I keep watching the talks of this massive bail out and keep wondering how it will affect me. Well I have came to the conclusion we all will have to pay for these idiots. I say let them come down, let the market corrected it self. We have seen and heard enough on this bailout, so on to another subject.
Are your walls to your castle strong and fortified? There has been nice time of working around the castle. I tell you this I am not completely prepared, but I am much better prepared then when I started this blog.
I would suggest all prepper's check out www.freecycle.org it is a great way to get prep supplies for free. It is basically a network of people in your area that give away different stuff to keep items from going to the landfill. Sometimes there are great finds others well they just need to go to the landfill.
Compost - As I sit here to write my blog I have to keep dealing with a squirrel that keeps using my antlers from a deer to sharpen its teeth. Does anyone have a great way to get away from my compost pile and off my antlers?
I was going to shot it with a BB gun that I have, but it needs to be repaired. I think I will contact Crossman and see if they can repair it. It is one that I have had since I was kid. I don't want to give it up just yet. If anyone has info on repairing of BB guns or where to find it please drop me a line.
Now that it is fall don't forget to put all those nice leafies piles and grass clippings into the compost pile and have good soil for next years planting season.
Winter - Who is ready for it? I am starting to prepare for my winter time strategy. We are looking to cut down on heating cost, so we are investing in a kerosene heater. We have started going through our blankets and seeing if any need to be replaced. We need to get all the good stuff to make my bean & ham soup. It is awesome, just ask the Wife. Time to whip out your winter plan, if you don't have one put it down on paper.
Today- I will be going over my B.O.B for and making sure they are ready and complete to be used when need be. I need to have two different sets for... the wife & kids and one for me. I will bring the list of things in there later today.
On a side note, Sorry for not posting in such a long time, but had to deal with my family issues. The ones that know what I am talking about everything is now fine.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-09-28
2008-09-17
When Reality Slaps You In The Face
Here’s a rare treat for you Foraging Prepper regular readers. “The Wife” is going to share her thoughts today.
Hello, I’m Rook’s wife, affectionately referred to as simply “The Wife”.
I’m going to start by saying that my husband has always been an “out of the box” kind of thinker. He has always gone against the grain of “normalcy”. I, on the other hand, have always tried to blend into the woodwork. However, that’s not an easy thing to do when you marry someone like Rook. He is a different kind of thinker, indeed. So when he speaks about a “new idea”, I usually just shrug my shoulders and half tune him out. This prepping business was no exception. However, shortly before he did his post with me canning, I started actually taking the blinders off and started listening to what the politicians and media were saying about the economy and our future in this country. I started taking notice of the banks and larger companies being sold to other companies or filing for bankruptcy. I started taking notice to the rising concerns about oil and environmental issues. And I started realizing that my husband may not be as crazy as I once thought.
There are many books in the Bible that instruct us on how to live. But there is one book in particular, the book of Revelation, which refers specifically to living in “end times” and watching for God’s wrath to cover this earth. It talks about being aware of what’s around us and not just believing in what we see or think we see. There are plenty of people who feel that Christians are crazy just like many people believe that those who are prepping are crazy. I was once one of those people who didn’t believe in God and I also didn’t believe that life as we know it could ever end. However, in light of recent news reports of large companies like AIG and Lehman Bros declaring bankruptcy and/or being sold to larger companies just to survive, one has to wonder about the state of life as we know it. What will things look like in 10 years? What kind of environment are our children going to grow up under? Did we have it so easy, then carelessly let it slip through our fingers? The answer is a resounding YES.
We have two children, both of which are very smart, funny, imaginative and loving. Parents always want better for their kids. In the near future, our kids will wind up having it much worse than we’ve ever imagined unless we start doing things differently now. People need to ignore the norms of society. We need to work to ensure an adequate future for our families no matter how crazy that may look to others!
We prepare for so many other things without a second thought, weddings, graduations, birthday parties, retirement, buying first homes, college, the list is endless. So why are we so willing to laugh off the idea of preparing for a future without modern conveniences at our fingertips or a collapsing economic structure that could leave us virtually paralyzed! We must start the process of growing and canning our own food, learning how to sew our own clothing, having a stock pile of various items on hand in case stores are no longer operating for whatever reason.
It is those very reasons listed, that I now support my husband’s efforts to prep because I can’t afford not to. Life as we have been so accustomed to is inevitably changing. No matter who is elected President this November, the world is changing. We can’t go back to a “simpler” time. We can only look toward the future. Do you want to go on living life with the blinders on and pretending that the Government is going to fix our problems and we’ll return to “normalcy” soon? Wake up and realize that certain systems are failing and something has got to change. There are some things even the Government can’t fix. The changes that occur in the future may not bring about the kind of change everyone is hoping for!
Is your family prepared for the worst of times? If it isn’t, you’d better start prepping now. You don’t have to go into debt and hide in a cave tomorrow. But every small step you take today can help your family comfortably live through a crisis that is inevitably on the horizon. As for Rook’s family, we will be in comfort with those we love, who choose to link arms with us and work together to make our children’s futures something they can look forward to instead of looking to in fear and trepidation.
Linking arms with Rook to dig that moat….
-The Wife
Hello, I’m Rook’s wife, affectionately referred to as simply “The Wife”.
