Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I feel an almost overwhelming urge to buy more food, ammo, boots, fuel, etc.....

Anybody happen to catch Glenn Beck last night......I generally don't watch him, but wife had it on last night, and he had a portion of his show on "what's coming down the pike".....for mainstream media, it was quite scarey. Talking about gold up, markets down, consumer spending ready to nosedive and if we ought to be buying ANYTHING, maybe it should be clothes and boots for our kids for two years down the road.....whoaaaa.....never thought I'd hear THAT of CNN......

I'm getting this vibe we may well be right on the edge of the cliff now......

Just me ?

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Not just you.
For the last couple of years I've had that feeling, more intense lately
however.
Kind of like the instinct a squirrel has in late fall... gather some nuts...
it could be a long winter.

God's Peace
TLM

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Yep, I feel it. I am not a hoarder by nature and like a uncluttered and clean environment but the last 6 months I have been obsessed with PMs, food and even guns. I have posted about it before because I am so driven I feel a tad nuts. :banghead: I will not rest or be right until my plan is complete.. and that is suppose to be within two months.

Unfortunately except for one Daughter my family does not share this obsession and they do think I am a "brick short". My Daughter and I are secretly making plans for storage. We jokingly call it our "Zombie plan".

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I've been like that since the 1970s. You learn to live with it. As for the present time, Congress doesn't seem to work well with long term thinking. If it isn't a "Crisis" , they won't bother. Look at their options. If they pull entitlements in an election year, they and their party are toast. If they can put off the crash long enough, they can blame it on someone else. Here's some questions for you. How many of Congress own rural, well appointed properties? How many of Congress own vacation homes in other countries that they can bug out to? Include family ownership as well. Just thinking.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Ya jaimia, I understand.....I AM a hoarder by nature, and had sorta gotten over some of it in the last year or two.....but suddenly I feel this near-nuts urge to collect and prepare.

Mabye I'm just off on a phase of "irrational dis-exuberance"......

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I have the feeling, but have been brought up on the feeling. My dad has been prepping since the late 70s and taught all of us kids the same. I think the feeling is stronger now, for me personally, because I see Ron Paul as the last hope for this country to right the wrongs. He may not even be able to stop what is coming but he is our last chance. And whether by voter fraud or by voter stupidity I see that last hope fading, hence stronger urgency.

That being said I will continue to support RP, spread the message as far as I can, and pray for the best.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Brosil,

I'm thinking maybe things have reached the point that those in govt have lost control......consumer spending accouts for 70% of the economy.....if consumers have finally reached that point HyperTiger used to talk about, where they have taken on the max debt they can stand, then that spending is going to cut back drastically......and that in turn, will fuel a spiral by even the consumers that CAN still afford to spend, and pretty quick, the whole house of cards comes down......

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Yeah.....that could be it too with me.....my heart said this all along, even though my head said "doesn't matter even if Ron Paul got elected......too many things already set in motion that can't be reversed by anyone now.....all that will happen is history will remember Ron Paul as the next Herbert Hoover".

Anyway.....off here for now.....things to do.....ammo store opens a 10am.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

TA, I feel the same way. But, the G-men and Fed continue to pull rabbits out of the hat. I guess that's a good thing in the short term.

Why is it that since about 2000 crude oil has increased in price 5 fold, but gasoline has only increased 3 fold. How is that possible? Should gas be $5/gallon? How are these banks "writing off" bad debts on foreclosures. It's in the billions, yet no money is lost? Where did it go? Etc...

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

They will print and keep the consumer spending through this year. The next administration will be inheriting the worst of nightmares and from there it will go down the tubes at our level quick, fast and in a hurry.

I figure you are all right and what I am doing is marking each day off on my calender with a September 1st date to be as ready as one can be for whatever the scenario.

All's I can say is I am glad there is one more garage/yard sale season left to score more goods on the cheap from those who it came to too easily, as in government subsidy. :tongue_ma:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Ron Paul will not be elected and it breaks my heart. I also see him as the last hope. He is the only one running who understands the economics and would protect our sovereignty from a North American Union. That being said I am quickly moving beyond that. I have spent years fighting stupid people, sheeple thinking and there is a time you have to let go. The energy I have used fighting the system is now being used to prepare for what is coming.

What is coming??? I have no idea but I know its going to be rough. Many of you are hoarders by nature. When a neat freak like me who hates clutter starts getting the message to store things it makes me wonder if I am nuts or I really am being nudged from a Higher Power.

In addition to getting the vibe I need to hurry my plans along I got an additional wake up call. My Uncle who is in his early 80s called me last week. He has been a Lawyer, Investor and Bank VP for a large banking entity his whole life. He is Mr Wallstreet and the LAST person you would discuss economic collapse with. He called me last week and told me to start preparing for the next great depression. He said he sees all the signs. So, whatever we are feeling he is feeling too. :(

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Lucky for the gold bugs Ron Paul won't make it. We'd have to sell our gold because of a very strong dollar he would have restored. Since we will get more Bush with the leading candidates, the gold bull will not only continue but go beyond everyone's expectations!
That aside, the global economy is spinning drastically out of control into a very bad place. Soon, I think we will see a massive stimulas package with very much lower interest rates. They will have to sacrifice inflation to avoid the coming depression. Deflation is becoming very real in the Fed's attempt at this controlled blood letting of the economy.
Or...dare I say...WWIII will ensue.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

No, I've been feeling very un-easy for the last 3 weeks or so. It's time to get the hell out of Dodge, or batten down the hatches if you already are.

Something just ain't right, and I've learned that when your instinct tells you something, listen to it. I should never have made fun of Gpond's thread.

I read today that people are losing their houses in the UK at an unprecedented rate, retirees are asking for a 45% rise in their pensions.

With the US poised to head into recession, a financial Perfect Storm developing, inflation gathering more steam, and the interest rate sledgehammer being swung,
overseas conflicts and terrorism, anything goes. Look after numero uno, all the best TN Andy.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Wow!!! I better get another pair of Hi-Tec boots ordered ASAP....

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I got three pairs of boots (and plenty of socks) ready to go. :)

Not to mention the other gear.

I see bugging out as an extremely remote possibility, but I've found some good bugout locations if required.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Maybe I just read GIM to much but I may buy a little extra food next week. i hate to do it as it cuts into my PM purchases but I guess i have been convinced to hoard at least a little bit. Fortunately I like rice and chicken and pork so I can load a freezer full of chickn and pork and also load up on rice. Since I am single I can live on about 500.00 worth of food for a long time.

From an economic standpoint I will say the company I work for is busier this year than last and it just keeps coming. Our sales are way up over the same time period from last year. We will see if it continues but right now we are booking some very nice work.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

:rolleyes_m: Economic crashes have never mattered to Congress and anyone working for the federal government.

With the power to tax and/or enforce wholesale commodity and real estate confiscation why should they ?

No danger of of them losing their gravy jobs.

If the citizens can't pay their taxes so what ?

Confiscate their assets under emergency powers and sell it to foreigners who have money so the all powerful welfare state survives...at any cost.

No way they are jumping off the gravy train...screw J6P.He can live under a bridge with his family.

:bear_w00t::bear_w00t::bear_w00t:

Do I feel anything ?

Nothing catastrophic like an earthquake...but it might be a good idea to turn those dollars into tangible goods before the meltdown.
I pity all those poor slobs with money invested in the markets when it hits.
It will be a massacre. Defaults on paper assets will close the banks and the nationwide food riots will start in earnest in about three days.

People do not realize how thin the line is between law and order and mass rioting.They couldn't even handle Katrina...it's still FUBAR.

** Pay very close attention to all legislation concerning firearms and ammo. **

They want the populace disarmed or without ammo before the crash comes...if the markets crashed today they would be in deep doo doo...

BTW Andy: My wife hates you !!! :D

Your idea of buying a gun a week about six months back struck me as the best advice I'd heard all year.

Let's see...28 weeks = 36 guns...Ooopps...I got carried away.

I wanted a dozen Russian SKS's for Christmas and she only let me buy 3 :>(

She still complains,but I got to blame it on you.

:D:D:D

Thanks bro...I personally don't think you're quite as evil as she said you were.

:bear_w00t::bear_w00t::bear_w00t:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I also read someplace that the UK is about 12-18 months ahead of us so we can look at them and see whats coming.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

:shocked_ma: Gee Thanks.

And here I thought you were on my invitation list for the Island escape when it all goes down. :rant:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Quite correct. There is a major stock market "correction" coming. Correction being the modern way of saying "stocks plummetting in value". The logical conclusion of that, is a rush to hard assets, financial panic in the markets and a recession/depression while everyone figures out how to recover from their losses. With major funds being invested in the markets nowadays, it will be interesting to see what happens there...

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I have to think that the government knows it's quite impossible to disarm the public. There are more than 250 MILLION private firearms in the US. That number is incredible. It'd be impossible to confiscate them.

However, making ammo so expensive it's impossible to afford in vast quantities is one way they could go - concentrating on the ammo has to be the only way limits could be imposed.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

but how long does TPTB want to wait ?
they know any gun-toting patriot has enough ammo to last for a while
and trying to confiscate 250+ million guns would turn the mississippi red

hello H5N1 pandemic

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

:D Posted by Curtman:

:bear_w00t: I retract that statement...we're still going to Chile...right bro ?

:rolleyes_m::D:rolleyes_m:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I was thinking hello world starvation. Guns=food (at fema camp). Take away electricity and 80% of the population thinks the sky is falling. Last I read the the electrical infastructure was already over loaded. OOPS !! How long will take-out keep in a frig with no power? Mr. I'll plant a garden won't have to worry about bugs in his garden, they'll have to worry about him. HA! HA! Haaaaaaaa!

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I'm right there with you, I could have written your post.

