Consider what you would do......

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

I found this quote on Western Rifle Shooters recently, and it started an interesting conversation in our house.

"Consider what you would do if you knew [we inserted if you actually BELIEVED] your country had already moved beyond the point of no return."

So, let's take a look at this. Let's break down the terminology. How do you know something has happened? A while back the news media would tell you, well that's not going to happen anymore. 

Now what if you believe something has happened? Folks in the scientific world need absolute proof, unless of course, the scientists contradict each other, like global warming. Do we have to have incontrovertible facts that we know something has happened? Isn't this part of the problem that has gotten us to where we are today? Did a plane actually hit the Pentagon on 9/11? Many folks believe not, few actually know. There is a fine line between believing and knowing. Some used to know that their country was good, but a lot believe different now. 


Did this Epstein pervert actually commit suicide? Many people believe not, only a few probably know. All these investigations

involving the FBI, the DOJ and other related scams, will anything ever come of these investigations? Who knows? It is starting to look like that believe not thing again. This list of 'know' and 'believe' could go on until the end of time. Or some believe it could anyway. The internet is one of the greatest tools ever invented. I don't believe Al Gore invented the internet. And I don't believe that cow farts contribute to global warming. There are a whole lot of things that I used to 'know', but now I don't believe.

So, what does the word Country mean? Is this the place with the amber waves of grain and the purple mountains majesty? Or is this a group of people that came together with different ideas and philosophies? I used to know, but I don't anymore.

What would we do if we knew our country was beyond the point of no return? Well, we are doing it. We've gone grey and turned grey in the process. We have a respectable stockpile, food, shelter, protection, you know the drill. I don't believe we are past the point of no return, I KNOW we are past the point of no return. How do I know? Look at every discipline in our country. Here is a partial list. Medical industry, educational system - all levels, gender identity, race relations, there are lots of confused people. And geez, I almost forgot, our colossal government that is involved in everyone's life. 

So, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I would recommend that you do what is best for you and yours, and you might want to do it soon. I unequivocally know that we have moved beyond the point of no return. I know unequivocally that our country has moved beyond the point of no return. 

AND I AM PISSED!

We have been lied to, cheated and screwed. We have just started to see the tip of this colossal iceberg. 

We'll talk more later,  Frank

No Crisis Here, Move Along - A Re-Post

Folks, the words I wrote about a year and a half ago are just as true today as they were then, only now, things have continued to get significantly worse. I can't even begin to recount the number of freedoms we have lost since this was written, or the growing resentment and anger that has festered to the boiling point all over the globe. We are a world in crisis, much of which has been brought on by design. We are about to see the culmination of many years of planning. For those that are taking control, it must be grand to finally succeed. The tyrants are on the lose and will stop at nothing to achieve each and every item on their agenda. 

I hope you enjoy this article and it provides you with food for thought. Fern

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Originally published March 18, 2014

Remember when it took six months for the United States to amass the needed troops and equipment for Desert Storm? And then the storm came?

We are in the midst of many different storms and we have been given this time to amass our own equipment. Why is it that we have seen fluctuating supplies and sometimes shortages of everything from wheat grinders, to shovels, to canning jars and lids, to freeze dried foods, to ammunition? Because The People, many mom and pops, uncles, aunts, cousins, sisters and brothers are gathering what they need to weather the storm. There are so many things happening around the globe, and especially in our own backyard, that are adding impetus and energy to the storm.

How many troublesome things have you run across lately? They appear to become more numerous each day. The message seems to be hunker down, be ready, it's coming. The harder we try to get things in order, the more obstacles arise in our way. But you know what? That's okay. It just makes us more determined and focused .....because we know it's storming all about us.

We talked to a medical doctor recently that told us he has a list of medications on his desk that he can no longer prescribe to Medicaid patients, I'm sure you know why. Digitalis is one of the most popular medications given for heart conditions and it is on his list. He is deeply offended for being put in a professional quandary. His hands are being tied when it comes to offering the best medical treatment for his patients. I can't help but wonder if this is one of the ways TPTB (the powers that be) are going to save money. Not only will they save money on prescriptions, they will decrease the number of people receiving Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, by impacting some of the recipients ability to get the type of medical care that would have prolonged their life. I know that is a very harsh thing to say, but I think it is true. And I think it is part of the plan.

