Day: September 12, 2006

Letter Re: Swords and Bows for that Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

Jim: Some corrections and additional points regarding swords, crossbows, leaf springs, etc. 1) The Japanese do not have a monopoly on “cutting” swords; most European swords before c. 1500 (and even after this point) were quite capable of serous shearing blows. See Ewert Oakeshott’s “Sword in the Age of Chivalry” and “Records of the Medieval Sword” for more details. 2) An “epee” or “foil” is utterly useless as a weapon, being for sporting use only. The rapier (which is what the epee/foil is based loosely on) is somewhat useful, but is a somewhat degenerate sword style, introduced after swords were …


Retreat Potential Analysis: Bonner and Boundary Counties in North Idaho

Here is my analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of Bonner and Boundary counties in north Idaho: Advantages: 1. Very large tracts of undeveloped land under the stewardship of the Idaho Department of Lands and the US Forest Circus with considerable amounts of game and fish. 2. A variety of microclimates can be found here. Parts of Bonners Ferry can get half the snowfall of the Sandpoint area. Normally, the weather is more moderate proximate to Lake Pend Oreille but heavier snowfall occurs next to Lake Cocolalla and Priest Lake. 3. Our growing season is approximately 110 days. 4. Mountainous …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

The following quote is in honor of the anniversary of the battle at Fort McHenry, on September 12, 1814. Please direct your attention, in particular, to the third and fourth stanzas, which are usually omitted in modern performances. (My apologies to our British cousins who might take offense at the third stanza.) : Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting …