Summer hours...

With summer nearly gone, the seasonal chores near completion, it's time to get posting again. Of course, busy as it's been, there haven't been any wondrous ideas popping into my noodle about witty, informative subjects. Still, something is going to awaken my slumbering braincells and it'll find its way to these pages.

Until then, please note the letters added, requests for compatriots, information and lots more blogging.

OpSec is a major part of prepping, so be sure to keep a low profile and meet any and all unknown people in open air/public places rather than homes or Bug Out sites until you get to know each other, of course. Don't be quick to give out your real name or address, phone number(s) or vehicle ID. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have a $10 disposable phone that has not been registered to your home phone/address for such circumstances as meeting new folks.

Which brings up a quick post idea: Operational Security. Being secure in our persons and domiciles is what prepping is about. Know who/m you can trust- even among family members there are those who have neither need to know nor any desire to know. (In my case, there are some I wish I didn't know! OK- just kidding. I love all my family. Umm...err...well...)

A sad state is befalling our country and countrymen in that we are being asked by the person supposedly in charge to spy and 'rat' upon our fellow citizens. Even more sad is that there are those who take this kind of spy game seriously and are not only willing to turn in others who don't believe as they do, but are glad to do so. Some are probably turning in people they just don't like, let alone if they are deserving of any recognition as being 'traitorous' to our beautiful country.

In closing: let your common sense be your guide, be cautious about with whom you speak, what you speak about, and where you speak. Also, be friendly with all you meet. We each have enough enemies that we don't need to antagonize others and create more problems for ourselves.

Bless God, God bless,

Shy III

Letters...Seeking Preppers

From: srvhim4life@msn.com
To: MinnesotaPrepper@aol.com
Sent: 8/18/2009 1:29:28 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: interested in meeting other twincities preppers


Hello, after reading "Just In Case" we started prepping for emergency situations about 4 months ago. The author of "Just In Case" suggested we join our state "preppers" so we can grow in knowledge and substance. We would love to know if there are any preppers in the st paul area and how we can get in contact with them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you, Ed and Kim

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From: kurnet1@msn.com
To: minnesotaprepper@aol.com
Sent: 6/8/2009 12:18:16 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Inquiry


Hi - the wife and I have been growing increasingly concerned about the state of the country and have begun putting together bug-out kits and have started storing some water, food, short term survival equipment, firearms etc. We have enough supplies for a short duration but if things really blow up we'd like to be better prepared. Can you tell me a little more about your organization? It would be nice to network with like-minded folks and brainstorm about being better prepared.

Thanks, Kurt

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From: Teawhisk@msn.com
To: MinnesotaPrepper@aol.com
Sent: 7/15/2009 12:44:02 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Gardens & Mr Nagant


Good Morning!
A little input from a long time survival gardener. Thought over 50 years experience could help. I grew up the eldest of 12 children & never ate a vegetable that we did not grow & preserve until I went off to college. Mom put up close to 3,500 jars a year.
Kale &/or other Cole crops often are attacked by the little green cabbage worms. A good thing to deal with them is to use un-slaked lime dusted on them after a rain or watering. The lime is none lethal & washes off easily. A 25 lb bag is pretty cheap & with an inexpensive duster can save a crop. It's a sure part of my long term plans as I've seen what these little devils can do to a garden patch. The butterfly stage is the small white moth that you see flitting about your Cole crops (cabbages, broccoli ect.)

If you're not squeamish, a little used kitty litter sprinkled on the garden edges helps ward off bunnies & squirels. They don't like the predator scent. I personally used the air rifle or my long bow. I took the precaution of clearing this with my neighbors who whole heartedly encouraged me. Bunnies have been eating everything in my neighborhood except for the thugs. I wonder if I could encourage them in the thug-o-phage direction?

Just on the east end of Barron Wisconsin is a sign pointing north to a Mennonite store that sells bulk foods. I buy 50lb sacks of hard red winter wheat there for pretty cheap. They also have an incredible supply of bulk food stuffs including some magnificent cheese!!! It's worth the trip. We pack a lunch and visit friends in Cameron. The stop is interesting as they also sell crafts. They're very nice folks too which is a welcome bonus. Nothing beats a loaf of sourdough made with fresh ground wheat. The smell seems to bring visitors though one or more of my brothers seems to show up after we pull a loaf from the oven.

Fleet Farm has a supply of Swedish Military surplus laundry bags with brass grommets for a closure cord. They're heavy duty OD canvas & cost the princely sum of $2.99. I use them for clothing for our Bug Out Kits (GOOD Get out of Dodge) & for a rope bag. Paracord & a couple of hanks of 3/8" & 1/2" rope is an always useful idea & the bags keep them organized & available. Throw in a couple of 'biners & a figure 8 descended & you're good to go.

Mr. Nagant can be a good rifle as it is easily maintainable in the field. Check to make sure that the barrel is not blown out and put together a cleaning & maintenance kit. You can find parts on line & don't need a lot other than a couple of bits & cleaning supplies. I usually suggest a 12 ga for most folks as they are easier to get, relatively cheap & easy to maintain and the shells are easy to come by & are available in loads that range from defense (00 Buck Shot & Slugs) to light hunting loads (low base 8 shot). The Mossberg 500 series is a good bet. Get the synthetic stock & a sling as well with a field cleaning kit & you are loaded for anything short of a T Rex. That being said, the Nagant is a good choice though ammunition may be difficult to come by in the long run & it takes a lot of regular long term practice (which can be fun in itself) to get & stay competent with it. I'd love to have one as a back up on the farm & probably will grab one asap.

My wife & I have just bought 8 acres with a 100 year old farm house about 45 miles south of St Paul. For years I've prepared for survival evasion & escape from an urban environment. Now we have a place to go & a place to stand.

I'm a new reader who only just discovered this blog ....I'm enthused! I've been around a long time & there's a lot of stuff I know & can do. My nature is to share as I'm by inclination a teacher. I taught martial arts for over 30 years. I'd be happy to contribute as I am able though I'm kind of a "word duffer" I'll do my best if you would like.

Regards, Teawhisk