tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62303128451849497652024-02-19T00:03:58.181-07:00Colorado PreppersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-46436142962812265832014-08-26T16:16:00.000-06:002014-08-26T16:16:23.260-06:00Research before you buyHubby fell down a flight of stairs 2 weeks ago, and is still so dizzy (plus a swollen leg) that he went back to the ER last night.<br />
<br />
Me...I still can't walk or even exist without unbelievable pain in my legs. Had an MRI on my spine yesterday so hoping that I will soon know why I hurt so much.<br />
<br />
Because of our health problems, and my impending knee replacement, we decided to sell most of our livestock: goats, chickens and turkeys. Keeping only enough to harvest in October, and a few chickens to lay eggs for us in the Fall.<br />
<br />
We placed many ads on Craigslist.<br />
<br />
That said, geez, people! Research before you ask to buy!<br />
<br />
Don't call me asking to buy a goat, any goat! What are your needs? Do you have girls that you need pregnant? Do you have nothing and just want something to be a friend for your horse?<br />
<br />
"How do you milk a goat?" <br />
<br />
"What do I feed them?" <br />
<br />
"Why do you say your buck is stinky and in rut? What does that mean? Can we eat him anyway?"<br />
<br />
I plan to write more about this ridiculous experience over at <a href="http://www.survival-cooking.blogspot.com/">www.survival-cooking.blogspot.com</a> so please click on over!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-84425389591764369302014-07-31T14:54:00.000-06:002014-07-31T14:54:21.486-06:00Deluge of RainIt seems like this is the first wet summer in many years. Last year...dry and hot. The year before...dry and hot.<br />
<br />
My plants initially loved the rain, but after days of continuous downpours, I can practically hear them saying ... "no more!"<br />
<br />
Not sure how much I will harvest this year. And our chickens and turkeys are dropping like flies.<br />
<br />
Tells me what I need to do to give us more of a secure supply of food.<br />
<br />
Is anyone else struggling with growing food this year?<br />
<br />
<br />
Note: I have several survival and prepping books that will be released soon. <br />
-Survival and Prepping for Emergency Situations<br />
-Preparing Homemade MREs from Dehydrated Ingredients<br />
-Windowsill Meals<br />
-Survival Cooking<br />
<br />
p.s. I have been asked to consider public speaking. If anyone wants me to speak about prepping and survival for your prepping group, please contact me. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-27634238984863401762014-07-09T12:05:00.000-06:002014-07-09T12:06:29.407-06:00Prepping book almost ready!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC8akILF0l-JBQgMtbLI1OCP8bdKrL9QrIIJEhrzGCxn1L5z5KcUN5CO_I8STMVFDLnt6LU9swUPIXTYQHa7nS5TpmQcR5uu6SaZJEg5ddMl63yZBmH_Kfb19J_KhI6vF0WLDRjVc54s/s1600/prep-surv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC8akILF0l-JBQgMtbLI1OCP8bdKrL9QrIIJEhrzGCxn1L5z5KcUN5CO_I8STMVFDLnt6LU9swUPIXTYQHa7nS5TpmQcR5uu6SaZJEg5ddMl63yZBmH_Kfb19J_KhI6vF0WLDRjVc54s/s1600/prep-surv.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
My survival and prepping for emergencies book was done, then I realized I had forgotten to add sections on prepping for...<br />
...health care crises<br />
...man made disasters<br />
...personal disasters<br />
...accidents<br />
...financial problems<br />
...political / military disasters<br />
and<br />
...culture disasters<br />
<br />
Now, please bear in mind that I am certainly no expert. Just a simple woman with a tiny farm and a special needs son, who wants to help people through her writing. <br />
<br />
I am researching the above, and will write as much as I can about the subjects (although the topics I know the least about may only have a paragraph or two of info). Then I will edit, polish, then publish.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
p.s. Please check out my blog... <a href="http://www.survival-cooking.blogspot.com/">www.survival-cooking.blogspot.com</a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-16158477234118647932014-06-17T10:27:00.001-06:002014-06-17T10:27:32.786-06:00Prepping post LONG over-due!So sorry I haven't written in a while. Life in Colorado is quite the rollercoaster ride!<br />
<br />
First this past Winter wasn't much of a Winter! Warm with an OCCASIONAL bit of snow. Spring? Warm, chilly, HOT, chilly and now, 4 days before Summer, it still hasn't made up its mind.<br />
<br />
Plus the tornadoes, hail storms, constant rain.<br />
<br />
I've lost all the garden I've planted. What the hail didn't get, my escaping goats did.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtoHyd4kvYqsCREtc0rjVGNPdAgGu5hDXSgSEf8Im_hyzylknwDzgQjw-7AxCnlVA3WXh3VoSVDT0ix8oioZf41Tx0bzGxlf5u8EZT5cS0ACrd6IRwtVlJjOPSbgt8QaugG41nIKpsCw/s1600/prep-surv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtoHyd4kvYqsCREtc0rjVGNPdAgGu5hDXSgSEf8Im_hyzylknwDzgQjw-7AxCnlVA3WXh3VoSVDT0ix8oioZf41Tx0bzGxlf5u8EZT5cS0ACrd6IRwtVlJjOPSbgt8QaugG41nIKpsCw/s1600/prep-surv.jpg" height="200" width="124" /></a>Also been a rough year for our animals. We've lost one doe and 7 goat babies, 8 turkey poults, 2 chickens plus a rooster that was grabbed by something the other night. I hear other people are having a rough year too, with farm animals.<br />
<br />
I was nearly finished revising this book (I took it down from Amazon while I did so) then the wonderful ladies at a FB group for Family Preparedness mentioned, oh, 15-20 more scenarios I really need to address!<br />
<br />
Love the cover! Do you?<br />
<br />
Hoping to release it by the end of July. Shortly thereafter, I will have the audio book released on Audible.com and iTunes.<br />
<br />
While I do that book, I am still working on my Healthy Meals from Dehydrated Foods book. (No cover yet). I have approximately 150 recipes but requests are still coming in. I love writing the recipes but it takes time to test all of them!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-82014848551187275642014-03-31T13:25:00.003-06:002014-03-31T13:27:18.294-06:00Legal Marijuana in ColoradoYes, marijuana / pot / weed / maryjane / etc is now legal in Colorado. Of course, you can't have tons of it around, but you can now legally grow a few plants or buy marijuana products and paraphenalia. <br />
<br />
How does this effect you?<br />
<br />
First, the sales tax collected so far in 2014 has vastly over-met expectations! This will help our schools, roads and much more.<br />
<br />
Second, become good at growing 2 or 4 plants at home. If you don't smoke it or eat it, then perhaps you can put some away for a rainy day. Or to barter. Um, legally, of course,<br />
<br />
Third, marijuana can help and/or fix medical problems you or a family member might have. My son has epilepsy with autism, ADHD, OCD and other problems. Some strains of marijuana make him super-hyper. So, we are experimenting with different kinds of oils and edibles to help mitigate his meltdowns and seizures. <br />
<br />
This is an herb that needs to be in your barter box. Or medical box. Look into it. Research research research. Experiment. Grow. <br />
<br />
Because when the SHTF, people won't suddenly NOT have epilepsy, autism, glaucoma, etc.<br />
<br />
And please do it legally. Don't need the popo at your door.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-80741802807643169532014-03-11T14:09:00.002-06:002014-03-11T14:09:41.598-06:00Attention Colorado preppersMy family and I live on a tiny farm on the eastern plains of Colorado, not far from Denver. We raise much of our meat, veggies, fruits and other things. Always looking to add more. To learn more.<br />
<br />
I am rejuvenating my blog, www.survival-cooking.blogspot.com because between the horrid economy and severe weather problems, the info is valuable. (Not just cooking information.)<br />
<br />
Please hop on over, visit regularly, and subscribe/follow.<br />
<br />
<br />
When you can spare a moment, also visit my author blog for book releases. Thank you. www.vikki-lawrence-williams.blogspot.com .... THANK YOU!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-29250893456467419722012-12-13T09:59:00.002-07:002012-12-13T09:59:49.518-07:00MORE CHICKSAt last count, we have 17 girls outside (from 3 months to 2 years) with their 1 rooster, and a rooster run with 6 boys we hatched ourselves.<br />
<br />
INSIDE, however, we have 31 chicks (mostly black australorp and red star) in our garage. Most are almost 2 months old but there are 2 a little older. Thank goodness for pine shavings! Whew! And in our kitchen, we HAD 20 easter egger chicks (day-old) but 3 have already died and another 2-3 look kinda bad.<br />
<br />
We're ready for almost any storm we get out here but still wish we had a solar pump on our well and solar panels on our roof. However, with my kid's medical expenses mounting and brain surgery looming, it's just not feasible.<br />
<br />
Please keep us in your thoughts.<br />
<br />
Vikki at <a href="http://rosemary-ridge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rosemary Ridge</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-62011494064778613652012-12-11T07:57:00.002-07:002012-12-11T07:57:37.540-07:00BELIEF?Do I believe the world "will end" on Dec 21 2012? No. That's absolutely ridiculous. Do I prep? Yup. Why?<br />
<br />
Because we live out in the boonies. The closest corner store is about 5 minutes away driving BUT the closest grocery store and town is about 30 minutes away. I can't just pop in and get something I've forgotten. It's not cost effective and the wear and tear on our cars with these back-country dirt roads is ridiculous. We do have plenty of food, our chickens lay a few eggs a day, and we're still getitng milk from our goats.<br />
<br />
When we lose electricity, we also lose heat and water. We do have a fireplace, but the propane furnace needs electricity to move the warm air (stupid, isn't it!). We have a well but the pump is electric, and we can't get anyone to help us find a manual backup pump and can't afford a solar generator for backup, what with my sons' medical bills.<br />
<br />
I meant to learn canning this year but couldn't get to it. We have plants growing inside but if the electricity goes out, the plant lights and heat does too.<br />
<br />
My son's uncontrolled epilepsy helps me believe we're not gonna end any time soon. He has malformed neurons, lesions and a tumor. All the herbs and homemade remidies have NOT effected his seizures at all so we need pharmaceuticals and surgery and EEGs and other tests.<br />
<br />
So, we're KINDA ready for disasters like snow storms (got one last night) but thankfully, I choose to BELIEVE that we're not due to the end of world any time soon. It just can't.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-92058787942948314632012-07-02T13:12:00.002-06:002012-07-02T13:12:19.086-06:00COLORADO IS BURNING ... ARE YOU?Unless you live with your head in the sandy loam that we call Colorado, you know that we've had an unprecedented amount of wildfires this year. Too many acres have burned. Too many homes. Too much livestock and wildlife is gone.<br />
<br />
The closest wildfire was about 30 minutes away, and a former home is now gone.<br />
<br />
Are you prepared for a wildfire in your area?<br />
<br />
First, make a plan with the members of your household ... what to do if a wildfire becomes uncomfortably close to your home. If it happens while someone is at work, where would them meet you? Nearby Wal-Mart? Grocery? School? Be specific. Hubby and I discuss just last week, and we know exactly what will grabbed, and who: leaving the livestock and taking the service dog plus child. We know where we will meet, to the exact row of the specific parking lot.<br />
<br />
Second, the grab-and-go bag. I'll admit, we've let our bug-out bags languish and become out of date, mice-eaten and chick-feather-dusty. We need new ones, and need to repack them. My kid has grown, and his food allergies are different. Plus, now that he has epilepsy, I'd need to grab his big bag of meds and some of his health records. I also need to stock the service dog's vest with some extra bones and poop-bags, and probably should include a day's worth of food, and some bottles of water... heck, I'll just leave the food and water in the car!<br />
<br />
Third, I have several boxes of very old family photos and records that my family would probably kill me over, if they were to be burned. I need to get cracking on scanning them onto a flash drive, then make hard copies of some of my favorites, sending the boxes back to family members in a less dangerous state. I can't imagine not having these pictures in the family due to my neglect and procrastination.<br />
<br />
Just use your common sense. Prepping can help save your life, but stocking up on all the bullets, bandaids and beans in the world won't stop that fire from consuming your home. <br />
<br />
Take care.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-90778214068952199962012-03-16T11:41:00.000-06:002012-03-16T11:41:18.890-06:00Update. Kinda. Boy I'm swamped.I know it's been a while since anyone posted on here. The guest had a physical injury so couldn't do it anymore, and my life is in turmoil. My kid started having seizures last April (2011) and has since developed epilepsy, with 3 different kinds of seizures. He loses big chunks of time. We also do schooling from home, although I'm trying to find a school who will take him with all of his medical conditions.<br />
<br />
Then there's working with his seizure-alert/autism therapy dog. Breeding the goats and chickens. Building new housing for all. Fixing up the house so we have actual storage space. Hubby's father passed last summer, and it's been a difficult situation all around. It's chick season: one broody hen just hatched all 5 eggs she sat on (chicks are so adorable!) and I have another broody hen due in about a week.<br />
<br />
Finally got a huge veggie garden (raised beds) built. Just yesterday planted 2 kinds of cabbage and 1 kind of lettuce. Have cauliflower, broccoli and potatoes ready to go in soon. <br />
<br />
Getting ready to order the fruit and nut trees and bushes. Then once we receive them, got lots of holes to dig, fertilize and plant them. Still need to build 2 more chicken coops, fence off the soon-to-be orchard, build another goat house and fence off the new girls goat pen. Oh, and plow the small field for grains like hulless oats, amaranth, millet, and alfalfa.<br />
<br />
So you see, I'm just swamped. I haven't even had time to do any writing lately! IF you would like to be a guest contributor, like writing a weekly column, PLEASE contact me as soon as possible! I usually only check e-mails once a day but I'll get back with you as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
Thanks for your concern.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-70966907642661841372011-12-01T13:27:00.000-07:002011-12-01T13:27:38.673-07:00DECEMBER 1ST BLIZZARDYep, we had temps in the 60's yesterday, but today awoke to a blizzard. High was 27 and that was at 6 a.m. ... has been steadily falling ever since. Low is expected to be around 6 or 7 tonight. Brrr. And lots of blowing snow.<br />
<br />
Brrr.<br />
<br />
Because my two girl goats are expected to kid any day now. They're late, actually. So they now live in my garage. Not outdoors in the pen it took us two weeks to put together, but in my garage. Each girl has her own 6x10 kennel, on top of a tarp that's covered with hay. Then each has hay, food, water and a heat lamp at one corner and a medium "round tub" to use as a "nest". <br />
<br />
On good days we've been talking them out to their outdoor pen but as of last night, they'll be inside until a nice day shows up. Well, once the babies are born, it'll be a month or so until they go out.<br />
<br />
You'd think it would be stinky in my garage but actually its not. Every couple of days we sprinkle more hay on the bottom alternating with pine shavings. Then probably in January or Feb, during a nice "warm" day when the babies are able to go outside, Hubby and I will open the garage, take out all the old hay and poo, replace with clean straw (assuming we can find some by then). <br />
<br />
Good solution. Just hope the girls don't get stir crazy waiting for these babies. Come on, girls! Labor, already!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-54049579759189524322011-11-15T15:42:00.000-07:002011-11-15T15:42:27.469-07:00GUSTY WINDSIn the past week or so, here on the Colorado Plains we've been innundated with unbelievable wind gusts. None of the local TV stations got it right ... breezey my heiny!<br />
<br />
Just ask our chicken houses ... if we hadn't set them in concrete this last time, they would have been gone! As it was, we found all kinds of chairs, dog houses and bantam chickens all over the place! Rescrued everything (and everyone!) we could find.<br />
<br />
Lesson learned: build things for the worse possible weather, then make it even more sturdy. Just because you don't experience high winds on a regular basis doesn't mean you won't. Do you want to be hunkered down as the zombies roam around (tongue in cheek) then suddenly have to turn your attention to keeping your livestock warm, dry and safe?<br />
<br />
Do it now. While you can afford and have access to the supplies and time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-36853331196426569282011-10-26T13:58:00.000-06:002011-10-26T13:58:57.375-06:00COLORADO UNDER SNOWWe're in the plains of Colorado, southeast of Denver. Technical the terrain is desert but people tend to forget it.<br />
<br />
The weather people told us the snow was coming. Rain turning to lots of snow. A little wind. Very low temps. Monday we had 80 degrees. This morning we woke up to 32 degrees (our day's high), 3 inches of heavy wet snow, and it's still coming down. Total of 4 inches now, with another 3-4 expected before it stops late tonight. Low of 17 degrees expected for tonight, which means the slush on the ground will be a THICK SHEET of ice by morning's commute.<br />
<br />
Wonderful.<br />
<br />
Luckily, we finished the livestocks' homes just in time. Meant to take pictures but now I'll have to wait until the snow melts. Why? Because right now, it would all look white white white! <br />
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The bantam (miniature) chickens are cuddled up in one 6'wide x 6'deep x 4'tall kennel, covered with wood, plastic and tarps. The chain-link door, uncovered during decent weather, now has a big ole tarp covering it, weighted down, and is doing an excellent job of keeping snow out of the kennel. Only just finished this yesterday. Whew! Still need to fence in an exercise yard ... since we're expecting 60's by Friday, we'll try to do that on Sunday once the snow melts. Won't be big but a covered area of 6x12-15 so would be great for them.<br />
<br />
The boy goats have their own fairly-small pen with 2 separate little houses for each goat. (They don't like to share). Just enough space for a little running around, and canNOT see the girls. Even has a little chicken house in there for when we move a couple of boy chickens in. Thinking it will have room for a couple more mini goats because we plan to keep future boy babies (to wether to raise to eat).<br />
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The girl goats, both due to kid (have babies) around Thanksgiving, have plenty of covered area. Room to kid (have their babies) and room to play around. Their hay area is covered, plus I have feed buckets in the kidding kennel. That's where I found the girls this morning when I went to feed them. Good that they are comfy. Even with the door to the kidding kennel open, barely any snow blew in.<br />
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As for chickens .. the HUGE coop we just had built is doing a 98% job of keeping the snow out. Whew! Sure it's cold in there but it's dry and without wind. They can survive below-zero temps as long as there is plenty of air circulation, and is dry. We threw some old hay in there last night so by this morning, it was already scratched out. Good. Something to keep them occupied. Sprinkled some of their feed on it too so more scratching to keep them busy and warm.<br />
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Also yesterday managed to bring in some pots for indoor veggie gardening this winter. My leg is really hurting but should be able to start seeds for cucumbers, beans, squash, etc tomorrow or so. Yum.<br />
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Oh, before I close this posting ... was watching the news around lunchtime, and was astounded by someone interviewed in Denver. Lots of trees down due to heavy wet snow, so lots of people with no electricity. This person said on camera that since there's no electricity, there's no food. Oh well, guess they'll have PB and J.<br />
<br />
What?<br />
<br />
Boy, I'm glad we prep. Not because of end-of-the-world scenarios and so forth, but for times such as these. Even if our electricity goes off, we'll be just fine! Stocked up with food, fuel, water, candles, etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-69208200169985089152011-09-30T21:25:00.000-06:002011-09-30T21:25:32.613-06:00Survival Preparedness - My Personal Journey<object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object><br />
<br />
G.O.O.D. Bag Accessories<br />
<br />
#1 Self Protection<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Aside from the four essentials (shelter, fire, food and water), a means to protect yourself is the most important item or accessory in your GOOD bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess, technically, it won't be inside your bag...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>schemantics... </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I can understand some people's hesitation with a side arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the good in everyone wants to believe that it is not a necessary item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, I would prefer to error on the side of caution and never have to use mine than be caught in a situation where I needed it and did not have one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've been watching reruns of a BBC series call Survivors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The show is based in Great Britain and in the wake of a super virus apocalypse a group of people immune to the disease band together and strike out to make a new life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the show is fantastically entertaining, it is bothersome in that the group regularly places themselves in situations where they are unable to protect their members or their limited supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find it very unrealistic that anyone in any type of survival situation would be able to make it very long with a sidearm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe things are different in England?</div><br />
I am currently looking at purchasing the Springfield Armory XD .45 ACP or a Springfield Armory XD .45 in the 5" tactical length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are a polymer framed pistols that feed from a double stack magazine which holds thirteen cartridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I like a lot about the XD is the grip safety that will not allow the weapon to fire unless it is depressed, which happens naturally when the pistol is held properly, but automatically goes "on safe" when the grip is released, such as if the weapon is dropped or re-holstered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that it sits very comfortably in my hand (which are not petite but I would say fairly average in size) and is one of the driving reasons behind my consideration of the XD model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most all the reviews comment on the ergonomics of the grip and how well the XD fits most average sized hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conversely the Glock Model 21 .45 G.A.P. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>pistol has a notoriously bulky grip though they have introduced a Model 37 that is slightly smaller and easier to handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike some, I have never developed the "appreciation" for the Glock pistols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> Though one attribute they share in common with the XD is their trigger safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trigger has two interdependent parts that when held and fired properly will operate naturally. However, unintentional pressure or a strike against the trigger is unlikely to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Something super cool about the XD is the fact that you can drag this pistol through a swamp and come out the other side firing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a pretty amazing link to a torture test the XD 9mm survived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted it's not the .45 but it's still crazy cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XTPbPNWCV0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XTPbPNWCV0</a> <br />
<br />
I hope it will never has to go through so much but it is insanely reassuring to know that it could and would still operate as efficiently as it does all clean and shiny new.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">With your sidearm you also have to consider how much ammunition to carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have read that approximately 200 rounds is the drop dead minimum to consider carrying to get you to your retreat but ideally 1000 rounds is a safer bet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking about that...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>200 rounds of .45 ACP ammunition weighs about 40 pounds, 1000 rounds weighs over 200 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't know about you but I couldn't carry 200 pounds on top of the weight of everything else in my bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am planning on having four magazines loaded with 52 rounds and about 200 additional rounds stored in an ammo pouch that can attach to the outside of my G.O.O.D bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of my ammunition will be stored in a waterproof ammo box that I can throw in the back of my Jeep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that if the time comes I will be able to make most of the journey out of dodge in my Jeep but I think I need to face up to the fact that some or all of the trip could be on foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Note to Self: find a retreat that isn't too far away...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><em>Next post: G.O.O.D. Bag Accessories #2 Communication and Electronic Accessories (toys) for your bag</em></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-66187984159630825892011-09-16T08:15:00.001-06:002011-09-26T17:06:32.505-06:00LISTERIA IN COLORADO CANTALOUPESI'm sure you've read about the instance of the deadly Listeria (bacteria?) in cantaloupes. Allegedly, looks like the infected cantaloupes came from a Colorado farm, Jensen Farms. One woman is already suing them because her husband was infected and may never be 100% again.<br />
<br />
Absolutely LOVE cantaloupe. My garden didn't do very well this year so I ended up buying the cantaloupe I ate. Probably came from Jensen Farms. Not concerned.<br />
<br />
Jensen Farms became proactive this week, killing the rest of their crop, and recalling all produce from everywhere it was sent.<br />
<br />
Look, it's not like they purposely infected their cantaloupe. They didn't set out to poison anyone or to kill anyone. Or come up with a reason to shut down their farms.<br />
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But chances are, this will cause enough of a financial hardship that they'll need to close their doors.<br />
<br />
I feel sorry for them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-14183359704411141082011-09-04T13:53:00.000-06:002011-09-04T13:53:53.823-06:00Wake Up People!<div>As I was writing a new post for GOOD Bag Accessories I stumbled across this post on Mountain House's website:</div><br />
========================<br />
<div></div><br />
<div>Dear Valued Customers:</div><br />
<div>Currently our inventory for both cans and pouches is all being shipped to our retailers. Once all of our retailers are back in stock 100%, we will put items back in stock on our own website.<br />
<br />
To purchase our pouches, you can find them on several online retailers or you can find our pouches at most local outdoor sporting goods store. To help find a store near you, please <a href="http://www.mountainhouse.com/tools/search/dler_srch.cfm">click here</a> to do a dealer search.<br />
<br />
As you know we have removed #10 cans from our website temporarily. The reason for this is sales of #10 cans have continued to increase. OFD is allocating as much production capacity as possible to this market segment, but we must maintain capacity for our other market segments as well.<br />
<br />
To purchase our #10 cans please contact us at <a href="mailto:MH-Info@ofd.com">MH-Info@ofd.com</a> and we will be happy to direct you to those dealers now taking orders for our #10 cans.<br />
<br />
We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience. We sincerely hope you will continue to be Mountain House customers in the future. </div><br />
Oregon Freeze Dry <br />
<br />
==================================================<br />
<br />
<div>I emailed them and asked if they had even an approximate date of when they might be selling them again and they replied "No I don't have an estimated date as to when we will be able to sell #10 Cans again. Thank you for your interest and patience during the temporary shortage of #10 cans." After a little more digging around I found a post that indicated it was the US Government that bought out their entire supply almost six months ago. I definitely need to research this further but wouldn't you think that if the government was "prepping" with an absurd amount of #10 cans that something is about to come down??? </div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-16819909905628125192011-08-23T14:00:00.000-06:002011-08-23T14:00:21.624-06:00EARTHQUAKE IN COLORADOI'm kinda amazed. Awoke to the news this morning that there was an earthquake last night in Colorado, in the Trinidad area, which is near the southern border of this state. Preliminary magnitude of 5.3, worst in 44 years.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/us/24earthquake.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/us/24earthquake.html</a><br />
<br />
No, I didn't feel it, but my livestock are kinda jumpy this morning.<br />
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Did I really give consideration to preparing an earthquake bag? Nope. But I will now. Will you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-40498331135728834532011-08-21T16:57:00.000-06:002011-08-21T16:57:07.842-06:00Survival Preparedness - My Personal Journey<div><div>So I am wondering how many people like me are out there… I know TEOTWAWKI * is coming in some shape or form. Whether thru natural disaster, economic collapse, global war. Whatever, it’s coming. And here I sit, knowing this, and have done very little to prepare for it. It is easier to stay in my comfy little pattern of day-to-day than to really get down and dirty with what needs to happen to ensure my survival when the SHTF *. Oh yeah, I read the blogs out there, I go down to the shooting range and keep my aim from getting to rusty but really how long would I last if I really had to survive on my own? I’m laughing at myself as I write this. J<br />
<br />
And that is how this blog post came into existence. One minute I am reading about a fantastic chicken breeding experiment and then next I am signing up to author for this site. I think this is the kick in the pants I need! So if you’re like me, irritated at yourself for knowing you need to do something but until now having done little to nothing, I would invite you to follow me on this journey of survival preparedness.<br />
<br />
I think the best place to start is a bug out bag (BOB) or a get out of dodge bag (GOOD bag). Survival minded people are essentially broken down into three groups: those who will travel to their retreat, those who already live at their retreat and those of us who haven’t gotten around to figuring out our long term accommodations. Honestly, some of the preppers out there are a little intimidating, those in the second group. They are really (as my military friends put it) “squared away”. The sheer amount of time, effort and planning they have put into their preps is very impressive. For those of us in the first and third groups the GOOD bag is the tool that will get you from a very bad place to a very good place. It should be light enough to carry over long distances but also big enough to store enough supplies to get you to your retreat. In this post I will address the essentials for your GOOD bag, later we will discuss additional supplies that could be integrated into your bag. I would encourage any feedback as to what you feel is essential to a solid GOOD bag.<br />
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Part One – The Bag<br />
<br />
The best advice I ever got on this was to buy the very best bag you can afford. This bag has got to get you and your supplies safely out of dodge. That means a strap can’t break, the zipper has to open and close without fail and YOU have to be able to lug this thing if push comes to shove and you have to start hoofing it. Personally, I am a compartment person. I like little pockets and sleeves that help me organize and easily access my gear. Maybe this was because my Pa and I did a lot of fishing when I was a kid and I idolized his fishing vest… Who knows.<br />
<br />
Your pack should fit you and your needs. The ones that have a strap across the chest that helps you pull the shoulder straps out of your arm pits are personal favorites and I often thank them for this simple innovation on long hikes. The waist strap is also crucial, though I am not a big fan all the time, as it helps move the weight of the pack off your back and onto your legs. Again, long hikes, simple innovations, thank you thank you thank you.<br />
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Before you buy your bag it is important to have a clear idea of what you will be putting in it. I went down to the Army Navy Surplus store, REI and a few other outdoor retailers and took inventory of what was available. I also did a fairly extensive search online. After purchasing all my essential supplies I then went out and bought my bag. Got it home, started packing it - then I returned it and bought a different one. It is a bit of trial and error but it has got to work for you and it has to accommodate everything you will need when you bug out. Quite honestly I could rant on about the qualities of a good BOB but there are fantastic sources already available. I would recommend checking out this post for an extremely comprehensive GOOD bag breakdown.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.survivalblog.com/">http://www.survivalblog.com/</a> Posted: Saturday, July 30, 2011<br />
<a href="http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/07/the_will_to_act_your_ultimate.html" target="_blank">The Will to Act: Your Ultimate Bug-out Kit by R.B.</a><br />
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Part Two – The Essentials<br />
<br />
Basically you need four things in your bag: shelter, fire, food and water.<br />
<br />
1) Shelter<br />
Your shelter might consist of just a tarp, maybe a light weight tent or even a hammock. When you are bugging out and constantly on the move a tent is not super realistic but if environmental factors dictate that you need one a good lightweight tent might be a necessity. Personally I am too much of a girl not to have one. That isn’t to say that a few days or weeks into bugging out I won’t throw it out and switch to my tarp. If you can fit it AND carry it then options make your life a lot easier. Whatever you choose it needs to be compactable. Weather conditions dictate that you need a combination of sleeping bags. You don’t get to choose a nice summer day to have to bug out in. It could be the dead of winter with a few inches to a couple of feet of snow on the ground. And if you are freezing at night, you’re not sleeping and rest is crucial to survival. I can hardly function when I haven’t gotten a good night sleep in my own bed. Therefore, get a sleeping system that consists of a warm weather bag, a cold weather bag and a bivy bag. Use all three when Mother Nature decides to test you. Also under the shelter category would be your clothing and shoes, however, these items need attention on a more detailed level and will be discussed in future posts.<br />
<br />
2) Fire<br />
Now, this isn’t your childhood campfire. As much as I love the smell and the feel, the fact is if you are trying to get safely to your retreat without the world knowing where you are; a smoky campfire is a gigantic flare signaling your position. It is also important to note that the smoke emitted from some wood is toxic so be sure to try and familiarize yourself with the plant life that you will encounter on your way to your retreat. Never EVER rely on one method to start your fire. You should carry at least three with you: sparking steel, waterproof matches, and a refillable all-metal lighter. All are fairly light and small. Now here’s a little secret, okay it is not really a secret, but it feels like it to me… I love my my little Ranger stove. It is a multi fuel stove and just makes everything that much easier. Its principle function is to make a contained, intense and protected fire. A small stove will also make food and water preparations quick and more efficient.<br />
<br />
3) Food<br />
There are many different arguments for what type of food is best for your GOOD bag. Whatever you choose it must sustain you for the duration of your journey to your retreat plus enough for unexpected delays. In future posts we will look more in depth at food.<br />
<br />
4) Water<br />
Here is the pure and simple truth. Your body can not survive without water. Without food, someone who is well-hydrated can survive for nearly a month but without water most will perish in three to five days. I do a lot of hiking so I am a big proponent of the CamelBak bladders. I plan on having two in my bag and an extra in case of failure in one of the others. Again the girl in me comes out when it comes to having to refill my bladders. The idea of filtering water through a cloth and then boiling or using some type of purification tablet just grosses me out. However, I have a feeling that chunky water will be very appealing after an afternoon or full day without water at all. Much like fire, it is unwise to rely on one form of water purification. My goal for the next month is to actually try a few of these out while hiking. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
Part Three – The other essentials<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpNxPN1Wzgc/TkqIdzjTiNI/AAAAAAAAAA0/tcUkK4Anj_k/s1600/BoB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="149" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641471528870840530" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpNxPN1Wzgc/TkqIdzjTiNI/AAAAAAAAAA0/tcUkK4Anj_k/s200/BoB.jpg" style="float: left; height: 239px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" width="200" /></a><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
First Aid Kit<br />
Breakdown Shovel<br />
Multi Tool<br />
Knife<br />
Rope<br />
Headlamps<br />
Duct Tape<br />
Compass </div><br />
Missing a few things but here is my bag so far (above).<br />
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<div></div><br />
<div>Again, I would encourage any feedback on what you consider <em>your</em> essentials.<br />
<br />
Next post: GOOD bag Accessories<br />
<br />
<em>Written by: Sumac</em><br />
= = = = = = =<br />
<br />
* TEOTWAWKI = The End Of The World As We Know It<br />
<br />
* SHTF = Sh*t Hits the Fan</div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-16134930503491302912011-08-15T13:45:00.001-06:002011-08-15T13:52:17.764-06:00COLORADO IS IN THE NEWS<span style="color: black;">I'm flabbergasted. Someone sent me this </span><a href="http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/OliverDelSignore/2011/08/12/are-preppers-the-new-terrorists-fbi-wants-military-surplus-stores-to-spy-on-customers/"><span style="color: black;">link</span></a><span style="color: black;"> ... here it is reprinted (didn't have time to ask for permission so I sure hope it's ok.)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<h2><blockquote><h2><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_438669166" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Are preppers the new terrorists? FBI wants military surplus stores to spy on customers"><span style="color: black;">Are preppers the new terrorists? FBI wants military surplus stores to spy on customers</span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_438669166" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Are preppers the new terrorists? FBI wants military surplus stores to spy on customers"></a><span style="color: black;"> </span></h2><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">Friday, August 12th, 2011 </span><br />
<div class="entry1"><div><span style="color: black;"></span></div></div><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">What do you folks make of the flyer reproduced below?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">It’s a new FBI handout that’s being distributed in that hotbed of potential terrorism, Colorado, USA according to a </span><a href="http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/08/10/7769/"><span style="color: black;">Wednesday Oath Keepers posting</span></a><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">According to the FBI, if you value your privacy, that makes you suspicious. Or if you buy a lot of MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) or stuff like weatherproofed ammunition or match containers or dangerous stuff like night vision devices, night flashlights, and gas masks. It’s good to know, though, that the FBI apparently thinks daytime flashlights are okay. After all, many of us do need flashlights to augment daytime sunlight so we can properly see.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">And they do let you know that</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Some of the activities, taken individually, could be innocent and must be examined by law enforcement professionals in a larger context to determine whether there is a basis to investigate. The activities outlined on this handout are by no means all-inclusive but have been compiled from a review of terrorist events over several years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">So on the one hand, they tell you that one of the listed activities by itself does not necessarily mean the person is a potential terrorist. On the other hand, they remind you that there are many other, undisclosed activities, that should be considered suspicious, thus encouraging us to report pretty much everyone so “law enforcement professionals” can examine them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">What I like best, though, is the fine print.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">You know how advertisers often put the disclosures they hope you won’t read in small print at the bottom of the ad? I guess the FBI figured if it works for used car sales it can work for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Each indicator listed above, is by itself, lawful conduct or behavior and may also constitute the exercise of rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In addition, there may be a wholly innocent explanation for conduct or behavior that appears suspicious in nature. For this reason, no single indicator should be the sole basis for law enforcement action. The totality of behavioral indicators and other relevant circumstances should be evaluated when considering any law enforcement response or action.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Well, that’s good to know. Just buying some MREs probably won’t get me flagged. But if I buy a few cases of MREs, a weatherproof match container for camping, and pass over the daytime flashlights and buy one to use at night, in the dark, I should expect a visit from the feds to make sure I’m not up to something nefarious.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">So…what do you think of this latest attempt by the feds to get us all spying on one-another?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Note: Click on the graphic to view a larger version.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></blockquote></h2><em><span style="color: black;">(graphic not included here but you can see it on the linked website)</span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Read some of the comments people left at that </span><a href="http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/OliverDelSignore/2011/08/12/are-preppers-the-new-terrorists-fbi-wants-military-surplus-stores-to-spy-on-customers/"><span style="color: black;">link</span></a><span style="color: black;">. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Here's some info from that second link:</span><br />
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: black;">NOTE FROM STEWART RHODES, FOUNDER OF OATH KEEPERS:</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Islamist terrorists are not known to hang out in local Army-Navy surplus stores, stocking up on MRE’s, high capacity magazines and bi-pods for their long range rifles. <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">As Brandon Smith,<a href="http://www.alt-market.com/articles/222-obama-readies-citizen-spies-for-action"> over at Alt-market.com</a> notes, “These are very common purchases, not for terrorists, but for Preppers and Survivalists, who are obviously the targets of the FBI profile, not secret Al-Qaeda agents.” Spot on. </span></strong>Obviously the current crop of FBI “leadership” considers anyone who wants to be self-sufficient and prepared to be a “threat” that should be relentlessly tracked and reported.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">So if you take preparedness seriously enough to buy a few cases of MREs, or if you see the wisdom in having spare “high capacity” (i.e. full capacity*) magazines for your rifles or pistols, if you don’t want your matches to get wet, if you want to be able to see in the dark, or if you want to be able to shoot more accurately by using a bipod, “you might be a terrorist” (like a bizarre Jeff Foxworthy joke), and the FBI wants your neighborhood Army Surplus Store to play the role of government informant and snitch, like something out of East Germany. As Brandon Smith put it, the FBI handout “<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">even instructs store owners to subtly interrogate their customers in order to draw a fuller profile. THIS IS CALLED CITIZEN SPYING. Period.” Spot on again. That’s exactly what it is – a preparedness focused </span></strong>“see something, say something” snitch program to help track and locate Americans who exhibit such dangerous “prepper” tendencies.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">How far we have come from the Founder’s ideal of a “well regulated” (well equipped and well trained) citizen militia where ALL able bodied citizens were expected to keep and bear their own weapons, ammunition, field gear, and other supplies essential to personal military capability and competence. And the Founders expected us to keep that military gear <span style="text-decoration: underline;">at home</span> and to actually train together in its use so we would “be prepared” for anything, you know, like the </span><a href="http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsmotto.asp"><span style="color: black;">Boy Scouts motto</span></a><span style="color: black;">. That motto is a sad remnant of the Founders’ ideal of a prepared citizenry. As the Boy Scouts website still notes:</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">“<strong>Be Prepared</strong>.”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">That’s the motto of the Boy Scouts.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">“Be prepared for what?” someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting,</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">“Why, for any old thing.” said Baden-Powell.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Under the logic of this most recent handout, the Boy Scouts should be reported as “suspicious.” I can just hear the people at Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), who likely helped write this handout, screeching “Someone report Baden-Powell to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force! He’s advocating an extremist, paranoid “prepper” ideology! Oh, wait …he’s dead? Well then, report anyone who quotes him! Such as that subversive remnant of American reactionary radicalization of the youth, the Boy Scouts! That’s a hotbed for extremist radicalization. Why haven’t they been shut down yet?! Someone get Cass Sunstein and Holder on the phone!”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The Founders would have wanted all of us, every one, to “be prepared” for “any old thing.” They would have wanted us to have night vision, gas masks (which come in handy in many situations), “high-capacity” magazines – and the powerful military pattern rifles that use them – bi-pods so we can shoot accurately at long distance, and plenty of ammunition in “weatherproofed” containers (also known as </span><a href="http://www.armysurplusworld.com/display.asp?subDepartmentID=118"><span style="color: black;">surplus ammo cans</span></a><span style="color: black;">). They would have wanted us to have plenty of MRE’s for handy field use, and even “night flashlights.” I suppose “day flashlights” are OK with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, but those dangerous “night flashlights” are <em>verboten</em>, and anyone who buys one must be reported! I certainly hope it wasn’t actually someone at the FBI who wrote that.**</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">This absurd list sounds like it was compiled by someone at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) or by someone at the Brady Center. I’m shocked it doesn’t also list purchase of “those shoulder things that go up” as a potential indicator of terrorist activity. And it may well have been written by the SPLC. </span><a href="http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2010/10/08/its-official-southern-poverty-law-center-is-now-part-of-dhs/"><span style="color: black;">As Oath Keepers exposed</span></a><span style="color: black;"> in October of 2010, the CEO of Southern Poverty Law Center now sits on the DHS “Working Group on Countering Violent Extremism,” which is tasked with designing training initiatives that reach right down to the local community level (as in “communities against terrorism”), to include training local police, social workers, teachers, “child protective services” personnel, and mental health professionals on how to use their power and influence to “counter violent extremism.”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I don’t have to tell you who SPLC likes to label “extremist.” You already know. Just look in the mirror. If you dare to quote the Founding Fathers, if you still believe in the self evident truths and principles of liberty espoused in the Declaration of Independence, if you advocate strict obedience of the Constitution, if you dare to take your oath seriously, and encourage others to do likewise, you are a radical “extremist” according to the SPLC and their “Hate Watch” website, and they will lump you in with neo-Nazis, skinheads, cop-killers and terrorists. And likewise if you support Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, or Michelle Bachmann, or if you watch Judge Andrew Napolitano’s Freedom Watch show or like Glenn Beck, since all of them are considered “enablers” of extremism by the SPLC. And of course, Oath Keepers has been a target of their smear campaigns from the day of its founding. I consider it a badge of honor. You know you’re over the target when Mark Potok starts screeching about you on national TV.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">And now, as part of the DHS “team,” SPLC is doing their very best to turn the full power of government on you at every level, right down to your local “Mayberry” Police Department. And that’s where handouts like this one come in, encouraging the whole community to be out there monitoring, tracking, compiling dossiers, and investigating anyone who advocates or holds the views and ideals of the Founders or who is actually trying to fulfill their civic duties by practicing those ideals – such as the ideals of preparedness, competence at arms, and being well equipped and well trained.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Funny thing is, who exactly do the authors of these handouts think they are talking to when they ask gun store and military surplus store owners and staff to spy on their customers and serve as a network of government snitches? These stores are usually owned and staffed by veterans, who are also very preparedness minded – in other words, just like the customers the government wants them to inform on. That’s like handing the MIAC report to Ron Paul and Chuck Baldwin supporters and asking them to keep an eye on those pesky, subversive, and potentially dangerous Ron Paul and Chuck Baldwin supporters. It’s absurd.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">In fact, asking military surplus store owners and staff to keep an eye out for people who like to stock up on MREs, high capacity magazines, flashlights, and weatherproofed ammo and match containers is like asking a shoe store to keep an eye out for people who take footwear seriously.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">And when a store owner gets this list of “potential indicators of terrorist activities” and sees the items he stocks listed there, what is that saying about him? If he is intentionally stocking MRE,s, “night flashlights,” weatherproof ammunition or match containers, or any of the other common-sense, useful items on this list, that makes him an “enabler” and supplier of potential terrorists – at least in the eyes of the authors of this handout.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">If the powers that be, and the authors of this silly handout are worried about customers of military surplus stores, I can only imagine what they think of readers of </span><a href="http://www.survivalblog.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.survivalblog.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> or of the listeners and readers of Preparedness Podcast (</span><a href="http://thepreparednesspodcast.com/"><span style="color: black;">http://thepreparednesspodcast.com/</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">And they are probably on the verge of having strokes over Oath Keepers recently announced Operation Sleeping Giant (</span><a href="http://www.operationsleepinggiant.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.operationsleepinggiant.com</span></a><span style="color: black;">) where we openly urge all veterans to be prepared and to take a leadership role in getting their communities prepared for anything by focusing on four key areas:</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>1. Food storage, fuel storage, emergency medical, and communications security</strong> <strong>and independence (and general preparedness)</strong>.<strong> </strong>Since food is the hardest thing to improvise, it comes first, so we advocate doing as the Mormons do, by taking food storage seriously [including some MREs!]<strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>2. Physical security and Independence</strong> – to include neighborhood watches; mutual aid associations; a volunteer sheriff’s posse (under direct command of the sheriff); and county militias established by county ordinances but staffed by self-supplied and self-funded volunteers (as is done in volunteer fire departments all over this nation); state defense forces under command of the governor; and ultimately, a true state militia, established by state statute, and capable of “repelling invasions” [just imagine Mark Potok reading that!].</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>3.</strong><strong> Economic security and independence – </strong>as individuals and communities, including barter networks, use of silver and gold as real money, and sound money bills at the county and state levels (as Utah just passed). See </span><a href="http://www.alt-market.com/" title="http://www.alt-market.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.alt-market.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> for details.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>4. State sovereignty and nullification</strong> of unconstitutional federal laws and actions. The focus here is on restoring the Republic from the bottom up, by voting out oath breakers and voting in constitutionalists, till we have sheriffs, local and state legislators, and governors who have the knowledge, courage, and integrity to keep their oaths, up to and including being willing to defend the Constitution and the powers reserved to the states and to the people (see the Tenth Amendment) by supporting state sovereignty resolutions and nullification of unconstitutional laws.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">[Go to </span><a href="http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/08/10/7769/www.operationsleepinggiant.com"><span style="color: black;">www.operationsleepinggiant.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> for more details on that program, and please get involved!]</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">When the government distributes handouts encouraging gun stores and military surplus stores to track, monitor, and snitch on their customers, you know we are in trouble. But the answer is not to hide, afraid to train and practice preparedness. The answer is for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">everyone</span> to become a “prepper”, as in all the rebellious gladiators yelling out “I am Spartacus!” when the Roman General demanded to know where Spartacus was. The proper spirit of response it be like Founding Father John Hancock saying “here, let me write my name nice and big, so King George can easily read it.”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">That attitude is also expressed in Isaiah 6:8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The answer to the government’s silly lists is to make the lists so damn long they end up including every able bodied American (who is supposed to be the militia anyway), and thus the damnable lists become useless. Each of us should, rather than being afraid of buying preparedness gear, step up and go shopping, and encourage others to do the same, online, in person, wherever. Give preparedness items as birthday presents and Christmas gifts. Make them a badge of honor, like the Founding generation proudly wearing home-spun. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Make the lists so big they become useless.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">When the beast is in your face, trying to crush and stamp out the last remnants of your heritage, trying to chill your speech and make you afraid to fulfill your civic duties, afraid to keep your oath by stepping up and getting your community ready for hard times ahead – when the beast is trying to “nudge” you into sitting down, shutting up, and being a dependent, unprepared, scared, and cowardly serf, the answer is to step right up and answer the call. “Here I am. Send me!” should be the battle cry of every one of you.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I recently </span><a href="http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/08/05/quartzsite-police-chief-calls-oath-keepers-and-tea-party-%E2%80%9Cterrorists%E2%80%9D-and-reports-them-to-the-fbi/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">responded to the Police Chief of Quartzsite Arizona</span></a><span style="color: black;">, who likes to make references to “domestic terrorism” when discussing upstart Tea Party people, Oath Keepers and Sons of Liberty Riders, by saying hey, “we’re your huckleberries, Chief.” (and we’ll be marching in Quartzsite on August 27th in support of the Quartzsite Ten!).</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Same goes for this nonsense. If the FBI and DHS wants to openly target preparedness minded folks as “suspicious” and worthy of being reported to the Joint Terrorism Task Force, for simply doing what the Founders expected us to do, and what we veterans are duty bound by our oaths to do, and what <span style="text-decoration: underline;">every American</span>, if they wish to be worthy of being called “citizen” is duty bound to do, well then, Robert and Janet, we’re your huckleberries too! Get in line.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito (Latin: <em>Do not give in to evil but proceed ever more boldly against it</em>)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Stewart Rhodes,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Founder of Oath Keepers</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">* Hat tip to James Wesley, Rawles of </span><a href="http://www.survivalblog.com/"><span style="color: black;">Survival Blog</span></a><span style="color: black;"> who encourages the use of the term “full capacity” magazines rather than the anti-gunner term “high capacity” since the magazines in question were <span style="text-decoration: underline;">designed</span> to carry that many rounds.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">** We have heard, through the gape-vine, that many current serving FBI field agents are in agreement with us and support what we are doing here at Oath Keepers. They are not happy <span style="text-decoration: underline;">at all</span> with the politicization of the FBI, but the “leaders” in Washington DC are another matter entirely, and have expressed an intent to use the FBI, along with DHS, BATF, etc., as a weapon against conservatives and constitutionalists. Will be interesting to see how that tension is resolved.</span></blockquote><span style="color: black;">Back to me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">First, disclaimer. I'm not religious but didn't want to delete that part of the quote since it is relevant. I also don't particularly care for James Rawles but he's got some good info on his survivalblog website.</span><span style="color: black;">Okay, now ... what do we Coloradans do? What do we AMERICANs do? Roll over and play dead? We don't stock up from our garden just in case next year all of our crops are taken out by hail storms? We don't prepare for the blizzards that knock out our power and keep us confined for days? We don't make arrangements to have food for the next time social security decides to get dropped or our spouse gets laid off.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">And why are they singling out Colorado?</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">That makes me believe that even more people are reading this blog than I thought. Well, Mr. Gubment people, eat ****.</span><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-22614384889108928612011-08-11T09:28:00.000-06:002011-08-11T09:28:30.163-06:00UPDATE ON CHICKENS & OTHER ANIMALSHave I really not talked about my cross-breed experiment of chickens since January 2011? Well, between my son suddenly getting epilepsy, terrible weather, and so much more, the time has flown by in a blur. Okay, so here's an update.<br />
<br />
Latest count of farmette critters on our little 2 acres:<br />
4 mini goats (2 does in milk, 1 buck, 1 wether) (sold 4 goat babies this year)<br />
1 puppy (lab, to be my son's service dog)<br />
69 or so chickens<br />
<br />
Yep, you read right. We've gone from 11 chickens to about 69 in just a few short months. Yes we ordered some but many have been hatched from our own eggs. Let's see if I can give the rundown:<br />
<br />
<u>Pen #1 (to produce eggs to sell to pay for feed):</u><br />
Lenny, the rooster, easter egger<br />
Henny Penny, an easter egger hen<br />
4 easter eggers girls we raised from chicks last year (#5 in maternity ward)<br />
2 marans girls<br />
2 leghorns girls<br />
1 bantam egger girl who didn't make the cut to breeding project<br />
1 bantam silkie boy who also didn't make the cut<br />
1 gold star pullet<br />
7 various chicks hatched from our own eggs (all eggers)<br />
<br />
<u>Pen #2 (to produce all further birds to butcher):</u><br />
Stripes, 1 marans roo<br />
3 marans girls<br />
4 black australorp girls we raised from chicks last year<br />
3 chicks from our own eggs, egger/black australorp crosses<br />
19 black australorp (most going to butcher this weekend)<br />
<br />
<u>Pen #3 (bantams for cross-breeding project):</u><br />
17: some little easter eggers and some little blue silkies<br />
<br />
<u>Maternity Ward:</u><br />
Lola, an easter egger we got as a chick in 2010<br />
her 6 chicks hatched from our eggs in July<br />
<br />
<u>Goat Pen:</u><br />
BB, a bantam rooster who has health problems<br />
2 silkie young roosters<br />
1 black australorp young rooster (cockerel)<br />
1 black australorp pullet<br />
<br />
We get between 5 and 8 eggs a day. Each week this increases as the girls get to the point of laying. However, 15 or so of the black australorps in Pen #2 will be "processed" this weekend (for freezing and dehydrating). Also will be selling many of our chicks. We don't want to feed everyone this winter!<br />
<br />
As far as the cross-breeding program, now that the little eggers have started laying and we know who's a boy and who's a girl, it's time to separate them. We're building two pens inside the garage, near a doggy door. Probably be done in the next couple of weeks. Egger boys will be in one pen with silkie girls, and silkie boys will be in the other with egger girls. There will be a small "tunnel" to the doggy door that leads to a small 20x20 exercise yard outside. And the exercise run will be surrounded by thorny blackberries (edible landscaping!) to keep predators and nosy neighbors out. The pens will alternate on their days outside.<br />
<br />
As soon as one of these girls (either breed) goes broody (wants to hatch eggs), we're going to separate her and give her all the bantam eggs she can handle. 21 days later, we'll have more baby chicks. Crossed! Then we'll watch them all carefully, making notes who was a good mom, who grew up to be a quiet chicken who lays well-formed eggs and often, and so forth.<br />
<br />
How are YOUR chicken projects going?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-89080051845009389472011-08-08T16:19:00.000-06:002011-08-08T16:19:06.063-06:00HEAT WAVES AND THE ECONOMYWith the record heat waves attacking all over, civil unrest in various places (including London?!?!), fires, droughts, PLUS this USA economy, and so on, I really hope you've taken matters into your own hands.<br />
<br />
(1) Stock up on foods and water because prices are going UP! Concentrate not only on staples like rice, oats, veggies, fruits and protein, but include a few "fun" items in there, like dum-dum suckers, jars of marinated artichoke hearts or other long-term storage gourmet goodies.<br />
<br />
(2) Fill up your propane tank NOW for the winter, and keep your vehicle's gas tank filled up too. Gas prices are pretty decent right now but we all know how quickly that can change.<br />
<br />
(3) Keep in touch with your neighbors just in case things happen where you are.<br />
<br />
(4) Don't run your electricity up trying to stay cool. Wanna veg this evening after work? Put on your swim suit and get in the bathtub with a magazine and a tub of cool water. That's bring down your body temp to where you are comfy enough to sleep.<br />
<br />
(5) Open your windows at night and let the cool breeze in. Close them up first thing in the morning. And close those blinds and curtains! They don't keep out enough light/heat? Get out those thick blankets and tack them around your window. Who cares if it looks tacky? At least you'll be comfy.<br />
<br />
<br />
And about this economy, WTH?!?! Make plans NOW to un-elect your local representatives. They are so scared about losing their jobs and unwavering paychecks that they don't do diddly to get this budget in balance. It's because of them and their fear that we're in even further a mess. GO AWAY! Get these politicians OUT of office and vote in people who can successfully run a business. Those people might have a better chance of just doing what needs to be doing PLUS they won't balk at the possibility of losing their paychecks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-69605801287905446642011-02-07T10:59:00.002-07:002011-02-07T11:38:47.646-07:00DEDICATIONSomething I absolutely need to say: so many of us think we can just store a few things, plus guns and ammo, and plan that when things get ready to hit the fan, you'll have time to order the seeds, plant the garden, and acquire your farm animals.<br /><br />Don't plan on it.<br /><br />Sure you MIGHT have time to order seeds, but if you haven't been amending your soil, planning out your garden, marking where the sun hits (all seasons), shadows, and all ... trust me, your garden won't provide food for you.<br /><br />And yeah, you might have time to get a couple of chickens or a goat, but there is SO much more to it than that. Proper housing for ALL temperatures. Feeding when there are no convenient bags of feed available. What to do when they get sick. How to increase their production.<br /><br />So much to know that you can't possibly get just from books. Experience is the best teacher.<br /><br />If you really want to provide for your family in times of trouble, make your plan to get started NOW! Don't put it off, thinking you'll have time later.<br /><br />Because, quite frankly, you probably won't.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-36986471911893447782011-01-07T05:00:00.004-07:002014-03-11T14:27:05.229-06:00Quiet Chickens for PreppersI know a lot of preppers are concerned about providing meat/protein for their family if the stuff hits the fan, and I've been thinking about that too. We have 14 chickens here on our little acreage (9 pullets/young hens, 3 older hens and 2 roosters), but wow the roosters are LOUD! Would they be safe if something happens and people start scavenging for food, particularly meat? Nope. My roosters would announce their presence that first day, and never again have the opportunity to crow again.<br />
<br />
And seriously, we'll need roosters to increase our flock for not only our use but also to sell to other preppers! What's the solution? A quieter rooster.<br />
<br />
So I'm working on a cross breed of chicken:<br />
-cold hardy<br />
-bears confinement well<br />
-goes broody (wants to set on and hatch eggs)<br />
-lays well<br />
<br />
... and because my son likes green-shelled eggs, lays colored eggs. We don't want a dual-purpose bird (egg laying AND meat) because my autistic son would refuse to eat the birds, and really, so would I. We're just fine eating eggs every day.<br />
<br />
I'm getting ready to order day-old chicks of two breeds:<br />
<br />
SILKIE:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGZUqyXLUBrI8YqlKUBHX1uXLT7rMB4iQw-J29n5p3x8n1MoEv0ipvr3NgxNPkA76_69YwN1-miiorsGx5hTalhyphenhyphenJOhUUqF3_swH9QAH20vSaM-jK86iwp7b47HsHPS7CFCnv8DQxrm8/s1600/blksilkie.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGZUqyXLUBrI8YqlKUBHX1uXLT7rMB4iQw-J29n5p3x8n1MoEv0ipvr3NgxNPkA76_69YwN1-miiorsGx5hTalhyphenhyphenJOhUUqF3_swH9QAH20vSaM-jK86iwp7b47HsHPS7CFCnv8DQxrm8/s200/blksilkie.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559177493185648690" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 114px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
small, broodiest of all chickens, sweet, don't fly because feathers are different, used to being confined, roosters crow quietly because of the smaller bodies, don't lay eggs very often. Their skin is black instead of white so it's unappetizing to most americans. Come in many colors, like white, buff, black and splash. Hens get up to 32 oz each, and roosters 36 oz each.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE33yg3DBx5eLOni6PfR38xCYavkZxVU8UZ0Z5VNKgbZKkkNe3T-DyXS2hpQynrOgh3g0lKDGamIBFkQHH26KAuYbAuizlZWnDldyfgBMZBMbD5r5LS7wpOAn_jbpG0GlKpMKPefXdn70/s1600/aruacanaban.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE33yg3DBx5eLOni6PfR38xCYavkZxVU8UZ0Z5VNKgbZKkkNe3T-DyXS2hpQynrOgh3g0lKDGamIBFkQHH26KAuYbAuizlZWnDldyfgBMZBMbD5r5LS7wpOAn_jbpG0GlKpMKPefXdn70/s200/aruacanaban.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559177488993318290" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 98px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>BANTAM EASTER EGGER:<br />
lay green or blue eggs, lay about 200 eggs a year, bears confinement well, cold hardy, smaller than regular/standard easter eggers, not broody at all. Come in many different colors and changes every time they molt so you can never predict by looking at the mother or the day-old chick what the adult chicken will look like. Hens get up to 26 oz each, and roosters get up to 32 oz each.<br />
<br />
A cross/hybrid of these two chickens should produce a very small chicken (at most from 1 1/2 to 2 pounds each). Should be small enough for even apartment dwellers! The resulting eggs would be just slightly larger than a quail egg and slightly smaller than a "small chicken egg" that you'd find in the grocery. Still, 5 laying hens from this cross should produce 2-4 eggs a day. That's a good source of healthy protein for one to two people.<br />
<br />
Just a note: Our regular-sized easter eggers are very sweet. My son has even taught one to sit on his shoulder, and most of them come as soon as they know we have a plastic baggie (which means snack-time!) in our hands. We've been keeping a single chicken inside the house this past week, changing them out every 3 days) to see if we can tolerate the smell, and to see just how noisy are they. Answer: not too terribly smelly, and by themselves, the girls really don't make much noise, except to coo and trill as we walk past the crate.<br />
<br />
Anyway, our plan is to create this special breed of "survival chicken". Eventually, we'll move them into the garage and possibly into a bedroom in the house (or apartment). They'll free-range when they can (weather/circumstances permitting) but for the most part, they'll be my/our pet chickens and egg-laying friends!<br />
<br />
Question: has anyone else crossed breeds of chickens for their "survival" purposes? If so, what breeds did you cross, and how is it working out?<br />
<br />
=========================<br />
<br />
UPDATE MARCH 11 2014<br />
<br />
I successfully crossed the eggers and silkies. Two generations. We call them "silgers"! The more silkie in them, the nicer and quieter they were. The more egger, the louder and flightier they were.<br />
We still have some. The silkies are absolutely terrific moms, setting on a golf ball for weeks on end.<br />
<br />
Planning on doing the experiment again, but with silkies and a diff bantam chicken instead of the easter egger. That is probably a 2015 project. Eggers are too flighty and unpredictable.<br />
<br />
However, NONE of the roosters were quiet.<br />
<br />
If you want a hidden source of eggs, you need an insulated room or garage, and quail. They aren't QUITE as noisy!<br />
<br />
If you want a hidden source of meat, quail will work, but just as efficient is rabbits.<br />
<br />
Think about it!<br />
<br />
====================<br />
<br />
Please visit www.survival-cooking.blogspot.com for more information. Thank you.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-30150556343713756772011-01-05T16:57:00.003-07:002011-01-05T17:50:51.956-07:00How to find other preppersHere are some helpful hints on finding other preppers locally and in your surrounding area. Its going to be a task in itself since we are being bombarded with propaganda that makes us distrust our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers and even our own family.<br /><br />When homeland security does a campaign using American money against Americans based upon "if you see something, say something" it makes you wonder, who do I trust or who will I trust moving forward?. Look beyond it, be different.<br /><br />The best way to build up or build upon a group this late in the game is start with family. Make sure you can trust family first, brother-in-law, mother-in-law. There are like minded people out there including family but maybe they're worried about their own opinion? I know of many family members who have finally had this awakening and are saying, you are right and I heard it on Glenn Beck. What do I do?<br /><br />Even if they had to hear it on one of "their media" sources to open their eyes, they heard it somewhere and it did opened their eyes. When someone realizes "something's not right here" human nature implores them to seek out more.<br /><br />Meet with people, go to the diner, discuss what you hear, see and feel. Maybe someone will overhear you and want to join the conversation? At least you are doing something. If you are doing nothing you are helping no one and possibly lending time and effort to the people who are pulling the economic and social strings. Doing nothing you are lending credence to the global takeover, the NWO.<br /><br />Meet, meet and meet more. People know people.<br /><br />Place an ad. Every week in our local shopping paper someone adds a message: Lets meet, are you tired of how our government writes laws against it's people... You may find a few people that way, be outgoing. Start a trading ad, trade something others might need if the grid fails that you can afford to lose and when they call start up "that" conversation.<br /><br />There are many many options today to meet people. People are out of work and many are anxious to know about what to expect if there is a problem, where to go, who to trust. The same as you, they just might not know it.DocDochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01666346839528149816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6230312845184949765.post-29752524184139271612010-11-21T18:53:00.001-07:002010-11-21T18:55:11.320-07:00Author Wanted for this BlogDo you live in Colorado? Do you prepare for the worst case scenario and hope for the best? Are you NOT uber-religious?<br /><br />And do you like to write?<br /><br />We're looking for someone to start contributing to this blog, on a weekly basis, about being a prepper in Colorado. Please leave a comment, or e-mail vikkibooks (at) yahoo DOT com.<br /><br />Thanks!ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com3