Gorges' Grouse

Question

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:41:00 +0000

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So tell me; what does the following verse say to you?

"The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD." Proverbs 21:31
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"New" Post

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:11:00 +0000

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Rico, over at Survival in the Widerness has some posts that some of you prepper and bushcraft types will enjoy. He's got three blogs, and I'm now following two of them. Check him out!
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Thoughts On Preparedness – Gone Fishin’

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:37:00 +0000

The first time that I went fishing, I was probably all of five years old. I caught a six-inch bass and was disappointed nearly to tears when my dad told me it should be thrown back to grow more. He took me a few more times as a kid, but I was soon visiting the creek on my own and bringing home an occasional dinner for the four of us in my family. That’s how easy it is to fish; even a kid can do it. Success, though, isn’t an every-time thing. Still, fishing is one of the easiest ways there is to put a little protein in your system, at least during the warmer months.

Experts catch fish all year around, but I was always a warm weather fisherman. Starting when the fish make their spawning beds in spring, until a little after the first frost, fishing was always something that I looked forward to as a kid and young adult. There’s nothing much simpler than putting a worm (or other bait) on a hook, plopping your line into the water and waiting for the bobber to take a dive. Sitting there on the bank is relaxing, too, and is much cheaper therapy than going to a shrink. In troubled times, IF you can afford the licenses for the adults, it’s one of the few things that a family can do together to put protein on the table. Even rods and bobbers are unnecessary, so you can just use a hand-line and not have to worry about someone poking out anyone else’s eye, or snagging their ear on a back-cast. Of course, many things can be used for bait, and if you want to try them, spinners and other lures, including flies, can sometimes catch fish. Dip-netting is another option. So are jug lines, trot-lines, limb lines, plus lines attached to roots or large stones. Such things are legal in some states and not in others, as is bow-fishing and spearing. Under survival conditions, I realize that many would forego the license and fish on the sly.

If you’re desperate, and willing to skirt the law, there are also other options. Just as a trap for animals is on guard 24 hours a day, instead of just when the hunter is there, so is a fish trap. They can be made from something like chicken wire or hardware cloth, or the old way from reeds or small saplings. They can be baited and then weighted with stones to sink them out of sight of prying eyes. I suspect that a “chicken catcher” type tool would be handy for retrieving them (or a “walking stick” with a limb stub left at the top end).

Turtles shouldn’t be over-looked, as they can be caught with baited hooks or in turtle-traps where legal. I DO NOT advise noodling for big catfish or turtles, as too many old turtle hunters have missing fingers! Also, if you like shrimp, you’ll love crayfish (crawdads to fellers like me), since they are FRESH. There’s even a bit of meat in the claws of the big ones, like in lobsters. They usually cook red, like lobsters in about seven minutes. I’ve caught enough of them to eat by simply turning rocks over in a creek. Grab them from behind, though, or they WILL pinch you! A miniature lobster pot of hardware cloth should catch them just fine, though I’m sure it would be illegal, plus I’ve caught them by letting them fasten their claws on golden raisins on a fish hook of all things, and raising them out of the water VERY gently yet quickly, before they let go.

Another type of fish trap is the weir. They’re hard to make tight enough for practical purposes, but hurdles of sticks (if you have the patience), minnow seines or chicken wire should work. In fresh water streams, you angle them across the stream and end them in a narrow corner (google it). Then, you “drive” the stream so the fish are funneled into the narrow end where they can be speared (or trapped maybe). Those along the seacoast can make crescent-shaped weirs of stone, or some other material through which water can drain, on and parallel to the shore. High tide will bring in some fish and a few may get behind the weir and be left behind as the tide ebbs back. All weirs are illegal as far as I know, so we’re speaking survival here. In such times, even if you’re fishing legally, keep a low profile and try not to let anyone know what you’re doing.

P.S. - Don't use fresh-water fish for sushi. On rare occasions, I've seen little black specks in the flesh that I was told were parasites! © 2012

She Wore Pink Ribbons

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:06:00 +0000

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A touching poem with what shouldn't be a surprise ending in this day and age. Please check it out. (God bless you, Susie.)

Country Side Poet
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Hand-Me-Down Days

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:19:00 +0000

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To some degree, you could say I grew up in other people's clothes. With several older cousins, and one smaller than average uncle, I never lacked for hand-me-downs. I never thought anything about it; most kids, as well as many adults that I knew, did the same. We had our own new clothes, too, but, they would also be passed along when they were outgrown. Unlike the yard-sale era of today, back then, folks would have considered it greedy and unchristian to sell their cast-offs when relatives or neighbors could make use of them. "Rummage sales" received only those things for which their owners couldn't find a home. Even then, most sales were held by churches, scout troops, and PTA chapters, not individuals.

Looking back, I remember not only clothes being passed along, but also beds, sofas, chairs, radios, and televisions. Most of my family's patrons were older relatives; we in turn passed most of our things to a family down the road that we knew from church. Perhaps one reason that such things were accepted was that Wall Street had yet to perfect the sales-pitch. Folks still knew the difference between necessities and luxuries. They also knew that even necessities could wait a while if the situation called for it. Religion, too, may have played a part since being too proud to live like your neighbor would have been considered sinful. The times we lived in may have been the greatest factor however.

The grandparents of that day had lived through two world wars and the great depression. The parents had been raised during the depression and many had served in World War II. Many had spent their lives with rationing, short supplies, and inadequate income. They were used to meeting their needs however they could, often, with second-hand goods. They were masters at living the old saying "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."

Today, even many poor people are too proud to accept hand-me-downs. Plus, when the average person no longer needs an item, it usually goes into the trash. Few folks eyen consider giving their cast-offs to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. These days, driving through town on trash day is an education in extravagance. Were they living, my grandparents would be mortified at the mountains of usable goods piled at some curbs. In order to save landfill space, some locales have legalized curb raiding. I've even read of folks who make a good living raiding the curbs and selling their booty through ads and second-hand shops.

I must confess though, I much preferred the days when helping your fellow-man was a task undertaken on a neighborhood basis. © 2012
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The REAL Danger Of Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:15:00 +0000

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I’ve said similar things to others recently, so when this email showed up today, I decided to share it with my readers. I have absolutely no idea of the source, but I DO agree with it 100 percent. Those who wanted change are certainly getting it. They may get a whole lot more if Obama gets re-elected. Sinclair Lewis saw the possibility of such a thing way back in 1935 when he wrote his book, “It Can’t Happen Here.” I hope that anyone who can get a copy will read it.

I've asked this question to a number of people and most them respond as if I were crazy for asking. They tell me that this is America, land of the free and that there will always be elections. I tell them that we are no longer the land of the free and that if Obama gets re-elected in 2012, that this just may be America’s last election. In the past three years, the Obama administration has been very carefully crafting the nation for a political take over by his Marxist regime and this isn't just my opinion.

Popular radio talk show host Michael Savage is the son of Russian immigrants and is very familiar with Soviet and European history. Savage warned his listeners this week saying, “I have to tell you that if this man, God forbid, is the next president of the United States, we're going to be living in something along the lines of - people say Europe. I don't believe it's going to be like Europe - I think it will be closer to Chavez's South American dictatorship. "This is the most corrupt, incompetent, dangerous tyrannical administration in American history. It's not politics as usual. It's not just Democrats versus Republicans. Obama has a long history of being at odds with American values and with America itself and the core principles of this country. They don't want government-sponsored opinions. They only want government-sponsored 'Pravda.' That's exactly what the government-media complex tells you on a daily basis - nothing but the government-media complex party line. Pay attention. Your freedom may be at stake."

Over the weekend, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum told a small group of people in an Iowa coffee house that, "Barack Obama is not incompetent, ladies and gentleman. He knows exactly what he's doing and why he's doing it. He sees America differently than you see America. Obama] has gone out of his way to divide this country in a way I haven't seen since the Great Depression when Franklin Roosevelt went around to divide his country. That's his hero. What makes America great [in Obama's mind is that] the government takes money from somebody and gives it to somebody else. No, that's what makes America, France.”

With his control over the Executive and Judicial branches of the government, the stage is set for a complete takeover of the government. Think about it. Since taking office, instead of helping the economy, Obama has purposely escalated the economic crisis by plunging the country into unprecedented debt. He has a number of programs that are designed to go into effect in January 2013, just in time for his second term of office. The economic burden and increased taxes on everyone will be enough to cause the final economic collapse of the country. As soon as that happens, Obama declares Martial Law and assumes dictatorial control of the nation. The Department of Justice has already been subverting federal laws to strip us of a number of freedoms. The Supreme Court and many of the other federal courts have been seeded with socialistic liberal judges that will rule in Obama's favor on virtually anything, thus ending constitutional rule and law.

He's already changing the face of America’s military. Allowing homosexuals to openly serve along with changing the retirement program is causing many conservative military leaders to resign commissions and leave the military. Some Pentagon officials are also noting that an increase in the enlistment of radical Muslims into the US military where they get all the training they need on weapons and defense systems. We have no idea how many of them there are in the armed forces or in what positions they may hold. Obama has been wielding executive powers this past year as if he were already a dictator. When Congress is not doing his bidding, he simply bypasses them and used an executive order to accomplish it anyway. This has set the stage for his disbandment of Congress. He would not be the first world leader to take control of a nation and disband the legislative branch of government.

He has been effectively using the media to anesthetize the public to the dangers he poses. Like a patient being prepped for surgery, people are numb to the changes and won't have a clue what took place until they wake up in recovery and realize that free America has been removed and replaced with a regime that may parallel those of Stalin, Lenin, Mussolini, Hitler, Chavez and Castro.

For the sake of our children and grandchildren, I earnestly pray that we are spared from what seems a certain future and that Obama is overwhelmingly defeated in 2012. Otherwise, heaven help us.

Feel free to copy and paste this article only and send it to your email friends. Of course, those who voted for him won’t believe it.
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Word Verification Removed

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:59:00 +0000

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Blogger has made word verification such a pain that I've removed it (hopefully) for the sake of my readers who let it discourage them from commenting. I hope this will encourage more comments, as they are often more interesting than my posts! Now, let's hope that I don't get "slammed with spam!"
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Sex, Morals And The Culture War

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:52:00 +0000

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Hack Wilson has some interesting facts and figures over at his blog showing where Women's Lib and the sexual revolution have gotten us. I think you'll find it interesting.
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Safe Drinking Water

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:44:00 +0000

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This is another personal communication from the guru which he has kindly allowed me to pass on to you. Better sit down; he gets a little windy sometimes when he thinks that I’m the only one listening! You'll have to copy and paste the links, I got lazy and didn't redo them from the email.

While there are all kinds of water filtration systems on the market, it might be worth it to learn about those that would be used in a backpacking, boondocking, third-world travel, or emergency situations where you do not have access to any type of city or electrically pumped well water but must, instead, use surface water from rivers, streams, rain water, seep holes, or even muddy puddles (it’s best to use clearish and flowing water). Such filters are usually small, lightweight, and highly portable, usually much less than 2 pounds in weight. Again, we are looking primarily at portable filters and purifiers, not chemicals or ultraviolet sterilizing methodologies.

Some portable filters use a siphon or drip system to run the water you scoop up with a bag, bottle, or cup through the filter, but many use a mechanical hand pump that is built into the unit making it easy to drop a short intake hose down a narrow hole or break in the rocks. Dirty water is pumped from the untreated source through the filter and into the drinking container. Basic filters remove most, if not all, bacteria, protozoa and microbial cysts that can cause disease, but do NOT remove viruses — the risk of viral contamination in waters of the North American wilderness, under current conditions, is considered low; therefore quality filters are considered quite sufficient for most domestic travel.

But this may not be the case in heavily populated areas draining into major rivers. There are some filters (called "purifiers"), that WILL remove viruses but they are more costly; instead, I recommend you add water purification tablets or bleach to filtered water to destroy the viruses (a two phase approach: filter then treat) to keep your costs down.

A quality basic filter can be found for as little as $20 for a “LifeStraw” you suck on, to almost $300 for a Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter for filling water containers and canteens. But, if you want to also filter viruses, the excellent Sawyer Point Zero Two system(s) start around $130 for a not-so-portable kit to around $200 for a highly portable one — and go up from there.

Ideally, make sure you get your water up stream of any visible carcasses or sewage or chemical runoffs, but that is not always possible. So, if in doubt, filter first then disinfect with iodine tablets or bleach if your filter does not block viruses. But while such chemicals are inexpensive and quick to use, they affect the taste of the water PLUS chemicals alone are ineffective against cryptosporidium and some other protozoa. That’s why it is best to filter first then use a disinfectant after filtration if necessary. Or break down and purchase a true purification system that removes viruses, such as the aforementioned Sawyer Point Zero Two Purifier, the First Need XL Water Purifier, or the LifeStraw-Family (http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw) if it is available in your region/country.

Remember, most portable filters will NOT remove dissolved solids, including chemicals, dyes, and heavy metals.

To extend the life of a filter or purifier, try to get as clear water as you can from beneath the surface, but not right off the bottom. If you have to, allow water to settle before filtering and/or use something to act as a pre-filter (t-shirt, coffee filter, etc.). You want to keep the filter from clogging for as long as possible.

Points to keep in mind:

• Besides chemical contaminants, which not much can be done about on an individual basis, the biologicals are the most easily removed or treated to provide decent drinking water.

• Certain protozoa (cryptosporidium, giardia, etc.) are easy to filter out due to their size, but may be hard to kill, while bacteria such as cholera and salmonella are smaller and more difficult to remove. Viruses, on the other hand, such as hepatitis A and B are so small that most filters will not even touch them. Boiling and disinfectants (iodine treatment, bleach treatment) do kill them, though.

• But ... it is my understanding that we do not generally have to worry about viruses unless there are dead animals, animal waste (humans are animals too, remember), water temperatures above 50° F, or stagnant water. As stated previously, for the most part, throughout North America, a filter that removes protozoa and bacteria is just fine. And you can also add several drops of fresh bleach or purchased water treatment to kill off anything else in the drinking water. Nonetheless, there are a few backpackable and foreign-travel "purifiers" that filter out viruses. That Sawyer Point Zero Two Water Purifier (that's .02) will "trap viruses as well as protozoa and bacteria" and is guaranteed for a "million gallons", as will the First Need XL Water Purifier, whose replaceable cartridge only lasts 150 gallons.

• Boiling is highly effective against viruses, but you have to have the fuel and time to boil enough to drink.

• There are several types of filters, including ceramic which are expensive and easily breakable and usually require a hand pump system. The excellent, and tiny, Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter (http://www.katadyn.com/usen/) is an example of this type of filter system which does NOT remove viruses. Expensive at around $300, but lasting a lifetime with a 13,000 gallon replaceable filter, it removes all microorganisms larger than 0.2 (that's point two) microns and produces drinkable water.

• There are other types of filter systems available, but one type stands out in my mind and I use that type: the hollow-fiber-membrane filter which, depending on its design, can filter out even viruses while providing thousands of gallons of water before it needs to be replaced. A filter like that, with a long guarantee generally does not fail.

• Remember, these filters are not "taste filters" and will not necessarily improve taste, but so what? I have potable, safe drinking water!

To my knowledge, the Sawyer Purifier is the only portable system to remove protozoa, bacteria, and viruses AND that possesses a million gallon guarantee as long as you maintain it with occasional back-flushing. What I like about the Sawyer Purifiers (remove viruses too) and the Sawyer Filters (do not remove viruses) is how fast they filter water ... the Filter does a gallon in about 3 minutes, while the Purifier with its smaller-than-viruses hollow fibers takes 15 minutes to filter a gallon. With their Purifier, you do not have to wait to boil the water and you do not need to use chemicals such as bleach or iodine to protect you, which may be best for pregnant women — you have virtually instant safe water. Remember, this is not a taste filter ... but traveling, backpacking or boondocking, or in an emergency situation, what you want is safe, potable water and that is what such filters provide.

I currently keep the $52 (Amazon price) Sawyer Point One "Squeeze Water Filter System" (http://www.sawyer.com/SP131.htm) which "removes 99.99999% Bacteria and 99.9999% Protozoa/Cysts", in my backpack and supplement it to fight viruses with easily available purifier tablets — nevertheless, I also have their $126 (Amazon price) " Point Zero Two Purifier with Bucket Adapter Kit & Faucet Adapter" (http://www.sawyer.com/SP190.htm ), which also removes viruses, in my camping trailer when we boondock with several grandkids. The Point Zero Two "Complete 4 Liter Water Purifier System" is a bit higher at $180, but includes two large, portable water storage bags (http://www.sawyer.com/SP194.htm).

At the risk of this sounding like a commercial, here are two videos to watch: http://vimeo.com/25364486 to learn how to use the squeeze filter, and the excellent and informative http://vimeo.com/32935877 to see how a single bucket purifier has helped a small community in Africa save the lives of at least ten children a month.

P.S. from Gorges: The Sawyer Two Point Zero is available now online much cheaper than mentioned here. The guru and I each got one for around $115.
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Amish and cameras

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:48:00 +0000

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The times are changing as the government tries to destroy the Amish way of life.

The White Man
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Coffee with the Hermit: Saturday Morning Brain Test...!

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:02:00 +0000

Coffee with the Hermit: Saturday Morning Brain Test...!

The Deliberate Agrarian: Michael Bunker Does It Again.....

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:18:00 +0000

The Deliberate Agrarian: Michael Bunker Does It Again.....

Murdering Fido

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:47:00 +0000

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The piece that follows was written about 2005 for a project that never got off the ground. From what I can see on the internet, things in Germany haven’t changed much since then. The people who do such things should be horse-whipped, tarred and feathered and then run out of town on a rail. They are the true beasts, not the dogs!

“Ya don’t wanna know!”

