Precious Water!

    I don't know if any of you ever experienced the old-fashioned hand pump like my grandmother had.  I can barely remember as a child, watching from her kitchen window, as she carried an old metal bucket out to the yard and worked the pump handle until her bucket was filled.  As I got a little older she would let me try to pump, but it was difficult; each downward stroke a struggle for my young back and arms.  Then she got indoor plumbing, and the old, antique pump stood as a reminder of days gone by.      

      But as we're beginning to grasp, the tried-and-true implements of yesteryear may soon be our salvation.  I reported to you a week or so ago, about the Simple Pump, today's version of that reliable hand pump.  And I'm thrilled to tell you that we installed one this last weekend.  It was a group project; like-minded neighbors not only wanted to help, but see how it was assembled and how well it worked.  We were lucky enough to have friends who had just recently installed their own Simple Pump, so we were able to cut the learning curve in half.  I imagine that this gathering of folks resembled a similar assembly when the reverse installation occurred.  Instead of mimicking my grandparents receiving water pumped into their home by means of an electrical pump, here I was celebrating a brand new hand pump!  The irony was not lost on me!
     But it was an amazingly simple operation, and the following pictures illustrate the process:

4 " well cap with three ports. 

Drop pipes with embedded sucker rods are layed out and sorted.

Sucker Rods are tightened inside PVC before next link of pipe is attached.

Each additional link of PVC is then tightened,  until you have lowered
it far enough to reach your water level.

The stainless steel piston rod is added to the last link of PVC
and lowered into the well shaft.

The handle is assembled and attached to the piston rod.

Sweet Water!

     I must confess that we ran into a little bit of a snag at the end.  We ended up using the two extra lengths of pipe that we had reserved in case we suffered a drought and our static water level dropped, and we needed to lower the well pump.  It can be a tricky maneuver to correctly guess the depth of your well.  As we finished the entire process and attempted to pump our first splash of water ..... nothing!  The parts and assembly is so fool-proof, we knew we hadn't left out any steps.  Our only conclusion was that we still needed more pipe --- that our well was deeper than we thought.  

     So we decided to wait until the next business day and order a couple more links of pipe and sucker rods to finish our installation.  Well, my husband went out a couple of hours later and decided to try pumping again, and discovered that while the tension on the pump is much lighter than the old-fashioned heavy iron handles, you still have to apply some muscle to your stroke!  He pumped vigorously for 75 or so strokes, and felt the pressure building until about stroke 120, we had water!  The last piece of pipe has a drain hole that allows water to drain out of the pump assembly.  This prevents freezing of your pump in the winter.  It takes about 10 pumps to re-prime before the water starts flowing.

     So now to finish out our project, a new well house will be constructed; large enough to be able to stand up inside of it and have the room to extend the full length of a handle stroke.  And I have to admit that it gives me a huge satisfaction to know that, short of a dramatic God-like drought, we will always have water.  It truly is the elixir of life!

  

John 4:13-14        " Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

   

A Stitch In Time

     I owe today's post to our friend "Lisa" who is sharing the activities of her preparedness group.  Through her ingenuity, she has forged a community of people who are interested in teaching others time-honored skills.  Those willing to teach have come together with those yearning to learn, and together they are encouraging each other.  Lisa recently sent me this email, and the personal experience she has to share will surely light a few lightbulbs above some heads across the land.  Here's what Lisa had to say:


     Belle, thank you so much for bringing our little group to your reader's attention, and I'm hoping and praying that someone will take off with what we're doing and make a difference for themselves, their families, friends and neighbors. I just want to say that it takes a team effort and those that are in our group really do pull together to help make things happen. Even a very small group can make a difference.  Little by little, we move ahead!
     We've had a very busy three days here on the farm.  It's shearing time, and since last year, we have decided to save ourselves some money and do the shearing ourselves.  We ended up saving quite a bit, but it can also be a trade-off --- it takes a lot of practice and strength.  Last year I sheared two of our animals myself, but the clippers get heavy after a while.  Though they don't look like it, they are!  They are deadly dangerous, and they can practically take your finger off, so you have to be very aware of how and where they are being moved around.  We have sixteen animals at this time, having lost two through age and illness.   I had the help of my son Jason and his girlfriend, as well as my friend Myrna in getting them onto the shearing table.   My husband then did the shearing as I controlled the head of each animal.   They were extremely strong for their size and this leads me to the point of my story, and the lesson for your readers.

     We ended up having to call our vet out the first day, as my dear husband cut one of our males pretty good.   "Princeton" (yes, we name them!) jumped and the clippers went into his skin and opened up a six-inch gash.  Though it was an open skin cut, it freaked everyone out of course, except me.  It was on the flank-belly area. I worked for a couple of vets years ago and I did some help with suturing, but I couldn't remember how to do it when the question came up...."Okay, so now what?".... everyone was looking at me and saying that I should sew it up.  Oh no... that wasn't going to be!  I made it clear that the vet should be called because I told them that I truly didn't remember how, though I had all the supplies on hand to do it.  That sent a bell off in my head at that very moment!  
     I knew then that I needed to re-learn how to do it (and properly) as a skill for just such an event in the future.  We have the ability to call a vet today, and have him come and do the suturing.  But as I hung up the phone and walked back to the barn to inform everyone the vet would be there quickly, and all was well;  I knew that I could be put in that same position if something in the future happened to a person and there was no medical help available.  There were four people standing there, and none of us felt competent to take care of that wound.  That told me we had a problem!
     Well, the vet came and we got "Princeton" all taken care of and he is doing well. The doc brought out a surgical staple gun which I've seen, but never used myself until that morning. It was a super little gadget to have on hand and super easy to use.  He left me with one that was new; still in the package, if we needed it in the future.  I will be buying a few more of those dandy little devices to have stored in my emergency medical supplies to have on hand for either our own use or for our pets/livestock, if for some reason medical services aren't available. 
     And I'm taking it a step further .... I am going to go to my friend's vet clinic and have him let me stand in on a couple of surgeries --- to at least observe, and hopefully, to recall the suturing technique.  I want to know that I "can" do it, and if needed, I can step up to the plate. 
     I understand that I can handle a minor wound like "Princeton's", but any serious deep wound; that would would have to be cared for by a doctor.
     I would also suggest that folks keep Betadine solution on hand to go along with this tool. Because I have livestock, I always get the livestock medical supply catalogs and I can tell you that you can get so many items in there for a much cheaper price than you can elsewhere.   A few years ago I ordered a lot of supplies from one particular company, and the woman on the other end told me we must have a lot going on at the farm and I told her things "do happen" and I was more or less preparing for the future!   She laughed, but she didn't get it. The less they know, the better!