I’m going to start by saying that my husband has always been an “out of the box” kind of thinker. He has always gone against the grain of “normalcy”. I, on the other hand, have always tried to blend into the woodwork. However, that’s not an easy thing to do when you marry someone like Rook. He is a different kind of thinker, indeed. So when he speaks about a “new idea”, I usually just shrug my shoulders and half tune him out. This prepping business was no exception. However, shortly before he did his post with me canning, I started actually taking the blinders off and started listening to what the politicians and media were saying about the economy and our future in this country. I started taking notice of the banks and larger companies being sold to other companies or filing for bankruptcy. I started taking notice to the rising concerns about oil and environmental issues. And I started realizing that my husband may not be as crazy as I once thought.
There are many books in the Bible that instruct us on how to live. But there is one book in particular, the book of Revelation, which refers specifically to living in “end times” and watching for God’s wrath to cover this earth. It talks about being aware of what’s around us and not just believing in what we see or think we see. There are plenty of people who feel that Christians are crazy just like many people believe that those who are prepping are crazy. I was once one of those people who didn’t believe in God and I also didn’t believe that life as we know it could ever end. However, in light of recent news reports of large companies like AIG and Lehman Bros declaring bankruptcy and/or being sold to larger companies just to survive, one has to wonder about the state of life as we know it. What will things look like in 10 years? What kind of environment are our children going to grow up under? Did we have it so easy, then carelessly let it slip through our fingers? The answer is a resounding YES.
We have two children, both of which are very smart, funny, imaginative and loving. Parents always want better for their kids. In the near future, our kids will wind up having it much worse than we’ve ever imagined unless we start doing things differently now. People need to ignore the norms of society. We need to work to ensure an adequate future for our families no matter how crazy that may look to others!
We prepare for so many other things without a second thought, weddings, graduations, birthday parties, retirement, buying first homes, college, the list is endless. So why are we so willing to laugh off the idea of preparing for a future without modern conveniences at our fingertips or a collapsing economic structure that could leave us virtually paralyzed! We must start the process of growing and canning our own food, learning how to sew our own clothing, having a stock pile of various items on hand in case stores are no longer operating for whatever reason.
It is those very reasons listed, that I now support my husband’s efforts to prep because I can’t afford not to. Life as we have been so accustomed to is inevitably changing. No matter who is elected President this November, the world is changing. We can’t go back to a “simpler” time. We can only look toward the future. Do you want to go on living life with the blinders on and pretending that the Government is going to fix our problems and we’ll return to “normalcy” soon? Wake up and realize that certain systems are failing and something has got to change. There are some things even the Government can’t fix. The changes that occur in the future may not bring about the kind of change everyone is hoping for!
Is your family prepared for the worst of times? If it isn’t, you’d better start prepping now. You don’t have to go into debt and hide in a cave tomorrow. But every small step you take today can help your family comfortably live through a crisis that is inevitably on the horizon. As for Rook’s family, we will be in comfort with those we love, who choose to link arms with us and work together to make our children’s futures something they can look forward to instead of looking to in fear and trepidation.
Linking arms with Rook to dig that moat….
-The Wife
2008-08-18
Weather Or Not
Now all we have been seeing on the news is about hurricane Fay. I saw the governor of FL last night telling people to prepare. PREPARE you live in hurricane central; you have a football team named after them. The people in FL should not have to prepare. They should all ready have it done. In that area you are stupid moron not to have stuff ready for the hurricanes. I just start to laugh when Gov. said go and stock up on food and water and the likes. Now don't get me wrong I don't want them to get Fay or any storm, but these sheeple have to learn to take care of them self the government won't be there as quick as they like. Now I don't know if we have any prepper's out there in that neck of the woods, but we know if we do that you can just laugh it off at home while the others are in stores like pack rats.
Now this is a crazy thing this past weekend. At a local city park down from my house they had community festival. All kinds of inflatable rides for kids,free food,free drink for everyone. This was all put on by local waste basket of politician. I thought you were not allow to buy votes? Well this is exactly what they were doing. Here lets throw some food down to the peasants and they will surely vote for me. The people where just loving it. I just started ranting and telling the wife the same thing I just told you. Everyone is going to keep eyes closed to the crap they do, except us that are awaken.
Now for this odd part, there are some garages behind my house that people can rent. Well there is this lady I believe that is living in one. I see her come at night and leave in the morning. I call the gestapo one night and it took them 3 1/2 hours go come. I love to see my tax dollars at work. What do they do... well they roll up the alley and turn their lights on and then turn around turn the lights off and roll out. Now what is my next step? I am trying to contact the owner of the garages to get him to take care of this. I don't know though, because hey if that is all she can afford and is paying her way what is the harm, right? Well I will keep you informed.
Now this is a crazy thing this past weekend. At a local city park down from my house they had community festival. All kinds of inflatable rides for kids,free food,free drink for everyone. This was all put on by local waste basket of politician. I thought you were not allow to buy votes? Well this is exactly what they were doing. Here lets throw some food down to the peasants and they will surely vote for me. The people where just loving it. I just started ranting and telling the wife the same thing I just told you. Everyone is going to keep eyes closed to the crap they do, except us that are awaken.
Now for this odd part, there are some garages behind my house that people can rent. Well there is this lady I believe that is living in one. I see her come at night and leave in the morning. I call the gestapo one night and it took them 3 1/2 hours go come. I love to see my tax dollars at work. What do they do... well they roll up the alley and turn their lights on and then turn around turn the lights off and roll out. Now what is my next step? I am trying to contact the owner of the garages to get him to take care of this. I don't know though, because hey if that is all she can afford and is paying her way what is the harm, right? Well I will keep you informed.
2008-08-14
Canning
Like I said yesterday, I was helping/teaching the wife how to can pickles from our garden. She made it through fine. I wanted to give her some prop's for a wonderful job. Here is a couple of pic's of the process. 
Above is the wife putting the pickles in the jars. With such grace and style... I say we give her a 10.
