Desperate Dining, by Prepared Pamela

EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON HOMELESSNESS AND THE HUNGRY

Billions of people have been affected by the global coronavirus pandemic. Some are worse off than others, but each of us has been touched by this disaster. Many individuals have been left homeless, barely surviving without adequate shelter or food. Fifty million Americans in the United States go to bed every night hungry. We are all affected by the supply chain issues, lack of provisions and high prices. Unfortunately, 40% of the food produced annually is discarded. Our country throws away tons of viable food that is considered no longer consumable, only garbage. It is disposed of in landfills. Farmers are still paid to grow and then discard crops. Millions of people are starving in spite of a plethora of food.

If you are homeless, then there are many options to find nutrition in an urban, suburban, or rural environment without compromising your health. Even if you are not homeless, these suggestions may help relieve a tight budget. I describe a few possibilities in this article. Please consult your medical advisor before trying any of these suggestions.

DUMPSTER DINING

You could live 100% on food from dumpsters. Many groceries discard food past its freshness date in a trash bin to avoid a liability issue. Some markets may choose to donate their older produce and bakery items to food banks. Fortunately, organizations such as Food Finders and other charities will pick up unwanted food from markets and restaurants before it is collected by the waste haulers. Consult your local food bank and their redistribution policies. Dumpster dining is actually simple. Go to wherever you’d like to get your goods for free. Instead of walking into the front door, go around back and locate the dumpster. Then open the bin. If you like what you see, remove the item. Use food raw only if it is safe to do so or heat it to a proper temperature to destroy pathogens. Vegetables and breads are much safer to eat than meats.Continue reading“Desperate Dining, by Prepared Pamela”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, news of some additional bison habitat on BLM land in Montana. (See the Montana section.)

Idaho

Potato Shortage Hits Idaho, Prices Soar in Grocery Stores

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I found this by way of Whatfinger.com: Idaho Supreme Court Rejects Abortion Providers’ Attempts to Block State’s Abortion Bans – The New American.

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Utah man’s ‘eye-popping’ catch breaks Idaho fishing record. JWR’s Comment: 10 feet, 4 inches?  That isn’t a large sturgeon. That is a small whale!

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 22, 2022

Today is the anniversary of the founding of the London Armoury Company, in 1851. It was founded by Robert Adams (1810–1870). He patented the first successful double-action revolver in 1851. His revolvers were used during the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, the U.S. Civil War, and the Anglo-Zulu War.

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Today’s feature article is a review that was written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

Smith & Wesson M&P-15 .22 LR Sporter, by Pat Cascio

I’m hooked on AR-15 style of rifles, and I own more than a few, not counting what my lovely wife owns, or my two daughters. Some years ago, I purchased the then-new Colt AR-15 chambered in .22 LR. Sadly, that particular rifle wouldn’t reliably function with any type of .22 LR, and I made adjustments and tinkered with it, but finally got rid of it. So, quite a few years passed before I even thought about another AR-15 rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle (LR).

Not long ago, I was shopping for another AR. However, none were to be found in my neck of the woods. However, my local FFL dealer had a couple Smith & Wesson M&P-15 Sporter rifles in .22 LR. The price was about right, so I got it. At first glance these dandy little rifles look very much like an AR-15 chambered in .223 or 5.56mm – so the deal was done, and I got it.

This M&P has a 16.5-inch barrel, and it is topped with a flash suppressor – not that you need one on a .22 LR gun, but it is still there and complete the look of the gun looking like a real AR-15 style of rifle. The barrel is a medium-weight one – and that also adds to the look of the real-deal AR.

Starting from the butt upwards, it has a telescoping (adjustable for length) butt stock – just like a genuine AR has. Here’s where there is a difference, the entire lower receiver is made out of black polymer, and it is super-tough stuff. I don’t know how it would hold up to “combat” then again, this gun isn’t made for war. Since the lower receiver and buffer tube for the telescoping butt stock is all one piece, it appears that the lower is not compatible with a standard centerfire AR upper. Continue reading“Smith & Wesson M&P-15 .22 LR Sporter, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Simple Tomato Gazpacho

The following Simple Tomato Gazpacho recipe is from SurvivalBlog reader. A.G.. It is best made with an electric blender.

What to do with all those tomatoes from your garden?  Make Gazpacho!

A.G. says: “This is a recipe that I modified from one that I found online. The secret of great gazpacho is letting it sit in the refrigerator long enough for the flavors to meld and mellow. This is definitely one of those ‘better the second day’-type recipes.”

Ingredients
  • 2 ½ pounds of tomatoes (equates to 4-5 large tomatoes), cored and then cut into pieces
  • 1 English cucumber, cut into chunks
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, halved. Be sure to remove all of the seeds, and rinse the interior. Then chop.
  • 1 large clove garlic, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vinegar (I use the red wine-type), divided
  • 1 teaspoon of salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper, divided
  • 1 avocado, diced (Added last-minute before serving)
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Directions
  1. Chop 1/4 cup each of tomatoes, cucumber and bell pepper from the larger pieces. Place in a small bowl; cover and set aside in the refrigerator.
  2. Making in two batches, puree the remaining tomatoes, cucumber and bell pepper with garlic, 3 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a blender until smooth.
  3. Transfer to a large bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled – at least 2 hours. Keeps refrigerated up to 3 days, if the bowls are kept covered.
  4. Just before serving, chop the avocado and add it to the reserved chopped vegetables. Stir in basil and the remaining 2 teaspoons oil, 1 teaspoon vinegar and pinch each of salt and pepper.
SERVING

Gazpacho is always served cold, but not frozen. Ladle the gazpacho into bowls and top them with the chopped vegetable salad (the avocado and the reserved chopped vegetables).

STORAGE

Can be stored for up to three days in your refrigerator, but it is best on “Day 2.”

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at an upcoming auction of some iconic movie prop guns. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

Video from Rafi Farber: Physical Gold Leaving Comex at All Time Record Pace.

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Yes, there is indeed widespread metals markets manipulation: Two former JPMorgan metals traders found guilty in landmark ‘spoofing’ case.

Economy & Finance:

The world economy is imperiled by a force hiding in plain sight.

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A Forbes video: Inside The Next Billion Dollar Startups List 2022.

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At Fortune: Walmart’s earnings are trying to tell us something about inflation, consumer sentiment, and whether we’re headed for a recession.

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Katie Hopkins: This winter, 1 million plus ordinary Brits will decide their life is not worth living.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 21, 2022

In 1986, Lake Nyos in Cameroon erupted with an estimated billion cubic yards of carbon dioxide gas. The gas had apparently been accumulating in the crater lake, held down by the weight of the water. When it finally erupted, the gas cloud smothered and killed every living animal, including insects, in its path until it dissipated. Outsiders learned of the disaster when they approached the villages and found animal and human bodies on the ground. The best estimate is that 1,700 people and thousands of cattle died.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 102 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime low-cost training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. A LogOX 3-in-1 Forestry MultiTool (a $189 value) and a WoodOx Sling (a $79.95 value), courtesy of LogOx, both made in USA.
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 102 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

 

Home Canning Water-Level Measuring Sticks, by St. Funogas

This is the third in a series of home canning articles dedicated to ways of making your home canning experience easier, quicker, more efficient, and less stressful. My hope is that they’ll add something new to the mix by offering some canning techniques which many home canners may not be aware of.

My first two articles in the series were:

Canner Water-Level Conundrum

One of the big frustrations for beginning home canners, and for many veterans as well, is trying to figure out exactly how much water to boil in the canner for the number of jars in a given batch. If you use too little, the jars won’t be completely submerged as they need to be. Too much water and you’ll waste propane. If you get way too much you’ll end up with the dangerous task of scooping boiling water out of the canner so you can get the last jars in without the kettle running over.

These problems are easily resolved with a simple DIY measuring stick that tells you how much water to fill the canner with based on the jar type and batch size. Once you make and begin using one of these water-level measuring sticks, you’ll see how beneficial they are. They’re quick and easy to make at home with a pen and ruler and this article describes how.

This article has three parts. First, I’ll explain how to use the measuring stick during canning. Second, how to make your own stick using the measurements and simple instructions given below. And third, how to make a measuring stick for your non-standard-size kettle.Continue reading“Home Canning Water-Level Measuring Sticks, by St. Funogas”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

No Matter What Color They Paint The Building, It is Obvious To Everyone That It Used To Be a Der Wienerschnitzel

This Is Something That The “Trans” Community Will Never Admit

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,

And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” – Acts 10 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 20, 2022

August 20, 1935 was the birthday of former Congressman Ron Paul. He retired from congress in January of 2013. Dr. Paul is to be commended for fighting the good fight for many years.

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August 20th, 1866 is also the day that President Andrew Johnson formally declared the Civil War over.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 102 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime low-cost training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. A LogOX 3-in-1 Forestry MultiTool (a $189 value) and a WoodOx Sling (a $79.95 value), courtesy of LogOx, both made in USA.
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 102 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

 

Apple Tree Care 102: Thinning Fruit, by T.S., Ph.D.

When I see clusters of apple trees in box store parking lots, I wonder how many of them will actually become productive. The trees are usually clones of great varieties, like honey crisp and golden delicious. But for many well-intentioned homeowners, coaxing quality fruit on a consistent annual basis from these trees can be a challenge. This how-to article will describe how to thin fruit to increase reliable apple production.

Warning, thinning fruit is very counterintuitive (see Figures 1 and 2). This article will describe cutting seemingly healthy “baby apples” from your tree. But, anyone would agree, one healthy apple is better than four small, insect-ridden, or sickly apples!

What: Thinning of fruit refers to removing developing apples from a tree.

Why: Simply put, we thin fruit to (1) allow for larger and healthier fruit and (2) to keep branches safe from breaking under heavy fruit loads.Continue reading“Apple Tree Care 102: Thinning Fruit, by T.S., Ph.D.”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in this column, in the Odds ‘n Sods Column, and in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

I’ve been trying to wrap up our annual firewood cutting, here at the ranch, but other projects keep popping up.  Perhaps next week…

The insulation and reorganization project for our workshop is continuing.

Our #1 Son found a great deal on eight sets of used original Rivetier brand heavy-duty utility shelves, in Spokane. He bought the last “odds and ends” shelf units from a warehouse that was being cleaned out, for repurposing. He got the full trailer load for $500. Those shelf units were a mix of 4-, 6-, and 8-foot lengths. Most of those shelf units had 7-foot tall corner posts. So now, I just need to find a few more shelves, and we’ll then have all the storage that we need. This reminds me of one of the key points in serious WTSHTF preparedness: It takes both a lot of shelf space and some truly meticulous organization, with labels, numbered boxes, and inventory lists. It is one thing to have everything that you need, but it is another to know exactly where to find it, quickly!

I did a final hunt of the year for Russian Thistles, here at the ranch.  It is important to dig them up or at least chop them off and safely haul the stalks away before their seed pods burst. It is too late in the year for safe burning, so these went to the dump in black plastic trash bags.  Since we don’t like to spray any herbicides here at the ranch, weed hunting takes up several days of our time, each year. It is amazing how the seeds come in on the winds, or arrive with purchased hay. We still have them in other places that we will have to get at as time permits.

Now, over to Lily…

Avalanche Lily Reports:

Dear Readers,

We had three of our grandsons come to visit, last weekend. Camp Rawles! That was great fun.  Miss Violet and I took them out for a one-hour canoe paddle, on The Unnamed River. We went fishing. With both the canoeing and fishing, we saw quite a number of trout, (Bull Trout, Brookies, and Cutties) but didn’t catch any.  We went “swimming”.  The water was a bit colder this past week, so they spent the majority of their time chasing and catching a whole mess of baby frogs lining the banks. They also helped us pick raspberries. The two youngers ate theirs, while the oldest saved his and took them home along with all of the ones that I picked for them. The two older boys discovered my Country Living Mill grain grinder and insisted on grinding (we have a hand grinder, it’s not motorized) three cups of wheat. I let them have at it!…They stuck with the grinding until it was finished, two passes through the mill for extra fine flour. They impressed me with their determination to complete the job! I made pancakes for them from the flour they ground the next morning.  They loved playing with our new chicks…I was able to candle the new batch of eggs that were being incubated in our incubator that were about four days into the process.  The boys were able to see the veins and arteries of the chick embryo beginning to grow in the shell.  Very exciting! We had a campfire and cooked S’mores.

At the end of the week, I spoke with our son — their dad. He said the boys were still talking about all the things we did together last weekend, here.  So they had fun with us!  Yes! This session of Camp Rawles was another success! I’m hoping that in September we can have another camp session, with them and their parents also, because we haven’t really had a chance to visit with them yet this summer.

There was a big sale on Alaskan Sockeye Salmon fillets at a grocery store 50 miles away, where we often shop.  We bought a 16-pound case, and Jim vacuum-packed the fillets individually in bags cut to length, with our trusty old FoodSaver.

I weed-whacked the orchard, finally. That job took two days.

I deep cleaned the Hen house, also finally, washed it’s floor and walls, and then set up for the chicks to move out there. We hung up the heat lamp and then moved the chicks in their galvanized stock tank out there.

Since we released the cows, bull, and horses from the meadows to have free range of the whole ranch, after we butchered the steers, we are now locking our birds and sheep in their houses to protect them from the cows and horses breaking in to get their grain (chickens), and releasing them, (sheep).  Literally, our horses can turn the handles and open the doors…Equine Delinquents!  Then the cows join it to partake of the grain.  Additionally, we are locking them to keep “other” potential “two-legged” predators out.

I am still watering everything by hand this summer.  It takes a lot of time.

I am still picking and freezing raspberries.

I have harvested Yellow Zuchs, and broccoli heads,  but not enough yet to preserve, we’re eating them fresh!

I am continuing to pick my onions and beets as I want and need them.

Update:  I harvested all of the onions at the end of the week.  They are currently spread out in the Main garden, curing in the sun.

I also harvested a very large bunch of Lamb’s Quarter that was growing in my Annex garden, that was going to seed.  These I laid out on a sheet and plan to dry them and use the seeds as additional feed for the chickens this winter.  I may try them out on us, too.

I transplanted some more of the herbs out in the Perennial garden.

While weed whacking the Orchard I came across two grape plants growing.  So I dug those up and transplanted them into very large pots and put them in the greenhouse.  In early summer, I had taken up their mates because they looked dead and grow so slowly down there, that after three years, of barely any growth, I decided they were not worth the space.  These two that came up surprised me because I thought I had pulled them all.  Anyhow, maybe I can get them to do well in the Greenhouse?

Our local farrier passed through and gave both of our horses a hoof trim.

Our two new calves love each other.  I am so glad they were born so close together.  It is so much fun to watch them gamboling about their parents in the Near Meadow.  I saw them head-butting each other the other morning.

Our yearling pup, H. loves to chase the cows.  We of course discourage it, but it still happens from time to time. The mama cows will have none of it.  They will bellow and butt at H.  If the bull, SH, is not with the herd, he likes to hang with the horses, he will head to the cows when he hears them bellow, to rescue them and the calves from H.’s playful chasing  It is so cool to watch his protective behavior towards his family.  Actually, when he sees it’s H., he will usually go up to her and play with her to distract her from bothering his family…Our animals know who each other are and have respect for one another.

Please keep praying for Miss Eloise, she has some housing changes coming up soon and sent back home her male cat M, the brother of our female cat, M.  We are so happy to have him back at home!  He is the best cat, ever.  I love all of my cats, but M is super special in so many unique ways.

I’ve been doing some bike riding.

Keep prepping every day!  We’re all going to need anything and everything we’ve got stored in the very near future…Keep reading God’s word and praying…Stand on the promises of Jesus.  He is the only one who will keep us sane as the evil increases beyond that we would never ever want to imagine in these last days of the Age of Grace!  Remember Ephesians 6:10-18

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…”
I will add that when one is in heavy intercession, it is incredibly important to proclaim God’s Word aloud to the heavenlies.  Declare it!!  Believe it!!!

May you all have a very blessed and safe week.

– Avalanche Lily, Rawles

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As always,  please share and send e-mails of your own successes and hard-earned wisdom and we will post them in the “Snippets” column this coming week.  We want to hear from you.