Monday, July 30, 2018

Volume Four: Number Thirty-One



A Summer Day
Edward Lamson Henry
(1890)


Editorial



Doom and Gloom

50%

Buprenorphine

Change

Dams

Employment

Eyeliner 

Extremists

Fire and Water

Iceberg 

Illegals

Illegals, Again

Imam

Parolee

Private Property

Sellers

Sextortion

War

Wildfire

Wildfire, Again


Things You Might Want to Think About

10 PM
Repeat after me, ...

Nothing good happens after 10 PM.

2020
I'll vote for him, again!!!

59,985
This article makes a good point.

Our country isn't doing a very good job of returning illegal immigrants to their home country, including the murders, rapists, kidnappers, and ... Drunk Drivers

Activists
When it comes to money, big-business doesn't care about you, your family, or the people that will fight for you.

Bullets
Yep, a so-called Trained Professional killed an innocent bystander.

With that said, ...

Fired bullets don't care, villain or innocent, they will injure and kill if you or a loved one is hit, by one.

Climate Change


Driving
Doesn't matter where you're at; 10 mph over the speed limit will get you stopped, even in Nebraska.

The FaceBook
Not your friend.

Ha, Ha, Ha
I appreciate a good comedy sketch.

However, ...

Some people will use this skit as reinforcement for their anti-government views.

P.S.
We decided to permanently terminate our Netflix account, two weeks ago

Help
Folks, ... Help might never arrive for you and your family.

Library
So far, ... I predict the library will be marred in controversy, corruption, cost overruns, and probably won't even get build, as currently planned.

Permits


Politicians
In this exposé, Ms. Claire McCaskill is demonized for her husband receiving income from housing projects that received federal subsidies.

Me? ...

I wonder what Mr. Paul Ryan's wife, Mr. Mitchell McConnell Jr.'s children, Ms. Elizabeth Warren's husband, Mr. Chuck Schumer's grandchildren, and many other politicians' relatives also receive from the federal government.

Pussy Willow
Dr. King is a criminal, so is Malcolm X. Rosa Parks? Her too. The same goes for a lot of the Suffragists.

About the only people I can think of is Dr. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington, and both of them are unknown to most americans, black or white.

Not Terrorism
It's possible because crazy people can become murderous.

The only problem, ...

The security forces have used the "mental health challenges" excuse once too often to explain other attacks.

One Nation
Let me get this straight, ...

Palestinians want to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.

Israel says only Jews have the right of self-determination (the process by which a country determines its own statehood and forms its own allegiances and government) in Israel.

The President of Turkey, Tayyip Erdogan, says this law legitimises oppression and shows that Israel is a fascist and racist country.

I guess Mr. Erdogan is a Democrat. 

Russia
I was reading an opinion piece the other day that suggested Russia is a Third World country with nuclear weapons. The author basically said, If we took away their nuclear weapons and who would care what Russia thinks?

Well, ...

I guess the financial markets agree.

Security
It will work; until someone loses their keys.

Substitution
You know the game, ...

Substitute white for black, black for white, or brown for black, then see if anybody would say something

Threats
Always remember, ...

They are serious.


Overheard

"If anything, the longer we ignore the social, economic, and environmental repercussions, the more of a problem they become."

"Personally, I am perfectly comfortable being called a “racist” or “islamaphobic” when it comes to moslems. Their ideology is the antithesis of everything we value in this country, founded on Judeo Christian values. I’d like to see every mosque in this country (armaments and jihadist training camps and money laundering operations) razed to the ground. I’d also like to see an outright ban on the hijabs and hefty garbage bags they float around in like ghouls. There is simply no GOOD reason these “people” who HATE us and everything about us would want to live here except for all the free “goodies”. I love President Trump’s ban on terrorist countries but I’d simplify it and add “no moslems allowed”. They have NO desire to integrate into our country, they are THE worst oppressors of women in the world, they are pedophiles who use toddlers as masturbatory aids and offer America NOTHING. So anyone leveling words like “racist” at me can feel free to continue. Doesn’t affect me one bit! Unlike England, we have our First Amendment rights (as badly as the demofacists would like to determine what constitutes ‘free speech’) and I am perfectly comfortable exercising mine (and PC needs to die)!"