My whole digging the moat area is all been done by using stuff around the house. From putting up shelves to closet to store various items at. Well love good comments at the Rook's Castle so leave them if you want.
Working on the moat...
Rook
Above is the wife putting the pickles in the jars. With such grace and style... I say we give her a 10.
The above picture is the nice quick easy brine solution we used to make these wonderful pickles. Down below is the wonderful product my wife produced last night in the kitchen. Also in the picture you will notice the squash that I don't know what to do with. The only thing that was bought to make these was the brine solution.
My whole digging the moat area is all been done by using stuff around the house. From putting up shelves to closet to store various items at. Well love good comments at the Rook's Castle so leave them if you want.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-08-13
Limited Prepping
Everyone knows that we should be preparing for the SHTF. It could be something that just happens to your family or across the country. If we do buy or do one thing on the prepping side a day it is still prepping. I have been struggling trying to find the time to prep, and also not taking the time away from the family. I have got it figured out to at least hour a day. We could be cleaning the guns, canning, mapping out the land and escape routes.
I have taking the time tonight to show/teach my wife how to can pickles. It is make some difference. I was working on the garden today pulling tomato's and cukes. I have a nice compost pile I started this summer. The compost pile is doing great. This is one of those skills I have choose to hone my skills in this summer. Well that is not completely true, gardening as well. I have some squash planted. I am in a touch area because I am not crazy about squash, because I don't know of any good recipes or how to cook it. So drop me a comment on how to cook them. I love the comments that are helpful.
I am thinking of doing a time budget to see where I spend most of my time. The exact same thing as a money budget, but for my time. I have a good idea where most of it goes, and just don't want to admit it... the Big Picture that sucks the life out of you.
Right now most of my prepping is what I can do around the house with out spending any money or very limited money. I have to watch every penny, and that is very difficult for a person like me who loves to spend money.
So what have I been doing on the moat you ask? Well the moat is just about clear for digging. (figuratively). I have been studying the area around my house,talking to the neighbors more, and clear clutter. I didn't think I would have so much cleaning to do, just to prep. I spend a lot of time just cleaning to have storage for the up coming supplies. Well time to outline the moat..
Working on the moat...
Rook
I have taking the time tonight to show/teach my wife how to can pickles. It is make some difference. I was working on the garden today pulling tomato's and cukes. I have a nice compost pile I started this summer. The compost pile is doing great. This is one of those skills I have choose to hone my skills in this summer. Well that is not completely true, gardening as well. I have some squash planted. I am in a touch area because I am not crazy about squash, because I don't know of any good recipes or how to cook it. So drop me a comment on how to cook them. I love the comments that are helpful.
I am thinking of doing a time budget to see where I spend most of my time. The exact same thing as a money budget, but for my time. I have a good idea where most of it goes, and just don't want to admit it... the Big Picture that sucks the life out of you.
Right now most of my prepping is what I can do around the house with out spending any money or very limited money. I have to watch every penny, and that is very difficult for a person like me who loves to spend money.
So what have I been doing on the moat you ask? Well the moat is just about clear for digging. (figuratively). I have been studying the area around my house,talking to the neighbors more, and clear clutter. I didn't think I would have so much cleaning to do, just to prep. I spend a lot of time just cleaning to have storage for the up coming supplies. Well time to outline the moat..
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-08-08
Time is not on our side...
There is a great song, I don't know who sings it but the chorus is "time is on our side" I think. I have been known to be wrong, but don't let the wife know that. We don't have time on our side. We keep losing it, and that is the one thing we can never get back. I am guilty of poor time management. I seem to always have the attitude of I will get it latter. Later doesn't always come. A great example....I guy near my retreat area had his life cut short by being the victim of a hit and run. I bet he thought I will say I love you to his wife and kids later. One can only hope that we don't lose that chance and say it everyday. Today society has no value on human life. We are see the Roe Vs Wade choice play out in front of our eyes. The society sees that it is OK for a women to take a human life. Then the thug/gang banger/ redneck has no problem with it. I am just saying we need to make sure we start to teach our kids the values of human life. " Only kill when defending yourself". That was a rant that came from no where...
Time can be a great or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. I look as time a wake up call. If I got the time to do some prepping then do it. If my daughter say dad play a game then do it. My son says dad can we go to the pool then go. If you have the time then go out this weekend and find a deal on some prep items at a yard sale or flee market. Practice the barter skills. Practice starting a fire with no lighter or matches. If we don't use our time wisely the good Lord may take it from us. If you are christian then get in God's word. If you are not then look in to it or contact me with questions & study your religon.
This is what this past week has done for me as long in prep's. I got to practice my barter skills with a neighbor. I was able to get some yard trimings done, but offering to trim her hedges as well. I was able to get some free fire from another neighbor who had a tree taken down. Got some more salsa made. Now this weekend is about spend some over due time with family out of state. Now my great readers, use your time, don't lose your time.
Now go and prepare that moat.
Working on the moat...
Rook
Time can be a great or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. I look as time a wake up call. If I got the time to do some prepping then do it. If my daughter say dad play a game then do it. My son says dad can we go to the pool then go. If you have the time then go out this weekend and find a deal on some prep items at a yard sale or flee market. Practice the barter skills. Practice starting a fire with no lighter or matches. If we don't use our time wisely the good Lord may take it from us. If you are christian then get in God's word. If you are not then look in to it or contact me with questions & study your religon.
This is what this past week has done for me as long in prep's. I got to practice my barter skills with a neighbor. I was able to get some yard trimings done, but offering to trim her hedges as well. I was able to get some free fire from another neighbor who had a tree taken down. Got some more salsa made. Now this weekend is about spend some over due time with family out of state. Now my great readers, use your time, don't lose your time.
