The first in a ten book series being released two at a time every few months. As I write this, the first four are out there. The story's website: 299days.com has more detailed information about the author and how he came to write the story.
I have only read The Preparation so far. It is 257 pages (not including the bonus chapter (see the website for details of those gems)). The Preparation is the scene setup for the actions to come. It focuses on the political, economic, and social circumstances that exist in these United States and the author's neighborhoods. These circumstances lead to a partial collapse of the government and society in general.
The author touts his story as different because in his story there is only a "partial" collapse and not a "total" collapse as most of the other novels in this genre portray. Like the Deep Winter series, this first book is a "how to" on prepping for disaster. Time is spent explaining how to obtain and store food, how to open the "prepping/survivalist" conversation with others, how to find a group of like minded individuals, where to find information you might need, as well as other topics on the subject. It's not bad, it's just that the real-life instructions are awkwardly placed. The author pauses his story to tuck in valuable information for the reader.
The Preparation is written in third person style, but is clearly otherwise in autobiographical style with a stop at the author's childhood memories, a brief stop during his 20's, then the extended stay at current events. The writing style is quite plain; the author doesn't have or didn't use the eloquence displayed by professional authors like King or Koonts. (Not that I have that ability, either. It's just an observation.)
The Preparation doesn't contain much in the way of action, but you can tell that there will be plenty in the upcoming books. The author admits to making this first piece the back-story to the rest of the upcoming parts. Despite this, it's setting up a good enough story I think I'm in for the long haul. I see myself going all ten rounds. The message contained within is as plain as the writing style: keep an eye and ear open to what is happening, listen to that inner voice we all have, hope for the best but prep for the worst, and don't waste time... it's coming.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Easy Things to Garden
There are a lot of complex and difficult things to grow that successful gardeners are rightly proud of when they produce. The items I want to bring forward are things that are easy to garden, that require little or no effort to grow, and that reproduce themselves easily or hang around for a long time. Since I live in zone 5/6 (right near the line, so it changes depending upon the map you look at) that is what I know, so I will focus on there. Some of this will carry over to other zones, some won't.
Fruit/nut trees:
- If you have the room, you just can't beat something that, once planted and matured, will produce yearly bushels of food for more than a lifetime. Annual pruning will maximize production, but even neglected trees produce more food than can be consumed at harvest time. Preserve or trade the surplus. Look around your area for what is growing in neighbors yards and nearby farms.
Radishes:
- Usually the quickest producing thing in a vegetable garden. The secret is to let some of the biggest ones go to seed. They will reseed themselves with no effort on your part producing you free radishes every year after that.
- They quickly produce flowers that will bring in the bees.
- The seed pods are edible and taste like radish when young.
- A bonus is that the plant eating bugs in this area love the radish plant leaves to the extent that my radish plants are full of holes, but the beans, peas, tomato, lettuce, etc are left alone.
Turnips:
- The plant everyone loves to hate. If you let a few go to seed you will get a second crop in the fall, and next year there will be more.
Cilantro:
- A great herb that easily reseeds itself without any help, just let a few plants mature completely.
Borage:
- The honeybees around here love this stuff: hundreds of small purple flowers. Let it seed itself, as it grows the small, young leaves have a cucumber like flavor. As the plants get bigger, chop and drop the plants in your way for instant composting mulch. Let only a couple plants mature in an out-of-the-way spot and you are sure to have more next year.
- As a caution, this can become a weed if you let too many of them mature. Just cut the stem at ground level (hoe, machete, clippers whatever works), let the plant lie where it falls to help suppress weeds.
Other herbs:
- Oregano and chives will come back every year, rather than reseeding themselves, so plant them in a place where you won't disturb their roots.
- New this year I tried rosemary and thyme, so we'll see how those go.
Rhubarb:
- Not much to say there, it comes back every year and you can cut off root sections to replant elsewhere to have more plants.
Berries:
- Strawberries and raspberries are doing well. Blackberries, blueberries, etc are also said to do well in this climate, but I personally don't have any... yet.
This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of things that stay or reseed themselves, but it is what I have in my garden that I don't need to plant ever again, but still reap produce yearly for only the cost of summer watering. I encourage you to try some of these things, or, just let a few of your garden plants go to seed and see if will come back next year.
Fruit/nut trees:
- If you have the room, you just can't beat something that, once planted and matured, will produce yearly bushels of food for more than a lifetime. Annual pruning will maximize production, but even neglected trees produce more food than can be consumed at harvest time. Preserve or trade the surplus. Look around your area for what is growing in neighbors yards and nearby farms.
Radishes:
- Usually the quickest producing thing in a vegetable garden. The secret is to let some of the biggest ones go to seed. They will reseed themselves with no effort on your part producing you free radishes every year after that.
