Retreat Locales, Thoughts on Skoelsen, Rawles

Fox Hollow Circuit Hike Trail Head at Dickey Ridge,
Shenandoah National Park

This afternoon Clare and I had the mutual bright idea of heading up to nearby Skyline Drive for a picnic at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and Picnic area this afternoon. It was a perfect day, and the short (1.3 mile Fox Hollow hike) is a very enjoyable family friendly jaunt, which tours the remains of the old Fox homestead that existed there years before FDR's administration bought them and the other 2,000 residents out to form the National Park.



The view from the Visitor Center proper (not shown) is fabulous, looking west across the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain to the far ridge that is known (or was known), as I understand it, as the Devil's Backbone in the far distance. To the right is a picture of the East-Northeast View, which, I believe, looks toward High Knob (the mountain on the right. Beyond it is I-66, which is the commuter corridor that takes one to Washington, DC.

As far as I am concerned the Shenandoah Valley has it all, but is under-sung in certain circles when it comes to its appeal as a potential prepper redoubt. Retreat locale gurus Joel Skoelsen and J.W. Rawles have contributed much excellent data and research to the discussion of retreat locales. And while I respect their opinions, I think there is more to be said about the East Coast and retreat locales in general when it comes to a societal collapse, or "the crunch" as Rawles speaks about it in his novels.

Their main criticism, as I understand it, is population density. Rawles only recommends several states in the Upper Mountain Northwest as a viable option for survival, whereas Skoelsen recommends several regions cut off from population centers. In their world view, if you live on the East Coast (or an East Coast State) chances for survival are slim, or go down drastically because of such a high population density.

I agree with that basic premise, except with regard to one thing. Terrain.

Navigating the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains is not easy. Skoelsen believes that residents living in the Shenandoah Valley are too close to high population centers (Baltimore/DC/Northern VA) and will suffer numerous roving bands and so therefore recommends the Piedmont Region (Eastern/Northen Tenessee & Eastern Kentucky) for extra insurance against them.

That is fine and all, but my personal opinion after spending my free time this summer hiking in the mountains is thus: anyone traveling on foot scavenging for food and crossing these mountains is basically pretty screwed. I am in decent shape and love to hike. Still, these hills are not easily crossed. Anyone "heading to the hills" better have their gear in order, a pre-defined route, and plenty of food and lots of practice. That equals about 1-2% of the population.

EMP, Economic Collapse, or Nuclear War, as the East Coast goes, I think we in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond (West Virginia) have a better chance of dodging the bullet than most. I will take those odds and for numerous reasons. See for yourself. This region is not a known nuclear target (or at least if it is, it is not being published.) In an EMP Collapse, unless autos work, as mentioned above, few people are going to be crossing these mountains. In an economic collapse, I surmise everyone will be just as screwed and be lucky to have the needed gas to drive here, and the stragglers that do come out this way would actually be few in number.

I believe there are many fine places to live to avoid the societal shit-storms dead-ahead. I've considered other regions, but for one reason or another (finances being one of them of course) am definitely ok with the Northern Shenandoah Valley region. Here is my list of the pros that make this region and those around it an excellent choice for a retreat locale:

1.) Beautiful and remote without being in BFE. The valley is about 70 miles from Washington, DC. You are close to the amenities and resources of a major metropolitan city yet isolated by rugged terrain from it.

2.) Excellent growing season and soil. Water, springs, rivers, creeks, and brookes are available in abundance. It is an outdoorsman's paradise.

3.) Where I live in particular, disgruntled mountain folk still dwell in high numbers. They are survivors and have an air of ruggedness. They do not like outsiders. This isn't always good, but these people are not fools. They don't trust others easily.

4.) Not downwind of nuclear power. Lake Anna is 63 miles away, but the Shenandoah is nearly always upwind of that locale.

For me at least, these considerations make this area an attractive place for preppers who have or want to live on the East Coast. I'd say most rural places in the Valley are pretty sweet locations for all of the above mentioned reasons. I think there are other places up and down the Eastern Seaboard that meet much of this criteria as well, but you have to look for them.

The final consideration is that in life and in the days ahead, we will need each others' skills and talents to survive. No man is an island for long, or generally wants to be when it comes to providing essentials for oneself and others, regardless of how self-sufficient.

Anyhow, if you have found this article online and have a question about the Shenandoah, be sure to comment in the notes.

In the mean time, stay safe out there.

--Nick-Dog

Summer Swimming Holes

This has been a fast-moving but nonetheless very enjoyable summer to date. The weather, with the exception of a week-long heat wave, has been pleasantly mild, unusually so for Virginia.

Clare has been spear-heading many of our family adventures, leading us on summer hikes to waterfalls and out of the way swimming holes. The one shown to the left is the upper pool of one known as "The Ponds" in the foothills of Shenandoah National Park. The pictures don't do it justice, honestly. This pool is the deepest and jumping in is a lot of fun.

The water is chilly but refreshing on a hot summer day. Worth the .8 of a mile hike in. We went with a couple of Clare's Starbuck's peeps and had a good time. I was fortunate in that one of our companions enjoys many of the same topics I do, which is a rare treat.

Other adventures have taken the family to Buzzard Rock, White Oak Canyon, and Elk Wallow up in the National Park. This is the first year we have been taking serious advantage of this amazing resource. The mountains are all around us here and boast plenty of hiking. However, it is all too easy to stay on the main roads and leave nature to itself. I don't think that's what God had in mind when He created it, though.


It's actually starting to feel like the summer is ending early with the very cool evenings we've had. I know Virginia is super tricky and fickle, however, and do not underestimate its powers to bring us back in to 100-degree temps in short order.

So yah, summer adventures. We have a few still on the docket, culminating in an eventual beach trip. I'm looking forward to that. And then it's on to the heating season, Fall colors, firing up the woodstove, and hopefully, the new Cherokee.

I love summer, but Fall is going to be sweet to be sure.

Over & Out,

--Nick-Dog

Golden Opportunity

So, things did not go as planned.

I went up to NJ. Bought the Jeep sight unseen, per the listing, and the thing ran like shit, unlike the title of the listing "1999 Cherokee 4x4**runs great**".

