Welcome back, Orange Jeep Dad

Some of you may remember Orange Jeep Dad, the blogger with six daughters and a large following and characterized by, you guessed it, an orange jeep. This family has had a lot of ups and downs over the last year, including a devastating house fire in which they lost everything but their lives. (And the orange jeep.)

Well, guess what. Orange Jeep Dad has accepted a job at the local hospital and is moving up this way! We had the pleasure of having the family (minus one of the daughters) to dinner a few weeks ago, and found they're just as nice in person as they are online.

Orange Jeep Dad's blog lapsed over the last couple of years, but he's re-started his page and is documenting his family's journey as they relocate to this neck of the woods. I hope you'll follow this family on their new adventure.

Light bulbs and face palms

Last May when I was at the Northwest Preparedness Expo, I met a lady who was on her own preparedness journey and expressed an interest in blogging about it. I urged her to do so, since blogging is not only helpful to other readers embarking on their own journeys, but it helps the blogger as well, since it keeps us accountable.

Well she followed through beautifully and started a blog called Self-Reliance Adventures: Light bulbs and face palms along the self-reliant journey. I urge you to hop over and take a look.

A post I hate to put up

It's hard to say goodbye to people, but this is one of those times.

Frank and Fern, writers of the excellent Thoughts From Frank & Fern blog, have put up their final post.

I have a special spot in my heart for this hard-working inspiring couple, though we've never met in person. They wrote to me a few years ago, wanting advice for starting a blog, and I sent them the standard information I send to anyone who asks. Frank and Fern took the advice and ran with it -- and created one of the best durn homesteading blogs on the internet, a blog which recently surpassed a million views.

But they see some ominous clouds on the horizon -- as do all of us who are vigilant -- and have decided to redirect their time, energy, and resources toward finalizing their preps. I can't argue with their decision; I'll just miss the heck out of them.

I can only wish them Godspeed and good luck. Thanks for the wonderful memories, guys.

Happy birthday Frank and Fern!

This is the second anniversary for Frank and Fern's excellent blog Thoughts from Frank and Fern.

Whoo-hoo! Whistles and cheers!

Survival News Online

I recently came across a nifty prepper blog called Survival News Online.

This fellow covers a wide variety of subjects including product review, survival tips, etc., and his videos are informal and informative. Definitely worth a peek.

Ten years too early or ten minutes too late?

Here's a sobering article entitled Society’s Five Stages of Economic Collapse found on Tim Young's Self Sufficiency blog. Worth a read.

Tim summed up the five stages as follows:

1. Denial
2. Denial
3. Denial
4. Oh (bleep)
5. I'm screwed

Very true! As the saying goes, I'd rather be ten years too early than ten minutes too late.

Books and blogs

I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for "how we did it" type books documenting how people transition from urban to rural life. So when I came across The Accidental Farmers, I knew this was a must-read.

Well let me tell you, this book is honest. In sometimes gut-wrenching language, Tim Young describes what it takes to leave behind corporate America and build a farm from the ground up. Unlike the eternally optimistic perfection too often implied in country magazines, Mr. Young's rural journey wasn't all a bed of roses. There were quite a few thorns along the way. The book is riveting in its honesty and refreshing in its unvarnished approach.

The Young's journey began, like so many other urban-to-rural migrations, with the realization of how artificial modern conveniences are. "Urban living is all about convenience," he wrote. "Whatever you need there is a store or solution reasonably close by, easily identifiable by an endless line of traffic in low-speed pursuit. The perceived benefit of this reality is of course subjective. We moved in part due to the box stores that were beginning to encircle us, slowly moving in for the kill on our wallet. Within just a few miles of where we formerly lived was every conceivable type of restaurant, organic grocery store, specialty and large-scale retail, pet grooming, lumber and landscaping centers, malls, concert arenas, professional sports teams, museums, theaters, nightclubs, you name it. We felt drawn to many of these places, I think, simply because they were there."

Ouch.