     So, as you can see by Lisa's letter, day-to-day tasks can reveal areas that you need to consider should the SHTF.  As you go about your day, evaluate how your life would be effected if the unexpected happened.  Do you have an extra pair of tennis shoes, a ball cap, and extra water stored in your car if you get stranded and have to walk?  Do you have extra medication stored, in case you were unable to fill next month's prescription for your thyroid or heart medicine?  Have you talked to your children, or your parents, about a plan to meet up at a safe location?  These are times that cannot be taken for granted!  Nothing is to be assumed.  Our senses need to be sharp and our minds aware of all kinds of possibilities.  But through sharing our experiences and our knowledge, we can grow and improve our state of readiness.  As Lisa found out, we can do it!  The closing sentence of her letter to me says it all:  Thanks, Belle, for letting me share my story.  It's great trying to reach people with the Spirit of our Lord leading and guiding us along our way!


FYI, you can purchase a disposable skin stapler from Amazon, for under $10.  Buy several to keep on hand.  They are a great supplement to your medical kit.


1 Peter 2:24      "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."

Recommended Product: The Simple Pump

     My greatest concern in preparing has always been the availability of water.  We all know that human beings can live several weeks without food; hunger strikes are proof of that.  And it is fairly easy to store up extra food.  But the human body can only last a few days at the most without water.   Assuming you're in reasonable shape and in ideal conditions -- that is, not in the heat or cold and not exerting, a human can probably live for about 3 to 5 days without any water. Healthier humans can live another day or so longer.  But I wouldn't depend on those outside numbers if I were you.
     That's why, for me, one of the biggest issues in a SHTF scenario has been making sure we had enough water.  Whether you are facing a man-made cataclysmic event, civil unrest or natural disaster, maintaining a reliable supply of water is essential.  Obviously, those in the city will be the most vulnerable.  Water treatment plants can be destroyed, electricity and utilities are susceptible to outages.  Those of us in the country have wells and may think we are exempt from a lack of supply.  But remember, those water pumps are run by electricity.  And if, for whatever reason, the electricity is terminated (grid down scenario), you will not have access to your water.

     But I am happy to report to you that there is a way to sleep at night and check this item off your worry list.  It's called the Simple Pump.  You can use this modernized version of your grandmother's hand pump as a backup for your submersible pump, or even use it as your primary source if you want to be totally off-grid.  You can also upgrade to a motorized or solar version if you choose.  But you never have to worry about losing access to your water again.
     Simple Pump gives you full use of all your home's plumbing; including taps and fixtures.  You can easily pump into a pressurized plumbing system; or uphill; to a gravity-feed tank; or into a pressurized irrigation system.  You can retain use of your home's plumbing system, while pumping from a 350 foot water level!  The Simple Pump is affordable, easy to install and freeze-proof.  One of the nicest benefits is the hand-motor-hand conversion option.  You can purchase a motor extension kit and motorize your hand pump, but switch back to hand-operation in a matter of minutes, if you so desire.
     Your grandmother did not have to worry about an EMP, and now with this modernized version of her hand pump, you won't have to either.  You are assured a reliable source of water, and that can be the difference between surviving an event and facing life-threatening challenges.  With a dependable source of water, you can grow food, and your odds of surviving TEOTWAWKI grow exponentially.
     So whether you are only concerned about a multiple-day power outage due to ravaging storm conditions and floods; or worried about some other event that is much worse and lasts much longer, you can solve the situation of water availability with the Simple Pump.  Visit their website, check out the product and read their section on Preparedness.  You will know if this is a solution to your water worries.

John 4:14     "But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
   

Product Recommendation: "The Puck"; A Multi-Purpose Tool Sharpener

     I decided to interview my husband, the Peace-Loving Warrior, for this post.  He was a knife-maker in a former life (both fixed blades and folders), and is really the expert on this specific product.

     "The Puck" is a compact multi-purpose tool sharpener and we both feel that it is an invaluable tool for the self-sustaining person, whether you are a man or a woman.  "The Puck" is made by Lansky, and in the interest of full disclosure, PLW wants you to know that he has generally not been impressed with Lanksy's products.  Here's what he has to say:
     "I think the Lanksy sharpening system is functional, and may fill a small void for the basic beginner, but all in all, I find Lansky products overly complicated and relatively expensive and gimmicky.  With that being said, Lanksy's newest product, called "The Puck" is outstanding for the niche it fills."
     For those of you interested in leading a completely self-sustaining lifestyle, as well as those who are weekend gardeners, "The Puck" is designed to sharpen large work blades .... hoes, shovels, axe blades, mauls, grubbing hoes, mower blades, hatchets and machetes.  They are all well-served by this simple tool.
     PLW wants to emphasize that "The Puck" is not a knife sharpener, it is a tool sharpener.  "What I like about "The Puck" is that it easily maintains the edge on your implements.  In the past, I've typically relied on a mill file or carbide pull-type sharpener for this kind of tool sharpening.  And there will be times when these two items are the best solution.  But the file and carbide sharpeners usually remove too much metal from your implement and shorten its life; especially machetes which have thin, flexible blades.  Files and carbides should be used to remove nicks and gaps, and preparing extremely dull blades for final sharpening with "The Puck".
     See why I relied on his knowledge and expertise on this topic? Instead of just passing on this information to you, I felt it was important for you to hear from someone who has had experience with the product.  And we all know that dull tools create more work and generally make your efforts more difficult.  I think we can all agree that if TEOTWAWKI hits, having your hand tools sharp and in tip-top shape will make short order of your work.
     Sharp hoes make weeding and maintenance a breeze; dull hoes only push offensive weeds deeper into the soil.  Sharp shovels, in even the most packed soil, lessens the pressure on your back and legs.  According to PLW, where "The Puck" really shines is with machetes, axes and hatchets.  "I like a sharp, but somewhat ragged edge for these tools --- much like sharp tin.  The Puck's medium grit side is perfect for those edges.  Let me explain:  The Puck has a dual grit; a coarse side for badly worn edges that need to be reshaped; and a medium grit side for finer blade work."

     As you can see from the photos below, PLW demonstrated the use of "The Puck" and he used a few drops of honing oil to make short order of his little Norlund kindling hatchet.  The honing oil serves to lift the tiny particles of metal that the stone is removing, and keeps them from clogging the stone and therefore, reducing its effectiveness. 

     "The Puck" is inexpensive (about $5-$8); compact and easy to carry in your pocket, toolbox, or backpack.  So I hope you will consider adding it to your stash of prep gear.  If the zombies breach your perimeter, a sharp machete might be the perfect answer, don't you think?  And according to PLW, "The Puck, a 10 inch mill file by Nicholson (with handle), and an AccuSharp carbide pull sharpener are the three necessary items to meet your tool needs."
     So take it from my expert and order "The Puck".  Your edges will be sharp and you'll never have another excuse for a dull blade again!

Hebrews 4:12     "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Honey: A Prepper's Godsend

     I have to admit it.  I have a sweet tooth, and one of the things that actually concerns me should chaos or crisis enter my world, is the fact that I will be craving something sweet.  Chocolate goes without saying, but sugar for the sake of sugar is not really healthy.  And that's why honey is a Prepper's godsend.
     Besides the obvious benefit of being a sweetening additive to a variety of foods, honey has so many other advantages over the white, grainy stuff.  Just consider a few of these uses:

     Antiseptic -  Interestingly enough, all honey is antibacterial, according to Peter Molan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.  "Bees add an enzyme to honey that makes hydrogen peroxide.  We still haven't managed to identify the active components.  All we know is that honey works on an extremely broad spectrum."
     I'm sure we all have ample supplies of hydrogen peroxide in our larders.  And now honey can be used for cleaning wounds and helping them to heal quickly.  When you apply honey to any open wound, the glucose, contained in the honey, is diluted and gradually releases hydrogen peroxide.  And because of its thick, syrupy consistency, honey prevents wounds from sticking to your bandages.  I've also heard that it helps with the appearance of scars.
     Immune System Booster -  A teaspoonful of honey to strengthen your immune system?  Now the skeptics will tell you that this claim cannot be "scientifically proven".  But this is the way I look at it; if God made it, then it is not bound by science's laws.  And besides, what have you got to lose?
     Treatment for Sore Throat - Who can deny the healing power of honey, mixed with the juice of a lemon, and a shot of whiskey?  I can personally vouch that this remedy has worked for many a sore throats, coughs and chest congestion.  In a TEOTWAWKI scenario, we won't be able to run to the nearest doctor's office for every throat tickle or winter cold.
     Parasite Remover - Honey, when mixed with vinegar and water, can remove worms and other parasites in your body.  What makes this combination work so well is the vinegar's acidity and the honey's therapeutic components.  If you suspect you might have worms, you will need to drink plentiful amounts of this solution regularly.  As I mentioned above, we may need to become our own physicians in the future, and these home remedies will be a valuable part of our medicine chest.
     Remedy for Burns - Once again, the hydrogen peroxide properties of honey will help clean the wound caused by a burn, and it will also soothe the inflammation.  Just apply honey to the burn, and watch the burn marks heal in a few days with less pain.  Use it as a dressing, when necessary, for maximum benefits.
     Skin Moisturizer - I don't know about you, but keeping copious amounts of my favorite moisturizer or serum on hand is not high on my larder list.  There are other things....oh, like food; and even toothpaste ranks higher in priority.  But it's nice to know that I won't have to suffer the effects of dry skin, when I have honey on hand.  You just mix 4 tablespoons of honey with a couple of egg whites and a few tablespoons of flour.  You can add more or less, depending on your desired consistency.  Just stir this mixture until it thickens, and when it's ready, you can use it as a hand and body lotion, or a moisturizing facial mask.

     These are just a few of the many uses for honey.  I'm sure you all can elaborate on its numerous benefits.  And I have one more bonus for you.  In keeping with my desire to buy long-term storage items for my larder, I have found a way to buy honey that I want to pass on.  While honey doesn't ever spoil, liquid honey is susceptible to physical and chemical changes during storage.  It can darken and lose some of its aroma and flavor.  And over time, liquid honey tends to naturally crystallize.  I'm sure you all know that a few seconds in the microwave will re-liquify your honey and you're good to go.
     But I want to introduce you to powdered honey!  I bought a few #10 cans from Augason Farms, and have been pleased with the product.  You can add it (in its powdered form) to iced tea, or reconstitute it to its liquid form by adding water and heating it.  Just pour it in a jar and store it like honey from the grocery store.  It's actually quite affordable.  (At $13.99 for a #10 can, you get 340 one-teaspoon servings.)  If you want to buy in bulk, I suggest buying a 5-gallon bucket (60 pounds) from Emergency Essentials.
     So now you are aware of all the advantages and tremendous value of God's sweet, sticky nectar.  And you also know that you don't have to sacrifice its many benefits should the world become an unfriendly place.  In Greek and Roman mythology, nectar is the drink of the gods.  I think I have to agree!

The Right Stuff for "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

     As a follow-up to Saturday's post, I thought I would share the list of items I feel my friend should have if she has to "bug out" for home, so to speak.   This was our scenario:  Some kind of cataclysmic event has occurred....such as an EMP or civil unrest .... and my friend finds herself at work, which is some 30 miles or more from her home.  She decides it is best to not wait around for the zombies to run out of food and try to take hers, so she grabs her BOB and starts walking.
     Here's what I would want to have with me if I had to trek across country, and of course, the list is subject to your discretion.  Some of the items are pricey, but this should be a one-time investment, so my philosophy is start with the best!   I've published this list before, but it can't be mentioned enough!  And you can buy these items as you can afford them --- just get started!

1.    A weapon of your choice
2.    Four Mountain House Meals  (REI)
3.    1 Titanium cup (Snow Peak 600) (Amazon)
4.    1 Titanium folding spoon (Amazon)
5.    1 Katadyn Water Bottle with filter (Amazon)
6.    1 Esbit Folding Stove (Amazon)
7.    1 Box Esbit Fuel Tabs (Amazon)
8.    1 Brunton or Silva Compass (Amazon)
9.    1 Small First Aid Kit with Bandaids and moleskin
10.  1 Petzl Tikka headlamp for night walking (Amazon)
11.  1 Whitelight for Shooting (Fenix, or Streamlight, for example)
12.  1 Firestarter (Mag Bar with Flint), like a Doans Firebar, and 1 Bic Lighter
13.  A small hank of 550 cord (Paracord)
14.  A rain pancho or 6 x8 cheap blue tarp.
15.  2 pair Smart Wool hiker socks
16.  Bug Spray with Deet
17.  Light folding knife
18.  Knipex nippers, or a Leatherman tool.  (Knipex are the best, but they are pricey).
19.  For winter, a quality wool sweater or coat (like Filson)

Denzel has the right idea in "The Book of Eli" 

     Your weapon of choice is a personal decision, but weight is the obvious issue if you are small statured.  My personal recommendation, based on that criteria, is a polymer-framed Glock 19, with a Kydex holster....lots of fire power, and no weight.  That's also why I've included titanium items versus stainless steel.  The Esbit stove heats water or your meals, and takes up no room.  The First Aid Kit is mostly to take care of your feet.  If you haven't broken in those hiking boots, now is the time!  If your feet quit....you quit.
     The Petzl headlamp is a long-burn LED with several settings.  It's a must for night walking.  But you can't rely on your headlamp if you have to defend yourself.  A Streamlight is a short-burn, gun-fighting, defense light.  Unfortunately, you will probably need both lights.
     And you need two ways to be able to start a fire.  Remember my post on "Two is One, and One is None?"  Fire-starting is one place you want redundancy! A rain poncho or tarp is to stop hypothermia if you have to bug out in a rain.  I like the pancho because you can keep moving while staying dry.
     The Smart Wool hikers are easy on the feet, prevent blisters, are cool in summer and warm in winter.  I wouldn't start a 30-mile trek without them, if I had a choice.  And the Knipex nippers are expensive, but they can get you through any fence, and they have a bolt cutter fulcrum design that allows a woman to cut heavy gauge wire with ease.  I would consider a Filson mackinaw cruiser wool jacket or sweater for warmth in the winter.  They are sturdy and warm.
     While this may seem like an extensive (and heavy) list, I think you will find that most of these items won't add any significant weight, and you'll be able to manage your pack quite easily.  With these items, you should have everything you need to make it home safely.
     Oh, there's one more thing.....if it's up to me, my BOB is always going to have some element of chocolate.  May as well have some comfort food if you're bugging out!

Psalm 23:4       "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."      

Finally! A Good, Inexpensive Red Dot Sight

     "Good" and "Inexpensive" are mutually exclusive when it comes to red dot sights.  There are cheap sights, but they tend to be of lower quality.  And good red dot sights usually cost an arm and a leg.  So most shooters cut a corner and buy what they can afford.  And boy, that can come back and bite you hard!

      So, if you haven't heard, I want to introduce you to the Bushnell TRS-25.  If you check it out, Bushnell is getting some rave reviews on the net.  My husband, the Peace-Loving Warrior, just topped off my new Sig 522 with a TRS-25, and it has been amazing on this lightweight rifle. It performed flawlessly in a recent tactical rifle class I took.  But the real test was an all-day pounding on top of his last AK build (thanks to J.H.).  Even the beating of those .30 cal bullets didn't phase the little TRS.
     It's known for holding a solid zero and taking somewhat of a beating.  And it sure got put through the mill (and believe me, PLW is hard on equipment!)  So, at an average price of $100 (a bit cheaper on the net), the TRS is a good solution for a great price.  Here are some of the specs that make it worthy of your consideration:

1)   a 3MOA dot (size of the dot you're looking at in the sight)
2)   3000+ hour battery life with one 2032 battery (a little, flat watch battery)
3)   Waterproof and fogproof up to 10 feet
4)   Two-year warranty
5)   11 position rheostat control with O-ring
6)   Rubber lens covers
7)   Mounts on a standard picatinny rail
8)   Unlimited eye relief
9)   Great for shooting with either both eyes open, or just one

     For us women, the red dot sight means faster target acquisition and a generally simplified shooting format.  It's as easy as ..... Put the dot on the target; Press the trigger: Reset the sear (also known as catching the link); and Move to the next target.
     And my experience has shown that night shooting with my 522 was no problem.  Targets from 35 yards to 75 yards were easy hits.  (It may have taken a littler longer for my .22 to reach the target than a .30 cal, but the consistent "plinking sound" was evidence that I had hit my mark!)  And I give full credit for my accuracy to the TRS-25.
     In summation, there are better red dots if you want to spend more money.  And I'm pretty sure if you are a Navy Seal in the Sand Box, this probably isn't the sight for that tac op mission.  But if you're looking for a great red dot sight for your pistol, rifle or shotgun, you can't go wrong with the TRS-25.  Check it out and I think you'll be impressed.

Psalm 19:14    "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
 

"Mouse" Guns

   
Remember the old cartoon, Tom and Jerry? Tom, the cat, was always in hot pursuit of his mouse nemesis, Jerry.  As Tom closed in, the cartoon mouse would reach into his cartoon pocket and pull an oversize cartoon gun.  This quickly became a game-changer for our friend, Tom.
     Well, a giant mouse gun like that would be awesome, but that's not the real world.  "Mouse gun" is a slang term, fashioned by Gun Culture 1.0 for a derringer-style gun, also known as a pocket gun.  To confuse you even more, all pocket guns aren't "mouse guns", and all derringers aren't "mouse guns".
     I consider "mouse guns" to fall into the size range of a derringer or pocket gun, and the caliber is usually .22, .22mag, .25ACP and .32ACP.  But most quality "mouse guns" (i.e, North American Arms) are .22 or .22mag.

     My husband and I both own mouse guns.  As I said, North American Arms makes a high quality line of single action, 5-shot derringers that we carry when it's not practical to carry our Glock 9mm carry weapons.  I'm almost always able to fit a mouse gun in my purse, and my husband always has his in a front pants pocket.
     But you need to realize that mouse guns are almost always a compromise.  Their short sight radius, small grip, single action, and deep (or inconvenient) carry properties mean that a mouse gun probably isn't your best option, or first option.  But they are one of the most concealable fall-back options available.  But there are other options out there.
     Ruger's LCP and S&W Bodyguard have moved to fill pocket carry niches that the mouse guns (derringers) used to have sole claim on.  And all things being equal, the LCP and Bodyguard in .380 are the better choice, in the knock-down category.  But the mouse gun is much smaller and more concealable than either of these other choices.
     If you choose to carry a mouse gun, for whatever reason, several rules apply.  The first and foremost is Practice, Practice, Practice!  It may sound redundant, but mouse guns require lots of practice --- practice, shooting; practice drawing; and practice reloading.  Having to reload a mouse gun during a fight is not a good idea, so consider your 5 friends in the cylinders the entire party.

     Holding on to the gun requires a modified grip, so practice shooting the gun often in order to compensate for only 2 or 3 fingers on the grip.  And finally, the most important aspect of mouse guns is a term Michael Bane uses often.... "Go to the gun early."
     If you're bringing a mouse gun to the fight, consider yourself already behind the curve.  Gunfights with mouse guns are dangerous business.  To increase your odds with your tiny friend, you must "Go to the gun early!"
     Pocket draws are slow so, if trouble presents itself, discreetly move to the gun and get your grip.  (Did I mention "Go to the gun early?")  Some pockets are tighter than others and require even more time for an effective draw.
     Don't get me wrong --- mouse guns have their place, but they are a compromise from the beginning, so keep the limitations in mind.  But there are times when that little mouse in your pocket might just be your best friend around.

2 Timothy 4:7     "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  

Natural Produce for Self Sustainability

     I want to tell you about a great little product that is not only affordable, but a must-have for your larder.    Gardens are coming back into vogue as people all over the world are realizing the benefits of growing and eating natural, or organic, foods.  Not only is it more nutritional for you, but we are all seeing rising inflation affecting the prices at our local grocery stores.
     One more factor to consider is the advent of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).  "Mad" Scientists have engineered new species of food crops by forcing genes from one species, such as bacteria, viruses, animals, or humans, into the DNA of animals or a food crop to introduce a new trait.  Everything from the beef we eat, to the milk we drink, and the vegetables in our supermarkets are fair game for GMO modification.  Do any of you think that sounds safe?  For me, I'd rather grow non-hybrid vegetables that came from seeds with the traits that God gave them.

   That is where mypatriotsupply.com comes in.  They are a premium survival seed supplier that is located in the United States.  They have a passion for self-reliance and freedom, and offer a product that is just too good to pass up.
     For $37.95, you can purchase their Survival Seed Vault, which contains only the highest quality heirloom vegetable survival seeds.  They are 100% non-GMO, open-pollinated and arrive in an airtight metal canister with specially sealed packets for long term storage (+5 years).   You get 20 Jumbo sized seed packets of vegetables such as bush beans, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, squash, shell peas, cantaloupe, watermelon, corn, tomatoes and more.  The Seed Vault contains pre-selected varieties that are zone-friendly to most growing regions.  And planting instructions and a seed harvesting guide are included.  I think that is the most exciting aspect for me ---- I can save the seeds from my harvest to plant the following year!  Not exactly an option when you purchase your vegetables from the grocery store!

     Another plus for me is the fact that this company has signed the Safe Seed Pledge, which is a program that was founded by the Council for Responsible Genetics.  They offer a 100% No GMO Guarantee!
     Take the time to visit their website.  You will find an extensive variety of fruit and vegetable seeds, along with medicinal herbs, etc.  Everything is reasonably priced.  But if you're new to gardening and sustainable gardening, the Survival Seed Vault is perfect for you.  It gives you the opportunity to start small and grow from there.  It's time to start thinking for ourselves and do what is best for our families.  This is a good place to begin.

Psalm 104:14     "He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth:"

Use It Or Lose It

     My husband, the Peace-Loving Warrior, is an artist.  After just a week or so off from disciplined work in his studio, he notices an immediate decline in his drawing ability.  The motor skills involved with drawing and painting require that they be repeated often; that you pay constant attention to retaining them.
     The same holds true with your shooting skills.  So, listed below are five ways to increase your competence and performance with your pistol.  And let me make it clear, that your first priority is to get REAL training from professionals.  All of these methods below should be reinforced by your instructors.
1.  Learn to draw your gun properly from a trainer.  Then it's your responsibility to practice your draw repeatedly.....Master Grip; Lift and Clear; Roll and Lock; Punch Out.  Do it until it is an unconscious process.  Create muscle memory.

2.  Dry fire in your home.  Of course, before you begin this drill, it is imperative that you do a chamber check, both visually and with your finger.  Have no ammo in the room and maintain your "safe direction" rules. This dry fire drill allows you to practice your trigger press, maintain a sight picture until the trigger breaks, and then follow through.  After the shot, work on catching the link (or resetting the trigger).
3.  Have good gear.  Good holsters, mag pouches and belts only improve your shooting.  Fighting a nylon holster that doesn't support the weapon only leads to frustration.  A Blade Tech Revolution holster costs $30 and solves this problem for a reasonable cost.
4.  Consider buying a shot timer.  A shot timer measures your speed from your draw to the time the shot is fired, as well as additional shots.  A shot timer gives you a frame of reference and a goal to shoot for.  It will be the best money you spend (after your initial training) to improve your speed and accuracy.  No other training tool illustrates the speed vs. accuracy issue, and it helps you find your "sweet spot" between the two.  I would recommend the Pocket Pro 2 from Midway USA.

5.  Go to pistol-training.com.  Select a drill for that week's training regimen.  These drills are fun and tend to work on specifics.  Some work on speed; some on strong hand-only; others are two-hand precision drills.  Some of my favorites are the Bill drill and the Press Six drill.  If the drill requires a special target, like the Press Six drill, then pistol-training.com provides a PDF file of the target you can print out.  Many others require only 3x5 cards or standard IDPA targets.
     If you will follow these simple methods, they will allow you to increase your training, speed and skill without breaking the ammo bank.  I constantly see plinkers who equate training to total rounds spent at the shooting range.  "750 rounds in an hour must mean I did some serious training."  Wrong!  You just wasted 750 rounds of ammo and learned nothing.  Here is a much better use of your time and money:  fifty rounds fired in a two-shot sequence with a polished, safe and proper draw, in under two seconds.  That's what I'm talking about!
     So cutting to the chase, here's what I'm trying to say .... when you start down this path of training how to properly implement your pistol, it's just as important to practice what you've learned.  Practice with a goal in mind; repetition increases competence, and competence keeps you safe.  It may be said too often, but in this case it's true --- Use it or lose it!

2 Corinthians 3:5     "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."        

 

Product Recommendation: The Bulletproof Mind

     Last week a close friend lent us an audio series by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (Ret.).  Lt. Col. Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier and speaker who is one of the world's foremost experts in the field of human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime.
     Grossman is an Airborne Ranger infantry officer, and a prior-service sergeant and paratrooper, with a total of over 23 years experience in leading U.S. soldiers worldwide.  He retired from the Army in 1998 and has devoted himself to teaching, writing, speaking and research.  Today he is the director of the Killology Research Group, and in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he is on the road almost 300 days a year, training elite military and law enforcement organizations worldwide about the reality of combat.
     I tell you all this because as a private citizen who has accepted the responsibility of carrying a Concealed Carry Weapon, our reaction, if we are ever involved in a shooting, will be much like the reaction of a soldier in combat.  So we have much to learn from Lt. Col. Grossman and his research.

     I highly recommend his audio series, called The Bulleproof Mind.  In this series, you'll learn how the body responds to lethal combat; what happens to your blood flow, your muscles, your judgment, memory, vision and hearing when someone is trying to kill you.  It is the most comprehensive study and presentation on how to adopt the Warrior Mindset and save your lives and the lives of others when faced with a situation and an active shooter.  The series contains the following topics:  The Hidden Truth About Lethal Combat; How the Body Responds to Combat (parts 1 and 2); The Bulletproof Mind; Terrorism and School Violence; Who is Teaching our Kids to Kill.
     Grossman is an effective speaker with an engaging teaching style.  His CDs are full of case studies that emphasize the tenets he is promoting, while giving you a site picture you can easily understand and sympathize with.  We need to know how our minds and bodies react when faced with violence, so that through training we can eliminate the holes in our defense and more effectively stop a lethal attack.
     Here's an example of one of his scenarios:  "As the firefighter knows fire, so you must know violence," Grossman warned.  How does that pertain to shooting victims?  Grossman posed the question of how many kids have been killed by school fires in the past 25 years in all of North American.  The answer?  ZERO!  He then noted that in 1998 alone, school violence had resulted in 35 dead; 250,000 injured.  And lest you think 1998 was an anomaly, Grossman noted 48 died from school violence in 2004, and 32 died at the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007--- that was in only one incident!
     Our society has taken measures in regards to fire by setting up multiple redundant, overlapping layers of protection.  No one calls extravagant fire prevention efforts into question, but when it comes to preventing violence in schools, no such preventative measures are discussed.  If fire exits and fire drills are a part of our educational training, why aren't we instituting two exits, a securable door, and drills to stop violent offenders in our schools?  The big reason, according to Grossman:  DENIAL!
     Anti-gun legislators want to take away the guns, but refuse to regulate violent video games.  Citing research he has conducted himself, Grossman advised that the "the average kid has practiced over 1,000,000 kills in a simulator", i.e., video games, which these days are "total virtual reality simulators."  Our kids are simulating robberies, kills and thefts for hundreds of hours on end.
     It is in this vain, we must inoculate ourselves; expose ourselves to the "disease" in a controlled manner.  Firefighters face fire to train; we must face stress and fear.  We've got to train our hearts and minds to be ready!
     This is just the tip of the iceberg in valuable instruction from Lt. Col. Grossman.  His training goals can be summarized in the following way:  his objective is to help you be better able to deter violence, less likely to panic, and more likely to live.  You can purchase the Audio CD for $60, and it will be money well-spent.  I know we will listening to our set over and over.  

Psalm 55:9      "Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city."

