Broadminded Survival

AR-15 Retrofit Project (Part III)

2017-01-20T06:27:00.002-05:00

[Fall/Winter Hobby]

(Click here for Part II)

Now that the dumpster-fire-of-a-year 2016 is over, it's time to start ordering parts again and burn through the rest of this build list. I hope to have everything bought and built by mid-February at this point.

-New Ordered Parts-

Magpul ASAP

Ease of use in conjunction with rifle sling (TBA)

Spike's ST-T2 Tungsten Heavy Buffer

In combination with a new bolt, recoil spring, mil-spec receiver extension and new carbine stock, altogether this will all reduce recoil and follow-up shot performance

CMMG AR-15 Parts Kit Lower Pins and Springs

Some springs and pieces are still original to the lower and are due for replacement

BCM Milspec Carbine Receiver Extension

Improve recoil, etc. (see explanation of ST-T2 Heavy Buffer)

BCM KeyMod 5.5 inch Picatinny Rail

For utilizing the Magpul AFG2

-Last Bits-

With the current parts I have I can make an entirely (mechanically) functional rifle. Only thing missing to make it usable is the last expensive purchase - the Midwest Industries flip-up front and rear sights. The bolt carrier group still needs to be updated to a new one, but for the time being the original will still work just fine. It's not a required purchase, just a preferred one, which also goes for a new charging handle.

Finally I can say the build is almost complete with only a few parts remaining to order. After sights, new BCG and a charging handle it'll be the rifle sling and just adjusting the position of a few pieces (i.e. sling mounts, foregrip, etc.) to my liking and I will have an overall more functional, usable rifle.

Before refit assembly

AR-15 Retrofit Project (Part II)

2016-10-21T12:30:00.002-04:00

[Fall/Winter Hobby]

(Click here for Part I)

With parts finally starting to arrive I'm beginning to realize the need for organization. With at least 16 different parts\accessories coming from multiple vendors at different times definitely calls for the need for stay organized.

For my sake, I'll be separating the AR project into two major sections: Upper and Lower. It may seem obvious, but quite a few people just look at everything as just a pile of parts, but my brain needs some form of order to accomplish this build.

-Upper Assembly-

PSA upper with some new accessories

Of course the actual new upper is first and foremost on this list, but of course many accessories will be added to increase functionality.

*Palmetto State Armory Mid-Length 5.56 NATO 1:8 Stainless Upper
*Magpul Angled Foregrip (AFG2)
*Midwest Industries Flip Up Front and Rear Sights
*Magpul Rail Sling Attachment (RSA)
*BCM Keymod Rail Section 5.5"
*Optics [TBA]
*PSA 5.56 PREMHPT/MPI Bolt Carrier Group
*Bravo Company / Vltor 5.56/.223 Charging Handle

-Lower Assembly-

The lower assembly, which of course includes the Olympic Arms lower I'm starting with has a lot more complexity than the upper. Parts are more intricate and smaller or changing parts out at least involves the careful handling of smaller parts like pins and springs. The buffer tube, buffer spring and stock are also in this category in my thought process.
*Magpul Stock CTR Collapsible
*BCM Milspec Carbine Receiver Extension
*Tungsten Heavy Buffer
*Sprinco Blue Buffer Spring
*Magpul Ambidextrous Sling Attachment Point (ASAP)
*Magpul Pistol Grip MOE K2 Plus

Original Oly lower with BAD Lever and K2 grip

Only a small portion of the parts have been ordered so far. With finances being tight I'm spacing this build out a bit to keep things on an even keel on the home front. So... more to come soon!

AR-15 Retrofit Project

2016-10-21T12:30:00.001-04:00

[Fall/Winter Hobby]

With the new title of "father" has come many new responsibilities and challenges for me, which press financially, mentally and physically. In order to combat this I have created a project for myself to complete as a hobby while colder New England weather rolls in - rebuilding my AR rifle. Nothing nefarious, but making it more efficient and easier to use and hey... a hobby is a hobby.

-Starting Ingredients-

"Vanilla" AR-15

My more or less "vanilla" AR-15 is an Olympic Arms AR-15a2. It has remained relatively unchanged since I got it 6 years ago. The concept of modifying firearms didn't really catch my attention until the last couple of years.

It has a traditional front fixed-sight and fixed carry handle and rear sight. When I had gotten it the traditional full A2 buttstock had been replaced by a cheap collapsible TAPCO stock (along with the buffer kit), which was more or less the only thing changed from it being completely factory. Oh and you can't forget the rather bizarre muzzle brake that would knock the wind out of anybody standing next to you. At the time it was a good rifle and a fun plinker - it was my first rifle after all. Unknowingly for some time I did possess a favorable upper assembly, which was a mid-length gas system and a decent barrel with a 1:8 twist.

In the end the fixed sights and fixed carry handle highly limit how modular the platform can be, so... we must evolve.

-A Whole New World-

In my time shooting, browsing of the interwebs, taking classes and being around other shooting enthusiasts has given me countless hours of seeing, handling and firing other AR rifles.
After years of the AR platform evolving and manufacturers racing each other to release more and better parts every year the choices are beyond overwhelming. While tinkering with my AMD-65 rifle in the past had given me a small taste of rifle modding I felt not only overwhelmed by the choices available for the AR platform, but also a bit intimidated by the AR's complexity. It was hard to beat the AK's "fix and modify with a hammer and swear words" simplicity in comparison.
With more videos and webpages dedicated to AR builds than ever before there isn't really a need to feel intimidated anymore so I start my journey...

-Where to Go?-

New Palmetto State Armory Upper Assembly

It wouldn't be much of a project if I just went out and just bought a new rifle, so I'll take what I have (the lower assembly) and improve upon it. The upper assembly, as I stated above is "fixed" and not very modular so it is, in essence "stuck in its ways" so that will go and be the first part replaced. The Olympic Arms lower assembly is solid, so that will be my base to build on. As I write this I've already gotten a few parts, chief among which was a whole new upper assembly and barrel (pictured above). Not only was the price good (even without having a bolt carrier group or charging handle), but I grabbed the last one in inventory. With AR rifles being the center focus of any US political gun conversation it's good to get stock while you can.

-Next-

As more parts come in and new developments arise I will continue posting about this build in a series. Partly because it's cathartic for me, but more because I know there's a massive community out there that supports projects like this. More to come soon...

Part II

Basic Camping Checklist

2016-07-13T13:44:00.005-04:00

EMS has it right.

Feed a family of 4 for 1 year for less than $300

2016-07-13T13:43:00.000-04:00

Great article on how to prep with enough food to feed a family for a year on a budget. Worth checking out:
Feed a family of 4 for 1 year for less than $30

Posts - Few and Far Between

2016-04-19T12:45:00.001-04:00

[A Change in Priority]

In the last year or so my posts have been coming out in a diminished capacity. First and foremost I do apologize for this. Lately life has been busy and my priorities in terms of my online presence have pivoted quite a bit. From traditional blogging I've found more of my effort has gone to the subject of motovlogging. Not necessarily because of it's popularity or it's trending value, but just because it's something I have been enjoying more and would like to share. It's also a very active and accommodating online culture.

I, of course will continue with this blog as much as I can in the future. I may still prioritize motovlogging first, but I still will find time to come back and share on the subject of Broadminded Survival.

My YouTube-based motovlog still in its infancy: Motodozer

Trailer for my 2015 cross country trip:

New Trucks, New Possibilities

2016-02-04T14:26:00.002-05:00

Personal Daily Commuter and BOV

Intro

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

There is a level of happiness, akin to that of your first kiss when you buy a brand new vehicle. I had it when I bought my second motorcycle (2014 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec) a couple years ago and I had it just recently when I bought my new truck. It's an odd sensation - drunk on the thrill of something new as you drive it home for the first time. Simultaneously you feel that anxiousness in your stomach of your new bank account balance after the down payment.
All in all it's an exciting experience, but once you settle in and the new car smell disappears, you wonder: what's next?
For me, it's the possibility to make this truck unique and more functional to my liking.