One of the first things the Youngs discovered in their new location is allergies, which raises a philosophical and unanswerable question: "Does anyone honestly think this was a problem a thousand years ago? We've created such a perfect manmade world that we, the inhabitants who created it, cannot live outside of it."

Characteristic of the success he had in corporate America before chucking it all, Mr. Young and his wife approached their new farm with determination to succeed. "I don't know why I'm so stubbornly drawn to challenges and obstacles," he wrote, "but if it was a challenge my sub-conscious wanted it should now be permanently satiated by taking on sustainable livestock farming." Regarding farming in general and its reputation for being hard work, he wrote, "Still, the need is there and somebody needs to do it, and this fact is what pushed me over the edge."

The book outlines the Young family's journey toward building an organic sustainable farm as well as farm products. It's not always pretty. But when things are pretty, he tells about it. And that's what characterizes rural life in general, particularly when farming for a living instead of a hobby.

Anyway, I highly recommend The Accidental Farmer for a deep and honest read.

So imagine my surprise when Mr. Young contacted me -- me! -- and asked if I wanted to participate in a new book he was writing entitled How to Make Money Homesteading. The premise behind this book is a truthful analysis of how to earn an income in the country, whether it's selling farm-produced goods, or selling skills-based goods or services. The book is excellent and contains the author's characteristic honesty when it comes to rural life. As someone who's always trying to take the rose-colored blinders off country living, this is something I appreciate.

Now Mr. Young has a new blog called The Self-Sufficient Blog. It's a start up but it's great.

I'm impressed with Tim Young's multifaceted approach to country living. He blogs. He writes. He raises organic meat. He makes organic cheeses. He teaches classes. He conducts workshops. In short, he personifies the "many irons in the fire" structure of earning an income that I recommend to anyone living rural.

The Thrifty Housewife blog

The blogger who runs The Thrifty Housewife blog asked to exchange links. I visited her site and am very impressed! Definitely a worthwhile blog to check out, and most welcome on my link exchange.

Sorry, but I don't give out personal information

Here's a fascinating post a reader sent me on a website called The Organic Prepper (way cool website, by the way) on the subject of store clerks aggressively asking for personal information despite a cash transaction.

It seems the Organic Prepper went into a store to purchase some boxes (specifically, U-Haul moving boxes) for storage. What follows is the interaction with the clerk:

The gentleman behind the counter tallied it up and as I handed him a $20 bill, he said, “Your name?”

I looked at him, baffled.

He repeated himself, “What’s your name?”

I said, “Why do you ask?”

He said, “I need it to set up your account.”

I replied, “That’s okay, I don’t need an account. I’d just like to purchase these boxes.”

He said, “You have to have an account, that is how our computer system works.”

I said, “Are you telling me that I cannot purchase these boxes unless I give you my name?”

He sighed and stopped just short of rolling his eyes. “I just work here and that is the way we do things, ma’am.”

I told him, “I know it seems like I am being difficult, but I don’t give out personal information. I’m sorry, but I guess I will just have to buy my boxes elsewhere.”

The man behind the counter decided it was okay and he would go ahead and sell me the boxes, despite the limitations of his computer system. So then he asked me, “What is your phone number?”

“Really?” I asked. “Didn’t we just basically go through this? This is beginning to sound like that whole ‘Who’s on First’ riff. I’m not giving you my phone number.”

He couldn’t stop himself, I detected a slight eye-roll this time. I magnanimously let it go because I hoped to leave the store sometime during this particular day.

He proceeded through his nosy computer program and then said, “Now, I really do have to have an answer here – where are you moving to?”

What? Nope. No way.

I said, “None of your business. None of your computer’s business. Are you taking my money or not? Because either way, I am out that door in about 5 seconds. I’m very sorry to be your most difficult customer of the day, but what part of ‘I do not disclose personal information’ is not clear?”

Without another word, he handed me my change, looking incredibly uncomfortable. I left wondering, “When did the U-Haul guy become an agent of the de facto government?”

Please go read the entire post -- it's quite fascinating.

I found this eerily reminiscent of my cash purchases for certain shop supplies (bandsaw blades, sanding belts, etc.) where the clerks continuously attempt to get us to sign up for "rewards cards" despite our refusal.

