This past week has been an interesting one. I drove approx 9.5 hours and met up with Goingray58 and Panhandle Rancher and spent a couple days with them. I had a great time and enjoyed talking all things preparedness, politics, life philosophy, and current events with them. Looking forward to next time.
My driving and visit with them took up quite a bit of time so prepping was minimal.
Here are a few things I was able to get done:
- Picked up a copy of the latest addition of The Survival Medicine Handbook by Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton. This edition was just revised and represents an incredible medical resource for us preppers. It is not a cheap book but like in many areas if your life depends on it get the best. I think someone recently mentioned that concept to me. 700 pages of extremely useful information. I’ll try to write up a review soon.
- Started clearing out my garden of overgrowth. I will begin removing all weeds and grass and then making raised beds. Soil analysis will be important. I have considered several materials to use for the raised beds including cinder blocks, wood planks, and hay bales. Goingray58 has used hay bales with great success as grass was unable to infiltrate the interior of the bed. Biggest problem for me using hay bales is the amount of space it takes up. My garden is approx 25′ x 30′.
- After returning from my trip spent some time cleaning my guns. I often use Gun Scrubber to speed up the process. This time used some Hoppe’s solvent and really gave them a thorough cleaning.
That’s about it as far as preps. Getting together with my childhood best friend to do some firearms training. He has never owned a gun before and now he has a Glock 17 and an AR. Should be fun.
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Oh – I bought a Plano gun case and fitted it for my AR pistol. Love it!
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Hope everyone has a good week out there. Stay safe – the world is getting crazier by the day.
Rourke
Sounds like a good week ! Sometimes laying the foundation to your mindset is of great importance, more than is realized. Having the fellowship of motivated and likeminded people on our way through the process can solidify, tweek or even change our focus and direction. Always is encouraging !(As iron sharpens iron….Proverbs 27:17) Doing the research and learning the skills make our efforts towards achieving the desired goals much more effective. I’m sure the time spent together was over far too quickly and each of you thought of something you had forgotten to run by the others during your face-to-face.
At the moment that is what i am trying to do…..the planning/investigation of some essential purchases that should help increase our readiness. Also went through the”pantry”to organize and inventory what i have been able to stock…..want to place an order to MPS soon. The planting of the fall garden in in the planning stages now too, hope the rain continues here in the midwest.
We like cinderblocks for raised beds. We stack 1 or 2 high and top with a cap block.
I’ll send you a pic
Tried the strawbale method for one raised bed and not even a month later they were infested with ants, treated it then a month later same thing happened but at our community garden they have had great success especially during hot/dry weeks. Didn’t do much this week, wasn’t in the mood. Worked in the gardens, against better judgement ordered a case of tula 62gr fmj, some mylar bags/o2 absorbers, lock pick tool kit and recycled some scrap metal to help pay for the ammo.
jh – thanks for the info. What was your thoughts on the Tula?
I’ve shot a dozen cases of tula and wolf ammo over the years in the 223cal both 55 and last couple of years in 62gr. My 1/8 twist SPR doesn’t print the best (2MOA) with steel case but able to hit reduced steel silhouettes at 300 yards easily. As long as I use standard buffer recoil springs and not the Heavy Duty ones, it has been 100% reliable. I have not broke a single extractor or firing pin, one rifle has a good 5K through it & I just replaced the extractor & firing . I use it mainly for training ammo and it’ll be the TSHTF ammo once the brass M193 stuff is gone.
Between working a bunch of OT and watching the beginning of the next ERA of civil unrest in this country I didn’t get as much done as I had planned. Picked up some ammo, paid off a credit card, rewired my trailer and pulled some $ out of the bank. As we talked earlier this week sometimes it’s hard to be proud of this country or maybe just the idiots in it. Did stop and talk to a couple of local LEOs yesterday. Basically said thanks and CYA.
These are troubling times Gunner. I fear things are just going to get worse. I really wonder what will occur during the upcoming Republican Convention in Cleveland. I am going to make it a point to thanks LEO more often(and military).
Quick question. They’re building a Field & Stream with a Dick’s next to it about a1/2 mile from where I work. Saw the same thing in Louisiana. Are they affiliated? No fan of Dick’s.
Field & Stream is a subsidiary of Disk’s Sporting Goods.
Envious for your trip and visit, would love to spend some quality time like that! Prepping this week while on staycation was minimal. Camping first 3 days, family joined me for the 4th Celebration. Enjoyed the solitude had a little roughin” it practice. Spent a day fishing, a day hitting golf balls, a day swimming, a day at the range, and a day reorganizing larder. Received new head lamp, new flashlight, .22 mag ammo, light laser for .22 PMR 30, shopped for 60’s model vehicle and land for retreat. That is all.
