A Collage of Comments

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

We've received some interesting comments lately, and we've posted some interesting responses. I've never done this before, but it seemed like the right thing to to. Not everybody reads all of the comments. When I'm reading other folks blogs, I think the comments in many cases are the most interesting part. I know other bloggers that never read comments. I found these particularly interesting and I wanted to share them with you.

At the same time, I would also like to encourage you and invite you to share your thoughts. You see we're all in this one big stadium together, whether we're in Florida, Washington, Maine or Oklahoma. When this thing comes down, it's going to come down on all of us. Some people have some very interesting things to say.

So here are some comments that were a response to What Do You Think?  Enjoy the read.

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Everything is upside down and backwards. Some can be charged with a crime for voicing an opinion while others can march in the streets calling for the killing of cops and nothing happens to them. Upholding the Constitution seems to have become optional. I have to wonder how long it will be before bloggers who speak their truth are silenced. That still, small voice has turned into a very loud scream of warning. Vicki

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Thank you, Vicki. I don't think things are upside down and confused, I think everything that is happening is by design and has a purpose. The more confusion you have, it's actually easier to control the masses. You see, we

have multiple conflicts coming soon. It's not going to be like the Civil War of the 1860's. This war is going to be vastly different, and it's already started. You need to get your head wrapped around this. It's already started and it's going to continue to escalate. Our government is going to continue to do things that rational folks will believe are crazy and insane. But we have to change the way we think, because it is not crazy and insane from the government's perspective, from their perspective to achieve their goal, it is logical and practical. Opposing thoughts are often difficult to see and interpret. Think like your opponent. The war has already started. The lines are still being drawn, and we the Sheep are going to get trampled, because we have become lazy and fat with our greed and selfishness. We are in serious trouble. Things aren't what they appear to be. Get your head right.

Frank

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We all know what is happening and why. Satan walks the earth unchecked as foretold. Years ago I often wondered how it would all unfold and now I know..... I could have never imagined it back then. Tewshooz

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Well, Tewshooz, it's here. We have let evil into our everyday lives, we have welcomed it. We elect evil politicians, we are the problem, we have allowed this to happen. We, as a whole, are sick, deranged and demented. That is what we elect, that is what we choose to watch on television, and that's who we choose to associate with. As stated earlier, we are in serious trouble. So, do we give up and join them? Or do we choose to take a stand? They are significantly more formidable, and we are weak.

I believe this is not the time of the great coming, things are going to get sharply worse before that occurs. We aren't even close to that event coming. I know, because we've been told. That time is not near, so now we have to deal with what is near. Get ready.

Frank

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i am very curious about the silence of congress.
of course, the loudmouth nuts are the ones you hear about but what of the many others? are they blackmailed into silence?

each generation falls into the same traps. if the devil ever laughs he must be amused by human gullibility. it is said that God has no grandchildren. that is because each one must learn the lessons of our ancestors anew in every generation. there is no collective , cumulative wisdom. it is all new all the time.

we know the end will come and we know that He said there would have been nothing left alive if He didn't intervene when He did.
it will be misery undreamed of. shudder!!!

but no man knows the time. in my life i have seen Europe try to coalesce into one country several times. each time it came apart. the time is not yet ripe. 'when with the ever circling years shall come the time foretold.'

these are but the beginning of sorrows and the tip of the iceberg.
it is like watching a wreck and being unable to intervene.

pray more! i pray for safety for my child. what else can we do? it is in God's hands.

Deborah

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Deborah, everything is in God's hands. But God has given us talents, and He expects us to use them. If we do, then we are rewarded, if we don't, we aren't. You're right, the time is not here, and it may be many, many years before it is.

As far as Congress goes, they are a sad LOT. We used to have separation of government, we don't anymore. The courts determine laws which used to be the job of Congress. The executive branch overrides the judicial and legislative branches, and nobody does anything. I wish I knew the true reason why these former men of honor have been silenced. I would like to know the answer to that, but that is not within my pay grade.

It is time to knuckle down. This is not going to be a picnic, and there are not going to be any commercials. This will be constant, endless, continuous bombardment. It's here. Best of luck.

Frank 

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Fern - once again you have made me sit back and think about and reconsider my life plan. What is going on in the world, especially Europe with the refugees which will no doubt spill over to the US, the far East and South America with weather events and here in the US with weather, politics and news, or lack thereof, should be having much more of an impact on how we live our lives. My neighbors and acquaintances, most in their late 60s to mid 70s, seem to live in a cocooned insular world. They are choosing to ignore what is happening. Those I know in their 30s-50s are still living a me-first existence and those over 80, unbelievably, seem to think their end is near so who cares.

Once again, as snowbird season arrives, we are cleaning out what we don't need or what will not enhance our lives. Snowbirds buy, seems to be one of their major activities. With that money we are adding food supplies, gardening supplies being sure to take advantage of end of season seed sales as our season is just beginning, food plants to our landscape, well made natural fiber clothes from the consignment/thrift store - anything to make our lives easier to care for, more streamlined and easier to maintain when the economy goes. We just sold a truck accessory, we no longer have the truck, and bought a 'worm farm' and red wigglers to add some much needed soil amendments to our wonderful sand that is called dirt - also uses the kitchen waste as we can't have a compost pile due to HOA regs.

So, I will take a look at your referred articles, pay attention to local news, keep an eye on the weather and how it will affect food supplies, continue to streamline my life and plan for how I will weather the storm of the upcoming disaster and I'm sure there will be a disaster whether man-made or natural or a combination of both. Bellen

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Hi, Bellen, astute observations. Your comment about the snowbirds having a tendency to buy, I wonder if they would be buying different things if they could see past their perceived ideals of a slick buy.

I meet few people, very few, that are earnestly preparing for what is obviously here. Most are more concerned about the sporting event on TV, or the newest commercials. They're just blind. This is the way, and the process, of long-term conditioning. These folks aren't going to be hard to control, manipulate or defeat. These are the folks the camps are made for.

God, I hope we never experience Soylent Green. I really hope this does not occur. If they will harvest baby parts and murder the babies, why would they waste a protein rich human body? Dreadful thought, isn't it? Aborting babies to harvest their organs and sell their tissue, this is where we are, and these are the type of minds that control our government. Sick thought, sick government. These people will do anything. Soylent Green is what's for dinner.

Frank

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There are lots of us that see what is coming, but we are still the vast minority, and we don't all agree on how it's going to come. We're told that we are supposed to help our brothers. This is what Fern and I do. The many people that comment, this is what they do, too. These people are not sick, mislead, or to use a common term, crazy. We're solid, productive, caring, loving individuals. We're doing what we have been told to do.

Time is dwindling. Whatever this thing is, it is upon us. It has consumed the vast majority of us, and one day, when the perfect storm is just right, it will lash out, taking many immediately with it. Ol' Remus used to say, "Avoid crowds at all costs." Folks, now is not the time to be burning bridges, figuratively speaking of course. Now is the time to be mending bridges. Get right with your neighbors, your relatives and God.

This thing coming is going to be a real rough ride. Just because some of us know what is coming, doesn't mean we're going to survive the war. Please heed the warnings.

We'll talk more later, Frank

Homestead News, Volume 12

It has been a very productive week in our little corner of the world. We seem to have a lot of irons in the fire, but at the same time, the progress we are making on a number of projects and tasks, not only makes the days fly by, but when we stand back and take stock, we are amazed at how much we are getting done. I'll probably forget something, but here goes with the latest news from our humble homestead.

  


We showed you the progress on the greenhouse door #1 earlier in the week. The next day the storm doors went up, completing the exterior of the greenhouse. The doors were trimmed to match the window trim that was used earlier when we had the new windows 

installed. Yesterday when it was 97* outside, it was 120* in the greenhouse. We have been trying to learn the temperature variations in there. It's too hot to plant anything in there now, but it won't be long.

