!!
Joe c
Be sure I will make it!
It is big deal for us. I will do my best to accomplish all what I plann to do.
From tomorrow I will have ju jitsu class and fitness. I will try to get new job in police. If I keep this intensity of my activities I will be king of all kings.
👍👍
Lots of folks here have solar or other systems feeding electricity into homes etc. Here’s a reminder to protect your wires/systems from squirrels….(how? no idea)…
“Squirrels are behind most power outages in the U.S.
The American Public Power Association (APPA) says that squirrels are the most frequent cause of power outages in the U.S. The APPA has even developed a data tracker called “The Squirrel Index” (TSqI) that analyzes the patterns and timing of squirrel’s impact on electrical power systems. Turns out, the peak times of the year for squirrel attacks are from May to June and October to November.”
Winter has hit us with bitter cold and snow. We had most things buttoned up although we were trying to keep the older pigs on pasture as long as possible. It has been good weather to stay indoor owned catch up on reading; however, we still have a few things we want done.
The basement storage areas have been completely wiped down, swept out, and reorganized. That task actually took a few weeks to totally complete. The new dehumidifier is working well and I will take the old one to someone who fixes things and resells to people who cannot afford a new item. One of the play areas still needs some attention…..perhaps when I return. I have to check on my dad in FL – it appears he is now motivated to move into something that will suit him better.
I will spend a few weeks with him visiting two bedroom units, hopefully in adult living facilities, but anything will be better than what he has now as it is too much to manage and has him outside walking uneven ground to often. If we find something good, get him settled quickly too. He must have done something to scare himself this past week as he contacted me about moving this time. It was interesting that he had someone come to him and offer to purchase the home well below market value. That person was not interested in seeing the inside of his home. Anyway, once my sister told him what his home may be worth he decided to sell through a realtor and told the guy he couldn’t sell. That guy wasn’t happy but once dad told him he wasn’t able to sign papers without my okay, he quickly understood he wouldn’t get anywhere. So lots of work on the horizon far away from home for me, but I am happy he will be in s better living situation. I will drive this trip so I will have what I need …somewhat.
We were supposed to harvest the lambs this past weekend but the person who was going to help and has a lamb in the harvest that we were raising is just out of the hospital…so that is delayed for two weeks. That will most likely take place while I am not here, which I don’t like, but we adjust.
The guy the insurance company sends to verify all the info the original person wrote up two months ago scheduled to come out Tuesday. I was not looking forward to that meeting, but was pleasantly surprised. He only needed to see a couple things like furnace and electric box, saw our detectors of all types and extinguishers and security system and house in order and said things were very organized and squared away. He also wanted to buy a hog after seeing the operation. His job is only visiting farms for insurance purposes and he said he was very impressed with what we were doing and how. Again, he only viewed things that I needed him to see.
I agree with those talking about making sure we have seeds stored for short growing seasons and perhaps changing out the types we are growing if they did not do well last year. Also, more root crops, which need more protection from critters that eat them. While we have many seeds and types in storage, I am also purchasing heirloom short season growers so I appreciated reading about the Oregon tomato variety.
I spoke to spouse about thinking what he needs on regular basis for his tractor in terms of parts and get them. When shopping with him at tractor store, I have been able to convinced him to double up on whatever he is getting to save trips down the road, but it is time to think ahead for that tool also.
If things ever get bad, we won’t have access to rabies medication for our animals or us. That is a scary thought and not sure there is any substitute.
Time to get back to work. Take care all. Stay safe, healthy and alert. I now get to travel through several unfriendly carry states. Prayers to all of you hurting right now.
A month ago I wrote an article titled, BaoFeng Antenna | Best Upgrade for HAM Radio and ALL Other Bands
In it, I also mentioned the new FCC rules which would (apparently) disallow the sale of the Baofeng UV-5R and BF-F8HP 2-way radios (explained in the article).
What I find interesting is that you can still get them on amzn (just checked). I’m just pointing that out for your potential interest…
We’re continuing on with our home security. We have decided to replace our basic basement door with a much more secure door system. We’re going to order a hollow-core metal door that will have a metal frame. We are going to reinforce the frame by filling in the cinderblocks surrounding the frame, then using very long anchor bolts to attach the frame to the house.
I’ve almost completed my inventory of foods stored in closets. Adding to long term food storage is an area that I’m reviewing — more is better….More food, more wood stacked, more stored water.
Our Chevy truck decided to die Friday morning and had to be towed. May be a fuel issue, but we don’t know yet. The Ram is having a problem staying in “Park” now, too. It figures that our State inspections are due in December. lol
Time to head out and put the tarp over the RV for the winter….it’s been winterized except for the tarp.
Next up is quilt repair for 2 quilts that need some mending. Winter is coming…
Have you considered the ramifications and your own reaction should the political class nullify through the sham impeachment the will of the people.
The impeachment is nothing more than a coup
Kulafarmer the Socialist-Democrats (and sadly RINO’s) are looking at what happened when so many other “Critical Events” occurred like Ruby Ridge and such. NOTHING. Just noise.
They expect NOTHING will happen this time, just like after all the blowhards huffed and puffed about Million Man Marches (some armed..) Blah, Blah, Blah. The same loudmouths that turned in their Bump Stocks with out even a whimper using the excuse they were “Not that Important”.
The Socialist-Democrats and Deep State maybe wrong this time but I suspect a lot of “Cold Anger” BS will be spouted and Nothing will happen.
What target does the Deep State give you to react too? Just disposable-easily replaceable Face People so they can collect the “Real Troublemakers” as Terrorists. Maher Refuge ring a bell?
Any real reaction will effectively destroy whatever we have left in America. Grid Down and 90% die off in a year.
Then the Deep State plans on re-emerging from their bunkers with “sandwiches and smokes” (PAID for by our Tax dollars) to collect the survivors and continue being the Kingmakers of our political class.
The weakness of Socialism is after the “Leadership” strips all of the wealth for themselves the MOB left without Bread and Circuses’ destroys the system as the Leaders flee with their wealth to a new country.
In Venezuela the Leadership still maintains power EVEN after the “Bread and Circuses” is Gone after WHAT 7 Years despite all the USA has done to topple them because THEY are SMART Enough to PAY-Feed-Shelter their Enforcers the Police and Military AND they USE Criminal Gangs for the Deniable Violence that their Enforcers might rebel against.
I suspect that the Socialist-Democrats have taken notes.
So in short prepare for a LONG Term situation.
Prepare to Survive the Chaos, less than a year until the next Presidential Election IF the Impeachment doesn’t kick off Civil War 2 AND the Greater Depression.
Lying on my back on the cold damp cement of a carport on a chilly windy day under a dirty undercarriage of a well worn F-150, with a simple socket wrench, (NOT one with a Triple Jointed Magical Extension Arm ) and without the ability to transform myself into an elf, I had a moment of clarity when I fantasized the type of torture that I would inflict on Ford Design Engineering Team that decided upon the “perfect” location of the Starter!
