Our Normal Abnormal Life

In many ways, our life hasn't changed much. We milk goats, make cheese, plant the garden, eat at home and don't socialize. This is pretty normal for us. Now that I cannot visit my Mom in the nursing home except through the closed, glass door, which we did for the first time today, we seldom go anywhere. While we were in town today we went to the store. Frank stayed in the vehicle while I went in to get apples. I wore gloves and cleaned my hands with an alcohol soaked wash cloth when I was finished. I took note of some of the store shelves while I was in there. The produce section was fully stocked. There was very little pasta, no spaghetti sauce in jars or cans, and only a few cans of spaghetti-o kinds of foods. There were no dried beans or flour of any kind. Many of the canned vegetables were sparse. I didn't go down any other isles, so that is my report for the grocery store today. It is a smaller, local grocery, not the Wal-Mart type.

A few weeks ago we stocked up on animal feed, filling every container we have to the brim. That will last us well into summer if not beyond. We stocked up on fresh apples and cabbage, too, but that's about the only store bought items we wanted/needed. The new air lock version of making sauerkraut has taken a backseat to the fermenting crock again for now. Even though it will take us months to eat the full crock that is percolating away at the moment, that's okay. It's nice to know we have months of nutritious, probiotic kraut awaiting our dietary needs.

Most of our routines haven't changed, so here is a pictorial of some of the things we're doing during this normal/abnormal life. We're still making cheese and sourdough bread, although we have started making tortillas out of most of the bread dough, just because we like them. We eat them fresh everyday with a little butter and salt. The dough freezes and stores well in the frig, so I can take out what I need for each day, let it come to room temperature on the cabinet, then cook them when we are ready to eat. If we do happen to experience a collapse, making small, daily batches of dough for fresh tortillas will be easier than trying to bake bread or rolls. Just a thought I have had when we transitioned to making daily tortillas.

Bread dough in the bowl, cheddar cheese in the stock pots

Some of the seedlings are now in the garden. If we get a frost, we'll need to cover the tomatoes and squash. 

Seedlings hardening off from the greenhouse

Tomato seedlings

The large tomato that grew in the greenhouse over the winter.

Whey from cheese making to water in the tomato seedlings.

Tomato seedlings

Carrots

Yellow squash

It's been very wet and muddy for about a month now.

This week we had record high temperatures in the 90's. This weekend we will probably have a frost. It reminds me of the challenges farmers are having with the food supply and the issues with the solar minimum and how it affects weather extremes. The Ice Age Farmer is listed on our blog roll. He has some interesting things about the solar cycle and food supply. The pepper and beet seedlings will have to wait for the frost to pass to be planted.
 

Peppers

Beets on my planting wagon.

We thought a few more hoses were in order.

Frank used a garden hose to fill our storage tank from the water well by the greenhouse. We can use it for the garden or drinking water if necessary.

The world? Our country? Outside of the virus, the economy is on the verge of imploding. The effects of the virus don't appear to be near as devastating as the hysteria and overreach of the government indicates it was 'supposed' to be. There is some underlying sinister plot in play that hasn't raised it's ugly head into the light of day yet. When it does, I don't know if it will have the ugly head of a fire breathing dragon or the boot of the man upon our throats. It is difficult to find any clues or facts (how to know what is true or not is impossible anymore) that lead to any logical conclusions at all.

And then there are the 'essential workers' that have received their "papers" for safe travel to and from work. When I hear the term "Papers, please." it makes me think of a World War with major restrictions and controls upon the activities of societies across the globe. We know a man that received his "papers" a few weeks ago indicating he works in an essential industry, then received a comment recently with the same scenario. Is there a time coming when all travel will be restricted without official "papers"?

Phone apps are being developed to track people that have been infected, are suspected of being infected, have been vaccinated (once it becomes available) or haven't, and probably who is using all of that 'dirty' germ laden money. With many, many people staying home or drastically restricting their travel voluntarily due to fear, those that are out and about will be easier to track. Why is this really desirable? I don't really think it has anything to do with a disease.

So, we will continue to stay home, order a few things online to be delivered and continue our normal/abnormal life. There are times when the vision of what we see coming down the road is almost paralyzing. Other times, we continue our daily routine, just like any other spring, only with the feeling we need to keep an eye out over our shoulder for that sinister overshadowing that creeps ever closer. We used to say the storm is coming, get prepared. Now? The storm is here and it's too late.

We would really like to hear what you think and what is happening in your area. When it rains, it rains on all of us. We are all in this together. Speak up now while you still can. You never know when something you say may help another.

Until next time - Fern
 

We Were Born For Times Such as These

We had a very interesting comment the other day that said, "We were born for times such as these." That struck us at the time and has stuck with us.

You, all of you that read here, were born for times such as these. That's why we're here. That's why we write, that's why you write and share your thoughts and experiences, and try to get those around you to wake up and smell the collapse that is pounding them in the head. Where does that headache come from? The pounding of reality slamming into your head, you idiot. But then, it's too late for you to wake up and smell the collapse, notice all the shortages everywhere? Too late. The train has left the station and you missed it.

Just some observations from our neck of the woods and our personal analysis of all of the information.

Frank and I keep saying - there is something sinister going on that we're not able to see, read about or discern yet. Unfortunately, we may not be able to do so until it's out in the wide open staring us in the face.

Yesterday Frank looked around online to see if there were any rifles available that shoot 223 ammo. Most major sites were sold out of almost everything, even the Ruger 10/22 that shoots 22LR were sold out. 223 ammo? Forget it. Not available. There are some places that have the ammo, just no longer in bulk.

Some of the young family men we have talked to recently, both 30 somethings, are scared. They see the world falling apart, collapsing. They both have young children and wonder if they will be able to provide for them and protect them - from the virus and the violence of the world they see coming down the road. And did we mention shortages? You know, food.

The virus? There is so much conflicting information out there, who knows what is real and accurate. Are the numbers actually reflecting the number of people that died from the virus or from their underlying conditions? We don't have the statistics of people that die of the flu with underlying conditions because they died from the flu. We don't have the number of people that were tested for the flu, or strep throat, or any number of conditions and how many died or recovered. Those statistics are not kept and correlated. So what is real? 

The government is lying to us. We understand that there are times when the government needs to keep things from the public, that is understandable. But don't tell us that because a company that once in the past made ventilators, is going to retool in a number of days to manufacture complicated medical equipment. This is impossible. They're just blowing smoke up our skirts. Listen carefully, it is impossible.

Let's try on another lie for size. We need to get back to work as soon as we can. But, we're also told that the peak of this virus may not be for six more months. It's the government that shut down the work place and we're hearing stories of we'll be back to work by.......maybe Easter? Somebody, ladies and gentlemen doesn't know what the left hand is saying because the right hand didn't tell them. Somebody is lying. We've talked about it before here, lying has become the norm. We are being told things on a daily basis that we know is just not going to happen. They, the government, are the one that shut down business for our protection. Every day that we are shut down, will make it much, much more difficult to restart. It has taken our country a couple of hundred years to grow and develop the economic system we have. We have effectively crippled supply and demand. You can't restart this in a day or two. It is impossible. 

Who is going to pick the food? Who is going to can the food? Who is going to label the food? Who is going to drive the truck that carries the food? Who is going to maintain the truck? Where is that truck going to buy diesel? How is that truck driver going to eat on the open road? Who is going to stock the shelves, operate the cash register? And on, and on, and on. They are lying to us. There is something much more sinister going on here.

Why are the governments of the world shutting down the world?? What is really coming that needs to have the world population shut down, at home, contained? What is coming? Why do we all need to be so controlled? What is going to happen that would cause people everywhere to be out of control?

Food shortages?
Total economic collapse worldwide?
Anarchy?
Mass rioting?

How else could governments across the globe convince mass numbers of people to peacefully give up and sit at home awaiting the coming storm? Scare them to death with the threat of death, that's how. Not violent government take over kinds of death, but death by the invisible enemy. It's got everyone quaking in their boots. Literally. Yes, people are getting sick and dying and I mourn their loss. I mourn that I cannot go see my mother in the nursing home and I worry about her. 

We have voluntarily contained ourselves, curtailed our activities and in some cases our livelihoods. For what? Why do they need us locked down, in fear. Something truly evil roams the land.

Prepare accordingly, for the unprepared are going to take from the prepared. They will do it in an official manner, after all we are in a national emergency. Those of us that have prepared by the sweat of our brow, will now have it taken by the brown shirt thugs. They will take what is ours, mine, yours and give it to the fat, lazy and stupid.
 

Years ago we read about the golden hordes pouring out of the cities in search of food and trying to escape the violence erupting there. Is that what is going to happen? I don't know.





We're going to reopen the economy? When? How? What kinds of work can be deemed essential? Everything accept entertainment? 

Why do we have to wait for the FDA to approve a drug that's been on the market for decades? What kind of insanity is that?

Please chime in and and add your thoughts.

You were born for times such as these. Stand up to the plate and swing away. This is our time. This is why we have lived this life, prepared, trained and learned for decades.

This is your time. Make it count. Follow what your mind and heart gives you to do. Fight the good fight. It's what you were born to do. Prepare to do the unthinkable. It's here boys and girls.

Now we're going to go work in the garden. We have food to grow, for it's going to be a very, very hot summer and you can't print food.

We'll talk more later. Until next time - 

Frank & Fern

Time to Fill the Holes

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

I'm not really sure where to start this, and I'm certainly not going to start off with some stupid joke, even though Humor is the Essence of Survival.

Fern and I, as I'm sure many of you are praying for our country and our world. There is nothing new that is going to be said here that you probably haven't heard somewhere else. You are all aware of the coronavirus. It's got a couple of other names, but for uniformity, we are just going to call it the coronavirus. As stated many times before, I do not believe or trust my government, and I certainly do not believe or trust a communist, dictator's government. I trust even less, the news media.

That being said, the information we have to go on, which is sketchy to say the least, would indicate that perilous times are upon us. A few reminders here.

• As Ol' Remus says, "Avoid crowds". This is critically important.
• Wash your hands.
• When Fern and I leave the house, we now carry a sealed sandwich bag with a washcloth in it that is saturated with 91% alcohol. We also carry surgical gloves. We have not started wearing masks yet, but yes, we have them. These are very basic and simple things to do. You can find a more detailed list in several other places.
• The NBA has cancelled it's basketball season. College conferences all around the country are cancelling tournaments. Here in Oklahoma, they have wisely cancelled the state basketball tournaments. They waited a little late to make this command decision about the state tournaments, but how can you justify the NBA and college conferences cancelling and you still allow high school games to be played? But my hat's off, somebody finally made the command decision.
• I'll get to the point of this in just a minute. Even before President Trump's statement last night, airlines were cancelling flights, both international and domestic.
• Cruise ships are also cancelling.

The point of this? This thing is real. People a whole lot smarter than I am either know something is coming or can see that something is coming. Our country is effectively, very slowly, shutting down. I hope you got to watch President Trump's talk last night. It was direct, to the point. It appears that this thing is going to get out of hand.

Did you hear what he said about nursing homes? Fern's mother is currently in a local nursing home. Now, think about this. I am 70 years old, I have had open heart surgery. When do we decide not to go see Fern's mother again? I am in that high risk target. Tough decision.

We have already filled all of the holes we need to fill in our supplies, and if push comes to shove, we could probably not leave our house for a year or more, with or without utilities.

I keep hoping this thing will just pass over like a blip on a radar. Is this the apocalypse we read about in the Bible? Is it the end times? Is this another Noah type event? I really don't know. 

But I do know that our government is taking some extreme measures. Let's give credit where credit is due. Extreme measures are needed during extreme times. I've got the distinct feeling that extreme is about to get significantly more extreme. 

Maybe a bank holiday? You are familiar with the repo market? Are you aware that the Federal Reserve, which is not a government agency, has been pumping billions of dollars every night into the banking industry just to produce some stability? That is about to increase significantly. I know you've been watching the stock market the last few days. The world markets are collapsing. Some will say, oh this is just another blip on the radar, and it might be. I wouldn't bank on that.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are in uncharted waters. I am glad, genuinely glad, that President Trump is our leader. Is he perfect? No.

NOW is the time to fill holes in any supplies you need. Use diligent precautions when doing so. We still don't even know exactly how the coronavirus is transmitted, and it truly doesn't make any difference how it started. If you are standing at the bottom of a hill and an unoccupied automobile is rolling toward you, it doesn't make any difference whether it was intentional or unintentional, man made or God made. It doesn't make any difference, you need to move out of the way before it runs you down.

Hopefully, this thing will pass. But with the preparations our government and other world governments are doing, somebody knows something that is not being released to the general public. Prepare now. That storm is here. Those dark clouds are upon us. Whatever analogy you want to use, use it.

I wouldn't expect our government to tell us the truth if they knew something was apocalyptic. Even if this virus only kills a few hundred million people, the world economy will come to a screeching halt. Anarchy will reign. As you've heard here, be prepared to do the unthinkable. 

By the way, Sam's and Wal-Mart are out of Spam. We are in trouble.

Fern and I are going to live everyday to the fullest. We have started planting the garden, I have re-purified my water well. We have inventoried and cataloged our medical supplies. We will do the best we can until the Big Guy pulls our number.

Remember, Humor is the Essence of Survival. If you have any doubt that God has a sense of humor, then go look in your bathroom mirror. Then go get your wife or husband to do it, or if you live alone, get your cat to do it.

Also remember that you and your immediate family come first.

If you have thoughts on this, or you have information about grocery store shelves, or who has what that others don't, then please share. After you read this, you need to get an alcohol swab and wipe down the screen on your computer.

I hope to see all of you again soon. Exponentially, we are on the uphill side of the hockey stick. Pay attention. 

DON'T GET ON THE BUS.

We'll talk more later,  Frank
 

Open Thread, January 2020

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

We tried an open thread not too long ago where you say what you think, and I say what I think. It seemed to work pretty good. When there are a lot of responses, it is impossible for us to respond to all of them.

Moving on. Some of the critical issues have not changed. By the way, today is Sunday, January 19, 2020. Happy Sunday everybody. We have a new year. Back when I used to watch TV, about 25-30 years ago, there was a TV show called 20/20. I liked that show. News has certainly changed a great deal. It's not news anymore, and it hasn't been news for a long time.

I would still be paying attention to what is going on in Virginia, very, very closely. Tomorrow is going to be a very important day in the great state of Virginia. I believe they call it a common wealth. Some folks call this a trial run for the rest of the country. It's not just the 2nd Amendment that's under attack, as if that's not enough. Your whole way of life is under attack. Pay attention to Virginia, plan accordingly. 

President Donald J. Trump. I guess technically he has been impeached and the trial is moving into the Senate. I will state here that I have lost all faith in my government. Our government, especially in Washington D.C., is blatantly and obviously corrupt. They're not even trying to hide it anymore. I saw pictures of the immaculate procession of the transfer of the impeachment documents from the house to the senate. If I were ever going to use disgusting, degrading profanity, it would be here to describe these events. But I'll just stick with - It's unbelievable! And I mean that in the truest sense of the words, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.  But, Ladies and Gentlemen, the unbelievable is happening in Washington D.C. and Virginia. If you thought that unbelievable couldn't happen? Well it is. Pay attention.

Something else happened recently in Iraq that I have mixed feelings about. Our government executed a foreign leader. Under the general rules of engagement this is an unacceptable practice. I personally do not support the process. But. And this is a big But. This Iranian general has been responsible for the execution of hundreds of Iranian citizens. Some will say, okay, what's the problem here? Well, this general has also been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and our allies. Here is where I have my dilemma. Is it okay to kill a head of state? I say no. Is it okay to kill a soldier that has killed and is going to continue killing our soldiers? Absolutely. So here is my conclusion. If we had the technological ability to bring this general back to life, then I think we should do it. Then we should kill him again, and again, and again. And I think we should kill every one of their generals again, and again, and again. I know our country and our policies are not perfect, but our country has done more humanitarian good for this planet than any other country. Ever. When another country threatens my country, then I think we have every right to defend ourselves. Anybody that wears a uniform and threatens our country is putting themselves in harms way.

Moving on. More foreign affairs. The BREXIT thing is supposed to finalize by the end of January. If my math is correct, that is about 12 days from now. So do you think it's going to happen? Or is the government over there going to screw the people out of their vote again? 

Have they built the wall yet between us and Mexico? You know that we are under invasion from our southern border. It's not just poor, hungry Mexican people coming across our border either. We are under attack, Ladies and Gentlemen. Call it what you choose.

Another topic. The repo thing. Our Federal Reserve is pumping billions of dollars into our huge financial institutions on a regular basis. How come? If everything is hunky dory and peachy keen in the financial markets then why is this repo even occurring? If I were to tell my neighbors everything is great and my finances are solid, but then every night I go to my uncle's house and borrow money, does that really look like everything is okay?

Let's switch to another aspect of politics. Look at the remaining Democratic candidates for President of THE United States of America. Really, really take a look at them. Senator Elizabeth Warren will say anything. She will promise anything to anybody at anytime. Is that what you want? Joe Biden. When we scrutinize former Vice President Biden under a microscope, we see that he and his family are unbelievably corrupt. Is this what you want for a leader? That mayor fellow and his long term boyfriend? I'm sorry, but I just don't think America is ready for that. Since I live in America, I'm not ready for it either. The last one I'm going to talk about or discuss with you is Bernie Sanders. Senator Sanders is a rabid socialist. In other words, he is a communist. I know there is a difference between the two, but I stand by my statement. He is a communist. He will probably be the nominee. 

Now. Donald Trump, the current president of the greatest nation that has ever existed. He is by no means a perfect president. Let me qualify something here. I have never seen any of his TV shows, ever. Ok. The man likes nice things, is that a problem? He likes pretty women, so what's the problem? He is a business man, not a career politician. He has obviously sparked a fury through all of establishment Washington, not just the Democrats, but also the establishment Republicans. He has rocked the boat. I do not trust the Republican lead Senate. Most of them hate him. We'll see about his impeachment trial in the senate. Watch this very closely. You might see a slight of hand trick here. 

In my humble opinion, President Trump is what we need as a country. We need a strong leader. We need a man, and yes, we need a man, that will execute his combat enemies and not apologize for it. We need trade deals, we need fair trade deals with other countries. We need to stop selling our country to the highest bidder. NATO needs to pay. Why should I spend my tax dollars to defend Germany? And if we're going to send money, our tax money, to other countries, we need results from those countries. President Trump inherited an economy that was staggering, a military that had been gutted, not just the equipment, but our fighting philosophy had been removed from our military. I'm not sure if we are going to be able to recover, no matter what President Trump does,but he is at least trying to save our country. The Bushes, the Clintons and Obama? I hate to say this, but they sold us out. Like I said earlier, I'm pissed. I expect my government to lie to me on occasion. There are things we just don't need to know. But the Bushes, Clintons and Obama did you and me and every other American a gross disservice. They sold us to the highest bidder. These pieces of crap are still walking free. They will be walking free tomorrow also.

Good time to shift gears here. How about all of these investigations? How come no one is in jail? How come there have been no major indictments? One example. President Trump knew that he was being spied on before he took office. That was three years ago. How come no one has even been arrested? The reason no one has been arrested is because no one is going to be arrested. Another example. The Clinton server. Another one. The Weiner laptop. How come there have been no indictments or arrests? I think the reason is very simple. That whole quagmire in Washington D.C. with it's tentacles extending to every county court house in this country is corrupt to the core. Let me qualify. There are some good people that work at all levels, but for the most part, the middle and upper level management all the way to the top, is beyond the definition of corrupt. This cannot be stopped. It is our whole system. It goes back to the beginning. Therefore, there will be no arrests. 

The problem is that this has now been exposed. You know it, I know it and millions of others know it. This is part of the reason they are going to take our guns. See the picture now? They have all of our data. If you have a driver's license, they know where you live. If you have a credit card, they know what you buy. If you have a cell phone or telephone of any nature, they know what you say. The list goes on, not to mention banking and medical.

They have been exposed. They are afraid, and they should be. They don't know what to do, so they're going to clamp down. Any excuse will do. January 20th in Virginia? That'll work. Summer time is coming, a hot summer. Elections are coming. Voter fraud. Just pick one. They will shut us down. Because they are afraid of us. They can shut down the internet, telephones, easily. Which means power, banking, medical, transportation. If you don't care. Fine. If you do care, if you don't know what to do? Screaming the sky is falling will do you no good when it starts to fall.

So what do you think, boys and girls? You can put this in a religious context if you choose. But the termites have eaten the foundation away while we continue to paint the house again. Do what you need to do. Get your head screwed on right. Get good with God. Get good with your family, because they are the only people you can truly trust, but you can't trust all of them either. 

Tell me what you think. If what you think can help another man, then do so. The comments will be moderated as always. Mild language will be tolerated. Most ideas are acceptable. No, we are not going to line up and shoot a bunch of people, that will not be accepted. But most ideas are acceptable. 

I hope we make it through this, but I don't believe we will. Take care. May God and Peace be with you.

We'll talk more later,  Frank

Open Thread - December 14, 2019

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

Good morning, it's Saturday morning December 14, 2019. The reason for the date, just wanted to let everybody know where we are. Things are changing quickly. 

This is going to be an open thread article where all comments are welcome. As usual, the comments will be moderated. We need to keep the comments lively, respectful, adult topics are fine and encouraged. No profanity, because somebody's grandma is reading this.


I'm going to start this with some of my comments. These are in no particular order, so I'll just start here.

I cannot believe this impeachment process. When I say I cannot believe, I cannot believe that our senior, elected politicians will stoop to the low level that I am seeing and reading on the news. I don't have the words for it. But I will say that I believe that we have lost one branch of our government to lying, cheating, corruption. Again, it's unbelievable. Unbelievable.

Next topic. You had better be paying attention to what is going on in Virginia. The new government coming in has created a hornets nest and the people are responding. Is this a testing ground for the rest of the country? That's for you to decide. We have sheriffs all over this country that are saying NO! WE WILL NOT COMPLY! This is serious.

Moving on. The Horowitz report brought to light a significant number of violations conducted by our federal law enforcement against American citizens. This report has it's limits and scope. Following reports should bring indictments. This is one more time I will use the word unbelievable, the unbelievable, uncontrolled corruption in our highest law enforcement agencies.


Moving on. The overwhelming defeat of the liberals in the United Kingdom should send shock waves through the liberal, socialist, communists groups world wide. We'll have to wait and see how they word BREXIT.

There are many more topics that just really get under my skin. Look at this pathetic group of Democratic candidates. In my humble opinion only one is even worth considering and that's the lady from Hawaii, and I don't think she is presidential material. All the rest are unbelievably pathetic losers. There is talk of bringing Hillary back? God help us all. Unbelievable.

You'll notice a slightly different thread today. Our 1st & 2nd Amendments are under blatant attack. If you need to stock up, now is the time, whether it be food, bandages or bullets. Again, in my humble opinion, this thing is going to heat up sharply this summer. THEY, whoever they is, the flavor of the week maybe, they are not going to allow President Trump to be reelected. THEY are desperate. As Ol' Remus says, avoid crowds. Avoid crowds at all costs. 

I encourage you to share your thoughts. This is a small blog with a medium sized readership. So please, if you have ideas to improve things, let us all know. If you're just pissed off, then vent. The 2nd Amendment is there for a reason. You might want to pay attention. Have a plan, proceed accordingly and diligently. Be vigilant. Pull your head out of your ass, this thing is getting serious. Look at Congress. Look at Virginia. THEY are not going to allow the President of the United States to obtain a second term. We as a nation are surrounded by socialists and communists, and I don't see anybody who can do a better job right now than President Trump. Is he perfect? No. But we need strong leaders, we've got enough people running around in this world wearing pink hats, we just don't need anymore. 

I am an American. I am a citizen. And I am pissed.

We'll talk more later,  Frank

Reality or Delusion?