The people of Crimea that could see what was coming to their country, took their money out of the bank. Did you? Have you spent the time wondering how you will be able to 'buy' what you need when the money you have is worthless, or you can't get it out of the bank because the banks are closed, or they just won't let you have it? You say this can't happen? Look at the number of countries which are modern, industrial nations, where it has happened in just the last few years. The dollar becomes worth less and less with each passing day. The dollar in your pocket buys much less than it did just six short months ago. How much less will it buy in six more months? Do you know how to barter? Do you have anything that will be worth bartering? Do you have skills that are worthy of barter? Rush Limbaugh has said something like, if just 1% more of the people in our country became aware of what is happening, then the store shelves would be empty. Empty. Think about that. Just imagine what it would be like if 10% more people became aware and tried to stock up. There would be nothing left. There would be panic and chaos. But that's what we want, right? More people to be aware and prepare. I know I do. But do we have the resources for that to happen? No. So, how can we get more people to prepare? Teach them to produce more for themselves for their daily necessities, and stop being dependent on the corporate and government systems.

How many people have been affected by the weather and cold temperatures this winter? Millions. How many people have had to go without because of the drastic price increases and shortages of  heating oil and propane? What would we do if the supplies needed to stay warm were no longer available? That would be a major catastrophe. A crisis. But what do we hear? Nothing.

No crisis here. Just global warming. Ha! So we need to put more restrictions on the ability of people and companies to engage in good old fashioned commerce, you know, free enterprise, right? That will solve the crisis of global warming. Crisis, what crisis? Move along and drink the coolaid. You know, that is one thing I am not stocking up on. We don't drink it, too much sugar.

Can you see where the people in Egypt are better off than five years ago? And do you really think the people in Libya are better off than they were? Let's go down the list. How about the folks rioting or 

protesting in Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Greece, Corsica, France and Spain? I'm not even going to mention central Africa. Don't think it can happen here? What about the rising tensions in Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Israel? And don't forget about Christians being murdered all over the world.  You don't think it could happen in America as well? Then look at Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta. The United States military is removing God more and more everyday. I wonder when being a Christian will be some type of a crime in this country?

It seems that the 'weather men' that know the storm is here keep trying to placate The People with pleasant platitudes and the antics of the rich and famous, which include our illustrious bureaucrats. If that is not enough entertainment, then they fill the silver screen

with an overpowering, nauseating amount of filth, sex and mindless drivel. And to keep everyone's attention riveted, every so often a false flag distraction is thrown in for good measure. Crisis of the day in any flavor you like. Remember, don't ever let a good crisis go to waste. 

The bottom line folks, is that the less you are dependent on any other person or system for your health, wealth and well being, the better off you are. Don't spend your time being distracted by the latest crisis or

non-crisis that is made to appear like another crisis. Don't buy into the, "Oh, No! The sky is falling!" crowd. If you do, when the time comes that the sky truly does fall, you will be left standing there with your hands out wondering when the truck will show up with your next meal and bottle of water. Don't ever get on the truck. It will be the last trip you ever make. Take the time to learn and decide for yourself. Don't take the media's word for anything, research, READ don't watch, learn and come to your own conclusions. Don't take my word for it either. Use your mind, heart and soul and pray for wisdom, knowledge and guidance.

I'm angry, I'm broken hearted and I'm determined. I'm tired of watching our world and our country go down the tubes. I cannot see living under the yoke of a tyrannical, socialist government that gets worse everyday. There IS a crisis here and we will not just move along, shuffling our feet to the beat of the wrong drummer. If you have not already done so, you need to open your eyes, truly look around you, and take the action necessary to provide for you and yours, because no one else will. If you think they will, you will have a long wait, and in the end, you will be sorely disappointed.

I pray God's blessings on each and every one of you.

Until next time - Fern

Good Trade

Remember this?

Now fast forward to sometime in the not too distant future. Yes, fast forward. Remember when you could do that with a VHS tape? Most young people have never had the pleasure. Anyway, the not too distant future. What will buying and selling be like? How will we get the things we need? Like the things in all of our preparations we overlooked or outright forgot to get? What about all of the physical labor that will be necessary to live a collapse, survival life style day in and day out? Can you do that? 

Good trade. Bartering. I think this will become, and already is becoming, the new way of commerce. Commerce won't end with an economic or societal collapse. Person A will always need something that Person B can provide. When there is no longer a monetary basis upon which to make that transaction, bartering or trading will be the manner in which commerce will survive.

There was a young man in Frank's Survival Radio class that has begun developing his homestead. Not only is he interested in survival radio communications, he is starting a flock of chickens for his young family. Since we use pseudonyms here, we will call him Emmet, which is a German name meaning strong worker. The reason his name is associated with work is because that is what he did here in exchange for a flock of young chickens. We struck a deal of chickens for labor, and while he was here found out that Emmet works two jobs so his young wife can homeschool their children, making it an even better deal.

We have more than enough young hens to replace our current laying flock. From the two batches of eggs we incubated, we have already butchered the older set of roosters, still leaving about 40 or so young birds. From that 40 we kept about 8 hens. That still left many birds to choose from. When Emmet arrived, we first picked out 10 hens and 2 roosters for his new flock. Then the work really began.

It has been too long since our chicken house has been cleaned out. We planned to clean it out long before now, but my sinus issues have kept me out of the chicken house except during feeding time, and on a few occasions Frank was left to do everything on his own. When Frank came up with the idea of trading chickens for a clean chicken house, I thought it was a great idea. He contacted Emmet and the deal was struck.

 

It made pretty quick work for the three of us to get the house cleaned up. Frank brought down the tractor to haul the trashcans full of manure to the garden. We have several empty areas in the garden that received this wonderful fertilizer. The parts that suffered the most when the heavy, spring rains really washed away the topsoil now have a good start at renewing the nutrients for next year.

 

As we left the chicken house I looked at Emmet and said, "Good trade. Have you ever seen that movie? Dances With Wolves?" He had and agreed it was a very good trade. You see there comes a time when you have to ask for help to accomplish some tasks that you used to do with ease. Frank and I are no longer young whipper snappers like Emmet and it was a blessing to have his help. For us this was a very good trade, and it also helped Emmet start a larger flock of chickens for his growing family.

Once the chicken house clean up was complete, it was time for water, coffee and more radio conversation. Frank is a natural teacher and enjoys sharing information about setting up a shack, wiring antennas, or general knowledge about increasing the effectiveness of existing radio communications equipment or techniques. While they talked radio, I got the sourdough rolls ready to bake. I had mixed up the dough earlier in the morning so it would have time to ferment and predigest those carbs for us. After I went to the barn and finished up the chores of milking, feeding and watering the animals, it was time to bake and sample the bread.

There are so many different things we can barter or share, whether it is a tangible, albeit live commodity, or knowledge. The last article we wrote about books is another example of learning information and skills that can be 'traded' or bartered. As the time draws nearer to a total change in the way business is conducted around the globe, but more importantly in your neighborhood close to home, having tangible goods, skills or knowledge that can be traded for something you need or want, will not be a convenience, but a necessity. So how are your bartering skills coming along? 

Sharpen up your skills and senses. Keep a keen eye on what is in your midst and fast approaching over the horizon. Time keeps ticking along, sometimes almost imperceptibly, bringing us closer and closer to the inevitable. Don't get caught in a stream of regret where you would 'trade' it all for one more day to prepare.

Until next time - Fern

Women & Survival

I had a very interesting and inspiring conversation with a good friend of mine this afternoon that has lead to the topic of this post. I want to thank her for the conversation, ideas and willingness to listen to me ramble, as well as the opportunity to disagree on some topics. After we finished talking I really thought about the things we discussed and how it relates to our survival as women. Here is what I've come up with.

The most important thing a woman can acquire that will increase her chance of survivability in a disaster, economic collapse, societal collapse, martial law, or any other situation that would involve a question of survival, is a good man. A man that will not only protect and care for her, but a man that will teach her how to protect herself and her family. This may not be a very popular recommendation in some circles, but there is no substitute for having a man by your side when the chips are down.

Now, with that said, you also don't want to be a burden and always expect someone else to protect you or take the lids off of jars for you. Let's say there has been a collapse and it's every 'man' for himself. No more stores,

police protection, food, water, electricity, etc. What will you do if something happens to your husband and you are left to deal with everything on your own? Can you protect you and yours? Do you know how? Have you rehearsed many, many different scenarios over and over in your mind so that when you have to depend on yourself for your own protection that you will be able to pull the trigger and not cower in the corner and cry? You need to. And even if your husband is still alive and well, what if a group of people are trying to take what you have or kill you? Then what? Are you going to wait until they kill your husband before you try to help out with the defense of all you hold dear? 

