Memorial Day
Monday, May 31st, 2010Author Linda Brady Traynham
Gee, I’m glad we had Memorial Day, although the media never mentioned it, and my frivolous thought is that you can now wear white shoes until Labor Day, although bone is always a more chic choice.
We have our own version of Memorial Day most days here at the ranch, and I took time to gulp down Days of Infamy, co-written by William Forstschen and Newt Gingrinch, well known for their superlative “alternative history” fiction. In their opus there are three attacks on Pearl Harbor and Yamamoto is furious because the Diplomatic Corps didn’t declare war formally before the first attack commenced as he had been promised. (I belong to the school of thought that holds that FDR knew and said nothing for political reasons.) He predicts–correctly–that Americans are going to be furious, and that his best chance is to shell Oahu vigorously that night in hopes of luring Admiral Halsey into battle and destroying the Pacific fleet. There are some great photos, and the story devolves around hide and seek with Halsey and Yamamoto each having a battleship, three carriers, a couple of destroyers, some smaller ships, serious oil problems, and political appointees we yearn to drop over the side. For purposes of the story, the Japanese have Zeros which can outfly and out turn American planes. This volume ends in a draw, Halsey and Yamamoto each having lost their battleships and a couple of carriers and limping homeward. I think they were too kind to FDR and a little contemptuous of Winston Churchill, but it’s a thumping good story.
No adult will ever admit it because I was a toddler at the time, but I regard myself as a Pearl Harbor survivor. Hey, I was there, and I survived. My father spent the entire war in the Pacific, and to the day of his death he loathed Germans, blaming them for the war, with some justification. I went to the University of Hawaii, where I learned about prejudice, and the only Japanese I dealt with were bureaucrats, which gave me a profound dislike for them, strengthened by my knowledge of how Japs (no apologies if that’s not PC) conduct war. They were not nice, and I have no reason to suppose they have changed. We should be paying more attention to their new, strongly anti-American government.
I was shocked by what I regard as the cowardice and insolence on both sides in the book, and I’m afraid I believed it. I’ll cut the authors some slack for using underlings arguing with their admirals as a way to bring the reader up to date on strategy and logistical problems, but I really cannot imagine “Bull” Halsey putting up with it. The only things you can say to Admirals other than answering direct questions are “Aye, aye, Sir,” and “No excuse, Sir.” Yamamoto is presented as playfully contemptuous of the political type who keeps screaming the Emperor will be displeased if his precious battleship is damaged. One of his Captains whines constantly that it isn’t his fault, and wouldn’t be no matter what Yamamamoto had ordered, and is determined to flout his orders by making only one pass instead of two. Some things that ring quite true are both sides finding out that official estimates of fuel consumption at flank speed (pedal to the metal, so to speak) was off wildly, and that 75% of our elderly torpedos were duds. Even if I still think there had to be a better solution to securing oil in the East Indies than attacking Pearl Harbor and Yamamoto gets Tom Clancy lucky when one of his ‘planes spots a periscope and takes out a sub at a very fortuitous moment, you may well enjoy the book.
What shocked me more was that from the very start I was rooting for Yamamoto.
Do I actually have something in common with Michelle Obama, who said that she was never proud of her husband or her country until Barry was nominated for president? Have I come to loathe the America that has come into being in the last 65 years so thoroughly that I could cheer on an excellent Admiral from a nation whose culture, cuisine, and methods of waging war I despise?
You know…I think I have.
This isn’t the America I grew up in and loved deeply. I abhor the Obama Nation and every vile idea it stands for–and I may as well say so plainly, because I am tired of being called names, abused for my color, politics, and socioeconomic status, discriminated against, and raped financially for the benefit of leeches whose sole purposes are to destroy our national culture, consume wealth, and vote for Democrats.
I was denied a replacement passport about a year ago, after having jumped through innumerable expensive hoops and sent the passport authorities every vital document and a photocopy of the lost/stolen passport, on the grounds that I had to send them another sixty dollars to “research” the issue. What’s to research? I worked through a Federal Clerk, sent them more than a new passport costs (plus a handsome fee for the Clerk), a certified copy of my birth certificate, photos, and the aforementioned photocopy. Look up the number, dumbos. I didn’t get around to it quickly enough to please them, and got a snippy, rejoicing letter saying they had thrown out my paperwork and I would have to start over.
I came home from our vacation in Charleston and was told that the hands have observed several unmarked white vans without exempt tags with an enormous lens photographing my boring old house from the road. Have a good time, guys, I’m a sweet little old lady guilty of nothing except commenting on economics and politics. I have no lethal skills beyond learning to shoot when I was eight (something all ranch kids were taught between eight and twelve back when) and have never had so much as a parking ticket. I couldn’t bring myself to light a firecracker. (Those things really scare me.) Other than my writing I am really not a menace, no matter what Janet Napolitano thinks. I don’t own an illegal weapon and no longer shoot anything other than a sidearm meant for defense at Tuller Drill range, seven yards, in case I have to deal with rattlesnakes, wild hogs, or home intrusions. I worry about that so much I am sitting here with five doors which are not locked even though dear Charles and our top hand are off to purchase dangerous machinery (a tiller) and inspect a horse that caught my eye since both are in the same general area. True, I have three large dogs (all slumbering peacefully) and a bunch of roosters who serve as anti-intruder detection devices, although I doubt any would attack unless some thug in black were pistol-whipping me and probably not even then. True, I could lay my hand on a pistol in .2 seconds by reaching under a stack of mail–no, I can’t! Some yoyo moved it!–but it doesn’t have a round chambered. Wherever it is. (The youngest person who ever has access to the house is 24 years old, lest anyone worry we are endangering children.) Okay, not being a total idiot, I went and raided our vast arsenal and got the weapon normally kept by our bed. My e-mail is read by Google (at the very least), Charles has the only ‘phone with him, and to seek assistance I would have to find car keys, get past a burglar, and drive seven miles into town, ten if I wanted to go to the police department.
Obama’s choice for head of EOC actually said that she doesn’t believe we should even be allowed to think anything other than the party line. What we say is stigmatized as “hate speech.” “Freedom of speech” is reserved for the other side.
Maybe we can compromise. If Yamamoto (who is dead, of course) could agree that Sushi is very pretty but it isn’t dinner and that death marches are not civilized, I’ll continue rooting for him in the sequel.
Or here’s an idea…isn’t current dogma that it’s okay to shoot anyone I want to if I remember to shout “Allahu Akhbar!” while I’m doing it?
No related posts.
Steven Foste says:
June 1st, 2010
5:16 am
Hi Linda and the Texas Ring,
Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Clandestine operations in Texas? By the government?
I spent this labor day weekend listening to “Alex Jones” and watching a few of his documetaries. At times I think he is a little over the top and doesn’t always prove his point, but it is the passion that counts. I then read the novel, funny the names of William R. Forstchen and “Newt” came up, One Second After. Both of these activities scared the crap out of me, so to speak. In the first instance the gradual domination and overthrow of the constitution and the submission of the American Public, what is scary is they are getting it done bit by bit. The second was the fear of “Worst case scenerio”, I have a daughter and a strong father daughter bond, and at times when reading this book the emotions would almost overcome me.
The book brought to the reality the need for Prepping for any scenereo wether it be 3 days or one year, and it really brought home the need for medical supplies, an area of preparation I continually struggle, when looking at things such as insulin, morphine, dental needs, etc. Does anyone have good thoughts in this area.
It has struck me numerous times Linda that I should obtain your address and communicate via snail mail. The government spends billions of dollars trying to educate people so they will prepare for disaters and emergencies, and then when you do it activly they feel it is a threat. Government has always feared the people.
How about publishing those reciept of you “prepping” experience with your family in SC. I would like to see what all you purchased?
Steve
angie says:
June 1st, 2010
7:33 am
Hi Linda…great article yet again!Whats this I am reading about white vans??Maybe they wanted pics to give you “Ranch of the month”(ya know like “yard of the month”)LOL I’d keep an eye out and say hello if you should see the van people again!
Sounds as if you got an interesting book there…will have to pass the info on to my Charlie (since we both have one)and see what he thinks of it.
Steven— I happen to be the family in Charleston that was so fortunate to get to visit with Linda and prep for over a week…I can try to get a list together for you to see what was bought if you like.
Steve Foste says:
June 1st, 2010
8:43 am
Angie,
Nice to meet you. That would be awsome, I know what Linda suggest to buy, and what she does buy, but to see what was actually purchased on a prepping spree would help to build my list and organize my purchases in a more logical manner. Right now it has been a bit hit or miss and budgeted and growing much to slow.
angie says:
June 1st, 2010
12:54 pm
Hi Steve, nice to meet you also.OK here’s that list I promised…these are just a few of the basic needs we felt would be needed (thanks to Linda of course):
Rice 150 lbs. sugar 150lbs,pinto beans 150 lbs,dried hashbrown potatoes,pickles,many different spices for flavor,peanut butter 10lbs,mashed potato flakes as well as canned meats,coffee,teas,juices.
Also paper goods such as toilet paper,medicines of course,and dont forget the doggie treats…they get hungry too ya know.lol
Lynne says:
June 1st, 2010
1:49 pm
Steve a couple of things that may help…
Write the date on when you start using stuff. That should give you a good idea how much you will need per week, or month.
If you use it now you will probably want to use it in the future. Store what you eat.
Our sales circulars come out on Wed. and Sundays. I always go through those on the internet and set up my list by what is on sale. I budget $100.00 per month and then $25.00-50.00 for the really awesome buys. Plus that “extra” can be used for buying equipment or getting stuff you need at a yard sale. Yes, I do make a yardsale shopping list for things I need.
Hygene Items, soap,shaving cream, razors, feminine supplies seldom get enough attention. Check your local Dollar Stores for these items.
A porta potty and a solar shower can be a life saver literally.
Steve Foste says:
June 1st, 2010
2:45 pm
Hi Lynne and Angie,
Thanks for the follow up, and the litte extra pieces of info.
Desertrat says:
June 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Given any thought to alerts against intruders? Harbor Freight had infrared detectors, wireless, which detect to some fifty or more feet and transmit up to 400 feet. They were on sale for $20, so I bought a couple. Downside is that even chee-chee birds set them off.
But they work great for cars or pedestrians in the driveway.
‘Rat
Lynne says:
June 1st, 2010
11:08 pm
I’m looking at solar spot lights with motion detection. I already have most of the yard wired but not everywhere I’d like. I do have a small yappy dog notification system with a backup, 2 Pekes LOL Pekes are fearless protectors. They are kinda dumb that way. But all I need is some notice and that ol’ Army training will kick in. My dogs don’t need to be bad ass cause I am.
I won’t say I can’t be defeated, anyone can. But anyone that comes against me better bring a lunch and a lantern cause I won’t go down easy. I will make them kill me. I don’t want to play the torture games. I know I’ll talk, I’d try to mislead them for awhile but I know I’d talk in the end. Better for me to let God sort them out.
I just finished Turtledove’s Blood&Iron series and the “end of the beginning”. Alternate history.
Yes I’d like to think I could spit in to the eyes of my captors. but that is only a dream. I’d break easily if my niece or gran kids were tortured. If you can’t live with that prospect you better off getting dead. It’s actually harder to survive. Dying is easy, living is hard.
Oldmanriver says:
June 2nd, 2010
6:01 am
This is going to sound nuts, but the best alarm system I have ever seen was peacocks. I had a neighbor that had some and nothing could get within 300 yards of his place without those things making such a racket that I could hear at my house, which was over a mile away.
Steve Foste says:
June 2nd, 2010
11:41 am
My grandparents always had peacocks on the farm when I was growing up. they were cool to have around. Great alarm system and ornamental to boot.
Oldmanriver says:
June 2nd, 2010
12:29 pm
All,
I found a site that had some interesting formula for homemade toothpaste, deoderant etc etc
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/10/natural-homemade-toothpaste/
Kurt says:
June 2nd, 2010
10:06 pm
Shhhhhhh Linda, you were not supposed to give away their new shoot anybody you want policy publicly. We’re not supposed to know it yet.
James says:
June 3rd, 2010
2:54 pm
My old Jack Russell terrier Penny (named for a six-inch round spot) would wake the dead if anyone came too close; she’s gone now, and the best I can expect from the cat would be to come in and hide under the bed! Maybe I need to invest in an alarm system; this month (Father’s Day) I’m hoping my wife will take the hints and buy me a small generator. One thing at a time…
It’s cheap on sale from Harbor Freight, a little 800W gas-powered job; just enough to run the furnace in winter, maybe a light or two also; the big industrial 80MW turbo-generator will have to wait for the next house. Did I mention I’m an engineer?…
Just bought some pasta from Ready Store, have to put it somewhere until needed. Anyone else got a favorite preparation merchant?
Thanks!
james
oldmanriver says:
June 4th, 2010
7:57 pm
A nice article about the Battle of Gettysburg. The War Nerd is one of my favorite authors. He has a lot of old articles that are very entertaining.
http://exiledonline.com/a-memorial-day-war-nerd-gettysburg-was-the-finest-fight-ever-in-the-world/
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
1:10 am
Dear Steve: One Second After would scare the whey out of anyone. 5223 Wilcox Lane, Bryan, TX, 77808. I learned a nasty lesson about prepping when we got back…most of a side of beef had disappeared, and apparently the electricity had been off for a while afterwards because the rest is refrozen but of a quality only suitable for the dogs, who will still love it. Stuff is missing out of all four freezers. Well…that will teach me to lock them, won’t it? We’re bad about not rotating inventory and if things had broken two years ago that stuff would have been life-saving, so I’ll just write the loss of as “insurance.”
Alex Jones can be a conceited creep, but he always documents what he has to say. There is NO question that some 800 concentration camps are prepared or that there is an enormous stack of hard-shell “body bags” on hand.
I see dear, dear Angie has offered to take care of your request (thank you so much, sweetie. I need the help, and my friends who write here are super.)
The great thing about our “spree” was that it got so many of the basics and Angie is able to pick up more of what she sees on a great sale rather than trying to keep things evened out. It is such a daunting task to start from scratch, although they had about 6 weeks’ worth on hand which is very good. The latest stat is that most people don’t have food for more than ten days.
Another very interesting place to browse is Kurt Saxon, author of “The Poor Man’s James Bond.” Hey, he’s only missing three fingers. I don’t think I will ever try anything he does, but it IS fascinating.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
1:21 am
Desert Rat, dear, we saw those, and I think they could be very useful in the city. I’m sitting smack in the middle of 250 acres, so the 400 foot range isn’t enough, and you don’t want to know what a serious array, complete with at least an eight-screen monitor, would cost. I’m not a fan of “security lights” that are on all the time, but the solar-powered motion detector ones are great if you set them so that small animals don’t trigger them. We rely mostly on the critters at present. One of my major frustrations is that so many of you I have come to care for live in the city and can’t even have a pair of geese, known as great sentries since before Roman times. The rest of you have good places in the country, but we’re all so far apart. Not fair!
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
2:11 am
Lynne, what a delightful letter! I had a serious talk with my menfolk long ago, and they are under orders that if they find some black-clad thug with a knife to my throat or a gun to my head they are NOT to surrender a weapon meekly. Shoot through me if they must, but take him down. My sole compromise is that if another of the crew is out there, free and armed, they may use their judgement, but we do NOT negotiate with terrorists, no matter what they are wearing. Besides, I’m so short that I figure they can go for a head shot or hit center of mass by shooting past my neck! Pray God nothing like that ever happens, but it is imperative to do our thinking ahead of time. We have a casual code word that means “Break down and left,” and if I can give the thug an elbow or stomp on his foot I’ll do that, too. This is really very simple: at worst the intruder can kill ME, but if one of my good guys drops his weapon then two of us face death. This would not improve matters. I told my 24-year-old Marine with two tours in Iraq that recently and he freaked! Until I assured him I mean it and repeated WHY. The moral here is that anyone who loves you needs to be prepared to think like a soldier and not like a surrogate son. He grinned afterwards and said he’ll raise the weapon we will suppose he has (we’re talking a “One Second After” or “Patriot” scenario) and walk forwards, because those who think guns are magic wands tend to get nervous when one is pointed back at them. One of the great things about NRA courses is the hundreds of “shoot/don’t shoot” scenarios you analyze. It is ALWAYS better to do our thinking ahead of time. Here is a very simple guideline: if an intruder is in your house and you are armed, and he is within 21 feet of you–a modest living room–and demonstrates both the willingness to harm you and the ability to do so (such as brandishing a knife, a gun, or a tire iron), shoot him instantly. He can cross 21 feet in under two seconds on the stop watch. No warnings, no shots over his head, you have two seconds to live…and that is less time than it takes for a man trained to handle firearms (military, police) needs to draw, aim, and fire a handgun. Scary, huh? Most people can’t even clear leather in that amount of time. Here’s another excellent tip if you have a dog: NEVER enter your home until the dog comes to you. NEVER. If