Get your Priorities Straight!

Just thinking out loud here.

You need water to survive.  Without it, you can last maybe 2-3 days before major dehydration and dehabilitation sets in- then death. So, figure out how to get water and get it purified. Since this is the #1 priority for survival, you should have multiple ways to get clean drinking water for you and your family.  Think bleach, boiling (doesn't have to boil), filtering, etc.

After you have water, you're going to start thinking about food.  But really, you can last for months without it.  We Americans are mighty fat (in general) and carry a lot of food storage with us.  But, to be working at your top condition (and thinking) you need food.  It will also help to keep you healthy (avoiding dehydration, falls, accidents, etc.).  Short term (1 year) you should have a good supply of food stored.  Longer term, you'll need a garden and the seeds, knowledge, and tools to work it.  (Just started selling non-hybrid seeds at my website.)

If you have food and water, others are going to want it.  So, you are in instant danger.  To keep yourself safe you need to have a plan that will surely include firearms.  Follow the laws in your jurisdiction; but if you can, buy guns from private parties at gun shows.  Train with your guns and get educated on how to use them in a fight.  I personally recommend, at a minimum, a .22 cal rifle, a shotgun, battle rifle (AR or AK), and a pistol (in that order).  Heavy on the .22 ammo (How many gun battles do you think you can survive- 2? 3? 4? before your luck runs out.)  Remember, if it has really hit the fan- you aren't going to be concealing anything- and a pistol just ain't going to cut it (except as a back up). 

Once you have water, food, and a way to defend your supplies, you will need a place to store them and yourself. Some may argue that the shelter comes before guns, but if you have food and shelter, but no guns, you won't have either for long- besides most ppl already live in some kind of shelter. There are two main schools of thought on the shelter.  Either shelter in place, or bug out.  (I believe the best option is to prepare for both and do what it right at the moment.)  I like the combo option best- since I currently can't live at a retreat year-round.  Plan to stay in your suburban home as long as you think it is safe to (consider marauders, sanitary conditions, etc.), and then bug out to a safer (though probably less comfortable), remote location when you feel you must.  But have a plan.  How will you get there?  Do you have it stocked before hand?  Can you walk there?  Do you have enough gas in the car to get there?  What alternate routes are there?

There are lots of things to consider when preparing, but this is how I place my priorities.

Garage sale finds

This weekend I hit up a few garage sales and picked up a few items.  I got a US Load Bearing harness- with 4 ammo pouches and 2 grenade pouches and three canteens with carrying cases.  All of the canteens have the adapter to fit the hose for drinking out of your gas mask.  I washed everything and tried on the harness-

I have to kind of laugh at that harness purchase though- I hope I'll never have the opportunity to use it- but I know that it might come in handy if I ever need to do combat patrols when it hits the fan. Till then, it will just sit in a box- or if I can get someone to do some small unit patrols with me, I might use it for training.

Bega Cheese?

I finally tried the Bega Cheese I sell on Amazon. I had heard good things about the cheese, but really didn't know what to expect. You have to open both ends of the can, and then push it out in one piece. I used my cheese slicer to make grilled cheese sandwiches today.  It slices easily and doesn't crumble. The taste is excellent- very mild and on the soft side. The kids really liked it. I enjoyed it both on the sandwich and plain. Why cheese in a survival kit? Well, you need certain fats that dairy can provide. Also, just surviving by eating your food storage may not be that fun- but actually enjoying the foods you've stored can make a big difference by having some comfort foods. I now have a case + and will likely order some more- because grilled cheese sandwiches on homemade bread is too good not to have in TEOTWAWKI. Bega Cheese is from Australia- and can store for 20 years. I want my larder deep and diversified. Cheese is now part of it.

Additional plans for the cabin

I thought I would add a little bit tonight. I got the small ATV running and had a good time at a church daddy-daughter camp-out.  I also ordered another grain mill for back up (2 is 1 and 1 is none).  I got my meat grinder in the mail this past week (ready for the venison).

