Sorry for the quiet the last few days, guys. Just busy at work and ‘real life’ (such as it is).
Not that there isn’t a lot to chew over.Seems like the Mauser rifle is seeing a bit of a re-emergence these days.
I’ve been, as of late, running over the current events and trying to think how they do/don’t/might affect me. Just off the top of my head, there’s cyberattacks that disrupted air travel, a large seizure of a cell pphone system that, supposedly, could have been used to disrupt communications, the Russians are taunting Poland and NATO, political violence has become in vogue, precious metals are soaring as faith in the greenback slides, and I’m sure I’m overlooking even more.
So what’s my concern? Supply chain disruption, at the moment. I’m not really worried about food, electricity, and that sort of thing. But I am thinking that I need to evaluate what critical items might encounter problems if shipping and commerce is disrupted by cyberattacks, tariff wars, localized disturbances, banking issues, etc. For me, I suppose the possible vulnerabilities are spare parts for my truck, generator, foreign-made firearms, and a few other things.
While there is always a degree of uncertainty in every day’s fortune, the stakes are sometimes higher, and sometimes lower, than at other times. Nowadays, the stakes seem pretty high. As of late I’ve been making sure that there’s plenty of cash on hand (in case of bank ‘holidays’..government induced or cyberattack-induced), a healthy amount of precious metals, and that the ammo levels are topped off. Can’t say why…just makes me feel safer.
Maybe the feeling of pensiveness is the result of watching and absorbing too much news (“doomscrolling”). But what choice is there? There is obviously a clear need to be informed on matters that are decidedly unpleasant. I need to know war news, terrorism news, economic news, social disturbance news, etc, etc. If I want to keep myself and those I care about in as safe a position as possible, then I need to be aware and informed. Such is the price of vigilance, I suppose.
A person could make an argument that ‘quality of life’ is diminished by this sort of thing. Perhaps. But, for me, being ‘on top of things’ and in a position to be ‘ready for anything’ is what enhances my quality of life. Still, it seems a little difficult these days to not feel like theres a shoe waiting to drop somewhere out there.
Bugging in seems to be the choice for me and mine. Water is the biggest issue, it was 105 degrees here today which equates to about a quart of water per hour when walking around outside, or inside if the power goes out. Got plenty of food and ammo. Leaving the house just doesn’t seem doable so I’m saving the last round for myself.
Water is a big issue, we were one of this company’s first customers, and the pump is still going strong. We were lucky to have a capped, well, steps away from the old farm house, that was too shallow for us (with the clothes washer, dish washer, kids, etc) but perfect for the simple pump. I believe you can install this in the same well, you have an electric pump, If you have a well, you need a way to pump out the water… https://www.simplepump.com/
If you don’t have a well, and don’t live in the country… you should move to the country…
You’re not the only one thinking this way. I picked up some more PMs before the most recent price rise. Topped off propane tanks last weekend, this weekend will be gas cans refilled. Will hit the ATM for a bit more cash after payday.
Looking to get on a local solar installers wait list to go off grid. Been putting it off due to price but not willing to wait much longer. Just need to make the commitment of a deposit.
Anyone paying attention has a sense of what’s coming. Might not like it but it is en route…
As that meme goes “My sanity vs being informed”.
Burying the head in the sand is stupid. Being driven as insane as the leftist “True Believers” isn’t an improvement.
Glad you question the amount of “Doom scrolling” you (and frankly me also) are doing. Means your informed but aware of the dangers of over stimulating yourself with doom.
Water is the weak spot of almost every prepper I know. Most of us have more firepower and ammo than were likely to live long enough (even as John Wick) to use. Some of us have enough food for a year set aside.
Cover the rule of threes first. Know that a real crazy *might* just get lucky and blast you into cripple or dead status.
Get a real good relationship your God and with those you TRUST and love because in times of trouble those are what covers your back and keeps you going when things suck.
Obey Ole Remus’s “Stay away from crowds” and “Stay away from stupid people doing stupid thing” (Like going to a protest or doing something fictional like Aesop’s little party game story to a protest).
Enjoy life, soon enough some of our life pleasures will not be available.
A good supply of cash, preferably not big denominations, might be an easy and prudent prep. Who knows when ATMs might go down and for how long? Stock up on $1s, $5s, and $10s. If all you have are twenties, then that quart of milk for the crying baby will cost $20.
Just had the septic tank pumped out so it’s good for another 8 years. I’m currently laying in next years wood supply with another 22 ricks of Hickory in the barn for a rainy day. At 78 years old I don’t plan on bugging out but am content to make my last stand here at home on 83 acres and a 3 acre lake stocked with fish and a good supply of deer to hunt until their gone. Winter gardens planted now and I have plenty of low tunnel supplies (Agribon) on hand to cover and get the salad makings through winters snow and cold weather. Chickens and rabbits (check). Beans, bullets, band aids, and buddies the 4 B’s (check). Back up solar (check).
The septic care is so vital and I think overlooked by most. Now is a great time to do it even if you think you’ve another year or two to go. A great reminder. Sounds like you are all set!
You gotta eat and you gotta sleep. Building family and community is the single most important thing a man can do to prepare for the future.
It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely critical.
There is never not going to be a shoe waiting to drop
Berglander is exactly right, survival will depend on building community, a skill that, based on current events, we have not just forgotten but actively rejected. Even if an individual or a couple has built incredible skillsets — bootstrap medicine, cooking, neighborhood defense, mechanical troubleshooting and repair, ammo reloading, etc. — one person can’t do ALL those things for very long. Sure, you can cover the windows, suppress your cooking smells, heat the place and ration your water, but you can’t do all that and also patrol the neighborhood or man a listening post 300 yards from the house along the most likely route for raiders. You can only go for a limited time on 2-3 hours of sleep a day. Building community, knowing our neighbors’ strengths and weaknesses, is one of the cheapest things we can do and should be one of the easiest, yet it isn’t. It’s a very real concern for me.
Past two weeks have been crazy in America. The most radicalized Left and WOKE have been spun up into a frenzy and don’t appear to be worried about they are portrayed in the media. They know any crimes they commit will be excused or buried as fast as possible.
Be careful, especially in crowded public spaces or near public college universities. It means more now than ever. Two days ago, I say a college age student on a street corner with hand held sign TRUMP RAPES KIDS. Never used to see public statements like that before.
I broke down and bought me some PM in the form of a new Beretta 1301 Tactical Shotgun. Can not wait to hit the range this weekend!!!!!
“The future’s uncertain and the end is always near.” Doors, 1970.
Bergland (above) got me thinking. If it all falls apart, community will be survival. That means, maybe, joining with MAGA, conservatives, left leaning (LG?) democrats (but not crazy like woke), anarchists (but not Antifa) people. Like minded, as in wanting to defend life, liberty, property, and who are willing to respect differences discussed in a peaceful way.
Maybe. I suppose it depends on how fast and how deep a collapse it turns out to be. When its ‘Walking Dead’ sort of chaos I dont think anyone cares who voted for who, theyre more concerned with who has food and gasoline.
Yes, and if “they” learn you have the food and gas, you had better hope you have created a solid mutual defense group so you can keep it as well as your life. I always grin at the stories about post-event bartering. Have you got a solid squad of trained, armed, dedicated cohorts that are going to get you and your goods to and from the barter site? Got another group to do counter-surveillance on you as you make your way back? Got enough preps to feed that group?
I was discussing this general situation with a fellow volunteer at the local food bank this AM, a lady, by the way, and she was all worried that “Crazy Putin” was going to start a nuclear war. I explained that all he or the Chinese have to do is kill the internet and wait 30 days for what society we have to dissolve. After 90 days, we become a Chinese food plot with any survivors working for food. GF
Exactly – it takes a lot of trustworthy associates to make a supply run – you cannot just get a place far from everyone and sit there. Well, our host might with the deep stock on hand but for most of us we’ll offer our skills in exchange for that mutual aid. If you have no skills…well…you better find some.
This is a good place to start – concise, complete:
https://tactical-wisdom.com/books-tactical-wisdom-series/