Data-mining is everywhere.

For all you southerners...

Here's a neat blog I just added to my blog roll: Sweeney's Farms and Orchards.

Follow the rural adventures of a Louisiana gal on her farm.

Mulberry Lane Farm

A woman named Helen from a place called Mulberry Lane Farm emailed and asked permission to reprint an older blog post entitled Ten Steps Toward Christian Simplicity, which she posted on the farm's Journal.

Apparently Mulberry Lane Farm is the only organic strawberry farm in the state of Illinois.

Holy cow, look at that fruit. If anyone in the region needs strawberries (in season), you'll know where to go!

Thank you, Helen. I'm honored you chose one of my pieces to reprint.

The importance of a work ethic

This week Don has been employing Enola Gay's oldest son, Master Hand Grenade, to help build an awning on our barn for additional shelter for our cattle this winter.

This young man is doing a lot of stuff he's never done before, but he attacks each step with enthusiasm and willingness. More importantly, he's courageous. Due to some birth difficulties, Master HG's sense of balance isn't the best, but that didn't keep him from tackling heights and climbing on roofs. Don has come away with a deep appreciation for Master HG's work ethic.

I never worry about people who have a work ethic, because that alone will carry them far in life, no matter their age. I know a couple in their 50s who, despite high levels of education, kept body and soul together by pulling weeds after the husband lost his job. He later found a position commensurate with his work experience and education, and I would like to think his present employer was impressed that he preferred to pull weeds than take easy government money while unemployed.

It's those who lack a work ethic that concern me. The lack of a work ethic isn't just an annoyance that someone refuses to pull his weight. It's an attitude that permeates one's entire life and has repercussions on everything from employment potential to how you raise your kids. And above all, a solid work ethic impacts how you fare in a bad economy.

The problem is that too many people don't know how to work. I don't mean they're physically or mentally incapable of doing the job; I mean they don't see the need to apply themselves any more than they want to.

Over at The Dependent Independent, Lee discusses how a work ethic could impact things if the bleep hits the fan. Worth a read.

Why acidify tomatoes?

Over at Thoughts from Frank and Fern, there's a very educational post about whether or not it's necessary to acidify tomatoes when canning. Fern emailed and asked my opinion on the subject, which she included in the post. The opinions of some other bloggers are included as well.

Well worth the read, especially if canning tomatoes is looming in your near future.

Prepping with unruly kids

Lee over at The Dependent Independent posed an interesting question, to wit: How do you deal with unruly kids when the bleep hits the fan?

His post presenting this issue is here. He has an additional post here. Chime in on his blog and offer your two cents.

New blog

A reader named Lee started a new blog on the subject of preparedness entitled The Dependent Independent. Hop over and take a look!

Joe for America

Some of you may remember that I had the unexpected pleasure of talking with Joe Wurzelbacher (better known as Joe the Plumber) in early May. Joe was in the process of launching a website, and he was interested in reposting some of my blog posts on that site.

Well his website, called Joe for America, launched about a month ago, and what a fine website it is. Admirably, he's not focusing exclusively on politics. Instead he covers Americana, current events, opinion pieces, and other matters of interest to him. It's a great place to explore.

Hop on over the take a peek. I have a few posts featured on the American Culture page.

Sithrah Farm

For those who had been following the 24 Carrot Rabbitry blog on my blog roll, please note they have a new name and a new home.

Feel free to (ahem) hippity-hop over for a look.

Fast food, country style

There's a new and cool blog called Thoughts From Frank and Fern about a couple who is homesteading in Oklahoma.

This afternoon I saw a spiffy post called Fern's Fast Food, in which Fern made a quickie meal of scrambled eggs (mixed with meat and cheese) and toast for dinner. Ten minutes from beginning to end.

Or was it?

What goes into scrambled eggs? What goes into toast?

Fern points out that toast must start as wheat. Eggs must start as baby chicks. Meat starts out as baby goats. Cheese starts with milk, which must be extracted from an animal that has been bred...

...and so on and so forth.

