Seeking A Vision

God is either working on me or tearing me apart.  I sense He is going to do something through me.  I am praying that He gives me a vision.  Will you pray for me?

Get A Bug Out Bag Free

I though I'd pass along a great deal at Staples.  They have a promotion going on where you can buy a backpack and mail in a rebate for the full purchase price.  Yup, that makes the bag free.  This is for a limited time so check it out.

Great idea for a B.O.B for the kids.  Use the link below.
http://weeklyad.staples.com/staples/default.aspx?action=entryflash&adref=%20staples_right_hand_nav&cm_sp=marketing-_-Weekly%20ad%20header-_-weekly%20ad%20header

Chasing Wile E. Coyote

Yesterday, I spent the day, outside, in scortching heat.  I fixed some problems with the electric fence, that took way too long.  Then I busted a belt on the garden tractor.  My wife went to town for a new belt, but it was way too long, so I still need a belt.  It's fixable, so no big deal.  I also spent the day on the lookout for Wile E. Coyote.  She has been encroaching and stealing chickens.  If that's not bad enough, she does it during the day.  My wife and kids have all seen her, I seem to be at work when she comes by.  Yesterday, she ran into the yard in front of my daughter-not cool.  I killed acouple of wild rabbits, tied them to a tree and waited.  She didn't take them.  Wouldn't you know that while we were at church today, she took the rabbits.  My goal was to occupy her long enough to get a shot.  Tomorrow, I will kill another rabbit and try again.  I'm sorry, we can't have her coming so close and taking chickens.  She could be a threat to the kids while playing-Wile E. has to go.  I'll keep you posted.

Preparedness On A Budget-Ammo

I thought that I would offer a few good web sites that offer the ammo I mentioned in earlier posts.  I, personally, like to shop on-line for various reasons.  Mostly because I don't like the big city that much.  I don't mind crouds, I just don't like the traffic.  Anyway, there are a couple of great places to get the ammo you need, for whatever weapon you have.  Some, like the 9x18 are a little harder to find than at your local gun shop.  This does not mean that this caliber is rare, it just means that your particular shop doesn't see the need to carry it.  The following two places, almost, always have 9x18 in quantities that will allow you to stock up.

http://www.ammoman.com/
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
http://www.jgsales.com/

You can also find it, although more expensive, at http://www.cabellas.com/, or, http://www.sportsmansguide.com/ even http://www.basspro.com/ offers most of the ammo you need.
But, I really like cheaper than dirt and ammo man.  Their prices are very fair.

The 7.62x39 can be found almost anywhere.  I have even seen it at a Wal-Mart once or twice.  Again, the big retailers and gun shops tend to carry the high end, name brand ammo.  Brown Bear or Wolf is cheaper and fires every time.

A great place to hang out and ask questions is http://www.gunbroker.com/ this is an auction site that deals only in fire arms and accessories and gear.  But, you can visit their forum and gleen all kinds of good info from people smarter than me about guns.  You might even find a good deal on ammo at the auctions.

Some others are: http://www.alamoammo.com/, http://www.ebang.com/ , http://www.shooting-hunting.com/

Have fun shopping.

Preparedness On A Budget-A Rifle

Now I want to mention a little on a good rifle.  To all the pureists out there, I just want to say, again, that I think military surplus exceeds in many ways.  If not for mil-surp, I would not have a rifle.  A good rifle can be expensive. 

The first thing you need to think of is, what are you going to use the rifle for?  Is it purely to fend of bad guys (you know who you are) from a distance?  Are you going to use it for food gathering?  Home defense?  Car gun?  Ask yourself these things before you decide what to buy when it comes to caliber and size of the rifle.  Undoubtedly, you need a good rifle.

There are so many in the way of mil-surp rifles, that I won't spend time talking about all of them.  I will go with, for the purpose of this post, what I think is a great, all around rifle, the SKS.

The SKS can be had for, around, $300, some more, some less.  It depends on the condition.  This is snother weapon that has grown in popularity and short in supply which has affected the price.  About 10 years ago, one could be had for $150.

The cartridge is 7.62x39 and is readily available all over.  Most name brand ammo manufacturers make this round.  Of course, you will pay much more for Remmington and Winchester and Hornady ammo than you will with mil-surp such as, Wolf or Brown Bear.  Something to consider is that if you plan to re-load, you will have to stay away from Brown Bear and some Wolf because they are steel cased, not brass.  But 1000 rounds can be obtained from Cheaper Than Dirt for $240.

These guns fire every time and can be modified for high capacity magazines.  You might find one at a gun show already done.  It will take down a deer and is fun to shoot.  This can be obtained for a small investment, on a budget.  If you're like me you don't have a ton of cash.  So, look into these great rifles.

WEIGHT: 8.8 lbs.


