The South

I have been doing a lot of reading lately, along with some research.  I have felt this way for about 12 years now, but they are confirmed even stronger and my resolution deepened and bolstered.  The South was right.

Better Late Than Never

 Here are a few pictures of the snowman we built about a month ago.  The snow is long gone now, and I am glad.  We are all ready for spring.

Every snowman has arms, right?

Buying Gold? Sign Away Your Life

If you want to make a gold purchase over $100, you might have to give up all sorts of personal information.  Including date of birth, S.S. number, driver's license Number, etc..  There is a bill out there, folks, that would require just that.  Now you can be thought of as a terrorist if you want to invest in gold.  Use the link to read more.

Bill To Restrict Magazine Capacity Moves Forward

Here we have more delusional politicians seeking magazine capacity resrtictions led by (shock) a New Yorker.  The things that are being said by Carolyn McCarthy are evidence how out of touch these people really are.  "We can stop the carnage", she says.  She goes on to say that the availability of high capacity magazines are "a threat to public safety".  C'mon people, do you really think that magazine capacity really has anything to do with public safety?  These uneducated buffoons know nothing about guns, never even touched one, think they go off by themselves and that if they control guns, the world will be much safer.  I tell you, I get sick to my stomach when I think of people who "take up a cause" to make themselves feel important.  Maybe we should outlaw baseball bats, or knives.  How about ice?  We should outlaw ice because a man in my county slipped on some after a storm, cracked his skull and died.  Ice is a threat to public safety.  Don't these people have anything better to do?  Maybe we need to find these politicians a hobby.  They need to focus on something other than their panzy fantasy world.

There IS Beauty To Be Found In Winter

 These were taken about three weeks ago, after a bit of ice and snow.

Sunset.

 Sunset-different angle.

I had to haul some water to the cattle, tried the lawnmower, towing a sled with buckets of water and it worked.  I didn't think I would get anywhere in the snow.  The kids got a ride as well.

Federal Hoop Houses

First of all, I think high tunnels, or hoop houses are cool.  They are a cost effective way for small time folks to extend their growing season.  But, should the government be spending money on this?  What really bugs me is the descrimination.  For poor farmers, the government will pick up half the tab to build a hoop house.  If you are a minority, you get 80-100%.  How about we just don't use tax money for this.  What is your opinion?

Para Cord For Survival

I just found this site that is both informative and insightful.  I'm kinda thinkin' that everybody needs some of this stuff.

Is The ATF Necessary?

I would say that the ATF is another example of goverment waste.  According to the linked article, FFL dealers in the USA have dropped by 80%, due to the overly aggressive ATF.  They have even gone so far as to "create" illegal activity to the point that one gentleman is serving a three year sentence be cause his AR-15 malfunctioned, firing three rounds in rapid action.  His rifle was labled a machine gun, thus illegal.  Click on ATF, above, to read more.

Milk Comes From The Grocery Store, Right?

I remember watching Jay Leno a long time ago, asking stupid questions out on the streets of New York.  This particular time they asked people where milk comes from.  The vast majority of everyday people questioned said the same thing-the grocery store.  It might be said that is the case for many Americans.  You and I know that milk comes from cows on a farm-somewhere.  But what is more interesting, is that more and more people are beginning to see that as they pursue a healthier diet and lifestyle.  It is no longer enough to buy their milk from the store, they want to know the farmer that produced it.  What's more is that they are now seeing the benefits of raw milk.  It is becoming apparent in the eyes of many Americans that the "real deal", strait from the cow is heathier.  There are all kinds of  key enzymes and fat in raw milk that your body needs and folks want that.  The demand is rising, if your goal is to be self sufficient, get a cow.  If you want to make a bit of extra money from your homestead, get a cow. 

The Best Winter Boots

What the forecasters were saying for yesterday was 1-3 inches of snow.  We got up this morning to see 5-6 inches on the ground, I'd say they were a bit off.  What is a good thing is that I own a pair of the best snow boots in the world, in my opinion.  I bought my pair of Sorel's about 15 years ago, I paid about $75 for them, if my memeory serves me right.  They have lasted all this time with no damage to them to speak of, I haven't even bought new liners for them, although I probably should.  My feet stay warm in the wool blend liners that are rated for -30 degrees, for my particular pair.  Sorel makes them for much colder temps, it depends on where you live and what you're going to use them for.  Like I said, $75 for 15 years is a great investment.  Of course, that is a price 15 years old, they are probably higher than that now.  If oyu want a great pair of winter snow boots, go with Sorel, you won't be sorry.  I know that I am very happy with mine and my wife loves hers.  My wife's pair is even older than mine.

Do You Keep A Well Stocked Pantry?

We just went through another ice storm.  This one was not as severe, in our area, as the one we had two years ago, but it caused a major panic in the days leading up to it, none the less.  As a produce manager, I see the wild eyed customers, litterally freak out.  I witness them just grab anyhting that is edible and throw it into their cart, worrying about the cost later.  I am thankful that we keep a well stocked pantry in our home and that we have solar power and we use our heads when it comes to these things.  I do believe that most people do not keep a pantry as I see the same people in the store, day after day (small town).  A pantry used to be common and a given in any home, I don't think that is the case any longer.  Maybe folks just don't know what to do, well I found a good place to start for tips on keeping a well stocked pantry.  Use the link, it is a quick read.  I will, probably, re-visit this topic in the near future in more detail.  Do you know anyone that could use some advice in this matter?

Bloomberg Overstepped His Bounds

New York Mayor Bloomberg authorized a sting opperation at an Arizona gun show?  Read more...

Meat Grown In A Vat?

OK, there is just something about cultured meat that turns my stomach.  Yes, I said cultured meat.  Meat grown in a vat even down to the texture-eeew!  Again, mankind messing with God's stuff equals bad news, in my humble opinion.  I don't know if this technology has any survival implications, but I think I prefer raising my own.  Read the linked article.

We survived the pseudo-ice storm.  It didn't turn out as bad as they had predicted, yet the REALLY cold temps are troublesome.  I am concerned for the animals, they all have a nice coat of ice on them and must be freezing.  The wind is blowing hard driving windchills to sub-zero.  After tomorrow we get anoth little warmup.  We are praying the animals fair well.