Purpose

I sold my primary commuter car (2008 Subaru Impreza) in order to purchase this truck as well as my previous pickup (1998 Nissan Frontier), which wasn't going to pass inspection anymore anyway, so the new pickup takes on the responsibility of both. And so far it hasn't disappointed. The interior it feels more like an SUV than an old gym locker, which would describe most older pickup truck cabs. The exterior is all business.
Going forward this new Tacoma will have two purposes: 1.) daily commuting and 2.) bug-out-vehicle.
In a short time it has proven to be a comfortable, practical daily commuter, be decent on mileage (even on back-roads), and the concept of getting out of dodge with this seems incredibly plausible. With my previous primary vehicle, the Subaru Impreza, I knew it could handle rain, snow and a multitude of other on-road conditions, but off road? Not so much. My 1998 Nissan Frontier 4x4 was ready for more hairy situations, but its age and the condition of the frame made me weary when driving and its 4-cylinder engine was more cute than practical.

New front fascia for 2016

Now I have a vehicle that fits the bill for any activity I may have planned or any unplanned emergency that may fall upon us. With winters getting more and more serious (as I write this the U.S. capitol is seeing the worst winter in over 90 years) in our neck of the woods I feel that a car, even with all-wheel-drive may not be enough to get my family and myself out of harm's way.

Plans

While the daily commuting side of the truck doesn't really need modifying, the BOV side certainly could use some polishing. For transportation, I can safely transport my family (dog included) as well as enough supplies to get us to a number of different bug-out locations within 100 miles. One of the most important, yet simple packages that came with the truck was the tri-fold bed cover, allowing for the covered transport of anything that will fit into the 5-foot bed.
Inside, like the previous generation Tacoma there's some storage hidden under the rear seats, especially in a full Double Cab model. With that storage there should be enough room for at least one standard 72-hour bug-out-bag at all times.

Other upcoming additions:
*CB Radio
*HID Lights
*Mud Guards
*72-hour bug out bag

The Fallen of World War II

2015-12-23T06:50:00.001-05:00

Beautifully animated and illustrated video on the causality statistics of World War II. It may be a little different than you may know.

https://vimeo.com/128373915

Interactive statistics: The Fallen of World War II

Experiencing a Different World - Outside the U.S.

2015-12-08T21:00:00.003-05:00

[Bursting the Western Bubble]

View over Sidorajo, Indonesia

-On the Other Side of the World-
I've done a decent amount of traveling for business as well as pleasure in the last 7-8 years, but usually places that seem familiar within the Western world. But not this time - this time I am quite literally on the other side of the planet. Instead of being back home in New England while the temperatures drop and the Christmas season closes in, I'm working in the hot and humid land of Indonesia.

Traditional with modern backdrop

Over the years I've been Canada, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic and Germany, but nothing compares to the culture shock of visiting Indonesia in comparison. Not only is it a different experience, it's my first time visiting any part of Asia, and what an introduction. Not Japan, China, Singapore or Korea - Indonesia: a country that presides it's rule over 17,000+ islands with an incredibly rich culture and proud history. Indonesia has endured brutal European colonization, Japanese occupation during World War II, politically and ethnically charged-mass slaughtering during the Cold War, corruption and periods of rapid economic change.

The country to this day still struggles with widespread poverty, education standard challenges, and getting past four decades of authoritarianism to make way for modern democratic processes to permanently take hold in the state.

On the other hand, in all the years of traveling I have never found such friendly people to interact with. Although many do have at least a rudimentary understanding of English, even without a common language it doesn't seem to make communicating with native Indonesians or Javanese any less of a joy. The turbulence in their past and even recent history has yet to falter their everyday upbeat nature in the present.