For the cabin, I've got a number of plans in the works:

1. Add gutters and cistern for water storage.
2. Add a built-in counter/kitchen area on the deck with a pitcher pump and sink.
3. Build a shelf system
4. Add cabinets

 Also, just wanted to remind everyone that I have my survival library posted on-line for free downloading at my website http://www.year-supply.com/preparedness-library.html

Been a while since I've posted.  I've done a lot of work up at the cabin.  Build a covered porch and added an awesome picnic table/railing for it.  I've been cutting a lot of wood too.  I set up a deer feeder and have seen tons of deer at all times of the day looking for corn.  Fired up my box wood stove for the first time and baked crescent rolls and brownies in the oven!

I really like my picnic table built in to the porch.  It is so convenient and saves space.  Thanks to Tyson for helping me build it.

Planning to take some deer this season to fill the freezer.  I have seen deer EVERY time I've been up to the property.  I also picked up another kids-size ATV for the the young'ins.  We have a great time up there just messing around. It's not running well yet- but it'll get there.

My website traffic has tapered off, but the Amazon sales of Red Feather Butter have been going strong.  I recently added some new dehydrated and freeze dried food products -so, please check it out and order some stuff from me!

Trip report & pics

Well, I was relieved to see that everything was still there. No signs of disturbance and there wasn't even any spiderwebs or critters in my cabin. The weather is still crazy hot- I got up there about 11am and by 5pm I think I was suffering from heat exhaustion (dizziness, chills, fatigue). So, I stripped down and hosed myself off (only to be bitten by horse flies!). Oh, well, I survived.

Unfortunately, my new stove did not make it there in one piece. I must have hit a bump or two going there cause the top part of my stove is MIA. I've measured it and plan to get a 1/2" steel plate for a replacement.

I chopped some wood with my maul (very dry and it splits easy) and tested out the new Husky chain saw. Here's some advice- make sure that the chain is tight before you start it. I assumed that the factory had it tight- they did not. I worked on the wood pile for a few hours both days till the chain got dull, then packed it up. I have a sharpener, but didn't feel like sawing any more wood.

I made measurements for a front porch and for steps to the big door on the side. I also plan to put fiber board (the kind you can stick tile to) on the walls and floor around where the stove is. I also measured out the stove pipe I need- I'm going to go straight up.  (That yellow 4x4 is my kids'. That's my outhouse and 4x4 trailer in the background.)  I also used both my 4-wheeler and truck to pull out some stumps that were in the way.

I did see a big doe up there when I was four wheeling. I spooked her and she just looked and me for a second and then bounded away. Just 1 more month and she'll likely be on someones dinner plate!

Dinner was rice and beans.  Breakfast was pancakes.  Lunch was a can of jambalaya. 

Headed up to the retreat

Tomorrow, I'm heading out to check on the cabin and the land. Been a while since I've been up there- just been too dang hot. I bought a new chain saw- picked up a Husqvarna 445 18". Itching to trying it out. It's gonna be hot- but I have a generator and an AC window unit to fight the heat.

Also going to sight in my new-to-me-again .22 cal long rifle. I'm bringing up the stove and oven and gonna put it in the cabin. I won't be able to complete the install cause I need to measure for length of chimney pipe.

Hopefully, I'll have some pictures to post when I get back.

Cleaning cast iron with Coke?

Okay so you can see from the pic below that my new-to-me stove has a light amount of rust.  I tried some mineral oil on it earlier today- but that didn't see to do the job.  So, I ran across this article that explains that you can use Coke to clean off the rust from your cast iron.  I've used Coke to remove the corrosion off of battery terminals before with great success- so I'm going to attempt to clean up the stove with Diet Dr. Pepper (my wife drinks it- don't ask.)  I'll post results as soon as I can (I think that's a pun).

Here's the article that is inspiring this post:

Have a Rusty Oven?
Though there are many methods for cleaning rusty ovens, the one that we have found to be the easiest to use is a can of Cola. If the inside is rusty pour the Cola in and let it do its job. Depending on how rusty the oven is will depend on how long you will need to leave the Cola on the rusty spot. If you have an issue with the outside of an oven use a sponge to apply the Cola, or place the cast iron in a large bowl or bucket with enough Cola to dissolve the rust (some rotating may be necessary). After rust is removed be sure to wash and re-season you cast iron.


Update: Diet Dr. Pepper does not work!  I think I'll try a real cola.

Craig's list score! Cast iron stove and oven

Yesterday I picked up a stove and a granny cylinder oven on Craigslist for $75. There is some repair work needed on the oven but I think some high temp metal tape will seal it up good- that way my baked food won't taste all smokey. The oven can take a 8x12" pan, which is plenty for baking a single loaf of bread.  The stove like this one sells new at Northern Tool for $300 and the cylinder ovens like the one I got retail for $275- $300.  I saw this one on Amazon:

So, new these items would have cost me about $600.  I got them for $75- plus about 6 feet of cheap stove pipe.  That's a good deal in my book.

This is my second cast iron wood burning stove.


The first I bought from Northern Tool 2 years ago. I think this one I just bought will be perfect for my retreat. (If the weather ever cools down again.)

Note: I believe that there is supposed to be a 2' section of chimney pipe between the stove and the oven- I just put it on like this for the photograph.  No idea who made it- any ideas?

Also acquired another. 22 CAL. It was the first gun I ever shot. A Springfield savage 187s.  Tube-fed semi auto.

How to prevent scurvy

A few weeks ago I was on a business trip in Nebraska.  I stopped by the Mormon Winter Quarters visitor center.  If you didn't know, the Mormons blazed a trail (Mormon Trail) from east of the Mississippi all the way out to Utah.  They made camp for the winter near modern day Omaha, before setting out in the spring.  During that winter, many people died of scurvy- mostly children.

After learning this, I wanted to find out more about scurvy- I knew you could prevent it by eating Vitamin C- and that sailors would eat lemons and limes to ward off the disease.  But what did the folks without access to vitamins and citrus fruits eat?  I did a quick search and discovered that tomatoes, potatoes, and many other foods (including meat) contain relatively high levels of C.  But potatoes are pretty much the only plant that is sustainable in most area in the winter.  So, that is just one more reason to plant potatoes in your garden and lay them up over the winter.

If you don't already have a source for potatoes, you can order them at Amazon.

Relish

 

I am growing a lot of zucchini and needed to do something with it.  We've made zucchini bread, chips, and relish. I still have more and the plants haven't shown any sign of stopping yet.

New Product - Wonder Mill

I've got a new mill for sale now. For those who wanted an all-metal grain mill that actually out-performs the Country Living Mill.

There is also an electric version that is just outstanding.

Check it out! http://www.year-supply.com/wonder-mill-products.html


Thanks for looking.

The Family Grain Mill Review

In an experiment in 1970, a biochemist at the University of Texas, fed "enriched" white bread to rats for three months; two-thirds died, the others became sick (Basey). It is no wonder that more and more people are turning to whole-grain foods for sustenance; in fact, many prefer to grind their own wheat at home using table top grain mills and grinders to obtain maximal nutritional value and peace of mind. Among the various brands of grain mills on the market today, perhaps none deliver a more versatile and value-packed product than the Family Grain Mill.

The Family Grain Mill was first produced by the Messerschmidt company in Germany over 27 years ago; now, the mill utilizes state of the art materials like Lexan plastic and surgical steel burrs (Grain Mill). But why do people choose to grind their own wheat as opposed to simply buying whole wheat bread in stores? According to the FDA, breads and other products may label their food as a "whole grain food" as long as the food contains 51 percent or more whole grain ingredient(s) by weight (Health Claim Notification for Whole Grain Foods). Freshly ground grains, on the other hand, contain 100 percent of the grain and protects against heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer, prevents constipation, and offers a reliable food supply in the event of an emergency (Basey). The Family Grain Mill makes it easy to make fresh flour and provides at least two methods to grind “wheat, oat, corn, (not popcorn) rye, spelt, kamut, barley, rice, peas, most beans, coffee, flax seeds, sesame seeds, most dried herbs, dried jalapenos and other hot peppers and more” (Grain Mill).

First, the Family Grain Mill includes a hand base that attaches to a table or counter top and allows the operator to grind wheat by hand. The hand crank is metal and allows an operator to produce roughly two cups of flour in three to four minutes (one loaf of bread requires 4-6 cups of flour). The benefit of the hand base is that in the event of a man-made or natural disaster, or where electricity is not available, flour can still be milled. The crank is long enough that it can be operated by a small child, but does require manual effort and determination to mill enough flour for a batch of bread. The mill easily disassembles for cleaning and has an adjustment for very fine to coarse flour.

Second, the mill is easily motorized by attaching it to a popular mixer like a Kitchen Aid or Bosch mixer or by attaching it to the Family Grain Mill motor base. When motorized, the mill will produce over one cup per minute without overheating the flour- an important feature to retain as many nutrients as possible ("Family Grain Mill Demo"). However, even when motorized, the mill is not as fast as electric-only grinders, which can process upwards of two to three cups of grain per minute. Additionally, while it will attach to the smallest of the Kitchen Aid mixers, its motor will quickly burn up and is not recommended for use with the Family Grain Mill (Grain Mill).

Every grain mill uses some method for making flour- be it grinding, crushing, or beating. The Family Grain Mill utilizes “burrs”, a popular method for grinding the grain. In this process, two steel, stone, or composite plates, called “burrs” rotate against each other; the individual grains are fed between the two crushing or breaking the grain into flour. The Family Grain Mill's burrs are steel plates, which are grooved to aid in the feeding of the grain; the result is a finely “cut” flour as opposed to a “crushed” flour than stone or composite burrs produce- although the steel burs will eventually wear out sooner than stone or composites. The adjustment mechanism on the mill controls the distance between the plates and allows for varying degrees of coarseness. Most electric grinders utilize high-speed “impact” method, which slings the grain into an opposing grain and explodes the grain into flour- this method is rapid, but provides no means of coarseness control and is more limited on the types of grain they can process.

At around $140 shipped, the Family Grain Mill rests firmly in the low-to-middle price range of table top wheat grinders that most families can afford. While certainly not as aesthetic or durable as an all metal grain mill, its plastic parts help to keep the manufacturing and shipping costs low, while the steel burs provide the strength and durability where it is needed the most. The Family Grain Mill's lifetime warranty on defects and nearly three decades of milling history provides the peace of mind to those seeking to grind their own flour and will complement any family's kitchen appliances.

If  you enjoyed this article or found it useful in your decision to purchase a grain mil, please visit my webstore an purchase a mill from me!  www.internetprepper.com

Works Cited
Basey, Marleeta F. "Why WHOLE Wheat is WAY Better." Mother Earth News 207 (2004): 76-83. GreenFILE. EBSCO. Web. 14 May 2011.
"Family Grain Mill Demo." YouTube. Web. 14 May 2011. .
Grain Mill. Family Grain Mill System. Web. 14 May 2011. .
United States of America. Health Claim Notification for Whole Grain Foods. , 1999. Web. 14 May 2011. .

photos from the retreat

Building a retaining wall.

Cut wood.

View from top of mountain

It's coming along.  Lots of work to do, but we will get there.  The driveway is finished, shale is covering all of it.  The cabin site is now level (enough).  The retaining wall is started (very tough work).  Still cutting wood from all the cleared trees.  I have about 2 cords cut and I've barely dented it.  Should have a shed build sometime this month.  Getting bids for dry-in for the big cabin.

This is a model of the cabin.

Response to a reader- How to get started preparing

I got a nice letter in the mail the other day asking for advice on how to get started preparing. This was my response.


Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to you. I've had a busy couple of days.

How to get started... First I highly recommend reading www.survivalblog.com everyday.

Jim Rawles runs the site and he is world-renowned for his writings on survival. I recommend that you read his novel "Patriots" and then get his book "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It"

While you're waiting for those books to arrive in the mail, read this page: http://www.survivalblog.com/newbies.html

In that article, he recommends making a "list of lists". I made one and have it available for download on my website here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjwuvfnYqzE5dDFMdTZyU2J5ZTM5LWlGQjZLM29MblE&hl=en that should get you started on what you need to buy. It's spreadsheet- be sure to check the tabs at the bottom.

Another recommendation is to start now and make achievable goals. Get enough food storage for 1 week. Then 3 weeks. Then 3 months. Then 6 months... you get the idea. Get enough food to last as long as you think you need. I have 2 years worth and I'm still adding.

Start a vegetable garden, buy and get training with a firearm, learn non-21st century usable skills (First Aid, cooking, fire starting, husbandry, etc.)

Don't get overwhelmed. I know the feeling of needing to prepare and once I started, I felt so much better.

You will probably need to buy a number of things- but remember that preparedness is not about things, it's about skills- but you will likely need tools to exercise those skills.

I have a website where I sell a grain mill. www.year-supply.com You'll need one eventually and when you do, I'd appreciate it if you buy one from me.

My blog (if you start at the beginning) chronicles my preparations. I went from very little to a lot in about 2 years. I now have 2 years + of food storage, a decent sized garden, fruit trees, 10 acres of land, a 4x4 diesel truck, an assortment of guns, radios, skills (CPR and more), a diversified income, and a new network of friends. I sleep better at night knowing I can provide for my family better than I could 2 years ago. I don't say this to brag, but to let you know that you can do a lot in a short period of time.

Let me know if you need anymore help and how you're progressing. Keep in touch.

A secret source for prime compost material

Today I called Tom Thumb, a local grocery store, and asked to speak with the produce manager. I related to them that I was interested in what they did with their old produce and if I could have some to put into my compost bin.

If you're place is like mine, there is no way you can fill your compost bin to the top with just the lawn clippings and garden refuse from your own family's consumption.

I have tried a few ways to add to my piles. My neighbor owns a landscaping company and he regularly donates bags of leaves to the pile that compliment my lawn clippings (every other cut) and my garden and table scraps. Oak and elm are excellent brown (carbon) material for compost bins.

Today after work, I stopped by the grocery store and they had a large box of lettuce waiting for me to pick up! I can stop by weekly and pick up their refuse. Just think of all those nutrients adding to my soil! Iceberg, mixed lettuce leaves and spinach were what I was given. I'm hoping to get other vegetables in the future.

Speaking of my compost, I just emptied out last year's bin and applied a thick topping to all my garden spots and my apple trees. The dirt was so dark and rich and teeming with worms, I just know my plants are going to love it. BTW, I use free pallets to make two bins- one for each year, and rotate them as it takes about a year to cook it down to dirt.

He is risen- the best reason of all to prepare

Hmmmm....

 

Doesn’t look much like a U.S. Air force C-130 to me.  Again excellent reporting by our new agencies.  This hat tip goes to “JSC” for the excellent observation.

My fence blew down in the last big storm that blew through Texas.  I can only imagine what the winds did to the fires. I wonder how you prepare for fire…  They were interview some couples on TV from Possum Kingdom who said their house had burned to the ground.  I hope they had insurance, but wow- talk about a setback.

 

 

 

Garden report

I have potatoes, lettuce, corn, green beans, peas, squash, cucumber, onions and peppers growing in my 72 sqft of garden space. I'm planting intensively this year with peas and beans surrounding each stalk of corn. The lettuce came up on its own (surprise!).

I staggered my planting my about 3 weeks with 2 of the beds, so that should extend my harvest time. These are seeds that I got from the link on the column. They are now 1 year old and have been kept in my fridge. I had about 20% not sprout. Not sure it this is average or not, but that's what I experienced. The first year, when they were fresh, they all sprouted. I still have plenty of seeds left and will use them again next year. We'll see how that goes.

What I did was, when I noticed they weren't sprouting, I just stuck another seed in the same spot about a week or so after the first planting and those are doing fine.

My apple trees (all three) got blossoms within a week of each other. I think there was enough overlap that they could pollinate each other, but they are still only 3 years old, so I don't know if I'll get apples this year or not. Texas is still due for another cold snap, but with how crazy the weather has been, I'm hoping that it's already come and gone. (2 weeks ago it got below freezing and my lettuce got frost bite on the tips- everything else seems fine though.)

Family Grain Mill Demo

This is my first attempt at Youtube. I filled that 4 gallon bucket with wheat flour tonight. I just got that Bosch- so it's time to get busy making bread!  BTW, if you enjoyed this demo, or it helped you to decide to purchase a Family Grain Mill, please purchase one from me.  You won't find a better price on the internet Guaranteed! www.internetprepper.com or www.year-supply.com

Thanks