HUB

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

yes and no. that we are on the cliff yes. that I should hoard supplies no.

why not?

as the economy slides into recession consumption and related demand will slacken and supermarkets will be cutting prices. I saw prices last night at target I hadnt seen in a year and a half. but you have to have cash ready and keep eyes open for deals.

hoarding is unnecessary. past the usual stash, that is. I am sure you are probably ok. draw the line at ten cases of rifle ammo andy. lol

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

In Vermont we fought hard last year to get an anti-ammuntion bill shelved. It came under the guise of a "lead" bill. You know, save the environment, children, etc, from lead poisoning. Had it passed lead ammunition would have been illegal and shooting ranges, including ones at peoples homes would have been on their way to being determined hazardous waste sites.
Our legislators are on their way to reintroducing this bill now that the session has begun. Many of us expect there will be an attempt to sneak it by as they all looked quite uncomfortable when 200 gun owners showed up at the State House.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Andy,

I think much of it is the realization that we are about to get royally shafted come November. Once the Dems gain power, things are going to go from bad to worse.

"WTSHTF" by the Circle Jerks

in a sluggish economy
inflation, recession
hits the land of the free
standing in unemployment lines
blame the government for hard time

we just get by
however we can
we all gotta duck
when the shit hits the fan

10 kids in a cadillac
stand in lines for welfare checks
let's all leach off the state
gee! the money's really great!

soup lines
free loaves of bread
5lb blocks of cheese
bags of groceries
social security
has run out on you and me
we do whatever we can
gotta duck when the shit hits the fan

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I don't think it will end with a bang, so I am not too worried yet. The government still has a long way to raise taxes before the end comes.

If 70% of the economy is based on consumer spending, and the consumer is not spending ... then they will lay heavy taxes on those who still have some money (a 10% surcharge by any name is still a tax). The government in turn will spend your money for you to prop up the economy for the short term and the huddled masses will all shout "hooray, screw the selfish rich man" ... while a few will recognize the truth thru the patchwork.

There is still alot of blood to be bled before the end is here.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I don't know, are you sure they will let you in? :realmad::bash:

Where is Chewbaca anyway?

http://hvezdnevalky.xf.cz/zbytky/chewbaca.jpg

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

The second great depression is not at our doorstep.

That being said, as long as you're at the market, no reason not to stock up on a few weeks of dry goods, food and water, just in case.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

If you're asking about 'chewy' from Chile, he has been banned.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Oh, thanks.

I figure it will be good to have a few years supply of seeds also since this is a pretty cheap thing to add to any preparations. cultivating utensils can also be had cheap from yard sales.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

How many tons of dog chow does it take to generate a reply like that?

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Believe it or not, I'm feeling quite optimistic about the future. Don't get me wrong, no doubt there's one hell of a firestorm on the horizon. It was bound to happen sooner or later. That said, just like a wildfire the cleanses the forest floor of insects and disease, I'm starting to think we'll not only recover, but possibly thrive.

What gives me this optimism? Several things really, but the most glaring as of late being RP's campaign. How many times have you heard Dr. Paul talk about the young people flocking to his message? What does it say about the future generations when they so passionately campaign for a little old man that isn't smooth or flashy, but promotes ideas like liberty and personal responsibility?

No doubt this storm will be bad, but maybe it will serve push aside the parasitic baby boomers and hasten the rise of more responsible generations that seem much more willing to think for themselves.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Thanks, MN. That's one to show to people who don't quite grasp the size and scope of the impending financial crisis we're facing. I think that Glenn Beck segment plus Ron Paul's NH Town Hall meeting videos are a great way to introduce people to what is going on in world. But damn, it feels like trying to shake awake someone who's not just asleep, but passed out drunk.

Goldfinger... very positive outlook. I sure hope you're right. It's very inspiring to see so many young people flock to Ron Paul's message, and hopefully it continues to spread, and lasts. As quick as our country is becoming more socialist, movements like Ron Paul's are at least helping stem the flow, just a bit.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

:rolleyes_m: My,My...you people forget who you're dealing with.

The Empire of Debt will crush all opposition...citizens first.


Let's play a game:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I agree.

That said, I am most recently as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I feel it too, been lookin real hard at the basics.

Food - storing what i can, raising chickens, looking into goats. Had a small garden last year, will have a BIG one this year.

Water - have some stored, have a source other than "city" for more.

Protection - been buying ammo, not where I want to be... but who is?

Heat for winter - need a wood stove, need more wood. Need more propane. Definite weak spot for me. But doesn't get too brutal here.

I think TPTB HAVE to hold this together until after the election. If it falls apart before then, Ron Paul will get elected hands down (he's the ONLY one that's been warning of this). If they can hold it off till Dec. they can blame anyone/eveyone else for it and install sweeping laws and policies to
"fix" everything. That is what I'm scared of.

Oh yeah, EMP's scare me too.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I applaud your optimism, GF, but I have a hard time sharing your outlook. Young people are also flocking to Barack Obama's "message", whatever the hell that is, and he's a gun-grabbing, NWO/CFR shill, socialist.

The way of things, historically speaking, is for statism to advance, and liberty to retreat, until people are fed-up and do something about it. That "doing something" WILL NOT involve electoral politics, when it finally comes.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

What scares me Andy is that you are rattled. Since Ponce has been gone, you are the most prepared guy I've ever met. If you are feverishly buying more, it makes me rethink my plans. :shocked_ma:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Hey Andy, Hope you enjoyed your visit to the local Gun Shop today.

Folks, I've read Andy's posts and threads for a number of years here and at a formerly popular survival website and I've NEVER seen a thread started by him about overwhelming gut feelings to prep more.

