TLR Gun Show This Weekend

TLR Gun Show

WhenOct 26 – 27, 2013

Wherewest plains civic center (map)

Description

sat- 9am - 5pm

sun- 9am - 3pm

What's Happening In The Ozarks This Weekend!

Oct. 11 - The Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Walmart in West Plains from 1-6 PM.

Oct. 11-12 - A Quilt Show sponsored by the Eminence Area Arts Council will be held at the Shannon County Museum & Art Gallery, Main St., in Eminence. For more information call 573-226-3531.

Oct. 11-12 - The Annual Fall Show and Tractor Pull will be held at the Ozarks Older Iron Club Grounds in Cabool starting at 9 AM. Admission is free.

Oct. 11 - The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a firearms qualification shoot for Retired Law Enforcement Officers on Friday, October 11, 2013 beginning at 9:00 AM. This will be held at the firing range on Baxter CR 782 off State Highway 201 North. The cost is $10, payable in advance. The retired officer must furnish his or her own firearm and ammunition. Certain restrictions apply, and firing range rules and other limitations will apply. Contact the Sheriff’s Office for further details at 870-425-7000.

Oct. 12 - The “Chopper Walkers” will be holding their 4th Annual Driving For A Cure Golf Tournament at 10 AM. Cost is $80 per team. All proceeds to benefit Relay For Life. You can call 417-274-1584 to register early or sign up day of tournament.

Oct. 12 - The Pride of the Ozarks Goat Breeding Club will meet at 1 PM at the Howell Oregon Electric Cooperative Building on Highway 63 in West Plains. For more information, call 417-764-3423.

Oct. 12 - Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1218 of Willow Springs will be hosting their Annual Open House and Fly-In, Saturday, October 12, 10AM – 2PM at the chapter hangar, 810 Bryan Street, Willow Springs.

Oct. 12 - Kids Ages 7 & older are invited to “Fun & Games” at the West Plains Public Library on Saturday, October 12 from 2-3 PM.

Oct. 12 - The Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Walmart in West Plains from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Oct. 12-13 - The Timbo Volunteer Fire Department will hold their bi-annual Gun and Knife Show from 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday, October 12 and 9 AM to 4 PM Sunday, October 13 at the Stone County Fairgrounds in Mountain View, AR. Admission is $5 for people 12 and older. All proceeds from the event will go to buy equipment for the Timbo VFD. For more information call 870-746-4349.

Oct. 12 - End of Me Ministries will hold a Bible Study at the OMC Community Room, 403 Washington Avenue, West Plains at 7 PM October 12.

Oct. 12-13 - The Haunting in the Hills will take place October 12 and 13 at The City Park in Eminence from 9 AM to 4 PM Saturday, October 12 and 10 AM to 3 PM Sunday, October 13. A special program, called Tales from the Ozark’s Dark Side, will take place from 6-9 PM Saturday, October 12. All activities are free. For more information go towww.ozarkheritageproject.org or call 573-663-2269.

Oct. 12-13 - The Fall 2013 Go Green Self Reliance Festival in Thayer has been canceled.

Oct. 12 - The Howell County Right-For-Life 5K Run will be held Saturday, October 12 in West Plains. For more information call 417-252-1399.

Oct. 12 - The Avenue Theater in West Plains will screen “Fancy Pants,” the 1950 Western comedy that was one of the first movies ever shown at the theater. As a salute to that era, admission to the event will be a dime. Also included that evening is a contest for who dons the fanciest pants.

Oct. 13- Oktoberfest party Sunday, October 13.  At the 88.1 radio station parking lot at 1211 Ozark in Cabool. There will be home-made rootbeer in a Rootbeer Garden, the best wurst around, and other snacks as well. A traditional Oktoberfest rummage sale which will be taking place at the same time. It starts at noon and goes until 4 p.m. Cabool. 

Oct. 13 - Dr. Bryan Sharp will be speaking at Eagle Heights Independent Baptist Church, CR 8570 in West Plains, at 10 AM, 10:45 AM and 2 PM. For more directions or more information, call 417-293-9888

Oct. 14 - The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood drive at Lutie School, Highway 160 in Theodosia, from 1:30-5 PM.

Oct. 14 - The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 12-6 p.m. at Willow Springs United Methodist Church, 311 N. Harris St. in Willow Springs.

