The-Atlantic-thefemalesurvivalist

I don't know about you all, but this "growth" of the economy we've seen in the last few years which gives rise to the theory we are not in a recession is BS. I did some research and came up with this link

http://www.quickmba.com/econ/macro/gdp/

If you're like me and not an economist or lawmaker, you might also conclude these terms are thrown around in ridiculous fashion hoping no one takes the time to think about it. Lying to us.

Inflation is raising the total cost of goods and services which makes it look like the economy is growing by 2.5 percent. Yeah Right. Somehow it balances the value of homes which are in record foreclosure. Our local paper had pages, yes whole pages devoted to properties being sold "by public outcry" on the courthouse steps come Novemeber 1st. My heart goes out to the folks. Taxes deliquency, mortgage payments, whatever. I got a lesson in economics from my savy partner about home purchases, properties and tax collections.

Here in N. E. Georgia we still struggle. Leaf season is about over, no one is making any money. Tourists are heading home to lick their economic wounds.

Ok, I'm just saying. Enough bullshit. And anyone wanting to add a federal sales tax to goods, please say it isn't so. We who are not required to pay federal taxes because of low income (whether by choice or circumstance) do not want or need an extra 9% added to everything we buy from aspirin to apples to dish soap.

Just saying. Go trick or treating on Wall Street Today. Maybe they can hand out money.

With frost predicted, I harvested the remaining tomatoes from my garden. It has been very successful. Measuring only 15  x 12  feet, it's located in the only open area on the top of this mountain.

Pain is a very subjective thing. Pain thresholds vary, with some folks being sensitive to the littlest thing, and others refusing medication unless its truly serious. Pain is depressing and changes a person, long term.

Its occurred to me that when or if the SHTF, ibuprofen, Tylenol, and aspirin are going to be pretty good commodities to have in stock. Each over the counter pain relief has its warnings, too much Tylenol can wreck your liver very quickly. Too much ibuprofen can eat out your stomach. Too much aspirin can thin your blood making even a small cut bleed profusely.  I like to keep all three on hand, and alternate which one is used, taking as little as possible to minimize risk.

Of course, the old fashioned remedy of alcoholic beverages, which you could brew at home, would help too.
I'm thinking most trade will be done at the end of a gun barrel, so having your own stash neatly stored in a cool dry place will be important. Keeping a low profile will be important so I won't have to defend it.
I have a girlfriend whose father committed suicide when his pain became overwhelming. I can see that. If a person had no hope of feeling better, and the pain became the sum of their existence, suicide could be tempting.

In the meantime, building up my immune system with plenty of rest, reducing stress, lots of sunshine and good food is part of a long term survival plan.

One blog offered the question: what is the biggest threat to your survival? There were hundreds of answers, all well written and thought provoking. The one I remember most is "Old Age".  I like that.

I love this story so much I posted the link here about the wrangler in Montana who chases a griz who is dead set on a meal. A little boy and several tourists witnessed it. Dave Letterman does an outstanding job in the interview. The hero horse is shown on stage at the end.

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2011/oct/11/erin-bolster-and-tonk-late-show-david-letterman/

The new raincap, tomatoes still growing, and a beautiful shot of our driveway. Life is good.

Its such a beautiful time of year. One of my favorite past times is walking through the crunchy leaves watching the leaves fall gracefully from above.

Of course, if you were a kid, you'd try to catch them. I caught them on video.

The tomatoes still haven't suffered frost. Looks like they will not need covering this week either.

Getting to know my little stove here has been a journey. The cutest stove in the world, still I know my installation isn't the idea set up. I was able to configure it by myself, without any permanent changes to this studio. It works perfectly, most days.

We had some torrential rains, and the rain cap was switched out from the original one shown below. That turned out to be too scanty. I now have one from Ace hardware, your standard rain cap.




We live on top a mountain, surrounded by trees. On rare days, the down draft caused some challenging lessons. The smoke normally turns this corner without any problems. But, a down draft turned it into a nightmare.

Solution! Make a smokeless fire. This has been achieved by clearing the ashes from the grate. Place one small piece of cardboard on grate, a homemade fuel tablet and small dry twigs. Gradually warm the stove by adding more twigs until it naturally rises through the pipe. This has proved successful twice, and I believe my problem is solved.

I did a youtube video on how to make these fuel cubes with wood chips and old candle wax
http://youtube.com/user/brawny03

So far no frost on our mountain. Color is peak, and life is great!