If there is one person who has prepped and knowledgeable about such matters in a calm straight forward manner it is Andy.
So what does this tell me?? HEADS UP!!!

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Talked to Ponce last night, he's adding too. Said he filled the back of his truck from Costco yesterday. And I feel it too TN...Andy

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

No, you are on to something here Andy. When a mainstream guy like Beck is talking survival talk and giving credibility to Ron Paul, people are being prepped for the fall.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I have to wonder if Miss sticky fingers will return with her clan when the SHTF. I'll sweep out my own vault.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Barrack wants change, so I suggest you donate some quarters to his campaign.

:D

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

yeah, and oil companies are complaining right now of reduced profit margins because gas prices increase faster than crude. BULLSHIT! they are scamming us til the end.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

All I have are these worthless Ameros. Guess that will have to do! :D

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

We are bursting at the seems, not what I really planned to do (exposure) but what we have done.

Had three loads of good black dirt dropped off this morning. Gonna keep them under cover for future use. The garden is all double dug and starters started.

Couple months ago Sportsman's has a Rebock shoe sale. Bought i/2 dozen fore the wife and myself. Before that we went out and fitted ourselves with 3 pair of Redwings each.

Storeroom is full, spare bedroom is full, can't park the Blazer (88 4WD Diesel by the way) in the garage. And don't even look in the 10x20 metal shed. :D Fuel tanks are topped off.

So now we are just grabbing the things on the list that were of low priority. No doubt we have forgot something, (no I got a welder and genset) but we will be able to trade services for some stuff that has fallen between the cracks.

AE

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

You should have made up a story about being a volunteer for a food pantry
and offered your house as overflow storage... Clean-up guy will be back when he gets hungry one day... maybe if he thinks you give food to poor people he won't bring a gun with him when he comes knocking.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I'm glad I stocked up over the years. Here's a quote from Mayor Frank Jackson of Cleveland on the front page of the Plain Dealer:

'We're going after whoever is likely to carry a gun. Their skin color does not matter to me. If you got a gun, we're coming to get you.'

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

With seven German Shepard's I think he has his basses covered.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Brewer: Actually, I didn't enjoy it......they were out of a LOT of items.....and this is mostly an ammo place, very few guns sold.....they have probably 20,000 sqft warehouse, do mostly mail order business. I picked up 3 more cases of .22 LR ( FRN 117/case of 5250.....10 'bonus' boxes of 525/case ), some 62gr .22cal bullets, 2k CCI small rifle primers, but they were out of several things I wanted......and no idea when they would get it.

To All:

Thinking about getting up a group order for wheats, beans, veggies, fruits, etc from Walton Feed for anyone within a reasonable driving range of here.....good shipping price break on 1 ton or more, motor freight. I'll start a separate thread...

http://waltonfeed.com/

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I have to say I have been feeling that urge too. There are a few reasons. Gold and silver keeps going up higher and higher. Ron Paul not doing as good as he should of, and it does make me worry. What really gets me though, is that it looks like its fraud, but no one cares. If the fraud is right out there in your face and no one cares what does that say?

I also talked to some people in the family about the fraud. They didn't seem to worry. On forums it seems like people are saying its common, no big deal. Yea its not surprising but when they get caught and no one say anything its really annoying.

Also all the candidates scare me. I know they are all going to increase spending in the government. And people actually like it! They yell, "Yea we need change lets elect someone who going to increase spending even more." Yea right.

So yea I have a really strong urge to buy up. Infact I have the urge to get a second job, just to increase the amount I can buy.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Hey Andy, 20k sq ft warehouse and SHORT on your ammo! Wow!

Your offer to sponser a group buy in your area is a very generous.
Here's a few suggestions to make this deal simple.
1 A short order time.
2 A short pay time.
When you snooze you loose.
Good luck with this project Andy. and thanks Elijah for your welcome.
Take care my friend, brewer

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Yeah...the time thing hit me too, brewer.....see my post on the Group Order.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Sorry to hear that. You may want to pick a container load of food for them also along with some of that tetracycline they sell at the feed stores in case of infection. Those Rotts are good dogs but even more territorial than the Germans. Lots of preps for animals are needed for all who have them.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Aww I miss ponce. Tell him Goddess says hi!

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Where in Eastern Tn?
I live in Upstate S. Carolina
If it's less than 3 hours, I might be interested.

Peace
TLM

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Andy, the wife and I are feeling it too. Gold is over $892 right now (can $900 be far away) with silver at over $16.00. I can't see how the stock market keeps going up without some serious number diddling, but the PTB may have lost control of PMs. We spent the morning planning the garden... tomorrow morning we'll be planning how to enlarge it.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

It will go over 900 in the after market.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Honestly, that interview on Glenn Beck just made me want to either a) move under the radar and go cash only, or b) get the hell outta dodge.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Why would you go cash? Swiss Bonds maybe but other than that Gold Silver or Food.

Gold up 1.53% for the day.
Silver up 2.80% for the day.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Frig, I'm too broke to buy more than a couple cans of food a week.
Certainly don't have funds for extra boots, gas, etc.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I think he meant go under the radar and work for cash only..

I've been seriously thinking of claiming 9 dependants and take the extra cash for more pm's. I'll worry about the taxes later if ever.