RDM,
LOL. Been there myself, outside in -10f on packed ice trying to pull a starter from ’74 f-150. 3 bolts, 2 opposed, the last jammed between said starter and engine block. Same on my ford tractor, but now I know to look for it!
Lauren and fellow gardeners a few things I researched about reusing coffee grounds.
#1 Free Trade doesn’t mean Organically grown and in a lot of 3rd world countries “Organically Grown” doesn’t mean as much as you think. Roundup is used on coffee plantations along with mechanical weed removals as they have reports-studies-recommendations to Coffee Growers about how Roundup drift can damage coffee plants and how to limit it.
Thus you MAY be applying Roundup contaminated coffee grounds on your garden and seedlings.. Similar result as using Roundup contaminated straw on your garden, REALLY HARD on Heirloom seeds and plants.
#2 The conflicting reports of acidity in coffee grounds and how “Wonderful” they are to apply all over your garden has been resolved with secondary study researches. Grounds ARE Acidic thus acid loving plants can benefit (Although there IS too much acidity issues) and those reports that they are great mixed into the garden soil came from mostly California Folks that has Alkaline Soils so YES adding acidity was a good thing. Here in New England we have to use LIME because our soil has plenty of acid. So coffee ground NOT a good thing except carefully used around blueberries. When I tested my Blueberry soil last year I NEEDED to add Lime as I have applied coffee grounds for several years.
#3 The Caffeine in the grounds is an effective limiter on seedling growth. Like Walnut Trees leaves the berries suppress the growth of competition plants. AFTER ALL the original Coffee Plants GREW in Jungles. The ability to suppress other plants was beneficial.
#4 All the above issues can be made good by COMPOSTING them as the Green Part of the Green-Brown Ratio for successful composting-vermaculture. After a year plus of active composting even Roundup is mostly neutralized.
#5 As always in Permaculture the problems with soil seems to be cured by adding more organic material. Clay add organic material, Sand Ditto, Acid soil Ditto, Alkaline Soil Ditto. Seems Mother Nature gave us a simple cure for most growing issues. Thus the Composting of Coffee Grounds.
Hope this helps someone
Thanks me2
All; Check out Auburn University’s Old Rotation, one of the oldest agricultural scientific experiments in the US.
https://cses.auburn.edu/old-rotation/
Pretty good info on Crop Rotation and Soil Fertility.
Thanks Red Dog Master, chuckle I used to breed 13 inch tricolor beagles so how could that become my moniker :-).
Anyway very interesting that 100 years of cotton-wheat-corn with winter legume cover crop and every (If I read it right) 3 years a full bean crop rotation could improve the soil so well.
I looked for but did not see use of Roundup on this plot? Did I miss it given how popular that nasty stuff is for commercial farmers?
Interesting stuff, thanks
Rotating holds true for all cropping, especially vegetable gardens.
Space can be the biggest issue as many here well know
Well Murphy showed up here last night.(not a fan of his,lol)
Freezer died and started defrosting quickly. Big mess this am. Grr. Just got my beef for the year in and now this. Try getting a new one delivered in a Sunday. Not happening!! Brought the new one home in the truck, but had to get neighbors to help me get it down and stood up. Gonna have to make them some Carmel corn to say THANKS. Finally got all transfered. What a job, not.
Chevy,
Do ya have any measurements for cough med?
Thanks
MadFab
NRP,
You still down there watching the orange river flow and sniffing the north wind out of DRO?
Dennis,
I will be saying a prayer for your son as he goes into surgery. If you all are in pre-op, you may want to pray together before he is taken into the Operating Room. I know surgery is scary for all of us when you are the one going in. I have observed those that pray/have a deep abiding faith generally have a smoother recovery experience. ( don’t know why)
My wife is currently undergoing tests and screening for a medical condition. At our age, we live in fear of the big “C” word. We are both nurses so we are aware of the diagnosis.
A lot different when you are the one waiting for the news in the Doctor’s Office.
Calirefugee
Hoping that the tests show nothing of major concern for either of you. Give your dw a {{hug}} from us.
To Red Dog Master, BG in TX, Matt in OK and Kulafarmer:
Among your shooting supplies, you may want to tuck away an ingot of Cerrosafe in order to make chamber-castings and to remove case remnants in event of case-head separation. You will also need a steel or brass rod, masking tape, and a mallet to tap out the chamber cast and the stuck shell from the chamber. ( the plug is tapped out from the muzzle-end).
This time of year, hunters are still sighting in for deer and elk and I ran into 2 people last Sunday who experienced case-head separation. One rifle was a lever action Marlin so we had to go with the Cerrosafe method for removal of the stuck case remnant. ( Gunsmith shops were closed.)
The other rifle that experienced case head separation was a bolt action 270. This we were able to clear out that day at the range though it took over an hour to do so.
1. we lubricated the chamber area with WD40 penetrating oil and let it soak in for 1 hr.
2. I obtained an oversized brass brush for removal of the stuck case. ( 35 cal brush for a 270 cal bore.). Be aware that this will ruin the brass brush.
3. I inserted a cleaning rod guide and used my Dewey cleaning rod and small chunk of pipe as a slide-hammer. The brush was pushed into the chamber firmly until at least 1 inch of brush was beyond the case mouth.
4. slide hammer the remaining shell casing back out of the action.
In both cases, the shooter was trying to fire old corroded ammo in an old rifle. The brass had heavy oxidation on the outside. At least the bullet was not stuck in the bore.
Hope this helps the shooters out there. Cerrosafe can be obtained from both Brownell’s and Midway/USA.
A freind of mine showed me how to use an un fired lead bullet tapped in from the muzzle end with a brass rod to knock out stuck case/separated case,
“””””obviously not safe with a stuck live round””””””
Calirefugee
That’s interesting. Not heard of that.
All I carry is steel military rods in my bag. I have brass at home.
Too many hunting trips have things happen like mud in the barrel or hand loaded bullets run out to far that catch the lands and separate. Soft boresnakes just don’t cut it.
Goat question. Neighbors have meat goats. I have seen them fall down and stay down for quite awhile then get up. What is this?
Mrs. U
LOL…you are watching myotonic goats in action. They’re commonly referred to as “fainting goats”. Guess why…
Occasionally a goat will have a seizure and drop to the ground. Typical seizure behavior takes place and you won’t mistake a goat having a seizure and a myotonic goat.
They are a meat goat and the neighbors are Hispanic. I expect they are an inexpensive breed. Seen fainting goats on TV before. I was concerned because it was getting cold. The owner does not live there and several goats have died this year. They looked liked they had the scours. About 4 babies died and 2 adults.
MrsU
Are they some type of fainting goat?
FWTB had a fainting goat years ago.
I remember one time he was out in the farm yard with me, and saw my brother coming across the yard. The goat jumped up at the corral fence, stiff as a board…..then fell over.
A few seconds later, collected himself and off he went
I believe he was a part breed of fainting goat.