Next we finished the new trim on the storage buildings. It's too bad the original trim was such poor quality. It rotted in just a couple of years in several places, so we replaced all of it before we had to deal with more rot down the road. We laid the cucumbers, trellis and all, down on this bucket so the trim on the window could be replaced. I was glad this worked and they are no worse for the move. Frank comes up with good ideas like this all the time.

Frank ran across an interesting article about canned food expiration dates, both store bought and home canned. It's very interesting and basically states, with a number of references, that there is no such thing as an expiration date. I agree. It's a very well done, interesting article that I recommend reading, Dispelling the Canned Food Expiration Date Myth.

We bartered the rest of the young hens and a few roosters, that we are not keeping for our replacement flock, to another young couple in exchange for help servicing our tractor. This young father, they just had their third child, has worked with his father in their tractor shop for years. His help will make for short, accurate work on our tractor. Another very good trade.

 
We found out this week that one of our American Guinea Hogs has greasy pig disease, or exudative epidermitis. See why I just called it greasy pig disease? From several conversations with our vet, and research in books and online, we found out that pigs generally have staph bacteria on the surface of their skin. As long as they are healthy and don't have any injuries, this generally is not a problem. The vet said staph is everywhere, on the pigs, in the ground, and very common. Well almost two weeks ago I noticed a few spots on a barrow's face. It looked like small, white bumps, but not anything important. We watched him for a few days, and when they didn't go away, called the vet and set up a day for him to come out and look.

Vet's assistant

The vet took several little scabby areas of skin from these bumps, took them back to the clinic, looked at them under the microscope, then called to tell us it is greasy pig disease, which is very contagious. The good news is that it is easily treatable with penicillin. The bad news is that pigs are hard to catch. Last night the vet and his helper came out and we tried to trap the pigs in some panels to give them the shots. We were only able to treat Liberty, our gilt. We had not put the pig pen back together since putting the lean-to shed up on the barn because we hadn't needed it. While the vet was here, we got the pen put together. Then this morning when I fed them, I locked them in the pen and called the vet to let him know we had them up. He came out again today and cornered the pigs with a piece of stock panel, and the three boys got their shots. We talked about what could have caused this and found it could be anything from getting scratched or poked with a thorn or on the fencing. Afterward we had a conversation about what to do if this happened again and we didn't have access to a vet or penicillin shots. Antibiotics in water will work, iodine would work, or maybe something else with strong antibiotic/antiseptic properties. Interesting conversation.

By the way, there is a possibility that Liberty and Lance bred a few days ago. If so, we can expect piglets around January 10th, right in the middle of our first kidding season of the year. Piglets and kids in January will make for a fun winter addition to the homestead. We also found out that the reason Lance keeps poking the other pigs in the side with his nose. It's normal dominance behavior. He seldom does this to Liberty, but often does it to the barrows. He is a sexist pig.

I'm glad to report that Faith is recovering from the reconstructive surgery she had last week. She still has a way to go, but has a great attitude and looks forward to getting back on her feet and out doing things, like visiting with her goats again. Thank you for your prayers on her behalf.

We have a couple of new projects on the drawing board. The first one deals with the beginning stages of an outdoor kitchen, or what some might call a summer kitchen. This area right behind the porch is the location. 

For Frank to work over this weedy, overgrown area, we moved this section of antenna tower to an empty area of the garden, and this hay bale that is used for mulch into an empty area of the herb bed. We were surprised at how well the tractor was able to clear off the vegetation that was growing all over. 

 

While he was at it, he also used the disc to mix in the chicken manure we put in the garden last week after our good trade of chickens for a clean chicken house. 
 

 






After I raked and cleaned up what was left, I mixed some weed killer to spray down the whole area. It hasn't been applied yet, though. There were several other things to take care of at the time and I haven't gotten back to it yet, but I will one day next week.

