Fellow Patriots,
Welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter (PENL) Edition #79. Thanks for stopping by to check out the newsletter. I don't know where you are as you read this weeks version but here in the TN hills it is absolutely beautiful. After several years of poor color on the leaves, this year is certainly brighter.
I was thinking how blessed we are here in America. Yea, we have problems and struggles like others. Just for this moment while enjoying this beautiful view I remember back to my former life to a time outside of Bucharest, Romania. It was around the same time of year and my State Department provided linguist, a local university student, wanted to take a few of us out to a local park to see the beautiful change of season taking place. Why not? It was beautiful, but the thing I remember most was the autumn sludge coating area, to include the leaves. Most of the local homes used a version of the pot belly stove burning coal. Each morning as the sun surfaced the sky had a thick haze from the hours of burning coal. The cars parked along the streets covered in coal dust. My words here are not to insult Romania because it was probably my favorite country abroad. But, it wasn't America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Take a deep breath and take it all in. Oh well, sorry but I love to dream and reflect on the beauty of our great land. Hold on to your dreams and memories.
I get to enjoy it for a few more days before heading down to Georgia for a family visit and then over to Huntsville, AL through the election.
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 I have removed the weekly newcomer information and guest guide and the link takes you to an article I just posted for all this information to welcome and help you take advantage of all the HFS information and material provided. I have added this feature to allow PENL regular readers less text to wade through weekly and it shortens the overall PENL product several pages of text.
Thursday Zoom Rallies – HFS continues the Thursday HFS Zoom Virtual rallies weekly. We completed week 27 with a great Zoom meeting. This week we covered the news, continued work on a project I had set up for the Waynesville Rally but ran out of time. That being, building a checklist of top 10 preparedness items and then identifying the top 10 items, per category, as a group. Last week we worked on the first five of ten items. We spent a lot of time discussing some current news and managed to finish two of the remaining five items. We closed with the best part which is the weekly "chatter about what matters" to the participants.
I want to share a question one of our Patriot brothers asked the group, and something you should think about also. If things continue escalating and the citizens take up arms, how and when will YOU know this time in history is calling you to arms? What is your final line? Have you thought about it? What do you stand for and have you identified that final line?
If you have interest in attending a Thursday evening “Hope for Survival” Zoom virtual rally event please email me at preparedness101@protonmail.com to get on the distribution list for attendance information. This is a great group and platform to learn and build friendships. The virtual conference room access information will not be posted in open on the website for OPSEC reasons.
Special Training Event - Hope for Survival will be on the road providing on site preparedness training October 25, 2020 in Calhoun, Georgia. The training starts at 8 am through 5 pm. Lunch will be provided on site. The training will consist of Risk Analysis and Management, Family Communication Planning, Preparedness 101 (self) and 102.(team). This training is indoors. If you are interested and would like to attend this training please send me an email and I will connect you with the host of this event.
HFS YouTube - I managed to finally get the most recent HFS Podcast uploaded to the HFS YouTube page. This video is on food preparedness. I show how one can prepared and store roughly 3 weeks of dry food products for about $30 plus tax. It is possible. A person simply has to put forth the effort. Here is the link to the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZleDQ0hlQ0&t=812s If you are helping family or friends prepare food for short and long term storage, the video should help them out. Share the link to save yourself time. I hope to have another HFS YouTube video posted by this week.
Moving along …
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 are 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. 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 –
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Fellow Patriots, I think Ms. Lucy has been holding out on ol Charlie Brown. I do I do. (wink). On a rainy cool day recently I noticed Ms. Lucy pretty focused on a magazine she was reading. Of course I had to ask "what are you reading Ms. Lucy." to which I heard " oh, a magazine I get in the mail." Hmmm, probably some girly book or some vacation place far away. So, being brave I ask "it must be good, what is it?" I hear "oh it's called Backwoods magazine about practical ideas for self-reliant living." BAM!!! Now she's in my world. Folks, after spending a while checking out a few copies, this is very good magazine with loads of information. It is issued quarterly and the sale price is $7.99, however you can get a good package price at their website and www.backwoodshome.com Or you can call 541-250-5134 Just in the single edition I started on covers; solar power for farm and ranch; canning meat, raising sheep and butchering lamb. The second edition I looked through covers; catching wild yeast and making sourdough bread, raising meat rabbits, foraging wild food, building an outhouse and brewing beer. Folks, this is a nice collection of information and something to end the day on the back stoop reading while relaxing with some form of root tea. Great job Ms. Lucy.
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For those planning or dependent upon a natural fresh water spring fed water supply, you may find interest in this video. It is pretty interesting. A big thanks to our Patriot sister over in S.C. for sending this video to HFS to share with the readers.
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In the Preparedness 102 Class about family/team, I cover the elements to consider in building the Family or Community team. This is important because these are the survival skills needed to complete a team and function day to day. These are the skills you want in people you recruit. The caveat here is some times may have more or less based on location and availability of skilled members. Remember, having numbers is great, however if they are eating your food they need to have skills to offer as a payback and contribution to your team. This video is from Survival Dispatch.
(Thanks to our Patriot Sister from SC for submitting this video.)
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One of the most asked questions and issue I'm addressing to help other teams/tribes is neighborhood security. How will you protect the assets most valuable to you and your team? Family., food, water, shelter, and other resources. Maybe I should ask are you addressing this topic? I know many are struggling with it for a multitude of reasons. Here is a good video to check out and consider the information contained in it. The first step is getting up and moving out. I started our neighborhood planning team and security team with one guy. After connecting with a few like minded responsible individuals, we had established a foundation to build on. It is much easier to convince others to support your effort with a group than with one person. Our neighborhood is having security planning meetings weekly now. We continue talking about adding additional members, communications, roles, and responsibilities. Power in numbers. Something as important as having the team is ensuring the message being shared to neighborhood families. You want a solid message because you want folks to support your effort, not shy away or feel intimidated. Remember, you are building your team to defend and protect your family and the other families within your neighborhood. You want to gain support. Right?
This video is about building a neighborhood security team - From Survival Dispatch.
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My friend Wilson stopped by to chat for a few and let me know he would be heading to shelter shortly as the forecast for the weekend will be much cooler. A drastic drop from the nightly mid 50s down to the 30s. Wilson shared how he and his crew had packed away lots of food for the upcoming winter season and would adjust as needed but his group had stored at least 90 days of survival foods. I told him I had noticed he wasn't around as much.
Wilson asked me what was on my mind and how he noticed me through the window pondering deep in thought lately. He asked what was ailing me these days. At first I was hesitant, but then shared how I was baffled to the number of people who still remained functioning at the speed of zero miles per hour. That's right. Seeing and hearing everything and doing nothing. Folks who know every news story and the hour broadcasted. They talk doom and gloom and almost cry. I tell them to change the scene. Flip the television over to the Opera network and grab some Bon Bon's and feel better. I asked Wilson if I was missing something in the big scheme of things.
Wilson told me how he also suffers from the same problem each season when its time to start collecting survival nuts to feed the crew during the winter. He told me how each year he held a meeting and shared the facts to everyone yet a percentage of those who would need the resources just watched others work and take the upcoming winter seriously. His believe based on past history and results, a percentage of the crew knew someone else would do it, so why participate.
Hmmm, I think Wilson may have a point. He asked me, "do you remember years ago when the box you watch with people inside it had a short movie about a kid named Mikey. The short of it was how Mikey was riding in the backseat of the family automobile. Dad was in front of Mikey and mom was in the front passenger seat. Mikey would take a plastic spoon and pull up a bite of ice cream and then flip it on the hot summer glass to his left. The ice cream would hit the window and stick and then slowly slide down the glass creating a mess. Mikey would laugh and then do it again and again. Mom would yell at Mikey and Dad would threaten him. "Do that again and I will stop this car and spank you." Five minutes later, more ice cream melting down the window. No stopping. No spankings. Mikey knew nothing would happen and someone else would come clean up the mess.
Wilson stated he needed to move along, but before his departure he laughed and said, "get the point? Those who are trained to believe others will provide and save them will not change. Many believe it is easier to depend on others than on oneself. You will have a choice of providing for them or not." I, like others, continually sound the alarm of potential problems ahead. Some listen and others ignore it. It is no longer my problem, The question remains, will these individuals be bailed out like Mikey? As he departed, Wilson said he won't be around to know the answer and neither should I. We must have and keep hope for everyone but at some point what others didn't do to prepare is no longer our problem.
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During every week, I read thousands of lines of text and listen to a lot of minutes of conversations and responses. Opinions, anger, dislikes, and often a clear understanding by many that can't understand why things aren't happening a different way. It seems in many cases anger is building and folks are actually mad. If you don't understand my point just check out comments made by readers on article after article. Pure hate. I'm sure its the same way on left leaning blogs and sites with liberal articles. Americans hate for one another is rising fast. We are angry at other American for how they feel and vote. Heck, even I often wonder how left leaning supporters could believe what they believe. We are divided to the point of near eruption against one another. It reminds me of people who fight dogs. The dogs enter the center ring and fight to the end. The trainers collect their money and go home. Simple huh? Step back and think if it is any different in how the tax paying citizens are treated and responding? We work and feed the beast. The beast uses taxes from the masses to feed those in need. Elected leaders with different ideologies create programs and laws that divides the nation. The media promotes one side over the other vs reporting facts. It's a game and we are pawns in the big picture. Families are divided and friends are quitting friendships. People are losing jobs over their political positions. The parts in the system are breaking down and by choice or not, the magic act will continue until it has no participants to play.
John Whitehead over at the Rutherford Institute post an excellent article this week that lays it out brilliantly for the reader. https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/the_2020_election_bamboozle_we_are_all_victims_of_the_deep_states_con_game My question is how long will be play and be a part of the game or will we finally say we've had enough. Game over.
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I close out this weeks thoughts with a reflection from the past. With everything going on around the country and the upcoming election, I look at today and remember yesterday. What do I mean? So many of the things we are witnessing appears to be the finalization of steps started in the past ten years or longer. At least that is when evidence started becoming apparent. As far back as ten years ago, Festus and I used to burn hours and hours researching and then discussing topics. What do they mean? How would it play out? Who is involved? It went on and on. Now, today, we see the other side displaying their goals and desires to the movements started years ago. For many today, your conclusions are much like our thoughts and conclusions ten years ago. This must be fake or fear porn. There is no way this can be true. This is America and things like this just won't fly. Well, there once was a day when we wanted to believe the same thing, yet, we have Americans hating this great nation and foreigners crying to come here for a better life. I'm not sure what kind of soup one would call this but it is certainly missing a key ingredient. I digress...
Okay, lets move along to the news…
Preparedness News –
1. From R.R. - Survival Blog - https://survivalblog.com/hardening-house-r-r/ - I always find this topic interesting. Why? Perspectives of the speaker or writer. How one has been raised and in what country. Training and/or profession. Attitudes and exceptions of the person being protected. Some people are simply unable to accept they live within a threat bubble. "Nothing has happened" attitudes lead to the inability to ever find a way outside the box. This often leaves the person teetering towards center "bang."
2. From Onpoint - Onpoint Preparedness - https://www.onpointpreparedness.net/halloween-is-for-preppers/ - It's soon that time of year when stores start dropping prices to rid the shelves of the bags and the teeth terrorist waiting to pack the mouths of children......and some adults. Hurry, hurry, hurry, Christmas is around the corner and the warehouse is packed with all the Santa bargains. Forget Thanksgiving. Christmas is the money maker for most service providing box stores. Though no longer really cheap, grabbing some deals on candy can be a great treat during different periods of preparedness. You could be walking and need a energy booster. Maybe your team had a long day and you want to share a treat with the team or children around you. Candy seems to last for ever, right? Have you ever unpacked an old pair of pants and found a piece of hard candy, all gooey and the wrapper is impossible to get off the candy? Be honest. Did you look around to see who was watching and then unwrap the candy and stick it in your mouth? You survived, right? Find a good deal and stock up on your choice.
3.From Jim Cobb - Beans, Bullets, Bandages and You - http://beansbulletsbandagesandyou.com/bullets/2020/08/26/footprint/ -. This is an important aspect to your preparedness planning. What you say, when you say it, how you say it, and who you say it to, could be the demise of your plan and survival. You can almost see it coming. Some folks can't wait to tell or show their newest step or feature to their plan. Remember, best friends today could be worst friends tomorrow. Family and friends will turn on you. Don't brag because your belly is full and your neighbors dropped 20 lbs because they are hungry. Remember, you must blend in. If everyone around you is losing weight and you are healthy looking and clean, you lose the ability to blend in. Don't sacrifice your health, simply adjust your schedule to avoid other people the best you can.
4. From Steve Nubie - Urban Survival Site - https://urbansurvivalsite.com/how-to-literally-bulletproof-your-home/ - This is another area often ignored by many preparers. Many believe their home is the safe haven. It is in many ways except defensively. Where is your safe haven or safe room within your home? Do you have one?
5. From Ken Jorgustin - Modern Urban Survival -https://modernsurvivalblog.com/chickens/chicken-feed-storage-for-winter-months-how-many-bags-of-pellets/ - Don't forget to plan for your animals. Some are part of the family and others are part of the food plan.
Other News –
We are quickly approaching the 2020 Presidential Election. I believe this election is the most critical election in my lifetime. You may feel the same. We are witnessing so many problems within this great nation and often it seems its to many to overcome. The bottom line is we are witnessing an effort to complete a Marxist takeover to our way of life. Many wish to overthrow and replace our Constitutional Republic. No more Constitution. No more Bill of Rights. You can decide that for yourself. Most of you know I am a red, white, and blue, American loving veteran who believes in the founding fathers and the framework they established many years ago. Sure, we have had our problems getting to this point but we survived and today, like yesterday, we live in the greatest nation ever witnessed on earth by mankind. If you disagree, I would encourage you to travel abroad to the other nations around the world. I have. But this is just my opinion. During the times we live today, we are very fortunate and blessed to have President Trump as our President during this period in history. I would encourage you to watch this video from the Claremont Institute about the importance of the upcoming election. It is titled Man vs A Movement. Check it out. Share it with others. Vote. Vote. Vote.
Drum roll...........
That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters. Stay alert and strong.
Thanks much for your time to read the PENL and hanging with us at Hope for Survival. We all have different desires in news and what we read at different points in our day. Hopefully HFS has provided information to stimulate your thinking and the realities around us. It is important for you to keep your feet and minds grounded as the world continues towards an unknown destination.
Keep the faith and continue doing great things for yourself and others. Keep the emails flowing. Bring new friends and help spread the word on Preparedness. Visit the HFS YouTube page and check out the numerous preparedness videos. Subscribe and hit like. It’s a minimal price to pay for free information. I appreciate you sharing the great things you are doing with your plans and progress moving you forward. Keep charging ahead.
Prayers - Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. As we approach the Nov 2020 elections, we must pray for a calm nation and focus on the purpose of the election and what the results of the election could mean, both candidates. Please pray for our leadership to find answers and guidance to the problems facing our great nation as we approach our election. May peace be cast upon us and protect us as we vote. I pray for each, and every one of our Patriots. May we all be protected from the growing evils surrounding and attacking our families daily. 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. Amen.
Keep charging and have a safe week. Always remember, we are blessed people. Don’t allow the events around us to create fear in your life. Build your own self-reliance and focus on hope. We are a blessed nation and we must continue to be great people.
Blessings,
Bravo Echo Out,