I know that sounds really harsh, but when the SHTF and the world is no longer recognizable, your neighbors have left because they have no food, the scum down the road has started systematically performing home invasions at will, you need to be ready to do what is necessary. You need, as a woman, to be ready to protect yourself. I know that I do not want to be raped, tortured and killed by anyone, let alone a group of men enjoying

the anarchy and chaos of a collapse and a lack of law and order. My previous training as a reserve police officer helps me a great deal when I think of protecting myself. I am grateful I had the opportunity to be trained in firearms. Not only that, the training gave me a different mindset when it comes to taking any kind of trouble from what we called 'maggots'. Enough on protection. Just know that you need to be ready to protect yourself and anyone else in your family that may need it. Your husband is your best and first line of defense, but if you're out working in the garden and he is not around when a group of people come down the driveway planning on taking your food, or causing you harm, you need to be ready to handle it.

And speaking of food. Women are known for nurturing the family, with food and sustenance, right? We are the keepers of the home, the one that provides adequate nutrition made with loving hands. I mean that seriously. I take pride in putting a good meal in front of Frank. Now, what if you have fixed and served the last meal from the food you have stored away for just such a situation. Can you replace your stock with more food? How? Can you grow a garden, milk a cow or goat, butcher animals, and preserve food without electricity? Think real hard about what you need to learn or acquire to be able to do these things, or have access to someone that does, that you can work for or share with in some fashion, to get the nutrition your family will need. Your husband will be busy making sure everything is working, providing water, heat, a way to cook and protection. The food production, preservation and preparing will probably be left to you. 

There are so many skills that will come into play in a long-term collapse scenario. What can you do now? What will you need to

know how to do then? There is no way to really know the answer to that question, but think about it. Again, acquire what you think you may need. Can you sew? Do you have needles and thread? Ways to mend clothes to get the longest wear out of them you can? Do you have extra fabric and/or extra clothes that you can wear when yours have become tattered, torn and threadbare? How are you going to treat any medical conditions that arise? Do you have supplies and the knowledge you need?

Another thing I discussed with my friend today was the talent of drawing attention to yourself, or remaining somewhat unnoticeable, or anonymous.

Do you live in such a way that you draw attention to yourself? Do you dress in such a way that people will notice you? Especially men? There is nothing wrong with being all woman, feminine, beautiful, and dressed nicely. But don't kid yourself if you think having men oogle your chest with low cut shirts will not bring you unwanted attention if there is a collapse. If you have lived in such a way that men notice and will remember you because you want to dress in a sexy way to get attention, then you may get way more attention than you every bargained for when the chips are down and there is no one left to fight off the wolves. Something to prepare for way before it is a necessary part of survival.

For me the worst thing I can think of is having to leave my home. It almost literally makes me sick to my stomach. We have invested a lot of ourselves into our homestead. The garden soil has been enriched to a very productive state. Our animals are doing well at providing much of our nutrition. If a situation arose that caused us to have to abandon our home, I would be devastated. I can't deny that. But would I give up? I would like to definitively answer no, but honestly there is no way to know that until the time comes. I practice many, many different survival scenarios in my mind on a regular basis, but not this one. It's very difficult. But it is something we have started to discuss and talk about different possibilities and how we would handle them. So, I would encourage you to do the same, even though it may be the very last choice you may make, and then only under extreme circumstances.

There are many signs of impending changes, mighty changes about us. The whole world seems to get more complicated each and every day. Many, many economists are indicating just how fragile the entire global economy has become, and speak of major changes coming in the fall. World tensions between countries don't seem to be doing anything but getting worse. The government chips away at our freedoms and liberty more and more everyday. There are times it seems that before long I will not be allowed to write these words any longer. So, before that time comes, I need to share these thoughts with you.

As women, we have a vital role to play in the coming changes of our world. We can feed and cloth our families making it possible for them to carry out their duties. We can love and support our husbands, helping to carry the load of providing the necessities of life, as well as protection for our home. Surviving will be hard work, very hard work, not something we really care to do everyday if we have a choice. And for now we do have a choice, so we need to choose to prepare for the time when we don't. When choosing not to work very hard may be a choice to die.

If you are able, grow a garden this summer. A very serious, productive garden. Preserve as much of it as you can. Even if you don't have a garden, buy and preserve as much food as you can. Look at your shelves and do some serious evaluating of the items you need to fill them. Items that may make all the difference in the world for your family in a radically changed world. Know how to protect yourself and be comfortable with your weapon of choice. Train your mind to be aware and ready at a moments notice. 

