Greetings and welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #155. Thanks for stopping by to spend a few minutes with us. We hope you enjoyed a blessed week. We had so much sunshine here in the Tennessee hills this week. We also had rain and a few heavy windstorms as well. I get a little leery when the winds hit after experiencing the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge fires a few years ago. The fires magically hopped from mountain top to adjacent hillsides and within a few minutes it was covering a wide area near us.
BTW - Don't forget, this is the last week of the HFS Donation Drive for 2022.
It was another blessed with at HFS. Ms. Lucy and I spent a few days outside working on caring for our property and working on the upcoming garden. It is really the first year we have had time to stop life and work on things we have wanted to work for nearly ten years. Living between Huntsville, AL and our current location put a lot of demands on us and then having full time jobs increased the difficulty. Then I started Hope for Survival which added another 30 to 40 hours per week on top of everything else so the point is, sometimes you just have to stop and put everything else to the side and deal with what you have been putting off. We still aren't finished but we are further along.
Another week has passed, and the world continues spiraling out of control. One has to wonder what comes next. Everyone should keep a close eye on the situation regarding the Petro Dollar with China and Russia. With Putin announcing Russia will no longer purchase oil using the Petro Dollar and China leaning on Saudi Arabia to abandon the 1974 contract agreement with the US of A, If SA decides to go with China, the dollar is doomed, and things will move quickly. Have you put yourself in the position to protect yourself? The craziest thing this week is this. All we hear is how the US is going to punish Putin and Russia. Putin is two doors down from Satan and Mr. Evil. The world is coming down on Russia. Agree? Then why is the US using Russia as the middle nation to broker a new nuclear deal with Iran? Did you hear this on the news? If things are truly as bad as the media and US Government makes them sound, why would Russia help broker this deal? Think about that. It's all a stage play and we have front row tickets.
Because time is so limited on weekends, we have to make use of all available time we have. The next several weekends are packed so it's now or whenever basically. Here is our schedule until Heritage Life Skills in late May.
March - 25-27 Roswell, GA
April - 2 Fairview, NC. Group Meeting
April - 9 Gatlinburg, TN or HSV AL Stop in Crossville, TN on return to visit Festus
April - 16 Easter weekend
April - 23 HSV if not on April 9th Stop in Crossville, TN on return to visit Festus
April - 30 Dandridge Community Preparedness Meeting
May - Still being put together
May - 20 - 23 Waynesville, NC Heritage Life Skills (HLS)
Okay, let us move along.
Just for fun...
Can you break the code? If so, email me your answer. Do NOT put in the message block.
This week's code is: 5-3-1 / 1 - 1- 1 / 3 - 1 - 2 -5 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 1 / 2 - 2 / 1 - 1 - 5 - 3 / 5 -3 -1 -5 - 5 - 3 -1 -2 -2- 1 -2 2/ 5 - 4 - 5 - 2 - 2 ?/
Good luck!!!
Congrats to our Patriot sister from North Alabama, again, for breaking last weeks coded message. The message was: "Don't forget to sign up for Heritage Life Skills soon.
Okay, let's move along. First a few business items and promoting HFS.
Thursday Zoom Rallies – This was the off week for HFS Zoom, however we did host a Zoom with special guest Dr. Greg Millar from Huntsville, AL. We appreciate those who attended and Dr. Millar for sharing his time and information with the group.
Communications: You can now follow HFS social media on the following outlets:
Facebook – Hope for Survival
YouTube Channel – Hope for Survival
MeWe: - //mewe.com/p/hopeforsurvival2
Odysee - Hope for Survival (odysee.com)
Parler - Preparedness101
Check out the newest HFS YouTube video at this link. If you have not, please hit subscribe and support our efforts to get the preparedness message out. Thanks. https://youtu.be/TKayDFymR7I
Connect and give me a shout. Share with family and friends.
Guest and Newcomers
If you are a guest or newcomer to the HFS journey, please check out this link for additional
information offered through HFS. https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/post/guest-and-newcomers-information-page
Hope for Survival books and HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents -: You can obtain information on the two HFS books at this link: Survival, Preparedness, Disaster Management for individuals or family (hopeforsurvival.com)
Hope for Survival - How Food, Water, Shelter, and Security Could Save Your Life (Book 1)
Hope for Survival - The Mindset (Book 2)
HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents - We just restocked the HFS Thumb drive and have them available now. Follow this link and you will see the add at the top of the page. Blog | Survival (hopeforsurvival.com)
Heritage Life Skills 2022 - Waynesville, NC, May 20-22 - Class schedule and signups are posted for your review and selection. Once again, the price for a full weekend attendance or single day visit can't be beat. This is a very affordable opportunity for loads of preparedness training and information. Not to mention, you will meet some amazing people who become friends for life in many cases. Here is the link to view this year's classes, class schedules, and instructor bios. Upcoming Events | Carolina Readiness | Preparedness & Camping Store If you have questions, please call the Carolina Readiness Supply at 828-456-5310.
If you would like to sign up for classes taught by Hope for Survival at this event, here's the posted HFS dates, times, and classes being taught.
Thursday, May 19, 2022 - HFS Potluck Dinner (time to be determined)
Friday, May 20, 2022 - 830 AM to 1130 AM - Preparedness 101
Friday, May 20, 2022 - 1 PM - 230 PM - Preparedness 102
Friday, May 20, 2022 - 3 PM - 430 PM - Vetting New Members (New Class)
Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 830 AM - 1130 AM - Preparedness 101
Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 1 PM - 230 PM - Preparedness 102
Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 3 PM - 430 PM - Psychological Preparedness (New Class)
Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 830 AM - 10 AM - Vetting New Members (New Class)
Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 10:30 AM - 1200 PM - Protecting Your Five Mile Radius
Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 1 PM - 230 PM - Psychological Preparedness (New Class)
HFS March Madness Donation Drive 2022 - We are starting week three of our annual donation drive and we are currently at 75% of our goal for this year. We are running behind the past year's donations at this point. It is easy to visit a website and scroll through articles and participate in zoom rallies. From the HFS management end, all of these features cost money to keep in operations. Your donation helps us pay for licenses, fees, and equipment to keep the HFS mission moving forward.
Thanks to everyone who donated to this cause to support the operations of HFS. for those who mailed in a donation, thank you so much for your notes, cards and letters. They mean a lot. Bless you.
We must make this brief public announcement to protect the innocent.
Ding, Ding, Ding....Attention HFS readers..... Opinions shared in this newsletter are just that, opinions, and nothing more. Read at your own risk. The owner and author of this site is not responsible for hurt feelings or thin-skinned readers. I do my best to show restraint and respect to the best extent possible. I take as many precautions as possible and try to remain as nonpolitical as possible, however, there are times when I just can't help but point certain things out. Occasionally I use words only Patriots recognize and understand. It's not personal against any non-Patriot. It's just the truth. Sometimes we must pull up our spenders and suck it up. Just saying. Stay the course, read what you want, and avoid the rest. Avoid fear porn as much as possible and the day will be okay. When all else fails… Keep the faith and always have Hope.
Let’s move along and get to some thoughts...
Thoughts for the week -
Blinded by the Light - It was 1976 when a band named Manfred Mann's Earth Band recorded a hit song titled Blinded by the Light. Yes, I was alive during this period when some of the greatest music of all time was recorded. From Rock-n-Roll to Disco, from Funk to Blue Grass, Country to Jazz, and Southern Rock to Pop, the era was loaded. I often enjoy thinking back to that period of my life because I was an avid music lover. The beauty of creating music from the talented sounds of different musical instruments to include the voice.
As much as I enjoy talking about the old days and music I grew up on, I want to talk about a different kind of blinding light. How many of us are blinded by earthly light and the temptation of sin and evil here on earth? No matter how perfect we want to be or think we are, we are all sinners. Fair statement? Why do we want to fit in and be like others, often when it is over trends, professional positions, or clicks? Each and every one of us are born a specific way to separate us from all others. We are created by God, and He makes us each different through genetics and fingerprints. There is a really good book from years ago by author John L. Mason titled "You're Born A Original Don't Die a Copy. This is the same author of "An Enemy Called Average." We are all different in chemistry however we are held accountable equally.
Why are Christians so tolerant on some things yet offer zero tolerance on other things. Have you ever noticed how accepting we are of sinful things when it's something we like vs how much we voice our displeasure of sins when it's something we do not like? I know this is true when it involves politics. As Christians why do we accept sins from our favorite political candidate yet voice our Christian displeasures of views and practices from the other political representation? I have searched and searched and no where in the Bible can I find a chapter or verse discussing Democrats or Republicans. Did I miss something?
But.....
One of the things I often complain about in the church are the individuals who show up, sing three songs, say a few Amens to the preacher's message, drop a check in the bucket, and then depart. The preacher will ask or beg for volunteers to help do this or that around the church and the same folks smile and whisper "I paid my dues 30 years ago when I worked the kiddie day care" or "I parked horses and buggies back before they paved the parking lot." Yes, you may sense a little sarcasm in my words. I'm just sharing thoughts and my goal is to not put ants in your nickers. We all have our moments I would believe. But some will race in early to find their assigned seats (really?) and then leave five minutes early to beat the traffic in the halls of the church and the parking lot. I like to call these folks the "bus crowd" because they have already earned their ticket to get home to heaven. They are just waiting on the bus to show up and take them away. They paid their dues in past years. Ahhh, this is where it gets in my crawl. "My work has already been accomplished and now it's time to go home." Or, "I'm so ready to go home and be with Jesus." This is wonderful, I agree. But just like parents would be running around the farm trying to find and drag their children into a storm shelter to beat the approaching storm, should Christians not be doing the same thing for the unsaved? Is there a final line that determines or we decide when our job here on earth is finished?
I could probably start a Mega-Church with the number of Christians I have heard say "I'm just waiting on God's return." This is good, right? What do you mean God's work here on earth is not finished? Wait, I'm confused. Why are Christians in such a hurry to go to Heaven when we know it's on God's time and calendar and yet more work remains here on earth? Doesn't our work confirm our faith?
I have personally blamed the church for many of the failures we see in America today. Many of the churches over the past 50 years sold out to the federal government and big corporations. In return the church lost the truth, compassion, and love for God's children. Remember back when the preacher would look you straight in the face and tell you what is right or wrong? Today a preacher will reserve opinion to avoid confronting a church problem which could impact church donations. It does take money to keep a church moving along but I ask you this, "what is more important from a church, the value of the message or volume of the donations?" Is it the church's fault greed has taken over and God's message has been silenced? Let me put it another way, why do people blame the church for all the misdeeds, sins, and wrongdoings when a church is just a building. The problem is the imperfect human who was born a sinner and only through God's grace and forgiveness are we forgiven of our sins once we repent.
So, how will God look at the bench dwellers who line up to catch the bus out of here because they paid their dues and believe their ticket is punched. That is not for me to decide. But, I would believe if God's work is not complete then we all should be working towards sharing God's word with others and not checking out while work remains to be done. I always think of Romans 12 v 11- 13 " Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in NEED. Practice hospitality."
I know I can be guilty of what I am sharing to you, and it is something I try to be more conscious of daily. I am often blinded by the light of earthly evil and sin like many others. But I want to be a better servant to God and work harder to help as many people as possible in the time I'm blessed to have on this earth.
Next ....
It is one of my favorite times of year, planning and preparing our garden. Over the past few years, I have provided pictures and explanations to different types and sizes of gardens for urban, suburban and rural gardening. Folks often tell me they can't for some reason or another. I say bull hockey. If you want it bad enough, you will figure it out unless physical limitations are stopping you.
Here is our tilled garden a few years ago while living in northern Alabama. Having the garden was one thing but growing in the red clay was different and an obstacle. The summer heat and humidity were brutal, but I was determined to make it work and learn in the process.
Below is the pallet garden two years ago for urban growers: I often hear the excuse "I can't grow a garden because I live in the city, or I don't have room. Guess what? If one puts enough positive attitude into the process plants grow just fine. I will save you some time and help you avoid reinventing the wheel. Using a remote control from a recliner will not work. Sorry.
Last year I provided pictures of a raised bed garden (no till) that was two 8 x 8 ft raised boxes. This was bagged dirt with miracle grow mixed in the dirt. The floors of the boxes had black weather lining for draining and weed prevention. This was a no till garden as well. We had zero weeds all season.
From the two 8 x 8 boxes the garden produced a regular abundance of fresh vegetables for eating and canning all season.
Here we show one canning session of tomatoes, zucchini and squash.
Before I get started discussing this year's garden, I must tell you how proud I am of Ms. Lucy and her willingness to help me work on the garden boxes three full days. Loading and unloading the truck with mulch and compost. Loading logs on a small trailer and helping layer the box floors load after load. Helping me put the boxes together. After day two, we both felt so tired I thought I would need to call a taxi to pick us up and carry us across the yard to our house. As Ms. Lucy says, "this was good pain because it shows we are physically getting something out of it." I really appreciate her help because it would have taken far more time and time is not something I have a lot of these days.
This year we went bigger and decided to try another method of gardening using three 4 x 16ft raised boxes. One box is lined with black weather lining for weed control. A second box is lined with black weather lining covered in cardboard, and a third box is straight cardboard lining. You may notice I used the cement sections between boards and at corner points vs nailing the sections together. We used more of a Lego or Lincoln Log type approach. Why? If for any reason, we need to move or take down the boxes it will be much easier. With this method we can put in cross dividers, connect boxes, or expand boxes with ease.
We then covered the bottom of each box with cut wood from trees we took down about five to seven years ago. The wood still held to form but was breaking down. This provided depth to the box requiring less dirt and compost. It was work, but a great way to build up the box bottoms and also rid ourselves of the cut trees. On top of the wood, we then covered in a layer of plain mulch which was free from our town roads department when they go out and cut down trees and then turn the trees to mulch. It is free to residents. Here are pictures of the boxes with the downed rotting wood covered in mulch. And another picture to the right with the boxes built up to the point of being covered in mulch.
The two last steps were covering the mulch in soil and compost. We used a mushroom compost this year. Some Alabama friends told me of their garden success with the mushroom compost. Time will tell, right?
In the very near future a fence will go up around the garden area to protect from wildlife such as raccoons, groundhogs, deer, rabbits, and bear. We will lay down some mulch between the rows and end caps also. We plan to paint the sides of the boxes for neighbor prevention. We don't want to get one of the nasty letters telling us we've been bad.
Finally, something important that I ignored for several years is building a garden plan. What plants will do better along with other types of plants. Some plants will not play well with others. I laid out what goes where and when. Some plants can go in sooner than others based on seasonal climate for our area. The plan is a bit blurry, but it will give you a starting point.
I know many of you probably gardened over many years. Personally, I didn't start until I started my preparedness journey. Being in the military often prevented it because of location and being away from home all the time. So, for those who are new to gardening, don't give if your first plant will not grow. The hardest part is the level of effort you must decide to put into the project. Just think of it like this. Feeding yourself and your family may depend on it.
Good luck and happy gardening. Hope this helps in some way.
Next .....
One of the things I enjoy about Hope for Survival is observing folks discussing herbal and medicinal plants and things they grow and use. It is interesting and I'm sure it could be time absorbing as well. But, learning the process to identify useful medicinal plants and how to process and use them is well worth the time. About a year ago I was down in Western, N.C. doing a vulnerability assessment of a property and home for a sister Patriot. Iwas blown away at her knowledge of plants while walking around assessing the property. I discovered this chart on another platform and wanted to share it with you in the event you are a "weed walker" and make your own home remedies.
And those are my thoughts for the week.
Preparedness News –
1. From Linda Loosli - Food Storage Moms - Survival Skills to Teach Young Children - Food Storage Moms - I don't know about you but any and all information I can collect regarding the preparedness of children, I collect. It is good information to have available. Maybe your kids are gone and you don't have grandchildren. When you build your five-mile-radius concept you now may have children.
2. From Prepared Christians - 22 Side Gigs to Develop Now and be Ready When the Lights Goes Out - PREPARED CHRISTIANS - Here you go. Most of these skills are fairly simple to learn and have available in your personal skills toolbox.
3. From the Organic Prepper - What Makes A Perfect Bug-Out Location - The Organic Prepper - I always find it interesting to listen to conversations on this topic. Many opinions suggest bugging-in if possible, while others suggest using the Forrest Gump Plan to run while you can. I believe it is a case by case situation and driven by threat and capability. If the threat is a economic event with supply chain issues and you live in a city, I would consider bugging out at a higher degree than living rural under the same circumstances.
4. From Survival Mom - 7 Things To Do Right Now For A Fabulous Summer Garden - Survival Mom (thesurvivalmom.com) - By nature Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I must admit I do enjoy spring and prepping the garden for the growing season. We work hard in our job expecting a good pay day and maybe a pay raise once in a while. We prep our garden hoping for a great growing season and best crop ever. What we grow and preserve for a later date is like investing in your personal retirement or savings.
5. From Adrienne - Whole New Mom - Easy Homemade Vitamin C Powder--{3 Ways and How to Use It} (wholenewmom.com) - Another great printable recipe for your paper library.
6. From C.R. Williams - USCCA - USCCA_7StepsToHighlyEffectiveSituationalAwareness.pdf (usconcealedcarry.com) - Simple but great advice for everyone. If you read my second book, The Mindset, you will probably see many similarities between my book and information in the article. It all starts here. What do you see, how do you interpret what you see, and what do you do about it if anything? (Thanks to our North Alabama Patriot sister for sending in this article)
Other News -
1. From Charles Hugh Smith - The Great American Reset Podcast: - (3) The Roundtable Insight with Charles Hugh Smith on The Great Reset Agenda - YouTube - Excellent round table discussion on the upcoming great reset. (3) The Roundtable Insight with Charles Hugh Smith on The Great Reset Agenda - YouTube
2. From Dayton - Mass Private - American Trained Ukrainian Police: Treating Citizens Like Potential Criminals For 3 Years | MassPrivateI - Well, looks like another part of the ongoing lie to US involvement in Ukraine keeps unraveling by the day. I'm excitedly awaiting how the family members of US Politicians swindled hundreds of millions of dollars off Ukrainian private corporations.
3. From Wolf Richter - Wolf Street - Why This is the Most Reckless Fed Ever, and What I Think the Fed Should Do to Reverse and Mitigate the Effects of its Policy Errors | Wolf Street - I think someone should write a book or blog titled "Wall Street - the quickest path to ulcers and depression." I believe our federal ship is out to sea without a crew.
4. From Brandon Smith - Alt-Market.US - The Stagflation Trap Will Lead To Universal Basic Income And Food Rationing - Alt-Market.us - This is important to follow. I've now read or heard this point three times by three different sources. Universal Basic Income and Food Rationing fits in perfectly with Agenda 2030.
5. From Devvy - News With Views - How Much History of Russia, Ukraine & NATO Do Americans Really Understand? – News With Views - I'm guessing the answer to this question is around minimal to none. Life is busy and fast. Many who watch the news forget it by noon. And, if it doesn't apply to their job, family, or wallet, it's not important.
Drum roll...........
That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters.
Prayers - Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. We pray for good health and wisdom. Please pray for our leadership to find answers and guidance to the problems facing our great nation. May your faith remain strong and answers to the unknown provided. God is good and may our prayers blanket and protect you and your circumstances. I pray for each, and every one of our Patriots.
May we pray for all the blessings and things in life to be thankful about and continued hope for revival around the world. We must continually pray for the unsaved, our family and friends who live each day without the protection for eternal life and salvation.
We must pray for each other and pray that our faith and strength in our faith keeps us on the right path through all the evils and evils powers around us at this time. We all must uplift one another 24 x 7.
We pray for the nation of Ukraine, and all involved in the conflict with Russia. We pray for peace and a quick resolution for all involved.
Please keep a few of our HFS members in your prayers. We have several with physical injuries in North Alabama (ribs), Central Alabama (shoulder), Hickory, NC (back/hip/eyes),
Even with all the worldly challenges, struggles, and heartbreaks we must always give thanks for the blessings in our own life and our family each day. Life can be hard and sometimes unfair to us, but we still have many things to be thankful for each day. We must not forget them.
We all must pray strong and often for the citizens of our great nation. Many of our sisters and brothers are struggling daily with things they witness, encounter, and are surprised with out of the norm. Many times, we are in unchartered areas, however, we still must keep our faith and focus on the big picture. Our prayers and faithful strength together will be required often to battle the evils being thrown upon all of us minute by minute.
As Patriots we must stay strong and never give up. Our home, community, and nation need us now more than ever. Stay focused on your local community and things that will impact you around the nation. Don't allow the events around you to create fear in your life. Build your own self-reliance and focus on hope. Remember we are a blessed nation, and we must continue to be great people today and make a better tomorrow. Keep charging.
Blessings,
Bravo Echo Out,
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