By the way claiming 10 will flag the irs and bring them down on you. If you do 10 or more be ready to justify it.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

This is exactly what I've been doing for the last two years! However, my income increased by $24k this year, so I'll probably get screwed on taxes.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I'm definitley feeling it. Today there was a nice sale on 6oz cans of boneless skinless salmon and I bought 50 cans (don't expire until 07/2011). Picked up 15 lbs of rice that's good until the end of next year and about 25 cans of beans that are good until the end of 2010. We have another one of those same stores at the other side of town and I'm gonna go clean up on their salmon as well. I love the stuff and I'm happy eating it with some rice and beans or veggies.

I ordered some water containers (15g each) and will order 4 more next week. Bought a 20lb propane tank last week and picking up another one tomorrow. You name a survival/camping item and I've bought it recently or have a list and a short-time to purchase.

I'm seeing the general public start to finally notice and talk about inflation. They still don't understand what's causing it, just complaining, but it's a step.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I feel it.:dong:

My order from Mountain House arrived yesterday. My wife is troubled at my strange purchase. I'll be salting the boxes away so she can forget we have them.

I figure with the way prices in wheat and corn have been rising it makes sense to make the purchase now. Kinda like when I was buying silver back in 04.

If I mistimed this, its no big deal. The #10 cans will keep and probably be good long after I'm gone.

Guns, freeze dried food, PMs, water filters, and all the rest of the junk I hope never to use. But better to have and not use then "not have" and earnestly need to use.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Alls we have to do, is clear a path thru the zombies to MNs house.

Problem solved.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I don't mean invest in cash. I mean barter/cash transactions only for work and commerce.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Zombie-Hunters & Survivalists Forum: http://zombiehunters.org/forum/index.php

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

What island? :confused_ma: Where's the map? :confused_ma: Did I miss a memo?? :confused_ma: X mark the spot?? :no_ma:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I can fix this ......a little C-4 & primer cord can solve a lot of .......problems :D

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

River Rat has the codes to the secret entrance, he has threatened to keep them from me but he doesn't know I,,, well he just doesn't you see? :party9:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Hillary will get elected just in time for America to fall off the cliff financially. The people will BEG for communism, and she will oblige.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Let me see your GIM round, the the secret GIM hand shake? :shakehand, AND the Ron Paul wave :wavey:....:D

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I am feeling it. I had moved to clothing, shoes, more food, etc, from buying more PM.

I try to tell myself I am being sensible rather than panicky because the FRN buys less of pretty much everything day by day and buying now is investing, in a way. For sure preps are useful whether or not TSHTF.

I'm not even close to where I'd like to be, as in 100% off grid power from sunlight, not fuel, for instance. OTOH I'm sure we are much better prepped than 99% of households (excepting mormons who have sensibly made being ready for lean years part of their faith) and I wish the unprepared would get with it.

Didn't they see Katrina too?

Right now even poor Americans can still afford garden seed, tools from garage sales, lots of beans and grain to put by, a gutter and rain barrel and some chlorine.

Extra clothes from Goodwill beats no extra clothes and is dirt cheap. In my broke college days I shopped at goodwill for everyday wear and found lots of perfectly fine clothes for prices like 89 cents for cords or jeans or a sweater and 39 cents for a shirt. Wash in hot water and clorox to sanitize and used clothes are fine. I was actually amazed at how close to brand new some of the clothes there were.

Many in other parts of the world have so little they can't do any prep, but almost all Americans could.

Because they don't it will make the transition hard on all of us. Preps are community positive.

But I do think lots of people feel it. I'm not anywhere near as prepped as Andy. Heck, he can grow everything he needs and can it. I can grow a lot, but not my own beef. We will have to make do with eggs for home grown protein. When our last old hen passed away I did not order chicks and I may regret it. I was thinking they might get 'bird flu' outlawed and hens that become like pets to us getting slaughtered would break the wife's heart, plus if we relocate she wants to take all our animals so I was trying to let attrition cut down our animal friends. I did not intend to get any more cats after our ancient cats died over the past few years. And we were down to just 1 good dog, who is getting elderly herself.

But the feral kitten who demanded to live with us is a frankly amazing huntress so I suppose she will earn her keep by keeping us mouse free. Living without human feeding bred her line back to 'only the best hunters produce surviving young' it seems. I've never seen a cat as good at catching things. And her claws are thicker, sharper, and more curved than any cat I have had before. She practically has fish hooks up front.

Anyway, yes... I feel something that is kind of like how I feel when a bad snow storm is coming. I want everything we might need for a very long time inside the house right now.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Please don't, you're scaring me.

What we are seeing in the west is the rise of a so-called Socialist/Communist system. That is really in fact a select dictatorship. Promising good for all... it will crush any that oppose it, to death if necessary. Financial death is the easy way to remove voices...


Reminds me of the quote:

Alexander Solzhenitsyn -The Gulag Archipelago (Chapter 1 "Arrest")

Solzhenitsyn says this: “And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say goodbye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests . . . people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers or whatever else was at hand? . . . And you could be sure ahead of time that you would be cracking the skull of a cutthroat. Or what about the Black Maria sitting out there on the street with one lonely chauffeur – what if it had been driven off or its tires spiked? The Organs would very quickly have suffered a shortage of officers and transport and . . . the cursed machine would have ground to a halt!”

Solzhenitsyn concludes: “If . . . if . . . We didn’t love freedom enough. And even more – we had no awareness of the real situation. . . . [W]e hurried to submit. We submitted with pleasure! . . . We purely and simply deserved everything that happened afterward.”


It appears people learn nothing from history, but this time we are at least forewarned.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Andy, thanks for the info.

AMforPM. you cracked me up with the animal stories. We have a feral cat too.
I also collect critter friends and they would have to be moved with us so I understand why you dont want more chickens. At one point traveling was a hassle becasue we took three dogs a cat and possum with us. We did get a pet sitter for the Emu living in the backyard though. :) Currently we have two New Guinea hens that escaped from a local farm and they have decided they wanted to live here. We now feed them and are making them a shelter.
I dont plan on eating them.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Yep!

Just put 500 lbs of soft white wheat away Mormon style for long term storage. Couldn't resist. Buckets were on sale. Lids too. It's by far much more than I need , but.....

Other websites are feelin' this too. There is a story about a man in Berlin 1943 who started getting these types of feelings. He went out and bought 2 50lb. bags of beans. His wife was just furious. Couldn't believe he would do something so stupid. They didn't even like beans. So he hid them up in the attic. You know the rest of the story. And yes their survival was made easier because of his decision to listen to his gut instinct.

You guys will be OK. It will be hard, but at least you are listening.


SB

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

OMG! An emu!! :haha: A young possum snuck in somehow and tried to nonchalantly waddle off to bed with us and our 3 cats one night. We had 3, mama and her 2 kits. She lived to be 18 and passed peacefully at home. Her daughter died the next month of grief and her son lived another year or so. But they had long happy lives, though I miss them.

That possum was hilarious. You could almost hear it saying 'i'm a cat, just another cat.'

The ensuing possum roundup was pretty funny too. We did not let it stay but relocated it to a nice place with year round water and good cover plus a picnic area for tasty trash. Can you house break a possum?

Out of 8 ferals we rescued and found homes for this year, this one refused food and water and complained from under furniture for 2 days with her very nice new people, and was returned where she began purring as soon as she was handed to my wife. Strong willed! I gave in at that point.

Guineas are good watch birds. They make a lot of noise if a stranger approaches, or so my grandmother said. I never had any.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

AMFor PM...I love animal stories. :)
I think certain houses have invisible signs that only stray animals can see. It says "SUCKER LIVES HERE".

The Emu was an odd story. I was washing dishes and looked out the kitchen widow at the back yard. I saw a Emu walking around my backyard. It was a rather Twilight zone moment.
I called animal control and they said several strays from a local Emu farm had been spotted in the area. He said he could come get it but he would have to tie its legs to trasport it and they might end up having to destroy it. I told them not to bother coming because they really didnt sound like they wanted the hassle. The Emu lived the rest of his life out in the backyard. He was a rather interesting critter and would peep in the windows to look at us.

About Possums they are very misunderstood critters. They love human attention and affection and are very gentle. I did possum rehab for many years and ended up making pets out of several that could not be released. They blended in with the other pets and even house trained with the help crate training. My possum was very bonded to the family and moped if we left it so it always travels with us along side the other pets. LOL

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Ponce says thanks Goddess , also said, "I miss everyone, I love them, and good luck"

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I was thinking that liquidation of some assets, intangible and tangible, and acquisition of portable wealth might be a good strategy. That is to say, sell a lot of my STUFF, keep some stuff for a bug out, and turn everything else into gold bullion and a plane ticket.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Awe, who would have thunk?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/...ba34c3.jpg?v=0

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

*LOL @ the thought of Possums jamming a needle in their arm*

Sorry. My brain is different.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Aw...Look at that cute little possum face.:D

Actually you don't draw blood out of possums leg. You have to use the dorsal vein of the tail. From a Veterinary point fo view the are interesting critters. They have odd metabolisms and in captivity become incredibly picky eaters. The local Vet School studies them because they are as close to immune to rabies as a warm blooded animal can be.
If anyone else is intersted in possum rehab here is a good link.
http://www.opossumsocietyus.org/

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I have the feeling...
 

...That soon we'll be looking at those "cute little 'possums" in a new light.



Keep recipe for not-so-distant future reference. And remember, "When eating opossum, it's always a good idea to eat in pairs. That way one of the two can always be watching for traffic."

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Also works well with 'coon.

