Father's day gift review.

       My kids took fathers day a little over board this year. I now it was because I have been sick, so I didn't say anything like I normally would. Over the last 6 months I have not been prepping or even reading the usual web sites. It was like WHY I mite not make it. In the last few weeks I seem to have come out of my funk, depression. IT IS ABOUT TIME. Now I see my attitude was at bottom for to long.

    Ok for fathers day the kids got me camping/prepping gifts. One is a collapsible fishing pole . It is a foot long extends to 6 ft  and comes with a reel and accessories in a bag. The pole is a medium light duty combo perfect for blue gill or any up to a few pounds. A big bass or catfish would be no fun with this combo. I had been thinking about starting fishing again while camping but hadn't even mentioned it to anyone so I was pleasantly surprised.

    I also got 2 sets of these rechargeable batteries. I think the kids knew they had lost more than a few. EBL rechargeable combo 

They also got me a Yeti cup knockoff  and I tested it, half a cup of ice lasted 24 hours I was impressed.

    My wife got me a set of 4 LED lantern's that are awesome . awesome lanterns . The amazon page says they will light for 10 hours at full charge . I tested one last nite and after 6 hours I couldn't tell if it was any dimmer than one just turned on. Now after 10 hours it was still putting out 75% . Each lantern puts out 200 lumens = to a 25 watt bulb. They have a diffuser that softens the light. I love that these are solar rechargeable or wall plug . It has one feature not listed and that's a USB charging port that my phone mp3 or tablet could get a small charge from.

Today at Sam's Club i saw a like minded soul.

      Wednesdays is my running around day. Normally I leave about 830 am to do our shopping. My wife hates shopping with me because I run the stores at marathon speed. Today I left at 1030 because she had the 2 yo grandson.
     I hate shopping and try to limit it to 1 trip a week. it goes.
Sams Club
Wal Mart
Aldi
Grocery store/Butcher

     This week I needed a decent amount of stuff at Aldi's but had to hit Sam's for a few items for the BBQ and some more Hashbrowns and check flour and rice prices.

 As I went flying down the dry good isle there was a man with a buggy with  3 50lb bags of rice and 2 of flour . I slowed because he had picked up 2 25lb of pinto's and was debating on a 3rd.  Now I didn't know the man at all  BUT he had on a camo T shirt a Gadsden flag ball cap and an air about him.  When I passed him I said " 2 25s and a 10 fill 2 buckets ". He looked up as I kept going his look went from confused to a huge grin . Nothing else was said he grabbed the 10lb bag as I  rounded the corner still grinning.

 

    I finished up what I had to do and as I loaded the car I took a quick scan of the parking lot. Off on the side was a 90s dark green Ford Truck with slightly over sized Mud tires . If I had waited I bet its driver wore camo and a Gadsden hat.

    If you want to remain under the radar when buying prepp's blend in and don't drive your bug out truck.

P.S. starting the 26 th Peanut butter at Sam's will be 2.25 off. Rice beans, flour have dropped again.

I found a H&R 12ga. Back ground check delay?

       Today I went into a pawn shop and found a nice used H&R single shot 12ga . It is  Topper model and was 100$, a bit high but seems to be the norm around here. The first firearm I ever bought was a 20ga H&R Topper. I still have it. I was 13 or 14 and gave another kid 20$ (his father knew) for it . I have looked at a few others, 2 had broke firing pin springs. My 20ga  has a broke firing pin spring must be common. I just ordered me a new firing pin and 2 spring's from Brownnell it was 15$ or so.

   I tried to get the pawn shop down to 80$ he wouldn't budge . So I filled out the form because I don't have a CCP. I carry but have never asked permission . I GOT FLAGED/DELAY so I didn't get it.  In the morning my son said he will go get it for me he has a carry permit and no form is required for a long arms purchase .

  

    Being delayed got me thinking I have zero registered guns this was the first time I have ever filled out these forms. Lucky it was delayed my streak holds :).

      Squeezing a 100$ out of the budget has been a bit of a stretch but I had it stuck back from selling some items. Next will be getting the Short Lane inserts . First will be The stack and pack then a 38 cal. and 9mm adaptor's.