Oct. 15 - The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood drive at Ava High School from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

What's Happening in the Ozarks This Weekend - October 4th - 6th

Oct. 4-5 - Clint Black will perform at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson October 4 and 5.

Oct. 4-6 - The 4th Annual Turtle Island Pow Wow will be held October 4 from 9 AM to 6 PM, October 5 from 9 AM to 6 PM and October 6 from 9 AM to 4 PM. For more information call 870-972-6995.

Oct. 5 - The Shannon County Saddle Club is holding a fun show October 6 at 5 PM at the showgrounds off of Highway 60. Events include live music and horse entertainment.

Oct. 5 - A dance is held every Saturday from 7-10 PM at the Barn Event Center located south of West Plains on Highway 63. Musical selections include country, southern rock, two step line dance, and waltzes. Concessions are available, no alcohol allowed. $5 per person.

Oct. 5 - The fall City-Wide Yard Sale in Van Buren will be held October 5 from 8 AM to 4 PM. Booths will be set up at the Courthouse Square and throughout the city. For more information, call 573-300-6210.


Oct. 5 - Oz Fall Fest will take place in downtown Willow Springs October 5.

Oct. 5 - Heart of the Ozarks chapter of Quail Forever is having their annual banquet October 5th at Ridgecrest Plaza in West Plains at 6 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more info call 417-256-9158

Oct. 5 - The Faretheewells from Salem, MO will perform at Viandel Vineyard, 8385 Highway 60 in Mountain View at 7 PM.

Oct. 5 -The annual Black Gold Walnut festival will be held in and around the square in downtown Alton Saturday, October 5. Events include demonstrations, food, live music, and more. For more information call 417-270-1536 or 417-270-1879.

Oct. 5 - Dinosaurs is the theme for Story Time at the West Plains Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10:30-11:00 a.m. for ages 2-6. Snacks will be served. Also, kids ages 7 & older are invited to “Fun & Games” at the West Plains Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 2-3 PM. Refreshments will be served.

Oct. 6 - A toy show will be held from 1-5 PM at Dear Crossing, 7379 S. Highway 63 in Mammoth Spring. Admission and booth space is free. To become a vendor, call 870-856-3193 or 417-270-2211.

Pioneer Days In Mountain View, MO - September 28-29, 2012

Pioneer Days In Mountain View, MO

September 28-29, 2012

Friday, September 28th

Ham and Bean Supper at the Mountain View Community Center, sponsored by the Mountain View Betterment Committee. 

     The Harvest Queen and Princess candidates will be serving for tips. $4.00 per plate all-you-can-eat, open til 7:30 p.m. 

Saturday, September 29th

6:30 a.m. - Flapjack breakfast until 11:00 a.m. at the Mountain View Community Center. $3.50 for advance tickets and $4.00 at the door. Serving pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee, apple juice and milk, all-you-can-eat.

9:30 a.m. - The Little Darlin and Dumplin Contest, sponsored by West Plains Bank. registration at 8:30 a.m. by the Gazebo, ages 12 adn under, pioneedr dress recommended. Everyone is a winner! A drawing will be held for a Mr. & Miss Pioneer Day and they will get to ride in the parade.

9:45 a.m. - Billy Randolph will be performing at the stage.  

10:00 a.m. - Wood Competitions will begin on the grounds by the Mountain View Public Library, sponsored by Roberts Wood Products.

10:30 a.m. - "Hillybilly Idol Contest" on the stage. Participants are encouraged to dress in Hillbilly fashion. Prizes for first place.

3:00 p.m. - Lineup for the parade will begin at Wayside Park

4:00 p.m. The Annual Mountain View Piioneer Day Parade will stroll through Downtown Mountain View.

6:00 p.m. - Oak Street will be blocked off until 10:00 p.m. for a street dance

Bingo in willow Springs, MO

 "BINGO!"

 Tuesday nights at the Fire Museum, 908 E Bus 60-63, Willow Springs, MO from 6-9pm 

Concessions & non-smoking available

Upcoming Concert in West Plains, Missouri

Emerson Drive in Concert

• Date: October 19, 2013
• Time: 7:00pm
• Venue: West Plains Civic Center
  Address:

  110 Saint Louis Street

  West Plains, MO 65775
• Cost: From $25.00 to $35.00

10 Uses for Aloe Vera Gel or Juice

10 Uses for Aloe Vera Gel or Juice

1. Itch relief: Apply directly to the site of insect bites or stings for relief.

2. Burn relief: Slather pure aloe vera gel on a sunburn, or use to treat minor burns in the kitchen. It can also be effectively used as a gentle aftershave.