"Those actions were put on the back burner"

"The mere fact the Denver Post would publish a letter to the editor with this type of language speaks to both the increasingly violent tone of liberals in Colorado politics and the desperation of the Post for readership,"

"He wasn’t subtle, that’s true."

"The past decade of "recovery" and "growth" has actually been a decade of catastrophic lossess for our society and nation. Her's a short list of what we've lost: ..."

"Send two "sufficient" men"


What Others Wrote

Ace of Spades HQ: The Morning Report, 7/25/18

Ace of Spades: Weekend Gun Thread

Active Response Training: Weekend Knowledge Dump, July 27, 2018

Defense One: The D Brief, 27 July 2018

Survival Blog: The Survivalist's Odds n' Sods, 244 

Yer Ol' Woodpile Report: Index 538

The Z Blog: Libertarianism


That's Just the Way it Was: Jasper County, Iowa (ca 1939)


Jayhawk hayloader on Kimberley farm.




Loading hay with a jayhawk.



Operating a jayhawk hayloader.




 
Loading hay into wagon with jayhawk.



Howard Kimberley on hay wagon.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff


Dear Peppers and Survivalists,

Private First Class Robert LaPointe places an angel ornament
on top of a real Christmas tree,
at Camp Virginia, Kuwait (ca 2007)
photograph by
Staff Sgt. Nathan Hoskins


Christ's Mass
Katniss and I are Christians, so we celebrate Christmas. We decorate our home, have the Christmas tree, and give gifts to friends and family.

Being a prepper and a survivalist, we try to give gifts that will work during an event, so this year we are giving ...


Survival Kits
These kits can be simple or they can be complicated. Of course, the more complicated, usually, the greater the expense. Plus, if your family purchases a prepackaged kit, it will be a lot more expensive.

Either way, all of these kits should cover the basics.

So, ...

What do you need for short-term survival?


A Simple Tarpaulin Tent (ca 2007)
photograph by
Ryan Bushby(HighInBC)

Shelter
You can live for days without water, weeks without food, and years without medical care, but you will only live hours, maybe minutes, without proper shelter. This means any survival kit needs some form of shelter.

The most inexpensive shelter is the contractor trash bag. Slit the plastic bag along one side then cut the bottom open and you have a sheet of plastic.

Or, ...

You can purchase a hundred feet of 6 mil plastic sheeting for around $55 This purchase would allow you and your partner to give ten 10 X 10 sheets of plastic. Add some cordage and you have given someone a method of making a shelter.


A Campfire near Lake Millstatt in Carinthia, Austria (ca 1986)
photograph by
Joadl

Fire
A plastic tarp doesn't hold a lot of heat in the winter, so you need to have a means of making fire. I suggest at least three, a book of matches, a butane lighter (or another book of matches), and a firesteel with striker.

Why?

They are cheap, compact, lightweight, and a lifesaver. Add some tinder, then you don't have to hunt around for any during an event.


Lighthouse at Night (ca 2014)
photograph by
Janus Y
Method of Signalling
Next up, you need a way to signal potential rescuers.

That's right, more likely then not, you and your family are going to want to be found by the authorities, so you need to be able to make a fire, have a whistle to whistle, and something shiny to shine.


Pocket Knife Collection (ca 2007)
photgraph by
Alexander Rushing

Cutting Device
The last thing you need in a minimal survival kit is a method of cutting things, that plastic contractor bag, the cordage to make a shelter, the branch to make tinder, the seat belt of your partner, and numerous other things.


In Other Words
You need something like this, in a small plastic bag

Cordage, Whistle, Knife, Firesteel, and a Container with Tinder

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Wednesday: 25 July 2018, Part Four


Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,



Information
I recently barreled up a bunch of books (it's just like boxing up books, but using a metal barrel, instead), to get them out of the house and into a safe place for long-term storage.

Well, ...

They take up a lot of space, so I have been hunting down digital copies of some of the more important books, like Nuclear War Survival Skills and some others.

Well, ...

Link:
xkcd - Digital Resource Lifespan
https://xkcd.com/1909/

Wednesday: 25 July 2018, Part Three


Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,



Inexpensive
You know me, I advocate for you and your family to purchase, getting training on, and carry a .357 magnum revolver and a SKS rifle to keep your costs low. They are good, reliable weapons for your family's defense.

Of course, some people will disagree with me because they prefer the Glock 19 pistol and an AR-15 rifle.

But, ...

Do they work?

Link:
Say Uncle - Yes, Next Question
http://www.saysuncle.com/2018/07/23/yes-next-question-5/


Either Way
Once you and your family purchase a defensive firearm, you need to ...

Link:
Shooting Illustrated - 3 Essential First Steps for a New Gun Owner
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2018/3/30/3-essential-first-steps-for-a-new-gun-owner/

Wednesday: 25 July 2018, Part Two


Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,


Oldies
In a few short months, Getting Started in Emergency Preparedness will be ten years old,

In honor of this event, ...

I have collected, every Wednesday for the next year, a few blurbs from various places, such as ...


Safely Gathered In
Hannah and Abbie with Brittany, Aleasha, Sarah, and Tiffany provided wonderful advice and suggestions about gathering, storing and using food storage for you and your family. The six women also provided great, delicious recipes based on their food storage that their families eat at family meal times.

Link:
Safely Gathered In - Food Storage Friday-Green Chili Chicken Taquitos
http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2009/07/food-storage-friday-green-chili-chicken.html

Safely Gathered In - Basic Cooking Skills: Roasted Carrots
http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2009/07/basic-cooking-skills-roasted-carrots.html


Food Storage Made Easy
Jodi and Julie have a wonderful blog with lots of information, so they also have many tips, tricks, and recipes, for you and your family.

Link:
Food Storage Made Easy - Food Storage Recipes: Chow Mein Casserole
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/07/18/food-storage-recipes-chow-mein-casserole/

Wednesday: 25 July 2018


Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,



Cool
It's fun reading books like Patriots: Surviving ..., One Second After, The Swiss Family Robinson, The Martian, and many others because these books give us a few ideas about surviving the tough times ahead.

But, ...

Learning from actual events is better.

Link:
NBC News - 'It was a miracle': Boys rescued from Thai cave tell their story in public debut
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/it-was-a-miracle-boys-rescued-from-thai-cave-tell-their-story-in-public-debut/ar-AAAeYmH


The 'Old' Ways
In times past, families would fix worn out items because it made financial sense.

Now-a-days, folks are doing it for other reasons, protecting the environment, building community, and ... saving money.

Link:
City Lab - Don’t Throw It Away: Take It to the Repair Cafe
https://www.citylab.com/life/2018/07/how-repair-cafes-can-fix-our-throwaway-culture/564923/

Monday, July 23, 2018

Volume Nine: Number Thirty


Portrait Of An Unknown Woman
Ivan Kramskoi
(1883)

Women
I want you to think about something.

Saudi Arabia is probably the most oppressive country, on this planet, for women. They are prohibited from driving, leaving their home without a male escort from the woman's family, required to wear the full body covering garb, called a burka, prohibited from voting, and much, much more.

But, ...

In 1990, the country had to class women, in these United States' military, as soldiers, so these women could protect the Saudis from a possible invasion by Saddam Hussein. In other words, our female soldiers and women soldiers from other countries were classed as warriors.

Here is something else to think about.

During World War II, in soviet Russia, over 2,500 women were deployed as snipers. Some of these women completing hundreds of confirmed kills.

One more, ...

Currently, there are over 200,000 women serving in our countries military. These women complete many different tasks, including going into harm's way.

So, ...

When you're planning for your wife, girlfriend, daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, or just some female, to be in the kitchen while you and your 'boys' are out protecting your family and the neighborhood, you might be making a big mistake.


