From the Desk of John Rourke – September 1st, 2023 Maui | Commo | Pizza Oven | Solo Stove | Pressure Canning

It’s amazing the reports that have come out of Maui by those on the ground. While many would call some of the suggestions as to what “really” happened there nothing but conspiracies, I’d say that the majority of conspiracies that I’ve heard over the past decade or so seem to be turning out to be true.

If you haven’t heard several things are being said by those at ground zero including:

  • Witnesses report seeing beams of light near where the fires started. A direct energy weapon is believed to have started the fires.
  • There are theories suggesting that the fires were purposely started as the city government had recently pushed efforts to transform the area “smart city”.  There was substantial pushback from citizens. Countless millions would have gone into the transformation and provided the government with increased power and control.
  • There are tons of reports that aid is being brought in to help victims and authorities are refusing access. News outlets are saying that this is simply not true, however, so many first-hand accounts of this happening.

What’s the truth?

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For the past few years, I’ve used the 7′ x 16′ cargo trailer above to store many of our possessions as well as move it from place to place in South Carolina, then to Kentucky, and eventually to Maine. This is the final stop. After the Spring thaw, we were able to finish unloading the trailer. A few weeks ago I posted it on Facebook Marketplace and had a buyer in short order. The sale of the trailer is largely funding the new driveway getting installed in a few weeks.

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Communication is a topic not dissimilar to guns and bug-out bags that can make enemies of best friends. OK – I may be exaggerating a bit here, but, my perspective on priorities when it comes to commo is likely a bit different than most.

The majority of my communication system is for listening. I do not care about talking hundreds or thousands of miles. Being able to receive news and obtain information from my immediate area as well as hundreds of miles away is truly valuable. Talking to someone a few states over? Not a lot of interest.

As far as being able to talk to others at shorter range – let’s say 20 miles and less – is very important to me. Being able to reach friends and family that are on the way to my property or in the area I see as extremely important. Should times get very bad being able to reach those patrolling the property anywhere they go is a must. No cell phones? No problem! A simple .5-watt FRS handheld will work just fine.

Thoughts?

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Not much related to preparedness, we purchased a pizza oven a couple months ago and so far my experimentation with it has been interesting, to say the least.  Cooking homemade pizza in the pizza oven definitely takes practice and I have had several pizzas simply burst into flames….LOL. The internal temperature of the oven reaches temperatures. over 1,000 degrees F. It’s fun to do and extremely tasty!

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As funds are limited I’ve been scouring the local yard sales as well as Facebook Marketplace for good deals on things we need around the homestead. Compost bins, tools, propane heaters, CBs, snowblowers, backpacks, etc. have been found at great prices. I’m currently searching for toolboxes.

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One of the best deals I’ve had is picking up this All-American Pressure Canner for $100! It was an old model but never used and still in the box.

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I also picked up this vintage working Radio Shack CB for…….wait for it……$5!!!

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fire, Solo Stove, fire pit, Maine, night, fireside chat,

We’ve had a few nights where the temps dropped and we sat around the Solo Stove and enjoyed a fire. I’ve always enjoyed staring into a fire as the flames danced and embers glowed a deep reddish-orange. The crackling of the fire can be almost hypnotic, Of course, then the wind changes direction and blows smoke directly into my face stinging my eyes and I have to get up, and stumble to get away from the fumes all the while pretty much blind.

Good times!

Have a great weekend all!!

Rourke

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