The-Atlantic-thefemalesurvivalist

"A diet of meat is good for you, despite some stubborn superstition to the contrary. Vilhjalmur Stefansson lived for a full year on meat alone to prove this point. If you are forced to live solely on the products of the chase, you must east flesh, fat, liver and every edible part to ensure that you don't suffer from dietetic deficiencies."-- page 77 Never Say Die

I've read that meat alone would kill a person, especially lean meat like rabbits. I believe the above quote. Most animals have some kind of fat on them, and I'd eat that just to be sure.

Eating a lot of meat would be hard on the kidneys. Water would be critical at this juncture. Hopefully we won't come to those dire straights.

I don't think the end of the world is coming in December. It might feel like it for those struggling with house payments. For some reason, the economic figures are improving, yet no one I meet is feeling it.

Here in Georgia it's really warm. Hunting season is over, people are target practicing as I type.
It's like we're in the eye of the storm, and the other side of hell is about to break loose.

While researching some survival stuff I washed then placed three raw Idaho potatoes in a tin coffee can. Once I had a nice bed of coals in my little wood stove, I put the stood the can up in them,shut the dampers and waited one hour.
The potatoes came out perfectly. The bottom one was a little charred, but totally edible.

I love this process because it didn't cost me anything and is fool proof. No aluminum foil, no garbage.
I'm saving the tin can. Has anyone else noticed that coffee cans, among other things are becoming mainly cardboard?

Some of the coffee containers have a metal bottom and top ring with the middle section being cardboard. This is no longer recyclable.
And, us hobos can't cook in them!

Back on the book reports. The Never Say Die has a whole chapter devoted to first aid, most of which is straightforward common sense. I studied the sketches detailing how to bandage with a large triangle, which seems to be the Canadian Air Force, circa 1979 preference. A large bandanna could be folded in half to create this triangle. I found it very useful just thinking through the support system the special wrap provided.

Ok, back to 2011. We're heading into the election year with complaints from the GOP candidates that Life Isn't Fair. They did not get their 10,000 registered voter signatures to qualify them for various ballots. Well, go shake some hands. What are you crying about?

How's it going in your neighborhood?

I finished Iron John, by Robert Bly.

At first I felt somewhat pissed on. Women got a bad rap, especially moms. Like we emasculate our boys or something.

But I continued reading and keeping my cool, calm non judgemental self (!) in tow. I realized its more an indictment of modern society and liberalism. The pacifist mentality of avoiding conflict, giving in to demands for civility when none is called for works against women as well.

The author takes us on a step by step analysis of the fable and all its secret meanings. In the end, the wild woman, the Princess marries the guy who became a full man by killing the enemies.

The alternate religions and mythology may leave bible believing church goers unhappy with this book, so I can't say I recommend it.

Now working on the Canadian book, Never Say Die.

I talked about Chapter 1, the Psychological Aspects, a couple days ago. Never giving up, feeling you have some control, at whatever level.

Chapter 2 is about general Canadian geography. All regions have food, no deserts

In Chapter 3 I learned about parachutes and falling properly.  The main thing about falling properly, keep your feet together! I guess that should be self explanatory, I just never thought much about the dire consequences of not following this rule. Of course all of us have jumped off garage roofs in our youth know to bend the knees slightly and roll when landing. Parachutes are a science. The rate of decent is astounding. A body can fall 65,000 feet in 4 minutes, with a parachute it can take 32 minutes. Pulling the rip cord should not be done til about 10,000 feet or you could die freezing or without oxygen.

The feet together thing is my takeaway here. I don't plan on parachuting any time soon. As a survivalist, all knowledge is good knowledge. Ya never know.

Chapter 4 is about first aid. That should be good.

Reading my way through this "men's book" is beginning to feel like work.  I find myself scanning. Robert Bly makes a great case for the Wild Man, not to be confused with the savage man.

Wild Men are not softened by the overpowering feminist influences. I read a posting on a survivalist blog bemoaning the "rampant feminism". I guess this is what they mean.

I will read this entire book because it does make sense. I think its belaboring the issue, hence I scan. This is a sign to put the book down and take it in smaller doses. Wild Men are my type. If I wanted a weak man, I'd get a soft woman.

I really can't see the Wild Man reading this work. It seems to speak more to the man who wants to free himself, to venture out and trust his instincts, to chuck away the confines of cultural demands for "the whole man",  a nurturing, household chore splitting, diaper changing spouse.

To each their own. Not saying what anyone should do except find their own Nirvana.

So, to cut the mythology and get some practical applications, I began Never Say Die. This survival manual was published in 1979 for the Canadian Air Force. Its no nonsense first chapter totally makes the case for proper psychology over any other possible advantage gear might give.

The right attitude means accepting and dealing with fear, recognizing the emergency immediately, and coping with the 7 enemies of survival, being Pain, cold, thirst, hunger, fatigue and boredom-loneliness.

The chapter ends with a detailed description of good group dynamics, including believing in your leader, having confidence you are a valuable part of that group.

I think these two books provide a balance and will continue to read each one daily until finished, reporting here regularly.