Now go and prepare that moat.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-08-03
Emergency Preparedness
I have been reading the "Emergency Preparedness and Survival Guide" from the Backwoods Home Magazine.There is one section that gives you 4 week shopping list that you are supose to get these supplies for just $10 bucks. Well I want to give it a whirl. I don't know if I will be able to do for $10 bucks, but I will try to keep it close as possible. The first week is 10 pounds of rice, 2 pounds of beans, a jar of Tang, and 5 pound tub of vegetable shorting. I will be doing this shopping today after church and posting the results later tonight.
I did get to prep some garden items yesterday. I got to make 3 pints of salsa, spicy at that. I was able to pick some more cukes from the garden I am going to try and make some dill's with them.
Working on the moat....
Rook
I did get to prep some garden items yesterday. I got to make 3 pints of salsa, spicy at that. I was able to pick some more cukes from the garden I am going to try and make some dill's with them.
Working on the moat....
Rook
2008-08-01
This just in...
The wife is start to come aroumd to the survival way of thinking. She is starting to ask me questions. Example: How do you know what going on or going to happen? That was the easy question of them all. Just follow the current events and dig deeper into every story is put out. Don't trust just one side of the story. I asked her if she would be willing to let me interview her and post on the blog and she agreed. So be looking for that to come out in a week or two.
As many of you have noticed I have been awol for a about a week or so. Everything is fine here in the crapper of the east coast. I have been doing to my best to stay focused on prepping and canning. I have some more pickles made, and will be working on salsa tonight. I am looking for a good recipe for make some relish and pepper relish, so if you have one please post it or email it to rookinde@gmail.com.
This is the start of my prepping on the month's topic starting today. So this month prep's will be about food and different items on hand. Now I will buy off topic if it is a good deal to pass up. Plus I am going to try to buy one item this weekend. I just did a weapons check and relized I need to get some shells for my 20ga shotgun. I didn't have any since last season. I know what kind of a prepper am I not to have ammo. That is the one reason we always should do a once over every month to see if there is something that critcal we are missing. I have saw on bear ridge project buckets for storage. I know there are food grade storage buckets, but if your stuff is in cans and boxes will other buckets work as well?
I am going to keep looking for a escape pod as our good friend mayberry calls them. They are crazy to find around my area that are not going to break the bank. I guess thats the price I have to pay for living near the ocean and camp grounds. Now I have to head off to work...
Keep working on your moats as I will as well.
Rook
As many of you have noticed I have been awol for a about a week or so. Everything is fine here in the crapper of the east coast. I have been doing to my best to stay focused on prepping and canning. I have some more pickles made, and will be working on salsa tonight. I am looking for a good recipe for make some relish and pepper relish, so if you have one please post it or email it to rookinde@gmail.com.
This is the start of my prepping on the month's topic starting today. So this month prep's will be about food and different items on hand. Now I will buy off topic if it is a good deal to pass up. Plus I am going to try to buy one item this weekend. I just did a weapons check and relized I need to get some shells for my 20ga shotgun. I didn't have any since last season. I know what kind of a prepper am I not to have ammo. That is the one reason we always should do a once over every month to see if there is something that critcal we are missing. I have saw on bear ridge project buckets for storage. I know there are food grade storage buckets, but if your stuff is in cans and boxes will other buckets work as well?
I am going to keep looking for a escape pod as our good friend mayberry calls them. They are crazy to find around my area that are not going to break the bank. I guess thats the price I have to pay for living near the ocean and camp grounds. Now I have to head off to work...
Keep working on your moats as I will as well.
Rook
2008-07-20
Busy Weekend...
This was a great busy weekend of prepping and just hanging out with the family. Yesterday the kids and I went to a couple of locale yard sales. I didn't find to much, but I did buy a tamper for $5 bucks. It will come in handy when the I get to the point of building the retreat.
I am waiting for my water bath canning system to get here. It is suppose to be here on Monday. I hope so I have some veggie's wait in the wings to preserve. I had to do some small canning last night with just a couple of pot's I had here. I got 3 nice jars of bread & butter pickles put away now. I will be making some good ol' salsa tomorrow with the new cannier. I have gotten the food prep area cleaned and waiting for storing of the food. Now the question is what do I keep the food in for a bug out time? If anyone has some suggestions please leave them in the comment area. The kind of get out now. Most of my food prepping is going to be from my garden. That is the one area I have been getting my skills honed into. The other prep's are going to be in the form of boxed/canned/beans. I don't' have a grain mill to great whole grains. Plus I still at the beginning stages of my prepping.
I know of people losing jobs around here left and right. They don't know what to do. We as a community of preppers will be ready if that happens to us. At least we won't have to worry about there the food is coming from. Plus the Lord says he will provide. That doesn't make a man feel good when he knows he is suppose to provide for his family and can't at that time. So we are many ways ahead of everyone.
It is a real hot today on the east coast. I don't know what the people before us did in days like today. I don't even want to go outside to water the garden. It is going to take some real getting use to when the grid goes down. I would like to convert a little fan that I have that is rechargeable, with a way to charge up using solar. Has anyone messed with solar power for little things like that?
I have now came up with a budget prepping idea to present to the wife. My thinking is to take one month and devote all the funds for prepping to one area (food,band aids, bullets) type of thing. That might helpt to keep the foraging bear on task. I also think she will respect that better with a system in place. Well enough rambling for one day.
Working on the moat...