We have to ask ourselves, is all of this prepping, survivalist, collapse mantra just another hoax? Is it just another relatively new economic opportunity for a section of entrepreneurs? Have we drank the "prepper" Koolaid?

There is no doubt the world is in a state of change, and in some instances conflict. Just to name a few.

• Global warming vs. Grand Solar Minimum
• Open borders vs. limited to no immigration
• Socialism/communism vs. Nationalism/patriotism
• New Green Deal vs. traditional ways
• Democrats vs. Republicans
• Congress vs. the President

And the list goes on and on and on, ad nauseam. The question is: What is really going on? What is true? What is hyperbole? What is a con game? What is really behind the curtain?

There is one thing that is obvious. Our government is at war with itself. Or is it? Is it all just a great show to distract us from something far more sinister? Are we truly to the point where we can no longer tolerate each other? There are more and more people saying the unmentionable words - Civil War.

It appears that the curtain has been pulled back to reveal the "business as usual" activities of many factions of our government. Some are shocked, some deny the 

many allegations that continue to pop up like summer thunderstorms on a daily basis, and some obviously don't care, because what has been revealed is business as usual and has been going on for a very long time. So, what's the big deal? Just because we, the public, didn't realize how our government has been, and is being run, does that all of a sudden make it wrong? Why? Because some label it corrupt? Because I label it corrupt and have lost my last vestige of faith in the integrity, honesty and good will of our government? Because I now think I see the day to day machinations of our government for what they really are? What difference does that make?

Our lights are still on. Water still comes out of the tap when I turn it on. The shelves in the store are still filled with items that are available day or night. This internet is still up and running providing me instant resources from any research I care to conduct, all at the tap of a key or the touch of a button. What's not to like about this life of ease and luxury that we live? This is reality. These things do exist and I take advantage of them everyday. So what difference does it matter how corrupt they are or much money they print to cover our bills?

Many have said for years, this is just another shift, a downturn, a momentary glitch in the system. Things have worked out before, they will this time also. We've all heard this many, many times. And you know what? So far, they are right and we are wrong. What does that tell us? 

In my bones, I have no doubt that one day our civilization will change - drastically. How? I cannot tell. I do know that more and more people are voicing their resentment against those that are intolerant. Now both 'sides' are indicating that the 'other side' is intolerant. There are now comments of irreconcilable differences between various factions in the country. Does that mean civil war? Does that mean secession of some states or portions of states or cities or what? Does that mean all out anarchy, every man for himself, violence and death in the streets all across our country? I do not know the answers to these questions, and I don't think anyone else does either. We all have our opinions and theories, but that leads me back to reality or delusion.

We can state that our opinions, actions, statements are based on facts, but are they? Look at the current whistleblower fiasco. First the facts indicated this, then they indicated that, then one side said no, it's this, and the other side said no, it's that. What are the facts? From my chair, there is no way to tell what the actual facts are. You can word things in such a way that two sides are saying the same thing, the exact same words, but the context gives each statement entirely different meanings. 

If the corruption in our government, in our country has been going on for decades, just business as usual, what is the problem? If you have been cutting the tail off a turkey before you cook it, just like grandma did, is that wrong? Even if you find out later that the only reason she cut it off was to get it to fit into the pan she had? Is change required? Is it necessary? Yes, I know everything changes, seasons, physical abilities, opinions. Just because our government is corrupt, does it have to change? No. Now that I see, hear and read information detailing what appears to be massive corruption, do I want it to change? Yes. But wanting doesn't make it so and hope is a very poor strategy.

It is difficult to lose all faith in my government. I have come to the point that I realize that I now love my country as my homeland, the place of my birth and life, but I loathe my government for the bloated, behemoth, oozing corruption and sucking the life blood from the fabric of our society. 

Do I think we have massive unrest possibly leading to anarchy, mayhem and a break up of our country? Yes. I actually can't see anyway around it. Look at Washington, D.C. Look at the war currently taking place in the halls of Congress, in the White House and in many state and local houses of government. What do you see? People coming together as communities to take care of those they have been elected to serve and protect? Look at the homeless crisis that grows everyday. 

There are still good people. People that stop and help each other. You just don't hear about them because they are not the ones out there in front of the camera, and some of those people are even in Washington D.C. They are the quiet, hard working folks that make the country tick. But the sound of that ticking has been dimmed by the rancorous anger and hatred being spewed across the airwaves and internet. One day, I pray that quiet majority doesn't reach the end of the line and that ticking counts down to an explosion. An explosion that has built up over many, many years and has a massive amount of energy behind it. I heard someone say recently that a human being can only take so much. I hope this part of my vision is the delusion and not the reality of our future.

Until next time - Fern

Sit Down & Shut Up

Folks, we are screwed. If you believe anything we can say or do will change the outcome of the future events that are barreling our way like a run away train, you are delusional. And so am I. 

If any of us, including me at times, felt like having a different type of president in office was sort of like a mini vacation from the coming dark ages, we're wrong. The current president may be a little different, but congress isn't. The long, long, long term, deeply connected apparatus made up of those that have run the show and sold their souls long ago, haven't gone anywhere, except maybe back deeper into the shadows.

But, you know what? The shadows aren't so dark anymore and the thin facade that hid what has really been happening all along are being lit more brightly everyday. The pomp and arrogance of those that know they can do anything they want, any time they want, to anyone they want, has been brought out in the open. Right in your face. Can anyone say Epstein? Suicide? Give me a break. 

Look at the people that have come to testify before congress with their smug, 'you can't touch me' attitude. Is anything really ever going to happen to them? I really, really want to believe so, but that is sheer stupidity on my part. Nothing will happen to them. Why should it? So a few people get Vince Fostered, who cares? They'll be forgotten in a few days or weeks as we go on to the next crisis flavor of the month. Hmm... what crisis will we spring on the stupid, unsuspecting public this week? Something that will get them frothing at the mouth and wailing about how unfair it all is! They blocked me on social media! Waaaa! Boo-hoo! It's so easy to control and sway people. It really is.

Some days the lies and treachery make us sick. Literally. Why has the curtain been pulled back now? There don't appear to be any attempts to hide what is going on, instead it is shoved out in the open, right in your face. So the government lies about everything? So what! They always have, it's just that they used to try to cover it all up with pretty little excuses and semi believable cover ups. Now. Who cares? Nobody, that's who. Nobody cares about the lies, corruption or death of the country. As long as I get my ________, fill in the blank with whatever, then all is well. I don't care who gets fired, suicided, black balled, bankrupted, red flagged, banned, jailed or killed, as long as I get mine.

So. You had better just sit down and shut up. If you don't they'll shut you up. You can't say this or that on social media, print or video. I used to only worry about the government shutting everyone down. Now? For all appearances, and it's just that, appearances, the government is fighting social media for shutting people down. Great big mega corporations that have the power to control the world. They do. With the advent of the computer, internet and all that entails, the world is controlled, lock, stock and barrel. If this platform doesn't like what I say, they can shut us off. No more to be heard from again. Or just send us to time out for whatever length of time they deem appropriate.

Next, if you say something someone doesn't like you will be Red Flagged. You know what that means, right? You may just be labeled mentally incompetent, deranged, or a danger to society. Who gets to decide? The person that feels like you cut them off in traffic? The person that doesn't like the way you looked at them in the checkout line? The neighbor that is jealous of your holiday decorations or the sound of the bar-b-que you are having with family and friends in your back yard?

What's it coming to, folks? Just know, whether you like it or not, that you are on your own. I cannot see any way that the future will remain at even the level of civility that exists in our country today, which appears to be getting worse everyday. Trump insists the economy is great, jobs are great and getting better everyday. Lies. Where is the wall? Why is the country still being invaded with illegal, criminal people? I'm not going to call them immigrants. They're not immigrants, they're invaders. It's all lies, smoke and mirrors. What about the companies that are laying off people? What about the auto industry? What about John Deere? What about the housing market?

I would like to be wrong. I would like for people to be able to laugh in my face and tell me how wrong I am. But they can't. Way back many years ago there was a song by Merle Haggard that included the line - Rolling down hill like a snowball headed for hell. That's us. That is what is in store for all of us. When it rains on some, it rains on all. 

There is nothing we can say here that will change anyone's mind, that will lead anyone to changing the way they think. As long as there is the mind numbing filth spewing from the television, computer or smart phone that can be used to drown out reality, nobody will change. As long as people are allowed to silence others by their choices if they don't agree with them, what we have to say will make no difference. Maybe it's time to publicly sit down and shut up. Privately? We are more determined than ever. Don't ever give up.

Until next time - maybe - Fern

Prove Me Wrong

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

I've been itching to get something off my chest lately. No, it's not body lice or fleas, it's a different kind of itch. It's the type that just doesn't sit well with you or anybody else. What I'm about to say some people will find distasteful. Saying it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This is not a story about making cheese or what's your favorite grinder. It is grinding in nature, it grinds on your spirit and soul. It grinds down to the very core of mankind.

If you need to, stop reading now. This is not going to be a feel good type talk, because boys and girls, I don't have a solution for where we are heading. For you regular readers, you might find some of the language out of character. My mother-in-law asked me a time or two, "Why can't they make war movies without all of that bad language?" Because war and Mary Poppins just don't fit together in the same movie.

The following is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth. We are in serious, serious trouble. And I mean all of humanity is in serious trouble.

I'm a coward, you're a coward. Prove me wrong. You want the truth? Here it is, but you're not going to like it. Go into a Wal-Mart and look at all the fat asses waddling around. You think we're going to fight? You're out of your mind. Maybe over the last jelly filled donut, but that's about it ladies and gentlemen. We're not going to fight, we are fat, lazy and stupid. We can't get anyone to join the military because we are cowards. If we will let TSA grope our little girls and not fight back, when will we draw the line and fight? We're not. We're cowards.

IQ levels are decreasing. Too many people are ignorant and stupid, but the fact is they are out breeding us. That's not going to change. Go to any maternity ward, look around, how many people speak English? We are losing this battle on every front. Public schools, next time you go to pick up a child, look at the population that looks like you. Ask your child how many students have a hard time speaking English.They can pick any bathroom they choose. Is that guy in a suit really a guy?

In polar bear country they always recommend to keep one last round in your gun. I've lived in polar bear country, I've seen polar bears walk by. When polar bears come to town, kids don't go out to recess that day. You and I are the invaders, the unwanted guests in our own country. Keep one last round in your gun. You may need it.

Abortion is murdering babies. Can you believe this? Okay, so one day I wake up and I decide that I just don't want my baby anymore. I'll just take it down to the local doctor's office and let him kill it. How long is the warranty on that baby? One day, two days, six months. Oh, I changed my mind. Will you kill this thing for me? It is just too inconvenient right now. 

If we as a society have stooped to a level that it's okay to murder a child that we don't want, then there is no hope for us. But that's where we are. Our politicians that we elected, along with their Hollywood friends, celebrate this as an achievement. Yes, we are cowards. Sick, perverted, deranged cowards watching those cheerleaders bounce up and down stuffing our faces with Cheetos.

Moving on here. We all know the world is changing, it can't continue the way it is. So what are we going to do then? If something can't continue, it won't.

What are you going to eat when everything falls apart? What are you going to feed the kids that you decided to keep? For those of you that actually believe in keeping your kids alive. Do you have replacement handles for that shovel? The guy that used to come around and tin the pots for everyone, he's not around anymore. Do you have any seeds? What are you going to feed those chickens and goats?

Look at some of the figures. We are now an oil exporting nation. How is that possible? Anything that doesn't make sense is a lie. We are still importing millions of barrels of oil, so how can we be an exporting nation?

There is talk about shutting down the border. When? What about those African people coming across the border? They're not coming from Central America. Those people that are coming from the Congo didn't come on a rubber boat, they flew in on a jet! God only knows what kinds of diseases they are bringing with them. And those are the ones we catch. What about all the ones we don't catch? Where's the wall???