-Keep Looking UP
Added 2 more 320 gal totes, (and worked out a deal to store them here for my source and get a cut..cool. Picked up 2nd AR, 100 rnds .. 2 flats Kerr jars for coming canning exercises, Picked up a copy of where there is no doctor and where there is no dentist.
On the hay bales.. I did “season” them with Urea by watering and salting them with Urea on alternate days. urea 1,3,5,7,9 water 2,4,6,8,10 .. That has gradually leached into the planting area and made some very large plants. Can’t remember if I shared that with anyone.
I’d have to say our meeting changed my direction somewhat and certainly my understand..Like mindedness in purpose can cause a serious focus on what, when and how. I’ll be weeks digesting all I learned and the discussions we had. I can’t think of a single thing we did that didn’t result in some knowledge gain.. and tons of stories.. A couple pretty smart guys. PR and JR I mean… Good times.. It wasn’t all serious .. we had some good laughs as well.. especially around 1 or 2 am.
Haven’t done much for a couple weeks as I adapt to my slowly-emptying nest. Dried a few yarrow leaves and took stock of the daughter’s medical supplies (chronic condition). We’ve also started working with a young couple that wants to plan for their future but don’t have a clue. He’s pretty sensible; she just wants to spend money on now. Not sure how much time I can spend around them while fighting the urge to just slap her.
Still working on my re-loading room, cleaned up 500 45 auto cases and just received my order of 500 185 grain copper coated lead bullets for the 45, next is a small A/C unit for the room.
I am thrilled for you guys (JR,PR and Going grey)-wow wish I could have been a fly on the wall-it must have been some top quality bonding/prepping time. Could one of you or all share some new wisdom for us ?
What a week with all the pain and chaos and loss for too many . We watched quite a bit on Fox news and I called many Gov. Rep.
Theres a Field and Stream coming here also- first we have heard of that store.
Re: prepping -this week I learned some simple tasks from a friend who is a plumber -valves to shut off in an emergency , how to fix a leak etc.Harvested a lot of rain water. Researched
by reading and talking to dwarf goat breeders -so in the spring or before we can add some goats.Bought two books about goats and ordered three more from the library.I will do an article when I have more exp. and knowledge. Learning about new critters is very exciting ! Stocked up on essentials that were on sale-mayo, ketchup,soup,tuna.
Praying extra hard for this nation-praying that Trump will be safe at the RNC
Next week must start getting the firewood split and stacked for the upcoming fall.
My husband has a little energy back after an intense kidney infection.
Try and enjoy some of the everyday extra -ordinary blessings as we prepare for
whatever may come. Lightning
Good for you..! Keep after it.
I’d be interested I your dwarf goat research.
JR has my email
Not much going on prep-wise here. Our pup has been in and out of the emergency room all week. We tried the first dose of chemo, and it did not go well with him. He will not eat or drink. He is in as I type this, getting intravenous treatments. Hopefully, we will know more in the morning. Most of the short term budget is going to this. Less beans/bullets/bandages = more sheltie.
We have been to 3 different hospitals since Tuesday.
My Wife did express a desire to, at some point, trade her VW Tiguan in for a jeep wrangler. I am totally in agreement for that move, as I am planning on getting a 2 or 4 door wrangler myself.
I have been fighting a 102 fever since Monday night, and currently live in a next of blankets in our living room, with our other sheltie, Jigen. Been watching a lot of TV as a result, including that ‘Alone’ show. I need to be better at making primitive fires.
IJ and Jigen…..hope by the time you see this EVERYONE is feeling better. It’s tough enough to deal with your boy’s treatments when the rest of life is on an even keel. You have our thoughts and prayers……….
Hopefully this third try at leaving IJ AND JIGEN a comment will be successful……(Amazon has updated Silk on my Kindle, seems a bit”buggy”still.) You have our heartfelt thoughts and prayers many times each day. We are frustrated to hear that chemo is not the smooth path for your boy we experienced. Insult to injury is your own not being well so you can easily deal with that unfamiliar process and the unexpected results with his treatment. Life is challenging enough most times…….leaves me wondering, if life goes”up-side-down”will the uninitiated,(like me,)be able to hold it together enough to find our”new normal”and be there for our family, friends and neighbors? Those who don’t have ANY mental/physical preps ahead will be way behind to begin with. There it is again…..that normalcy bias. Could be my biggest challenge in the future.
IJ….i am sorry you are not seeing the results hoped for with the chemo, especially since i had reported different results with our boy. You being under the weather is adding insult to injury. Thoughts and prayers to you both for improvement soon! Jigen the wonder shelter being on duty comforts more than just you….
Thank you, Joyce! We appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers.
Goemon is much better. Is almost eating at a normal level. Starting to be more active.
I think he’ll be fine, once we build his strength up.
Have a great day!
The Sheltie Gang