3. Leave in conditioner/scalp soother: I mix aloe vera gel with a little rosemary essential oil and a few drops of Vitamin E oil, squirt tiny bits on my scalp and ends of hair. I do not rinse, and this mixture soothes an itchy scalp and softens hair.

4. Hair styling: Aloe vera gel fights frizz in my hair and has been a great replacement for expensive styling products.

5. Mouthwash: If drinking aloe vera juice, you can simply swish it around in your mouth for a while to benefit gums. You can also make a homemade aloe mouthwash by mixing 1 cup aloe vera juice, ½ cup distilled water, 2 teaspoons baking soda, and 10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil.

6. Hand sanitizer: I make an aloe-based natural hand sanitizer  that travels with me almost everywhere. The aloe vera gel in it moisturizes my hands instead of drying like most commercial hand sanitizers.

7. Moisturizer: Skin absorbs it quickly and it’s non-greasy. I find it to be the perfect summer facial moisturizer when other moisturizers just seem too heavy and oily.

8. Drink for digestion: Aloe vera juice can be effective in aiding digestion, soothing an upset stomach, and providing relief for heartburn.

9. Vitamin absorption: A recent study from the University of California, Davis, showed that aloe vera may help your body absorb vitamins more effectively. Drinking 2 ounces of aloe vera juice along with your daily vitamins can increase absorption rates.

10. Drink to lower cholesterol: I’m not suggesting anyone ignore the advice of their medical professional, or stop taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. However, this one is definitely worth a look. Studies have shown that drinking aloe vera juice can safely lower cholesterol over time.

Disclaimer: I am not a health professional. Keep in mind this information is based on my personal opinion and research. Use these recommendations at your own risk. I recommend consulting with your health practitioner prior to taking aloe vera internally.

http://www.diynatural.com/10-uses-for-aloe-vera/

Ozark Blackberry Cobbler

ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
3 tablespoons cold water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 16 - ounce package frozen unsweetened blackberries or 3 cups fresh blackberries
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon sugar

directions

For pastry: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup flour and salt; add shortening. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until pieces are the size of small peas. Add the cold water; beat on low speed just until dough begins to form (about 15 to 20 seconds). Form pastry into a ball with hands; gently flatten. On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry into an 8-1/2x8-1/2-inch square. Cut several slits in pastry. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Place blackberries and almond extract in a 2-quart square baking dish. Sprinkle sugar mixture over blackberries; toss to coat. Dot butter pieces over blackberries. Place pastry on blackberries. Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon sugar over pastry.
Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until blackberry filling is bubbly and pastry is golden. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm. Makes 6 servings.

Cordwood Buildings

From far away, it looks like stone masonry – but get up close and you’ll see that cordwood buildings are actually made from wood stacked firewood-style, and mortar. Debarked logs ranging from 12 to 36 inches can be arranged into walls either in load-bearing round structures or in combination with post-and-beam framing. Soft woods like cedar and pine are used because they are more stable, with less expansion and contraction. These walls offer both insulation and thermal mass. As with any natural building technique, it’s labor-intensive, but easy enough that practically anyone can do it.

While the mortar typically used for cordwood construction is made from Portland cement, lime and water, some people are beginning to combine cordwood building with cob in place of mortar, as in the owner-built cordwood home above.

To see more: http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2010/03/15/eco-homes-from-the-earth-7-ways-to-diy/

Oven Smoked Brisket

Oven Smoked Brisket 

Ingredients:

7-11 lb. brisket, untrimmed
1-2 bottles liquid smoke
1 tablespoon salt
4-6 tablespoons McCormick Montreal Grill Mate Steak Seasoning

Directions:

Trim brisket of excessive fat, but leave a nice layer for a wonderful flavor. Place brisket in a large roasting pan or in a ex large Ziploc bag. Pour liquid smoke over brisket and seal tightly. Place in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours or overnight.

Remove brisket from the refrigerator and let set for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Season brisket with salt and sprinkle Grill Mate Steak Seasoning on top of the fat side covering all the way to the edges. Place brisket fat side up on a rack inside of a roaster pan and cover with foil. Bake in the oven for 3 1/2 to 8 hours depending on the size. Remove from oven and transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. Serve with barbecue sauce.



Note: Cook brisket 30-45 minutes times per the pound of the brisket. 7 lb. brisket will cook for 3 1/2 hours to 5 1/2 hours. At the end of the resting time, you can slice the brisket and put it back in a baking dish and pour barbecue sauce over it and bake an additional 30-40 minutes.

Willow Springs Community Picnic & Great Balls of Fireworks

Willow Springs

Annual

July 4th Parade

Line-up is at 9:00 AM

Parade Starts at 10:00 AM

Southern Creamy Pralines Recipe

Southern Creamy Pralines

Ingredients:

3 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 quart pecans

Directions:

Combine sugar, buttermilk, corn syrup and salt in a very large pan (it will foam considerably when soda is added) and bring to a nice rolling boil. Add soda, stir and cook until soft ball is formed when dropped in cold water.

***at 235° F on Candy thermometer, the syrup is at the “soft-ball” stage. That means that when you drop a bit of it into cold water to cool it down, it will form a soft ball.***

Then remove from heat and add vanilla. Beat until color changes and candy thickens. Stir in pecans. Drop by teaspoons on a well greased cookie sheet, foil or wax paper.(DO IT FAST before the candy hardens)

20 ITEMS TO KICK START YOUR FOOD STORAGE PLAN

1.  20 pounds of Rice.  As boring as it may sound, rice is one of the backbones of every food storage plan.  It is filling, nutritious  and with the use of  varied seasonings and condiments, highly adaptable in a variety of tasty meals.  The choice of white, brown or a combination of the two is up to you.  White rice has a longer shelf life but brown rice has more nutritional benefits.  In my own household, I like to combine the two along with some Jasmine, Basmati and Calrose sticky rice.

2.  20 pounds of Pinto Beans.   Like rice, beans are the backbone to every food storage plan.  You may substitute white, kidney or other types of dried beans but honestly, pintos are one of the least expensive dried beans and in my opinion, one of the tastiest.  Need help cooking beans? when you are done here be sure to read Survival Woman Learns to Cook Dried Beans and you should too and  Respect for the Lowly Pinto Bean.

3.  20 cans of Vegetables.  Green beans, peas, corn and canned tomatoes are good choices.  Let your taste and budget guide you.  Buy what you currently eat and enjoy.

4.  20 cans of Fruit.  Peaches, pears, pineapple, fruit cocktail – again, this is your choice.  Fruits add a nice sweetness to life and these days we all could use more of that.

5.  20 cans of Meat.  Chicken, tuna, shrimp, salmon, Vienna sausages, beef stew and yes, even the ubiquitous Spam will satisfy this requirement.  Did you know that you can even purchase canned roast beef? Again, let your taste and budget guide you – there is lots to choose from.

6.  4 pounds Oats.  Remember when you were little and Mom warmed your tummy with a nice comforting bowl of oatmeal?  That is what we are talking about here.  A bowl of oatmeal topped with canned fruit can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

7.  2 large jars of Peanut Butter.  Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, with plenty of calories for energy and sustenance.  Besides, who can resist the taste of a gooey spoonful of luscious peanut butter?

8.  2 large jars of Tang or other powdered drink mix.  The only requirement here is get something you like and something fortified with Vitamin C.  I am not going to preach and tell you to avoid artificial sweeteners.  If Crystal Lite works for you in normal times, go for it.

9.  5 pounds of Powdered Milk.  Milk is a great source of protein and other nutrients.  In addition it is filling and can be used to top your oatmeal cereal or stirred into your coffee as a flavor enhancer.

10.  5 pounds of Salt.  It goes without saying that salt is an essential for survival plus it has a lot of uses other than as an enhancement for food. That said, our bodies need salt to survive.  Read more about salt in the article Reasons You Need Salt in the Prepper Pantry.

11.  10 pounds of Pancake Mix.  An all in one pancake mix (such as Krusteaz) only requires the addition of water to make up a batch of batter.  As with oatmeal, a big plate of pancakes, perhaps with some honey or jam, will make a satisfying meal that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

12.  2 pounds of Honey and 2 large jars of Jam.  We all need some sweetness in our life, even with Mother Nature or life deals us a blow.  I choose honey and jam over sugar but at the end of the day, you can make a substitution or simply mix and match.

13.  10 pounds of Pasta.  Pasta is familiar and easy to fix.  Pasta is a dense form of wheat but so much easier to deal with when you are first starting out.  Besides, it is a fabulous comfort food.

14.  10 cans or jars of Spaghetti Sauce.  Cheap yet satisfying, canned pasta sauce on a bed of pasta creates a satisfying meal that can be put together in minutes.

15. 20 cans of Soup or Broth. The beauty of canned soups and canned broth is that they are a budget friendly.  Soups are an all-in-one meal solution. All you need is a can opener and a spoon and you have a meal ready to go.  For an extra satisfying meal, try using a can of soup as part of the cooking water for your rice.  Yummy!

16.  One large jug of Oil. Choose olive oil, coconut oil or some other cooking oil, but definitely get some.  Oil is essential for good health, fueling our energy stores and providing support for fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients as they work their way through our system. Not only that, but a bit of fat in your diet adds flavor and makes you feel satisfied when you are done eating.

17. Spices and Condiments. Adding some spices and condiments to your food storage pantry will allow you to vary the taste of your storage foods, thus mitigating some of the boredom that is likely to occur over time.  The exact mix of spices and condiments is up to you but some suggestions include  garlic, chili, Tabasco (hot sauce), salsa, oregano, thyme and black pepper.

18.  5 pounds of Coffee or 100 Tea Bags.  There are those that will say that life without coffee is not life at all.  Whole bean (assuming you have a hand grinder), ground or instant – take your choice.  Or substitute tea.  Green tea and many herbal teas are quite therapeutic so if you like tea, this may be a good way to go.

19. 2 large bags of Hard Candies.  Hard candy can go a long way toward making an unpleasant situation bearable.  Butterscotch drops, peppermints and even lemon drops are good.  Have fun with this and pick up a couple of bags of your favorites!

20.  Mini LED Flashlight and Extra Batteries.  Okay, this is a cheater item.  It is not food but it is all important and so it will not hurt to stash a miniature flashlight or two along with the edibles in your food storage pantry.  My top pick of the moment in the Blocklite.  This thing just goes and goes and goes plus, it does not take up any storage space.

Glow In The Dark Pots For Planting

Buy a flower pot that you really like and use Rustoleum's Glow-in-the-dark paint to paint the pot. During the day, the paint will absorb the sunlight and at night the pots will glow.

RECIPE: Apple Pie Bits

 APPLE PIE BITES

1 tube Crescent rolls

1 Slice apple per triangle

Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar

Roll up & Bake for 11-13 minutes at 350 degrees.

How to Make Sure Your Vehicle is as Prepared as You Are

The average American spends up to 12 years in their car, and that means that you are probably going to be spending oh… around a sixth of your life in your automobile in various stages of transportation, idling, and using colorful language to describe your frustrations to your fellow drivers.

While I can’t help with making the daily grind pleasant, in this article we’re going to explore some things you can do to make sure that the events that happen in and around our cars are less stressful – and that’s a good thing, because less stress = longer lives = more time spent in cars.

With that in mind, let’s think back to Understanding Emergencies and Everyday Carry. We can apply these same templates to our vehicles, to make the most unpleasant moments on the road a little more manageable.

Emergencies

The vehicle has unique problems that are particularly challenging. That’s okay, though, because these challenges still fall into our previously established categories of emergency “types.” In doing this, we can maintain some consistency, while only modifying our metric of how protracted the event is.  So, in evaluating how we’ll address our needs, we’ll first define our most likely emergencies by their types.

Type 1: High Intensity – Short Duration

There’s probably no better example of this kind of emergency than a car wreck. These happen in the blink of an eye and produce an overwhelming amount of pandemonium – and then they’re over. Car accidents take on a variety of levels of severity, but we can easily say that if you’re in a car accident, the accident doesn’t “last” for hours (even if the impacts do).

However, even though the quintessential Type 1 Emergency is the auto-accident, there are others:

- Carjacking
- Car fires
- Submergence
- Environmental emergencies (earthquakes, floods etc.)

