A Quote From Robert E. Lee

They do not know what they say. If it came to a conflict of arms, the war will last at least four years. Northern politicians will not appreciate the determination and pluck of the South, and Southern politicians do not appreciate the numbers, resources, and patient perseverance of the North. Both sides forget that we are all Americans. I foresee that our country will pass through a terrible ordeal, a necessary expiation, perhaps, for our national sins.

Come Swale Away

It is interesting how just one word or two can change your entire perspective on something.  In reality, we all have prejudices that taint how we see things and react to different problems and circumstances.  Some call this being stuck in a box or a rut.  There are many boxes in all of us.

We have been doing a little reading and research in the area of permaculture.  The word permaculture seems to carry varied definitions, but the gist of it is farming in a way that is in harmony with nature.  I prefer to say that it is a method of farming in tune with God's creation.  But permaculture isn't the word I want to talk about here.

The word I want to talk about is harvest, but first, I have to explain why.  In Austrailia, farmers use what are called swales to capture run-off.  In essence, a swale is a trench dug in a srtategic place on the property.  Now, we live in the Ozarks and it is difficult to find a completely flat place anywhere.  So we have run-off, which, in times of heavy rain or snow melt, can take a bunch of land with it.  This has become a concern for me and I have often tried to think of ways that I could stop the errosion.  But here is the cool thing.  I heard a gentleman explain that digging swales is for "harvesting" water, not stopping run-off.

Can you see how the word "harvest" can change the way you think about rain?  The idea is to trap the water in a place that will hold it for a whaile and slowly distribute it down slope to "feed" the soil in an area that would normally not get fed due to the rain water just running away and collecting in a low spot.

The concept of harvesting water has gotten me thinking differently about rain water.  Now I am looking carefully at the land.  Now I try to see the slope and low spots and determine where the water is going to try to catch it before it gets there.  I have even dug three small swales and am looking forward to digging more.  The potential to grow grass for the cattle in areas that are light on vegetation is tremendous.  This has got me excited.  Go to Youtube and look up "swale", there are a bunch of videos on the subject to learn more from.  Here is a teaser:

The Benefits Of Raw Milk-Revisited

Here is an article I found in my favorites list that I had totally forgotten about.  It is about the benefits of drinking raw milk, as we do from our own cow.  Good stuff.  Use the link and give the article a good read, it is very informative.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

My wife informed me last week that it is time to start thinking about the garden.  Indeed, this mild winter, thus far, has given us the "bug" to get out and plant.  If you are preparedness minded, this is a subject of importance, so I wanted to share with you a great seed company called Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.  Click here to visit their site.  They deal in old, sometimes ancient seeds, but the great thing about heirloom seeds is that they are open pollinated and you can save the seeds from your produce each year.  Non GMO, non tainted, non Frankenstien food.  For a survivalist, this is a must have.  They are about an hour away from us, so my wife makes the trip yearly to stock up, but they also have a very nice catalog to order from.  Good people, great company-check them out.

Obama: "I will decide what's constitutional."

Who does this guy think he is?  Is he truly the final authority? Read more...

Americans Bought Enough Arms In 2011 To Supply Chinese and Indian Armies

Here is an interesting read, if it is true, good.  Keep it up.

You Thought The Price Of Gas Was Bad...

I was talking to a co-worker today and he was telling me that he was called over to help a neighbor lady, who is single, push a bale of hay off the back of her truck.  Apparently this is the fist one she had ever bought because he had never been asked to do this for her before.  This was a very large bale, weighing over 1000 pounds.  While helping her, he inquired what she paid for it.  He has three horses that he feeds and is concerned that he might not have enough hay to get through the winter.  My interst was piqued as well as I have some cattle to feed.  She told him that she paid $135 for that bale.  Just three weeks ago, I paid $50 at the same place she bought this one.  I am sincerely hoping that she was mistaken, as I need to get a bale again next week.  All I can say is wow.

Is There A Need To Carry A Weapon?

I am sharing this article with a friend of mine, who gets the credit for finding it and sharing it with his friends (Gorges Smythe).  I read the article and felt that I had to share it as well.  Read this article to see some very compelling arguments, put in a very convincing way, for the need to carry a firearm.  Do you, or do you not carry and why?

If Iowa Goes To Ron Paul You Won't See It On The News

Here is an interesting article and video that says plainly, if Paul wins Iowa, a crucial early primary, the MSM will block it out, down play it and change it.  Don't take it from me, this is the admitted plan of the main stream media, which is what they always do anyway.  The fact is that the "establishment" is deathly affraid of Ron Paul.  The money doesn't like his ideas on the FED and that is the reason Dr. Paul is blacklisted.  Click the link and read more.

New Child Labor Regulations For Farmers Under Debate

Have you heard about the new child labor regulations that are being proposed?  If not, and you live on a farm, you might want to check into this.  Read this article and get informed.  The gist of the proposals is that anyone under the age of 18 would not be allowed to do most of the traditional farm chores they have always done-throughout time.  Here is my question, well not really a question, more of a statement, but this seems very hypocritical of a government that supports and promotes abortion.  We continually allow the government to dictate how we raise, train, teach, lead, work with, admonish, discipline, feed and care for our children-all for the sake of their "safety".  You know, to keep them alive and well.  Yet, it is this same government that allows people, legally, to kill an unborn child.  Hypocritical, yes, but should I really expect anything less from a corrupt system?

"We Are All Children Of God"

Read this article, I can add nothing.

Do You Have Spiritual Goals For Yourself And Family?

God is a God of order and He is goal oriented (John 5:17; Ephesians 1:10), therefore, as His earthly vessels, we ought to be goal oriented, it is a part of having been made in His image (Gen. 2:15).  In other words, do you have a specific biblical plan that would aid your fellow believers gain the prize of displaying Christ to the world?

Ask yourself some questions to help get started:

Where am I spiritually and how am I growing in Christ?
What do I believe about my eternal purpose, and where I am in relation to that purpose?
Do I read the Scriptures daily?
Am I offering my God given talents and gifts to my church and others?
Do I have confidence that my desires and dreams are divinely inspired?

Eating Squirrels?

I am giving some serious consideration to hittin' the woods and knock off a few squirrels.  The woods are loaded with them, so I could stand to thin out a few.  What this got me thinking about is in the area of preparedness and survival.  Yes, you can eat squirrels and they are very tasty if they are done right.  Simply put, squirrels are a ready, and abundant, source of protien for the freezer should the need arise.  Many people say they won't eat them, or even think about eating them, but if you are hungry, you might reconsider that.  Not to mention it is a fun way to spend an afternoon with the .22.

Is A Zippo Lighter Best In Harsh Conditions?

  I thought I'd share this as it struck me between the eyes in its simplicity from a survival point of view.  If you want to be prepared, do you have a source of heat ignition that will perform in all conditions.  Stocking up on the items it takes to keep a zippo going might be a worthy investment-even if you don't smoke.