We take our own "fast food" for granted. When I reach into the freezer for a steak, I forget that we had to breed the cow, raise the steer for two years, and have the steer butchered. Ditto with milk, cheese, butter, eggs, wheat, vegetables, fruit, and other staples we produce on our homestead.

Walk with Frank and Fern through their fast food and learn to appreciate how good food gets here!

Five levels of preparedness

A friend sent me a link to a web post entitled "Five Dimensions of Preparation" which comes from a website called Survival5x5 which has other cool beans stuff related to preparedness.

It's a sobering but realistic analysis if how prepared people really are to meet unexpected challenges. Test yourself and see where you rate.
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Five Dimensions of Preparation

There are five levels of preparations for SHTF, WROL, and TEOTWAWKI

Level 0 (zero): Every emergency is a disaster

• Less than two weeks of food in the house
• No water purification system
• No bug-out bag
• No defensive weapons
• No way to produce their own food
• No physical gold or silver
• No tangible assets to barter

Level 1: Can Survive Two Weeks of an Minor Emergency (such as ice storm)

• Have sufficient food and water for two weeks of emergency
• Able to heat their home for two weeks without relying on the power grid by use of kerosene heater or fireplace
• Able to cook their meals for two weeks without relying on the power grid
• Has a first aid kit
• Likely has no defensive weapons
• Must leave their home after two weeks due to lack of preparation

Level 2: Can Survive One Month of an Emergency (such as major hurricane)

• Likely has a portable power generator and sufficient fuel for one month of operation
• Has handguns or shotgun to defend their home
• Has a month’s work of canned goods to eat from
• Has sufficient prescription medicines for 30 days
• Has enough batteries for power a portable radio for 30 days

Level 3: Can Survive Three Months of an Emergency (such as martial law or impacting earthquake)

• Has a deep-short term pantry
• Likely has a water purification system
• Likely has defensive weapon for each family member
• Likely has some type of neighborhood safety watch or 24 hour security watch rotation at the home
• Has stocked wood to burn in fireplace and/or iron stove
• Has communication gear to keep track of local and world events
• Has means to recharge batteries without relying on power grid
• Has three months of prescription medicines

Level 4: Can Survive One Year of an Emergency (such as currency devaluation, economic depression)

• Has a deep short- and long-term food pantry
• Likely has their own garden to produce food
• Likely has small-sized farm animals to produce protein (chickens, goats, rabbits)
• Has a deep supply of ammo (2000+ rounds per weapon)
• Is a spare weapon in event of damage
• Has mean to produce herbal medicines to replace prescriptions
• Has a long-term store of antibiotics
• Likely has dog for security watch
• Has full 24 hour rotation of security watch on the home (requires 6 adults)
• Show have secondary off-site storage of food, weapons, and ammo
• Is ready to bug-out with full hiking and camping gear, if security situation degrades
• Is able to educate their children at home

Level 5: Can Survive Indefinitely from their Home during an multi-year SHTF or TEOTWAWKI situation

• Has a fully functioning large garden or small farm for food production
• Is able to can and store the results of food harvest for the coming year
• Is able to harvest seeds for next year’s planting
• Is able to raise multiple generations of farm animals (cattle, sheep, horses)
• Has horses for local and distance travel
• Has enough ammo to last a generation (10,000+ rounds per weapon)
• Has spares of each weapon and lots of extra magazines
• Able to generate their own fuel (bio-diesel, alcohol)
• Likely has fully functional solar power bank with deep storage batteries
• Has natural on-site water sources for farm and home
• Has home-based business to generate income
• Is able to build new building and make any necessary repairs to existing buildings
• Is able to provide excess food for charity
• Has a secondary residency (such as mountain cabin) for full bug-out
• Is prepared for minor surgery and child birth at home
• Has stores of gold and silver for barter
• Is able to produce their own clothing (from raw wool or raw cotton with spinning wheel and small loom)

________________________________________

So -- where do you rate?

Aww thanks

I got the nicest write-up on my One Hundred Good Reasons post from the folks at Representative's Weblog.

Thanks!