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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – August 31st, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > August 5th, 2024

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… Continue reading CALL TO ACTION: Evaluate Your Preps and Get Ready

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,… Continue reading Ka-Bar Tactical Spork

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… Continue reading Preparedness Concept From the Book Series 299 Days – The Survival Shed

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.… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > July 22nd, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > July 8th, 2024

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… Continue reading 4th of July Special: Coupon Code – 17.76% Discount Off All Orders Over $17.76

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > July 1st, 2024

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. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ HEALTH NEWS: Once again I appreciate all the well wishes and prayers as well as donations to my GoFundMe.… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > June 18th, 2024

A bit overdue but better late than never……. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ 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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > June 10th, 2024

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… Continue reading GoFundMe Page is Live

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > May 14th, 2024

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,… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > May 6th, 2024

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… Continue reading My GoFundMe Page is Live

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – April 29th, 2024

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)… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – April 24th, 2024

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. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ My youngest bought an enduro… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – April 2nd, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – March 25th, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – March 18th, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – March 4th, 2024

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… Continue reading How to Sharpen an Ax Using a “Puck” Stone

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – February 26th, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – February 19th, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – February 12th, 2024

“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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – February 5th, 2024

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… Continue reading From the Desk of John Rourke – – – > October 31st, 2023

“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… Continue reading For all you out there……..

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

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… Continue reading Nothing Surprises Me Anymore…….