If you plan on a container Now may be the time.

    The shipping company Hanjin has filed for bankruptcy and sent the shipping world into a panic over non-payment.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/even-businesses-that-dont-rely-on-hanjin-could-be-caught-in-cargo-crisis/ar-AAiI11c?ocid=spartanntp

   Now if they can't pay to off load I don't think they will be paying for empty's to be returned to port.  I believe these ships will be off loaded at customer's expense . But how may empty's will be scattered nation wide and abandoned? If you have dreamed of a container but its price has been out of reach the price may be dropping.

  

   Container's are versatile in use from a tiny home ,hunting shelter, a buried bunker or just storage. It may be time to check price and availability shortly.

A free kindle book on prepping . As seen by a syrian aid worker.

  This book is free  7/23/16     https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IW3JLJ2/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3M9E43J6VP06R&coliid=I15HK3RACVVYRA#nav-subnav

  It is a  quick read and gives some good points to think on. It will make you think about "bugging in " vs "bugging out" and the how and with what. It gives a different perspective.

Read this before you go to the grocery store.

    Ok we are a rich country and shortages of food haven't happened in the United States since WWII . Then it was only a few items that were short as the military had priority. We as a nation are spoiled and think it will never change.

    Venezuela Is an oil rich nation surpassing even Saudi Arabia in oil reserves . Due to low crude prices , bad policy decisions and corruption Its citizen's are suffering severe shortages of Basic food

 items. This has been going on for over a year now it is to the point the POOR are starving because they cannot find or afford what is available. this article is wrote from a upper middle class perspective.
http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-venezuela-diary/

   Now make a grocery list and go shopping don't worry about this our government would never let this happen, or would they? This isn't  an Apocalypse novel it is a former top 10 economic nation.

    This is US if the world loses faith in the dollar. This is US if terrorist take down the grid . This is US if ____________, any hundred different things were to happen.

 

   Prepping is no longer  just about your parents fear of Nuclear War.

Got a dehydrator today.

       The other day I posted that Aldi's had a dehydrator starting today for 19.99 . It is one of their weekly special buy's and some time's they get gone quick. I had to go to Lowe's for a door and wood for my daughters place and Aldi's is across the street so I swung in and got the dehydrator.

   I got back home at noon and it was to hot to go hang the door . So I unpacked the dehydrator sliced up some potatoes, blanched them and loaded it up.  They have been on 11 hours now and when I get up in the morning they will be done. Next after potatoes will be onions and peppers. I plan on 2- 5 gallon buckets of potatoes and 5 gallons of onions and peppers in 1 gallon bags separated.

   This unit is not a top of the line but for 19.99 it looks like it should give several years service. It is a lot bigger than I thought and had 5 trays for the money I am happy.

De hydrated potatoes Cheap repack.

    No I didn't slice and dehydrate my own . I have been looking at ordering  # 10 cans or 5 gallon pail from wal mart.

 A can is 7.06 and with a 50$ order ships free . But when I was at Aldi's they had  their brand of scalloped potatoes for 79 cents.

   This box is 5 serving of 27 grams verse 20 grams servings Augason Farms Dehydrated Potato Slices  Plus you get the cheese powder and that is expensive alone.

   I have a few gallon spice jugs with a wide mouth. Today I went and bought 15 boxes of the Aldi's scalloped potatoes. Cost was 11.85 for 75 servings vs. 7.06 for 28 . When I got home I opened the boxes and found my gallon containers hold 8  boxes of potatoes and 8 cheese packs fill one of the empty boxes. I used wax paper under the screw lid to seal my jugs .

   Long story short I saved over 9$ by doing it myself plus got a half pound of cheese powder included. I think I know what I be doing weekly for a few weeks.

 

   Next week  Aldi's  has a dehydrator going on sale for 19.99 . I lost a good one in a divorce its about time for another one.

Took a large BBQ catering order.