Rook
I am waiting for my water bath canning system to get here. It is suppose to be here on Monday. I hope so I have some veggie's wait in the wings to preserve. I had to do some small canning last night with just a couple of pot's I had here. I got 3 nice jars of bread & butter pickles put away now. I will be making some good ol' salsa tomorrow with the new cannier. I have gotten the food prep area cleaned and waiting for storing of the food. Now the question is what do I keep the food in for a bug out time? If anyone has some suggestions please leave them in the comment area. The kind of get out now. Most of my food prepping is going to be from my garden. That is the one area I have been getting my skills honed into. The other prep's are going to be in the form of boxed/canned/beans. I don't' have a grain mill to great whole grains. Plus I still at the beginning stages of my prepping.
I know of people losing jobs around here left and right. They don't know what to do. We as a community of preppers will be ready if that happens to us. At least we won't have to worry about there the food is coming from. Plus the Lord says he will provide. That doesn't make a man feel good when he knows he is suppose to provide for his family and can't at that time. So we are many ways ahead of everyone.
It is a real hot today on the east coast. I don't know what the people before us did in days like today. I don't even want to go outside to water the garden. It is going to take some real getting use to when the grid goes down. I would like to convert a little fan that I have that is rechargeable, with a way to charge up using solar. Has anyone messed with solar power for little things like that?
I have now came up with a budget prepping idea to present to the wife. My thinking is to take one month and devote all the funds for prepping to one area (food,band aids, bullets) type of thing. That might helpt to keep the foraging bear on task. I also think she will respect that better with a system in place. Well enough rambling for one day.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-07-18
Are you planning...
I am doing my morning routine if coffee and reading the blogs and news this morning. Then I reliezed I have a weekend all to myself (well not really wife & kids) but I don't have any where I need to be. This is the first time this has happen in about 3 weeks.
Well back to topic:
I need to come up with my game plan for this weekend. I dont' want to waste this bounty of beatiful weather by not prepping and enjoying the outdoors. Do you have plans for your weekend or does the wife help make them? I will be laying out my plan today and posting it tonight. Then come Monday we will see how well I kept to the plan. When in SHTF world sometimes we will have to go of course to avoid the po po's and zombies.
I also want to thank the readers who leave comments. I love to reply and read people's thoughts. Thanks Mayberry for point out about the plug system a few days ago.
Working on the moat...
Rook
Well back to topic:
I need to come up with my game plan for this weekend. I dont' want to waste this bounty of beatiful weather by not prepping and enjoying the outdoors. Do you have plans for your weekend or does the wife help make them? I will be laying out my plan today and posting it tonight. Then come Monday we will see how well I kept to the plan. When in SHTF world sometimes we will have to go of course to avoid the po po's and zombies.
I also want to thank the readers who leave comments. I love to reply and read people's thoughts. Thanks Mayberry for point out about the plug system a few days ago.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-07-17
Wife thinks I am crazy...
I was talking with the wife last night about SHTF happenings, and just like we most have experienced; we get toned out or the crazy look. I am in the process of trying to find a free or next to nothing camper/pop up. I almost had one last night. Well anyhow, I was saying how it will be great when we find one that way we will have a place to live when the SHTF happens. That is when the crazy look came. Everyone knows what I am talking about the look that Jack Nicholson gives in "The Shinning". I put it in very simple and plan terms, "do you want to have something like walls around us or living in a tent? Then she relized what I was talking about.
Then we went for a walk around the block. I live in a city, not a major one but still a city with the criminal minded people that have no regard for life. I made a point to check out different ways people to attemp to make it to my propierty. That way I can sure up different access points. Now when SHTF does happen, this will be vacant but not at first. I just need to make sure that I can have view of the different access points. Now to add that to the list.
We all should take notice of loose ends that can be tied up right away and get that done. I know it is easier said then done. We all have something we would rather do, but yours and mine will be depending on use to protect and provide.
On a side note- I just got my subscription to Backwoods Home. It could not have came at a better time. This should be on everyone's reading list.
Digging a deeper Moat...
Rook
Then we went for a walk around the block. I live in a city, not a major one but still a city with the criminal minded people that have no regard for life. I made a point to check out different ways people to attemp to make it to my propierty. That way I can sure up different access points. Now when SHTF does happen, this will be vacant but not at first. I just need to make sure that I can have view of the different access points. Now to add that to the list.
We all should take notice of loose ends that can be tied up right away and get that done. I know it is easier said then done. We all have something we would rather do, but yours and mine will be depending on use to protect and provide.
On a side note- I just got my subscription to Backwoods Home. It could not have came at a better time. This should be on everyone's reading list.
Digging a deeper Moat...
Rook
2008-07-16
But I can only work so fast....
There comes a time when we wish we had more hands to do more work. I am in that time now. There is so much to be done. I can't lose sight of what is around the corner. Everyone that reads my blogs now, knows what I am reffering to. Those of you don't know better start searching and learning.
Do you have the skills that can be worth something to someone in the coming days? If not you better be working on something so you don't have to keep the beast going.
Our buddy Mayberry has a great post on the barter economy that everyone should check out:
http://mayberry-keepitsimplestupid.blogspot.com/2008/07/barter-economy.html
Do you know what to do with all the banks that are failing? There is also the story of "the beast" buying up the food at Mountain House: http://www.internet-grocer.net/mntnpric.htm. Now you have the "the beast" in the mortage business? Didn't Stalin want to have his hands in everything as well?
If we don't have the funds to prepare - start by buying some beans and storing away. The say it is beans,bullets,band-aids. Well everyone should follow that order and do it as quick as you can. Who knows when "the beast" will start controlling grocery stores.