Honestly, I know better. I was too trusting of the process, figuring that the Jeep would not be misrepresented by an ebay seller who wants to retain positive feedback. With that said, I got most of my money back and returned the beat-to-hell xj. The body was clean, but mechanically, it was a crapfest. Lesson learned.

So what to do? As it turns out, Clare reminded me of a gent back in Harrisburg, who had a Jeep Cherokee for sale at a good price. It was gold and I gave him a text. With the remainder of my cash, my father-in-law and I went to down to check it out. It was clean and mechanically sounded great. I was comfortable with it and made an offer. The gracious seller took it, and I drove 130 miles home with the windows don into the sunset with my new Golden XJ.

Frankly, it totally kicks ass. To me at least. That's the one I wanted to begin with, but the seller was out of town in Alaska when I contacted him. It needs tires on all 4 corners, but runs great for a vehicle with 220k on the clock. I know. 220k. That's a lot, but it's all there.

There is some body damage and quirks to be worked out to be sure, but overall it's solid. The interior is very clean. Minimal rust. Newly tinted windows. Lift. 31s. I couldn't be happier with it, considering what I paid.

God draws straight with [my] crooked lines sometimes. Even though my journey to Hackettstown did not go as planned, I am overall grateful for things working out as well as they did.

Pictures will be forthcoming at some point. It probably looks like hell to everyone else, but to me, well, it's golden.

Peace Out. --Nick-Dog

Cherokee Dreamin'

So this past Tuesday, I found an ebay auction for a 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ by a wholesaler
up in Jersey. Forest Green. 4.0. 4x4 Automatic. 177k. No noticeable debilitating rust.

The ebay post was thorough and included video of a walk-around and test drive.

As I watched, feelings of being and working at the dealership began to course through my veins. Desire for a new Jeep took hold of me. I talked to my wife--she could see the Jeep lust in my eyes--to obtain "permission" for a new Jeep. The auction was ending in 20 minutes. The opportunity for an ebay snipe
glistened before me. Current bid: $649.00. No reserve.

Hells yes peoples!

Max bid: $752.13. With less than a minute left, I became the high bidder and auction-sniped some poor bastard--another dealer I'm sure--out there on the interwebs, claiming rights to ownership at $685 as the clock reached zero.

Sure, I will be paying a $145.00 processing fee and $25 out of state temp tag fee, for a grand total of $855.00. And then I have to get it and bring it back.

Now the Jeep has some issues, but none that affect driveability. The interior smells like old pet, the windshield has a minor crack, and the bumper suffered an injury. It needs a stereo. There's a couple of other minor issues, but those are the main ones. Honestly, anything under 2k is going to need some work.

I have been staying up at night combing the Craigslist ads for Cherokees from Maine to Spain, looking for sweet deals like a man obsessed. All things considered, this seems like a good deal on the one hand.

So Monday will see my father-in-law and I heading up to Jersey in the AM to pick up the new rig. Hopefully, everything will go silky smooth.

Honestly, I've been wanting a Cherokee for 6 years. My plans for the thing are pretty much made. I will post periodic progeess here. The long term vision is to obtain a used pop-up that we can take camping on weekends, now that we have something formidable enough to tow.

The juice is flowing freely. I am so excited about this. We might even get to stop at Cabelas in Hamburg, PA on the way back.

Hells yes peoples!!!

Over and Out, --Nick

Advice to those just starting out, or to my 21-year-old self....

When I was 21ish, I wanted guidance from wise people who had trod the path ahead of me, so as not to make theirs or common mistakes in life.

Honestly, I did find a few wise men over time, but what I found is that at the end of the day, no one has all the answers. Most people have very few of them, but those who've lived an admirable life are worth listening to, regardless of age.

From my 34-year-old vantage point, it is idealistic to think that a sage can tell you everything you need to know. They can be helpful to be sure, but ultimately, advice needs to be measured by what is within. Elsewise, it is effectively useless.

And with that, here is MY sage advice to a 21-year-old, for whatever it is worth:

1.) Hard skills are often more important than soft skills. If you go to college, get a degree that will make you bank, not one that will keep you in the poorhouse. Usually, that is a technical degree of some sort.

2.) Question the motives and wisdom of others. Keep your own counsel. Trust your gut instincts.

3.) Read the Book of Sirach.

4.) Question the system, then opt out by your life-style choices.

5.) Invest in rural/semi-rural land sooner rather than later. Obtain or build liveable accommodations, then build your dream place next to it if you want.

6.) I advise a life that looks like a homesteader. To that end, a massive shop on your property is one of the most significant and awesome things you can do for yourself. For the do-it-yourself type, it will save you money and give you space to do everything you want and then some. Few shops are too big. Seriously.

7.) Invest in quality tools. Learn to use them. Learn to plumb. Then see #6.

8.) Money attracts money (in my limited experience). If you have a ton, make it attract more by your lifestyle choices and investment strategy. Don't let it burn a hole in your pocket (which is what I generally do).

9.) Don't buy depreciating assets. Consider this with every purchase. Every time you buy a depreciating asset, you become poorer.

10.) Follow the K-I-S-S method in most things and save yourself some headaches.

11.) Theoretically, if you are an idealist, you can anything, right? However, realistically, one only has time and space (and energy/resources) to do several things well. Consider this before loading up your life with excessive projects. You can't do them/it all.

12.) Unless it is your passion/true desire to restore old things, start fresh. It is hard to work with what is old than to build from scratch something new.

13.)  Don't swim against the current. Get out of the river and walk your own way.

14.) Become an expert judge of character.

15.) Craigslist is your friend. Try not to pay retail if you can avoid it.

16.) Avoid people who love conflict. Avoid situations that could potentially bring about conflict. The great general is not one who wins 100 battles, but avoids a 1000.

17.) Make your bed every day, first thing.

18.) "Peace is the tranquility of order." If you seek peace, seek order, organization, and a space for all things.

19.) What you own owns you.

20.) Know your enemies. No matter how cool you are, some people are your enemies because they choose to be.

21.) Be concerned about personal security and safety. We don't live in la-la land.

22.) Do not play fantasy games that are violent if you yourself are not willing to purchase a sword (aka host of weapons) to defend all that is good and worthy in your life.

23.) Take care of your body, mind, and spirit. Rest when you need to. Develop a martial fitness.

24.) Character is more important than image, but to many, image matters more.

25.) Be honest to yourself about your own bullshit. Hold yourself to a higher standard than others.

26.) You are the company you keep.

27.) Dress for the occasion.

28.) Honor the Lord who honors you by maintaining your existence and holding you in being.

29.) Discipline is not a 4-letter word.

30.) Have a back-up plan, and a back-up plan to the back-up plan.

31.) Value is a state of mind. It is entirely subjective but seemingly objective. It is malleable and not fixed.

32.) Manage your own money like a persnickety housewife.

33.) Be your own bad-ass on your terms. You can't live someone else's version of you.

That's it for now. Just needed to get that out there for some reason. Hope you've enjoyed.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Holding the Center

A man walking up the mountain to enlightenment encounters an older man walking down the mountain with a radiant smile and a stick with two jugs of water on his back. Curious, the younger man asked the older man with the smile, "What is enlightenment?!"

Still smiling, the older man put down his water jugs, looked to the sky, opened his arms and breathed in the warm, morning sun. After a moment, the older man stopped what he was doing, returned to a normal posture and looked at the young man.

"What comes after enlightenment?" the young man again queried.

The old man pointed to and then once again shouldered his water jugs, settling them squarely on his shoulders, and once again began carrying his load down the path.

The moral of the story is that after enlightenment we all need a drink.

Actually, that is not the real moral of the story (but I suppose it could be). The real moral is that enlightenment, actualization, or self-realization is not an end, but a beginning. Getting to somewhere in life is only part of the journey. What comes after our goals is equally important and equally part of life. It's not always exciting and usually looks like work. The old saying that it's not the end that counts, but the journey has meaning here.

Recently on facebook, I posted up a video of a hardcore isometric breathing exercise practiced in Goju Ru Karate called Sanchin kata. For three years, students had to endure this training and other strengthening exercises before they were ever shown techniques. Of course, technique is important, but by the time one had finished their initiation into the art, they were already bad asses and could handle most situations. Their character was forged along the way, and perhaps without realizing it, they had achieved their goals.

This is sort of a romantic way of saying don't eschew the journey. Pick up your cross. Do your duty. Event if you haven't achieved your desired outcome, what matters is what and who one becomes along
the path.

For me this is a hard saying. The daily loadout can be overwhelming sometimes and not in conformity with our desires. Sometimes the problems that arise are outright bullshit, or seem to be, especially since they come at the "wrong time."

The truth is we can't always pick our battlefield, regardless of our visualizations and ideals. Sometimes we simply need to set our jaws and ready the artillery. Learn to take the hit and hopefully to dish one or two out.

Kick ass and take names.

--Nick-Dog

Bad Weather

I've been blogging about the coming economic S-storm for years. So have many other people. Here are some additional reflections that I need to get off my chest:

1.) When I look back to 2008-2009, I think wow, back then I was more intrigued than worried, but still worried. Now I am less intrigued, but still worried. I guess what I am trying to say is that we can be years away from the economic event still. Sure, things have not truly improved, IMO. We have been strung along for many months now into the present day "recovery" which is not a recovery. It is a papering over, one that could last for years to come. A feeling of economic morass or gradual decay can continue to be the prevailing climate for years.

2.) The shift is actually happening now. It is occurring as we speak. Just because CNN isn't covering it doesn't mean there haven't been casualties. The S has hit the fan for some people. Many of them have re-adjusted and moved on. Others have not. Everyone is looking towards an event that will change everything. I think there will be one, probably many, but significant things making that possible are happening now and will continue to do so.

3.) The time is now to prepare, while it is still easy to do so. Make the big changes now, while it easy to do. Ammo, for example, is still scarce in my neck of the woods, but 6 months ago, it was more or less abundant. Resources will not always be there. Additionally, moving or taking on a large project will likely be easier now than in the future, due to cost and possibly available materials. The home center might not always have what you need. Stocking up now on known needs is a good idea.

4.) It is never to late to engage in long-term goals. Food storage is one that rings a bell for me. I recently found a local supplier that can obtain bulk comestibles at huge discounts. Getting to a year of food storage can be done if it is achieved, like many other things, in manageable steps.

5.) The media doesn't matter as most think it does. The left and right dichotomy means very little when it comes to fundamentals--most will vote away our liberty if they can get away with it. Having followed the right-wing group think for many years, I believe that the fundamental argument is about liberty and that the artificial philosophical construct on all news outlets makes sheeple more manageable. Being independent and going your own road is a habit that is going to mean more in the days ahead.

6.) Inflation is emerging more and more as a felt reality. Our grocery bill would be astronomical if it were not for stores like Smart Shopper. The big box chains are pricy too, but not as bad as the local markets. Food production moving forward is going to be more and more critical to routine survival. Gardening is key if you want to eat well. The same goes for canning like a moe-foe.

7.) Paying off debt is more important than acquiring a new thing. This goes for anything, including "small" purchases. Debt=slavery. Lack of debt=freedom. I really wanted to buy a new vehicle but am holding off because I believe that I should pay cash. It's going to take me longer to get what I want, but so be it. Rome wasn't built in a day.

8.) Again, not buying useless things or making useless purchases is huge. Decoupling from having lots of shit collecting dust will bring freedom and peace hitherto unknown. It is a neverending process--the more I get rid off, the more I have to work to make sure things don't come back to fill empty spaces. The operative word here is mobility. You can be more mobile in life when you pare down to the essentials. Figuring out what those are is never-ending process sometimes, but mobility=greater freedom, less attachment to things that can get one bogged down.

9.) The time is now to bug out. Setting up a homestead in a rural area takes time. If that is the eventual plan, doing it now while the market is heating up, makes sense. Of course, there are logistics to be considered, but getting to your perfect place should be part of the plan now, not something to put off.

10.) Be real with yourself. Some people believe nothing will happen. Meanwhile, our gov't prints 85 billion dollars a month. Gregory Mannarino, an economic analyst I follow, repeatedly says "You wanna be on the right side of that trade when the economic shift happens en total." I believe he is right. The game is rigged. Figure out your own shit and act accordingly. Now, not some make believe day in the future, is the time to take action.

BONUS 11.) Every day I work, I usually have to write for some student that "the primary cause of the Great Depression were the inflationary policies of the Federal Reserve." The roaring 20s occurred in part because the Fed created easy money for institutional investors and companies. I believe Silent 'Cal chose not to run in 1928 because he knew the bust that was to come would be bad. Where the Federal
Reserve has brought us today is infinitely worse. That should tell us something.

Right now, as of this writing, there is still time and great opportunity to plan and make changes in our lives. In the future there will only be increasing uncertainty and fake recovery until we reap what we have sown. I write this list for myself as a reminder of resolve. Additionally, I don't want any readers of this blog--myself included--to kick our own ass for not taking advantage of the opportunities and time we had to prepare for a trip through the economic Black Forest.

Not everyone is going to make it out alive. For those that do, it will most likely not have been an easy journey.

God Bless.

Over and Out,

--Nick 

Tool Fear?

Just a quick post geared to those who are afraid to pick up a tool for one reason or another, especially for those who believe that any attempt to fix something results in a cluster bomb or making the situation worse.

Some of my buddies are not tool-guys or do-it-your-selfers. Unplugging the toilet is about the extent of their comfort zone with tools (if you can call that a comfort-zone).

I am not calling anyone out here.... I just want to say that sometimes I feel like I get more credit than I deserve regarding fixing stuff or making things.

The truth? It's not that hard. Really, it's not.

It just takes time, patience and common sense to make things. Watching lots of youtube and reading articles helps answer questions, but at the end of the day, hopefully, one realizes, "Gee, that's it."

Yep, that's it.

For me, building stuff is sorta where I landed and sorta where I started. I've built many dreams over the years of an idealistic life. At some point, you just pick one and go with it, after having lived a few of those dreams.

Right now, I am in the midst of tearing up my house, redoing the kitchen. It's been a slower process than I've liked. Messy, but not terribly difficult. When it's done, it's gonna be bad ass. The design will be better but the ooo's and ah's will come principally from the look of the reclaimed wood going in, not from any special skills beyond the reach of normal people.

Moving forward, if we don't get EMP'd, I look forward to building more things. I've switched my schedule yet again to accommodate building chairs, pushing out a set every week from my home shop. This is kind of a dream, but also a necessity. Sitting on my ass in front of a computer reading the same history is sometimes exactly what the doctor ordered, and sometimes very difficult.

I think that this past year, the honeymoon of being self-employed, has worn off and self-discipline feels easier, that is, when it comes to doing paid for work. I enjoy both tasks, but it's hard sometimes, nonetheless to stay focused.

Speaking of which, I better get back to work...

Oh, and with regard to tools, fixing/building things, and such, the best advice I ever gave myself went like this: "Just shut the F-up and do it."

I think that's good advice in general. STFU, man-up and kick-ass as much as possible in every way possible.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Week of Doom

Sometimes the way things work in life you take the test first and study later. This last week was a bit like that in some respects.

I had been putting off some routine maintenance and a power steering pump replacement for a while, but the time had come to pull out the brass tacks and get to work. In the end, this relatively straight-forward but absolute PIA procedure took a week of on-and-off work on the van. There were many Lenten hurdles along the way, with the following list just being the most prominent highlights (good and bad) that come to mind:

• repeated trips to the auto parts store for expensive rent-a-tools (you place a deposit to cover the tool if you don't return it)
• losing a part of a $100.00 "free" rented tool in the ivy/grass near my house while the wind is howling. I swore up and down, breaking my Lenten promises as I searched in vain for over an hour for this black metal thing that still remains at large.
• the nice person at the autoparts store not charging me 100.00 for a damaged tool
• snapping a pulley
• snapping the tensioner on the engine
• swearing profusely
• fantastic scenic "test drives" on the literal back roads (one road is called "Back Rd.")
• obtaining a delicate part (plastic hose) for free from the junkyard, whereas the nice fellas at Chrysler wanted to charge me $40.00 and wait 4 days to get it and hope they ordered the right thing.

In any event, the van is now done...for now. Everything is working ok that I replaced, but now I believe I need to clean the injectors, or rather, have them cleaned. Another 100 down the rabbit hole.

However, I should not complain. Today, while at mass, the Gospel passage covered how Simon of Cyrene was pressed into service to help Jesus carry his cross. And it pretty much hit me hard how this relatively small hardship during Lent (fixing the van), while it sucked, was a special cross sent my way on the march toward Calvary.

You see, while fixing my car, I was sometimes pretty frustrated and pissed. When that little black thing flung off my 3-prong puller and I couldn't find it, searching for an hour,....man, it just felt like a BS situation. I knew it was BS. I was like "C'mon God. C'mon! Why me?!" I prayed to St. Anthony to find it, but my heart wasn't in it. I just wanted to swear. So I did. A lot. It didn't help, especially since I gave up swearing, even privately, for Lent. I know that sounds horrible, but it is the truth. I needed to do it. It's a hard thing to do, but with God's grace I've had some success.

But I blew it on the test. I flippin' blew it. I shook off the dust, went into the house warmed up, feasted on the lunch my lovely wife made for me, and had some coffee. I was still mad, but I was renewed. I made a bunch of progress on the project and finished it in several days.

Like Simon of Cyrene was innocently making his way into Jerusalem, so, too, did I try to make my way to Good Friday. I have failed at my other penances. Perhaps I was trying to do too much, but I was hoping that if I just did a good enough job this time around at any rate, I could get to Good Friday unscathed. Not so. With the van projects and all the ensuing hurdles and obstacles, God pressed me into service on the road to Calvary, even though I was trying to mind my own business, so to speak.

What did Simon of Cyrene think when they yanked his formidable self from the crowd to help Jesus? We don't know. On the one hand, it was supremely unjust. On the other, Simon was supremely privileged. This incident shows us in life that even though we may not deserve to be saddled with some BS situation, God saddles us with it, because ultimately, we are needed to carry through for some higher purpose. Our attitude, in some respect, determines how much merit comes from our sufferings and shows us our weakness in the crucible of conflict.

So the next time something happens to one of us that sucks and is unfair for no particular reason, I recommend not swearing, looking at things with a calm, determined mind, resigned to our fate perhaps, but set on victory. And if God wills it, to offer up the small cup of our suffering to Him for our benefit and that of our loved ones.

Over & Out,

--Nick-Dog

Apotheosis

I needed to get this one out of my system before I continue with my other tasks.

Yesterday, was in some sense, the fulfillment and completion of a daily dream I've had...for years.

So what might that be, you ask?

Driving in my full-size pick-up on a beautiful Virginia day into the sunset (ok, into the late afternoon) with a bed full of gorgeous, hand-picked reclaimed lumber, that is to say, Southern Yellow Pine, for step 2 of my house/kitchen renovation.

I took my time out at the barn, picking the best wood I could find. Satisfied I grabbed some more, anything that might be considered a target of opportunity. All of the wood came from the ceiling a downed chicken coop addition to our barn. It had probably been baking for 5 decades or so, and so the resins in the wood come to the surface, coloring its knots and distinctions and create a rich color and character.

It feels good to bring all this stuff back home, and de-nail and stack a large quantity of wood, look at it in satisfaction and begin to see it, in my minds eye, being installed in the heart of our living quarters. As funny as it may sound, I felt as if the ground in my property shook with anticipation and excitement, happy to welcome my revered softwood from elsewhere in the valley, sensing the happy changes that are to come in our home.

Clare and I have a running bet that I will/will not finish by May 1. While I don't think I will have everything done by then, I am going to be close, I think, and then I can rest somewhat and focus my energies elsewhere on the property and house.

Right now, we are aiming for an addition from FirstDayCottage.com. Actually, it will be another smaller house, tacked on to the back of our existing home. However, I have to pass this through the county first, and, of course, find the funds. If I were going to buy land to build, I think I would go with a First Day cottage for aesthetic, comfort, space, and economic considerations. It's worth checking out, at any rate.

Ok, that's it for now. More Later.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Marlin 336cs Review

Well, well, well.

Well.

This past weekend I made some swaps. I bartered an extra shotty for a splendidly broken-in Marlin 336cs in 30-30, the consummate backwoods gun.

In every pawn shop and gun store in my area, there is usually one or more of these levers on the rack, not to mention in the gun-safes of mountain folk. A couple years ago, after reading Mad Ogre's review of the weapon, it got me thinking: I need a Marlin lever action. One day, I thought.

Fast-forward to the present and I can whole-heartedly say, I am not disappointed. The AR-15 I sold off was awkward and gangly to me. The 336, however, snaps to attention, ready for duty. Placing the vintage irons on target is easy and smooth, and the gun's natural ergonomics lend itself to a backwoods environment, where a mixture of serious shooting and play are pretty much the same thing.

I inaugurated the gun by taking aim at the assortment of inflated toy balls that had become trapped in the forest out back. Watching them ping 20 feet in the air was the highlight of my gray day and made the potential disturbance of one set of neighbors totally worth while.

Felt recoil was very manageable. Powerful, but not bad, and the lever was perfectly worn in for fast follow-up shots. It is easy to see why this gun is a legend among levers. A unique blend of grace and utility, it's everything you need, and nothing you don't. I suspect this is how it feels with other lever actions that serve as primary weapons.

For my part, as discussed with my compadre, Martin, I don't feel under-gunned with this in the least. Hammering targets 75 yards out off the irons feels like child's play. I simply didn't feel the same way about my AR-15, not that they suck. Simply put, the Marlin shines in ways I simply had not expected years back: they are innocuous to behold but deceivingly deadly, light, very maneuverable, and wonderfully accurate.

In the hands of the right hill-billy, the Marlin is a force to be reckoned with, not something to be taken lightly. And I can honestly say that I feel much comfort adding this to my standard battery of arms and making it my go-to long rifle/everything gun.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Thoughts on End Game

This post/rant has been percolating on my mind for a while. Read at your own risk.

We are now entering the End Game of the status quo of life as we know it.

While more people continue to wake up to the Matrix, plenty more continue to swallow the blue pill. Nothing is wrong. Things will get back to normal. Or, what do you mean "get back?" Things are normal. Socker moms still have their SUVs and non-believers go merrily on their way.

For some, that is true, but the paradigm has begun to shift. It is happening now, as the powers that be position themselves the best they can for planned economic upheaval on a global scale.

In Japanese war strategy, it is said that timing is everything. If you are too early to the party, you may pay the price by telegraphing your move, giving your opponent(s) intel they don't deserve. If you are too late, chances are you're already punished. The idea is to hit the sweet spot sometime in the middle.
 
With that in mind, the timetable for mega-collapse is a question mark until it happens. My hope is that going forward, our family systems of personal self-reliance--chickens, firewood, garden, water catchment, security, etc.--will already be in place the way I want them to be at that time. Hopefully, it will be more of a question of maintaining systems rather than starting new systems of self-sufficiency when the balloon goes up. The idea is not to be in a position to have to start EVERYTHING right now. I wish I could say that is how I've lived these past 5 years or so, but if you know me, you know that it's been more a case of learning the hard lessons first than getting it all right out of the box.

In any event, I think if there has ever been a time to say, "Get your final shit in order because there may not be much time left before we are forced to live with what we have," I think that time is now. I hope that time is, in reality, a long, long way off, but all my best instincts tell me its not.

I could be wrong. But if you are late to this party, you aren't just going to miss the good drinks and the prom queen, you are going to get a punch in the face and then thrown in the Octogon. I am expecting things to suck pretty hard, but I am hoping that I can make it suck less by playing this game on my terms, that is, by opting out of as many systems of dependence as possible as time allows for as long as I can.

The times ahead of us will be a time for daring and discipline, for hard calls and self-sacrifice. For relying on instinct over intel and being forced to do the basics well. In the end we can only do what we can do. The rest is up to God.

The time is always now.

Over and Out,

 --Nick-Dog

This, That and the Other

Well, the new year is well-upon us. We've already celebrated Lee-Jackson Day in the olde Dominion, which means the march towards February draws ever nearer.

NEW EDC BAG

You know, it's kinda crazy. I am almost more excited about bags than my wife these days. I picked up a new EDC bag, an Everest Sling Bag in black, and I'm digging it. In fact, it is roomier and more functional than I had initially believed, and for $22 shipped, it was a deal.

My operator's bag and Bauer bag served their purpose, but were ultimately unwieldy for me. The Bauer bag looked cool and was durable, but lacked form and swung around everywhere when I walked. The pockets were always a concern, since they remained open and if thrown around would lose their contents. The Operator's Bag was spacious and bulky, but ultimately looked like a computer briefcase and was not something I wanted to continue using. Carrying it over the shoulder was a chore usually and it was unhappy to open and close all the time. I stopped wanting to carry it because it seemed to lend itself to gathering junk and the zippers started to break.

Enter the sling bag. Over the shoulder and tight to the body--it comes with an optionally used waste belt to keep it put. It's not too big or too small, but just right, and one could fit a decent amount of gear in this thing fairly simply, including Dave Canterbury's 5 C's. The top flap actually unfolds and reveals a pocket on the bag, perfect for a set of gloves and a bandana or cap to hang out in and be grabbed in a hurry.

Overall, I like the bag and like the way it rides. I hope to do a video review in the future of the pack and its contents, just for the hell of it and because I have the itch. There's aren't a lot of people I know locally who dig gear and Bushcraft, so I guess you could say I need to find other ways to express my enthusiasm.

SURVIVAL VS. BUSHCRAFT

You know, there's a lot of hype on a 72-hour kit, and outdoor survival, EDC and all the rest in the prepping world, so now that I have my thoughts somewhat organized on the matter, I am going to put them
out there for the record.

First, I think the best approach to emergency gear is a tiered approach: 1.) What's on your person; 2.) what's within arm's reach (your EDC bag); 3.) and what's in your pack and other gear that may be available, either in your car or homestead/camp.

A decent EDC bag eliminated the need for a fanny pack approach to carrying stuff. My daily on person EDC now consists of two knives, (a FERO rod shall be ordered shortly, 'cause Bass Pro Shops sucks nuggets--a topic for another post), wallet, phone, and sidearm. Everything else I need for immediate 72-hour survival goes in the sling bag with room to spare.

This negates the need for a traditional "Bug Out Bag" loadout, which I now pproach as my overnight bag with changes of clothes and other items as needed. Frankly, the only place I am generally buggin' out to is my in-laws. Only in the worst possible scenario would I be camping in the woods or elsewhere in an emergency situation, in which case my EDC should be able to get me through.

This isn't to beat a dead horse, but I think the philosophy of carrying a minimal but solid EDC (with an overnight bag in the car if you commute far away) is a good way to go.

Back to the main subtopic.

Re-discovering Bushcraft has opened my eyes to a number of things. The first is that not everyone has to become a Bushcrafter to learn how to survive a 72-hour or minor emergency-type scenario. It helps, but is not necessary. Some basic skills, knowledge, and gear will do the job.

But if you are obsessive, like me, Bushcraft is the next logical step after basic and advanced preparedness. At some point, you are still "a prepper" or "homesteader" but want more primitive skills,
and the Bushcrafting world is where you end up.

OUT ON THE RANGE

After refinancing our property, I am more content to work on being here, where I am at. I have no ambitions to leave our 1.3 acre property anymore, except perhaps to camp or whatever. That said, there's
plenty to do here, like cutting firewood and building a fence, among other things.

How does this relate? Well, I'm starting to see this place as my permanent camp set-up. My house is mix of rural cottage and quasi-cabin. It will retain that blend moving forward, but seeing it as such--instead of just another fixer upper--gives me the motivation to continue what I've started and make the place a more happy and liveable longterm structure.

With that, I am considering doing some video for the hell of it on my latest projects. I spend too much time on the internet

Over and out, Peep(s). God Bless.

--Nick-Dog

A Needs Re-Assessment

So a lot has been happening in my world this past month or so.

First off, we refinanced our house. Somehow this all worked out. My closing costs were reduced, payments diffured, and mortgage lowered. Meanwhile, space was created to handle and take care of other needs.

I've also discovered Dave Canterbury's YouTube videos on Bushcraft. They are enjoyable and informative. Dave is a no-nonsense guy who has lots to teach regarding passing on "the tribal knowledge." All I am going to say, is that I've drunk from the same font of koolaid he has and seek to imitate the wisdom.

Here's the thing. We live in a cushy-ass society that is about to get--and is getting--its ass handed to it in a 1000 different ways. I don't see a drawback in brushing up and improving on my primitive survival skills. Learning how to sew passably, trapping, butchering, and 1000 different ways to start fires are my immediate short term goals for skills I need to add my repetoir.

And it's not that I am waiting for society to break down, which it is already doing, I just feel like living primitively is more real. It's how people have lived for 1000s of years. Not that I dislike my modern plumbing, refrigeration, electrical, and wireless amenities. No. It's not that. It just that providing for yourself, "going back to nature" if you will, is actually very humanizing. While the world continues to push towards "progress," regress sounds even more appealing.

In a recent conversation with my lovely wife, I told her "I almost would not know what to do with 2 million dollars sometimes." (Actually that's not really true, I do know what I'd do with the money--go buy a 4-Door Cummins Diesel, go out to a fabulous dinner, pay off my house and other bills, thank God, bounce off the walls, and then go on a cross country vacation in my new rig w/ camper with my family and visit the Schaps.)

All that said, at the end of the day, a perfect day for me is spent in front of the woodstove/fireplace with family, close friends, and possibly a book. Millions or not. That is why I exist beyond promoting the kingdom of God and such. I don't need more than that and will continue to build my life around this kernel philosophy.

Unless I win 2 million dollars.

Over & Out,

--Nick-Dog

Quick Post

Not much to say at the moment, except that the month of November agrees with me.

Perhaps it's growing up in Chicago, which is gray and chilly 4 months out of the year, but come
November 1, I'm switched on in a different way. Holidays, nostalgia, wood stove, and the rugged outdoors all combine for a perennial seasonal feel.

I dig it.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Nick's Redneck Paradiso

Well, enlightenment has my come way: Making chairs is going to be my woodworking vocation from here forward. Most likely, for a good long time. Yes, I will do other oddities, but chairs will be the focus. I'll still be working two gigs for now, but on the side of woodworking, I've sort of landed, pretty happily, in the role of a chair-maker.

No one in our shop digs chairs the way I have come to dig them, or so I believe. Perhaps that's because the project I put together before the first most recent set of chairs was a 400-lb. kitchen island of doom. It was beautiful but monstrous, and a ginormous craftsman style bed before that. You
cannot manipulate large projects the way you can smaller ones. You move around them, they do not move around you, and that aspect can be quite time-consuming, tiring, and even irritating.

Enter the set of bar-height chairs I had to build for that island and it was a deep breath of fresh air. Small manipulable parts give way to massive ones. Assembling a chair still takes skill, but your work table is not overwhelmed with a massive project. You can focus on finesse and accuracy as opposed to fastening together a larger, complicated endeavor.

Don't get me wrong, chairs are still complicated enough that they pose their own challenges and variances, depending on style, but because chairs are regularly ordered, efficiency in production naturally becomes more streamlined and the work becomes more meditative and fun, rather than the common feeling of difficult drudgery often associated with the "oh shit, I have chairs" realization experienced by some, or the uncertainty and dread that come with a freshly-conceived custom project (which always results in mistakes, hang-ups, and/or design-issues).

So yah. What makes this more intriguing on my end is that my small shop in the back yard is capable of producing chairs regularly. At present, I can do some of the work there, but the addition of some other tools is required for start-to-finish production: a 4-inch orbital sander, disc grinder, a better (contractor grade) table saw, band saw, and eventually a Festool Domino joiner not to mention a dust collection system.

My mini-barn also requires some re-arrangement as well. New old windows will make their way to the South facing wall, under which will go the hand-tool bench that is half-complete. Next summer, I an outside canopy/overhang on the front of the building will hopefully appear, which will allow me to work outside in the shade. Other ideas include elevated lumber racks in what was the goat area and lining the interior walls with antique pine for a more woodsman feel.

Expanding out the back of the existing shop remains a long-term possibility, but it may not actually be necessary. As it is, I have enough projects to keep me busy.

Over & Out,

--Nick-Dog

A Scatterbrained Look at MMA

I have been reviewing cage fights in my down time of late, mostly UFC-type stuff.

As I have been re-evaluating my martial path, looking at how other warriors train and fight has become of interest. I remember when UFC first started and was only on pay-per-view. I ended up seeing a lot of those fights, and one of my high school classmates, Stephen Bonner, is now a UFC ring fighter.

Anyway, after 20 years of thought and interest in the martial arts 7 years of hard-core training, here are my observations.

MMA is typically great if you want to go fight in a ring and prove you can kick ass against other people who want to prove the same thing. I am not interested in that. I am more interested in a martial way with practical street value.

The biggest asset of MMA training is first conditioning. You become prepared to go round after round, endure punishment and dish it out. Your body becomes weaponized and tough. Technique follows. And after about 6 months of training, you have someone who can at least handle themselves in a brawl, fight, or possibly a mugging.

I am a boring person in that respect and am rarely in brawls or fights. Mostly because I know where not to walk. This is called awareness and it is an integral part of following a martial path. I am not aware if MMA students are taught to practice martial awareness unless they have learned it elsewhere first, but this is the most valuable asset in my martial tool bag. Street awareness and being able to sense the signs of trouble before it comes. This, more than anything, has saved me from having to do battle or from bad things happening to myself and others.

Techniques and martial ability are next. These are what you use when you have no choice or the best option is to duke it out. MMA is good in this regard because the student, particularly the dedicated one, has a large tool bag of techniques. In and out of the ring, basic American boxing and the kicks of Muay Thai are, in my opinion, some very effective means of destruction. Combined with some basic techniques from wrestling and you have a strong, competent fighter.

I speak as a karate-ka and aikido-ka. I love those arts and will always practice them in some respect, but I can say without a doubt that the addition of American boxing and arts outside my core makes my personal skills so much stronger and gives me another answer to a potential problem or situation.

Finally, I would add Judo as a strong path to strengthening fighting ability. Judo is sweet, but needs strikes to make it viable. If one is fortunate to find training in an aiki-jitsu-ish art, such as daito-ryu, that would be the cat's pajamas in my opinion.

Anyway, these are my scatterbrained thoughts on MMA. It's good training as far as it goes. I think the well-rounded fighter needs to steep themselves to some degree in an MMA environment, and also because that that's the martial arts being promulgated in our present day. That's the type of trained fighter your are likely to face. But at some point, one needs to train for living, and that's where I think going back to the traditional (I like the Japanese) arts, where a formalized martial path is evident, has its strength.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Warrior Strategem#134 Create Your Own Rules

Whoever first said it wasn't a fair fight probably lost.

In war, the idea is to overwhelm your opponent to secure victory. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as by strength, stealth, or trickery. There are numerous strategies for dealing with an adversary, but they all have to be employed in real time. Most enemies don't wait for your to destroy them.

This brings me to a subject that deserves reflection for the warrior and his path: rules.

Rules in battle in this day and age are a romantic ideal by which we would all prefer everyone abide so as to decrease risk to the good guy in a particular conflict. Many of us, myself included, were brought up on the notion that the virtuous knight always overcomes the evil villian or evil dragon. We want to buy into the fantasy that because one is good, he wins.

Ultimately, good does win over evil. We know the end of the story, those of us who are Christians, but the truth is many good people have died to advance the eradication of evil. And it is troublesome.

We don't like this, but it is a fact. Sometimes evil people are better skilled or have better advantages that put our hero at risk. The warrior must face and acknowledge this so that any preconceived notions of wins in a conflict don't get in the way of his actual victory.

All that being said, fighting fair does not exist. There is no such thing. "What about sport? MMA or boxing?" you ask. "Those guys are tough." Yes, they are, but they are bound by the rules of an event, at a predetermined time and day. It's as much a psychological as well as physical display of  combat, and it has its place. But the warrior's individual path should determine if that path is for him, but in reality showing up to an event to play by someone's rules reduces your chance of victory.

To increase your chances of victory, play by your own rules. Strike when least expected, where least expected. Take superior opponents by surprise. This is not cowardice, it is common sense. This is how a smart adversary thinks. He keeps an eye on the shadows, for at times he has been the one who lurks there.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

A Warrior's Reform...

I have studied the arts of personal combat for a very long time. I am fascinated by it, and no matter what I do in life, I am always drawn back to interest in martial arts, the study of war on the small scale, and living the modern samurai way.

There's a plethora of information out there on the martial arts, fighting, and survival. I think it's time I advance my opinions, now that I believe I have earned the right to have one on the subject.

Martial Arts

There is no one martial art that is an answer to all problems and situations. General principles may
carry over from situation to situation, but the my "art is the best" syndrome is the recipe for combat disaster. Your Art is one way, and hopefully a very good one, but there are many schools of battle, all of which have strengths and weaknesses.

Proper Martial Path

My particular belief is that one on this path should find a martial art they like and make that their foundation for studying other arts, if martial arts is something they want to do. At some point, usually after about 3 years maybe, it's good to diversify your portfolio, to go outside of your school and comfort zone and see the world of hand-to-hand from other perspectives.

Here's an example of what I mean. I am a karate-ka from way back. Lot's of punching, kicking, and old-school conditioning. At the higher levels of the art you discover softer techniques give you more weapons in your arsenal. Later study of Aikido, ju-jitsu, Judo, or even Tai Chi, gives you greater insight into what you have already learned, expands your knowledge, and can provide a larger path for training and living.

Rank

I have met Sandans (3rd Degree blackbelts) who inspire fear and others whose ass I can kick, with or without a black belt. Rank is the most dangerous obstacle to being combat ready. Let me repeat that: RANK IS THE MOST DANGEROUS OBSTACLE TO BEING COMBAT READY.

Rank is ultimately meaningless, except as a measure of how long you've been in a school and how much knowledge you are supposed to have in you. It is not a measure of how good a fighter you are. In the old days, before belt rank in karate was given, there used to be a sign-in board that had your name. The senior students who had been there the longest were at the top of the list.

Mind

This whole blog is about proper mindset, so I will try to keep it short. My thoughts about battle might be summed up thus, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, but the size of the fight in the dog."

The sheer will to win is the most important aspect of training and battle. If this is forgotten in the name of other goals, however noble, you will do yourself a serious disservice. You may still have some effective techniques, but you personally will not be as effective.

The Will to Win cannot be practiced on the couch (unless you are laid up from an injury). The will to win comes from actual physical practice and conditioning with this mindset in your head. If you lose this mindset, you may still be very good, but you will become less of a warrior. Warriors win. That's why you train. To win. Being a good person usually comes as a result of training for lots of reasons, but the whole reason you get out of bed and on the mat is to kick ass, to be a winner in your personal battles, to overcome and win in your interpersonal-battles

Everything else comes second, on an instictual level that is. God and the commandments are first of course, but when it comes to battle, you train to win, and win at nearly any cost. I know there are purists and masters who disagree with my approach, but you learn to fight to protect yourself. You continue to train for other reasons.

How to Train

Conditioning is the most important aspect of training once proper mindset is established. Give me a beginniner who is physically fit who knows a few basics, and he will be much more dangerous than a senior student who can't do a 5 minute jog. The reason is that he has already conquered his mind and his body. He is actually ready for the work of mopping up enemies.

Senior students who emphasize conditioning as a pre-requisite to training--this is a WIN and the way of the warrior. It also hopefully keeps the warrior humble, hopefully, no matter how far he goes in his art, for he knows the body's limits and vulnerabilities.

Especially as you get older, you must condition yourself for battle, to do kick ass techniques in real life, and of course, over and over again on the mat. Without conditioning as the foundation of your training, one cannot expective to be optimally effective in combat. Conditioning is the way of the warrior. Check out the workout over www.akban.org to see what I mean. That is warrior conditioned.

Conclusion

There is much more I can say about the martial way. In my own path, I have found that a return to my foundational mindset and training has given me much-needed perspective. I know how tough I am and hide my weaknesses as much as I can on a daily basis, while improving upon them on my own time behind closed doors, as much as I can.

My weakness is conditioning. My strength is mindset. Somewhere in between are techniques. In every warrior, regardless of path, they all must become one.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Olde South

Interior of Warren Rifles Confederate
Museum. http://vaudc.org/museum.html

Today, Clare, myself and the crew visited Front Royal's annual Festival of Leaves. After the parade, which was neat but somewhat lackluster, we walked mainstreet strewn with tents and hawkers of all types. Everything from custom wooden bowls to covers for your gutters was on display. Additionally, the local history museum's were open, including the Warren Rifle's Confederate History museum on Chester Street.

Coming from the North, when I first entered Virginia, I had notions of the Civil War that I no longer entertain. I believed that the war was truly about ending slavery and scoffed at the idea that its present day partisans believe it was about states' rights. I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed while in college when I first heard the term, "War of Northern Aggression."

Maybe it's something in my Virginia well, but now it makes sense. Maturity, experience, (aka, seeing policitians for what they are) and deeper analysis, as well as living in the remnants of the olde South, not to mention my grading gig, have caused me to look deeper at the root causes of the American Civil War. My current belief is that the cause to end slavery was used as a political tool halfway through the war to garner support for the Union armies in an unpopular conflict against people fighting for what they considered was their homeland.

Whatever side you come down on, the sons of the Confederacy now command my respect in ways they hadn't previously. Their military leadership was generally impeccable under Lee, who throughout his command achieved and maintained the highest respect of his fighting men, leading them to victory, facing difficult odds, with half the Union resources. Yet to the bitter end, they clung to his command until he formally discharged them from their duties at Appomattox Courthouse on April 12, 1865.

Which brings me to the inspiration of this reflection. In Front Royal's musuem is an Confederate Battle flag, shown above, inscribed with the names of the fighting men who died throughout the campaigns that was flown during the formal surrender at Appomattox. Worn and tattered, you could feel the steely gaze of men in gray who looked to and saluted that flag and sense the intense moment of their surrender. Guant, determined, and tall in defeat, they stared. I believe their sentiments were captured by their great commander, General Lee, in his now famous General Order No. 9:

After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. 

I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from a consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a Merciful God will extend to you His blessings and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell

If you live in or visit the deep south, the boldness of character and Southern pride, and in some instances, defiance, remain. I like that, though not all celebrate or salute it in these regions. People have their objections. I did too, but now find they ring increasingly hollow in the face of the rising tyranny of the welfare state that lies before us.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog