Inventory

As I work getting the farm ready for the move, I start with a rough inventory. And not just material good such as food, water, firearms, ammunition, down to the smallest items. But not only the material items, we need to inventory the skills we all posses to survive the coming hard times. In one day I seen I can do electrical, plumbing, painting etc. One cyclone wiped out many in Burma, what is stopping that from happening elsewhere. Short post tonight, I am whipped. But think on it and take your own inventory and improve it.

Back To The Basics

I am getting ready to get back to my basics and was planning the outline for my farm today. We will be relocating back to my childhood farm in June. I will be taking my wife and step-daughter who are city girls totally out of their environment. I remember when I was growing up we had one of the only working farms that even used horses instead of tractors. We grew our own vegetables and raised our own meat. My grandfather raised tobacco for a cash crop and corn and hay to feed our numerous animals. My grandmother took care of the household and sewed, crocheted, and knitted a lot of the things we wore and used in our home. The house was heated with wood and did not even have hot running water until I was 12 years old. I am looking forward to getting back to my roots and hope the family can survive the culture shock. My step-daughter can't wait to get a goat and a horse of her very own.
I want to get the farm back to its former self and make it as self-sufficient as possible. The garden seeds have been bought and the chickens have been ordered. As I was moving some things in last week I found the old butter churn and cream separator. The barn still has hay and feed storage boxes in it. The pig feeder is in the hog lot where I remember it. All that is missing is the animals themselves. I remember butchering our hogs in the fall and canning our vegetables from the garden. I noticed an ad online for a lady in the same town who had moved from California who was teaching back to the basics type classes. I believe I will take them myself to see what I have forgotten or if I need to start up some classes myself. Before my wife and I were married she told me after the first visit to my family that she though she was a country girl, being from the suburbs instead of downtown, but she admitted she was so wrong. At least she is pushing for the move and really looking forward to the move and an early retirement.
The most important thing I remember about growing up is that we always had a roof over our head, were never cold or hungry, not worried about bills to support a yuppie lifestyle, and never did without anything. Those were my good old days that I want to repeat. If I can help my family and others be able to sustain this type of lifestyle, I believe my work here is on earth will be satisfied. I have spent many years learning other skills and practices to enhance a self-reliant lifestyle and would love to share that knowledge.

Homesteading, Survival Groups, Etc.

Well I finally made it back from visiting the new grand-daughter. During the long drive and the visit to the farm I started thinking about how many people do not have a clue how to grow a garden or take care of livestock. I have been communicating with some different communes and groups in the past. It just reemphasized something I had read from bison survival blog about making a deal with the tree hugger, vegetable growing, peace loving groups. The idea is to use your survival skills that they probably have no interest in such as security and defending oneself and trading them for a mutual benefit such as home grown food and barter items. You might be be able to set up a nice co-existence for all parties involved. They could go to different post tshtf trade and barter areas safely by having protection provided by you. Check around, do a little research in your area, and see what you can discover.

I saw a few ads for classes, usually offered in rural areas, teaching some of the old skills our ancestors used to survive. And not because they wanted to learn something new but because they had to do it to survive. I think we need to see more of these classes available. But more importantly we need to use them. I have never learned anything bad. I feel the more knowledge anyone has only helps them. I remember reading the Foxfire books long ago. They were a great learning tool then and can still be used today. The problem with most is they either do not have the time or desire to get back to their roots. I noticed on a recent visit to an Indian reservation they were teaching the old ways to their young people even in public school. I found a location that teaches some of the mentioned advise on homesteading and even outdoor expeditions and survival classes. The problem with most of these is people not showing enough interest. Get your head out of the sand people, just because yk2 never materialized does not mean we are home free. Look at the natural disasters and man made that have affected us since then. Now we have a recession starting to rear its ugly head. Well as my hero Jim would say, You have been warned.

P.S. Don't know how to spend your free time this summer, check out www.anadventurebegins.com

New Grandaughter

Well, I will not be able to do much ranting today. I am going to be on my way to see my new granddaughter. My one and only son called me this morning and gave me the good news. And they named her the neatest,Nevaeh, heaven spelled backwards. And a middle name of Faith. That type of thing from our young people puts a smile on my face. Anyway, I am going to get on the road. By the way, thanks Jim @ bison survival blog for the encouragement.

Getting Started at Together We Stand

Well I suppose most of the blogs I read everyday are taking some time off. All except my favorite, Jim at bison blog. So I thought I would give writing one a shot. I try to gather all the information I can on different topics so I am glad Jim is hanging in there. It seems times are getting harder on the American people every day. With rising gas and food prices only scratching the surface. I still can not understand how a country as great as ours can let itself get into the shape it is. I find it amazing that even the government is advising people to prepare for emergencies and most of the public just lets their advise fall on deaf ears. I mean when you can even buy a BOB at Wal-Mart with pamphlets from homeland security you need to take heed. Don't be a fool and stick your head in the sand. I saw this after hurricane's Katrina and Rita. Most of the people did not know what to do for themselves and the government sure did not pull off any miracles either. You don't need to depend on the government for any help or handouts, depend on yourself.

I recently saw a listing on E-Bay for a membership for a survival group. The person listing it had some good ideas, but when I asked him after his listing was up how had his response been, he said only some lookers and curiosity seekers. Most of the pro's I have spoken to told me that forming groups just does not work. I would love to be the one to prove that point wrong. As things in the world get worse I believe groups will come together. If things get bad enough I guess the strong will have their opportunity to rise up.

I guess I have rambled enough for now, I would like some readers input on contents for bug out bags and barter items. All comments welcome, even comments from evil trolls.