Here is another installment of “From the Front Lines”. Basically a collection of random thoughts related to preparedness, current events, and whatever else that’s on my mind.
- Organization: I need to seriously organize my preps. Far too many times I have needed something and couldn’t find it in a reasonable amount of time. Unacceptable. Last night worked on it and making just a little headway is motivating. Once mostly complete I am going to inventory everything. A spreadsheet I created a while back will calculate how many days of food I have based on “X” number of people and “X” number of calories needed per person.
- I haven’t forgotten about the “Operational Cache” series. Last part is rather involved and working on a couple now to include.
- Pathetic: Anti-Trump “protesters” lash out in violence at Trump supporters and police. This uncensored video really shows the scum of the earth. These protestors – many illegal – are holding up the Mexican flag yet make demands in this country. With promises to rid this country of illegals this alone will convince any to support Trump.
- Just watched the movie “The Edge” with Alex Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins. What a great movie. I have sen it several times before but it had been awhile. Can be picked up on Amazon for around $5.00 on DVD.
- Consider that over the next 5 years there is a very good chance that several Supreme Court Justices will be appointed. If Hillary wins this will sway the court far to the left. If younger Justices are appointed we could be faced with a Liberal Supreme Court for an entire generation. Goodbye 2nd Amendment.
- Just started reading American Exit Strategy again. What a great series. It is so timely with the way the political winds are blowing.
- Things are going decent with 1776PatriotUSA.com. I’m certainly not putting the time into it that I spent with my previous site – priorities. I appreciate all the comments and interaction which is much better than over at MSO. I did notice that after my email to website subscribers about a special deal on Sawyer Mini Water Filters a bunch unsubscribed. Disappointing. I guessed that maybe some people thought it was SPAM but I also noticed some of those unsubscribed were longtime subscribers. Hate to see that but not much I can do. I don’t send out a lot of emails and will continue to pass on really good deals or special information when necessary.
- Going to add some regular featured posts similar to Q&A and What did you do to prep this week? posts. These may be more than once a month or more frequent.
- If anyone would like to comment on some things they would like to see more of – or less of – I would welcome it.
Here’s a little something to think about…….
Take care all –
JR
That was a solid email about the water filters. I pass stuff like that to my friends. I can’t understand why anyone would not want to know about a good deal.
DH
Thanks DH!
Appreciate the site, appreciate your notifying of special deals like the Sawyer. I add another one about every 2 to 3 months and always looking for good deals. I continue to work on organization and labeling stores of supplies. Wish I – would have done this from the beginning!!! I can’t often quickly lay my hands on things, my fault. Know that a lot don’t like Trump but we can’t let Hillary win or the final dominoes will fall – Justices, Immigration, 2nd amendment, In God We Trust and on and on. I’ve read all of Mark Godwin’s books and love them. Starting on his newest this weekend.
I would like more info on hardening the home, my wife has health issues and isn’t very mobile. So, bugging out may not be possible, know a setting duck will soon be found but would like to buy some time. Hardening windows, doors, etc.
Thanks for all you do, know you are appreciated and thankful for all of those who help add wit and wisdom to this site. Powder dry, knife sharp, always ready – Keep Looking UP
Due to some unusual circumstances, we thought at one point that we might have to leave our home on foot with my elderly grandmother. I bought an 800-lb capacity pull-along utility trailer that was large enough to hold her wrapped in blankets along with a handful of supplies. Not ideal, but this might be something for you to consider for the Mrs.
Look forward to your posts…you always get me thinking about my preps and how to add or improve. Last night watched Dynamic Prepper’s youtube channel on bug out bags and he had the Sawyer as one of the items. Won’t make it very far without water!!! We have it on our Amazon list to purchase, thanks to you.
M,
If you get the sawyer filter, get the one with the bucket attachment kit included. I have three of these and the kit makes it so easy to set up a bucket system. Also look at the sawyer .02 micron filter. It takes out viruses as well. My set up for using rain water catchment for potable water is to run all water through a .1 micron filter and then for drinking water we pass it through a .02 micron to remove any viruses and then a charcoal filter. Remember birds will be dropping on your roof and who knows what is in their feces. For the price, the sawyers can’t be beat.
JAS, thanks for the info.
I took the time to read some of the one and two star reviews on those mini filters which told me plenty. Wouldn’t take one as a gift. There are much better products out there.
CaptTurbo – What were the problems with the filter you are talking about? Have you ever had one? Out of 2,801 positive reviews there are 153 critical ones with the “Top Critical Review” saying”You should have one….”
The main issue that I read as far as criticisms was flow rate. It appears people are misusing it. It is not a gravity filter system as it comes. Generally suction can be used(sucking it through like a straw) or push the water through using the squeeze bag or hooking it up to a soda bottle, etc.
I appreciate the website and your recommendations so I vote you don’t stop recommending deals. We readers are free to check out the deals or just ignore them No idea why someone would unsubscribe! I did go to Amazon and the deal was already gone when I looked. I am too slow I guess.
I just purchased two water filtration system bottles by Seychelle. It has an Ionic Absorption Micron Filter System which is supposed to be good for 100 gallons. It is a plastic bottle with the filter inside. Anyone have any experience with these?
Thanks Fred C. Appreciate your support.
I do not have any experience with the Seychelle filters. Let us know what you think of them.
I thought providing the heads up on the sawyer filters was a great idea and I actually purchased two more to add to my existing collection. The price was definitely right. Thank you and I appreciate all you do for the prepper community.
Thanks Larry M.
Just imagine all the good that could come of the money spent trying to take the presidency… That would be a good thesis project for a student.