So it wasn’t very often he would faint.
His name was Cowboy
Tomorrow I will be mixing up a batch of my winter cold syrup; ginger, garlic, cayenne, oregano oil, vodka, lemon juice and of course lots of honey.
I can only imagine a civil war 2.0
Those that constantly watch and grab at the floating bubbles, awaiting for further instruction……
vs those that can think and do amongst themselves.
Dumbness is amongst us
Its coming,
Can feel it in my very core.
Hi, ya’ll. I’m back after a burnout hiatus. I hope you have all been well. I really like the upgrade to the site, Ken, it looks nice. A dedicated forum for all the random stuff was a really good idea. I always hated having to wait for the weekend for random thoughts and rants.
Welcome back…
Bill Gates’ net worth is over 100 billion dollars and he and others don’t think that’s right. I have a very simple non-tax, non-political solution. LOWER THE FRIGGIN’ PRICE OF YOUR SOFTWARE!!!
Hugo Chavez’s trusted advisor gets ready to run the San Francisco District Attorney’s office
Chesa Boudin, who was quite literally Hugo Chavez’s trusted propagandist, translator and advisor, Cuba-groomed from the start, is now commanding an apparently unbeatable lead in San Francisco’s district attorney’s race.
copied and pasted
This is the guy has also been photographed in Venezuela wielding an assault rifle, and getting guerrilla training, according to Venezuelan sources. He literally hung out with the Chavista goon squads known as ‘colectivos,’ the same thugs who drive around in motorcycles and shoot into crowds who protest. (copied and pasted)
San Francisco Population: 884,363 (2017)
Look this guys past up, he’s a real gem. How can this many people, be this STUPID???. I just don’t understand, or maybe it’s just me who’s stupid.!!
Stand –
San Fransicko? Dude – they poop on the sidewalk there. It’s so bad, there is now “an app for that”, so humans can avoid areas where they will likely step in it. Right now I’m about as far away from there as one can get. Yet at the airport this morning SF still makes headlines. Something to do with that warped chromosome Greta-thing. Apparently there is a giant mural of her/it, either on a billboard or maybe the side of a building, staring down on the plebes. I couldn’t quite make out the details of the story.
It’s all very depressing actually. Seems like an organized take down of our whole country. This is the first I’ve heard of the history of Chesa Boudin. I don’t doubt any of what you said. But if this is even half-true… how do we come back from this? I don’t think it’s possible.
Stand My Ground it’s called controlled Media. Before the Media was committed to being the Socialist-Democratic mouthpiece they would have RIPPED Him to Death with those little details of his “previous life”.
As someone far smarter than I said “Control the Media, Control the Mind”.
Otherwise all the literal fecal matter about many Democratically Controlled Cities homelessness, drug problems and bankruptcy would DOOM the Democratic Party from any sort of Power.
To Misuse Paul Revere “The Socialist are coming the Socialist are coming!”
AND the Millennials will legally VOTE them in, prepare to become a Tax Donkey and or a NON-Person.
Especially to our MSB Veterans out there… Thank you.
So far in 2019, there have been more than 200 days without a single sunspot on the sun.
Get ready, it’s gonna be a long COLD ride into disaster.
Please, keep stacking and packing
Over 235 days and we may beat the record of 269 days.
I bought new small grinder. Makita. It was the best I could find in my country. Warranty is three years. So, it must be very good if they can offer such long warranty. With all accessories it was 100 us dollars.
I hope it will be good as it should be.
Makita has a good name in the US too.
I still use my 40 year-old Makita Planer. Makita was the first to have reliable cordless drills. Their belt sander was okay but I don’t recall them ever having a good router.
Veteran,
You will like that new grinder. I have several and use them a lot around the farm. Do you have all the other tools you need to build your new homestead home? I use Stihl brand chainsaws and brush cutters in the orchard and vineyard. Most of my power tools for building are Dewalt, Porter-Cable, and Skil brands. Makita is also a very good brand. I also collect old hand-powered tools just in case I don’t have electricity. Saws, hand drills, hammers and chisels, files, screw drivers and wrenches. Everything to work wood or steel by hand. Hope you have all your shovels and picks ready to plant all those trees you bought.
Minerjim,
I have most of tools I need. My chainsaw is Husqvarna. Drill is Bosch. Hand circular saw is Makita. Rest of tools are cheap brands.I plan to buy one by one all new professional tools. I need to buy some new tools for garden too. Because I don’t want to discus with my parents about it. For new trees I will digg holes with small caterpillar. It is faster and cheaper. I make huge holes for walnut trees with lot of humus. Trees grow faster.
Concerning construction work it will depend on what we will decide. Will we live there or will we use it just for weekends. Most of the work I can do myself. Maybe I am not specialist but I can do it.
We will see.
Veteran, my spouse likes Makita tools. Because we don’t have electric at the farm, he is slowly switching to battery tools.
DAMedinNY:
Makita has been my go-to for 35 years. I still have the right angle drill bought from Sears in 1986. Every few years slap a new 9.6 battery in it and it keeps going. I probably have 40 or 50 tools from them, can’t kill ’em. Last year the forward/reverse selector broke on one of my Makita impacts. $4.50 for a new part, OEM packaging from Japan. Ten minutes later it was working again.
Some tools may outperform in a technical sense, on paper; but I found nothing else to compare. I’ve got one of their cordless impacts… 1,200 foot pounds of breakaway torque. Their twin-battery (6.0ah) blower will dry my truck, wife’s car, clear the driveway and dry my dog, on one charge. I don’t think I’ll ever be tempted by another brand.
TMac
+1 on Makita,
Some of the best tools you can buy
DAMedinNY
I have some battery powered tools. But I don’t have good experience with it. Battery is very expensive if you need to replace it. Classic tools have longer life. Anyway you have some source of electricity. Generator or solar or some other source.
Battery screw driver is handy tool.
A Salute to all our Veterans and active military, not just today, but every day.
Thank You
Mr. had his special Veterans Day breakfast. On a special day he gets hash browns. Once he was diagnosed as diabetic/pre diabetic he quit eating potatoes.
Salute to all of those who have served no matter when, no matter what country. A Veteran is a Veteran period.
Ok I have a huge rant!!
Let say first that I LOVE my Grandboys.
But, after cooking all day( making fish- shrimp stock), grands come home from school and the first thing outta the oldests mouth is oh gawd, it stinks in here! I’m not eating whatever that is!!
Now I didn’t kill him, but my children would have had a few less teeth and my mom would have killed me. Times have sure changed!!
He was sent to room, and I walked down to the mailbox.
I’m with the late great Bernie Mac,” once a child is older than 5, you should be able to punch them in the throat!”
Thanks rant over, but it does kinda tie in with today’s topic, lol
PEACE
MadFab
Calm expression and “Then don’t eat.”
When the others are eating whatever was planned for dinner and he wants some, he can eat at breakfast.
I know, I’m mean.
That would be my approach, too. Kids will eat when they’re hungry.
Wow!
My boys were always good eaters. There was no cooking to suit them. Youngest once had cold broccoli for breakfast after a power play the previous evening. However shrimp and fish have a strong smell that young ones might not appreciate. Just 5 after all. I would require them to have a taste. Some foods require a more mature stomach. I never made mine eat brussels or asparagus when young. Just depends on the child. Daddy used to bring home fresh shrimp that had come up the Mississippi from the Gulf. Momma at the sink would be deveining and I could not wait. Loved it. But we are not all the same. Require a taste then roll with it. Should shtf happen, they will come on board to eat.
Has anybody visited the Ice Age Farmer site recently? Really GRIM information there.
Looking for other viewpoints and maybe other information on just how bad the basic food supply of America really is.
Hate to make decisions on just one point of information, help?
One of the things I like about Iceagefarmer (and why I still follow him) is that he’s not an hysteric. He backs up his information with actual data, and while not all of it is objective (I’ve caught him fudging the numbers for effect a couple of times) it’s always at least from verifiable sources.
Last year was labeled “spudpocolypse” because so much of the world’s potato harvest (Canada and Europe primarily, but also the middle east and China) rotted in the fields and was not harvested. This year, again, a high percentage of the potatoes (including the seed potatoes this time) were not able to be harvested due to unseasonable cold and rain. These are FRESH potatoes–anything dried or processed is probably in the pipeline for at least the next few months production. Those will be affected next year.
The pork thing (swine fever, which is NOT swine flu!) is verifiable, as is the fact that China is buying up meat wherever they can get it. Donkeys and mules, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, all of it heading over to China to feed their population. They’re making deals with countries all over the world, and not just for meat. This WILL drive prices up as it creates an artificial shortage in areas that are not used to selling everything they have.
By the numbers, 10% of US beef were lost last winter and spring. Now farmers are selling because feed prices have gone up so much they can’t afford to keep more than their breeding stock. Assume another 10%? Unknown until the numbers actually come in.
Based on our production practices any shortages may not be felt until a year after the bad harvest, or even more. Fresh meat, fresh vegetables, probably between 1 and 3 months depending on the product and the way it’s stored.
Yanamasa Ranch is another good one on Youtube, and he usually covers the USDA reports and breaks them down.
Lauren, and in our country we are now seeing advertisements that tell us how bad sausage is for us. I guess they are getting us ready for the shortage too!
It’ll be interesting to see what the advertisements look like when they have to say how FOOD is bad for us. SMH
DAMedinNY:
I don’t know much about sausage… but isn’t it sort of made from trimmings of other kinds of meat? Leftovers, so to speak? It seems to me if whoever was getting us ready for shortages, doesn’t logic dictate they’d be disparaging prime cuts?
Maybe, just possibly, sausage might really not be so healthy. Just thinking out loud.
TMc,
Only good sausage is one you make yourself. Otherwise you can’t be sure what’s in it. If you learn to make your own, they can be made very healthy and can help stretch your meat supply. Imho.
maybe it is different in the States than Canada, maybe not…
disturbing research finds….
“Canadian study finds 14% of sausages contain meats not on the label–A federally funded study has found sausages sold in grocery stores in several provinces contain meat not declared on the label -similar study two years ago that found 20 per cent of sausages sampled had been mislabelled.”
and another study —
“1 in 5 sausages tested across Canada contained different meat than labelled, study finds———The 20 per cent mislabelling rate is low compared to Europe, where studies have found 70 per cent of samples contained ingredients that were not declared.”
and another —-
a study I cant find, but heard about it on radio…..”sausages found to contain “other” meats than pork/beef/chicken/bison…..” —They would not/could not state “WHAT”….we are left “wondering”….”Annoying customer”? “Fido”? “Rats”?
DAMedinNY
Going back to cash and carry they have it on sale, at least I hope it is still on sale.
Hi Lauren,
For whatever it’s worth, I’m in SW China right now and pork is definitely in short supply; so they slice it paper thin for reduced portions. Everything else seems to be just fine. Supermarkets are fully stocked, prices haven’t really gone up at all since my last trip. (except for pork). I don’t eat meat, so I cannot speak to donkeys or mules. Still plenty of dogs walking around; not looking too worried.
Fine dining is about 1/3rd the cost in the US. Not-so-fine dining is about 1/8th the cost. A 500ml can of good beer is $2 at my hotel; same can is 65 cents, across the street at a convenience store.
Last night I had probably the best salad ever, anywhere. Fresh? They sent a guy up to the rooftop garden to pick it. Mountainous area, air pollution isn’t really a factor. Maybe widespread shortages are happening, I just haven’t seen it yet. Neither have my co-workers.
T mc, I really enjoy your post from another country. It enlightens and balances the whole.
Thank you so much Mrs. U. It’s really amazing what happens to prices when welfare queens, drug addicts, illegal immigrants and the ever so entitled “gibs me dats” are outlawed. Everyone here who can breathe unassisted has a job, even if only sweeping the sidewalks.
“By the numbers, 10% of US beef were lost last winter and spring. Now farmers are selling because feed prices have gone up so much they can’t afford to keep more than their breeding stock. Assume another 10%? Unknown until the numbers actually come in.”
I am in the beef business. I know of nobody that “cannot afford to keep more than breed stock”. What is the basis for your info, other than USDA report “broke down” on youtube?
I was watching the numbers last winter and spring, and the losses added up to about 10% of the total declared numbers by the USDA. Those numbers are readily available. I have contacts with farmers in a number of different areas who can’t afford to buy sufficient feed for their animals (particularly in areas that were flooded last spring where they assumed they would “make up” the losses by fall harvests). I also do my own research and don’t take the youtubers at face value unless they can document their numbers and information.
Lauren and the rest of us,
So we know food production problems are upon us.
We have posted about it before. We talked about Farmers/ranchers/growers having problems. We posted about the book “end of food” and what has been going on for years.
We really don’t need to keep reading about it or watching commentary from others.
WE HERE need to discuss now how we plan on dealing with this Information. Share ideas,what we are already doing. Help others decide what their best course of action could or should be.
Now is the time to work out the problems . Don’t wait til your stomach has been empty for 3 days.
My attitude is I would rather plant 1 acre of success than sow a 100 acres of failure.
I personally have made vertical towers. We’re experimenting with hydroponics,grow light systems,indoor growing and multiple green houses.
Fish farming,duckweed and soldier fly larva raising for a chicken food supplement.
Remember, I have been at it for the last 4 years . I have help which is important.
Nevertheless, you can still do much by yourselves
So what are your plans?
Bill Jenkins Horse have you downloaded and read Farmers of 40 Centuries by F H King 1911?
Seems some American Farming Scientists were interested in how the Chinese-Koreans and Japanese had been feeding their population upon a small fraction of our growing acreage. They were doing it with out bags of fertilizers and with human efforts.
I posted earlier about the Chinese main pond surrounded with the temporary ponds-gardens-field crops and the cycle they used to keep it fertile and keep down the diseases that plague most non-rotation crops. Should I repost it? Low tech fish farming and use of their waste efficiently to feed the crops.
Look to the past for success in the future I often quote. There were very successful pre-electricity-machinery farmers that fed many people on a few acres AND Maintained their fields fertility for Century’s.
When I post about crop losses and problems in the food system AS well as the long term effects of Socialism-Civil War it’s for the benefit of new preppers that may not realize just how long and how bad it can get. Even in my area I have preppers with more firepower than seeds-knowledge. Sanitation and gardening isn’t sexy like a High Tech Scope you know.
I wonder how many bags of whole corn, field run beans and screw top 40 gallon olive barrels worth of food can you get for the price of a tricked out AR?
Me2,
I would like to see what you posted.
Folks need to know the seriousness of the food situation.
What I see is folks fear of it keeping them in park when they need to be in drive moving forward.
Fear can be a positive motivator if you approach it with the right attitude…
Bill Jenkins Horse as you are well aware China has 11 USDA Grow Zones from Mongolian Steppes grow zone 1 (Burr….) to semi tropical 11 like the Florida Keys.
The Chinese fish pond has been used in zones 3+ with proper selection of fish and plants for each zone.
Fish need a deep pond in my area to be save from deep freezing AND they need shallow areas with rushes and such for breeding. The deep permanent pond with breeding areas is center. Around it is 3-5 shallow saucer style ponds-garden sites.
Filling is typically a shovel affair and maybe a man powered water wheel style pump. Or simply lots of buckets if you’ve not built an Archimedes Screw or such yet. Draining the saucer pond is also a shovel affair. Simply breech the saucer pond to drain. The Archimedes Screw and or man powered bucket pump is also used to aerate the main pond if extended stagnant conditions exist.
The Chinese PROTECT their ponds from large livestock typically poultry is all allowed there. Interestingly Geese are territorial enough to keep Kingfishers out of the pond 🙂 as well as general security from fish thieves. You know the term Goosed? You DON’T Want a Hissing Goose after you…
Numbering the saucer ponds 1 through 4 in this example. This year Pond #1 is filled and using baskets stocked from the main pond with breeding fish. At the end of the year the pond is harvested and best breeders go back into the main pond. The rest is food and fertilizer as needed. Pond #2 was last years pond. Very fertile planting with truck garden vegetables. Pond #3 the year before that pond grows corn or potatoes, Pond #4 ditto but as least fertile growing rice or wheat.
Next year #4 becomes the fish pond and the fish LOVE scavenging the lost wheat-rice…
A simplistic description but hopefully gets the points across. The saucer pool of fish is intensive fish breeding and extra bits of vegetation from other crops add to it for the fish. The last years crop residue becomes the “Rushes” for breeding. Then that pond next year is very fertile for heavy feeding crops.
IF you do intensive fish farming in saucer ponds the build up of fish diseases and parasites is nasty BUT since you use that pond as a garden next year… If you plant lots of truck garden crops year after year same problem PLUS loss of fertility. So renewing the fertility AND breaking the disease cycles.
Controlled use of poultry to consume the bugs and such is a win win.
Creating the ponds is typically done using animal manure and larger animals to hooved it into the new ponds bottom to establish water sealing. Ducks are GREAT for muddle sealing a pond.
Again thumbnail sketch for you to think about. Today we can use a small Kubota to establish it easily and maybe use a power thumper (forget proper name?) to pack the manures into the bottom, post SHTF you will need many man hours from your WHOLE extended family to establish.
Clearly plastic sheeting IS NOT the way to seal this style of pond. Plants have to grow in it too.
BTW Duckweed is an annoyance to a pond BUT a Blessing as a side dressing to heavy feeding plants AND animal feed.
Me2,
The pond design is doable. The rotation is smart.
I will do some research on that…
Me2,
The Chinese are scrambling for food. They are buying up food from whoever will sell it.
They see it coming…
All is good til it isn’t.
It sure has my attention…
Bill’s Horse:
Do you have a source for that news about Chinese scrambling for food? I enjoyed two utterly massive meals today, finished dinner just a few minutes ago. One guy in our party did try to order a meat platter and he was advised: “Sorry, no pork.” but that was it, he made do with steak, chicken and shrimp.
Walked our factory today, lots of lower income folks. Everyone looked well fed. The lunch tables were piled with home cooked food.
Truly, I wonder where this “news” comes from.
I don’t think that China is scrambling. They are making a strategic move ahead of the curve.
They are buying up a great deal of meat worldwide. One article was a country in Africa that had sold off something like 80% of their donkeys and mules and the people were suddenly wondering what this meant, as the donkeys are part of the traditional life. Several south american countries are in the same situation, as China is paying a premium for all kinds of meat at the moment and they’re scrambling to meet the increased demand.
China, historically (unlike the modern US), has a habit of planning for the future. They had to pull something like 10,000 tons of pork from their reserves a month or two ago, and I think they see the writing on the wall. They’re going to plan ahead as much as possible so they don’t end up with revolution when the food shortages hit.
The increased purchasing from outside China (for a country that has been largely self sustaining and has moved toward that goal in the last few decades) is documented and visible. Rice, corn, pork, every kind of meat they can get. I suspect that most of this is going into “reserves” to replace the meat they had to pull.
If they stock up their reserves NOW, they don’t have to panic in the future.
China DOES look forward to deal with oncoming problems. It’s a sad thought that the USA doesn’t as demonstrated by the elimination of the Grain Reserves in 2008 as to “Costly” to maintain.
Really? Like hunger is priceless?? Or should I say worthless??
That’s why Mrs. U and many others tell us to establish our own family Grain Reserve.
Even if you cannot have chickens NOW I bet in times of distress you could TRADE for them with your reserve of corn? Food for thought, maybe food supply for Fore-Thought?
Foods cheap today, don’t wait until CNN warns the Sheeple that food Shortages are at hand….
I plan to keep working, experimenting, and learning, until circumstances make it impractical. : ) Other people give me ideas, or new things to try, and I like being current on information.
I’m working out the details of non-chemical hydroponics fertilizers. Making progress on that.
Seed saving and plant breeding, including breeding/selecting for subsistence level farming and minimal water.
Dry farming, which is turning out to be more complicated than I thought. “Keep the water in the soil” doesn’t help much when you’re growing deliberately drought tolerant plants. Too much mulch (i.e., water) will kill something bred for drought tolerance.
The greenhouse, of course, and I’m still considering the options of how to heat it through the winter without electricity. The greenhouse has had a March 1st last frost date and an end of November 1st frost date–until this year. Then we had single digits at the beginning of October, so heating is probably going to be necessary and I’d rather it be built in. Lots of possibilities, and I want to think it through and get it right the first time.
me2
As #5 would say—need more input!! Found the book you mentioned and have it pinned to the task bar. Are there other pieces of data that you can pass along for reading.
If an article is what this requires I can wait.
Sounds to me like you might want to solicit Ken for a guest article spot on this exact topic?
my last comment was meant for BJH
Lauren,
That’s the key. We all will have to figure out what’s best for us and our location. It will be harder for some than others due to their location/growing season. The plants are trying to figure it out too. We need to help them along.
I always enjoy your updates on your experiments and what you are working on next.
We learn by doing.
I always appreciate folks who are willing to share their successes and failures. Sure shortens the learning curve.
Me2,
One does not need to be a rocket scientist to see the difficulty that COULD develop.Watch for key words such as crops loss, unseasonable weather changes., floods. in following these stories you should be able to do enough research on your own to find the level of preparedness you thin you need to be aiming for.
Ice age farmer,, adapt 2030, ..and the other on Lauren mentions…all do several on food issues…I follow several ranching channels. including Our Wyoming life and their newer channel Beyond the Ranch,… they discuss the financial costs of running the ranch and maintaining in all seasons…. there is a sheep farmer, Sandi Brock , and a channel called This Farm wife… these ladies are very hands on, showing the harvests and challenges farmers have daily.I also follow several other channels who have detailed the struggles of growing food this year. among those is Deep South Homestead, and Roots and Refuge, Willow creek homestead, Wholesome roots,
Oppenheimer ranch project deals a lot with the weather changes. Think about the changes that have affected our nation this year..fires, flooding, late freezes, early frost.
Look at the pigs in China.and they bought Smithfield farms, and imported huge ton-age of corn to feed those pigs.. huge loss, the population is eating dogs and cats.China is trying to purchase food from every available source, in several nations..
Look at the late frosts, and early and out of season freezes and frosts..all over the world. Those who are already having issues with food, are selling food to the highest bidder.
How many foods and areas have to be affected before there is a crisis.? How many meals a day do you want to miss.? Plan accordingly.
me2 we are very close to the farm fields he talks about, in fact right in them and I am told by others that he is very accurate.
me2
Websites:
National and State Farm Bureau
USDA and each State Dept of AG
Tyson Chicken
Ag Fax
AGRO Insurance
Chicago Board of Trade
AccuWeather.com
CXS Railroad
ALT-Market.com
Texas A&M, Wash State University, Michigan State University
Cargill
Local food update. Many of the soybeans here were harvested late, thus the soft winter wheat was planted late. The arctic blast is here with a wind chill in the single digits for two nights. We were on errands yesterday and the wheat is just barely coloring the fields green in most cases. Meaning, the immature root structure may not withstand this intense cold. Will know soon how this pans out. Many fields of soybeans were planted late thus enduring extreme heat and lack of rain. Their production ??? Corn here did well. Was planted earlier in the fields where the wheat died last year in the cold.
Well ya’ll know what I always say buy ………….GRAIN , squeeze that grocery bill and do it. The complex carbs will go along way to filling you up. Even if you are in a small home or apt. rotate some flours and corn meals. Buy some mylar bags, put flour bag in it with Oxy absorbers and desiccants for moisture. They can lay flat in cupboards and closets. Protect from rodents. Learn to make flat breads etc. Whole grains have proteins and corn has b vitamins. Corn is really a grass and not a grain.
Hug hug, peace and may we never need our preps!!!
Mrs. U;
If I might add, when storing Corn Meal, Flour, and the likes.
Stick them in the freezer for a few days or a week, this will help kill any critters (larva) that “may” be in the foods.
Be sure to let thaw for a couple of days.
Than seal in Mylar as suggested.
good addition NRP, thanks. I worry a bit for those who do not have the resources like some here. Takes a particular type of prepping mind set.
We have problem with African swine flu. Serbia order extermination of all wilde pigs in desperate try to stop infection. My country will be next. We have already ban of all trade fairies in country. Transportation of live pigs is under strict control of veterinarians. Hunters and rangers already make plans for extermination of wild pigs. It will be disaster.
I hear for huge need for donkeys in China.
Thank You Veteran. Very interesting information.
Mrs U and Lauren,
And all sorry about the rant, yesterday. Too tired I guess.
What’s funny is that he loves seafood, and I was just making and canning the stock. We had Mongolian beef for dinner, also something he loves.
He was having a bad day also, and I should be more mindful of that. Being a tween is hard, and being a grumpy granny wasn’t great.
Just so all know, I do not abuse these boys. They may get a swat on the seat now and then, but certainly NOT abused.
I thank you all for listening to the rant.
PEACE
MadFab
Mad Fab, never even considered you would be unduly rough on the grands. Frustration is part of being human.
JJ
Good to see your posting.
Hoping everything is alright with you & yours at the house after your last posting about the neighbors.
Anony Mee had asked if you had any extra barrels for sale. JIC
Quick update and explanation on son’s cancer diagnosis and surgery.
About a month ago, my son developed severe swelling on side of neck. First doctor believed it to be from an infection settling in his lymph nodes, started antibiotics and steroids for swelling. After a week with no change, second doctor drew fluid, discovering cancer cells. PET scan from his knees up revealed no tumors as source of cancer cells.
Today’s surgery was to remove the tonsil on the swollen side, as the doctor said that she had found tumors in the past, hidden behind the tonsil. Surgery went well, tumor revealed and removed. Radiation therapy and chemo to follow, plus follow-up surgery to make sure tumor is completely removed.
Thanks for all of your prayers and concern. I will keep y’all posted. God continues to bless.
Dennis,
Your 2019 is starting to look frighteningly like my 1995. No need for details in public forum, but I’m feeling every one of your words brother. May God bless, protect and comfort you and yours during this time of great tribulation.
Dennis
Praying for your son
My wife had the same thing back in June swelling in neck, antibiotics didn’t work so they took her tonsils out
Thankfully hers wasn’t cancerous
Will keep you and yours in my daily prayers
Good news Dennis but I will keep him and your family in prayers.
Dennis, Sounds like a good outcome. Recently went through a similar ordeal with DW except her tumor was in the right upper lung. Chemo afterwards as they found one lymph node in the lobe that had turned cancerous. This was after breast cancer 12 years ago.
Her lung cancer and quite possibly the breast cancer were most likely linked to tobacco use. For those of you still using the weed please quit and certainly, the sooner the better. We both quit shortly after the breast cancer.
Dennis, hope all will be well. There is good research on Iscador/mistletoe for cancer also. Will treat the whole human as well as the cancer. Just an idea.
I was just reading the 50th anniversary issue of The Mother Earth News, brings back memories as I was there when it first came out and read every issue cover to cover at the time. That, along with The Whole Earth Catalog, planted the ideas of self-preparedness and reliance. Makes me think about modern survival blog, what it will be like on it’s 50th anniversary.
Mrs U,
Thanks. I didn’t think ya did think I would abuse the boys, but ya never know who may take a rant as what really happens.
Was feeling so outnumbered the last couple of days, but no reason to blow my top.
All it does is make me look scary to them and that is something they had too much if in their life without me adding to it.
God grant me patience, and right now please, lol.
Thanks
Peace,
MadFab
Dennis,
I don’t know how close u live to your son, but if needed, the America Cancer Society is an amazing resource.
Counselors, rides to chemo/ radiation Dr appointment. Give the a call. American Cancer Society internet search should give ya a local number.
You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Again, don’t forget to take care of you also. You seem to be the glue for your family, as was my dad, so you cannot let yourself get under the weather.
Peace to you and your family.
MadFab
Just a warming up from shoveling the driveway coffee in hand thought or two:
If it’s Important you get a HARD COPY yes? Do you have that Marriage Certificate somewhere in the “Cloud” or a Hard Copy? Divorce Decree, Birth Certificate?
Important data for working that garden or fixing that water pump and so on needs to be Hard Copy. As our friends in California can tell you a loss of power makes your Smart Phone Apps and Computer files impossible to access.
Also if there is a grid down situation for a long term will you NEED that information to keep the garden-homestead working well? I know I have several dirty finger Gardening notebooks and reference books like my Vet Medicine books around.
Yes electronic storage is nice, Ken said it best when he answered about storage on the “Cloud” with “I don’t trust distant servers I use Terabyte Memory Sticks and a back up one that I update monthly.”
ALSO how do you know the Time and or Date RIGHT NOW? I look at my computer or my phone yes? WHAT if it’s Grid Down? Will you need that information?
YES!! As a gardener so much of my garden work and seed starting depends on the date of desired planting and such. If your trying to Co-Ordinate something with a friend I.E. Meet me at Noon at the Coffee Shop or Bobs Stables…
So what is YOUR Grid Down or WORSE Socialist deemed Non-Person with NO Electronic Access, No Banking, No Credit Cards and thus No Electricity (If you cannot pay that bill…..) way to know what date-time it is?
Wind up watch helps BUT it’s GOOD to have Sunrise time date information to check accuracy.
Looking for ideas on how to generate calendars for years to come. The Aztec Priests made their living on knowing what date it was and when to plant the crops etc. Knowing when the last expected frost is due and such is IMPORTANT to success in food production.
Off to scatter some sand on the icy bits.
Sorry me I seemed to have forgot the me2 this am. I blame coffee deprivation and maybe being cold from shoveling.
Dennis and friends. After surgery comes the ongoing waves of medical bills. Establish a friendly attitude with your Insurance people NOW. They are a wealth of good advice in how to establish Patient Advocacy to get better service for your family member.
They can advise you IF you ask on how to force the Hospital to stay inside your Insurance Coverage. So often they use OUTSIDE providers to Read your tests and such and that cost if YOUR Responsibility.
I’ve had to ask WHY MY Doctor couldn’t read that X-Ray as he did FOR the Surgery so why did someone else get paid to do it again? A Polite Challenge can sometimes get a reversal of charges here.
Also they can assist you with the waves of billings and how to READ those bills and see WHAT Not IF errors in Billing Occurs. Hospitals have almost totally stopped the Package Billing system. Department of Anesthesia Bills separate from Surgical Services, Skilled Nursing AKA the Recover room and floor nursing bills separate and so on. That many often OVERLAPPING charges can really add up unless politely challenged.
OFTEN lately is an additional Billing code for Faculties Usage. The last one is REALLY BOGUS as they couldn’t offer their services with out their “Facilities” but it’s an attempt to pad the bill to pay for all the Free Care they have to give out. IF Challenged it’s often removed as a “Curtsey”.
Billers are not rewarded for overbilling BUT they ARE punished for Under billing so read between the lines here friends. They are not evil just trying to keep their jobs following Orders and trying to read the chicken scratch of hurried Dr. reports even today with electronic paperwork.
Hospitals ALSO often have a Sliding Scale set of rates for self pay items. BUT you have to ASK and Show Hardship to get a reevaluation of your bills.
Be proactive in this friends, after they send it to a Bill Collection service it’s a tad too late. And lately Hospitals have been really aggressive in this collection effort.
Adding to the above Medical Billing information. Establish a File of everything you get from the hospital. Even the post operative discharge paperwork. Keep it for at least a year AFTER you get a Paid in Full from the hospital. Yes you will have to ASK for that friends.
Any mailings you get Keep them WITH the envelopes to show actual mailing dates. If your PO doesn’t do this (I’ve seen bills with out a PO Date on the envelope) handwrite that information on the envelope.
When I had surgery recently I had an interesting billing from Anesthesia almost a year AFTER the whole thing was resolved. Seems a bill for BOTH General and Spinal Anesthesia was billed for a surgery I KNOW professionally Cannot be done under Spinal…. Having that file shut down that “Collections Efforts” ASAP. My copy of the post operative orders proved I did not have a Spinal….
Mostly Hospitals do great work but times are tough and collections is tougher. Be prepared.
That way if something “accidently” ends up in collections you have a valid paper trail.
Tmcgyver,Lauren kinda beat me to it.
They are buying up meat from any country that will sell it to them. Animals that most dont consider a food source.
A million tons of soy beans,almost a million tons of rice.
A farmer I personally know in Montana with 10,000 acres is under contract to sell all his wheat to China. They outbid the Japanese for it.
They are building up their reserves while it’s still available.
They are buying up food production companies everywhere.
I didn’t say people were starving in the streets while you’re there.
You maybe enamored with them and that’s fine.
But they are not our friends…
BJH — interesting stuff…
“China has solidified its position as the fastest-growing beef import market in the world in 2019, with Oceania and South America the dominant suppliers. Last year, China’s imports topped 1 million metric tons (mt) for the first time at 1.07 million mt, up 50% from 2017, while value climbed 56% to $4.9 billion.
This remarkable rate of growth has further accelerated in 2019, as imports through July already reached 871,429 mt (up 57%), with value up nearly 60% to $4.1 billion. For perspective, China’s full-year imports first topped $1 billion in 2013 and broke the $2 billion mark for the first time in 2015.”
BJH
China infiltrating all segments of our society – university research, ag lands, embedded electronic spy wear, manufacturing expansion, military expansion, … they are not our friends and want to rule the world. We have a China globalist here that found out quickly that we support our Constitution and want to protect our industries. This person has change his/her tone to try and ingratiate themselves with our conservative prepper movement – motivation???
Hermit us,
I shouldn’t be posting today.
My PTSD reared its ugly head today. I get cynical and on edge. I should go hang out in my shop with my dogs.
Thanks for posting.
We don’t seem to have many friends in the world these days huh?
BJH
We have listened to years of lies about this country and what they claim is our greatest enemy, Russia.
I hope that we can speak our minds on this site and fight the coolaid BS. Thankfully, most Americans do not believe that up is down, wrong is right, … just listen to the endless paroting of bumper stick phrases by the talking heads on TV.
Don’t feel you need to retreat from questioning what is true and what is garbage.