That's what I told my co-worker when he asked where the world's "protect us from ourselves" mentality was going to end. The discussion had started when I'd mentioned reading an article in DOGWORLD about 40 breeds of dogs being banned in Germany after a couple people had been killed by mean dogs. Thousands of dog owners in that country are heartbroken because the government has confiscated and killed their dogs for no reason other than their pedigree. Even individual animals of the breeds which are allowed have to be "tested" to see if they're "safe." The testing is nothing short of animal cruelty. A policeman beats the dog with a baton, and if the dog tries to bite him, the dog fails and is killed. If anyone, cop or not, started beating my dog, I'd bite the guy myself!

At the risk of bringing up an unpopular subject, "dog control" falls right in with "gun control." It's not about controlling dangerous objects or animals; it's about controlling people. Most of Europe is now populated by folks so brainwashed against standing up for themselves that I have to wonder if any of them have enough spine to fight for the right on any issue. That's what the powers that be are striving for, of course. They long for the day that the average person will have no means of self-defense, even by a beloved family pet. Then they can strip that person of his rights, privileges and material goods and go back to the days of serfs and royalty-slaves and masters. The dark ages, from whence our civilization arose, will reclaim our freedoms and properties.

This movement is worldwide. To a degree, we can thank the Tri-lateral Commission, the Bilderberg Group, and a host of other shady organizations, including the United Nations, but it's really our own fault. Most of us only complain rather than fight the obvious wrong. Gun control is the current scourge of this country, along with environmental regulations making it harder and harder to own property. Once England had gun control, they started working on knife control. My co-worker said he thought it was Blade Magazine that ran an article a couple years ago, telling how the English parliament had discussed outlawing butter knives, since some wacko might sharpen one.

According to an NRA publication, either Belgium or the Netherlands (I forget which) recently asked their citizens to voluntarily turn in any and all objects that could be used as weapons, from unused pipes and farm tools, to baseball bats. Would you trust a government like that? Well, guess what, we already have one. Today it may only be your gun, but tomorrow, it may be your butter knife or your baseball bat. The day after, it may be loyal ol' Fido.

Twenty-five years ago, I went to a couple meetings sponsored by the John Birch society. Clear back then they warned us that all this was coming. I thought they were a bunch of kooks back then, and frankly, I still feel about the same way. But, personal feelings aside, I have to say that they hit the nail squarely on the head.

So, what about it, do you really want to know where it's going to end? If you really don’t know, get a good study guide and read Revelation. For any of you who don't know, it's in the Bible. © 2012
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The Good And Bad Of Modern Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:54:00 +0000

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One of my followers, Penny, mentioned this link. It's one of those things that make you sad, happy and angry all at the same time. Check it out.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2012%2F02%2F12%2FMNT21N6NVI.DTL
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The Guru’s Thought’s On The Popularity of Preparedness Articles

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:49:00 +0000

I had commented to the guru that several blogs that I follow seem to get more traffic when the subject of preparedness comes up. Below is his “dissertation” on the phenomenon. If you find his use of story characters interesting, remember that he is a teacher and a history buff. I want to thank him here for his permission to use this and other supposedly private conversations on this blog. Thanks, guru!

Informally, with no stats to back me up, I would not be surprised if more than half the population is "worried" about the near future, and about 15-25 per cent actively have some kind of preparedness plan and/or equipment. Most regular campers, in fact, think about it and consider their camping gear adequate for an emergency. And this, for the most part, is common sense preparedness, where what you have is useful and not just sitting on a shelf rotting away. But I have no figures to back me up.

However, with today's instant access to knowledge, the constant barrage of Tweets and emails and IMs and what-have-you (all the modern day equivalent of the old party line listen-ins and gossips), and with the gullibility of the majority of people especially when they see it in writing or on television, there is a lot of fear building. In fact, that fear-orientation is actually a natural part of being human ... we are stuck in a rut, nothing can change that course, and we want something drastic to happen to change things for us where we do not have to be the causers of that change, but also fear its occurrence since others are bringing that change about. So we tend to try to protect ourselves and loved ones in some manner.

Throw into that some factual stuff like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados and the overabundance of media coverage, the science shows talking about the Yellowstone Super Volcano that might happen soon (geologically speaking), and even the pseudoscience “crapola” of disaster predictions, UFO invasion, etc. presented in a cogent manner as factual and surrounded only by the thinnest veil of "it's just speculation", and you have generated a fearful society that WANTS to be fearful, and is LED to be fearful. Hey, if it happens to everyone and we all are in the same boat, that means EVERYONE has an equal chance to come out on top (or die trying).

So now you have the preparedness nuts who horde all kinds of stuff, practice running away, practice killing skills, practice survival — all so they will be the ones who come out on top and free of hunger (some, perhaps, wanting to emulate the family farmers of yesteryear, a long gone family survival vocation). Once again, human nature at work here ... demonstrated in the simplest and earliest of childhood morality tales like the Ant and the Grasshopper, Chicken Little, and The Little Red Hen to name but a very few.