Working on the moat...
Rook
Do you have the skills that can be worth something to someone in the coming days? If not you better be working on something so you don't have to keep the beast going.
Our buddy Mayberry has a great post on the barter economy that everyone should check out:
http://mayberry-keepitsimplestupid.blogspot.com/2008/07/barter-economy.html
Do you know what to do with all the banks that are failing? There is also the story of "the beast" buying up the food at Mountain House: http://www.internet-grocer.net/mntnpric.htm. Now you have the "the beast" in the mortage business? Didn't Stalin want to have his hands in everything as well?
If we don't have the funds to prepare - start by buying some beans and storing away. The say it is beans,bullets,band-aids. Well everyone should follow that order and do it as quick as you can. Who knows when "the beast" will start controlling grocery stores.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-07-13
People are waking...
I was out all weekend with visiting family and friends. The topic of the coming hard times was everywhere I looked. I didn't have to look for the chance to put my blog out there, it just came. I made sure to mention the blog and others that I check daily.
I even was able to help my nephews understand what was going on. To the point where one of them might do something about it. There was a few men from my church talking about the dark days coming. Now onto how I prepped and work on prep's this weekend.
Well I didn't work to much on prep'ing, other then buy a air compressor for the BOV. I did make sure not to get the cheap kind. I stepped it up a notch and got one that can work for inflating beds/balls with different attachments. This is something we should keep in our BOV or with the BOB. I can just see it now, we are running from the sheeple and get a flat with no way to pump up or anything. So make sure to add it to the list and get one if you don't have one.
Now for the castle...
I am still getting the area cleared. I have some shelves I need to build this week. That way when the canner gets in I can put it work right away. Now I am off to work on the cleaning.
Working on the moat...
Rook
This is a great site for people just now starting to wake up and wondering where to start prepping at. Check it out:
http://gsiep.blogspot.com/
I even was able to help my nephews understand what was going on. To the point where one of them might do something about it. There was a few men from my church talking about the dark days coming. Now onto how I prepped and work on prep's this weekend.
Well I didn't work to much on prep'ing, other then buy a air compressor for the BOV. I did make sure not to get the cheap kind. I stepped it up a notch and got one that can work for inflating beds/balls with different attachments. This is something we should keep in our BOV or with the BOB. I can just see it now, we are running from the sheeple and get a flat with no way to pump up or anything. So make sure to add it to the list and get one if you don't have one.
Now for the castle...
I am still getting the area cleared. I have some shelves I need to build this week. That way when the canner gets in I can put it work right away. Now I am off to work on the cleaning.
Working on the moat...
Rook
This is a great site for people just now starting to wake up and wondering where to start prepping at. Check it out:
http://gsiep.blogspot.com/
2008-07-12
The Bumps are getting bigger...
Where is George when you need him?
Check out this article http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-indymac12-2008jul12,0,6071779.story
If you are not getting through to your family and friends, then get this story to them. Remind them that this is what happened to George in the classic "It's a Wonderful Life". I wish I could say what was coming next, but I or no one else truly knows what is going to happen. We just look around and see what is going on and take notice. I consider myself a young buck of 34 yrs, but I have not heard or seen anything like what we are going through now.
This is just a simple quote from the article IndyMac:
"Citing a massive run on deposits, regulators shut its main branch three hours early, leaving customers stunned and upset. One woman leaned on the locked doors, pleading with an employee inside: "Please, please, I want to take out a portion." All she could do was read a two-page notice taped to the door."
Now put yourself in this person shoes. Imagine a few weeks from now wanting to get your paycheck out of the bank and being told not today. Please come back and try again on Monday. I would be foaming at the mouth. This is really making me question if I should start to get a paper check at the job? How is this going to affect direct deposit? Guess it is time to make my own bank in my moat.
Please help spread the word about what is going on. Point your family and friends to my blog or others. There are many of us out here and have great insight and info.
Working on the moat...
Rook
Check out this article http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-indymac12-2008jul12,0,6071779.story
If you are not getting through to your family and friends, then get this story to them. Remind them that this is what happened to George in the classic "It's a Wonderful Life". I wish I could say what was coming next, but I or no one else truly knows what is going to happen. We just look around and see what is going on and take notice. I consider myself a young buck of 34 yrs, but I have not heard or seen anything like what we are going through now.
This is just a simple quote from the article IndyMac:
"Citing a massive run on deposits, regulators shut its main branch three hours early, leaving customers stunned and upset. One woman leaned on the locked doors, pleading with an employee inside: "Please, please, I want to take out a portion." All she could do was read a two-page notice taped to the door."
Now put yourself in this person shoes. Imagine a few weeks from now wanting to get your paycheck out of the bank and being told not today. Please come back and try again on Monday. I would be foaming at the mouth. This is really making me question if I should start to get a paper check at the job? How is this going to affect direct deposit? Guess it is time to make my own bank in my moat.
Please help spread the word about what is going on. Point your family and friends to my blog or others. There are many of us out here and have great insight and info.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-07-11
2008-07-10
Food Storage...
I just made my first investment into food storage for my family. I know I am going to love it. It is a nice water bath canner set. Check it out...
http://www.canningpantry.com/21qtwabacapa.html
Now when it comes in I can keep you up to date with the food storage process.
Working on the moat...
Rook
http://www.canningpantry.com/21qtwabacapa.html
Now when it comes in I can keep you up to date with the food storage process.
Working on the moat...
Rook
Time slips away...
Sorry for get this posting out so late.
We need to be working everyday to prepare for what ever God has in store for this great nation. If we can only spend a 1/2 hour a day doing something. Then we are way ahead of the sheeple of this once great nation. It will be again...once we get everyone one awake.
The times we are living in remind me of the movie They Live. If you think about it most of the sheeple in this nation are just like that. Now how do we as prepper's balance the time with family and working on preping and just enjoying life? I don't have the answer, I wish I did. It will be different for everyone. I find I do my best prepping at night, once I have spent time with the family. For example tonight, I will be heading to "dugeon" and clearing a area to start store my food.
Everyone may have noticed my little sig... "working on the moat" well that is great defense at a castle. Now everyone doesn't have a "castle per say" but we need to treat our retreat/home like that. We need to do survey's of what we can do to the bounderies and then plan to do it. Not just I want to do this. Plan for it and do it.
I know I have done alot of rambling tonight. Sometimes I just have so many thoughts/ideas I want to get out and just go with them out.
We need to be working everyday to prepare for what ever God has in store for this great nation. If we can only spend a 1/2 hour a day doing something. Then we are way ahead of the sheeple of this once great nation. It will be again...once we get everyone one awake.
The times we are living in remind me of the movie They Live. If you think about it most of the sheeple in this nation are just like that. Now how do we as prepper's balance the time with family and working on preping and just enjoying life? I don't have the answer, I wish I did. It will be different for everyone. I find I do my best prepping at night, once I have spent time with the family. For example tonight, I will be heading to "dugeon" and clearing a area to start store my food.
Everyone may have noticed my little sig... "working on the moat" well that is great defense at a castle. Now everyone doesn't have a "castle per say" but we need to treat our retreat/home like that. We need to do survey's of what we can do to the bounderies and then plan to do it. Not just I want to do this. Plan for it and do it.
I know I have done alot of rambling tonight. Sometimes I just have so many thoughts/ideas I want to get out and just go with them out.
2008-07-09
Garden Update...
I wanted to share with the great readers some pic's of what try and try again method will produce if you keep at. These are the tomato plants aboove.
These are the pepper plants. I have birds that love to eat everything in my garden it seems like so I have had to cover them.
And finally the corn I planted. People around here don't seem to have much success with corn. So I am still amazed at how well it is doing. Remember this is a test garden to hone in my skills and to find what grows great around here.
I have very limitted space for a garden, so I make it work. As we should all make it work for where God has us at right now. If we have a retreat that is great. If we are moving to your retreat, like my good buddy James at bison survival blog. If we are stocking and preparing in the city under the radar, then go at. We just can't set back and not do nothing at all.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-07-08
Try and Try Again...
Now when the day comes when we don't have the great conveniences we have now, we will have to look to time tested ways to get things done.
My wife wondered why in the world I was starting a compost pile this year. Well it is plan and simple, I have never done it and want to make sure I can do it when you can get top soil at Lowes or Home Depot. It is going great I think, but it is better to test and hone in the skills now then when you are in a location with no chance to grow and no idea how to compost. This holds true for many other skill sets we lack today.
This is my first year of a garden with other plants then just tomatos. So far so good. My greatest problem is yard space. My yard might be 25' 20'. So i just have a couple of everything planted; corn, peas, tomatos, cukes, squash, and my daughters outrageos pumkin.
If you want to know what skill sets I am talking about just watch some old Little House... (great show) and see how they did things, then you will know. I will starting a search for hand tools at yardsales, Dad's house, ( he doesn't know it yet), flee markets.
There is one skill I or my wife are going to go learn at a local store and the is the craft of sewing. Sure I can sew a button, but I think the family will need more then just a button. This will also allow me time to teach the family as well.
We all need to take stock of what skills we need to teach ourselves before the time is to late. Then we will be there scratching our heads.
Working on the moat...
Rook
My wife wondered why in the world I was starting a compost pile this year. Well it is plan and simple, I have never done it and want to make sure I can do it when you can get top soil at Lowes or Home Depot. It is going great I think, but it is better to test and hone in the skills now then when you are in a location with no chance to grow and no idea how to compost. This holds true for many other skill sets we lack today.
This is my first year of a garden with other plants then just tomatos. So far so good. My greatest problem is yard space. My yard might be 25' 20'. So i just have a couple of everything planted; corn, peas, tomatos, cukes, squash, and my daughters outrageos pumkin.
If you want to know what skill sets I am talking about just watch some old Little House... (great show) and see how they did things, then you will know. I will starting a search for hand tools at yardsales, Dad's house, ( he doesn't know it yet), flee markets.
There is one skill I or my wife are going to go learn at a local store and the is the craft of sewing. Sure I can sew a button, but I think the family will need more then just a button. This will also allow me time to teach the family as well.
We all need to take stock of what skills we need to teach ourselves before the time is to late. Then we will be there scratching our heads.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-07-07
Dad's Shopping
This past weekend I got to see the family, and see all the different stuff my dad has from the many years. It is like a great treasure chest. Not that dad's are just great for material things. They have a lot of wisdom to share. We just need to take the time to listen to them. I do the listening much better now then when I was a teenager.
I look forward to see my dad, and gaining his knowledge. The man as made stuff work when everyone else would say the heck with it. I know it isn't father's day (man made holiday), but take the time to call dad out of the blue.
This is what my dad gave to me this past time.
1) Meat Grinder - Very old kind!!! It has the year of 1894 stamped on it. All it's parts work, but I don't know how to clean it to make it safe for the family. If anyone has a suggestions or can point me in the right direction; just leave me a comment or email me.
2) 12v regulator - This nice little thing works great. I can plug it into the wall and operate a anything that would work in a car. (CB, radio, radar detector, ect, ect.
Working on the moat...
Rook
I look forward to see my dad, and gaining his knowledge. The man as made stuff work when everyone else would say the heck with it. I know it isn't father's day (man made holiday), but take the time to call dad out of the blue.
This is what my dad gave to me this past time.
1) Meat Grinder - Very old kind!!! It has the year of 1894 stamped on it. All it's parts work, but I don't know how to clean it to make it safe for the family. If anyone has a suggestions or can point me in the right direction; just leave me a comment or email me.
2) 12v regulator - This nice little thing works great. I can plug it into the wall and operate a anything that would work in a car. (CB, radio, radar detector, ect, ect.
Working on the moat...
Rook
2008-07-05
Inflation is deathnation...
I just found a nice article in Money mag, about inflation and how it is effecting everyone. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2008/07/01/toc.html This is a great article for everyone to read. The one thing I give my wife a hard time about is the beer is had the slowest rate of inflation. Ya Beer!!
The goverment doesn't really have a handle on the inflation of this deathnation. They still just keep printing money. Now I admit I am not money man. I don't know all the figures, but I do know somethings... Like milk, eggs, bread, well darn just about everything is way up.
Digging the moat...
Rook
The goverment doesn't really have a handle on the inflation of this deathnation. They still just keep printing money. Now I admit I am not money man. I don't know all the figures, but I do know somethings... Like milk, eggs, bread, well darn just about everything is way up.
Digging the moat...
Rook
2008-07-04
Space For Prepping
I have this great space in my basement to keep and store most of my prep's I will be gathering. I will post some pic's of the before and after area in a few days. The daunting task is to prepare the space. It needs to be cleaned. Cabinets and shelves need to be erected. My goal here is to have it organized. Having prep's that are not organized will be a disaster when you need to go into survival mode. Here is the list as I see it now....
1) Food storage - First off my food storage will be can goods and what I can harvest from this year's garden. As time and funds permit I will move into grain storage.
2) Gun Storage - This does not have to be large at first. I have a nice 20g shotgun, and a BB/pellet rifle. (Yes, I know a BB gun?) I love to keep a BB gun around as it is great for small game hunting in areas you should not be and is quieter than a .22 The added benfit of the BB gun is I can start to teach my 8yr son how to shoot and rules/respect to have with guns. Now the .22 rifle is on the list to get.
3) Library - This area is going to have all the great reading you will need in the SHTF (Stuff Hits The Fan) problem. Like I said in my intro late start. I just picked up a "must have" for everyone's SHTF library Storey's Basic Country Skills. http://www.storey.com/book_detail.php?isbn=9781580172028 I know everyone has it listed as a must as well, and this is very true.
4) General Storage - This area will be used for maps,walking sticks, B.O.B (bug-out-bag).
5) Tool Storage - There will be nothing worse when SHTF happens and there is no electric so you can't use that circular saw, drill, or sawzaw. I would suggest everyone try to pick up hand tools at yard sales/flee markets when they can. Can you imagine trying to secure your surroundings or house without having any tools for the job? I wouldn't want that scenario!
6) First Aid/Medical Storage - This area doesn't have to be that big, but it can be overlooked sometimes. All of us prepper's should use our local Red Cross for First Aid Training/CPR.
Keep working on the moat!!!
Rook
1) Food storage - First off my food storage will be can goods and what I can harvest from this year's garden. As time and funds permit I will move into grain storage.
2) Gun Storage - This does not have to be large at first. I have a nice 20g shotgun, and a BB/pellet rifle. (Yes, I know a BB gun?) I love to keep a BB gun around as it is great for small game hunting in areas you should not be and is quieter than a .22 The added benfit of the BB gun is I can start to teach my 8yr son how to shoot and rules/respect to have with guns. Now the .22 rifle is on the list to get.
3) Library - This area is going to have all the great reading you will need in the SHTF (Stuff Hits The Fan) problem. Like I said in my intro late start. I just picked up a "must have" for everyone's SHTF library Storey's Basic Country Skills. http://www.storey.com/book_detail.php?isbn=9781580172028 I know everyone has it listed as a must as well, and this is very true.
4) General Storage - This area will be used for maps,walking sticks, B.O.B (bug-out-bag).
5) Tool Storage - There will be nothing worse when SHTF happens and there is no electric so you can't use that circular saw, drill, or sawzaw. I would suggest everyone try to pick up hand tools at yard sales/flee markets when they can. Can you imagine trying to secure your surroundings or house without having any tools for the job? I wouldn't want that scenario!
6) First Aid/Medical Storage - This area doesn't have to be that big, but it can be overlooked sometimes. All of us prepper's should use our local Red Cross for First Aid Training/CPR.
Keep working on the moat!!!
Rook
Late start....
I have finally jumped in the bloggin. It has taken sometime to get use to, but it can and must be done.
First about me - I have family and stuck on the east coast of the Great USA. I started this blog to really help anyone who might be tring to prep, but is on a strick budget of funds.
I will be posting about different news stories, that I see and feel is something us prepper's need to pay attention too. I am not the one that has all the answer's for that you need to look to God. This is blog is to be used by the people that don't want to follow the crowd, and for informational purposes only.
I don't have the castle with the moat, but I am working hard at it.
First about me - I have family and stuck on the east coast of the Great USA. I started this blog to really help anyone who might be tring to prep, but is on a strick budget of funds.
I will be posting about different news stories, that I see and feel is something us prepper's need to pay attention too. I am not the one that has all the answer's for that you need to look to God. This is blog is to be used by the people that don't want to follow the crowd, and for informational purposes only.
I don't have the castle with the moat, but I am working hard at it.
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