Making Natural Glycerin Soap

     I had the most amazing experience this last weekend.  My husband and a friend of ours attended a soap-making class.  I wasn't sure what I would encounter, but it far exceeded my expectations.  It was a more complicated process than I thought, but the results were absolutely heavenly.  We made basic glycerin soap, but were given lots of ideas on how to make artisan soaps.  The following steps will serve to give you an idea of what is involved in the task.  I'm not going to give you step-by-step instructions, but an overall impression of the process.  We made soap using both the hot, cooked soap-making process, and the cold process.  The following photos represent the hot method.

*It is best to premeasure all your ingredients before you start the process.  You will be wearing goggles, masks and safety gloves while handling the lye, and it will make all your steps much easier to accomplish. 

     We started with beef fat, which is preferred over other kinds of fat because it yields firm, solid bars.  You can obviously get this fat from your own cows if you butcher them, or contact a local butcher or meat market to purchase it.  You chop up the fat, slicing off any remaining meat, and dump it in your pot.

     You cook the beef fat over a medium fire until the "cracklings" turn a golden brown.  What you're after is the beautiful liquid which is your tallow.

     The cracklings are strained through cheesecloth into a stainless steel container.  You can begin making soap right away, or store the fresh tallow for future use.

     This is the step that can be a little scary.  As I'm sure you know, lye is a very caustic substance and can burn if spilled on your skin.  It is imperative that you wear your safety gear when working with it;  that's goggles, respirator mask, and rubber gloves.  You gently pour the pre-measured lye into distilled water and stir until the cloudy water becomes clear and the lye has dissolved.

     The next step involves slowly adding the beef tallow to the lye water, being careful not to splash any of the lye water.  Pre-measured amounts of olive oil and melted coconut oil are added in the same way.

     You place your uncovered soap pot over low to medium heat and slowly simmer the mixture, keeping your mask, goggles and gloves on.  You don't want to breath any of the fumes or splash any of the liquid on your skin.  The soap mixture will cook on the stove as you continue to stir, going through 6 distinct stages of "saponification".  This is the chemical bond that occurs when the acidic fats and oils react with the highly alkaline lye and form new molecules, which we call soap.  These six stages are Curdling; White and Foamy; Thick and Creamy; Sheeting (thin sheets of liquid slide off the spoon and hang suspended in the cooler air); Tracing (when a spoonful of soap is trickled over the top of the mixture, and briefly sits on top before it disappears back into the mass); Complete Saponification (thin, hairlike strands form along the bottom edge of the thick soap as it sheets off the spoon.)  Remove from heat and allow to cool for 3 to 5 minutes.  It is at this time you can add essential oils, should you desire. In our class, we added Spearmint to one-half of our batch, and Almond Citrus to the remaining half. 

        Your soap is now ready to pour into your mold.  It takes about 24 hours for the soap to become firm enough to remove from the mold.  This particular mold was custom-made for the class, and the sides just unscrewed and could be separated from the soap (they used a simple plastic garbage bag to line the mold, which allowed the soap to disengage from the mold easily). 

     24 hours later, you can cut your soap into bars, and set aside to dry.  This is a batch of soap that had been pre-made, so we could see the method for cutting it. 

     This is the actual soap that my husband and I made in the class.  I can't describe the aroma of the Spearmint and the Almond Citrus as they dry in our kitchen.  These bars are still "rough around the edges", so to speak.

     Probably the most amazing fact that I learned was this:  It takes 1 day to make the soap, another day for it to become firm enough to cut into bars, and 6 weeks for the process to be completed!  It takes 4 weeks for the bars to cure and the moisture to evaporate from the bars.  Prepare for some shrinkage!  At that time, you can carve the bars, shape the edges and polish them.  They must then sit for another 2 weeks to cure.  At the end of the 6 weeks, the bars are totally neutralized and will have evaporated out most of their excess water content, and they will be ready to use or package. 

     I can't tell you what a satisfying experience it was to make something so beautiful, and so useful!  And we used some of the small shavings when the bars were cut, and washed our hands----I can tell you that no commercial bar ever felt so soft and silky on my skin!  As our instructor said, "Once you make and use natural soaps, you'll never want to buy another store-bought bar."  Amen to that!

Job 17:9     "Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger."    

  

     

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket

     Yesterday, I observed a conversation among a group of Preppers; one person was focused on food storage, another one on communications in a grid-down situation, and still another on firearms and self-protection.  But one voice stood out and offered a scenario that rarely gets mentioned  .....  is it wise to keep all of your stored items in one location?
     Simply put, say that one of the recent tornado victims in the South was a Prepper; they had ample supplies of stored food, camping supplies, fuel and firearms/ammo.  If their stored items were all located at their house, which was wiped off its foundation, then they lost all that they had prepared, for just such an event.  BUT if they had planned ahead and stored a portion, or even half of their supplies offsite, then they still had something to start over with.  At the very least, they would most likely have food, clothing, shelter (tent), a means to hunt, and a way to cook food (camp stove).
     One of the ways you could decrease your liability would be to store part of your larder at a relative's house, or rent a storage unit for a nominal monthly fee.  Then you have lessened your chances of a total loss; it is unlikely that both locations would be completely destroyed.  Of course distance is a primary factor.  You need to make sure your second location is within an easy traveling range.  It wouldn't make sense to store part of your larder so far away that you can't get to it, should the crisis be one where transportation is limited.

     Another possible solution is an underground storm shelter.  Personally, this is on my "wish list".  These small concrete or fiberglass "bunkers" can be purchased and act as a modern day root cellar for storing food, and double as a storm shelter during tornado and hurricane season.  They are not cheap, but offer you the ability to keep your stored items close at hand.  This might not make sense for people who live on small lots in the city, but if you have any kind of acreage, they are something to consider.
     If you live in the city, I might recommend 55-gallon barrels, tightly sealed and insulated.  You will need to check your water table, etc., as spelled out in this thread from a survivalist forum.  I am not an expert on this method, so please do your own research.  But this is really just a variation of the old-fashioned root cellar that our grandparents used, so it makes sense that it could serve as a secondary location for storage.
     And one more thing to consider:  should there be any kind of crisis, whether it be weather-related or due to civil unrest, you would not want to publicize your second location.  Looting and crime are unfortunate by-products of such events, and if you want to secure your prep items for yourself, or family and friends, then keep the fact that it exists to yourself.  You will stand a better chance of having the supplies you need, when you need them.

Isaiah 25:4     "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall."

Traditional Products That Still Serve Us Well

     About 5 hours drive north of my country refuge, lies a small Mennonite village that I've written about before.  The time-honored and traditional ways of this hard-working group appeal to my love of history, simple living and faith-based community.  I've been fortunate to attend a bread-baking class there, and this next weekend, my husband will accompany me to a soap-making class.  After experiencing their luxurious soaps at an annual craft fair, we decided we'd like to try making soap not only for ourselves, but as a possible small business.  Who wouldn't want a delicious smelling bar of soap if the SHTF?

     But I'll tell you all about that new endeavor in a post next week.  Today I want to share another resource that's available to you online from Homestead Heritage.  The General Store website will give you access to some of the highest quality "sustainable living" tools and supplies that you can find anywhere.  So I'm going to touch on just a few of my favorites that are available, as well as some things to consider.

1.    On my "To Purchase" list is a small field hoe by Rogue.  These hoes are carbon steel, made in the USA (always a plus!) and come with an Ash handle that is 60" long.  I'm going to purchase the smaller head (6' x 4"), which will be perfect for working in the garden.  The larger field hoe has a head that is 6.5" x 7" for those bigger projects.

2.  Also consider Homestead Heritage for your lantern needs.  I have purchased four Dietz lanterns from them and all were below other internet prices.  Consider at least two Dietz #76 lanterns.  These little power houses will run for 11 hours on very minimal fuel.  Also consider adding at least one Dietz #20 lantern to your supply list.  The #20 has a bit larger tank and will burn for 30 hours.  Both lanterns put out about 8 candlepower.  You don't want to be caught without one; they're a "must have" for emergency use in case of a power failure.

3.   Homestead carries three of the best grain mills available.  As I've posted before, I own the Grainmaker (which is still the one I would recommend), but Homestead also carries the Country Living Mill and the Victoria Mill.  I had the luxury of being able to visit the General Store, where they have all three mills set up for customer use, so you can make an informed decision.  The Victoria is the least expensive of the three, but the quality doesn't approach the Grainmaker or Country Living mills.  This may not be a place to cut corners if TEOTWAWKI happens.

4.   Another item on my "To Purchase" list is an All American brand pressure canner.  I bought my first steam canner last year and had good success canning spaghetti sauce, but I think I'm ready to move to the Big Leagues and try pressure canning.  (I just wish I had paid more attention to my mom and my grandmother when they pressure canned).  Homestead has a 30 quart, 21.5 quart and 15.5 quart canners.  From my research, it appears that All American canners have a good reputation and are top quality.

5.   Perhaps my favorite product is the NorPro sausage and meat grinder.  Nor Pro is the kind of grinder your grandparents used, and is in fact one that we inherited from my husband's grandfather.  He has used it for many years to make venison sausage and he really likes the quality of the heavy cast iron.  It comes with stuffing funnels, to make sausage, and extra cutter blades.  But it's the price of $48.70 that seals the deal!  And it will serve you well in a grid-down world.
     So these are five items to consider adding to your larder of supplies and appliances.  You don't have to purchase them all at once, but make them a priority.   And don't forget to surf the Homestead General Store site.  Click on "All Products" and you'll see a complete list of handy items that will help you maintain and preserve a sustainable lifestyle.  Have fun shopping!

Psalm 119:111     "Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart."

Got Milk?

     Deciding to store food items for the long-term is a real commitment.  For us, space was a prime consideration, along with determining exactly what we pictured ourselves consuming if we were faced with a weather-related emergency, skyrocketing hyper-inflated food prices, or a SHTF scenario.
     We discovered that milk was high on that list.  And since we are skim milk drinkers in our household, nonfat dry powdered milk was an obvious choice.  But it quickly became apparent that the usual powdered milk brands were good for a limited time period and were subject to becoming rancid.
     Then we were introduced to Family Home Storage, an affiliate of LDS (Latter Day Saints).  We are able to buy a 25-pound bag of Nonfat Dry Milk for $47.00 and a few pennies.  That bag translates into six #10 cans of milk with a storage life of 20 years.  We figured the cost at a little over 16 cents per gallon!  Compare that to the price at your favorite grocery store chain!
     And a rough estimate of how many gallons per #10 can?  I would guess approximately 16-18 gallons of milk can be made from one #10 can.  That means one 25-pound bag of nonfat dry milk could yield 6 cans, or in the neighborhood of 100 gallons of milk!  
     And what's even better, it passed the taste test for my very picky husband.  In fact, he likes the rich taste better than store-bought skim milk.  And at 16 cents/gallon, there is a lot of milk-drinking going on at our house!
     We experienced a few false starts at properly mixing the milk..... simple hand-stirring didn't break up the clumps of powder at the bottom of the pitcher, and since my blender is stored at the back of my lower kitchen cabinet, it was cumbersome to haul it out every time we needed a new container of milk.  Then I found the perfect utensil.... a hand-held blender.  Here's our 3-step preparation for perfect milk:

1 cup of Milk Powder per gallon container 

  

Fill up gallon container with milk and powder, then mix with hand-held blender. 

We then transfer mixed milk to glass container and refrigerate immediately.

   
 Milk is an important food item for your pantry, and this fortified milk product (Vitamins A and D are added) is perfect for long-term storage.  You can't beat it for the taste, the convenience, and the cost.  And I think we all agree that "man doesn't live by bread alone"..... and a cold glass of milk is just as necessary!

1 Peter 2:2      "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."