This location is central to the garden, house, greenhouse, clothes line and in a very convenient place. There will be a water supply from guttering on the house and a large storage tank. Firewood will be handy since we keep it on the edge of the porch. Washing produce from the garden or

dressing out chickens will be accomplished here with a basin sink and work bench. Cooking can also be done here, along with a grid down laundry service. Right now, it's dirt and planning. This tree stump will have to be removed, but that will happen when we have the water line dug and installed. The radio towers that now sit between the two holes that will house the clothesline poles, will also be installed before long, some of them here and some of them in another location that will facilitate our community radio communications network. This is another upcoming project which will enhance our ability to communicate by radio.

 






The water line we are installing will go 400 feet from the barn to the house. Here at the barn the guttering on the lean-to shed will funnel rain into these three 1550 gallon water tanks. As you can see, this project is also underway. Frank and Henry installed metal trim on the edge of the lean-to roof yesterday to cover some bare wood. It was an oversight when the lean-to was first built, and more will be installed on the pig side of the barn next week.

We met with the man that will be digging the water line for us one evening this past week. He will also dig the trench for the electric line to go from the new power pole out in the pasture to the barn. Frank and Henry have already wired the barn and installed the lighting, all it needs is juice to the fuse box and we're in business. This will probably be accomplished in the next week or so.

We fired up the incubator again this week. We have a number of chickens in the freezer, but not near enough, and we haven't canned any yet this year. There are approximately 60 eggs in there and we hope for a good hatch to supplement our meat supply.

We also found out one of our young does, Easter, has a stifle problem. Her back legs have a wiggle to them when she walks which is not good. We asked the vet about it when he was here and we have traced it to our buck. According to the vet, since Easter's mother and grandmother were born here and didn't have this problem, more than likely it comes from the buck. Another interesting thing is that Easter's mother, Lady Bug, and her twin sister, Cricket, both had kids with leg problems this year. Cricket's boy, Bo, was the one with the severe bowlegs. There is always something new to learn when you have farm animals.

As you can see, we are trying to complete as many major projects as we can in a short amount of time. We are investing heavily in tangible assets and labor. This investment will pay off in untold ways once we arrive at TEOTWAWKI. Do all you can. Time is precious.

Until next time - Fern
 

What Do You Think?

Just when I think the condition of our world cannot possible get any worse or any more unbelievable, it does. Over and over and over again we read about events or conditions that are not only unbelievable, but appalling, disgusting and one more nail in the coffin of life as we knew it. I can no longer say life as we know it, because our lives as we knew them are long gone. Disappeared beneath the onslaught of decadence, crime, hatred, bigotry and greed. 

Can someone tell me why it is not okay for everyone to have freedom of speech instead of a few chosen minority groups? Why is that okay? Two Days After Reporter's 'Race War' Murders, CNN Returns to Phony Race-Baiting. It's okay with some groups, call them Group H, to disagree with another group, call them Group C, to the point that they remove all rights to free speech of Group C just for having a differing opinion or viewpoint. Take this article for instance, Scientists Ask Obama To Prosecute Global Warming Skeptics. What? You can no longer think for yourself and be skeptical of others opinions? It is now a crime?

It is unbelievable the lengths to which our current leadership is going to destroy our country. It is so obvious and blatant, no steps are being taken anymore to disguise it at all. Like this move, Obama to Nominate First Openly Gay Service Secretary to Lead Army. Or this one, Obama Admin Won't Reveal to Congress Number of Americans Killed By Iran.  

Why has it become open season on law enforcement? Georgia Police Officer Shot and Wounded; 2 Suspects Caught. Better yet, why haven't the politicians of our country, especially those in leadership, come out strongly against the rash of murders recently? Are those doing the killing acting at the behest of the folks in charge of the show? You can't help but wonder. But remember, you have to be careful about thinking too much, you could be prosecuted for that.