     Today I had a regular customer call and place an order for 8 smoked pork butts next Wednesday . She is the head of a pet adoption agency and has served my BBQ at many of their fund raiser dinners and functions. She is a trained chef and caters dinners and fund raisers for other charities. This order is for a catering dinner up in Kentucky. She said they had it Saturday at her fund raiser and asked her to do their event next Friday . It is nice to know my BBQ  is beginning to be requested in a circle that has the means to purchase from any that claim to be "World Famous". I don't make any claims except its consistent ,good and reasonable priced.

    Ok because of this catering order I will have a lot of extra trim meat . I take 8 to 10 lb. butts and trim to 7 lb. give or take 1/4 lb. I could save the trim till the next weekend cook and serve it in sandwich's but I plan on canning it like I did the hamburger. I may put some up smoked and not smoked. Chicken will be put up to mainly because leg and thighs are 39 cents this week.

   

OPSEC slip by a friend is safe with me.

   Let me preface this "it wasn't Me"! This weekend I was talking to a kid I know (ok he is 33 now and owns his own business but I knew him since 16 when he was a shithead) about hauling that trailer to the scrap yard, he has a wrecker service.  He said no problem and asked where is it I told him off so and so, down a dirt road about 1/2 mile . At that he said on the right in the curve above the creek? YEA I just bought the 2 acres on the right how the hell do you know about it. He  asked if I had been past the gate  "no" he went on that so and so and state senator ____ had a member only hunting club out in the woods he and his partner were members.

    Now this is an innocent conversation by its self BUT I have known him and his business partner for years . Both are of a prepper mindset . My friend told me last year if thing go bad he was going to hit the woods he had bunkhouse a pond , good hunting and friends to ride it out with.

    Neither statement would have compromised OPSEC but by making them to one person months/years apart it told me to much. Not that I will ever mention or give them away. I never said what I had bought the 2 acres for . I already suspected a compound was beyond that gate . Now I know members include LEOs, business owners , rednecks and former military.  It seems if I make this place my BOL I will be the  "GATEKEEPER" for a large well financed MAG . I have mixed feeling on the place now . If I proceed it will be independent of the group but I would be open to a radio link if  needed.

Grandpappy's 30 day food list

   This list is a great starting point for a new prepper. It is a 30 day food supply for one person at a reasonable cost. With a little tweeking  it can fit most any persons taste.

   It is the property of https://grandpappy.org/indexhar.htm and I highly recommend a visit to his site !! The page with this list is     https://grandpappy.org/hfood30d.htm 

    While this list are not set in stone it is a good starting point if you want long term food storage from a local store.

A Recommended 30-Day Emergency Food Supply for One Adult

In my opinion the following food items are ones you should consider for your 30-day emergency food supply.

I strongly recommend that you purchase one can of each of the following foods and serve it to your family during normal times to determine if they enjoy it. If they like it then you could purchase additional cans of that food item for your 30-day emergency food supply.

The following suggestions would be a reasonable starting position for the average family. However, since each family has unique taste and dietary requirements, each family will probably need to remove some items from the following list and add other items that they enjoy more.

Note: All costs, package sizes, and nutritional data in the following table were obtained on January 1, 2014.

