Stuff

The past week has been very busy. I received my dream knife, the Kershaw Outcast, bought two new bb/pellet rifles to try out and have been brushing up on some basic survival skills (i.e. knots and lashing, firemaking, etc.).
I have also been getting ready to go to another camp tomorrow. I turn thirteen in four days.

New template

I decided to change the template from the boring old whatever, sooo....... Here it is!

Always Remember- a Memorial Day poem

Always Remember

Their stance is stiff,

their backs are straight,

as they salute their country's banner.

They look at it with reverence,

as they think of what it stands for.

They think back to those foreign shores,

where they fought in epic wars.

13 Stripes and 50 Stars,

Sergeant's stripes and Captain's bars,

All these things are signs of,

loyal soldiers undying love,

for truth, justice, freedom of speech,

the pursuit of happiness and of peace.

God bless the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and Marines,

who daily risk their lives to keep our country free.

So this Memorial Day salute the soldiers fallen,

as the guns report, and the bugles keep calling.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Joshua and Caleb Crouch 2009©

Pelosi & Wesson Gun- from Glenn Beck's book

This is from Glenn Beck's book Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government. I found this really funny. Click on the picture to make it bigger.

Miscelanious

Lot of veggies up today, probably going to have to thin the beds out in a couple weeks. Chickens doing well. I was asked to be the new ASPL at scouts tonight.
Who says mondays are bad?
Josh

Miscelany

Chickens are doing well. Started to break-in the new hatchet by using it to split some kindling. The Back to Basics, how to learn and enjoy traditional American skills book got here today about a week early! The plants are thriving, new bean sprout popped up today. Strawberries not looking good. Finished the gate for the chicken yard. Acquired a craftsman lawnmower. The local squirrels are becoming a problem, lost a lot of sprouts to them.
It is shaping up to be a good week.
Josh

Chickens

Built chicken yard and started on a gate. We went to Atwoods and bought half a dozen chicks (all hens) which are now living in the mud room. I also bought my first hatchet and a mill file (Yay!!!!). Plants are doing well.
Josh

Contest

Ok, so heres is a great new contest. M.D. Creekmore over at the The Survivalist Blog is giving away a The Tactical Advantage book and DVD set by Gabriel Suarez and a copy of Don’t Get Caught With Your Pantry Down by James Talmage Stevens! To enter, you just have to post about it on your blog. This is my entry. Visit http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/ for more information.

Storm Cleanup

In the past week Oklahoma has experienced severe ice storms, leaving many without power and heat, some even having branches fall on their homes. The prime offenders here are; below freezing temperatures, wind, rain and snow, and ice on trees, branches, power lines, and roads. Branches falling on power lines have left whole blocks without power. My family has been fortunate enough to maintain power for the week, losing it only for a couple of hours. We have however experienced plenty of downed branches and storm debris. When the storm found us I felt very unprepared, my cleanup gear consisting of a cheap machete purchased at the Walmart down the road, a small hunting knife and a basic tool kit. While you can get by with a small ax or machete its a lot easier with some extra tools.There are several things to keep in mind when purchasing storm clean up gear. First address what you are up against. If you are in the heart of hurricane country and usually receive heavy debris then consider getting a good chain saw. If, on the other hand, you only expect the occasional ice storm you will probably be safe with a good ax and at least a small bow saw. Check with your local Lowes or Home Depot. A sales associate will be glad to help you find what you need. Also when selecting hand tools make sure to stay away from hollow plastic handles, as when they are used in below freezing temperatures they become brittle and crack very easily (voice of experience speaking). We were able to limp through the week with only slight difficulty, although I don't intend to have to do it again.