The financial and economic roller coaster ride continues to get wilder by the day. One day it will rocket right off the track and land in a big heap to become indistinguishable from it's previous appearance. Amazingly enough there are still companies that promise no matter what happens, they will be able to protect your wealth as long as you give them your money. What a joke! Give me your money and I will protect it, even in the event of a total economic collapse. Sounds like voluntary robbery to me. Many folks continue to sound the warning, with some warnings coming from surprising people and places that don't usually issue warnings. Mark Spitznagel warns: If Investors Thought August Was Scary,"They Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet."  Then there is this possibility, Fed Opens Negative Interest Rate Pandora's Box: What Happens Next. Another impact on the economy is that Nearly 50 Million Americans Now On Food Stamps. So are we ready for a repeat of what happened in 1930 or more recently in Greece? The Day All the ATMs Ran Out of Cash. 

Many situations are brewing around the world, and as the heat is turned up, from warm to hot, something will boil over. From here, Security Council 'Gravely Concerned' Over Temple Mount Violence, to here, Why Kim Davis Was Right - And Is a Hero, to here, Migrants Crisis: Neighbours Squabble After Croatia's U-Turn. Where will it end? It only seems that it can end in conflict, major conflict. The Pentagon is Preparing New War Plans for a Baltic Battle Against Russia. Not only that, but differing countries are forming new alliances, Russia Moves It's First Tactical Fighter Jets to Base in Syria.

Where will it all end? I really don't know. What I do know is that regardless of how disturbing knowledge of what is happening in the world is, it is better to be informed and know what the adversary is up to. I have had more than one person lately tell me how depressing it is to know what is

happening in the world. It may be, but it is better to know your enemy than to have to guess what he is like. Why do we read history? To know what has come before to help us understand and be prepared for what is going to happen again. There is a reason 'history repeats itself' is an old saying, because it does. Mankind does not appear to have a very long memory, and tends to make the same mistakes again and again. Now it's our turn to live through the downturn of society into the shallow, narrow minded, pleasure seeking, mob mentality that has come to encompass all of us, voluntarily or not, this is where we are. 

Know what is happening. Don't get caught up in the distractions of the day. They are there for a reason, and most fall for the drivel dished out by the talking heads every day. The mainstream media are no more news outlets than the man in the moon. They are the bought and paid for slaves of TPTB, spewing forth the script they have been given without regard for the accuracy of what they are saying. It's just another example of speech control instead of freedom of speech.

Keep an eye on each other. Pay attention to your instincts. Listen for that still, small voice. Wisdom and reason are your best friends right now. Pay heed to the warnings they are giving you. Time is short.

Until next time - Fern

Behind Door #1.......

Frank and Henry installed the door going from the greenhouse into the house today. Everything went well and we are very happy with the results. Tomorrow will see more work completed, and before you know it, we will be planting things in the greenhouse. Here is how the day went.

 Taking down the inside trim

 

There is Frank doing his Wilson imitation. The outside trim is now off.

Cutting some of the exterior and sheet rock really gave us a cloud of dust. Out came the small fans to clear the air.

Henry is taking off the outside exterior.

  




Now we have a big hole in the wall. As you can see, this door enters into a room which we call the sewing room even though it houses a number of other things.

There was an outlet right in the middle of the opening where the door now resides, so Frank moved it over to the side of the door and reinstalled it.

Just a view out the door into the greenhouse.

Neat, huh? There is a nice layer of dust on everything in this room now, but that's okay.



 

 



Shimming the door

 



Here come the steps.
 

When we moved here, Frank got a large set of door knobs all keyed the same. They sure have come in handy. We only use one door key which is very convenient.

 
It still needs trim and a curtain on the inside, but it is beautiful, and a dream come true! We'll show it to you again once it is finished. By then we may also have the greenhouse set up and ready to plant. You just never know.

Until next time - Fern