- They quickly produce flowers that will bring in the bees.
- The seed pods are edible and taste like radish when young.
- A bonus is that the plant eating bugs in this area love the radish plant leaves to the extent that my radish plants are full of holes, but the beans, peas, tomato, lettuce, etc are left alone.
Turnips:
- The plant everyone loves to hate. If you let a few go to seed you will get a second crop in the fall, and next year there will be more.
Cilantro:
- A great herb that easily reseeds itself without any help, just let a few plants mature completely.
Borage:
- The honeybees around here love this stuff: hundreds of small purple flowers. Let it seed itself, as it grows the small, young leaves have a cucumber like flavor. As the plants get bigger, chop and drop the plants in your way for instant composting mulch. Let only a couple plants mature in an out-of-the-way spot and you are sure to have more next year.
- As a caution, this can become a weed if you let too many of them mature. Just cut the stem at ground level (hoe, machete, clippers whatever works), let the plant lie where it falls to help suppress weeds.
Other herbs:
- Oregano and chives will come back every year, rather than reseeding themselves, so plant them in a place where you won't disturb their roots.
- New this year I tried rosemary and thyme, so we'll see how those go.
Rhubarb:
- Not much to say there, it comes back every year and you can cut off root sections to replant elsewhere to have more plants.
Berries:
- Strawberries and raspberries are doing well. Blackberries, blueberries, etc are also said to do well in this climate, but I personally don't have any... yet.
This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of things that stay or reseed themselves, but it is what I have in my garden that I don't need to plant ever again, but still reap produce yearly for only the cost of summer watering. I encourage you to try some of these things, or, just let a few of your garden plants go to seed and see if will come back next year.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Increasing Food Prices
A common and persistent theme over the past couple years in prepping and survival blogs has been food prices. I have seen various numbers relating to the percentage of increase in general food prices as well as specific individual commodities, but every one of them shows "up". And not just up, but up at a much higher rate than standard inflation should be driving it. What effect will greatly increased food prices have on us as individuals and our society in general?
If you do an internet search for rising food prices, it seems like all of the MSM (main stream media) outlets have had an article or two on the trend. When you read these articles you see that they are merely doing lip service in reporting the problem. All they talk about is how it is caused by higher fuel prices and how it will affect the lower income families by forcing them to apportion a couple more percent of their income to their food budget.
If that was the only result we wouldn't be doing too badly. But if you look deeper, you find more problems. THIS article associates higher food prices with the outbreak of riots. It was after reading that particular association that I really put thought into food prices. What would that do to me, and those around me? Could large scale riots really happen in these United States and in my hometown? I have come to my own conclusions after thinking it over and pondering what my immediate neighbors might do if times got worse.
So the question is WWYD if prices rose enough to impact you in a negative way? What will you do now to prepare for that seemingly inevitable occurrence?
I, personally, am slowly expanding my pantry and learning to garden.
-A pantry can be built slowly with long term storeable goods for very cheap if you buy the things on sale, or can be built quickly with a large influx of cash. Even a full pantry is a limited option.
-Gardening is your unlimited option, but it can't be learned overnight. There are so many local variables to be considered, it is something that must be learned over time with trial and error.
Some of the resources I use and highly recommend for information and ideas are Jack Spirko, Marjory Wildcraft, Alexander Wolf, and John Robb.
THIS is a decent spot to look at some historical prices of popular commodities.
If you do an internet search for rising food prices, it seems like all of the MSM (main stream media) outlets have had an article or two on the trend. When you read these articles you see that they are merely doing lip service in reporting the problem. All they talk about is how it is caused by higher fuel prices and how it will affect the lower income families by forcing them to apportion a couple more percent of their income to their food budget.
If that was the only result we wouldn't be doing too badly. But if you look deeper, you find more problems. THIS article associates higher food prices with the outbreak of riots. It was after reading that particular association that I really put thought into food prices. What would that do to me, and those around me? Could large scale riots really happen in these United States and in my hometown? I have come to my own conclusions after thinking it over and pondering what my immediate neighbors might do if times got worse.
So the question is WWYD if prices rose enough to impact you in a negative way? What will you do now to prepare for that seemingly inevitable occurrence?
I, personally, am slowly expanding my pantry and learning to garden.
-A pantry can be built slowly with long term storeable goods for very cheap if you buy the things on sale, or can be built quickly with a large influx of cash. Even a full pantry is a limited option.
-Gardening is your unlimited option, but it can't be learned overnight. There are so many local variables to be considered, it is something that must be learned over time with trial and error.
Some of the resources I use and highly recommend for information and ideas are Jack Spirko, Marjory Wildcraft, Alexander Wolf, and John Robb.
THIS is a decent spot to look at some historical prices of popular commodities.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Gardening Fail
Okay, I have to admit I'm pretty bummed out.
My wife and I are trying to learn how to garden. I've read a lot, purchased four raised bed kits, put them together, bought a cubic yard of 'planting mix', planted tomatoes, peppers, cukes, zukes, squash, basil, lettuce, spinach, bush beans and carrots. (Based on different 'square foot gardening' principals of what spacing you should do, what should be planted next to what etc.)
I set up a soaker hose system on a timer, got it working well, and then we went on vacation for a week. What could go wrong in one week? We got home from vacation, and I noticed that everything in the garden (well, almost everything) was dead. It had dropped to below freezing three mornings in a row where I live.) This is June, people! It's not supposed to freeze anymore!!! I had a beautiful 'German Giant' tomato that was almost three feet tall. Dead. Other tomatoes, dead. Peppers, dead. Basil, really dead. The only things that lived are the things I planted from seed. Spinach, lettuce, carrots and my bush beans.
I'm thankful that I wasn't counting on this experiment to keep me alive.
So--now I'm thinking of what I can do to prevent this from happening again. I'll buy some 'Wall-O-Waters' from the feed store. I'll convert an old dog kennel into a greenhouse. I've seen plans on instructables.com where you can have the greenhouse doors open and close automatically. I may have to build something like that for where I live. My buddy CopperKnight didn't lose any of his plantings--but he does live 'in town' where there is a little more heat contained overnight.
What would you do to make sure your garden doesn't get killed off by an unexpected event?
Like I said...I'm glad this is a learning experiment for me. Hopefully if/when the SHTF...I'll have some food to store for the winter.
My wife and I are trying to learn how to garden. I've read a lot, purchased four raised bed kits, put them together, bought a cubic yard of 'planting mix', planted tomatoes, peppers, cukes, zukes, squash, basil, lettuce, spinach, bush beans and carrots. (Based on different 'square foot gardening' principals of what spacing you should do, what should be planted next to what etc.)
I set up a soaker hose system on a timer, got it working well, and then we went on vacation for a week. What could go wrong in one week? We got home from vacation, and I noticed that everything in the garden (well, almost everything) was dead. It had dropped to below freezing three mornings in a row where I live.) This is June, people! It's not supposed to freeze anymore!!! I had a beautiful 'German Giant' tomato that was almost three feet tall. Dead. Other tomatoes, dead. Peppers, dead. Basil, really dead. The only things that lived are the things I planted from seed. Spinach, lettuce, carrots and my bush beans.
I'm thankful that I wasn't counting on this experiment to keep me alive.
So--now I'm thinking of what I can do to prevent this from happening again. I'll buy some 'Wall-O-Waters' from the feed store. I'll convert an old dog kennel into a greenhouse. I've seen plans on instructables.com where you can have the greenhouse doors open and close automatically. I may have to build something like that for where I live. My buddy CopperKnight didn't lose any of his plantings--but he does live 'in town' where there is a little more heat contained overnight.
What would you do to make sure your garden doesn't get killed off by an unexpected event?
Like I said...I'm glad this is a learning experiment for me. Hopefully if/when the SHTF...I'll have some food to store for the winter.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
If I Wanted to Save America
Not too long ago a video was posted on YouTube called If I Wanted America to Fail. This video holds a lot of truth about These United States, but presented the information in a negative manner, without answers on how to fix the problems that it brings to light. Sure, you can read the photo negative of the comments on why America has the problems that we do and see what the solution is, but it doesn't really present things that the individual can do to help.
Jack Spirko did a segment on it during one of his TSP podcasts where he called the survival podcast community to action to create a video response that highlighted some solutions and some specific actions that each of us can take to make things better. This is the best video response as chosen by the community: If I Wanted to Save America.
I'll tell you that Jack and his Survival Podcast have been an inspiration to me for the past couple years. If you are looking for something helpful to listen to, or even something more than talk radio, commercials, and an occasional song to fill your commute or to listen to while you mow the lawn, give it a shot.
So, as this is the Survival:WWYD blog, may I suggest that you watch the two videos, especially If I Wanted to Save America if you don't want to watch both, and let's hear what do you plan to do to make your place better. Start with yourself, your family, your community. I'll warn you, though, even a small step towards more freedom... more self sufficiency can be addictive and cause you to want even more. Give it a try, it may just be the best addiction you can have.
Jack Spirko did a segment on it during one of his TSP podcasts where he called the survival podcast community to action to create a video response that highlighted some solutions and some specific actions that each of us can take to make things better. This is the best video response as chosen by the community: If I Wanted to Save America.
I'll tell you that Jack and his Survival Podcast have been an inspiration to me for the past couple years. If you are looking for something helpful to listen to, or even something more than talk radio, commercials, and an occasional song to fill your commute or to listen to while you mow the lawn, give it a shot.
So, as this is the Survival:WWYD blog, may I suggest that you watch the two videos, especially If I Wanted to Save America if you don't want to watch both, and let's hear what do you plan to do to make your place better. Start with yourself, your family, your community. I'll warn you, though, even a small step towards more freedom... more self sufficiency can be addictive and cause you to want even more. Give it a try, it may just be the best addiction you can have.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Do it yourself Faraday Cage
CopperKnight and I were talking a while ago about making a whole room into a Faraday Cage. Something to protect the electrical gadgets we all dearly love in the event of an EMP strike. I saw a great tutorial a while ago that turned an ammo can into a Faraday Box. Very easy to do--just line the whole thing with thick closed-cell foam, and then wrap your electronics in bubble wrap and place them inside.
WWYD? If you were to build one this weekend, what would you place inside?
I'm thinking of a solar-powered/crank-powered AM/FM/Shortwave radio. I have a mini Grundig I bought a few years ago that would be the perfect size to put in there. An 8GB thumbdrive with copies of important information and stuff that could be useful once the power is (hopefully) restored.
Maybe an older digital camera that I don't use anymore. Take the batteries out and keep them separate from the camera. Document things that happen after the EMP strike.
A good LED flashlight with batteries. (removed, just like the camera)
A Brunton solar-powered charging kit for hiking/backpacking. That way I could power up the rechargeable AA and AAA batteries for my devices.
Heck...I'd put my iPad in there but I use it almost every hour of every day.
Let me know what you'd put inside that you'd like to keep safe.
WWYD? If you were to build one this weekend, what would you place inside?
I'm thinking of a solar-powered/crank-powered AM/FM/Shortwave radio. I have a mini Grundig I bought a few years ago that would be the perfect size to put in there. An 8GB thumbdrive with copies of important information and stuff that could be useful once the power is (hopefully) restored.
Maybe an older digital camera that I don't use anymore. Take the batteries out and keep them separate from the camera. Document things that happen after the EMP strike.
A good LED flashlight with batteries. (removed, just like the camera)
A Brunton solar-powered charging kit for hiking/backpacking. That way I could power up the rechargeable AA and AAA batteries for my devices.
Heck...I'd put my iPad in there but I use it almost every hour of every day.
Let me know what you'd put inside that you'd like to keep safe.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Book Review: The Jakarta Pandemic
This
is another book in the disaster/post-apocalyptic genre that has
valuable information on preparing for a disaster. The author provides
some good food for thought on things to store up at home in case
disaster strikes along with some other “advice”.
As
can be gleaned from the title, this book focuses on the effects of a
serious pandemic. The setting is a smaller community not too far from a
large metropolitan area. After a pandemic with a high mortality rate
strikes, vital services (trash collection, utilities, food delivery,
schools, emergency responses) are shut down. The hospitals are filled
up and very ill people are just sent home to die when there is no room
or medication for them. No one will go out and about risking
infection.
The main character
has sufficient preps to lead his family through the crisis. One of the
conflict points arises when his neighbors do not have any supplies
(food, medicine) stored up and realize he does. Does our main character
share and risk running out himself, or does he fend off his neighbors
and friends to save his family? Perhaps there is a semi happy point
between.
A couple other clashes arise when people begin to flee the population centers:
-The
“refugees” beg for assistance that no one can afford give when such
actions would lead to exposing one’s family to infection and to a rush
of charity seekers when word gets out.
-Many
area homes are vacant as neighbors have died or fled to other
locations. What is to be done when strangers of unknown intent start
occupying the deserted houses?
The
book has some good ideas for items to stock as well as equipment to
obtain. In addition, it is filled with moral dilemmas the protagonist faces that we all will also face if a similar situation presents itself. It seems best to think these possibilities through before we face them in a stressful time and may make rash decisions.
The story line is good, and much more localized than the Deep Winter
series. In the beginning it seems like the author is trying to sell
“Tamiflu”, but he does move away from it as the story develops. It’s
worth the time to read and apply the scenarios to your own situation.
In addition to food, do you have medication stored up? What about a way to heat your house if utilities are shut down in winter? If you have a fireplace or wood stove, do you have a way to circulate the warm air? Will you have to face city folk fleeing TO your area if they are deserting the urban zone? Do you know your neighbors well enough to guess if they will be a help or a hindrance in an emergency?
The book homepage: http://jakartapandemic.com/
The author's blog: http://stevenkonkoly.com/
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