Quantity	Item	Container Size	Cost per Container	Total Cost	Total Nutrition per Container	Total Nutrition for 30 Day Food Supply
2 Cans	Campbell's Chunky "Beef Base" Soup	18.8 ounces	$ 1.98	$ 3.96	280 Calories, 9 Fat, 38 Carbs, 14 Protein	560 Calories, 18 Fat, 76 Carbs, 28 Protein
2 Cans	Campbell's Chunky "Chicken Base" Soup	18.8 ounces	$ 1.98	$ 3.96	360 Calories, 16 Fat, 38 Carbs, 16 Protein	720 Calories, 32 Fat, 76 Carbs, 32 Protein
2 Cans	LaChoy Asian "Meat and Vegetables"	42 ounces	$ 2.75	$ 5.50	360 Calories, 10 Fat, 54 Carbs, 15 Protein	720 Calories, 20 Fat, 108 Carbs, 30 Protein
4 Cans	Chef Boyardee Pasta (Spaghetti, Ravioli, Lasagna)	15 ounces	$ 0.98	$ 3.92	500 Calories, 24 Fat, 54 Carbs, 18 Protein	2,000 Calories, 96 Fat, 216 Carbs, 72 Protein
4 Cans	Armour Beef Stew	24 ounces	$ 2.18	$ 8.72	630 Calories, 33 Fat, 60 Carbs, 24 Protein	2,520 Calories, 132 Fat, 240 Carbs, 96 Protein
4 Cans	Hormel Roast Beef Hash	15 ounces	$ 2.18	$ 8.72	780 Calories, 48 Fat, 44 Carbs, 42 Protein	3,120 Calories, 192 Fat, 176 Carbs, 168 Protein
2 Cans	Chili with Beans	15 ounces	$ 1.00	$ 2.00	700 Calories, 36 Fat, 62 Carbs, 34 Protein	1,400 Calories, 72 Fat, 124 Carbs, 68 Protein
2 Cans	Ranch Style Black Beans (or Pinto or Kidney)	15 ounces	$ 0.68	$ 1.36	385 Calories, 2 Fat, 66 Carbs, 21 Protein	770 Calories, 4 Fat, 132 Carbs, 42 Protein
2 Cans	Taco Bell Refried Beans	16 ounces	$ 0.98	$ 1.96	420 Calories, 3 Fat, 70 Carbs, 24 Protein	840 Calories, 6 Fat, 140 Carbs, 48 Protein
2 Pouches	Taco Bell Taco Seasoning Dry Mix	1.25 ounces	$ 0.50	$ 1.00	120 Calories, 0 Fat, 18 Carbs, 0 Protein	240 Calories, 0 Fat, 36 Carbs, 0 Protein
2 Pouches	Country Gravy Dry Mix (or Brown Gravy)	2.64 ounces	$ 0.98	$ 1.96	320 Calories, 16 Fat, 40 Carbs, 8 Protein	640 Calories, 32 Fat, 80 Carbs, 16 Protein
2 Cans	Pork and Beans	15 ounces	$ 0.68	$ 1.36	385 Calories, 3 Fat, 88 Carbs, 21 Protein	770 Calories, 6 Fat, 176 Carbs, 42 Protein
2 Cans	Vienna Sausage	5 ounces	$ 0.50	$ 1.00	330 Calories, 30 Fat, 3 Carbs, 15 Protein	660 Calories, 60 Fat, 6 Carbs, 30 Protein
4 Cans	Veg-All Mixed Vegetables (or Corn, or Peas & Carrots)	15 ounces	$ 0.88	$ 3.52	140 Calories, 0 Fat, 28 Carbs, 3 Protein	560 Calories, 0 Fat, 112 Carbs, 12 Protein
4 Pouches	Idahoan Instant Potatoes (Add Water Only)	4 ounces	$ 0.98	$ 3.92	440 Calories, 12 Fat, 80 Carbs, 8 Protein	1,760 Calories, 48 Fat, 320 Carbs, 32 Protein
1 Bag	Enriched White Rice	16 ounces	$ 0.82	$ 0.82	1,600 Calories, 0 Fat, 350 Carbs, 30 Protein	1,600 Calories, 0 Fat, 350 Carbs, 30 Protein
4 Cans	Chef Boyardee Mac & Cheese	15 ounces	$ 1.00	$ 4.00	480 Calories, 20 Fat, 56 Carbs, 18 Protein	1,920 Calories, 80 Fat, 224 Carbs, 72 Protein
4 Cans	Pink Alaskan Salmon	14.75 ounces	$ 2.58	$ 10.32	630 Calories, 21 Fat, 0 Carbs, 100 Protein	2,520 Calories, 84 Fat, 0 Carbs, 400 Protein
4 Cans	Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore (Tuna in Oil)	5 ounces	$ 1.50	$ 6.00	160 Calories, 6 Fat, 0 Carbs, 28 Protein	640 Calories, 24 Fat, 0 Carbs, 112 Protein
4 Cans	Great Value Chunk Chicken Breast	12.5 ounces	$ 2.08	$ 8.32	360 Calories, 6 Fat, 6 Carbs, 66 Protein	1,440 Calories, 24 Fat, 24 Carbs, 264 Protein