It is something to think about MacDaddy. I attend what some would consider a “megachurch”. They spend a lot of money on marketing and multimedia. Some may think that the large sums of money on mortgage and rent along with the advertising could go to poor people and the needy. True – but then the message of Jesus and the bible’s words would reach far fewer people and millions couldn’t be given to charity all over the world.
Good thought MacDaddy.I believe there should be a limited equal amount allowed to be spent by each candidate.This would make it fair. . Yes that money could sure have helped our country.Lightning
I have to admit I didn’t open that e-mail, but I also wasn’t offended by it. I’ve followed you through 3 websites. It’ll take more than that for me to unsubscribe.
Organizing my preps has been on my mind a lot lately, mostly because the house is in an uproar. I’m working long hours, and not only is the boy on the verge of leaving, but now it looks like the girl might be also. I’m struggling to cope with the whole empty nest thing, and I didn’t realize how disorganized we’d become until I heard shouts coming from the kitchen last night after I’d gone to bed. The kids were trying to bake and couldn’t find any of the basic ingredients! When you lose 50 pounds of flour in a relatively small room, you really have a problem.
Thanks SingleMom. I have two boys at home with a wife and I that work full time. Add two cats and three dogs – it’s a jungle but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Organizing is a major concern and project for me now. Once I get started I am not going to want to stop.
Rourke,
I thought the water filter a good value for the money, and will always look closely at any product you recommend.
That the subscription response was a function of the recommendation doesn’t make sense.
I had already stockpiled Katadyn pocket filters and Big berkley analogues so I didn’t order the Sawyer.
JAS, there are easy no interaction, mechanical plumbing fixes to dump the first roof rain off and only collect water after the rains have washed down the dust and hopefully the bird doodoo. Let me know if you are really interested in a roof catchment system.
PR
PHR – I have seen heightened levels of unsubscribing previously with emails sent out. Perspective I guess. What seems like a sweet offer to me may seem like SPAM to someone else.
JR.I always appreciate your passing on deals that you come across.I cannot imagine why anyone would un sub. re that. MSO doesnt seem to be doing well I dont think.
I would like to learn more about solar water heaters for the home and for livestock if anyone has any exp. with these.
YES I must get organized better with preps.Question: what do you think is better -having for ex. certain items all in one area or breaking it up.For ex.
oil lamps and oil, flashlights ,candles etc. I have them in a few places in case theres a problem in one area of the home or barn. However part of me would like to see the complete inventory in one area. Advice please.
Thanks. Lightning
By all means create separate groups of items less a localized disaster cause loss of all supplies.
The very best in kerosine lamps is the Aladdin https://www.lehmans.com/p-8579-aladdin-lincoln-drape-oil-lamps-with-parts.aspx
Several of mine have glass shades. Next to these wonderful indoor lights is the multi-fuel Petromax/Britelyte http://www.britelyt.com .
I created a roof catchment for my shop building that drains into two above ground 3000 gallon tanks. Water from these tanks is routed by buried PVC to the basement and to freeze proof hydrants for low pressure watering of the garden and fruit trees. Passing through the buried PVC tends to cool the water so that hot or warm water isn’t a problem on plants in the summer and the depth keeps the water from freezing in the winter. The two tanks are set about 30″ deep (below the frost line here) and connect at that depth to the buried PVC.
PR
Definitely keeps things separated! We had an incident last Spring when one of our wall-mounted cabinets broke loose and smashed everything on its way to the floor. We lost the dishes and filled canning jars that were inside, along with everything that was on a work table beneath it. Over all, it was a relatively small amount of our supplies, but if we’d had all of one thing in there it could have been a devastating loss.
PR WE use water from our roof during the summer and fall.We cannot in winter due to the extreme temps. W e use it for watering the garden. Kightning
As a shortcut to save time on my email a while back, i unsubscribed to several sites, this and the MSO site included. My intended result was to simplify and save time since i regularly check your posts/comments.(I have once again subscribed since it seems to be of importance but would like to know just what that importance is. Please explain so i”get”it-i didn’t come to check out the posts any less than when i was subscribed. And yes, i had signed up for your”Patriots”membership being glad that my monthly fee would help support your dedicated efforts to provide the excellent information and community we all enjoyed there at MSO and now here. Have been waiting to see something like that here and would gladly sign up again by the way.) I often find it might be several days between logging in to check my email and other online interests. I use a Kindle for my electronic pursuits so the ease of maneuvering can be challenging sometimes.( By the way, thanks for making videos/links Kindle”friendly”…even if unintentional, SO frustrating not being able to access those videos/links at other sites, NEVER had that problem here.) I take information and recommendations of you and the community here seriously to heart since i have yet to find local individuals of the same mind. I’m sure there are in my rather small city but without the support of my dear husband in even preparedness, i am not confident in actively looking for others close by. I HAVE been encouraged though lately by some of his comments on the”possibilities”he brings up without me even initiating, like perhaps he has been thinking on things i have said as well as looking at events and reported information in a different light. I am a optimist, usually, so perhaps knowing that, he is taking my concerns to heart. The optimist in me will always hope….trying to look up. Oh…by the way, have enjoyed the podcasts ! They make me feel like i am sitting in on a friendly conversation with a side of good bits of information 🙂 Thanks !!!
Appreciate you passing this information on Joyce. I love the Kindle but have experienced similar situation with video’s.
I find the site and emails very useful and much better than about any other site I can think of on this topic. Practical, no nonsense, good variety, and great comment posters.
I actually added some additional Sawyer filters as a potential barter item given the price. Thanks for your work on this site and posts!
Appreciate it Zenblaster.