Go to a major city, not even a major city, just a big town. Pull up a seat in a mall and get a pop at a food court. Sit and watch the people go by for a little while and listen to their language. I don't mean their profanity, I mean the language you don't understand. Then go down to Sam's and Costco. Look around, open your eyes. And if you believe the government numbers about anything, then - here it comes again - you are a special kind of stupid. Wake up!

The packages in the grocery are getting smaller. The toilet paper rolls are getting smaller. Snickers bars are getting smaller. Not trying to be insensitive here, but I would appreciate it if they would leave the size of a pat of toilet paper alone. Just charge more. But I guess some government study said our toilet paper pats are too big and need to be smaller to accommodate the average American. Due to the invasion, the average Americans are smaller in size, so we need smaller pats of toilet paper.

I am truly sorry there is slavery anywhere in the world, but slavery is color blind. Read your history. Speaking of reading history, you are aware that the Civil War was not fought over slavery. And you are aware that the Vietnam War did not start in the Gulf of Tonkin. And you are aware that the Twin Towers falling did not happen because of being hit by jets. And you are aware that John Kennedy was not killed by a single bullet. That means that you are aware that our government will kill any of us any time they want to. In my life time our good buddies, the Chinese government, killed millions of their own people, millions and millions and millions, it made Hitler look like an amateur. They kill their citizens, our government kills our citizens. Anything the government tells you is probably a lie. They control the way you think, how you are taught, what you eat, and if you disagree with them, they will kill you.

Got seeds, water, shelter, food, protection? Probably not. Because you believe what the government tells you. Here it comes again. THAT MAKES YOU A SPECIAL KIND OF STUPID.

I know, I'll just take my family and run out in the woods and survive. I saw a guy on Dancing With the Stars do it. Pull your head out of your ass. That's TV, that's entertainment. Well, I'm just going to drag my travel trailer out to my relatives and live happily ever after. What are you going to eat, Bubba? I know you've got a case of chili, good for you. Got a shovel? Got two shovels? Got canning jars? Got a canner? Got beans to put in those jars? Got the soil ready? Or are you still chasing that rainbow? Seriously. What is your family going to eat while they're chasing that citified rainbow sprinkled with pixie dust?

What about your neighbors? Your current ones and your future ones? Do you know them? Are they strung out on opiates like a huge part of our population? Not just opiates, that's just one small category. Look at all the other mind altering drugs that way too many people take everyday.

Got that garden turned yet? I doubt it. Got your mind screwed on right to deal with the things that are coming? Are you prepared to defend yourself while you're sitting on your ass watching Dancing With the Stars or some other unrealistic 'reality' show? I know it's more fun to watch cheer leaders bouncing up and down while eating frozen burritos, Cheetos and drinking Pepsi cola. Don't forget your Xanax, of course. If that's the way you live, you are dead. And so is your family after those neighbors that you don't know get finished with your wife and kids. How do those cheerleaders look on TV now? How does that burrito taste now? Pulled your head out yet? Got that garden turned over yet? Ready to work your ass off from dawn till dusk and then some just to survive?

Do you know what a sanctuary city is? Well, you're not welcome there. I live in a sanctuary city, population of two and no one is welcome here. I am not the government, what I say is true. Don't come to my sanctuary city unless you are invited. You better call before you come. These sanctuary city things are unbelievable. How can this be? There are big cities now that don't investigate or enforce what are considered to be petty crimes. Like my home town, where I was born and raised, Dallas, Texas. People are moving in there faster than they can move out. Multiple sources tell me crime is escalating rapidly. This is happening in every major city. Look at the homelessness nationwide. Go tell those people that the economy is doing better. All skewed government lies.

The stuff you were taught in school, no matter how old you are, is not true. What the government says is not true. Walk into a new wave style church, God forgive me, but what is being taught is not true. There are not solutions to the plethora of problems mentioned above. We can't go back to something that didn't work the first time. We can't deport millions of people from other countries. We can't do it. If you think we can, then you are a special kind of stupid.

So what do we do, realistically? Well, let's see. We need to go back to God. We need to go back to the Constitution. Do you really think that's going to work? That is what got us to where we are today. In my humble opinion, there is going to be a major reset in this country and the rest of the world, also. Things cannot continue the way they are. How is that reset going to look? That's like trying to predict what a car crash is going to look like before it happens. You know it's not going to be pretty. Some will choose to continue to sit and watch the cheerleaders bounce up and down. Some, but very few, will grab a shovel and a package of seeds.

What most of us don't understand is that everything that we have has been built on a forward progressing model. None of us have ever seen an negative reverse model on a large scale. Everything we have been taught is a lie. It's not true, it's not realistic and it is not sustainable. Remember the story about the tower of Babel? Some things just can't continue upward. It's impossible. Pixie dust will not solve our problems. 

There are many things not mentioned here. What happens when the population exceeds it's limit? Read the story about the coyote and the rabbit. One goes up in population, then the other goes down. We have too many people on the planet. There is going to be a reset. I don't expect our government to tell us that the sky is falling and we're all going to die. I don't expect our government to tell us the truth. I would hope that most people were capable of intelligent thought, but hope is a poor strategy. Whatever term you want to use for what is coming, whether SHTF, TEOTWAWKI, brace for impact, it doesn't make any difference. The coyotes and the rabbits fluctuate, and so will we as humans. Are we going to survive this thing? Most of us, myself included, will not.

I would recommend you get a good shovel and a package of seeds. Make sure it's a good shovel because you're going to be digging a lot of six foot deep holes.

We'll talk more later - Frank

Reader's Thoughts

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

Recently, Fern published an article that received a number of comments - Government's Uncivil War. Yes, the article was picked up by Western Rifle Shooters Association and the Woodpile Report. This certainly increased our readership with some extra comments. We didn't see anything special about the article, but there were some great comments, thoughtful, sincere and genuine. 

We're going to share a few of those comments with you. These are readers that share often. Fern and I benefit from, and respect these folks ideas and contributions. Hopefully, you will also enjoy their insight. These are in the order that we received them.

Please share any thoughts that you have. We're all in this arena together and when it rains, it rains on all of us. We are approaching a dicey period in our civilization. Things may stay the same, but there is the opportunity for significant change. Pay attention. It's changing very quickly.

You know the rules. Food, water, fuel, protection, shelter. Pay attention. Stay away from crowds and don't get on the bus.

Hope you enjoy these comments. Enjoy may not be the right word, but I still hope you enjoy these comments.

We'll talk more later,  Frank

 

Vicki

 

Personally, I now believe that we are passengers on a runaway train, the brakes don't work and the bridge is out a mile ahead.

Greed and corruption and lies have nearly always existed in politics. But never in my lifetime have I seen those things displayed so openly. Candidates for the office of the leader of the free world are openly celebrating the murder of babies, every perversion known to man and the changing of our system of government that takes away the freedoms our forefathers fought and died for. And a fair share of our population are in the front row, standing and applauding.

We have ourselves to blame. When TSA agents at the airports began digging into granny's Depends looking for bombs and began touching our children in places they had been taught were private, we wrote letters and signed petitions and wrote blog posts condemning those actions, but we did nothing that might make a difference and we soon accepted those behaviors as normal.

When hairy men in dresses and heels and lipstick were allowed in the same restrooms as our daughters and granddaughters, we raised a ruckus and vowed to boycott the businesses that allowed this practice. But we did nothing that would actually put a stop to it. By this time we feared being labeled racist or homophobic or some other 'phobic.' We soon accepted this practice as normal.

When we were told that to openly express our opinions about things like Sharia Law or that All Lives Matter or our dismay at the unstoppable tide of 'refugees' illegally crossing our southern border, we were told to just shut up or be accused of 'hate speech.' College students were told they could speak freely only in designated 'free spaces.' School kids were told they could not wear t-shirts that had anything to do with our flag or with guns or with Christianity because others found those things offensive. We fussed about it. We wrote op-ed pieces about it. A few PTA members objected, but nothing happened to change it.

I, like so many, have no answers because I believe we are now so very close to the end of what was once the most wonderful place on the planet to live and there is no turning back. We have become afraid and understandably so. Twenty years ago I had little if any fear of going anywhere alone other than the obvious 'skid row' areas of cities. Now I wouldn't even consider walking around my block in daylight or after dark without protection. Those I know living in small towns or rural areas are equally cautious these days.

I do not know what is coming. I just feel in my bones that it is bad. This seems to be the prevailing thinking of those who pay attention. I know there is nothing I can do to change things. Those we hire to see to our well-being in government are far more interested in power and lining their own pockets than they are in doing their jobs. So I continue to get ready. I fill my deep pantry and stockpile everything I can think of to make life bearable for me and my family when the world comes crashing down around us. And it will - sooner than later.

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Peteforester

 

I've been watching this and have come to the same conclusion that you have; there's no path to victory here. America has become the world's largest dysfunctional family. Hell; families can't even sit down at a Thanksgiving dinner without ending up in a raucous, family-dividing political argument! Abortions are not only legal, but encouraged. Life is cheap; 'don't like your classmates? MOW 'EM DOWN! 'Don't like the fact that some stranger is wearing a "MAGA" hat? BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF HIM! You'll be CELEBRATED on THE VIEW! You cannot turn on the TV or go to the movies without the homosexual agenda being rammed down your throat. Even preschool kids' shows are showcasing homosexual marriage and portraying it as "normal!" The toddlers watching things like this will grow up knowing nothing else. To them homosexuality WILL be normal! Our government "representatives" don't even TRY to hide the fact that they're lying to us. Neither does the MSM. The sacrifices of our forefathers are trivialized and even DEMONIZED! Their living memorial, the American flag, is trampled and burned as a matter of free speech, even though doing the same thing to a Mexican flag flying in in the neighborhood is considered a hate crime. It goes on and on.

Kids reaching voting age this year weren't even alive when 9/11 happened. In fact, they've known NO disruptions to their sensitive little lives. Their freedom has never been threatened. Their idea of a crisis is when the internet goes down for a couple of hours. They walk out of class to protest "climate change" after being ferried to the school... in their parents' cars... from their houses a few blocks away! Unfortunately for America, this batch of weebles is larger than both the Millennials and the Baby Boomers, and is being solicited by "folk heroes" like AOC and, for some reason, Bernie Sanders. In short, they're too dumbed down to know any better. They're so stupid that they don't recognize the Trojan horses being wheeled through the wide-open gates, even though they're made of clear plastic, plainly revealing the soldiers inside.

I could go on all day...

No, I don't see a path to victory. If America is to return to its roots, it won't happen until things get WAY worse; kinda like what happened in Old Testament Israel...

...Stand by for heavy rolls as the ship comes about...

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Bluesman


Hi Fern,
The world about us is certainly in very chaotic times. It is sad to see the erosion of this once great country. I believe it will take something very unpleasant to happen before things will get better, if they ever will improve from today's craziness.
The destruction of our country has taken a long time to occur. I believe bad things got a strong foothold here during Wilson's presidency. The Communists infiltrated F.D.R.'s administration at high levels in the 1930's. Senator McCarthy was right, but the press did a job on him.
The takeover of our country's educational system was a major step for changing the way people think.
If only we could learn from history, but we refuse. Things are going to be different this time, right. I think not. People should get familiar with United Nations, Agenda 21 and Agenda 2030 to see the direction of things that are planned for us.
We prepare for bad things as best we can. We don't know what event will "trip the switch" to liven things up, but something has to give, these situations cannot continue forever. Turbulent times are here. We pray for guidance and direction on a daily basis, may the Lord have mercy on our country.

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CWfromIowa
 
The people of this country who know the true and indepth history of our nation did not learn it in a public school setting. Most educated people gain their knowledge through study they do on their own. They are also aware of revisionist history, and they attempt to find older more reliable sources. The same holds true for current events. They do not accept the garbage that comes from the media. It takes a little extra effort to look for the truth and very few are willing to do it. It makes me so sad to see what we have become and how the majority of Americans will celebrate this Memorial Day...completely unaware of how fragile our nation is today.

Thank you, Fern. You and Frank know, so much better than most, the real and nasty struggle ahead of us. Too many people are uninformed, brainwashed, or are in denial. We will all suffer the consequences. There will be no hiding from what is coming.