CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY
No, not the troll yesterday. No plan survives contact with the enemy. But more on that in a second. Right now, big hugs and Bison Brownie Points go out to Frank for his generous donation. He took my complaining and bitching about donating a buck a month and paid ahead many months. For those of you that agreed to PayPal a buck a month, instead of having PayPal send you an e-mail notice, can I just get you to send me that donation? jimd303@netzero.com . Go to PayPal and send me the donation, don't wait to be contacted. They charged me 20% of each dollar last time, which seems a bit much. Perhaps this way I'll pay less in fees. Let's try, shall we? First of the month, official notice, donate now for points toward your Bison Decoder Ring. And, the person that bought a big ass solar panel through my links at Amazon- thank you very much! A $50 commission ( the large amount jumped me up to the 15% commission from 6% ). Now I can get some of those $30 books I've been lusting after.
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I know a lot of you love all things military. Some of you even have digital desert camouflage jock straps. There are some things I like about the military equipment available, but most is crap. As much as I hate the M-16, it is still an okay weapon, but mainly if you use it in a manner other than the orthodox. Rather than an assault weapon, it will serve adequately as a mid range sniper rifle. I find the whole concept of the assault rifle flawed for the survivalist. Stay far enough away. But if you already have the poodle shooter, by using it from a distance you overcome its serious handicaps which are ease of jamming and lack of knock down power ( the sniper role would be for wounding- killing would be a bonus ). And while we are on the subject, I don't claim that bolt actions are perfect and semis are total junk. I believe, as previously discussed, that a bolt conforms to the 80/20 rule. They deliver 80% of the performance for 20% of the cost. And they have the added benefit of stretching your limited ammo supply much farther. Very important in a total collapse scenario. This is a blog about frugal survival, not a Yuppie Survival site for those with money coming out the wazoo. Anyway, since you love all things military, you are aware that no plan survives contact with the enemy.
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More than one reader has asked why I have no livestock if I plan on a herding existence after the collapse. The short answer is that it takes money coming out of the wazoo. The long answer is this article. I have many plans for life after the collapse. None are full blown, none are a sure thing slam dunk. None are past the planning stage. Living in the Great Basin means there will be no other livelihood except herding. The soil is crap, adding to the soil means importing whatever you need. While you can do that now, come the collapse you also stand out like a sore thumb. Best to work with Mother Nature and work with what is provided. Nomadic herding. I know folks with animals, and they are constantly putting serious money into the operation. I don't have the resources to match that. Fencing, feed, shelter, water, vet bills. They are playing at farmer with animals, which is not cost effective for the small operator in this area. The general plan is that come the time, I hire out as scut work or security. I have other half baked plans.
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Mercenary work. Easy enough, if short lived. Law enforcement, if the town hangs on somehow. Security on a ranch. I've been half assed researching workshop chemistry. I haven't cracked the books for awhile, meaning to get back to that. I think I can improvise smokeless powder and primers if I do some more serious research. Nothing assured, just a direction I've been meaning to travel. Even less assured, logistics officer. Not the order and stockpile kind, more of the from scratch in nature kind. I'm interested in that, but I've put even less serious research into that than the improvised chemistry. The point is that I have plenty of ideas but no clear direction just yet. For the longest time, my only focus was on die-off survival. More recently, I've seriously devoted time and resources to economic survival through the collapse. So, I'll easily make it through the Depression ( unless I fall victim to criminals official or unsanctioned ). That had started as a means to survive retirement without Social Security and evolved as our economy got worse. Then, I should make it through the die-off, at least resource wise. Again, not a lot I can do about a sudden overwhelming attack ( please don't mention having a semi, they are not a talisman ). The least of my worries is what to do after the die-off is complete. Yes, it is important. No, I haven't got around to devoting resources to it other than pure research material. One thing at a time. I haven't had the money to buy pasture land, a herd, fencing, and a yurt. That is Yuppie level investing. The Better Than Nothing Concept compromise is to hopefully be adopted by a rancher. If it doesn't work, I'll hopefully have progressed with another plan.
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I make minimum wage. I preach frugal preparations. And you're surprised I'm not living on my own ranch? I don't think farming is hopeless. It is actually the best frugal method of long term preparation. Usually you can get by with a bit of dirt, a shovel, some fertilizer and some seed. Gardening trains you for farming, and everyone can do it cheaply. I only try to warm you of the shortcomings involved in the lifestyle. I'm not saying my plan is better. I am asking if you have thought of the dangers, because farming is not as carefree as generally thought. Not in a Dark Age. My plan for herding is fundamentally flawed due to lack of concrete steps in planning. I know this. I don't delude myself. I know that this plan will face many reasons for derailment. Most likely, it won't survive contact with the enemy. I know it needs further attention, and I don't kid myself about it. But be honest, are you kidding yourself about farming and its drawbacks?
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When I point out flaws in a lot of conventional notions, I am accused of many horrid things. How dare I not provide concrete solutions. Well, pardon the crap out of me. You are reading a free newsletter and are offended I don't live out all possibilities. Sorry, let me just run down to the gravel pit and order $200 in fill dirt. Then order $300 in sandbags mail order. Then build a sandbag shelter in the back yard. Then, once I know it works after laboring for fifty hours, I'll recommend the shelter to you. Or, I could just tell you to go read the article in Mother Earth News ( thanks for the loyal minion heads up on the article ). Should I build an ethanol still for you? Test all different weapons? Etc. A lot of this is my journey towards a more secure future. A lot is going to be nothing more than plans until an unknown future time. I'm here to provide a lot of questions. When you are lucky, you get a few answers. I don't want to come across as an all knowing guru, and I'm sorry if it seems that way at times. That is not my intention. I get some things right, I get some things wrong. Haven't I shared when I'm wrong? Plus, let's not forget, we are here to have a fun time. It might be serious business, but let's enjoy the journey.
END
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9 comments:
Alright, you shamed me into a donation. Your readers don't want you too prosperous though. The Baptist churches have used the "Poor and Humble" strategy with their preachers to great success. The Elders keep them poor with a small salary and the Deacons keep them humble with their incessant critisism. You are truly one of the most unique characters anywhere in the blogosphere. If you were paid your true value, you would end up spending all your time driving around to gun shows in your new SUV looking for high cap mags for you new AR-15 and your blog would go all to sh!t. You're our preacher Jim, and we need you "poor and humble". Just like us.
can we get a link to the article mentioned in Mother Earth News?
For those lucky enough to have a Garand rifle, but no self control, and waste ammo help is at hand. Install the Holbrook device
and you may choose to load one to eight rounds.
Holbrook Garand rifle thumb saver
is $45.00 postpaid
please send postal money order
John Holbrook
2015 24th St #57
Bellingham WA 98225
john.holbook@comcast.net
see Boston's Gun Bible page 11/30
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
excerpt The Device is a replacement for the GI op rod catch and it stops automatic bolt release when
loading a clip. It also prevents auto clip ejection when the last round is fired.
With it installed, the Garand operates much like the M-14/M1A. When a full clip is inserted into
the receiver it will latch, however you must pull and release the bolt handle to charge the top
round. It will operate in the normal manner until the last round is fired and the bolt will lock open but the clip will not eject. To eject the clip you must push the eject button on the receiver...
With an empty clip latched in the receiver, single rounds can be loaded into the clip, 1 through 8.
when you have as many as you wish, just pull and release and away you go.......
The rifle is not modified and can be converted back to GI by replacing the Device with the original catch. end excerpt
...................................................................................................
I received the Holbrook thumb saver, and promptly installed it in my Garand. It works exactly as described. I am delighted.
So long as the army supplies you with unlimited ammo it does not matter if the enbloc clips fly away never to be found.
The unreconstructed diehard resister/survivor skulking in
the mesquite thickets will appreciate the Holbrook device.
It allows him to remove the empty clip and keep it for reloading. That's good because he may not be able to find more of them.
I was a rifleman in First Platoon Co B 27th Wolfhounds Sep 50 to Sep 51 in Korean War One. The rumor that the enemy waits to hear the PING of the ejected enbloc clip
to charge your position is utter horseshit. When you kill eight you will have time to reload.
Mr. Jim, I am a loyal reader and appreciate your writing. What you do allows those of us who are timid to try out your end times scenario vicariously, in our minds, through your eyes. That is preparation of sorts. For some of us, it is all we can do right now. Just want you to know that I appreciate your effort.
Another good post! You make some very good points about not all things being for all people...I like that!
Maybe I was the loyal minion - here's the link for the MEN article mentioned:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/Earthbag-Building-Garden-Shed.aspx
Check out some of their other free stuff too. It goes back to the very beginnings when MEN preached much the same as Jim. Some projects are about impossible to do today - I haven't seen any empty freon tanks lately, but there's a lot there. Build your own woodstove anyone?
C'mon now, you can't spring for a couple of chickens and let them feed primarily off of your grass or weeds (if you have any) to try your hand at it? Cannot recall from all of your incessant blathering...eh um posts (kidding)...if you have any sort of fence. If not surely you can build a portable chicken coop with an open floor from scraps gathered in your journeys. The chickens could then do 'cage ranging.' They should be able to get by on extremely minimal feed, most likely scraps from your meals or take whatever is damaged and unusable from work.
If you watch craigslist you can probably pick those boys up for practically nothing, then if you don't like 'em just process 'em.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/grim79.html
Begging for a handout again. Give it up your words are not worth a buck.
(I have many plans for life after the collapse. None are full blown, none are a sure thing slam dunk. None are past the planning stage.)
Thank you for amitting that you have no real plans in place only dreams and fantasy with no substance.
We are getting vert close to shtf don't you think it's time to stop all your daydreaming and do something?
Joseph has a point with the chickens. My grandfather was a stock man and raised several types of animals (at the same time), including chickens and pigs. But here's the nice thing most people don't tell you...chickens can eat table scraps, and the bugs the table scraps lure to their pen. It sounds grosse, but I've even seen them eat fried chicken. The pigs, dog, and feral cats were also fed on canning, table and garden scraps. If you have any leftovers that you tend to throw away, it might be worth getting a couple of young hens.
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