This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.
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To start, reader Tom H. wrote:
“Just a quick note of interest, 2023 National Championship Air Races – Final Flag was carried live at Reno Air Racing Association’s website on YouTube. Sunday was the last day of the races after 59 years at Reno Stead Airport (RTS) where you will see everything from bi-planes (modern), original WWII AT-6 [trainers], and P-51 Mustangs to small passenger jets race. This is what Red Bull wishes to be. There are usually military jets and demo teams as well, not to mention static displays of all types and vintage military and civilian aircraft. A recent addition is the STOL Drag Races- yep, Alaska bush aircraft flying a set distance <2mi, min altitudes, min speed, land, stop, turn take off, and land on a set line. Descriptions are on RARA’s site.
The back story on the race’s demise is the NIMBYs who built their home and most recently factory and warehousing adjacent to RTS property lines, then raised Hades with anyone that would listen – County, insurance, etc. to run them out. Yes, there have been tragic accidents with lives lost, but that goes with the sport and type of racing.
Sadly the lessons learned: folks with enough money and persistance will prevail when due diligence isn’t done.”
JWR’s Reply:
I remember making trips out to Stead, where we had our drone development lab, when I worked as a technical writer for
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). That was back in the early 2000s. Back then, there were hardly any houses near the airfield. But gradually, the housing developments marched their way north out of Reno. The same NIMBY story gets repeated
again and again. Shooting ranges are another example. The rifle and trap/skeet ranges were there
first, but then, inevitably, newcomers begin to complain about pre-existing noise.
Typisch!o o o
SaraSue offered this snippet:
“I got lab work done this past week and thankfully my anemia has not worsened. I was overwhelmed with the farm, and now I’m feeling like there’s a better rhythm going. I’ve learned to work an hour, rest an hour, work an hour, rest an hour, and so on. I’m in bed early and up early. My part-time farm hand who works just a few hours a week makes a huge difference. I’ve also learned how to better prioritize. I get wrapped up around the axle if things aren’t perfect, and in reality, things are actually running very smoothly considering it’s a one-man band. I have to remember to not react emotionally, but logically think through each task or project. I like to ask myself, “Will an animal die if you don’t do this?” Of course not!
I harvested the rest of the elderberries and discovered that Canadian Goldenrod grows here profusely. It’s something I normally purchase for a tea blend. At $35 per pound, I’m thrilled to be able to harvest as much as I want, and not have to buy it.
I made some other farm decisions, which always makes me laugh at myself. I decided to not sell one of my milk cows, and decided to raise Idaho Pasture Pigs. A farming friend decided to get out of pigs due to an upcoming move and I am able to purchase her small herd (a boar, his buddy, and 2 sows) at half the normal pricing. They are only three years old, and in excellent health. I went over the farm infrastructure in detail and decided the farm can handle these animals just fine with few adjustments, along with the two piglets I am already raising for meat. The piglets are adorable, totally trained now, and are a joy to be raising. They don’t stink. They don’t tear up the pastures. They require very little grain. And get along well with the cows. I think the pigs think they are cows, actually. LOL. Most of the animals are very low maintenance once things are set up properly. I bring in supplemental hay from a neighbor, as required.
Additionally, a neighbor is selling part of the family farm, about 100 acres, that adjoins mine. I went on a tour of the property. The biggest problems with the property are: lack of water, everything is old (2 old homes) and in need of repair, and the land runs up the hill, wooded, with rock underneath, not fenced, but a beautiful big barn that was built to last forever. There are a couple sink holes on the property as well. It would take too much work to turn that place into a working farm. And, to top it off, the homes face the main highway in this area. I like being tucked back in the hills. I’ve learned a lot from SurvivalBlog in assessing property potential and realize that this property would be more than I could handle. I even thought maybe I could purchase the land that adjoins mine because there is a plateau of pasture, but again, water, fencing, etc., is a lot of work. I need to stay focused on this farm, that I’ve put a lot of work into; it’s beautifully laid out, plenty of water now, and it functions very well. I think I’ll stay put and keep going.”
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My #1 Son Jonathan sent this news from South Africa: FBI helps Mpumalanga cops arrest man in connection with robbery of US tourists near Kruger Park. A pericope:
“36 year old man arrested for the kidnapping and robbery of two American Citizens on holiday in South Africa, near Kruger National Park. The FBI assisted local Police and tracked down one suspect. Military grade signal jammer was also used in the kidnapping.”
o o o
Marc M. suggested this useful USCCA video: Personal Security In A Changing Environment.
Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”