All deserve to be considered when we pack our cars with gear and our heads with the skills to mitigate these emergencies.  Keep in mind that these lists are going to be extremely short, as our everyday carry (EDC) structure will take care of quite a few of these problems.

Equipment

- Medical kit (discussed later)
- Water (potable)
- Flares
- Defensive tools
- Fire extinguisher (such an overlooked necessity)

Skills

- First Aid
- Defensive driving
- Good situational awareness
- Vehicle defensive skills

There are a few occurrences that will show you the ‘weak points’ in your defensive driving curriculum. Your ability to manipulate things like your seatbelt or clutch are likely to suffer, so it’s important to make sure you have a mental outline of what you’re going to do, and practice it.

For example, I don’t wear my seatbelt if I’m going under 20 miles per hour. If something happens, I want to be able to exit quickly and not fuss with it. While I don’t advocate this, it’s a part of my baseline from when I worked patrol. Establish one for yourself as well, based on your vehicle and your comfort level with the above situations. No matter what happens, there are a few basic things you’re going to want to do:

Stop the vehicle from moving (if you can)
Safely put the vehicle in neutral, and utilize the parking break. Note: This allows you to keep the vehicle running, in case you need to move again quickly, and minimizes the chances that the vehicle won’t start again if you’ve been in a collision.
Safely exit the vehicle
Move to a safer location (off the road, etc.)
So, for me, my order of operations is as follows:

Move out of the area of whatever put you in danger (i.e., get the heck out of Dodge)
Put the vehicle in Neutral and engage the parking brake
a) Release your seatbelt slowly, cautiously, and without an excess of movement (this is a relatively small activity that can turn into a fine-motor-skill nightmare if you don’t practice it – especially if you’re hanging upside down, or some road-raged freak is trying to punch you through the window – both of which have happened to me)
b) Remove your seatbelt deliberately and without any ‘sudden’ movements. This generally will cause the belt to “lock” and resist your movements. Don’t get trapped by being in a hurry!
Do a mental sweep of the vehicle and the surroundings. Grab any equipment that you must have.
Exit the vehicle after a second quick spot-check in the mirrors.
Move away from any hazards, and place yourself behind something solid (jersey barriers, telephone poles, etc.)
This way, regardless of the emergency, I can get in and out quickly, am aware of the potential hazards before I get out, and I have anything I’m going to need to treat injuries or move on foot (second-line equipment) – which opens us up to address our second type of problem:

Type 2: Moderate Intensity – Moderate Duration

Before we start, it’s important to keep in mind that “intensity” is relative. There’s really not much about a flat tire that’s intense, and it’s usually resolved in a matter of hours. This seems really “ho-hum” because it’s common in our lives. You get used to being shot at or bombed, too, if it happens enough. So when we look at these problems, the key point is that these situations (like our “original” Type 2 Emergencies) expose us and increase our likelihood of finding ourselves in a situational Type 1 Emergency (such as being struck by another motorist while changing a tire. Ouch.)

So, what are our Type 2 Vehicle Emergencies?

Things like:

Flat tires, overheating engines/coolant issues, fender-benders, dead battery, empty fuel tanks, and the like. These are mundane and inconvenient, and that combination makes them uninteresting. It’s also where the majority of our planning and equipment takes place. In everyday life, the Type 2 Emergency challenges our resourcefulness and our ability to adapt and provide for ourselves. In and around our vehicles, it simply asks of us, “What have you done to prevent or mitigate this?”

So, what should we carry for these emergencies?

Water
Coolant
Motor oil (2 qts)
Jumper cables
Food (I throw a couple MRE’s in the back)
Emergency blanket (Mylar, poncho liner, sleeping bag – whatever you like)
Flashlight (headlamp type – it’s ridiculously inconvenient to try to hold a light and work)
Spark plug (appropriate to your vehicle)
Vehicle tool Set
- Screwdriver
- Ratchet set with appropriate attachments for your plugs
- Crescent wrench
- Multimeter
Fuses
Tire iron and jack
Gas can
This is going to depend on your level of skill and comfort with working around common automotive problems, but being able to take care of some of these ‘easy fix’ issues will go a long way in getting you out of the Type 2 hold-up and on your way to bigger and better things.


Skills:

Be able to change your tire, test your battery, and if necessary, knock corrosion off it. Be ready to tighten wires. Know how to check your spark plugs and change them if necessary. Be able to check your oil, and know how to check your engine for blown seals.  Your goal with this type of emergency is “Get myself home” – if you are stuck, you’re not going to dry out, starve, or freeze.

By the nature of the “Understanding Emergencies” structure, there is no framework for a “vehicle-specific” Type 3 Emergency. At that point, it’s simply a Type 3 Emergency. But, there are things you can do to prepare during the intermittent 12-year stretch of life that you’re going to be spending on the road, just in case you’re away from home and something significant happens.

Type 3: Low Intensity – Long Duration

The third line equipment is generally your backpack and contains the type of equipment you’ll probably not use unless you’re displaced; a benefit of this line of equipment is that it’s easy to pack and keep in your car, and it’s portable in case you have to move away from your vehicle.

However, keeping a kit in your car also allows you to quickly move in case of an emergency such as a flood, fire, riots, or earthquakes – all of which could potentially be Type 3 Emergencies. However, there’s always the risk of car prowlers and theft. For this reason, I isolate my vehicle third-line kit into two categories:

My backpack
A bin
The backpack contains equipment to cook, collect, and purify water, build shelter, and stay warm. These are core proficiencies that will keep you alive; the notion is that with these supplies, I can scavenge for food and collect what I need from the environment. With that in mind, the bin is a mobile supply point. This is where I keep two categories of supplies:

Consumables (water, food, and fuel)
Environmental supplies (such as clothing, blankets, etc.)
Between these two additional resources, you can use your vehicle third-line kit to tailor your mobile third-line to your specific needs, if you find yourself in an emergency.

Vehicle Third-Line Contents:

Food – (MRE x3)
Water – 1 gallon; 1 quart canteen w/cup
Cyalume chem lights x2
Medical kit
25 yards of paracord
Long underwear (2x shirt, 2x pants)
Socks x3 pairs
Sleeping bag
Poncho liner

Part II: Everyday Carry and Your Vehicle

The first consideration for EDC and your vehicle is a proverbial double-edged sword. Our vehicles can carry more than we can, but we can maneuver in places our vehicles cannot. For this reason, when I think about my vehicle equipment, I break it into a couple categories:

Vehicle-specific equipment: This is the stuff that is carried to keep the vehicle moving for as long as possible over as much terrain as possible. This includes your spare parts, tools, some coolant, water, and the like.
Augmented equipment: The equipment we can use immediately that will be no great loss if we have to leave it behind.
The vehicle is a solid place to keep your third-line equipment. This is the “get home” equipment that you could live off for several days without any scavenging or energy-intensive labor.  Of all your equipment, the third-line setup is the easiest to exaggerat, and make unappealing to carry. It’s also the most dependent on your level of skill and savvy with packing energy-dense foods, lightweight equipment, and water.

For this reason, please (x3) get some training. I don’t care if it’s from a Boy Scout – learn how to start a fire, collect and purify your water, and build a decent shelter. If you can do that, everything you carry will just help to assist.

Also, adjust according to your location. If you’re in Alaska, you should probably not try to survive with just a Mylar bag and extra set of socks. We can go over individual kits for your vehicle here, or if you want to tailor a specific set of equipment to your circumstances, here.

Part III: Sustenance

Keeping yourself fed, especially by the time you realize there’s an emergency, is going to start becoming more and more tricky as the demand for food articles increases. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, for example, looting cleared the shelves of anything potable and palatable in short order. If you didn’t steal, you were left with what you stocked on your own.

While it’s nice to have some things stuffed in the pantry, having some in your car is a good bet as well. There are a lot of different lines of logic on this, but my thought here is that you need food articles that conform to some very specific standards:

Calorie dense
Lightweight
Long shelf life
For this reason, I like canned tuna, Clif bars, Military MRE’s/Mountain House meals, and trail mixes. Water is a bit trickier, as not all plastics are food-grade, and in thermal extremes, you begin to get leaching where the container actually starts depositing chemicals into your Dihydrogen Monoxide.

This applies to both aluminum and plastic containers, and this is speculative on my part, but I don’t trust BPA-free containers either. For this reason, I restock my water out of my home each day, and carry my water containers to and from.