Doom and Gloom

Android

Boats

Bubbles

Children

Climate Change

DUKW 

Fire

Ghana

Heatwave

Jaguar

Lava

Medicine 

Parolee

ROI

Uber 

Uranium

Venezuela

War


Things You Might Want to Think About

1st
Some people say, there's a reason why we have the Second Amendment, ... to protect the First one.

5
Brothers by Blood and Brothers in Arms. That's one of the things that makes this country great.

$100,000
Illegals and criminals carry a lot of cash. For illegals, it's because they don't have banking accounts, here in the states. For criminals, it's because they don't want the government to find out about the cash.

Either way, ...

The security services have probably seized the cash.

Assassination
Like the cops said, about the shooting, was it "random or a targeted act." If it was a targeted act, why him?

If it was for political reasons because Dr. Mark Hausknecht had treated then appeared with, former, President G.H.W. Bush (41), we are in for some tough times.

China
Live, from a Socialist Country. It's ...

Oooh, all of the episodes are pending a rectification and upgrade of its content.

Democrats
Just to remind you, what Democrats are really like.

GATTCA
It's been said, Science Fiction is our future.

The only problem, ...

Our future might see us being discriminated against because we are 'God's Child.'

Margaret Thatcher
I agree, former, President Obama. We need more women in politics

N.A.T.O.
Wow, I guess 'speaking truth to power' can get you in trouble.

In other words, ...

The liberal media attacks President Trump for telling the truth. Yes, our country could get involved in WW III, over our ally Montenegro.

Prediction
I'll make you a bet.

The 2020 Republican convention will be the biggest ever gathering of Democrats, Socialists, Communists, and others like them, in this country, ... including the 2020 Democratic convention in Houston, Miami Beach, or Milwaukee. (The DNC hasn't decided, yet)

Privacy
We all deserve privacy, ... including child molesters because we are all innocent until proven guilty.

Single Issue
I'm a single issue voter. Once that issue is resolved, I start worrying about other issues, like privacy, abortion, military intervention, and others.

I guess, Rand Paul isn't like me.

Sexual Abuse
Remember gentlemen, sexual abuse can happen to you, too.

Terrorist
Yep, that's what we need more of, ... equality and human rights.

UBI
Your situation might be a little different, but my employer gives me $2000 a month.

Needless to say, like your employer, they expect something in return.

I wonder what the Democrats will want?

Wrong
Sorry, Mr. Speaker.

You're wrong because, sometimes, Russia is our ally.


Overheard

"We are in a campaign that entails an exchange of blows and I can tell you that the (army) is ready for any scenario."

"Political arrangements are not about ideals. They are about power."

"He was strong and kind and funny and smart and chivalrous and served his community every day as an honest and upstanding police officer whose convictions guided him to always do the right thing,"

"To me, that suggests that the US has got too many intelligence agencies and that they may be a bigger threat to liberty in America than anything that Russia has done or is doing to us."

"If we understand the profound political disunity fracturing the nation and its Imperial Project, we understand the Deep State must also fracture along the same fault lines."


What Others Wrote

Ace of Spades HQ: The Morning Report, 7/20/18

Active Response Training: Weekend Knowledge Dump, July 20, 2018

Defense One: The D Brief, 25 May 2018

Shall Not Be Questioned: Thursday News Dump, May 24, 2018

Survival Blog: The Survivalist's Odds n' Sods, 239 

Yer Ol' Woodpile Report: Index 537

The Z Blog: Rome and Us


That's Just the Way it Was: Dennis Port, Massachusetts (ca 1936)


Auto trailer camp





Scenes at the auto trailer camp



Interior of trailer at the auto trailer camp

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Wednesday: 18 July 2018, Part Three


Dear Preppers and Survivalists,

Anti-Freedom Protesters (ca 2018)
photograph by
Lorie Shaull

The 'Law'
Folks, ... Make sure you're obeying the laws of your state, especially concealed carry laws.

Link:
Say Uncle - News You Can Use
http://www.saysuncle.com/2018/07/16/news-you-can-use-89/


Gun Reform
Just to make sure, people understand the type of gun reform that we need in this country.

First, every female citizen will be given a pistol with 250 rounds of ammunition, a outside the waistband holster, a cleaning kit, and other assorted gear, by the government, to protect their family.

Second, every male citizen will be given an AR-15 with 500 rounds of ammunition, a sling, a cleaning kit, and other assorted gear, by the government, to protect the nation.

Third, every fourth and fifth grade school child, in an elementary school will learn how to safely shoot a pellet rifle. In sixth grade, the children will learn how to safely shoot a .22LR rifle. In seventh and eight grade, the students will learn how to safely shoot a .22LR handgun.

Fourth, in high school, the students will learn how to shoot the basic handgun and rifle, issued to every female and male citizen. They will also be required to take a test, as a graduation requirement, to evaluate their proficiency in the use of the rifle and handgun.

Lastly, ...


Disagreement
For folks that disagree with me.

Link:
Shooting Illustrated - 5 Must-Know Drills for Your Home-Defense Shotgun
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2018/7/11/5-must-know-drills-for-your-home-defense-shotgun/

Wednesday: 18 July 2018, Part Two


Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,

An Iraqi woman bakes flat bread (ca 2008)
photograph by
James Gordon

Bread
It seems, bread was around a few centuries before agriculture. Good news for preppers and survivalists because agriculture is a technological marvel that might fail, for certain, extreme, events.

Link:
Phys.org - Archaeologists discover bread that predates agriculture by 4,000 years
https://phys.org/news/2018-07-archaeologists-bread-predates-agriculture-years.html


Oldies
In a few short months, Getting Started in Emergency Preparedness will be ten years old,

In honor of this event, ...

I have collected, every Wednesday for the next year, a few blurbs from various places, such as ...


Safely Gathered In
Hannah and Abbie with Brittany, Aleasha, Sarah, and Tiffany provided wonderful advice and suggestions about gathering, storing and using food storage for you and your family. The six women also provided great, delicious recipes based on their food storage that their families eat at family meal times.

Link:
Safely Gathered In - Food Storage Friday: Chocolate Pudding Mix
http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2009/07/food-storage-friday-chocolate-pudding.html

Safely Gathered In - Wheat Storage Made Possible by...
http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2009/06/wheat-storage-made-possible-by.html


Food Storage Made Easy
Jodi and Julie have a wonderful blog with lots of information, so they also have many tips, tricks, and recipes, for you and your family.

Link:
Food Storage Made Easy - Summer Salad with a Quick and Easy Corn Salsa
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2013/07/17/summer-salad-with-a-quick-and-easy-corn-salsa/

Food Storage Made Easy - Food Storage Recipes: Homemade Rice-A-Roni
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/07/12/food-storage-recipes-homemade-rice-a-roni/

Food Storage Made Easy - Best Wheat Bread Recipe, Yup We Said BEST!
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2012/07/16/best-wheat-bread-recipe-yup-we-said-best/



Wednesday: 18 July 2018


Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,



In Your Pocket
During certain events, what you have in your pockets is all you're going to have.

So, ...

Link:
The Modern Survivalist - 7 Summer EDC Essentials
http://www.themodernsurvivalist.com/archives/5545


Inappropriate Advice
As you can see, from the above article, not all advice is appropriate for you and your family because wearing shorts exposes your legs to the sun (sunburns), branches (scraps and cuts), and might stop you from getting into certain places, like a nice restaurant. A baseball hat fails to protect your ears from the sun (sunburns), the back of your neck (sunburns), and gives you hat hair. A watch costing $970 does a poor job of protecting your wallet. Plus, it might set you up as a target for thieves, just like the Glock hat.

Lastly, a $170 multi-tool for everyone in the family and a $100 pair of sunglasses, a $400 phone for you and your partner, and ... (O.K. I can agree about the shoes) would run a family of four close to $2000.

$2000 that could be better spent, somewhere else.

Monday, July 16, 2018

Volume Four: Number Twenty-Nine


A Summer Girl
Robert Lewis Reid
(UNK)

Protests
Cops stop dude.

Dude becomes defensive, pulls away, shirt comes up, revealing a pistol.

Dude runs from cops.

Cops draw gun.

Dude tries to pull a gun on the cops.

Cops shoot the dude.

Dude dies.

Protesters come out to protest.

Cops show bodycam footage.

Protesters feel stupid?


Doom and Gloom

3rd World

$247,000,000,000,000

Aeroplanes

Big City

Espionage

Farming

Hate Groups

PR Stunt

Shortages

Squirrel

USA


Things You Might Want to Think About


$660,000
Yeap, ... Facebook gave your data to a third party, for a slight fee.

Censorship
If you can't trust your government, who can you trust.

Another government?

Civil War
Just in case, you are wondering what a civil war might look like, here in these United States.

Emergency Evacuation Kit+
Another reason to have emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Hair
There are two militarizes. There is the inclusive, caring military then there is the military of warriors and enforcers of our nations policies.

You know what?

It doesn't matter to the second one, whether you have a ponytail or not.

Leftist
Yes, they just called Ms. Dianne Feinstein, a "far-right Democrat"

Oooh, ...

Mr. Kevin De León is a Nazi (National Socialist) He wants renewable energy, comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 minimum wage and Medicare for all.

Public Disturbance
Fake News?

Maybe?

Or, ...

Another reason to invade the Middle East and take all the oil and free the people from Islam.


Nigger
I guess Pizza Hut will be seeing its sales drop.

Missing
The New York Times fails to indicate the woman was ... Black.

Saviors
I would never had thought; I would be thanking former President Obama for his service to our country for exposing the the country's march to Solcialism.

Terrorism
Interesting idea.

The only problem?

The terrorists are fighting a country that doesn't give a shit about them, just Israeli citizens and her visitors.

Time
I wear a watch, a Seiko 5 Sports, with a day and date window with a metal band.

You know why?

EMP, CME, Hackers, Space War, and ...

To tell the time

Why?
I'll tell you why.

They truly want to protect their students from the predators walking our streets.

Unlike the leftist-liberals.

Winning
Wow, I wonder what it would be like during tough times


Overheard

"There’s a difference between exercising and simply sweating."

"Too bad, because department stores are among the most agreeable places to mingle, meet friends, linger on a rainy day — and eat. Many have fine restaurants like Macy’s marvelous Italian trattoria Stella. They offer public toilets that don’t require nuclear code-like protocols to use."

This is a crisis!

"The next debt blowup will be the end of Mr. Trump’s improbable credibility. It may also be the beginning of serious difficulty in being able to get many of the goods of daily life, because the producers of things will be very unsure of getting paid on delivery of just about anything. A freeze up of short-term lending would quickly lead to empty WalMart shelves and “no gas” signs at the filling  stations. That’s when collapse finally goes kinetic, and becomes something more than just bad feelings and inane ideas."



What Others Wrote

Ace of Spades HQ: The Morning Report, 7/13/18

Ace of Sapdes HQ: Weekend Gun Thread

Active Response Training: Weekend Knowledge Dump, July 13, 2018

Defense One: The D Brief, 13 July 2018


Survival Blog: The Survivalist's Odds n' Sods, 208 

Yer Ol' Woodpile Report: Index 537

The Z Blog: The Blumpf Report Card


That's Just the Way it Was: , Montana (ca 19??)






Friday, July 13, 2018

Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff


Dear Preppers and Survivalists,



The Pot of Gold
Wow, all the problems of the world have seemed to disappear.

The economy is adding jobs, the stock market is moving higher, government regulation is being reduced, food is on the grocery store shelves, firearms and ammunition have become plentiful and inexpensive, North Korea is no longer rattling the saber of war, Hillary Rodham-Clinton is in New York, not Washington D.C., and it's getting better.