ROASTED RACCOON & SWEET POTATO STUFFING

1 dressed raccoon, 4 to 5 pounds
4 teaspoons salt
3 cups sweet potatoes, mashed
3/4 cup seedless raisins
2-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1-3/4 cups apples. peeled & diced
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 teaspoon pepper




Remove the raccoon's waxy nodules, (commonly referred to as "kernels") from under each front leg and on either side of the spine in the small of the back. Wash meat thoroughly and dry. Remove part of the fat, leaving just enough to cover the carcass with a thin layer of fat. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt inside body. Fill with mixture of 2 teaspoons salt and remaining ingredients except pepper. Skewer the vent by inserting several toothpicks through the skin from side to side. Lace with string, tying the ends securely. Fasten both the forelegs and the hind legs with toothpicks and string. If there are any lean parts on the outside of the body, fasten a small piece of the surplus fat to this part with a toothpick. Sprinkle with remaining salt and the pepper. Put on side on greased rack in shallow baking pan and roast in preheated slow oven (325 degrees F.) for 45 minutes per pound. Turn when half done. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

NO!!! eating a possum would be like eating your pet dog!!
:shocked_ma:

Possums do become very docile and affectionate in captivity. They are curious and love human companionship. In the wild they are scavengers but become extremely picky eaters in captivity. They tend to fixate on food and refuse to eat anything else. I did possum rehab for many years and the only time I saw a possums uglier side was in the presence of a live chicken.







http://media.commercialappeal.com/mc...7conserve.jpeg
http://www.iasishealthcare.com/pix/s...all/img_10.jpg

http://www.possumwoodacres.org/PawsN...81605_poss.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...307/possum.jpg

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Good call there MR. Andy

I have been walking around today looking over things saying to myself "Check".

I even went over to a friends house today and learned reloading--Check

Hand presses are kind of cool!

Checking off the list.

E-A

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

As that Cuban guru fellow says: "To be ready is not".......

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Well, today I rounded up 60 pounds of lead wheel weights for bullet casting, and tonight we vacuum sealed and put up about 50 pounds of chicken and hamburger tonight. I also cut and split some wood (for as long as I could stand the 2 degree weather). I don't feel NEARLY as productive as Andy.
:no_ma:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Wood is next on my list.......I'd like to have a couple years ahead....that would be 15 cords or so....probably have to build another shed to house it.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

How in the world do you go through 7 cords/year in Tennesee? Maybe better insulation should be next on your list. :D

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

nope....house is well insulated.....I heat the whole place with a big, open fireplace......I could put in a stove and cut that in half, easy.....but I really LIKE that big open fireplace ! ( I did make a grate out of black iron pipe and run water thru it to a 500 gallon tank in the basement.....then circulate to basebd heaters....so it's not as bad as it sounds )

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

slv and tn,

Crapiola! I gotta get off my azz and make some more sausage. You've just struck the thought to can it as my freezers are stuffed to the brim. Anyone ever can chicken? It is also time to get some more rice in Chinatown (in Houston). Also time to get serious about some kind of budget.

Andy - why do you need a shed to store wood? I'm somewhat close to purchasing acreage and instead of my boys going to the gym, they go cut cords of wood for our future use or for sale.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Never canned just chicken, though it wouldn't be a trick......we make our own chicken soup.

I like my wood in a shed of some kind if I can.....just keeps it dry and nice.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Thanks. To minimize cost on jars, I think I will look around for some "condensed" chicken soup recipe for canning purposes. I'm thinking one jar, add water, and feed a family of 4.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

On the stump? You mean strip it and leave the bulk of the wood upright and uncut?

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Think you could post a picture of the fire place?

I've been told how inefficient it is and that it couldn't be done.

My Dads hunting property had a wood stove with a blower. Man that baby could heat.

E-A

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Very true .....

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Opossums are neat. My dad made friends with one that lived in his backyard. My dad would sit out on the deck in the evenings, sipping a martini, with the opossum, a couple of cats, and his dog all sitting around his feet. When the opossum had babies, they'd come with her, of course. My dad even built her a little wooden house, which he'd heat with a light bulb on cold days. She, or her descendants, came by for years.

I also had a friend who lived in a room over her parents' garage. She had 6 cats, and she'd often wake up in the morning with 6 cats and a opossum on her bed.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Not as tasty, but yeah, I suppose.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_meat

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Oshaka :bear_sad: ... No eating the family pooch!!!

Maddie, your Dad would agree that eating possum is like eating a family pet.!!! They really love to snuggle and crave companionship. Mine had a fuzzy cat bed they slept in. They can be house trained too. Mine were great little guarding animals. They were very gentle with me and the children and loved to snuggle. If my husband came too close after being very careful it was him and not one of us it would nip his ankles to make him go away.

My Husband had an interesting relationship with all of our possums. He really liked them and they like him but they would all nip him if he got too close to me or the kids. My Husband was babysitting my beloved pet possum one day when I was out of town. He took him out to use the bathroom and forgot him. Hours later he remembered the possum was outside. He had to go on a possum hunt. It took him two hours but he found him in the woods. My husband has earned the title of "Great Possum Hunter".

http://www.buncombecounty.org/common...s-friend_5.jpg

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

I'm too pc to go there...

But the small ones like that are just great for breakfast, jaima. Just grab 'em by the tail and dunk 'em whole in some beer batter then into the deep fryer for about five minutes. Mmmmm, mmm! That's slap yo' mamma good right there!

:tongue_ma::tongue_ma:

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

It is still way less efficient than a good airtight stove....I figure I'm probably up in the 25-30% range doing what I've done, whereas a good stove would get me in the 60-70% range easy.

A photo wouldn't show much, but I can describe it to you....