-Some things that makes Indonesia Unique?-

Environment (East Java)
It's apparent that you're somewhere else far, far away when walking or driving (if you're brave enough) down the avenues of Jakarta or even Surabaya. It's a cacophony of street-life screaming at the top of its lungs. From the constant buzz of thousands of small displacement motorcycles, to street vendors selling locally-picked fruits and vegetables, to whistle-blowing police officers, to Javanese music blaring over radios, it's everywhere. The bustle and move is intoxicating to most visitors. There is so much to take in, but there are flaws in the surroundings. One of which is the overwhelming amount of garbage everywhere and often the pungent smell of sewage made worse by the constant heat and humidity.

"Light" city traffic

Something I wasn't expecting was that most commercial businesses have their own security checkpoints including the hotel I stayed at and the company's compound I worked at due to crime. And for the record, I refer to it as a "compound" because it's several large warehouses, administration buildings and offices all totaling over 7,500 employees.

Visitors not used to summer-like heat all-year-round will find Indonesia's staggering temperature and humidity oppressive. It's like living in Miami where most people try their best to move from one air-conditioned environment to the next. There's often a haze in the skies over cities like Jakarta and Surabaya that's a combination of the pollution, heat and humidity. Standing on a street, even in shade will cause most people to sweat endlessly. It's certainly an experience.

Food
Indonesian cuisine is one of the most vibrant and colorful cuisines in the world, full of intense flavor and incredible spice. In 2011, Indonesia cuisine began to gain worldwide recognition, with three of its popular dishes making it to the list of 'World's 50 Most Delicious Foods (Readers' Pick), a worldwide online poll by 35,000 people held by CNN International. With Indonesia's 6,000 diverse populated islands it is no wonder such a unique selection of cuisines arose. Among the Indonesian cuisines there are countless regional dishes from different areas and ethnicity including: Betawi, Sundanese, Javanese, Balinese, Batak, Minangkabau, Malay and more.

Lunch out with Chinese and Indonesian colleagues

There is a wide variety of dishes and even vegetarianism is well represented in Indonesia which supports the small numbers of Indonesian Buddhists that practice vegetarianism for religious reasons. Nasi or streamed rice is the staple, surrounded by sayur-mayur (vegetables and soup) as well as lauk-pauk (meat or fish side dishes).

Culture and Religion
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, which is apparent as soon as you get off the plane. That majority also shows in the workplace where I was based for two weeks, where most of the women wear traditional hijabs - which is not is not legally mandated, but is religious choice. Interestingly enough there is very little tension between religions in Indonesia. I personally know and work with both Muslim and Christian peoples in Indonesia and tension is non-existent. Probably because it isn't a heated topic of controversy and strife like in the US or Europe. Even more impressive, "the world's largest Muslim Sunni movement against ISIS based in Indonesia just launched a global anti-extremist campaign running at about 50-million members with the simple message to ISIS of: Get Lost.^"¹

Shift change for production employees

"Although Indonesian Muslims are a numerical majority, they live alongside Hindus and Buddhists who predated them on the island, and they share and mix spiritual traditions. Indonesia's national motto is bhinneka tunggal ika, or "unity in diversity,” and that ethos is central to the country's Muslim traditions."²

Certainly there is something that can be learned with that kind of commitment to unity instead of stomping on people who are different just because of a minority of them that are terrible. You could always make the assumption that all Americans are members of the KKK too, but nobody does that. On the note of international tension seeing the words: "The War on Christians" is a bit heavy-handed in my opinion and although I do feel for those that have been effected in the worst of ways by fundamentalist terrorists in very recent times, this isn't the entire religion of Islam against Christianity. This is a small fringe group trying to stir up Western civilization's opinion of Islam as a whole so that they'll alienate more Muslims and cause them to turn to ISIS - and sadly it's working very well.

Masjid Nasional Al Akbar Surabaya

Go back long enough there was actually a war on Jews. Look it up if you don't believe me, it's called the Jewish-Roman War. That was an actual war and it lasted nearly 70 years and turned the Jewish people into a scattered, persecuted minority for the majority of human history. And yes, that is literally ancient history, but for argument's sake the holocaust isn't. And people wonder why Israel has been fighting and defending itself so aggressively since it's independence. So when you say there's a "War on Christians," maybe you should throttle back on that opinion just a bit because in the grand scheme of things most would not call it a "war."

Somerset Hotel in Sidoarjo, Indonesia

I had asked a colleague here about many of the Christmas decorations I had seen in the hotels and shopping malls.

"I didn't think Christmas would be so popular here," I asked.

His response was simple: "Everybody just respects the different religions here."
Nobody getting bent out of shape because someone said "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" here. And nobody being offended and complaining because there's Christian holiday decorations in public places. Sounds nice to me.

Getting back on topic - Indonesia is a colorful, unique, albeit flawed country with many things to experience and see. While I do miss home, I don't entirely dislike staying and working here just a little while longer...

Indonesia's first submarine, gifted by USSR in 1959

Lunch at the House of Sampoerna

^1,2Varagur, K. (2015, December 2). World's Largest Islamic Organization Tells ISIS to Get Lost. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theworldpost/

Vegetable Planting and Yield Guide

2015-10-23T08:39:00.003-04:00

[Harvest to Table]

Artichoke. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 12 buds per plant after the first year. Space plants 4 to 6 feet apart.
Arugula. Grow 5 plants per person. Space plants 6 inches apart.
Asparagus. Grow 30 to 50 roots for a household of 2 to 4 people. Yield 3 to 4 pounds of spears per 10-foot row. Space plants 12 inches apart.
Bean, Dried. Grow 4 to 8 plants per person. Yield in pounds varies per variety. Space plants 1 to 3 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Bean, Fava. Grow 4 to 8 plants per person. Space plants 4 to 5 inches apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart.
Bean, Garbanzo, Chickpea. Grow 4 to 8 plants per person. Yield 4 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 3 to 6 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart.
Bean, Lima. Grow 4 to 8 per person. Yield 4 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space bush lima beans 3 to 6 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart; increase distance for pole limas.
Beans, Snap. Grow 4 to 8 plants total of each variety or several varieties per person. Yield 3 to 5 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 1 to 3 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Beans, Soy. Grow 4 to 8 plants per person. Yield 4 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 2 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Beets. Grow 5 to 10 mature plants per person. Yield 8 to 10 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 3 inches apart for roots–1 inch apart for greens.
Broccoli. Grow 2 to 4 plants per person. Yield 4 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Brussels sprouts. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 3 to 5 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.
Cabbage. Grow 4 to 8 plants per person. Yield 10 to 25 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Carrots. Grow 30 plants per person. Yield 7 to 10 pounds per 10-foot row. Thin plants to 1½ to 2 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Cauliflower. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 8 to 10 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Celery. Grow 5 plants per person. Yield 6 to 8 stalks per plant. Space plants 6 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart.
Chayote. Grow 1 vine for 1 to 4 people. Set vining plants 10 feet apart and train to a sturdy trellis or wire support.
Chicory. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Chinese Cabbage. Grow 6 to 8 heads per person. Space plants 4 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart.
Collards. Grow 2 to 3 plants per person. Yield 4 to 8 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 15 to 18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Corn. Grow 12 to 20 plants per person. Yield 1 to 2 ears per plants, 10 to 12 ears per 10-foot row. Space plant 4 to 6 inches apart in rows2 to 3 feet apart.
Cucumber. Grow 6 plants per person. Grow 3 to 4 plants per quart for pickling. Yield 8 to 10 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart in rows 3 to 6 feet apart.
Eggplant. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 8 fruits per Italian oval varieties; yield 10 to 15 fruits per Asian varieties. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Endive and Escarole. Grow 2 to 3 plants per person. Yield 3 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Garlic. Grow 12 to 16 plants per person. Yield 10 to 30 bulbs per 10-foot row. Space cloves 3 to 6 inches apart in rows 15 inches apart.
Horseradish. Grow 1 plant per person. Space plants 30 to 36 inches apart.
Jicama. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 1 to 6 pound tuber per plant. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart.
Kale. Grow 4 to 5 plants per person. Yield 4 to 8 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Kohlrabi. Grow 4 to 5 plants per person. Yield 4 to 8 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart.
Leeks. Grow 12 to 15 plants per person. Yield 4 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 2 to 4 inches apart in rows 6 to 10 inches apart.
Lettuce. Grow 6 to 10 plants per person; plant succession crops with each harvest. Yield 4 to 10 pounds per 10-foot row. Space looseleaf lettuce 4 inches apart and all other types 12 inches apart in rows 16 to 24 inches apart.
Melon. Grow 2 to plants per person. Yield 2 to 3 melons per vine. Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart in rows 3 feet wide.
Mustard. Grow 6 to 10 plants per person. Yield 3 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plant 6 to 12 inches apart in rows 15 to 30 inches apart.
Okra. Grow 6 plants per person. Yield 5 to 10 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rows 2½ to 4 feet apart.
Onion, Bulb. Yield 7 to 10 pounds of bulbs per 10-foot row. Space onion sets or transplants 4 to 5 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart.
Parsnip. Grow 10 plants per person. Yield 10 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 3 to 4 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart.
Peas. Grow 30 plants per person. Yield 2 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 2 to 4 inches apart in rows2 feet apart for bush peas, 5 feet apart for vining peas.
Pepper. Grow 2 to 3 plants per person. Yield 5 to 18 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 28 to 36 inches apart.
Potato. Grow 1 plant to yield 5 to 10 potatoes. Yield 10 to 20 pounds per 10-foot row. Space seed potatoes 10 to 14 inches apart in trenches 24 to 34 inches apart.
Pumpkin. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 10 to 20 pounds per 10-foot row. Space bush pumpkins 24 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. Set 2 to 3 vining pumpkins on hills spaced 6 to 8 feet apart.
Radicchio. Grow 5 to 6 plants per person. Space plants 6 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart.
Radish. Grow 15 plants per person. Yield 2 to 5 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
Rhubarb. Grow 2 to 3 plants per person. Yield 1 to 5 pounds per plant. Set plants 3 to 6 feet apart.
Rutabaga. Grow 5 to 10 plants per person. Yield 8 to 30 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 15 to 36 inches apart.
Salsify. Grow 10 plants per person. Space plants 3 to 4 inches apart in rows 20 to 30 inches apart.
Scallions. Yield 1½ pounds per 10-foot row. Spaces onion sets or plants 2 inches apart for scallions or green onions.
Shallot. Yield 2 to 12 cloves per plant. Space plants 5 to 8 inches apart in rows 2 to 4 feet apart.
Sorrel. Grow 3 plants per person. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart.
Spinach. Grow 15 plants per person. Yield 4 to 7 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 3 to 4 inches apart in rows 1 to 2 feet apart.
Squash, Summer. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 10 to 80 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 2 to 4 feet apart in rows 5 feet apart.
Squash, Winter. Grow 1 plant per person. Space plants feet apart.
Sunchokes. Grow 5 to 10 plants per person. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 36 to 40 inches apart.
Sunflower. Grow 1 plant per person. Yield 1 to 2½ pounds of seed per flower. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart in rows 30to 36 inches apart.
Sweet Potato. Grow 5 plants per person. Yield 8 to 12 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Swiss Chard. Grow 2 to 3 plants per person. Yield 8 to 12 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart.
Tomatillo. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Yield 1 to 2 pounds per plant. Space plants 10 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart.
Tomato, Cherry. Grow 1 to 4 plants per person. Space plants 3 feet apart in rows 35 to 45 inches apart.
Tomato, Cooking. Grow 3 to 6 plants of each variety; this will yield 8 to 10 quarts. Space plants 42 inches apart in rows 40 to 50 inches apart.
Tomato, Slicing. Grow 1 to 4 plants per person. Space plants 42 inches apart in rows 40 to 50 inches apart.
Turnip. Grow 5 to 10 plants per person. Yield 8 to 12 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 5 to 8 inches apart in rows in rows 15 to 24 inches apart.
Watermelon. Grow 2 plants per person. Yield 8 to 40 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 4 feet apart in rows 4 feet wide and 8 feet apart.

- http://www.harvesttotable.com/2011/06/vegetable_crop_yields_plants_p/

Growing Your Own Food - Self Sufficiency (Part III)

2015-10-23T08:37:00.000-04:00

[Results]

Now the growing season is coming to another cold end here in New Hampshire. I'm still not entirely satisfied with our edible yield. Still learning by doing...

This is what we had planted and what the yield was:

Lettuce - 30 leaves
Spinach - 20 leaves
Zucchini - 5 (very large)
Summer Squash - 2
Red Pepper - No yield
Jalapeño - 7
Tomato - 6
Cherry Tomato - 24
Mini Eggplant - 4

A couple of our large zucchinis

The AK-74, Vickers Tactical style

2015-08-21T10:34:00.003-04:00

The beautiful, fast firing, low-recoil, key-holing monster - the AK-74. Definitely on my to-get list.

Aged MRE Testing

2015-07-21T09:49:00.004-04:00

A couple years ago I wrote a post on the current benefits and small history of MREs in the US.

Just recently found an interesting video of a couple brave souls sampling a variety of aged MRE packs - something that I'd be nervous to do myself. Although after watching this I feel a little better about the 2 MREs that have been in my fridge for a couple of years...

Growing Your Own Food - Self Sufficiency (Part II)

2015-07-05T18:49:00.001-04:00

[Second Attempt]

Yet another go at vegetable gardening and this time it's actually working. Last year we started gardening with seedlings inside and transplanting them into our raised garden when we thought they were ready. We were dead wrong. Not only were the seedlings not ready, it was too early in the season as a few cold New Hampshire nights pretty much killed everything in about a week's time. The only yield we had was literally ONE summer squash. On top of everything else the soil wasn't exactly in perfect condition for planting either.
This year I decided to do it right - gutted the garden bed early on and added fresh soil with a mixture of compost and waited till there was no more cold nights in the forecast. Also made sure that the nearby family of groundhogs would have a hell of a time breaking in with two layers of fencing. It ain't pretty, but it gets the job done.

Learn from your mistakes and evolve - otherwise you won't survive.

Current vegetables growing: Tomatoes
Lettuce
Spinach
Zucchini
Summer Squash
Red Pepper
Jalapeño

Rocket Stove Concept #1

2015-05-06T09:01:00.002-04:00

Backyard Projects - Rocket Stoves

After digging around my 100 year-old shed I found a collection of cinder blocks that were used at one point to make steps off our patio and thought to myself, "With these I think I can make a small rocket stove."

After a couple minutes of different configurations I came up with one that actually allowed for a fire chamber and chimney setup and it worked pretty well. One wood match on some yard debris (which I have plethora of) in the chamber and it was off and cooking!

Next up will be a much heavier duty stove that I plan and making as a fixture in our backyard and also will be a lot safer by being surrounded by stone and away from anything that could burn.

The Wanderers Graphic Novel update

2015-05-04T12:25:00.000-04:00

Finally coming together. Now we have three pages up and more coming soon!

