Category: Random Thoughts

Hello everyone. Hope everyone is having a great end of August. Here in Maine, the weather is beginning to cool – especially at night. We are dropping into the 50s while the daytime temps are reaching the mid-70s.

Kass and I have been working a ton outside on the property getting ready for Winter as well as the zombie apocalypse(only half-kidding).

I’ll post some pictures soon with more of our efforts.

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This meme provides and excellent example of inflation.

I remember when $20 was a lot of money and would buy a lot. Today? Not so much.

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Yeah – I used have a motorcycle years ago. The photo above shows the exact model I had. This is an 82′ Honda Sabre V45 750. Great bike.

Now? I’d love to have a bike but in the risk versus reward spectrum I find myself on the lower risk end. I figured I’ll enjoy plenty of risk once the zombies start roaming the streets.

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I have not been doing much shooting over the past few months. Although we live in the woods of Maine I am conscious of neighbors hearing us shooting a lot. I did get out of one of our latest acquisitions in the Bear Creek Arsenal BC-15. I was sighting it in and firing a few rounds. I got it on paper and moved on to the next task on my list.

I need to get back to the Bear Creek and do some more shooting.

The photo above is one of my trips to my brother’s place in Georgia a few years ago. Good times!

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I’ve said very little about the troubles in the Middle East. Here’s what I’ll say: I just want people to stop killing each other.

The complexities of the situation goes beyond that which I have the time to research all aspects to come to a definitive conclusion.

I just want people to stop killing each other.

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I’ve put out two game cameras over the past few weeks and have two more. I stabbed two used models off eBay for about $25 each.

$25 is a bargain. Add an SD card and some batteries and good to go. I am putting them out around the property to cover as much area as possible and see where creatures are moving.

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Have a great weekend everyone!

Rourke

Health Update: Recently I went to the hospital to have another drain put into the cyst in my spleen. While lying on the table ready to become a human pincushion, the doctor said that he was not very confident that he could get the drain into the fluid “sack.” He said there was so little fluid that it may be best to wait and see if additional fluid builds thus providing a larger target for the drain. I quickly stated I agreed and felt we should wait. No drain. YES!!!

Then the doctor said, “Well, since we have you here and we are all ready – I’ll just go ahead and stick a syringe in it and suck it empty.

Wonderful.

Yup. Human pincushion.

He drove the sharp instrument deep into my midsection which generated an internal pain that compared to seeing Nancy Pelosi getting out of the shower and etching that image onto the surface of my eyes.

Yeah. It wasn’t pleasant.

He inserted the syringe 4-5 times and completed his task of evilness.

Now I’m back on antibiotics as the substance that was drawn out of the cyst proved to be a staph infection. Time will tell if the fluid builds once again or I can put this behind me.

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If it isn’t obvious we have been focusing a lot on property projects. The main reason for this is timing. Believe it or not Winter is coming and here in Maine any outdoor projects that we need to get done must be completed before the harsh reality of Winter slaps us across the face. Above is an image of a peach tree we planted behind the cabin. Peach tree’s are grown in Maine, although, they are not the easiest to grow successfully.

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Back in the olden days, these were called “Murses” – or Man Purses. Today these sling bags are an excellent way to carry a higher-capacity pistol along with a few extra magazines.  Nowadays with the threat of multiple threats, a revolver with 5-6 shots doesn’t quite have the same ability to instill confidence as it once did.

 

Another possible use of the sling bag is for home defense when something goes bump in the night at o’dark thirty.

I may order one and give it a try.

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Kass and I moved 4 racks we use for wood as we worked on cleaning up different areas of the property. This is a much better use of space and opened up space for more wood. While we had enough wood last season with plenty left over – we want to double our reserves as you just never know when a severe winter season will hit. We generally heat with propane, however, if we could not get resupplied it would be a problem.

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If you are unaware we have a survival & preparedness store here on this website. We carry a variety of unique and budget-friendly items and everything ships for free in the USA.

Bringing this up in case we have some new visitors as well as mentioning to check back often as several new products will be added soon. I’ll let everyone know when they drop.

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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There has been a lot of craziness over the past several years, few years, FEW WEEKS! The heat is ramping up in global relations as Israel kills three different targets including one right inside the capital of Iran. Iran is threatening a response and suggests other regional ally’s will participate. There is certainly a risk of the violence in the Middle East expending well beyond where it is currently.

The United States has moved 12 ships to the area. There is a lot of opportunity for an intensification of conflict. If Iran cooks off and a new stage to the Middle Eastern violence begins the Strait of Hormuz could very well close. This would very quickly create severe shortages and price increases on many products – including fuel.

If you’re reading this you already know the craziness that is going on closer to home. political strife including the attempted assassination of one presential candidate as well as the coup of another. The division within America continues to grow and people are angry. Some are angry because of politics. Some feel it’s just too damn hot. Some are tired of struggling to feed their family. Some don’t even know why. All you have to do is get on social media and quickly anger can be seen everywhere. Take this anger and throw in shortages, more price increases, and a little political violence on the side and it will be a powder keg.

Get ready folks. Look at your food, medical, defense, and other supplies and fill in any gaps that you can. Are you short that water filter you’ve been meaning to get? Get it. Haven’t replenished some of the food storage items you’ve used over the summer? Head to the store. Do what you can.

If nothing happens? Be thankful.

Stay safe all. Time may be drawing short before life gets a lot more challenging.

Rourke

I love simple but ingenious tools such as the Ka-Bar Tactical Spork.

Here’s a quick description:

The Ka-Bar Tactical Spork is an innovative and practical multi-tool designed for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and preppers. Combining the functionality of a fork, spoon, and a hidden knife, it offers versatility in a compact form. Made from durable polymer, it is lightweight yet sturdy, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of outdoor use. The hidden knife, integrated into the handle, adds an extra layer of utility without compromising the spork’s usability. Easy to clean and maintain, the Ka-Bar Tactical Spork is a reliable addition to any gear. Its clever design and multifunctionality make it a must-have for those seeking practical solutions in survival and outdoor scenarios.

Running well under $10 these are a budget-friendly tool to throw in packs, survival kits, or even a picnic basket.

If interested follow this link.

Rourke

One of my favorite prepper book series is 299 Days, by Glen Tate. This is a very long series with 10 books in total(Book 10 is optional). I’ve often said it was one of the most plausible scenarios I’ve come across.

Of particular interest in the book was once he purchased his cabin retreat he began to stock it with supplies. Food was of primary importance. Interestingly, due to his hiding his preps from his wife early in the book he put all his preps in a shed on the property. It was never discussed, but, I assume he took logical precautions against bugs and rodents. Early in the series, he would refer often to this shed and how he had it stocked – especially with pancake mix. His son loved pancakes.

If you are not familiar with the series here is a quick summary of the series beginning with Book One:

From Book 1: Meet Grant Matson: lawyer, father, suburbanite husband who awakens to the fragility of modern society and embarks on a personal journey that introduces him to a world of self-reliance and liberation.

299 Days: The Preparation, the first book in the 299 Days series, depicts the inner struggles Grant must face as he exists in a social system he recognizes as unsustainable and on the verge of collapse, but one in which he has built his life around. What begins as a return to his roots, self-sufficiency and independence, becomes a full blown move to prepare for what may come. Engaging, insightful and a bit suspenseful, follow Grant’s transition from a self-perceived “sheeple” to a full-blown “prepper.” Will his fears come true? Is he an extremist? What if nothing happens? What if something do

I’ve often thought about the idea of a “preparedness shed.” Basically the idea is not to have all your eggs in one basket. While many supplies would be kept in the main house, additional supplies would then be stored in the shed. Should something happen to the house the shed would have supplies to fall back on and vice-versa.

Of primary concern would be extreme heat in the summer and freezing in the winter. There are a variety of ways to cool in the summer including the use of air conditioning on the hottest days as well as 12V fans with a small solar setup to improve ventilation. In the winter a small, wall-mounted propane heater with thermostat could be used to keep contents above freezing.

Food stored in rugged totes and sealed 5-gallon buckets could be stacked along the walls. Other supplies organized in totes of various sizes and labeled would provide easy access. Maybe even inventory sheets to track what comes in and out of the shed? Maybe.

Thoughts? If you had a nice survival shed what would you store in it?

Take care all –

Rourke

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Health Update: Unfortunately this Wednesday I have surgery to reinstall the drain in my spleen. I had the drain removed several weeks ago and at some point started having some issues. I requested a CT scan which ended up showing a small amount of fluid buildup. The surgeon recommended reinstalling the drain to eliminate it.

I’m really not looking forward to this. In addition to the procedure itself, the additional expense will just be added to the growing medical bills. The CT scan I just had cost me $600.

There are a couple things I’m looking at IF this doesn’t work I’m trying to save my spleen.

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Above shows part of our front yard. We decided to plant some apple trees and are deciding on spots and pre-digging holes. We want at least 3 apple trees. We have one very old apple tree in the backyard that we’re really not sure how much longer will produce. I will say that last year we did get quite a few tasty apples off it.

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Maine Prepper Girl has been getting into canning. Her most recent experience has been dill pickles. Cucumbers came from our garden. I haven’t tried them yet, but, the cabin smelled fantastic when I got home and she was in the middle of processing the jars.

Love me some pickles!

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One of my favorite movies is The Tomorrow War starring Chris Pratt. Pratt is a favorite of mine and I think the plot of the movie is very original an production well done.

The main rifle in the movie looks like the one in the picture below:

I’ve thought of building an AR of similar design in the past and just having watched the movie it’s on my mind again. I like the design and it’s very different.

Maybe.

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If you are unaware we have a survival & preparedness store here on this website. We carry a variety of unique and budget-friendly items and everything ships for free in the USA.

Bringing this up in case we have some new visitors as well as mentioning to check back often as several new products will be added soon. I’ll let everyone know when they drop.

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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Recently a couple of sisters were sickened with botulism from home canned “nopales”.  If you are not familiar nopales are part of a type of cactus. This story is being shared around the innerwebs and is really making home canning look dangerous and risky. While there is certainly advantages to automatic systems of canning used to produce popular soups and vegetable found on grocery store shelves, the number of people sickened from home canning is incredibly small. Even in the article it is mentioned that a disease specialist for the county where the sickness took place had not seen such an even in 26 years.

Folks – follow instructions to sterilize jars, lids, etc. Get information on the particular canning recipe from good sources. If you are getting into canning make sure you have the latest canning book from Ball. A wealth of information. Home canning is incredibly safe.

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The garden continues to produce!!

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Over the long 4th of July weekend, a major project I undertook was insulating and organizing our garage. The garage is separate from our house and rests approx. 40 yards away. When we purchased the home we found many surprises we were unaware of. Hey – live and learn, right? One of the big ones was the garage had no power run to it. We had limited time with the property before we had to jump on it and it was covered in snow at the time.

Well – I failed to insulate the entire garage. Embarrassment prevents me from revealing how much I completed but it was a learning experience for sure. I’m still in the process of organizing and it’s going to be a huge improvement. I added some large steel industrial shelves which really work well for heavy items such as ammo cans.

Just added a CB base station I picked up at a yard sale and will install the antenna soon and then perform some testing.

Once done I’ll post a few pictures.

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For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

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If you are unaware we have a survival & preparedness store here on this website. We carry a variety of unique and budget-friendly items and everything ships for free in the USA.

Bringing this up in case we have some new visitors as well as mentioning to check back often as several new products will be added soon. I’ll let everyone know when they drop.

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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Hope everyone has plans for a great 4th of July!!

I was just planning out my day and thought “Why not have a sale in the 1776 Survival & Preparedness Store?” So – through July 7th here’s the deal:

Coupon Code: 1776

Discount: 17.76%

Discount code will work on all orders over $17.76. (See what I did there?). 🇺🇸

Free Shipping on all orders and I’ve added a few new products recently.

Take care all –

Rourke

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I was recently checking out the Top Prepper Sites and seeing what other preparedness-related internet portals are doing. I was disappointed to see that many that have been around for a long time have closed up shop and no longer exist.

I’d have to admit that video and flashy social media platforms are what is getting the majority of traffic today. I’ve mentioned previously that I was to change the look of 1776PatriotUSA.com and update it a bit. It will happen. Typically in the past when I’ve made major changes on a website, I do it over a weekend or long holiday break. I’ll start transitioning 1776 to update the looks and please bear with me as it will most likely take a few weeks.

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The garden continues to grow and do well. Zucchini is certainly the largest crop we have harvested so far. We are getting far more than we can possibly consume so MPG is finding unique ways to preserve zucchini.

We have chopped up several, vacuum-sealed sealed, and then froze them for use over the coming months.

Yes – this might sound a bit crazy, but, one method of preserving zucchini is canning it in pineapple juice. Regular raw zucchini doesn’t have a ton of taste so this should infuse it with powerful pineapple!!

Anyone have any recommendations on preserving zucchini?

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Regardless of the exact cause of the dramatic weather we have had over the last several years it is happening. It’s something we all need to be aware of and prepare accordingly.

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A few thoughts I recorded right after the Trump-Biden debate. Not much has changed in my opinion since. The fact that so many have not only covered up Biden’s decline but continue to back him shows the sheer evil that exists within the government.

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If you are unaware we have a survival & preparedness store here on this website. We carry a variety of unique and budget-friendly items and everything ships for free in the USA.

Bringing this up in case we have some new visitors as well as mentioning to check back often as several new products will be added soon. I’ll let everyone know when they drop.

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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Today is the day Jack Carr’s latest book is released….Red Sky Mourning. I’ve been waiting for months to open my Audible app and start listening during my long drive to work.

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HEALTH NEWS: Once again I appreciate all the well wishes and prayers as well as donations to my GoFundMe. As in my last update, I had the drain removed on June 6th. So far I’ve been doing pretty good. For the first week, I continued to experience some pain. It was very concerning and yeah, I’m a bit paranoid about it coming back. It’s possible that my spleen could become problematic again. If that should happen the surgeon suggested a drain would be installed once again and if that failed to resolve the fluid buildup my spleen would need to be removed.

That would be less than ideal. I really don’t want to contemplate beyond that, although, I would still be able to fight zombies.

I’ll continue to pray for healing and improved health.

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Here’s another video of my growing grandson exploring and learning about gardening. He loves to help his “Pop” out. We bought him a small wheelbarrow and he is so proud to put dirt and tools and transport them to the next area where we will work.

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I’ve got to step it up and start posting more often. Between working 40 hours per week and driving another 12 and then trying to get the homestead going there leaves little time. Regardless – I’ll get on it and be more consistent.

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Speaking of posting….Do you have something to say? Want to share your thoughts on a subject or teach others something? I’ll gladly post any video or article you would like to write.

You can contact me here – – – > 1776PatriotUSA@gmail.com

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If you are unaware we have a survival & preparedness store here on this website. We carry a variety of unique and budget-friendly items and everything ships for free in the USA.

Bringing this up in case we have some new visitors as well as mentioning to check back often as several new products will be added soon. I’ll let everyone know when they drop.

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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A bit overdue but better late than never…….

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GOOD NEWS: The drain stuck in my side for the past two months has been finally removed. After consulting with my surgeon and weighing the pros and cons we decided to take it out. So I’m not walking around with a piece of luggage sticking out from under my left arm. Let’s hope it stays that way.

In Joe Biden’s voice ~ “Here’s the deal….” If the cyst returns and begins producing….err……’fluid’ again, a new drain will be put in. More fun times! I’ll have to start getting CT scans and of course, the medical bills will continue to climb. If it cannot be stopped my spleen will have to be removed. This presents the possibility of numerous complications including one in particular I’ve spent my entire life avoiding.

‘nuf said.

I remain around 185 pounds and overall feel pretty good. It’s only been a few days and soon I’ll hit the gym and continue improving my diet.

For anyone who may have missed what’s occurred  – you can read about it here and I’m still thankful to anyone who can assist with the costs(no insurance).

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-keith-medical-bills-no-insurance

Thank you everyone once again for the prayers, the well wishes, and donations. I really appreciate it.

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I’ll post another garden update soon. I’m so happy that the garden is coming along very well. Last year I had big plans to get the garden going and it did not do very well. A combination of a lack of time as well as starting the garden area from scratch without the tools certainly had an impact. This year was quite different as we had a plan and even with my hospitalization and being laid up for several weeks MPG kept us on track.

Down in the Southeast, I’d be in the midst of harvesting a ton of food from the first planting. Here in Maine, we are going to start picking within the next day or two for the first and ONLY planting.

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I stopped at a local gun shop this past week and grabbed a box of 9mm and .22 Magnum ammunition. I’m good with my ammunition stocks, however, I try to add a box here and there every couple of weeks.

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If you are unaware we have a survival & preparedness store here on this website. We carry a variety of unique and budget-friendly items and everything ships for free in the USA.

Bringing this up in case we have some new visitors as well as mentioning to check back often as several new products will be added soon. I’ll let everyone know when they drop.

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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Hello all. I announced this a couple of weeks ago and am following up for those who may have missed it. If you’re new here and not sure what has happened to me from a medical perspective – go to the GoFundMe page and I provide a summary.

BTW – thank you so much to all who have shared the fundraising effort and those who have donated!

I mentioned several days ago that I was going to start a GoFundMe page as my medical bills have grown to tens of thousands of dollars. I was very apprehensive to ask for help. I’ve always had difficulty asking anyone for help, but, several people I know pushed me to go ahead.

You can click the link below and read more about what has happened. With so many people struggling I know donating – even a small amount – may be out of reach for many. That’s OK. If you are on social media and can share the GoFundMe page with others and help spread the word that would be fantastic. Thanks so much!

In case you missed my prior announcement my real name is Keith Wilkins. The GoFundMe page is set up under my real name. John Rourke has been my penname for close to 15 years and I’ll continue to use it as I write. I know many people who know my real name but continue to call me John. I’m good with that.

Thanks again and take care –

Rourke

 

Health Update: Right now I am waiting on a CT scan to be scheduled. Last appointment with the surgeon he said everything looked great and he expects after the CT scan the drain will be removed. I asked about recovery time once the drain is removed and he said no restrictions. I’m sure I will be fairly sore for a while, but, I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym and doing a lot more around the property.