There are the hoarders and preparers like the Ants. The preparers and doers like The Little Red Hen who gets no help and therefore does not share in the end. And then there those who are truly fearful, like Chicken Little, warily watching for the sky to fall.

For myself, I do not "worry" ... there is not a darn thing I can do to stop a major catastrophe. And if I was to use too much energy and resources to horde, practice, and prepare, I would waste all my time, money and life on something that may never happen (though I guess that could be considered a "hobby”).

So I am more like the Crow. I hedge my bets a bit by being common-sense prepared which should give me 72+ hours to get my head on straight, then as needed drop my pebbles into the vase until the water reaches the top and take a drink. And there might even be a bit of the Fox with his grapes in there, too, at some point. (Actually, I prefer Ananse, who I am very familiar with.)

I think many of the worries of the Cold War are still there, and young adults of today remember and internalize that fear from their elders, so many are clutching at straws by trying to educate themselves, balancing desire, money, and wherewithal in order to place themselves in the best possible position they can afford and/or are willing to invest in just in case. By reading the ideas of the many, each can filter those down into something that may help the one (individual, family, or small group). And since the fear of Katrina still pervades, along with the more current fears of Fukisheima and tsunamis and radiation, that means knowledge is power and potential survival (which is actually true if it is correct and accurate knowledge).

Preparedness is the widespread "hobby" and "sci-fi story" and "historical" interest of the day. A man could make BIG money playing on those fears and interests, and many are happily doing just that. But others are presenting a little bit at a time in a digestible and well balanced manner (as compared to some nutcase and fear mongering-blogs out there), so people look their way.

Nevard Blog: Letter From A Soldier In England

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:18:00 +0000

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Nevard Blog: Letter From A Soldier In England
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Woodsrunner's trail: Check out this blog

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:07:00 +0000

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I could have linked this directly, but I found the blog through Woodsrunner's trail, so go over and check it out. I became a follower!

Woodsrunner's trail: Check out this blog
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The Guru’s Opinion On Survival Guns

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:36:00 +0000

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Though he hunted and fished for food when he lived a few years in a village of Native Peoples in Alaska, the guru is a city-slicker at heart and no longer hunts. He looks at things from more of a defense mode, as opposed to my hunting first - defense second view. That doesn't make his views any less valid, so don't take them lightly.

If I could only have two guns, I would recommend a Mossberg 500 "JIC II" shotgun and a Taurus "Judge" magnum. Since revolvers work better in adverse (grungy) conditions, and generally pistols are used at short range, the Taurus is an excellent choice.

The Taurus Judge Magnum is a good revolver that is chambered to fire both 410 shot shells and/or 45 Colts. That ammo is fairly common although the 45 colt is a bit high in cost. Some stores might not carry 410 and 45 colt, versus, say 45 ACP or the super-common 9mm. Load 410 shot in one chamber, followed by a 45 shell. If the shot does not motivate the invader, the 45 will nail him.

Mossberg is a very good brand shotgun and fairly "inexpensive". The Mossberg 500 JIC II is a 12 gauge pump action with a pistol grip, but I would make sure to also modify it with a folding stock. Just make sure when the stock is folded that the weapon is still easy to load and/or shoot and that the spent hulls don't interfere with the stock. My main reason for a pump gun is that it is simple to use and makes a VERY LOUD noise when you cycle that pump — anyone who isn't doped up would immediately leave after hearing that threatening sound (if they had the sense God gave a muley-headed ol' billy goat.) The JIC II is an easy-to-carry or pack weapon, ideal for the home or the survivalist, or hunter. The extended stock is useful in hunting situations, and 12 gauge ammo is everywhere. Any type of shotgun load is good for the home, but go with shot and not the slug for the house since there is more chance of hitting the target with the shot. If your shotgun of choice comes with a slug barrel, keep it on the gun as it's shorter than a shot barrel making it easy to move around in the house or tight spaces.

However, 9mm is probably the most common pistol caliber out there nowadays. So a 9mm Glock 19 might be a good, cost effective deal. A pocket reloader and accessories might be worth it, too, if you can save brass and have access to lead and primers.

Another choice, though prices have gone sky high for the most part, is the AR-15, which shoots common ammo, is easily tailored to all tastes, and repair parts are EVERYWHERE.

One more point: I know you might not agree on this issue but get your Concealed Carry (CCW) permit for two major reasons. The first is that you will learn the gun laws of the state and will get practice with a gun.

The second reason is it can save you a lot of trouble because you can carry your gun(s) a lot "safer" by being within the law. For example, if you had to leave and go into Ohio and got stopped for a traffic violation, then you permit will (or should) help keep you out of trouble. Otherwise you will have broken felony laws in Ohio (and any other state that you might try to get to or out of). Just because you do have your CCW permit doesn't mean you HAVE to carry a gun; but if you do need one in a hurry you would already have it.

A lot of people say they do not want the state and federal governments to know that they have guns, but those days of anonymity are over. When you go out and buy ammo and use your credit/debit card or check, and even cash in some states where you must sign for ammo, "someone" will know you have a firearm. Anyway, once you are convicted of a felony then you can't even come close to a gun or ammo; so it would be stupid to be convicted on gun charges when having a CCW permit would have kept you legal. Remember, carrying a pistol even in a car trunk is considered a felony in several states unless you possess a CCW permit.

Anyway, the Judge, 500 JIC, and Glock 19 and, (if you can find one at a reasonable price) an AR-15 make for a powerhouse of a cost-effective arsenal for the plinker, shooter, hunter, or survivalist.

Thoughts On Preparedness – Firearms

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:03:00 +0000

I don’t consider myself a survivalist. I haven’t chosen to bury food and firearms in sundry caches around the countryside, though I won’t fault those who do. It IS entirely possible that the government may turn rogue and desperados may wander the land. If that’s the scenario that you’re preparing for, then go for multiple AK-47’s or SKS’s in the commonly available 7.62x39 cartridge and stock up with tens of thousands of rounds of ammo.

Even doing a little hunting, with some capability for self-defense against man or beast, can be affected by the expected conditions. If there would always be enough supplies available for purchase and enough money with which to buy them, yet I wanted to be a “one-gun” guy, my gun would be a single shot or double barreled 12 gauge shotgun. They’re simple, dependable, and easily repaired by local gunsmiths of limited abilities. Furthermore, with due judgment and the right loads and chokes, they’re good for anything from woodcock to grizzlies. (If I were in grizzly country, though, I MIGHT think about a pump-action.)

If I were going to be in the back-country, with few new supplies available, I’d think strongly about a military-style flintlock musket. Like a shotgun, it can be loaded with either light or heavy loads, and either shot or round ball to handle anything from birds to bears. Stock up ahead of time with lead, flints and powder, and learn how to locate and knap your own flints if possible. Some forms of gunpowder can be made from scratch if you learn how. Lead is the most limiting factor, being unavailable in nature for the average person. That’s why the old-timers dug it out of trees, dead game, and friends and enemies alike—so they could melt and recast it. And yes, have bullet molds and related paraphernalia. Plus, have a complete extra lock and a couple extra springs, hammers, frizzens and screws. Of course you should have a small toolset no matter what kind of gun you carry. A muzzle-loading pistol of the same caliber for back-up would be good if you can afford it. Additional lock parts would apply for it, too, but probably not a full extra lock.

If you’re going to be in more settled country, with access to some supplies and money to buy them, and still want to keep your guns to a minimum, I’d strongly consider a .22 rifle for most hunting and a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun for the rest of your hunting, plus self-defense. I’d lean toward a single shot in both, though a double barreled shotgun always leaves you with a back-up plan, should one barrel or lock become unusable. Lever and bolt-action .22’s are good, too. Scopes are great, just be sure to leave a set of open sights on the gun, should the scope become damaged.

The best thing to do, if you can afford it, is to have a good .22 and a good shotgun for hunting small game, and a 30-30 for deer-sized game. If I were in grizzly country, I’d make that at least a 30-06. Ammunition for .22’s, 20 and 12 gauge shotguns, plus 30-30 and 30-06 caliber rifles will always be available nearly anywhere in this country as long as the government hasn’t overstepped its authority to the extreme as it constantly wants to do.

If you absolutely MUST keep expenses to a minimum, yet want some capability for self-defense, I would strongly consider a Ruger 10-22, complete with some banana clips. Despite being an automatic, that model has gained a record of for utmost dependability. I’d definitely stockpile all the shells that I could reasonably afford. If defense is no consideration, and you want the absolute least expensive way possible to put meat on the table, I’d stick with a single shot .22 and as many shells as you can afford. A small gun like the Cricket, with its receiver sight should put game in the pot, plus be small enough to conceal easily as you travel to and from your hunting area. (Something to consider in hard times, unless you feel you might need it for defense.) Remember, even though illegal for deer-hunting, a .22 long rifle, fired from 50 feet into the base of a deer’s ear will have you eating venison. (Likewise, a .32 muzzleloader.) I’m not condoning this during normal times; I’m talking as an alternative to letting the kids go hungry in tough times. We all have to decide what’s most important when such times come. I know what I’d do. © 2012

VIRUS NOTICE

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:26:00 +0000

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This was on Facebook. I can't say for sure that it's true; but why take the chance?