BARREL : 20.34 inches

LENGTH: 40.16 inches

MAGAZINE: 10 round, fixed, staggered double row box

FRONT SIGHTS: Hooded post

REAR SIGHTS: Tangent leaf, graduated from 100 to 1000 meters

CALIBER: 7.62 x 39 Soviet M43

BORE DIAMETER: .301 inches

RIFLING DIAMETER: .311 inches

RIFLING: 1 turn in 9.45 inches RH

BAYONET:

Preparedness On A Budget-Hand Gun

If you want a gun for home defense or to carry and you don't have a lot of money, I would like to recommend Makarov-9x18.  They are nice little pistols that are fairly compact and have nice punch.  The caliber is sometimes called a 9mm, but is really 1mm shy of a true 9mm (9x19) Luger that most are familiar with. 

A few years ago, one of these pistols could be had for $129, but the price has gone up a bit due to the source in Russia drying up (among other countries).  They can still be had for around $220-$250, in that range.  Not bad when considering what you could spend.  Don't let others tell you you have to spend $700 on a decent gun, that is simply not true.  These Makarovs perform very well, every time you pull the trigger, period. 

The ammo is relatively inexpensive, also.  500 rounds can be had for under a hundred bucks.  A good price to stock up on.  Many recomend having at least 1000 rounds per weapon.  That my be a bit much with a hand gun, but you can still buy a lot of ammo for your buck.  I have listed the specs below.  Do some research, you might find these guns are right for you.  The times dictate that you be prepared for things.  Looting and riots due to disasters, or whatever.  The Makarov is a great way to get startesd without breaking the bank.  Military surplus, in many respects, is the way to go, in my opinion.

Specifications:




Type: Double/Single Action Self Loading Pistol

System of Operation: Blowback

Safety: Hammer block, slide lock, decocking, firing pin not secured

Caliber: 9x18mm (9mm Makarov), some have been converted to .380 ACP (9mm Kurz)

Capacity: 8+1 rounds

Sights: Fixed blade front, dovetailed u-notch rear, drift adjustable

Length: 6.34"

Weight (loaded): 1.71 pounds

Barrel: fixed, 3.83", 4 groove, right-hand twist

Magazine release: heel

Number of Parts: 27

Hotshot Is Home

Well, yesterday we took a trip, east and picked up HotShot.  He is a cute gelding paint that my daughter saved her money to buy.  He is finally home and adjusting well.  Abbie is in love.  I think she has brushed him twice each day he's been here.  He will not lack for attention.

I must say that this turned out to be an excellent homeschool lesson on stewardship, responsability, frugality, diligence and obedience.  Abbie has demonstrated discipline in saving for three years for this moment.  I was very proud to watch her as she handed over the money for some brushes and a halter, then to pay for the horse.  She even has some left over.  So, here is a picture of Hotshot.

Rain, Milk And A Horse

Well, here I am again, I've let a bunch of time lapse between posts on this blog.  Time slips away from me and before I know it, a week goes by.  I think I'd like time to slow down, but I know that's not going to happen.

We have been blessed with rain.  It was a good six weeks, maybe longer, since we had some measurable rain.  I had not seen things so brown around here as they have been.  The only upside to this lack of rain is that I have not had to cut the grass much.  However, the paddocks are looking pretty rough.  God has blessed us with about an inch in the last two days with more in the forecast.  I am amazed at how quickly things begin to grow again after a good rain.

After a month long battle with edema and mastitis on our milk cow, she has settled into her old routine.  We are all very glad to have some fresh milk in the refrigerator agian.  This is a huge blessing as the feed bill is going through the roof with nothing to show for it, until now.  As far as preparedness goes, it is good that this has happened to test what we know of remedies and signs of illness.  I did resort to antibiotic injections for the mastitis (which she is not prone to), but, with the knowledge gained from this experience I will more readily know the signs.  There are many natural thingswe can do to prevent this from happening again.  Mint leaves, made into a poultice or tea can be given to the cow or rubbed on her udder.  For edema, you need a good diaretic, and blackberry leaves and kelp meal are two real good choices.  I was told that raspberry tea and leaves would help, but further research indicated that raspberry is not a diaretic.  I am still working on the summer sores on her belly.  This is really a parasite that causes pussy bald spots.  I was advised that Redmond Clay (Mississippi Mud) would take care of that.  I am also spraying the area with Melaleuca oil and antibacterial soap, which helps a bunch.

To top everything off, after three years of saving her money, our oldest daughter is getting her mini horse tomorrow.  She is excited.  We wanted her to relate with, work with, and take care of a small horse before graduating to a "real" one.  I am actually hoping that we can train it to pull a load.  This could be handy for pulling firewood.  If all works well, the use of this little guy would help eleviate the burden should there be a sudden shortage of fuel.  Folks, times dictate that we think outside the box on everything.

Now, I still have a car to fix and a van that needs attention and.........

Happy Independence Day!

If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained _ we must fight!" Patrick Henry


"(T)he foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; ...the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained..." George Washington, First Inaugural, April 30 1789



"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams

"Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the world that a free man, contending for his liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth." George Washington, July 2, 1776

Indepenence Day-Continued

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and

his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more.

Independent Thinkers-Independence Day

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?




Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?

"Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin

Independence Day

By 1779, there were more Americans fighting with the British than with Washington!




There were no less than 21 regiments (estimated to total 6,500 to 8,000 men) of loyalists in the British army. Washington reported a field army of 3,468. About a third of Americans opposed the Revolution.