In addition to this practice, I keep a Katadyne filter in my vehicle kit. This way, if there is an emergency, I can ditch the contents of my typical carry bag (books, etc.) and grab the necessities. With that said, I still keep all the 1st, 2nd and 3rd necessity items in my bags at all times – so I have a bare minimum of equipment even if I’m walking around campus, grabbing lunch, or hiking.

Layering your equipment in this way will supply you with a fast, reproducible, and modular way to organize and use your kit.

Conclusion

It is highly recommended that after reading this article you evaluate your current vehicle preparedness supplies and everyday carry items based on your skills and possible needs.  And regularly check on the condition and quality of your preps stored in your car, as they are subjected to considerably harsher conditions in Summer and Winter while enclosed in your vehicle compared to sitting on a shelf in your garage or home.

http://www.theprepperjournal.com/2013/06/19/how-to-make-sure-your-vehicle-is-as-prepared-as-you-are/

Growing Potatoes In Containers

Potatoes can easily be cultivated in containers simply as easy as in a classic technique of growing plants. half barrels, Terracotta pots, trash cans and also a burlap sack,or trash bags are all excellent options of containers to raise your potatoes in. The one factor that you require to keep in mind when developing potatoes in a container, is that the vase of your option could not really be to deep, 12 - 18 inches is a great depth. The cause for this depth is that sun energy is essential for vegetable progress, plus even though potato plants could expand to a level in the place of 2 - 3 feet, they require to be hilled or protected as they grow.

Growing your plants in a bag enables you to pull the sides up as the vegetable grows, in a container or other sort of pot you will always have to hill the plant as it gets taller. That can easily done just by placing a 2 foot tall wire mess close to the inside of the pot as the plat develops and covering the plant with hay, potting media, or compost. When you have you have the pot of your option, make sure there are enough drainage gaps in the bottom or the lower sides.

At this point is it the moment to get ready your potatoes for seeding. These potatoes may be seed potatoes from a garden company, or potatoes that you possess on hand that are beginning to develop. Cut the potatoes so that there are three eyes on each piece, two eyes is good if the numbers is not going to work out. I have even grown all of them with one, and they did just good. As soon as the cutting is finished, you will require them to stay for around a day to create a dry covering around the cut area.

When you are looking for the potatoes to dry, you might begin filling your pot using potting media combined with an healthy fertilizer, and pre soak the media so that it is moist. Once ready, put the potatoes that you have cut in the pot with the eyes facing up. In the regular container,with a size around twenty inches, I put three items spaced apart evenly, protect them with about 2 - 3 inches of media, plus water until the media is moist. To avoid wasting time, you could pre soak the media before you plant, and get it available for covering the potatoes at planting time.

Caring for your potato plants is pretty easy. Put them in a place that obtains a minimum 6 hours of direct sun and is not opened to winds. Examine the moisture content of the media, and water everyday if necessary. Pots dry faster that soil in a classic garden, so they might require watering each day.

When the plants obtain to a height of about 6 inches, you will have to hill the potato plant by masking the plants using more potting media, giving about 2/3 of the plant exposed. Keep on hilling till the plant halts from increasing, or begins to blossom.

Reaping your own potatoes can begin any moment after the plant blossoms, youthful potatoes are tiny, but tender. If you decide not to picking them early, simply wait till the plants begin to change yellow and gently spill the media out of the container to gather your new crop of potatoes.barrels, Terracotta pots, trash cans and also a burlap sack,or trash bags are all excellent options of containers to raise your potatoes in.

DIY Tip to keep critters out of your garden

If you finely chop citrus rinds and sprinkle them on the mulch in your garden, they keep neighborhood cats, dogs and other critters away from your veggies. Animals don't like the smell of the orange oil.

From Organic Gardening: Squash bugs are grayish brown bugs up to 3⁄4 inch long; nymphs are similar, but do not have wings. Feeding by adults and nymphs causes leaves to wilt and blacken. Hand pick them and drop them in a container of soapy water. Also destroy their red-brown egg clusters on the undersides of leaves. To trap adults, lay boards on the soil at night; the squash bugs will tend to congregate beneath them, and you can destroy the pests the next morning. Planting radishes, nasturtiums, or marigolds among your squash plants may help repel squash bugs. If plants are heavily infested with young squash bugs, try spraying insecticidal soap.

Happy Father's Day

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