The Wanderers

Alternative Cooking Methods

2015-05-01T07:19:00.004-04:00

This guy is my new hero -
YouTube channel: Cooking Different

Tea Light Candle Jalapeño Cheddar Burgers

A Heavy Duty $6 DIY Rocket Stove

Graphic Novel website is live!

2015-04-17T11:01:00.000-04:00

Website is live and the first page is up and published.
More coming every Friday.
Stay tuned!

Facebook page

Website

Releasing web graphic novel

2015-04-16T07:38:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts recently - luckily I have a good reason for it. Tomorrow on 4/17/15 we'll be going live with our graphic novel site.

Get excited!

For updates please see our Facebook page - The Wanderers: A Graphic Novel

Reference Photo for Graphic Novel Concept

2015-03-28T23:38:00.002-04:00

A surprisingly late snowfall made for a good photo shoot for reference for a graphic novel in the works. More on that soon...

Surviving New England Winters

2015-03-12T07:06:00.002-04:00

One of the major insights missing from most people's eyes is why New Englanders complain about weather all-year round. New England is one of the few regions in the United States that fully experiences all four seasons with such style. Spring brings months of rain and mud, summer dumps humidity and sweltering heat, the fall brings 'leafers' and the winters as of late have been beyond brutal with unrelenting cold and snowfall.

This current winter (2014-2015) has been one of the toughest I've seen in my entire life. Going back further - people are saying this compares to the Blizzard of 1978. Towards the end of 2014 the winter was quick to start at first, hitting many with snow right before Thanksgiving causing countless families to lose power for Thanksgiving Day. After that it slowed down. The temperatures weren't terrible and snowfall was minimal till the end of 2014. Once 2015 started though it dumped on huge portions of New England. Many lost power or were trapped in areas of heavy snowfall. Also enough nights of negative or least single and double digit temperatures to remind people of the film: The Thing.

For many this has proved to be one of the most challenging and expensive winters to date and it certainly has been for us. Oil, electric and wood pellet usage have all skyrocketed and the risk for injury has been high throughout. Commuting to work in poor conditions is always dangerous, but even ice dams on the edges of roofs can be dangerous. While breaking up ice around the foundation of my house a 50 lb. icicle broke free from the edge of my roof and smashed my hand - bruising it and leaving it sore for about 3 days.

News reports of feet of snow and ice built on house roofs causing them to cave-in ran rampart causing panic among most. Products used to melt ice for roofs sold out within a hundred mile radius of us and prices for them doubled and almost tripled online by early February 2015.

All we could was hunker down and maintain our house as best as we could. For the majority of January and February my backyard was inaccessible with thigh-height snow.

Now that we're close to mid-March the main issue everyone is going to run into is basement flooding from all the melting snow once Spring rolls around.

All you can do is keep working at it, homeowners.

Let's just make it till the end, shall we?

Path to All Natural

2015-01-24T12:57:00.000-05:00

[Challenging Road Ahead]

Slowly, but surely we're converting the consumables in our home to have less and less chemicals and artificial additives. First and foremost, we removed MSG from our daily diet, then sodium nitrite a couple years ago. Then it was the lessening of high fructose corn syrup. Now begins the removal of artificial colorings.

The challenge is inherent from the get-go. Any packaged food or drink from just about any grocery store will have at least one of these things. Without the time and freedom to make every single meal we eat from scratch this feat of all-natural eating will prove difficult. Until we live our lives at our dream homestead we'll be fighting against these problems for as long as we shop. In the meantime we can at least curb how much artificial ingredients we eat.

Nothing unnatural here

Trying the fluoride-free route

Bread products are notorious for additives

Cold Days at the Range

2015-01-19T12:37:00.000-05:00

Freezing rain in New Hampshire? Eh, doesn't bother me.

A Quiet New Years Eve

2014-12-31T17:55:00.002-05:00

A good night to Bug-In.

Happy New Years, everyone! Let us wish for at least a tolerable 2015!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2014-12-24T11:39:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Broadminded Survival!

Be safe and have a Happy New Year as well!