Episode 38 Rainbarrel Fish, Gardens, and ShadowStats…

Posted on March 5, 2012 by William

No audio for this post.

The other day I was over at my brother’s house checking out all the neat stuff in his back yard.  Greenhouse, raised beds, compost pile, rabbit hutches and rain barrels.  As I was peering mindlessly into the inky depths of one the rain barrels, a set of eyes drifted up to catch my gaze.

I was kind of stunned to see a goldfish staring up at me.  I yelled out, “There’s a GOLDFISH in your rain barrel!”  to  which he replied “Yeah, they eat the mosquitoes.”  as if everyone knows that!  It was a Duh! moment for me.  What a common sense approach to a problem, yet this overfed, long-haired leaping gnome had never heard of it.

goldfish

I eat larvae

I love it.  I love simple and fun solutions.  For a couple of bucks, you have a self-sustaining environment that serves it’s purpose and is mosquito free.  Oh, and the kids love it,  especially this one.

March (gardening) Madness

For those of you living in the South, you know that Spring has sprung.  If you have not already started your gardening activities, get to it!  I live in suburbia and my house backs up to a creek.  I have a very tiny backyard with too much shade for any meaningful garden production.  Consequently, my front yard is my garden location.  Not the best for OPSEC but it’s what I have to work with.

I won’t get into my security measures in this post but needless to say my neighbors can walk by and see my gardening efforts.  Saturday a lady walked on by and said, “Nice beds.”  I gave her a heartfelt, “Thank you” and continued my planting.  Because I am forced to use my front yard for gardening and it is advertised to the neighborhood, It makes a good conversation starter about the fun and practical aspects of having a home garden.

I don’t have to smack a copy of “Patriots” over their heads yelling, “Repent, the end is near!”  Nope, I we can just engage in a friendly conversation about spinach.  Let the conversation lead to where it may but at least we are conversing.  My neighbors don’t know me as the neighborhood “prepper” but as the guy with the nice garden.

As part of my preparedness strategy, I have purchased several cans of  non hybrid “survival seeds” to give to several neighbors immediately around me.  I suspect as things get tighter and the economic situation becomes obviously tenuous to everyone, that my neighbors will be glad to start their own gardens.

Am I a saint for being willing to GIVE them seeds?  Rest assured, I’m far from it.  Yes, I like helping people out, but one of my goals is to create a buffer zone around me of willing allies.  They may turn into late-blooming believers, and if they do, I want to do everything I can to help them out.

I would be foolhardy to think that I can secure my entire neighborhood by myself.  I am slowly trying to encourage preparedness through my deeds, not just my words.  My words fall mainly on deaf ears anyway, but if people can SEE preparedness and self-sufficiency in ACTION, that speaks volumes.

SHADOWSTATS HYPERINFLATION 2012 UPDATE

Economist John Williams of ShadowStats.com has updated his hyperinflation assessment.  Shadowstats gives you real economic statistics that are not manipulated like many of the Federal Government agencies.

Although he offers paid advice and stats via a six or twelve month subscription to his service, his annual hyperinflation update if free and VERY educational.  Don’t just gloss over this in-depth report.  Take time and truly study it.  I am not making any kind of crystal ball economic predictions but I am sure if you study his report and look at exactly what our Government and the Federal Reserve are currently doing, you will agree that we are quickly reaching an economic event horizon.

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Episode 37 Bridging the gap from short term to long term survival.

Posted on March 3, 2012 by William

Well, it seems that the new NatGeo series “Doomsday Preppers” has stirred up some conversation.  I have had several friends bring it up and ask some good questions.  For that I am grateful.  One of the glaring realities of being truly prepared, is the sheer volume of STUFF one can accumulate.

One years’ worth of food for a family of four can take up quite a bit of room.  It can look pretty overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be.  Just start.  Make a plan to stock just a few more items each trip the grocery store.  Inch by inch everything’s a cinch.

In the TV show, most of the “preppers” have a substantial supply of food, weapons and other “necessities.”  Very few of these people however are preparing to be actually “self-sustaining” in the truest sense of the term.  Not having to rely on ANY outside source for survival.  Think about that.  ANY is a big word.  Just having a large pantry stuffed with goodies does not make you self-sufficient.

What will you do for food a year from now when you run out of all your stored food?  To be truly independent, we need to learn how to grow our own food, process our own food whether grown, raised, or hunted or gathered.

Think of all the aspects of your current life that are connected to the grid and current supply chains.  Go to Episode 36 and look at the basics. Start with the basics and learn how to purify water without a Big Berkey water filter.  Learn how to create the garden that will feed your family.  Learn how to raise free range poultry.

My brother is learning how to keep bees.  Honey is a great source of energy and the bees are great little helpers in crop pollination.  His family already raises chickens and rabbits.  They provide a occaisional source of protein from a backyard urban environment.  I say occasional because hey, the grids not down yet and they still can purchase other meats from a co-op.  But if the shummer hits the fan, they can up their production pretty quick and be self-sufficient in that area.

If all of this sounds too overwhelming. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be. Learning how to live a truly independent life  can be rewarding and fun.  I suggest (among others) a subscription to Backwoods Home magazine.  There is a link on the right column.  It is a really good reference for living self-sufficiently.

Just remember. if we do go into a prolonged period of economic chaos that leads to a “grid down” scenario, you will need the skills to outlast your store-bought supplies.  Think of the basics, food, water, shelter….then work your way up your needs ladder.  Here is a link to a HubPages post on making a homemade water filter.  Yes it uses activated carbon that is store bought, but it is possible to make it on your own.

The best tool you can have to be prepared is an open and educated mind.

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Episode 36 What does Vince Lombardi have to do with Prepping?

Posted on March 1, 2012 by William

The other day a prepper curious friend asked me what kind of gun he should buy. I was excited that he was thinking of taking care of his need to protect himself and his family. The ability and right to protect our persons, family and property come with being human. They are a God-given right, not as some would consider a man-made right.

Before I gave him an answer about weapons, I had to stop and think a bit. (usually I just say something then think later, ask my wife, she’ll agree) This time, I asked him a question instead. “Do you have the basics covered?” “Do you have a one year supply of food and water for your family?”

I kind of expected the answer I received, “No, I don’t have any food stashed…yet.” I didn’t want to discourage him about protecting his family but at the same time I feel that FEEDING your family is protecting them also. I gently encouraged him to start thinking about starting his food purchases FIRST, then as money allowed to consider purchasing his weapons.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow developed his theory of Hierarchy of Needs. As you can see from the graph, the basic necessities are the physiological needs.  Just above that comes security.

So many times we want to get the coolest gadget, radio, solar panel, gun, that we forget about taking care of the basics FIRST.    Even though I am constantly ADDING to my already deep larder, I am able to move up and concentrate on security of body, family and property.

The Green Bay Packers’ legendary head coach, Vince Lombardi led them to 5 world championships in 7 years including the first two Super Bowls.  Although each season, many hardened veterans would return, to the Packers, Coach Lombardi would start with the basics.  On the first day of practice each year, Lombardi would hold up a football and say, “Men….this is a football!”

You can’t get any more basic than that.  So, remember in your quest to prepare your family for uncertainty, start with the basics.  Take care of those, then move up.

This link is a really neat little tool that helps calculate just how much food you need for a given amount of people.  It is developed by some Mormons.  I am not Mormon, but I do respect their deep knowledge and (food) preparedness beliefs.

http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

 

 

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Episode 35 The Hunt Brothers Silver Plays. Part 1 and Part 2

Posted on February 27, 2012 by William

No personal audio comments for this post.

Over the past few months I’ve discovered some interesting YouTube videos produced by “TruthNeverTold”.  As I am systematically adding to my little stash of Silver as a hedge against the fiat currency called the dollar, I thought these two videos would be of interest for those of you doing the same.

Remember….take possession of the physical silver

 

 

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Episode 34 Doomsday Preppers and other names they call me!

Posted on February 23, 2012 by William

No Audio for this blog post.

Well,  The new TV show on NatGeo is out called “Doomsday Pareppers”.  I was anxious to see how the network would handle a topic so close to my heart.  By ten minutes into the first section, all I could do was groan in utter disappointment.

I can’t say that I’m surprised at the rather “eccentric” subjects they got to be on the show.  It is TV after all and Nat Geo does need to sell advertising.  God bless all the folks on the show, they are after all taking a proactive stance to prepping the best way they know how.

Although I might not agree with some of the REASONS they feel the need to prep for, it’s their life.  A Yellowstone super volcano eruption that occurs every 50,000 years is not on my prep list.

What I found most interesting was the short messages the producers voiced over at the end of each segment.  For those preppers that were concerned with a coming economic collapse due to our runaway spending and government debt, there was a message that said something like, “Experts agree that the chances of economic collapse and runaway hyperinflation are very slim”.

Hello?  Nat Geo producers, Hello McFly?  Have you been paying attention to the U.S. governments own Congressional Budget Office?  Here’s just a snapshot of what our own government experts say

“….Growing debt also would increase the probability of a sudden fiscal crisis, during which investors would lose confidence in the government’s ability to manage its budget and the government would thereby lose its ability to borrow at affordable rates. Such a crisis would confront policymakers with extremely difficult choices. To restore investors’ confidence, policymakers would probably need to enact spending cuts or tax increases more drastic and painful than those that would have been necessary had the adjustments come sooner.”

FULL REPORT

I don’t know what beach the producers of this series have their heads stuck under, but all one needs to do is look at the news from Greece and the European Union to see what’s going to happen here.  Only when the SHTF here, it will be much worse because of the US Currency’s standing as the world’s reserve currency

I will continue to watch the series.  I believe that if I can pick up just one usefull tidbit of information that helps me protect my family, it is time well spent.  The rest, well…let’s just call it entertainment.  Wrestling anyone?

 

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Episode 33 Profiting From Your Skills in Tough Times.

Posted on July 23, 2011 by William

Click here to listen to episode 33

Imagine 80 percent of the stores and businesses in the United States closed, or open on a very limited schedule, let’s say  4 hours a day.  Now imagine the hospitals in your area only accepting patients with life threatening trauma.  Colds and sprained ankles, aren’t even looked at.

History shows us that countries who have gone through hyperinflationary times have had to go through periods of very limited infrastructure.  If you have a basic skill that can be bartered and traded for goods or services that you need, well then, you have the fundamental ability to get through some very tough times.

Even if you are able to grow all the vegetables and raise all the chickens for eggs and meat to support your family, there are going to be certain things or services you can’t provide.

If you already have some trade skills like carpentry, plumbing, roofing, electrical, you are positioned to utilize those skills when times get tough.  With good carpentry skills, you can build chicken coops for folks or vital home repairs, like securing windows and doors.  The same goes for other trades.

Even homemaking skills like cooking, canning, and sewing are all very good skills in a bad economy or grid-down scenario.  If you know how to can foods, consider stocking up on supplies NOW so that when the time comes you can market your services to others and have the supplies to back it up.

Police officers and security personnel may offer neighborhood security for a share of home-grown veggies. 

Basic medical skills will become very important.  During the Civil War  most casualties occurred not from the initial battle wound, but from the ensuing infection caused by the wound.  Simple EMS and Nursing skills will make you a very valuable resource for your community. 

If you are a RN or NP, you might consider stocking up on basic medical supplies.  Who knows, your house may become the neighborhood clinic and you skills may keep you very well fed.

Consider taking some adult continuing education classes from you local community college to hone up on areas that interest you and would be valuable in a SHTF scenario.

As much as you may think you can be 100% self-sufficient, remember even Grizzly Adams came in to town for supplies every so often.

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Episode 32 FREE BONUS! 222 Page Preparedness Book!

Posted on July 18, 2011 by William

 No audio for todays’ episode.

A special treat today folks!  My brother passed this resource on to me and I have to pass it on to you.  The “LDS Preparedness Manual” is is a 222 page compilation of works from many different authors.  Together it adds up to an incredible “prepper” resource.

First, let me start out by stating that I am not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known as The Mormons.  Although there are pages and passages that are clearly scriptural and deal with Mormon doctrine, the overall wealth of survival information makes this a “must have” for your preparedness library.

If you even take a very shallow study of the history of the Mormons in America, you will quickly come to realize that they have been ready to “BUG OUT” through their entire existence.  Because of man-made persecution and major natural calamities, they have developed a culture of preparedness that permeates every aspect of their lives.

Download this book, learn and enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD LDS PREPAREDNESS MANUAL

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Episode 31 Cracks in the Ice. Why our current debt debate is a good thing.

Posted on July 17, 2011 by William

Click here to listen to episode 31

I normally don’t watch the Sunday political talk shows on TV.  With the ongoing debt talks in Washington D.C., I made it a point to see what the politico’s and the talking heads had to say about our contentious battle over our Federal budget.

Do we raise the debt ceiling? Don’t we, What will happen if we don’t?  Will Moody’s downgrade the U.S. credit rating?…..on and on and on.  Uncertainty.  Not only did I see elected officials arguing about what to do, but they were uncertain of ramifications of not acting bold enough.

As I watched all these sharp, neatly pressed, smartest folks in the room, I thought, “At least this is raising a national public awareness of how serious a problem we have”. 

Maybe, just maybe, this “crisis” will be a sign of visible cracks in the ice.  Cracks that publicly reveal how fragile our deficit spending, fiat currency based, debt laden, economy really is.

Even though I can’t predict if and when an economic catastrophe will occur.  I am aware that based on LONG TERM policies, a major economic “correction” CAN occur.

I am preparing.  Are you?  Did you buy an ounce of Silver this week?  Did you buy a couple of EXTRA cans of food to add to your long term storage?  If you haven’t started, I urge you to get started now. 

What’s the worse thing that could happen if you had a little extra food?  Hey, you can always EAT IT!  No downside to being prepared is there.  But what if…what if things got a bit dicey and your local supermarket didn’t have its’ normal 3 days worth of food?

As for me and my family, well, I’d rather be Aware and Prepared.

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Episode 30 How ’bout a glass of Roof Water?

Posted on July 12, 2011 by William

Click here to listen to Episode 30

I want to talk a bit about water catchment.  I was talking with a friend of mine named Ben about how to survive  WTSHTF.  He and his wife have started to “Prep”. 

They are buying a little extra food each time they go shopping, not overboard, but a little extra in order to build up a surplus for their family.  We talked about protection and about firearms, but one vulnerability kept propping up – WATER.

They live in suburbia as do many millions of us.  Their weak spot for LONG TERM survival in their suburban home right now is water.  If the local electrical grid were to go down for and extended period of time it could affect the municipalities ability to provide fresh drinking water and also wastewater services.  Uh…BOTH are important.

Bens’ best right now is to develop a rooftop rainwater catchment system.  Simply speaking, you funnel rainwater from your roof into a safe storage container.  One inch of rain over a 1,000 sq.ft. area will yield 623 gallons of water.  That 1,000 sq.ft. is not the area of your roof but measured by the foundation footage surface area.

I know that the area Ben and I live gets around 32 inches of rain per year.  If I was able to collect over a 1,000 sq.ft. area and I assume that I can harvest 65% of what falls on the roof we would be able to harvest 12,958 gallons of water.

32 inches of rain x 623 gallons per inch x 65%  = 12,958.4

Now, we need 1 gallon of drinking water per day for an adult.  Ben has 4 kids, but let’s assume 6 adult people in the house.  For a year that would be 2,190 gallons of DRINKING water per year.   Ben has the capacity to harvest more than enough to keep his family alive.  We can get into a whole bunch of of numbers for water needs for sanitation, washing clothes, gardening and so on. 

Check the rainfall for your location and see if it is even possible to collect enough water to meet your needs.  If you have many family members and you live in the desert southwest you may be limited in your options. 

In another episode we will get in to what to use to keep your water stored in and how to collect it.

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Episode 29 Independence or Dependence, What do You think?

Posted on July 6, 2011 by William

Click here to listen to episode 29

Well, I hope everyone had an enjoyable Fourth of July weekend. If you had time to spend with some family and friends, that in itself is a blessing.

Pondering over the concept of Freedom and the unique circumstances of the birth of our Nation, I really am gratefull for the freedoms we have here in these United States. At the same time I am very concerned to the point of almost being fearfull of the direction our “freedoms” are headed. I’ll elaborate on MY views in my audio portion. To listen just click on the link at the top of the page that says, “Click here to listen to episode 29″.

I received an email from Mike Dillard of the Elevation Group on Monday. He had a rather gloomy (but justified) outlook of (In)Dependence Day. He had several videos to back up his view, so with full credit to Mike, I’ve passed 3 of them on to you here.

I will try to refrain from being too “political”, but part of being AWARE and PREPARED, is in fact being “AWARE”. If that means we have to be a little more politically aware of what’s going on around us, and TO us, well so be it.

Mike said that there were several calculated steps to making us a “Dependent” nation of people. The first step was to;

Step 1. Take Control of Their Money

Step 2. Take Control of Their Food

Finally, Take away their privacy and rights in the name of security.

Yeah, it’s kind of strong and heavy, but think about the truth in these videos. Even if they are just fractionally factual, it’s pretty scary stuff.

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