you call and he doesn’t come, get back in your car, drive away, and dial 911. Dogs are very light sleepers and they can distinguish the sound of your motor from thousands of others. If the pooch doesn’t come, he may be dead and an intruder is still in your home. The police are very sweet about “false alarms” when the circumstances warrant being cautious. If you are alone in your home and hear scary noises some night, grab your gun–smart people have an extra clip with it, and it is within reach with the muzzle pointed in the same direction as your dominant hand so you are ready to fire instantly if necessary–purse, and shoes and your cell ‘phone, lock yourself in the bathroom, lie down in the bathtub, and call the police. That is the safest place in the house even though you may feel “trapped” because cast iron bathtubs make great armor. If the intruder starts trying to break down the door, put a couple of rounds through it. Get it through your head that it is very unlikely police will arrive within five minutes, even though the operator will tell you cheerily to stay on the line. Do NOT open the door if the crumb starts crying he is bleeding; he may well have a friend and is probably a liar. Let him bleed to death on the floor before you open the door, and I’d insist on a cop sliding his shield or at least a card under the door, and cross-check the name with the 911 people. It isn’t hard to steal or buy shields or have business cards made. Don’t trust any stranger in times like those, and be careful about which friends you trust in TEOTWAWKI. Better to feel foolish because it was only a squirrel dropping nuts on the roof than to feel foolish because you are dying or being tortured. Go buy a case of wasp spray and put a can in every sensible place; they shoot straight for 30 feet; aim for the eyes. Hey, waste $3 and practice with one. Most of us (including me, I imagine) are so unaccustomed to danger and violence that we really aren’t prepared to face those who are not. One last thought…if you don’t have a concealed carry permit in a state which requires one, stash a gun right but out of sight by the doors you use. After the dog comes, get your weapon while you check the house–although you should NEVER try to “clear” a house without at least two armed people. Keep it by you while you get your groceries in and until another family member comes home. Over and over, better to feel foolish than to be dead. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. If worst comes to worst, retreat to the kitchen. It is full of things you can improvise with. Home intrusions are way up and likely to continue to rise. The friend somebody knows who gets killed could be YOU. Someone I knew slightly who lived in an expensive gated community was slain last year in her home. She knew the teenager who came to the door by sight. Living in a MacMansion does not guarantee good moral values.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
2:12 am
Chuckle…I can’t talk Charles into peacocks, guys. They make awful noises!
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
2:13 am
Eric, thanks for the great site, and loved your response, Kurt.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
2:16 am
James, love, I didn’t know about the Ready Store, thanks. Generators and fuel are surely first on my list after food and weapons. Check Craig’s List and military surplus. We got two 10KW from them–used, of course–for the value of the trailer they are on. They’re used, mind: one has 9 hours and the other 7.5!
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
2:24 am
Lynne, so many good ideas. The better dollar stores–my favorite is now “Everything $1.09.” They had their choice of lowering quality or increasing prices and made the right choice–has lots of good toiletries, vitamins, first aid, bleach and so forth. Vicks’ Salve is now over $7. The Kroger house brand is $4.59. The $1.09 version has the same ingredients and is just as pungent. Unscented bleach is unscented bleach, hydrogen peroxide has many uses, you can’t have too much salt, both iodized and otherwise, and somebody needs to research and advise us on herbal remedies, please. Hugs to all, Linda
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 5th, 2010
3:04 am
Hurrah, hurrah, the first calf of the season was born today, a beautiful little black heifer! (Black Dexters throw Reds, occasionally, and vice versa. A few more reds and we can have two herds, but dear Charles and I prefer blacks and dislike mixed herds.) Charles and I had a genuine need for one more saddle horse, but the prices are down so low that we ended up getting four ranging from 5 (earliest riding years) to 2 1/2 (ready to begin serious training) to a pair of fillies 15 and 9 months old. All of those for $1100! And three of them registered! Saddles are down to .25 on the dollar, while horses are a tenth of what they were a couple of years ago. Wahoo! They’re gorgeous and six horses are genuine bragging rights, not that I will other than rejoicing with you. If I can find a Quarterhorse stud and a thoroughbred one to hire–we don’t want to own those because keeping stock from interbreeding is a real hassle–we’ll be able to produce all the horses we’ll ever need from now on, always having older mares(15-25) for breeding, riding horses in their prime, and babies. The 9 month old saw that her new friend was out, bunched her muscles to try a standing jump over the stall door (a failure), knocked the door almost flat on the ground and scrambled out! No harm done to anyone/thing fortunately since Charles was trying to coax her to come have a halter put on before we turned her out. The newbies are a little under the weight we like and admire our lush pastures greatly, and say their nightly measures of mixed grain and big “flakes” of hay are fair dinkum chow. A “flake” of hay is a wad pulled off the bale, and they’re getting 1/3 for the big girls and 1/4 for the babies. Dinner and enough for night-night snacks. Wow, we’ve got great “pasture art.” The 15 month, Skyler’s Choice, has an incredibly glittering pedigree and her chum, Irish Brook, is a strapping big beauty who may do a little more growing. She’s taller at the withers (front shoulders) than I am. They were so precious last night, their first here. Little Bit discovered she could stick her elegant nose through a space in the wall and snitch I. B.’s hay, and Brook not only didn’t bite her she didn’t even warn her off. I guess horses are like kids and watermelons: it tastes better if you swipe one out of the field. Brook weighs at least 700 pounds more than Skyler and could have taken a nasty bite out of her dainty nose, but didn’t. This afternoon they were rubbing noses over the wall. I’m excited about tomorrow when Asia goes to pick up Brook’s 9 month old friend.
Bonnie Blue (Flag) and Belle, who is new, are both registered thoroughbreds and it was jealousy at first sight. Animals are very “racist,” and those two KNOW they are God’s finest creatures. Never mind parvenue Quarter Horses, they know who the real competition is. We haven’t put them in the same pasture, yet, but I’m looking forward eagerly to seeing them race. Bonnie Blue is out of racing stock (but was so slow they turned her into a fine cow horse) but thus far she can blow the doors off anything else around. We’ll see what Belle has to say about that. If it hadn’t been a gelding we could have bought a descendant of Seattle Slew and Secretariat. why? His genes are locked up forever. Then a friend asked us to take his prized and beloved registered herd sire miniature donkey because the younger generations are trying very hard to disposs Jack and Mike is worried they’ll maim or kill him. Michelle will be thrilled, and Jack may only have one gal but he’ll have much better pastures and won’t have to fight for food or females. Oh, but Michelle wanted a boyfriend a few months ago. Some days I can scarcely believe life is so much fun, even in the Obama Nation. Hugs, Linda
angie says:
June 5th, 2010
10:55 am
We are sooo glad to know yall are havin a good time in TX with the horses (I havent met them yet).They sound wonderful to watch and take care of.A lot of work I am sure!
Yes,although our economy is suffering,illegals keep getting in,US dollar values less and less….life is still good..Obama Nation can’t ruin EVERYTHING! LOL
Desertrat says:
June 6th, 2010
7:43 am
One advantage of a team of horses pulling a wagon instead of using a tractor: You can verbally get the horses to move forward a short distance and then stop as you load hay or whatever. Tractor? Ya gotta climb on and off.
Of course, with a tractor, if ya ain’t workin’ it, ya ain’t feedin’ it. Which is why my cheapskate uncle worked his cattle with an old WW II surplus Signal Corps Harley.
The drawback to plowing with horses is that the view never improves. And who wants to look at politicians all day?
‘Rat
Desertrat says:
June 6th, 2010
3:38 pm
Bein’ as how today is the anniversary of D-Day…
I wasn’t around for Armistice Day, although I know the significance.
But I recall Pearl Harbor Day, D-Day, VE-Day, VJ-Day (I was in Times Square, that night) and of course Memorial Day.
I think we’re getting way too many of these days. I’m getting a bit fed up with uber-hostility and those with the lust for power over others. Trouble is, I don’t really have any viable answer.
‘Rat
Lynne says:
June 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
On the dealing some of the more anti-social folks in the world I’m pretty well off here in Idaho. As long as the miscreant is in the house and dead it should be okay. I have a 12 gauge pump (Idaho burglar alarm is the sound of jacking a round in the chamber)and .45 auto. One is in the front room and 1 in the bedroom. Also have a .40 S&W auto on layaway. I have friend sending me a Press so I can start reloading. I also keep a pepper spray on me at all times I’m out and about shopping. I could go get my CCW permit but I’m a bit afraid of big Sis Janet. She declared all us vets as potential terrorists. It might be better to have no paperwork to track.
It’s amazing those critter don’t know about economics just keep doing what critters do it’s wonderful to watch Life renew itself.
The cowboy I worked with got a beautiful little Black mare thoroughbred at auction. She was just a little on the slow side to make it at the track. He turned her into a cow pony. What a joy to ride. She may not have made it on the track but she was more than fast enough for me. We have several horse shows up here from Dressage to the “Snaffle-bit Futurity. Wonderful to watch those animals work.
We don’t have Kroger’s just the Fred Meyers they bought, but we are getting some great buys on the loss leaders. I maybe cheap but I pay for quality for myself and the stuff I try and don’t like so much I throw in the Barter Box. Most of the time it’s okay just not what I prefer. I get to try new stuff on the cheap and if I don’t like it I can still use it for trade.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 7th, 2010
8:05 pm
Angie, dear, wish you were here to feed the horses carrots. Imagine what a delight a sweet, cold, crunchy treat is if you’re an equine. Belle wrinkled her aristocratic nose the first three times she was offered one, but I guess she realized the others were getting–and loving–something she wasn’t. Horrors! She became an afficianado quickly. As for Obama not spoiling everything…given time he probably could. Let us know how your primaries turn out tomorrow.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 7th, 2010
8:13 pm
Dear Desertrat: Horses can be a lot more willing, aren’t as stupid, and don’t need filters and spark plugs. I imagine we could rig up a way to plow with them, but 40 acres and a mule is no substitute for a tractor in terms of feeding more than ourselves. It should scare the whey out of every American that 2% of the people grow the food the other 98% eat. This isn’t SAFE. My complaint was that anyone who lived through Pearl Harbor shouldn’t have had to see 911, too, and have you noticed how many “accidents” there are recently? We’re less than 200 miles from the explosion today which was excused as digging in the wrong place. With a full crew? Mine collapses, refineries blowing up, it’s smelling more than a little fishy to me. What do we do? Stand up for what’s right, increase our ability to take care of ourselves, and pray, I guess.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
June 7th, 2010
8:55 pm
Dear Lynne: I’m with you on the artillery and glad you get to play with horses, too, although I really like my goats better. The new mama keeps her calf where we can admire it when we sit outside every afternoon, soliciting compliments.
I found Fred Meyer very expensive when I lived in Washington, and Albertson’s, too. There was a truly great grocery –WinnCo, maybe? The Mexican grocers were good too. I do believe in putting money into research, but when I speak of “barter” goods I don’t mean my castoffs but things I buy specifically for that purpose. Yesterday our Krogers had their house brand of coffee (several varieties) on sale for $5 a big can, still two pounds. I bought five, because I can see selling a small ziplock with enough for a couple of pots for a fancy price. I can’t stand coffee (or anything else that is bitter) but the world is full of people who feel about coffee the way I do about my iced tea and cigarettes or a drunk does his bourbon. A good dollar store is stuffed with things refugees would be thrilled by: a new toothbrush, chap stick, ibuprofen, kleenex, a cheap hairbrush, a sharp paring knife,shampoo, a half gallon jug with a wide mouth and screw-top lid…Maybe TEOTWAWKI will never happen, or maybe it will be devastating yet brief and we will have to rebuild our lives around what we can produce and trade for. Ordinary salt is so cheap and available–NOW. Finding a natural salt lick won’t be. I like your idea of a bin to keep useful things we’d be willing to trade in. On a good day a .22 round costs about three cents. What do you think they will trade for if we get the Patriot scenario? Most of us don’t have a great deal of money but we DO have brains. Small sewing kits, pony tail gizzes, scissors, safety pins, disposable razors, all sorts of little useful things and objects which will be viewed as great luxuries if the 18-wheelers stop rolling. A hank of light rope, simple fishing supplies, so many little things could turn out to be the difference between life and death or comfort and misery.
ROFL. Oh, mah goodness, what WOULD mah ancestors say about me plannin’ on goin’ in tuh TRADE?! I guess it depends upon which ones, when. Those who suffered under the Yankee invasion would understand perfectly why I’m in favor of stocking up on small necessities and hanging on to all of those plastic bags we accumulate.
I’m starting to think we should save any sort of reusable container. Suppose you have a well or a spring. How much more will your water be worth if you can sell the customer something to carry some away in? Most people appear to be dismally prepared for any sort of emergency even when they can stay in their homes.
Oldmanriver says:
June 8th, 2010
9:08 am
Linda,
I dont know a lot about horses, but I have seen some studies which showed horse power to have the advantage on farms that are under 170 acres in size. Above that size the economic advantages go to the internal combustion engines. A friend of mine always said that instead of horses a person should have mules. He always said a horse would get you killed but a mule was too smart to let you do anything that would kill you or them. I dont have expirience with either. Although I have often wondered if a mule or some sort of 4 legged transport would be the ultimate bug out vehicle. Thats what all the trappers and explorers used when the country was settled. To your point about how everyone should be scared that only 2% of the population feeds the rest….in the very next article you brag about your ability to find the best deal….Thats what is killing the farmers. You are buying highly processed food for the best deal possible…You want more farmers to survive? Buy direct from farmers even if its more expensive and more perishable. Thats what will create more farmers. It wasnt that long ago that a person could raise a family on 40 acres. Now it takes at least 1000 to 1500 in Illinois. You are going to have to pay a lot more either in farm programs or cost of food to get more farmers. Sorry but thats the truth of it.
Oldmanriver says:
June 8th, 2010
9:35 am
A little more on the point about more farmers. I just did some back of the envelope figuring. For a farmer with 40 acres to make $50,000 they have to net $1250 per acre. I always thought that I was having a decent year if I could net $50 per acre. If you own your ground free and clear you should be able to net $100 growing corn and soybeans. So a person needs to own at least 500 acres to be able to reasonably rent 1000. Thats why the number of farmers is dwindeling. I remember the farmers union always talking about going on strike and starving you people to get prices back to parity. It would have never worked as farmers would look at any excuse to stab their neighbors in the back.
Lynne says:
June 8th, 2010
5:56 pm
Actually most of the stores have been acquired Albertson’s was bought by Supervalue and FM by Kroger’s. FM is moving toward Kroger’s on lowering prices. Winco’s quality dropped off badly about 5 years ago so I no longer shop there, I get bulk dry goods and Meat/dairy at Cash & Carry a restaurant supplier. I get more local goods at C&C than I get at most store as long as I buy in bulk. I also have a local store that get’s most of it’s produce locally from beans to potatoes and most veggies and fruit. About the only thing that doesn’t grow great here is Citrus.
I knew old Joe Albertson. I watched him do to his competition what Wal-mart is doing to stores now. What goes around comes around.
OMR I do support local buying as much as possible. I like the corner store compared to the Big box stores. But I have to get the most bang for my buck as well. I like good food at reasonable price. I’m not the one who decided corporate farming was good. It was people so disconnected from the land that think milk comes from a store and not an udder. Trust me I get great eggs from my Mom and she has got rabbit meat from me and loves it. Some of my siblings will not take eggs or meat it if given to them for free.
My barter box does get a few of my experiments, Especially from the dollar stores. Not bad items they usually do what they say, just my preference will send me back to a better product at higher cost. It doesn’t get wasted. Plus I don’t feel bad trying some new stuff, because if I don’t like it into the box it goes. If I like it I’ll buy as much as I can afford. Big Lots is also great for those items.
Linda you should check out David Weber’s Honor Harrington Series. She has the same feelings about coffee as well. If you liked C.S. Forrester’s Hornblower you will like Honor. I’d recommend “For the Honor of the Queen” as the first book to read though it is the second of the series. Honor get’s a bit to perfect in books 6-10 of the series. I think Weber began to like Honor to much as a character. Weber’s Starfire series is good as well.
You can go to http://www.baen.com for free downloads of books and sample chapters as well. Great way to check out books and find some of the great’s reprints like Heinlein, Christopher Anvil, Andre Norton.
Oldmanriver says:
June 9th, 2010
7:58 am
Lynne,
Sorry, I didnt mean to say that anyone has made a decision that corporate farms are the way to go. Its just an economic reality. Eventually we will get to the point where there will only be 2-3 farmers per county. Large farms are more efficient. There is no way to get around that fact. Concentration will keep happening. If you take all the farms out there 1/3 are in the high profit group, 1/3 is in the middle and 1/3 is on the bottom in terms of profitability. The top always makes a profit, the middle makes a profit in good years and loses money in the bad and the bottom 1/3 always looses money. Eventually the bottom 1/3 goes broke and they have a sale. The top and middle guys buy that persons farm or prices go up enough so that everyone can expand. Once that happens then some of the guys that were in the middle are now at the bottom 1/3 and eventually they will go broke. Then the process continues until you have 3 main competitors in an area. Thats just how it works and there is nothing you can do to stop it unless you are willing to pay a lot of money to keep people in business who should not be in business. This is all driven by consumers who demand the lowest price and by inflation. The purchasing power of an acre of production have been declining even though yields have increased. One thing you have to remember is that all the corporate farms out there at one time were small family farms that were successful. There are very few purely corporate farms. Usually those types of enterprises go broke because its very hard to hire someone who will sacrifice enough to make a farm successful.
Desertrat says:
June 9th, 2010
8:47 am
At age 14 in 1948, I picked cotton for 2¢ a pound. Hardest dollar I ever earned. If you don’t think that will make you have a lot of respect for the inventors of modern farm equipment, nothing will.
Given what modern equipment can do in a day, is it any wonder that there was a natural progression toward larger farms yet fewer workers?
Oldmanriver says:
June 9th, 2010
9:08 am
Rat,
I think that partially goes into it. But look at it from this stand point. Farming with horses has an economic advantage up to 170 acres. Lets say you can double your net on those 170 acres and you own the land free and clear. So you net $200 (im just pulling 200 out of thin air more or less is not going to make much difference) per acre. Thats $34000 total the farmer is going to net out for the year. How many people are going to be able to raise a family, even a small one on $34000. Im sure it can be done but you are not going to have very many people volunteering for that life. Large farms can be run with horse drawn equipment. They had huge farms in the red river valley of MN in the late 1800′s All the work done with horses. Its just cheaper to do it with tractors. I dont think modern equipment drives larger farms. I think inflation drives people to get larger farms which in turn drives demand for labor saving devices. A farm has to grow every year in order to stay competitive and keep up with the purchasing power that is lost due to inflation. It would be interesting to see what an average farm grossed per acre and compare it with the present then correct everything for inflation. I think we would see a huge drop over time in purchasing power of an acres worth of production.
Desertrat says:
June 9th, 2010
10:04 am
I won’t argue with you about the relative performance, but mechanized is less physical labor than horse-drawn. Fewer hours per day for a given amount of accomplishment, as well.
On a nationwide basis, going back to horse-drawn would halve the amount of human-food acreage, which means we’d be a helluva lot worse off on our balance of payments problem.
Then there’s the longevity factor: I have a 1940s model Ford 9N and a 1954 Fiat Allis road grader. I sold my 1978 backhoe to a neighbor who’s quite happy with it. My 1980 dumptruck still functions. My 1985 Toyota 4WD PU still runs just fine.
Hey, at age 76 I can still work my “newer” backhoe. But you say, “Shovel,” or “Crowbar,” and I’m gonna wash your mouth out with soap.
‘Rat
Oldmanriver says:
June 9th, 2010
10:17 am
LOL Rat,
I remember when I bought a skid steer for the farm. My brothers and I were testing it out in the pasture, seeing what it could do. My brother Todd pulled it up in front of us and said “Ill never walk again!” LOL We use that piece of equipment every day for almost any task that you can imagine. Before that our main loader was a trip bucket on an old H. I honestly dont know how we ever accomplished anything before we we got the skid steer but we did and it was through back breaking labor. I wouldnt go back to that for anything.
Desertrat says:
June 9th, 2010
2:15 pm
IMO, the best of all possible worlds is the paid-for farmstead. A couple of hundred acres of mixed prairie and timber, grazing and field. Middlin’ rainfall, say around 30 to 40 inches on average. Decent groundwater, not too deep.
Some 19th century equipment; a smallish tractor. Figure on a garden and some small food animals. One thing for sure: 19th century independence with 21st century knowledge can make for fairly easy living.
I’m assuming a variety of skills plus the necessary tools. All built up over time, of course.
If you’re not shafted by high ad valorem taxes, the actual cash money requirement is fairly low, by today’s city standards.
Still, there must be some young, healthy people to do all that physical stuff.
Lynne says:
June 11th, 2010
12:38 am
Sorry I don’t remember the post but I think it was in reference to Rawls and his “Bunker” mentality. Yet they never grew a garden and lived on MRE’s. Trust me I have lived on MRE’s and I would do “Gross Bodily Harm” on some one with snacks, heck even some Ramen Noodlles.
Rat I ‘d like to be able to have a perfect solution. You will need a village to survive if it all comes crashing down. Not my rules just History. Villages exist because they work. What we have in the USA is not the the rest of world. Poverty here is a place of food, cars and the internet. Heck 1 of the biggest problems is obesity.
Even though I piss and moan about SSD and I want more. I am living better than 90% of the people in the world. Even on my budget i can build a food strore of 12-18 months. Is it any wonder folks around the world want some of that? All due to those “evil capitalists”.
OMR don’t think you are insulting me or calling me names. I’m a throwback. I like Mom&Pop stores, I like buying local, I want to support stores that do the same. I like the “human touch” in shopping. Actually with everything. I buy local when I can, and get get other good buys when I can. If you can tell me why I shouldn’t buy 10 razors from China at the dollar store, and no USA company can compete for that price counting shipping costs. I’ll buy US, but I’m geussing all the regs and the government makes it to expensive for US manufactures to compete on the world market.
Lynne says:
June 11th, 2010
1:28 am
Linda, I’m afraid the economy may tank, it’s just a matter of time. Nov. will be big! and the Bush tax cut dying.
All that prep will stand me in good stead it just maybe the spring of 2011 before I visit you. I’ll do my best for fall but it’s not upto me I ain’t in charge. So I’ll keep building, hoping for the best and expect the worst. Dang I’m sorry I really wanted to see your ponies. I have no felings on goats but I do like cattle. Quite odd that way after all the bruises/scars I had to show from those calves.
But I have never been accuse of being overly-bright. Actually kind of slow in that regard.
Desertrat says:
June 12th, 2010
7:54 am
I definitely concur about the village. I’d want my farmstead to be fairly near one. I just like my elbow room, is all…
Basically, the village is what Mel Tappan recommended back some thirty-five years ago in his writings on Survivalism. Become known and respected and needed, for your talents, skills and knowledge. The village should be reasonably near a small city with more than minimal primary care medical facilities. Call it a mutual back-scratching system…
I haven’t seen it mentioned, but radio communications are always good things. CB and the little FM radios for local. Short-wave for news from “outside”; maybe even shortwave transceivers. All that stuff is fairly cheap, nowadays, compared to the past…
Lynne says:
June 13th, 2010
5:20 pm
Some good info from Mel, but I prefer someone who didn’t marry money and has lived through a collapse. I’ll go with ferfal and his blogs.
Check out the surving in Argentina or his Blog at Grab the Apple.
When you tell me what Mel Tappan has survived I may pay attention to him. Personnally I think he is all hat and no cattle.
Kurt says:
June 14th, 2010
12:53 am
James, thank you for reminding me about Harbor Freight! I looked up their website and found a store bout 60 miles from here. I went and picked up one of those 800 watt generators. Word of advice though to those who are thinking of doing the same, visit the website first, print it off, and take it in. If the prices are not the same as on the website, they will change them for you to match, if you can show them that the website advertises them lower.
I had enough money left over to hit WinCo while I was there as well. Maybe some of the quality has slipped, but I have not noticed it much(Perhaps it wasn’t all stores?). Then again, I actually enjoyed C-rations lol(They came before MREs for those who don’t know what I’m referring to). And with what we saved by hitting them, it more than paid for the gas for the trip, and lunch, and more. When you as poor as I is, you take what you can get. I would have liked to have hit Cash and Carry as well, but the money ran out, room in the car ran out lol, and so did my energy.
I’m like Lynne, I have to stock up on a very limited budget, canned goods or none most of the time. I figure if I can accumulate a couple years worth of cans on the shelf and rotate them, if something were to happen at least I would have that couple years to find a way to get more coming in before we starve. But mama did that poor lil ol Focus handle a bit squirrelly with all them cans weighing it down lol.
Thank you Lord!
Desertrat says:
June 14th, 2010
7:11 am
Lynne, take Tappan in the context of the times in which he wrote. He was among the first to put ideas on paper. His basic concepts were spot-on. Sure, today’s details are different, but today’s technology which enables implementation of the ideas we’ve talked about is a helluva lot different. Plus thirty-five years to think about this whole survival/prep deal.
Nobody knows all there is to know. Not me, not you, not Rawles.
No disrespect to Ferfal intended, but what he’s related as to his experiences in Argentina are not outside of discussion ideas I’ve encountered in recent decades. Nothing new; I learned a lot from cousins who were interned in Manila by the Japanese: Needles, thread, lighter flints for your Zippo, among other things. How to extend the life of canned food in a hot climate: Store on side; mark end with arrow; rotate every week or so. When the end begins to bulge, open, boil, eat.
Desertrat says:
June 14th, 2010
3:15 pm
Lynne, if any of your judgement of Tappan is from that hatchet-job piece at survivalblog.com, forget it. Sure, he suggested the “complete retreat” in sorta-exotic places, but that was a teensy portion of his deal. I dunno what a rich wife has to do with anything; maybe she paid somebody to push his wheelchair around. Doesn’t matter, really; he’s been dead for thirty years…
Oilwelldoctor says:
June 15th, 2010
12:42 am
Hi Linda,
I empathize with your feelings about modern America. But if living is so tense there, and if you are indeed being watched by “van people”, why do you stay? You may think you have yourself protected, but I strongly suspect a small bank of vigilantes could easily overwhelm you, kill your livestock, poison your water etc. And life in a bunker hunkered up defending dried hash browns… well no thanks!
There are still some nice places in the world if your needs are moderate. Keep money in gold in foreign banks too with easy access.
I know what you are going to say… it’s home and the only life you want but honey, things are only going to get worse. Obama will win the next election I am sure and we will continue to sink further into the pit.
Best wishes,
Jeff
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Desertrat says:
June 15th, 2010
1:35 pm
OWD, if you’re prepped, there’s no need to be tense. Most prepping has to do with being fairly independent of existing systems so you can avoid “doing without” during times of interruptions. Basically, 19th century farmstead independence with 21st century “goodies”.
While “vigilantes” is 180 degrees off from the people for whom one would have concern, raiders would be pretty low on the list of concerns. Low odds, high stakes, of course. No matter where you live in the world, there will always be those one or two mal-intentioned opportunists, now and in the future.
Lynne says:
June 16th, 2010
10:27 pm
I guess that’s why I prefer the term Prepper rather than Survialist. I base my ideas on the stuff Tappan wrote. Not what someone else said. Never read the critique at the survivalblog.com. But some of his stuff is way out there. Yes if I had unlimited funds I might do some of it. But I have a bit more modest budget. That being said I do go cruising all over the net and find great ideas from all kinds of folks and just try and make them work for me. Heck even a broke watch is right twice a day.
Rat, you really hit the nail on the head with me on the indepedence with goodies statement. That’s my ideal. I may not reach it but it’s what I am trying to accomplish, plus stayng alive to enjoy it.