Will we one day see mass resistance to what's going on in our country?  Might it at least appear in certain volatile pockets?  I'm certainly not advocating it, I'm just asking questions.

In the event of unrest or panic, what will be the government's response?  Martial law?  FEMA camps?  Don't think that they don't have their own plans.

What if things get chaotic–something that could happen for any number of reasons–and the knuckle dragging mouth breathers come to loot what you've set aside in your efforts to be prepared?

In the July-August 2009 "Backwoods Home Magazine," Claire Wolfe tackles this touchy subject.  Below is an excerpt and link to her article.

Preparing for civil unrest

By Claire Wolfe

The most remarkable thing about civil unrest is that there hasn't been more of it.

Politicians are making a hash of this country—and much of the rest of the civilized world. We know it. They know it. They know we know it. But we don't feel we can do anything much to stop them.

Excerpt used with permission of Backwoods Home Magazine. www.backwoodshome.com 1-800-835-2418 

Wolfe discusses possible definitions of civil unrest and the levels at which we may be affected by it.  She expands on the following points.

1. Keep standard emergency preps up to date.

2. Don't fall into foolish complacency.

3. Watch your health.

4. Make common cause with your neighbors.

5. Prepare to protect your resources day and night.

6. Get advance word on local conditions when traveling.

7. Watch for signs of trouble when in an unfamiliar area.

8. If you stumble into a "hot zone" of unrest, be prepared to think on your feet.

9. If you're swept up in mass arrests…go along as best as you can.

10. Have a good lawyer and carry his or her card with you.

11. Be careful of roadblocks.  Avoid them if you can.

The bottom line: Be prepared and keep a cool head.  Think survival.

            Whether we have civil unrest or a disaster of considerable magnitude, get When All Hell Breaks Loose.  It’s a 450 page paperback with short, educational and entertaining chapters.  Here’s Amazon.com’s brief product description.

“Survival expert Cody Lundin's new book, When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes is what every family needs to prepare and educate themselves about survival psychology and the skills necessary to negotiate a disaster whether you are at home, in the office, or in your car.”

            Order When All Hell Breaks Loose from Amazon.com by clicking on the picture of the book below, which takes you to the page featuring the book.

            In a down economy, like the one we’re in, scammers come out of the woodwork.  I like to think you and the rest of my readers are pretty savvy and are too sharp to be taken in because you’re focus is on survival and prepping, not get rich quick schemes.  Nonetheless, we all want to make an extra buck or two when things are tight, and you may be tempted to try your hand at a business opportunity you heard about on TV, radio, or online.

            You’ve no doubt heard it said that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Scammers can get around that sometimes by providing references from satisfied clients or customers.  That’s just one of several tricks they use to make you think you’re in control and doing the right thing.

            The Federal trade commission is cracking down on fraudulent business opportunities.  An article on their Web site gives specific examples of companies they’re after.  You can click here to read it.

            They’ve also produced a 10 minute video with general tips and advice on how to recognize and avoid being scammed.  The video features a former scammer who served jail time for conning people with phony business opportunities.  As the FTC site puts it, he “gives an insider account of how these operations use high-pressure tactics and celebrity endorsers to trick cash-strapped consumers, and how consumers can protect themselves by demanding written disclosures on earnings and other sales data.”  Click here to watch the video.

            When it comes to hanging on to your money, as the former scammer in the FTC video puts it, you should say a lot of fast Nos and slow Yesses.

            On a related note, the atmosphere is right for opportunistic identity thieves, too.  To discover a way to thoroughly protect yourself, click on the TrustedID logo below and take advantage of the protection plan they have for you.

            Len Pense didn’t expect to be doing what he’s doing now and be so successful at it.  He wanted to get away from everything and live peacefully in the Missouri Ozarks, only to find his system of raised bed survival gardening has drawn a lot of attention.  In fact, he’s teaching classes and has written a book, showing people how to do it for themselves.

            His raised bed system is low maintenance, intensive and organic.  He says the 4 ft. X 16 ft. area can feed two people for a year in most areas, even in winter, offering a high return on the investment.

            The reasonably priced classes are on gardening, including building the beds, planning and planting, canning, and cooking.  Classes are mostly held on Saturdays.  Space is limited and reservations are required.

            Pense’s farm isn’t far from Branson, MO, so you could make classes part of a vacation.  As a matter of fact, after taking the classes, anyone is welcome to help out with the work throughout the season to enhance your hands-on experience.  You can help with planting, fertilizing, harvesting, canning, etc.

            Pense was featured in an article from “Homestead” magazine, which you can read when you click here.  His Web site has info about the classes offered.  It’s at http://www.gardeningrevolution.com .  If you contact Len Pense, be sure to mention DestinySurvival.

Click here for info on Mittleider gardening–another simple organic gardening method..

            Whether you have cast iron skillets, a waffle iron, or a Dutch oven, you may have questions on properly caring for cast iron cookware.  It has a reputation for lasting many decades and can be passed down from generation to generation.  But what do you do to keep cast iron clean?  Should you use regular dish soap and water?  How do you “season” cast iron?  What do you do if your skillet rusts?

            In the July/August 2009 “Backwoods Home Magazine,” Jackie Clay shares a primer on caring for cast iron cookware.  It’s not difficult.  Jackie has a great deal to share from her personal experience cooking with cast iron.  There are advantages to using cast iron, and you should have some of it in your survival kitchen.  Below is an excerpt of Jackie Clay’s article.

Cast iron

By Jackie Clay

My very favorite cookware is old—some of it very old. It's nonstick, is equally at home in the kitchen or wilderness camp, is the ultimate slow-cooker, and you can whop a mountain lion on the head with it and kill it. (Okay…maybe that last is a bit of a stretch.) Of course, it's my cast ironware.

I love it so much that I have a real wide assortment: two small 6-inch fry pans (great for an egg or two), an 8-inch fry pan, a 10-inch fry pan, and a huge 18-inch frying pan that you could certainly frighten a mountain lion with. I also own a Dutch oven, waffle iron, cornbread stick pan, muffin pan, two griddles, and a roaster.

 
Read the whole article here: www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/clay118.html

Excerpt used with permission of Backwoods Home Magazine. www.backwoodshome.com 1-800-835-2418

            An excellent source for skillets, several Dutch ovens, waffle irons, and more, is Lehman’s.  If there’s something you’re looking for in particular, type it in their home page search box to go to a page showing their selection.

If you’ve already got cast iron cookware but could use more info and recipes, get the Cast Iron Cookbook, featuring dozens of old, rare recipes.    You get recipes for an amazing array of meats, biscuits and breads, stews, breakfasts, and more.  There’s plenty of information on cooking with more than just a skillet.  Discover cooking with cast iron Dutch ovens, pie irons, griddles, muffin pans, kettles, deep fryers, woks, and more.  All the secrets of cast iron use and care are revealed in this cookbook.

To order your copy of the Cast Iron Cookbook, click on the Lehman's logo and type item 211152 in the home page search box.  A picture of the book appears on the page that comes up.  Click on the picture of the book for more info and to add the book to your cart.

            Cast iron skillets and other cookware made it through the days of the American pioneers, and some of it is still being used.  Why shouldn’t you have some in your survival kitchen?  The Cast Iron Cookbook will help you make best use of it.

            When was the last time you gave any consideration to the importance of knots?  Most of us don’t think about it beyond tying our shoes each morning.  Did you know that a certain knot holds a prominent place in history?  If not, you should get acquainted with the story of Alexander the Great and the Gordian knot.

            As for survival applications, anyone who does any rock climbing will tell you a properly tied knot means the difference between life and death.  Anyone who has done any sailing knows the significance of knots as well.  If you’re going camping, you’ll want to tie down your tent securely.  The fact is knots serve purposes we don’t think of readily, and there are numerous kinds of knots for various applications.

            There are a number of books on knots, but two have been recommended to me with the idea that you could make good use of them.  They are The Morrow Guide to Knots, by Mario Bigon and Guido Regazzoni and The Outdoor Knots Book (Mountaineers Outdoor Basics), by Clyde Soles.  Both are paperbacks available from Amazon.com, and both rate high with reviewers.

            The Morrow guide to Knots is written with clear instructions and hundreds of colorful photographs.  It’s described on Amazon.com as follows:

“Here is an entirely different kind of knot book! For the first time, here are step-by-step instructions that take full advantage of color photography to teach the art of tying knots. Unlike illustrations in other books, these pictures show every step looking over the shoulder of the tier — the way you see the knot as you make it. And when two or more ropes are involved, they are color coded so you can clearly tell them apart. Included in addition are a section on decorative knots, a cross-reference list of the many applications of knots, and a detailed glossary. The Morrow Guide to Knots is a reliable and essential reference tool for all sportsmen and campers, homeowners, and youngsters as well.”

The Outdoor Knots Book is a thorough guide to knots.  Amazon.com describes it as follows:

“A guide to the ropes and knots used in the outdoors by hikers, campers, paddlers, and climbers.

*Guidelines for selecting the best rope and the best knot for the activity at hand

*Knot-tying directions clearly illustrated with photos…

 “It's fair to say that climber Clyde Soles is obsessed with ropes and knots and their absolute performance–since he regularly entrusts his life to ropes on sheer rock faces. His unique book explains how to select and use ropes, cordage, and webbing for the outdoors. Invaluable information is provided on rope handling techniques (how to avoid dreaded tangles) and the best methods for rope care and maintenance. Step-by-step directions for tying over 40 knots are clearly illustrated with photographs. Other useful features include a glossary and a knot comparison chart activity. This is the definitive text on ropes and knots for anyone who plays in the outdoors!”

            Get one or both of these books by clicking on the picture of each book below.  A new window will open, taking you to the Amazon.com page featuring the book you’ve clicked on.  Place your order from there.

            Don’t let knots mystify you.  You don’t have to be a Boy Scout to be an expert with knots.  Kids know knots can be fun.  Of course, you want these books because you know knots are useful for survival.

            This weekend is the annual Field Day for amateur (ham) radio operators all over the country.  It’s when amateur radio clubs and individuals operate in survival mode, off the grid, as they would in the event of emergencies.  A post I wrote last year explains Field Day more.  You can also see a press release from the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) here.

            If you’re not familiar with amateur radio, Field Day is a good place to get acquainted with its possibilities for survival communications.  Find a local Field Day event here.

            As with last year, ham radio operator Ted Randall will be broadcasting on WBCQ shortwave Saturday afternoon and evening.  Listen in if you can.

            While we’re on the subject of ham and shortwave radio, you may want to check out the amazing, practical and simple antennas offered by DWM Communications at http://www.hamradiofun.com .  Mention DestinySurvival when you contact them.  It would be wise to put a couple of yo-yo antennas or a Tiny Tenna with your survival communications supplies.

            There are many times when I hate the slightest nod to conformity.  This is one of those times.  A billion other bloggers are writing about Michael Jackson today, and I was determined I wasn’t going to be one of them.  Let me tell you why I’m writing this today.  This is more about state of mind than about Michael Jackson.

            First, the disclaimer.  I’ve never been a Michael Jackson fan.  Sure, he was incredibly talented at what he did.  It just didn’t appeal to me.  Let's not forget he likely molested young boys.

            When “Thriller” came out I was working at a small town country music radio station.  I was in my early twenties and my boss was in his early forties.  When he came into the studio excitedly one day with his copy of the album, my first thought was, “Haven’t you outgrown this stuff yet?"  Of course, I didn't say what I was thinking.

            My decision to write this post started while perusing one of my favorite Internet news sites this morning.  I saw a commentary blurb stating that the death of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett would keep the media buzzing for the next week.  As a result according to the commentator, the New World Order types would be overlooked and have free reign.  Of course, that’s true regarding what passes for news in the mainstream media anyway.  I guarantee you Rush Limbaugh isn’t going to fill you in on the NWO, the truth about 9/11, dangers of GMO foods, and on and on.  Jackson and Fawcett provide just one more diversion, only it’s more sensational than most.

            I would beg to differ with the snippet of commentary I read in this way.  Let’s go one more step.  While we should be aware of what the NWO elites are doing, prepping for survival will trump even any news about them and their statements and actions.  Never mind Michael Jackson.  One day we may be making such an effort to get by day to day that it won’t matter what happens in Washington, London, or Belgium.

            Here’s my perspective from recent personal experience.  This week I’ve been without central air conditioning in our home during a time of excessive heat and humidity.  While friends lent us a room air conditioner, it’s been downright hard to keep cool.  It’s physically tiring and makes one irritable.  I believe I can tolerate heat better than extreme cold, but both are unpleasant.  Furthermore, my wife has asthma and can’t breathe well in this heat and has been staying overnight with friends from church just to keep cool.

Though we’re hoping to get the air conditioning issue resolved in a few days, it’s been stressful, and it’s not over yet.  How much do you think I care about Michael Jackson?

            I’ve been endeavoring to stay hydrated and function with only a modest degree of normality.  People die in this kind of heat, and I don’t want to be one of them.  I’ve kept the computer off during the heat of the day and haven’t done a lot of the behind the scenes things I usually do related to this blog.  I’ll be glad when things get as normal as possible again.

I’ve done considerable reflecting, as one is prone to do when the routine is disrupted.  What would I do if we had no electricity at all for the portable AC and fans?  How many gadgets and audio devices do I own with odd batteries that I wouldn’t be able to charge?  What would we do without a refrigerator or freezer?  People lived without these things in decades and centuries past.  Am I ready for it if the clock is turned back 200 years?  How ready are you?  Even with survival gear and supplies, are we psychologically ready?

            How will we survive the many storm clouds threatening life as we’ve known it?  I’m referring to such things as the collapse of California’s economy and swine flu.  Not all of us will be touched by these problems directly, but we may feel the ripple effect in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

            Sure, Michael Jackson’s death reaches a lot of people, but they’re people I can’t connect with.  They’re from a different planet than I am.  I think it’s safe to say they’re not preparing for survival.  That’s no doubt good news to the Power Elites of the world.

            While it can be argued that it’s the actions of those Power Elites who are bringing about the calamities we face, when the chips are down and we’re struggling to prepare our next meal or are seeking to maintain decent shelter from the elements, I won’t care about them any more than I care about Michael Jackson today.  Will You?  We’ll see soon enough.