There have always been women who were up to the challenges of survival in some very harsh circumstances. We have had it real easy in our day and time, but not so long ago, it was anything but real easy. Even though I really, really wish it wasn't so, the times are coming that we women will once again be faced with the challenges of survival in some very harsh circumstances. Prepare your mind first, then your home and family. Know the Lord and have Him on your side. Please be ready. The wolf is at the door.

Until next time - Fern

It Works! Ripe Tomatoes in November

I have known many people over the years that wrap their green tomatoes in newspaper at the end of the growing season. Some folks enjoy ripe red tomatoes as late as Christmas time. This year I finally got around to trying this for the first time, and it works! Sometimes I think people will think I'm silly for getting excited over a tried and true practice. But when I try something for the first time, and it works, I think it's exciting. It's even better when it involves something that tastes good, like ripe tomatoes.

These are the last of our tomatoes for the season, picked right before the first frost on November 2nd. I wrapped each one in newspaper and put them on a shelf in a dark corner with the canned goods.

 

I didn't know how long it would take for them to ripen, and I figured it was time to check them out. So I did, 11 days later on November 13th. Ta-da! Two beautiful, ripe tomatoes.

 









I did find one that was rotten and leaking through the newspaper, but it is the only one I found. I was glad for that.

 There were two more that are ripening nicely. I'm guessing they will be ready sometime next week.

If we can get two nice ripe tomatoes each week for a while, that will be a welcome treat. For those of you that haven't tried this yet, like me, try it. It works! For those of you that have used this technique before, please share any words of wisdom that will help the rest of us. Learning and experimenting with things that increase the food on our table is invaluable at this time. It puts just a few more nuggets of knowledge in our pockets and on our table. 

Until next time - Fern

Learning From Life's Successes and Failures

We have had several folks thank us for sharing our experiences here. Sharing what we have learned with others was part of our motivation for beginning this blog. Learning is what life is all about. Whether it be in a school setting, a garden setting, under the hood of a vehicle or at the side of a grandparent as they reminisce about how they did things many years ago. I can't picture a day of life going by that I am not reading about something or doing something that I can learn from, whether I am successful or not.

Beautiful zinnias and marigolds intermingled with grass and weeds

Many people do not get to see the slices of society that walk through school house doors every weekday morning during the school year. Frank and I had an administrator many years ago that made a statement that has stuck with us - "Society walks through the door every morning." It truly does. Not all of society values the lessons learned from successes and failure.

Cheddar cheese with holes. It didn't work out.

I am a special education teacher. Most of my career has been spent with students from kindergarten through fifth grade. One of the most important things I try to instill in my students is how wonderful and special they are - even if they never learn to read, spell or do math. You see, who they are is what is truly important. They have to learn to deal with failures each and every day throughout their entire career at school. How many of you would want to go into a situation each and every day and fail over and over and over, year after year after year. Would you do it? Would you quit trying? Some do.

 'The Grape Fiasco'. That was definitely a learning experience.

So, back to learning from successes and failures. That is life. Life is a series of learning opportunities. Some of them exciting and wonderfully rewarding. Some of them just don't quite pan out. And some are just dismal failures and quite disappointing. Can you learn from them all? Absolutely! They just don't all carry the same amount of 'neato mosquito!' power. 

The herb bed flooded in the spring and it felt like all that work was wasted, but it wasn't.

The motto in my classroom this year is "Knowledge is our power!" Let's take that a step further, out of the classroom, and into our lives. What we know, what we are learning everyday increases our ability to be self-sufficient, confident and gives our lives more meaning and depth. There is a reason I continually encourage you to learn something new that will benefit your family, friends and neighbors. The power gained from learning can never be taken from you. If there comes a time when all else is gone, you have what you know and can do within you - always. 

Sometimes a beautiful head of broccoli is so full of worms it is better to feed it to the chickens.

Cherish the ability you have to learn. Not all learning comes easily to many of us. We all have areas where we excel and areas in which we struggle. Some, like the students I teach, struggle more than others. I am blessed every day to be in their presence. My students' successes and failures teach me something new everyday. So when I come home tired from another day's work and still have my work at home to do, there are times I would like to just sit. But I love the work I do at home and the resiliency and strength it gives me.

Sometimes the road to success is not apparent, even when it is right in front of us.

Remember, knowledge is our power and we can increase that power each and every day, whether we succeed or fail. We still learn.

Until next time - Fern