I don’t suffer from PTSD and I think I get more angry than you. Hang in Sir.
Hi Bill,
I wouldn’t say I am ‘enamored’. But quite honestly, they treat me far better here than folks at home. Perhaps it because we work together for mutual prosperity. Maybe I’m just a novelty to them. Maybe they actually like me, idk.
Yesterday I examined a clever new design prototype, headed to a big retailer, that had a concealed, but potentially deadly flaw. After all the loud indignance and frenetic face saving got out of their system there was a period of silence, hand shake, slight bow and a genuine “thank you” for calling out someone’s clever idea, that could have been tragic.
The world is just strange. You really ought to hear some of the things most people here ” just know to be true” about Americans. It taught me to not believe everything anyone says. We all have our favorite propaganda campaigns. I just look forward to a world when we can get past that and treat each other as human beings. That development would solve so many problems.
Tmcgyver,
I’m on edge today. It’s not my way to get on folks especially when I appreciate their posts.
The weight is especially heavy today. That’s on me not you…
Hope the next leg of your journey goes well.
Safe travels…
Bill Jenkins Horse
My heart goes out to you. I too, have severe PTSD, I deal with it daily, and it’s a bitch.
God Bless you, he probably already has.
BJH & SMG
In reference to you both suffering from ptsd.
The questions I am going to pose may sound crazy, or off base, but there is a reason why I ask.
**Please do ‘not’ post a reply on line.**
I would suggest you both log down when these occur on a calendar to see if by chance there is a correlation when they occur. Reasoning behind this idea is you could be effected by the pull of the moon when it is closer to the earth. It does have an effect on some, it can cause you to have difficulty with sleeping, coping with normal every day events.
There is another possibility but we can discuss that later if needed.
Antique Collector
Because of the terrible side effects, I stopped my PTSD drugs about a year ago. I’m still under Doctor care, but I also hired a Nutritionist, she’s helps with proper nourishment and natural herbal remedies.
I don’t sleep more than 2hrs at a time, the nightmares are really bad. Triggers cause them, and I seem to have a lot of triggers, plus, all the physical pain to remind me of bad times past.
Stress, right now is MAX-Q. I’m in a legal fight with the IRS, and Homeland Security.
I’m tough enough, I’ll be fine. Hopefully, maybe, oh of course, I’m good.!
Well, again, the meat thing is sort of off my radar. And thanks to President Trump, my next visit will be to Vietnam. I wonder how it will be down there…. I’m greatly looking forward to it. Those guys put up a state-of-the-art 500k s/f factory in less than six months. Can’t wait to see that.
Anyway, my ride is here. Today’s business could be life changing.
God Bless you all! It is really nice to be able to chit-chat with people I feel sort of close to, while so far away from home.
Carpe Diem!
BillJs Horse,
Someone once told me not to trust a communist dictatorship,
It kinda stuck.
They are definitely NOT our friends, if they were, we would be trading even across the board, but we are not, have not, and more likely than not will not.
I get TCMacs sitch though, a job is a good thing, sometimes a paycheck means more.
Dont ever feel you need to temper your speech. Stay true!
Kula
Do many people not look at the lifestyles of people that want to come to this country – China, India, Pakistan, Mexico, … and the globalists think this is the way we should be forced to live.
I will go to war before I watch my family and friends sit and freeze in one room shacks so some third world person can eat my food.
That tmc is riding first class around countries that are run worse than the worst communist countries. We all need to look behind the fasauds of riches and let the real third world scare the crap out of us.
New Woodpile is out! The Bison Prepper has an excellent Thrifty Survival Prepping while time is short article.
I don’t always agree with Bison Preppers language he does often have good points to bring out.
…and, do you promote Modern Survival Blog on other sites that you visit?
Yes
Ken…as for me, yes. I quite often will place a link to one of your posts, and say on some other site….”ran across such and such, you might find it interesting”.
You just gotta look around for opportunities, and realize they are there.
My neighbor is ripping out and old pasture, at least 50yrs old, absolutely full of dandelions. I have foraged at least 120lbs of roots that are as large as a half dollar, full of nutrients, because they are in a dormant stage going into winter.
This great find, will be a substantial increase of my inventory of this very important herb.
Nature has alot to offer, you just gotta know what to look for and how to use it.!
Dose anyone know about, Black Thorn, Prunus Spinosa?
“Pelosi was overheard at a fundraiser full of Hollywood elites bashing the President and calling for a ‘total shutdown’ if her party didn’t get their way on impeachment. In her own words, Pelosi said ‘We will shut down not just the Senate smoking lounge, but their cafeteria and their bath house. The Roman Empire fell from within. The Senate will follow.’
“Pelosi then went on to say she would make sure none of Trump’s ‘boomer supporters’ get their Social Security checks if they don’t ‘fall in line.’ The whole thing was like listening to Stalin give a dissertation on socialism.”
There is a storm coming our way.
Yes
Take note of who is on what side, it may matter
The so called conservatives in CONgress, are just the other side of the same coin,
They have no allegience to the American people,
None of them do,
Remember that, they dont like it that we flipped them the bird and gave them DJT to deal with,
The day draws neigh
Bill Jenkins Horse:
Is all good buddy, if you can believe it even I (soft and sweet NRP) has a few/LOT of off days.
I’m thinking you have a whole lot of good friends here, cause there are a lot of good people hanging out here at the old Swamp aka MSB.
Where we learn Swamp Survival 😉
NRP
Anyone “normal” has off days.
Kulafarmer
Hey Bud, got a question: Is your soil volcanic ash based? What’s your PH
Thanks
SMG
Yes, and no
Our homestead soil is primarily a silty loam, minor clay component, primarily ash based, but silted from higher elevations over the eons, it has really high organic material from me growing cover crops religiously and continuously if i can.
Moisture holding ability is variable based on the organic matter and tilth.
Overall the PH also varies but tends to hover around 5.0-6.5 ish if un tended. At the moment i need to add calcium to it but am leaning toward spreading sand on it and discing it in. Slower reaction but is better for the soil because it reduces compaction, in the past i have generally amended with a granular calcium product, cant remember the exact makeup but was a manufactured granular product that resembled a coarse sand, but did have soluble properties, was not as fast to change PH like straight up lime but it did also have a variety of micro nutrients in it.
SMG
Understand yours is chemical as in bodies reaction to certain foods. Yet the other which I mentioned can heighten the stress level for you.
The other possibility that can keep you from resting at night it is where you bed sets in your bedroom. Sounds strange, yes I know. Move it to another location in your room & see if you sleep a little bit better. There could be a live stream of water flowing underneath that section of your home. It can an will effect your sleep pattern. I never pass on any information that I have not tested myself or learned from my divining class of many years ago.
Head in the clouds, feet in the sand, feng shui
Antique Collector
I have 3, different sleeping areas, 2 in the house, about 20 ft apart, and 1 in a small bunk house. Bunk house is 25yds from house.
Doesn’t seem to make any difference. It is what it is.