Tonight I was getting dressed after a shower and the drain tube got caught on my leg and I yanked it really good. Right now it is EXTREMELY sensitive. I’m hoping for that CT scan and drain removal…..SOON!

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A lot of work in the garden over the weekend.

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve not had any luck starting seeds indoors. When I was down South I tried using grow lamps and think I gave the plants too much light. Once brought outside they died. The reality is with the long growing seasons in South Carolina starting seeds indoors really wasn’t needed. I tried starting seeds indoors here in Maine and made the mistake of leaving them exposed when the temps dropped below freezing. Yup. Dead.

I’ve said it before gardening is not something you can just store some seeds and expect to be able to grow tons of food whenever needed. I’ve learned by screwing up. and the time to learn is now before depending on food from a garden is needed.

Here’s a recent video update on the garden:

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Has anyone else noticed that whatever the Socialist Left accuses the Constitutional Patriotic Right of doing is actually what they are guilty of?

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Not sure if I’ve shared this before and if I did, well, whatever. I was lucky enough to be given two used large aluminum truck toolboxes. These have seen a lot of use but they shut and can hold supplies. Right now I have them stashed behind our garage where it is shady ALL day. I decided to store extra propane tanks and metal fuel cans.

I’m planning to pick up a few more of those 5-gallon metal gas cans as well as more propane tanks. Currently, We’ve got 10 propane tanks and plan to get more. We also have a 420-pound tank for our propane heater which I’d love to add another. They are not cheap!

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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Health Update: Since my last update it’s been a roller coaster ride of good and bad. The drain on my left side which provides a tube into my body cavity and goes into the cyst on my spleen was pushed in further on my last visit to the hospital. Since then I’ve experienced more pain, however, it appears that most all of the fluid has been drained. What’s important about that is once the draining stops I get scheduled for a CT scan and assuming the fluid is gone the surgeon will remove the drain.

I’m not looking forward to having this thing pulled out of me. Ugh!

Once the drain is removed I believe my recovery will accelerate, though, I know it will take time to heal. I’m still sitting here at 180 pounds and MPG is trying to get me to eat more to get some weight back.

On another note, the medical bills have really started rolling in. Wonderful.

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There’s so much to do around the property now that Spring has arrived. Unfortunately, much of it has fallen on MPG due to my being limited in physical activity. She has been fantastic and has done so much! I’ll share more pictures of various projects very soon. The picture below is one of two beds of garlic we planted last Fall. Both look fantastic and we are looking forward to having some very fresh garlic from our garden.

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I continue to be amazed at the videos I see on YouTube where a defensive AR is discussed and these things have everything but the kitchen sink attached to them. A 12-pound AR? Unless it is set up with a bull barrel and mega-scope to shoot super accurately at long range from an LPOP/position I’ll pass. I’ll take a 7.5-pound AR that has an optic, back-up sights, a sling – and possibly a light.

That’s it. I’m good.

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This “Bird Flu” ramblings could be the next plandemic – or a truly lethal pandemic. We have a reported infestation of cattle at a Texas farm and a worker getting sick with symptoms.

A lot of people are going to be very suspicious of anything reported by the news media or the government.

I’m one of them.

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Have a good week everyone!!

Rourke

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Hello all –

I mentioned a few days ago that I was going to start a GoFundMe page as my medical bills have grown to tens of thousands of dollars. I was very apprehensive to ask for help. I’ve always had difficulty asking anyone for help, but, several people I know pushed me to go ahead.

You can click the link below and read more about what has happened. With so many people struggling I know donating – even a small amount – may be out of reach for many. That’s OK. If you are on social media and can share the GoFundMe page with others and help spread the word that would be fantastic. Thanks so much!

In case you missed my prior announcement my real name is Keith Wilkins. The GoFundMe page is set up under my real name. John Rourke has been my penname for close to 15 years and I’ll continue to use it as I write. I know many people who know my real name but continue to call me John. I’m good with that.

Thanks again and take care –

Rourke

 

Health Update: This past Friday, April 26th, 2024 I had to go back to the hospital and have another surgical procedure. The drain connected to the cyst on my spleen stopped draining. I began to experience more pain and had a setback. The surgeon went in with a tiny camera and determined that the location of the drain was no longer able to access the fluid that was left to remove.

The surgeon inserted a “wire” through the drain which extended down into the area where the fluid is located. While sedated and given painkillers it was far from a comfortable procedure. Luckily it went quickly and now the drain is back working. The hope is all the fluid will be drained within the next week or so. Once that occurs another CT scan will be done to confirm the size of the spleen/cyst as well as to see if there is any fluid left. After that hopefully, the drain will be removed and long-term recovery can begin.

I weighed myself Saturday morning and the few pounds he had gained were gone and I was at my lowest of 180 pounds. As of Sunday evening, I’m feeling much better and my appetite has returned.

Went to work Monday feeling the best I’ve felt since getting out of the hospital. By 1:00 pm I was dragging and started to have some pain and discomfort. Stayed until the end of the day and was severely disciplined when I got home by Maine Prepper Girl who said I was doing too much. Heard similar things over the weekend as I tried to do a few things outside.

Ugh.

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These protests across college campuses are getting out of hand. I am a firm believer in free speech and the right to protest. There are situations going on that are illegal and most colleges are doing nothing about it. Calling for acts of violence is illegal and should not be put up with. Disrupting the operations of the campus and impacting those who are paying to attend these institutions should not be allowed. This ranks right up there with blocking traffic on a highway and cops standing by watching them.

Again – I am a free-speech absolutist. Even if I disagree with what a person or group says they should have the right to say it. What is happening at many of these colleges is different.

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Came across this picture of MPG and me when we went to my son’s wedding in Chimney Rock, NC two years ago. Beautiful area and great times!!

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As a teenager in the 80’s I was a huge fan of video games. My friends and I would visit arcades with a pocket full of quarters and play for hours. Asteroids. Dig Dug. Donkey Kong. Pac-Man. Defender. These are just a few that I played and loved—so many good times.

As I grew older I still played video games. Computers. PS One. PS2. Sega Dreamcast. PS4. Hours were spent going after the bad guys and loved the adventure. Several months ago I got a great deal on a mint condition Xbox Series S. I ordered a bunch of used games off eBay and have it hooked up to a 65″ TV.

40 minutes. That’s all I’ve played in probably 6 months. LOL – always so busy.

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The .22LR remains by far my favorite caliber. Pistol or rifle there are just so many aspects of the cartridge that are positive. I have a couple of Ruger 10/22s, a Smith & Wesson M&P15-22, and a Ruger semi-auto among a few more .22s in the safe. I’ve actually thought about putting together a Ruger 10/22 with a Choate pistol grip stock. This is such a classic design and I guess as I get older I’m finding that “stuff” from the past is becoming more attractive to me than all the new tacti-cool stuff. The funds aen’t there right now, but, someday.

Here’s the Choate I’m talking about:

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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Health Update: I appreciate all the well-wishes. The latest update is I’m getting stronger and feeling better. I still have the drain on my side which severely limits my activities and is impeding my recovery. I have an appointment with the surgeon on Thursday to review the results of my last CT scan(taken on Tuesday) and to review whether or not the drain will be removed or left in for another week or so.

I have no health insurance and with 6 days spent in the hospital, the medical bills are going to be huge. I’ve had a few people reach out and suggest I start a GoFundMe page. Originally I said no. I absolutely hate asking anyone for anything. Now – I’m always willing to help others and go out of my way for someone in need. Me asking for help? I’ve never been comfortable with that. Just the way I am.

I decided to go ahead and do it. I’ll post a link to the GoFundMe page soon. It’s tough out there and many of us are on tight budgets. With that in mind, any donations are very much appreciated. If someone can’t donate sharing the GoFundMe page with family and friends on social media would be fantastic and very helpful.

Oh – something important: Many of you already know or suspect John Rourke is not my real name. This is true. John Rourke has been a “pen name” for well over 12 years. My real name is Keith Wilkins. What’s interesting is I’ve made friends with several readers of this and my previous site and they continued to call me “John” even after learning my real name. I’m good either way.

As GoFundMe requires you to use your real name I thought this would be a good time to come clean. Now – moving forward I will continue to use my pen name – John Rourke.

Again – thanks for the prayers and well-wishes.

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Maine Prepper Girl has been out working on the garden while I have been a bit hobbled. I love these galvanized raised beds, It’s still too early to plant here in Maine, but, a few weeks from now we should be good to go.

We bought a chicken coop and a large cage to put it in. Hopefully, by the end of this weekend, we’ll have the coop put together.

We have some “Supersoil” being delivered to fill the raised beds. This will get us off to a good start.

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Look at these numbers. There’s a reason behind this and it’s not good.

I think I’ll go watch Red Dawn…….

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Does anyone have any experience with the PSA Dagger? At the prices which one can purchase a complete gun or put together via buying parts, they are extremely affordable.

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Maine Prepper Girl(aka Kass) has been on a kick making things leaning towards the all-natural. Above she made some all-natural real vanilla extract. I’m going to ask her to write up how she did it. These are freshly bottled and haven’t started changing color yet.

She just completed some Almond Extract as well!

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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Hope everyone had a great Easter. I’ve been traveling down to the South Carolina/Georgia/North Carolina area to see my kids, brother, and a high school buddy. During my travels, I went to church on Sunday. A fantastic experience with a message that really hit home.

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My youngest bought an enduro bike. This bike can be used on the street as well as off-road.  It’s been 25 or so years since I’ve been on a motorcycle and had a ball riding through the woods. While I’d love to have something like this back up in Maine, we really need an ATV or a UTV as a property workhorse.

Hoping to find a used 4-wheeler in good operating condition for a decent price in a couple months.

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In case you missed it……

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Does anyone have any experience with the PSA Dagger? At the prices which one can purchase a complete gun or put together via buying parts, they are extremely affordable.

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I’m finding in this insane time we live in with all that is going on and the constant state of events occurring which seemingly present a new disaster daily – people are becoming complacent. I think back just 10 years ago if a time traveler had professed the last few years along with the indicators of what is to come most people would be overwhelmed. Preppers would use this information as a huge motivator to step up their preps. Today? Well – just another day in this modern world for a lot of folks.

What a mistake I fear people are making.

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We are now up to 9 galvanized raised beds and bought a chicken coop along with a good-sized “caged run” to put the chicken coop in. We will get the chickens hopefully within a month. I’ll post pics and an update as progress occurs.

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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Quick Health Update: Overall I have been feeling pretty good and my enlarged spleen has not caused any pain in several weeks. With it pressing up against my stomach it continues to be the case that after drinking or eating very little I get full fairly quickly. Not sure if I mentioned this or not but I’m down to 196 pounds. This is the lightest I’ve been since….well, a long time.

New MRI appointment is April 25th in Lewiston, Maine.  This facility has what is referred to as an Open Bore MRI which not only has a very large opening but is also shorter so your head sticks out. This should work. I’m on a call list in case they have a cancellation so I can get in there sooner.

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The relentless campaign against Donald Trump continues. The very same things being done in this country against a political candidate are the same we have accused other countries of doing against the will of the people and against freedom. I continue to a very large extent, to believe participation in the political system is a waste of time as both sides are corrupt to the core. Will I vote in the Presidential election? Yes. Will it make a difference in who they appoint to sit in the White House? Not likely.

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Makes you wonder…….

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As I am finishing this post up news has been announced that a large bridge in Baltimore has been hit by a container ship. This is a major thoroughfare for both container ships as well as vehicle traffic. Expect interruptions to the flow of supplies. Overall impact? Hard to tell at this point, however, it’s not going to be positive.

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This past Saturday we received what is likely our last snowstorm along with about a foot of snow. We snow-blowed the driveway a couple times and kept the woodstove going. A really nice finish to what has been a fairly uneventful winter season.

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I’ve owned the Steyr M9-A2 for a couple years and am well past due to perform a review. I will say in a world full of “combat pistols” that seem to change from year to year only slightly from a design perspective the Steyr is a true unicorn. The ergonomics and sights are two things that really set it apart from most other offerings on the market.

Love shooting this pistol. More to come……

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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Quick Health Update: I had my doctor’s appointment last week and the doctor explained the reasoning for them wanting an MRI. No surprises – they want to verify the cause: cancer? cyst? blunt trauma? bacterial infection? Based on the cause then they will direct treatment. I am waiting on a call to have either an MRI scheduled in Lewiston, Maine which is a very open MRI that I should not have a problem with, or more local in Bangor where I will be sedated.

Should get a call early this week.

On a positive note, I feel like my enlarged spleen has shrunk to some extent over the last week. I simply do not feel it like I was and have had zero pain. So – it’s a positive change.

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There’s something I can’t help myself from buying every time I walk into Walmart. It’s not the best but I feel like I can’t have too much and the price is decent. These are small so I keep them in a few places in my truck, in shooting bags, kits, etc. It’s become a habit now.

What am I talking about? Rem-oil!

I’ve got a few dozen of these little bottles of Rem Oil and just keep picking them up. Speaking of gun oil I’ve been working on creating my own concoction for firearm lubrication. Will be testing once the weather gets a little better. The reality is gun oil is insanely expensive. Calculate the price per gallon.

Even Rem Oil is like $160 a gallon. Nuts!!

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This year we are putting in quite a few galvanized raised beds in the garden. We’ve ordered a combination of 4′, 6′, and 8′ versions. So, looking forward to seeing the results of using these. They are 12″ deep so plenty of root-growing space. We’ll be putting together a combination of compost and what is locally called “SuperSoil” which is delivered in truckload quantities. Several weeks before we put anything in the ground.

The last order I placed for the 6′ versions should be arriving later this week. Here’s the link if you’re interested: https://amzn.to/43jW1DC

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We regularly purchase canned meat as the vast majority of our long-term food stores are low in protein. Over the years I’ve heard of Keystone canned meats. I’ve lived in a few places over the years and although I may have missed them I’ve yet to see them on the shelf. Maybe eventually I’ll find a good source as they seem to be an excellent choice to add to the pantry.

What canned meats do we store now? There are various brands, however, we focus on canned chicken and beef. I’ve got some SPAM and the different flavors they offer. I recently saw some ham, chicken, and turkey in mylar pouches. These have an extended shelf life and would be great in a bug-out bag or survival kit.

Now that I’m thinking about it – now would be a good time to step it up a notch.

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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The other night I headed out in the evening to run a couple of errands and saw an owl sitting in a tree along the driveway. Absolutely beautiful creature and the photo just doesn’t do it justice.

I sat in my truck and watched this owl for about 10 minutes. I moved along to complete what I set out to do. The owl sat on that branch and continued to wait for its prey.

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I received the fantastic photo below. Someone bought a bunch of the Sawyer Mini Water Filter Bucket Conversion Kits. These were taken to a village in Kenya that struggles daily to find clean water. These bucket conversion kits were hooked up and now the village and its inhabitants can drink clean water and live a much healthier life.

I told the woman who ordered the bucket kits from me that I’d donate some on their next trip.

While the vast majority of us have an unlimited supply of clean water where we live, hearing of these situations can hit home and reminds us that if modern services go down we may be in the same situation as those in that village.

Multiple contingencies to acquire clean water are a priority in any preparedness system.

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I watched a good amount of coverage in the Fani Willis disqualification hearings. What was extremely clear is the number of people in public service – especially in large cities – that are not remotely close to being qualified to be in their position. These people obtain positions of authority and power due to the color of their skin and the ability to perform favors.

This is the state of government today. Pathetic.

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Over the past few days, the temp here in Maine rose upwards of 50 degrees. This is abnormally high and has many out buying gardening supplies. I felt the urge myself to start doing a few things out on the homestead, but, I realize that even in early March there is a lot of Winter left here in Maine. We could get a foot of snow next week. Never know.

Oh……well, here we go……

OK – the long-range forecast is suggesting upwards of 8″+ in a week.

We’ll see.

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There are countless people out there who have purchased ARs chambered in .223/5.56mm and fail to understand the true capability of the weapon. I’ve said many times before I sight my AR’s in at 50 yards. This makes a 50-yard zero and also a 225-yard zero – give or take. Barrel length and specific load certainly make a difference. I’ll also say that I do not see me targeting beyond 100-150 yards. If a target is well beyond that it is likely not a threat based on my personal geographic area.

This makes things fairly simple as an AR zeroed at 50 yards is mostly spot on at any range I may target.

An inch high or an inch low isn’t going to make any difference.

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I had put together an AR-10 in .308 Winchester several months ago. It needs a magnified optic as well as open sights. Well, I picked up these open sights and so far they seem solid. What I look for with AR sights are a rugged peep sight in the rear that flips out of the way and a rugged post in the front that also flips out of they. Metal is preferred, however, I have some polymer Magpul versions on a few of my rifles.

Check them out here – – – > LINK TO AWESOME AR SIGHTS HERE

These seem like they will work just fine. I’ll report back once I have more experience with them.

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The insanity continues…….

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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Sharpening an ax with a puck stone is a practical skill for any woodsman. “Puck Stone”? Well – that’s what I call them due to their similar size compared to a hockey puck. Over the past several months I have chopped a lot of wood and sharpened my ax several times. A bit strange at first as it was a new skill. What’s that saying? Practice makes perfect? I don’t know about perfect but what follows is my method for sharpening an ax with a puck stone.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively sharpen your ax:

Materials Needed:

1. Ax
2. Puck stone (also known as a sharpening puck)
3. Honing oil or water (depending on the type of puck stone)
4. Towel or cloth

Step 1: Clean the Ax Wipe off any dirt or debris from the ax blade using a towel or cloth. A clean surface makes the sharpening process more efficient.

Step 2: Choose the Right Puck Stone Select a puck stone appropriate for ax sharpening. Some stones require water for lubrication, while others use honing oil. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific puck stone.

Step 3: Lubricate the Puck Stone If using a water stone, soak it in water for the recommended time. If using an oil stone, apply a few drops of honing oil to the stone’s surface.

Step 4: Secure the Ax Place the ax on a stable surface, such as a workbench or a stump, with the blade securely held in place. This ensures stability during the sharpening process.