President Trump nominated another Justice for the Supreme Court, Democrats, and some Republicans, are divulging their actual beliefs, these United States is poised to be the world's leader in oil production, and ...

The list is unless!!!


Voices in Your Head
Do you hear them?

Democrats are going to sweep the Republicans out of office, President Trump is going to be impeached, there is going to be a mass uprising of woke people, Military-style assault weapons are being banned in states around the nation, and many more shouts of triumph.

Do you also hear the voices that tell you, everything is O.K., the country is stable and prepared for any event, President Trump is winning, turning the country around, onto the right track, and so much more?


Everyone Else
A lot of people are with you. They have stopped prepping, with some people selling their stuff or giving it to charity.Some have, gasp!, even started watching television, again.


Warning
China, Russia, Iran, and many other countries are still trying to undermine the country's power. Many groups of people are still trying to subvert the nation's laws. North Korea, Pakistan, and (possibly) South Africa have a nuclear weapon.

In other words, ...

If you're reading this, you know the true state of affairs, ... Nothing has changed.


With That Said
I haven't completed a big preparedness project in a many months, as you can tell from my weekly Friday posts, but I have been doing smaller project, such as ...


Dan Forrester Project
In the book "Lucifer's Hammer" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, a minor character, Dr. Dan Forrester is introduced placing informational books, wrapped in plastic bags, into an abandoned septic tank, just after the event.

Later on, Dr. Dan Forrester's reasoning is revealed. He is trying to save some of the world's knowledge and to possibly barter this knowledge for the things to keep him alive.

I thought it was a good idea, so I have started my own Dan Forrester project, just a little bit sooner though.

For my project, I use mylar bags and oxygen absorbers.One, two, or three books are placed in the mylar bag, an oxygen absorber is added into the bag, then I seal the bag with a clothes iron set on low-high.

Now, it's a little bit more complicated then that because I want to be able to stack the package of books on top of each other, so I suck the air out of the bag. I do this by almost sealing the bag, such the air out, then seal the bag the rest of the way.

No, I don't have pictures

Lastly, I place a heavy-duty plastic bag, one of those contractor bags, in a 55-gallon metal drum then load it full of packages of books.

Of course, it didn't go the way I planned (I thought I could place three stacks, side by side, but I could only get two stacks side by side.

So, I stacked them flat, side by side, until I could place three or four packages of books, upright, in the empty spaces. This allowed me to almost fill the metal barrel.

Now, I used mylar bags because plastic bags will allow water vapor to pass through the bag. Also, the plastic bags are relatively delicate, compared to a thick mylar bag.

I also used a metal drum to prevent vermin from chewing through the barrel and destroying the books.


Home Improvement 
Recently, I installed four energy efficient windows. These windows will help Katniss and I lower our electrical usage to heat and cool our home. It will also allow us to stay comfortable, during an event, with just our wood stove (to be installed next year, maybe)


Visitors
My brother, Jumper, and his wife visited my family for a few days, three or four weeks ago, so I had to clean up the guest room. This gave me an opportunity to really look at the items we would need to have people over during an event.

Also, ...

My brother wanted to go shooting, so I had the chance to talk to him and his wife about standardizing weapons. We agreed (he is former military) on the AR-15 rifle and the Glock 19 pistol for protection.


Food
Another subject, that my brother and I have been talking about for years, is having enough long-term food storage. Unlike the firearm (I told you he was in the military), he discounts the need to have enough food to feed yourself and the family for at least one year.

However, ... He has started sending me money, so he won't feel too guilty, showing up empty handed, during a longer term event.

To prevent his family from starving, if the show up, I have been buying from Emergency Essential (mainly vegetables) and the Latter-day Saints Bishop's storehouse (beans and rice).


The Beta Site
Of course, we live in one of those areas that could see massive disruptions from certain events, so I have decided to seek a more permanent solution to our potential housing problem, by buying a house.


That's it. A lot of little stuff that when added together means my family and I are alittle more prepared for the tough times ahead.