In the coming days, you should be aware..... Do not open any message with an attachment called: Invitation FACEBOOK, regardless of who sent it. It is a virus that opens an Olympic torch that burns the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone you had in your address book. That's why you should send this message to all your contacts. It is better to receive this email 25 times than to receive the virus and open it. If you receive E-MAIL called: Invitation FACEBOOK, though sent by a friend, do not open it and delete it immediately. It is the worst virus as announced by CNN
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Nevard Blog: Dick Joins The Army

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:46:00 +0000

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At sixty below, "It was too cold to do anything with the horses so I went and cut a load of wood..."

Read more at the link below:

Nevard Blog: Dick Joins The Army
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Full circle

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:48:00 +0000

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Native Americans believed life was a series of circles. Though they didn't understand the mechanics, they recognized the pattern of dawn, daylight, dusk, and darkness as a circle; Likewise, the phases of the moon and the passing of the seasons. Human life, too, was a circle of birth, childhood, adulthood, old age, and death, each man’s life overlapping with that of his neighbor.

Black Elk was speaking spiritually when he said there was strength in the circle. He said his people lost their power when they left the circle of the lodge to dwell in square houses like the white man. He probably wouldn't have been surprised to learn that the circle is physically strong as well. Theorists tell us his ancestors came from Asia and multiplied into a great nation before dwindling to near nothing as the white man plundered the continent. My own ancestors came from Europe and multiplied here until they were a large family with much land. But, due to death, taxes, suburban sprawl, and declining birth rates, my family and their property has also dwindled to near nothing. My little farm is the last family holding of any acreage in the valley and the my grandfather’s branch on the family tree is nearly dead.

My earliest recorded ancestor in this region came with flintlock in hand, when the land was still called the Colony of Virginia. Later generations used caplocks and repeating arms. My own first hunting arm was an auto-loading shotgun; then came a single-shot, followed by a rnuzzleloader. Today I sit here with a bow in my lap. In this age of center-fire repeaters with electronic ignition, some would say I'm regressing. I prefer to think I'm just completing the circle started by my pre-historic European ancestors.

This land, too, is making a full circle. The towering pine I'm using for my backrest is a grand-child of those felled a century-and-a-half ago when the farm was first cleared. Fifty years later, when my grandfather bought the place, pines had already reclaimed the rougher areas. They, in turn, seeded the ridge where I now sit. It's a little sad to see a century of family labor turn to nothing as the pines reclaim their own. Yet, there's also a certain comfort in knowing that, with our passing, the land will once again hear the sounds of the forest.

For many years my family has lived on the food and fiber this land has given us. As I sit here, silently thanking the Lord for His blessings through this land, the gently swaying limbs above me seem to be singing a hymn of their own. When my circle is finished, I hope my body can lie here beneath familiar soil. It seems fitting that the land which furnished so many of the nutrients to build this body should reclaim it on that day. © 2012

P.S. This article was written several years ago and was based on a rather long piece of free verse that I’d written earlier, which has never been published. The farm I spoke of then is gone now, perhaps because it was too much the center of my life then, instead of God. In death, I won’t be resting in the soil that furnished the material for my bones, but in the country cemetery ¾ of a mile down the road. My gravestone was recently ordered and paid for, but I haven’t heard from them yet about picking it up. I’ll be setting it myself. Hopefully, I won’t be needing it any time soon. If I do, I guess it won’t be my problem! ;-)
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Everybody Love Everybody

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:02:00 +0000

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This kid is alright! Please watch his video and then pass it on.

http://www.godvine.com/Everybody-Love-Everybody-One-Young-Man-s-Touching-Story-1125.html
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Simply Self Sufficiency

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:18:00 +0000

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The title is the name of a blog I just saw at the site of one of my followers. You may find it interesting if you're trying to become more self-sufficient. Check it out: Simply Self Sufficiency
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Big Brother Must Live In Tennessee

noreply@blogger.com (Gorges Smythe) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:42:00 +0000

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A guy down in Tennessee, called a "doomsday prepper," has been misdiagnosed as suicidal by a crackpot doctor, sent to a mental hospital for observation, then had his guns stolen by the local sheriff because he had been in that institution. This guy is rightfully angry and gives the names of the guilty parties. Listen to the videos over at Modern Day Redneck.
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