Step 5: Determine the Ax Bevel Angle Identify the existing bevel angle of your ax blade. Most axes have a bevel angle between 20 and 30 degrees. Match the angle when sharpening to maintain the original edge.

Step 6: Start Sharpening Hold the puck stone with one hand and the ax handle with the other. Place the puck stone on the ax blade at the determined bevel angle. Move the puck stone in a circular or figure-eight motion across the entire blade. Apply consistent pressure. Be aware if your hand comes in contact with the blade you can be cut. Be careful!!!!

Step 7: Work on Both Sides Alternate between sides regularly to ensure an even edge. Continue sharpening until you feel a slight burr on the opposite side of the blade.

Step 8: Remove the Burr Switch to the other side of the ax and repeat the sharpening process until a burr forms. Then, remove the burr by lightly honing the blade’s edge on the puck stone.

Step 9: Test the Sharpness Carefully feel the edge with your fingertips to check for sharpness. If it feels sharp and smooth, you’ve successfully sharpened your ax.

Step 10: Clean the Ax Again Wipe off any metal particles or residue from the ax blade using a cloth. This ensures a clean tool for future use.

There is no need to sharpen an ax until you can shave with it. Well – that might be a stretch. In fact, a razor-sharp ax is typically more brittle and will dull faster than an ax with a strong, sharp edge. Regularly sharpening your ax will keep it functioning the way it should and save you swings.

Less swings are good, right?

Rourke

Seeds are at the Dollar Tree now – 4 packs for $1.00. Over the years I’ve used these seeds many times with no issues. Many varieties are heirlooms. When I lived down South early April was when I began putting seeds in the ground. Here in Maine, there are a few crops that can be planted in mid-April but the majority will have to wait until May.

So much work to do and very much. looking forward to it. Establishing a maximum-producing garden is a huge priority for our preparedness system.

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I watched the first episode of the new Walking Dead series – The Ones Who Live. I’me really impressed. It had me wanting more and when I went to the episodes to watch the next one on the AMC app – NOTHING!! I’m guessing I’ll have to wait until next week.
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Newest Printable Digital Guide – Available Now

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Anyone ever tried Turkey SPAM?

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The national debt is almost at $34.5 trillion, we continue to send millions of dollars to Ukraine and Israel, ignore the Southern border, target political opponents via a corrupt criminal justice system, overtax citizens, and mothers are now called “birthing parents”.

The insanity continues.

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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Hello all! Hope everyone’s week has started off well. Tonight it’s going to drop to around 6 degrees here in Maine. It’s been a very easy winter as far as snow goes. Currently, the forecast is calling for some snow on Friday and Saturday but a lot can happen between now and then.

We shall see.

I recently picked up a partial cord of wood from https://www.youtube.com/@woodtimesinthe207

I didn’t need the wood, but, like ammunition, if you have a wood stove you simply can’t have too much. I’m so glad I connected with “207” as he’s a great guy and provides a fantastic product. All the wood I got tested out at between 10-14% moisture and was extremely uniform in size. I’m going to reach out to pick up another load soon.

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Maine Prepper Girl and I enjoy going to antique shops and estate sales. At a recent estate sale, I came across an old Coleman lantern pictured above. It mounts atop a standard 1-pound propane canister and shines extremely bright. As part of our grid-down preps and combined with redundancy with battery-operated lanterns and candles it alone can light up the entire cabin.

I ended up ordering two more identical lanterns off eBay and picked up a bunch of the mantels for them. Over the coming summer, we will stock up on 1-pound propane cannisters for the following winter. Now – these are not only winter items. Light is needed all times of the year.

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Communication is a part of preparedness that is largely overlooked, but, at the same time over emphasized. Yeah, doesn’t make sense I know. The bottom line is I place a great emphasis on “local” communications. I’m talking short-range. From our property, I’d like to set up a communications system that can reach out close to a 5-mile diameter. This means from one side to another – 10 miles total. I own a GMRS repeater that has NOT been installed. I have a 2-meter base station and need to mount an antenna as high as possible to reach mobile units as far as possible.

Come Spring there is a lot of work to do. November 2024 is our target date to get so much accomplished – and to be as ready as possible for what may await us.
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My local Tractor Supply just got in a huge variety of plants, and seeds, and is getting set up for baby chicks. MPG and I are planning to get a chicken coop and caging in an area for them. We are looking at adding additional blueberry bushes and also planting several apple trees.

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

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Here in Maine as I type this it’s around 24 degrees and there is still quite a bit of winter left. At any time we could get a foot or snow – give or take. With this being the case many of the local businesses are beginning to stock Spring supplies such as gardening and canning goods. Even the local Dollar Tree has gotten in the game and has seeds – 4/$1.00.

Heirloom, non-GMO seeds are available even at the Dollar Tree for the cheap. Simply look at the individual seed varieties and verify.  Want a list of commonly available heirloom seeds? I created THIS LIST several years ago and you can use it to save some money.

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Continuing with the “gardening” talk there is so much to do here on the homestead. Maine Prepper Girl and I have a long list of things to accomplish and add to the property. Chickens is a huge priority that we failed to get last year. This year? Absolutely and it’s right around the corner. The garden was mediocre at best in 2023 and will be completely revamped this year. I spent nearly 20 years gardening in South Carolina and new the land and seasons extremely well. Here in Maine? We are learning.

Raised beds and container gardening are becoming a larger part of our efforts. The reason is simple: We can control the garden and spend less time tending to weeds. As Maine Prepper Girl and I both work full-time (for now) this is a big advantage.

So many plans to make the property as self-sufficient as possible. 2024 is such an important year as we both believe some extremely difficult times are close at hand. Producing our own food is just one part of our plans for the homestead and being able to deal with what the future holds.

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I posted this video recently on a couple of social media platforms and decided to share the Youtube version here as I know some do not have Instagram among others: got hot chocolate?

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So a bit of a change here on 1776 – I’m going to start scheduling all posts for 5 pm Eastern Standard Time. Why? Well…..the research says most people simply don’t have the time during the day to focus on frivolous information and content as most are working and only have a few minutes here and there. While I certainly think what I say is much more important than anything you may deal with at work(even if it is related to nuclear secrets and brain surgery) posting in the evening is supposed to provide the maximum opportunity for people to check out my magnificent words.

Anyways……something like that.

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

“Life happens” is a frequent saying and is very true. My publishing schedule has been anything but consistent. Good intentions mean nothing. I’m working on that. I changed jobs a few months ago and my commute to and from work is much more than I expected. 1 hour to get there each morning, and around 1.5 hours to get home depending on traffic and weather. As you can imagine during a snowstorm everything slows. A couple of weeks ago I spent over 2 hours getting home during one such storm.

It is what it is and I’m thankful to have this job as the region doesn’t have a great demand for my professional expertise.

So – It’s time to get back on track, especially with the shitstorm going on all around us. If there was ever a time for you and I to be in contact more often it’s now. One thing I would ask of all of you if you could: When I publish something that is of interest – please share it with friends, family, and like-minded people. I’m doing my best to spread the word about preparedness and self-reliance across numerous social media platforms. I could use all the help I can get. Thx.

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During a recent trip to Walmart, I saw they were bringing out all the Springtime supplies. Kinda crazy to do that here as we have a lot of winter left. They have displays of seeds, seed starting kits, outdoor tools, and lots of canning supplies. I had seen someone I follow on YouTube report that their local Walmarts has an above-average amount of canning supplies scattered throughout the store. She thought that Walmart was predicting a large influx of people who were going to get into canning that normally were not involved in the activity.

At my own local Walmart, they have a couple of end-caps of canning jars, and the main area where they normally keep canning supplies is maxed out. Does this suggest that the upper management team at Walmart knows there is going to be severe economic trouble and that supplies will be in high demand?

I think they simply monitor and see trends in product demands. Canning and gardening are on an upward trend. It makes sense they would increase the supply level they have in the store to meet an increased demand from consumers.

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A recent trip to Sam’s Club showed that 25-pound bags of rice are available for $12.98. While this is a 30% increase from just a few years ago it still represents what is the most affordable means to store calories.

If you have not secured a substantial food supply NOW is the time to do so.

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I’d written about our woodstove several months ago and the issue with it smoking more than we thought it should. Well, over the past several weeks we’ve fine-tuned the operation and now have no problem. In fact, this thing is absolutely fantastic in keeping the cabin toasty even in sub-zero temperatures.

We use propane for most of our heating, however, when the temps drop in the low 20s and below the woodstove is called in to handle the heating responsibilities.

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Stay safe all and please…..keep preparing.

Rourke

A couple months back I picked up a Barnett Assualt crossbow off eBay. It was a fantastic deal for $75. Yup – it was used but in good shape. I had to replace the string and buy a scope. Both I picked up off eBay. The scope was used as well and for $25 was another great deal. The local Walmart provided 5 arrows with field tips.

A few shots to get the scope sighted in and I’m loving it. Most areas now allow crossbows for hunting and hunting season for crossbows start weeks prior to gun season.  Having this Barnett Assualt will get me in the woods hunting a bit earlier.

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Best picture I’ve ever taken. Just something about it.

New flag was mounted outside the cabin. Hopefully, the NSA drones don’t notice…LOL.

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Several days ago I posted a video of my splitting and stacking firewood for the upcoming winter.  Other winter preps continue. We had our propane tank(main source of heat) filled and also all of our gas cans and smaller propane tanks have been filled. We have secured multiple sources of heating methods which is critical in an area that can drop to -20 degrees at any time during the winter.

We continue to look at getting a different woodstove. No decision yet. We are going to clean the chimney and run it for a few hours. If we keep having problems with smoke then we’ll likely opt for a new one that is vented at the top rather than the back.

Lastly – my drive to work is close to an hour. Given the snowy weather I’ll be dealing with looking at getting new tires sometime towards the end of November. The budget is tight so we’ll see.

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I continue to work on Crimson Storm – a fictional account of the coming invasion of the United States of America. Very similar to the plot I mentioned a few weeks ago. Hoping to have it published in the spring – the first in a trilogy. We’ll see.

No – I’m not predicting we are actually going to be invaded, but hey – you never know.

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Maine Prepper Girl and I picked up a new chest freezer a few weeks ago. As part of our food storage system, frozen foods including meats and vegetables are a piece of the puzzle. We look for sales and load up when we see something good. A local butcher shop that we frequent has monthly bulk sales. This past weekend they had frozen whole chickens for .98 cents per pound. Great deal and the freezer is filling up!!

We also have been vacuum sealing chicken, dating it – then in the freezer they go!

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The world continues to get crazier. Yeah – like you didn’t know. I continue to contemplate what things will be like a year from now. How about 5 years? You know what? What can we do? Just keep living our lives and try to do things that will make us and those we care about happy. We never know how long we have. Prepare? Of course! That’s common sense.

Keep moving forward folks – day by day, week by week, etc. I suspect things are going to get pretty interesting not that far in the future from now.

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If you haven’t heard of the sale of CCI, Federal, and some other gun companies to a company located in Chekoslovakia it happened within the past couple of weeks. While this may mean nothing as far as supply and quality – it just might. I haven’t really bought any ammo in quite a while as supply levels dictated money being spent elsewhere. I decided I’d start picking up some CCI rimfire as that is by far my favorite rimfire manufacturer.

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Happy Halloween!!

Rourke

 

12% off Halloween Sale – visit HERE to see what’s available.

“It’s 11:59 on Radio Free America; this is Uncle Sam, with music, and the truth until dawn. Right now I’ve got a few words for some of our brothers and sisters in the occupied zone. The chair is against the wall. The chair is against the wall. John has a long mustache. John has a long mustache. It’s twelve o’clock, American, another day closer to victory. And for all of you out there, on, or behind the line, this is your song.”

We’re all behind the line.

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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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

I’ve been super busy so not posting as often as I want to. $hit happens, right? I’ll be back on track soon. I have another video I recently posted on Youtube titled, “Nothing Surprises Me Anymore….The Insanity Continues“.

Hope you enjoy the video and please hit the Like button and Subscribe if you haven’t. It really helps the algorithm which this type of content Youtube simply does not favor.

Take care all!!!

Here’s the video……..

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