4 Cans	Spam Lunch Meat (or Dak Canned Ham)	12 ounces	$ 2.48	$ 9.92	1,080 Calories, 96 Fat, 6 Carbs, 42 Protein	4,320 Calories, 384 Fat, 24 Carbs, 168 Protein
4 Cans	Roast Beef	12 ounces	$ 2.98	$ 11.92	350 Calories, 7 Fat, 5 Carbs, 65 Protein	1,400 Calories, 28 Fat, 20 Carbs, 260 Protein
1 Container	Quaker Quick Oats (or Breakfast Bars)	42 ounces	$ 3.98	$ 3.98	4,500 Calories, 90 Fat, 810 Carbs, 150 Protein	4,500 Calories, 90 Fat, 810 Carbs, 150 Protein
1 Container	Tang Orange Drink Mix	20 ounces	$ 2.50	$ 2.50	2,160 Calories, 0 Fat, 520 Carbs, 0 Protein	2,160 Calories, 0 Fat, 520 Carbs, 0 Protein
15 Packages	Kool-Aid Drink Mix (Assorted Flavors)	0.13 ounces	$ 0.20	$ 3.00	0 Calories, 0 Fat, 0 Carbs, 0 Protein	0 Calories, 0 Fat, 0 Carbs, 0 Protein
5 Pounds	Granulated Sugar	5 pounds	$ 2.58	$ 2.58	8,500 Calories, 0 Fat, 2,270 Carbs, 0 Protein	8,500 Calories, 0 Fat, 2,270 Carbs, 0 Protein
1 Box	Instant Powdered Milk	64 ounces	$ 18.28	$ 18.28	6,400 Calories, 0 Fat, 960 Carbs, 640 Protein	6,400 Calories, 0 Fat, 960 Carbs, 640 Protein
1 Container	Hershey's Cocoa Powder	8 ounces	$ 2.98	$ 2.98	900 Calories, 22 Fat, 135 Carbs, 45 Protein	900 Calories, 22 Fat, 135 Carbs, 45 Protein
4 Cans	Fruit Cocktail (or Peaches or Pears)	15.25 ounces	$ 0.98	$ 3.92	350 Calories, 0 Fat, 84 Carbs, 0 Protein	1,400 Calories, 0 Fat, 336 Carbs, 0 Protein
3.5 Pound Bag	Child's Play Candy Assortment (150 Pieces)	3.5 pounds	$ 7.98	$ 7.98	6,000 Calories, 150 Fat, 1,350 Carbs, 50 Protein	6,000 Calories, 150 Fat, 1,350 Carbs, 50 Protein
30 Each	Complete Multivitamin Tablets	30 Each	$ 1.70	$ 1.70	0 Calories, 0 Fat, 0 Carbs, 0 Protein	0 Calories, 0 Fat, 0 Carbs, 0 Protein
	Totals . . .			$ 151.08		60,980 Calories, 1,604 Fat, 9.041 Carbs, 2,907 Protein.

Now if your new to food storage all this is normal grocery store items. You could add 10 lb. cornmeal 15lbs  flour  10 lbs. rice and 10lbs. beans 5 lbs. pasta your at about 200$ and calories for 60 days. Double the meats add more sugar coffee and tea you still will be under 250$.
  GO check out what else his site offers .

Chainsaws gas vs. electric .

    The other day I added my 2  cents worth on Sixbears blog on electric chainsaws. I love mine . Now a gas chainsaw has a place but in most cases an electric is better. Sunday I have to go finish getting an oak tree out of a mans yard and will use my gas saw but its because of I haven't sharpened my electric.

    An electric saw is quieter its lighter and always runs . I keep a 1500 watt inverter in my truck and if I am cutting wood I have my truck there for hauling and to power the saw. It can be operated of f a battery recharged by solar if need be at a retreat. Beats using a bucking saw ( I have an old dull one) and is faster.

   If you have used a gas chainsaw you know they tend to quit at the worst time. They are not dependable , I have rebuilt carbonator's on them its no fun. Then you have to have fuel for them that is mixed you also tend to foul plugs often. The biggest advantage is there portable and have more power than the electric.

     If you plan on heating with wood someday I would advise both just because, but if I could have only one it would be an electric.