The grate itself is made of 3/8" black iron pipe, bent with a conduit bender in the shape of a "C".....there are 30 rows of these, welded at the top and bottom of the open part of the "C" to a 1.5" piece of square tubing that acts as a supply and return manifold. (Holes drilled in the manifold, then the pipe welded over that ) 3/4" pipe fitting welded in the end of manifolds for a supply and return....piping goes out the side of the fireplace and into a shaft that runs down the side to the basement. In line thermostat ( aquastat ) controls a 1/12hp circulator pump ( also have manual over ride switch with LED lights on the wall by the fireplace ), you can dial any temp in it from 100 to 210....I usually start the pump with the over ride switch, then when we turn in, let the aquastat take over, and it cuts out late night/early morning as the fire dies away.

The shaft beside the fireplace is for a dumbwaiter type lift I built to bring wood up from the basement....My piping and wiring runs down the side of the shaft.

In the basement, I have an old 500 gal propane tank ( real THICK walled...3/8" steel !!.....pressure tested at 350psi originally....I bought it for scrap steel price )....the fireplace pump draws water off the bottom of the tank, and returns it to the top.....this particular tank already had a top and bottom 2" pipe fitting, so I just bushed them down to fit my pipe sizes.

Tank is surround with insulation....a remote reading temperature LED on the fireplace wall gives me fireplace input and output temps, basement temp, and outside air temp. I also had a flowmeter on the fireplace line, so I could calculate actual BTU amounts in combination with the temps, to help me get a firm figure on efficiency ( I did my master's thesis on this deal about 20 years ago.....ahahahaha....talk about killing two birds with one stone.....ahahahaha....)

Then, a second 1/12hp pump ( Both Bell and Gosset pumps ) draws water off the top of the tank, controlled by a standard wall thermostat in my hallway, and circulates that water to baseboard water heater around the house.

I also built a set of 1/4" steel doors that 'clip' onto a frame of 1 1/2" angle iron I attached to the opening of the fireplace.....when we build a fire, I take the doors off, and set them to the side of the hearth.....then when we retire for the night, I put the two door back on, preventing room heat from flowing back up the chimney.....a big loss in most fireplaces.....you can't close the damper until the fire is dead out.....I never close my damper......the doors take care of that.

Then, went I built the fireplace, I also put in a 'heat-a-lator' firebox....a metal firebox with air circulation behind it, with intake and exhaust vents on the face of the brick....I don't use fans, but it does put out a lot of heat by natural convection of hot air rising.

THEN, I also built the fireplace in the center of the house.....the back wall of brick is a brick wall in the master bedroom.....you'd be AMAZED out much heat radiated out of that brick mass after the fireplace has been used a few days. WAY too many fireplaces/chimneys are built on an outside wall, and loose all that heat that could be contained in a house.....that was the reason I had to build in a dumbwaiter for the lift.....no way to load a wood box from the outside.....

Also put an ash pit in the fireplace center, so all ash goes down another shaft in the chimney center, and clean out in the basement once a year.

Well, that's it in a nutshell......as I said, if I had any sense, I'd install a big ole ugly woodstove, and cut a lot less wood.....and if the SHTF, that's EXACTLY what I would do....but, man, we LOVE that 4' wide fireplace.....I can almost stuff a whole tree in there ! :D

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

kind of cute looking critters.

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Hey Andy. Overall it seems like a good heating system,I made a masonary stove parked in the middle of a 1300 sq ft rock home.
3 1/2 cords per year.
I would really like to tie in that masonry stove to my hot water system when there "aint no mo propane"
Today it was crap outside, but I covered up and sucked it up and did the cha-cha with more firewood for next year..hoping to get a year plus ahead of the game....
OH YEAH. this little bit of info motivated me...I can't back up this internet info...but it did motivate me.. A CORD OF HARDWOOD IS EQUIVALENT TO 400 BUCKS OF PROPANE HEAT,
Good luck folks

Re: Anybody else feeling this ?
 

Jaima, that is the cutest little opossum baby!

Regarding the original question, I feel it, too. I've been into preparedness since the late 70s, though financial and health issues in the 90s depleted my stash, and when things got better, I didn't do much about it other than keep some a few weeks' of extra rice and beans on hand and keep camping gear in my truck (which had less to do with SHTF than it did my old pre-migraine medicine lifestyle in which I had to be prepared to hole up for days anywhere without much warning). I didn't panic for Y2K at all, though it made me a little nostalgic for the Cold War and old-fashioned survivalism. Then, in early 2004, I was shopping for something on the Internet, preparedness the furthest thing from my mind, and like a bolt out of the blue, the urgent idea that I had to "get ready" by 2008 popped into my head. I deleted what I'd typed in the search box, typed in long-term storage food, and placed an order. From thereon, I started seriously prepping again. The feeling that I had to be as ready as possibly by 2008 never left me. I've felt all along that 2008 is when things would begin to get hard and that 2010 is when they would be their worst. I haven't felt 2008 would be any sort of Mad Max SHTF, but I have felt that if I wasn't prepared by 2008, I wouldn't have the resources to do it properly.

Right now I'm not particularly panicked. I'm just enjoying reminding my husband that I've said for 4 years now that 2008 was going to be the year everything changes. :D My husband's at least paid enough attention that he thought better of taking out an equity loan in the house, and he's stuck with his government job instead of moving into private industry.