This is kinda wordy so bear with me…

Had to take a Sabbatical to bounce back from life’s curves.

The last message I put on here about a year ago ended up in an OPSEC nightmare so I’ll relate some of the details for your edification.  A person I took on at my off-grid location asked if a relative could help out and after some discussion, I agreed.  I split my time between the BOL and regular accommodations elsewhere, so it sounded like a great idea.  I counseled this young man after finding out about his past problems.  He seemed to be onboard.  He learned to run farm equipment, basic firearms use, among other things.  All seemed well until I got a call about being stranded on a back road in one of my vehicles he had no permission to use.  By the time I got there, he had been medevac’d after a shootout with law enforcement, where a trooper had been injured.  He had been shot several times and lost an eye.  He was lucky depending on how you look at it.  To top it off, not only did I lose a vehicle in a hail of small arms fire, but he used a pistol I left in his care. How things can go South in a heartbeat.  Thankfully, God is merciful and I was exonerated after an interview with the lead investigator onsite without so much as a written statement.  As you can imagine as I rolled up wondering what had happened and identified myself as the owner of that vehicle and inquired about my “friend” the driver, it was a somewhat hostile situation.  Take from this what you will.  No matter what you do, you can’t always tell the character of people.  For that matter, especially in a high stress situation where common sense and any cognitive ability goes right out the window.  Taking on help has its caveats, so in large part, it’s a numbers game to find the people who’ll stick and share common goals.  With all the potential for upset during peacetime, I have no desire to see the conduct of people when the SHTF.  It’s a roll of the dice, even with family.  All you can do is all you can do.

That said, I need to continue making progress, not only in outward physical improvement onsite, but personally.  Joined a thousand yard range and bought a rifle and putting together a weapon system to take advantage of that distance. I look forward to it. The weather has been great and putting in seat time on the bike.  Getting back on a motorcycle is a joy I had long forgotten.  Got my DOD ID and look forward to a spontaneous military hop to who knows where.  On top of that and even on death’s door several times, I am back in the saddle, lifting weights, getting on the treadmill and bicycling several times a week.  We perish for lack of knowledge.  In this current culture and lifestyle, it will spell our doom if we go along without great scrutiny.  I haven’t felt this good in a long time, with medical prognosticators giving me little time left.  Glad to prove them wrong.  So, if you are suffering a medical condition, it can be overcome in large part no matter what people say.  Many people including myself have come back against insurmountable odds.  It can be done.  So if you are so inclined, we can talk about that and I can share my methodology. We’re in this for the long haul.

So, back on track.  I have a nice small off-grid homestead that needs the cobwebs cleaned out and brought back to par and operational.  If you are interested in learning about alternative energy, homesteading, husbandry, etc., give me a shout. Especially any particular interests you have and would like to implement.  This sheepdog is still learning, so teach me if you can.

I do plan on getting grid power  to make certain modern amenities available.  I’ve been off-grid several times and for enough years to know what it takes.  I like having certain conveniences to make life easier, like at my other place.  I can tell you this, I’ve been through the learning curve and it wasn’t easy.  Too many people have put up stuff and have not tested nor proven those things in the false Idea, it’ll be there and work when it’s needed.  Bad idea.  SHTF is not the time to have meetings about how to work and do stuff.  Just my .02

I did close up the outside of a small house/cabin and the inside is yet to be finished.  It’s sort of a template of an easy to erect living accommodation for future expansion.  So far, that’s been pretty painless.  I have another solar system that would be installed on that structure, a couple  200+ watt panels, several 200AH AGM batteries.  Switching from lead acid to AGMs to eliminate the need for distilled water and other maintenance.  More expensive but better.  Got a big pretty mule.  16 hands 2. Big and stubborn.  Imagine a thousand pound pitbull. She watches the place. Tractor, backhoe, shipping containers, outbuildings, and plenty of work.  Cleared in the front, mostly wooded in the back.  It’s pretty land and needs people, otherwise, why the heck am I doing this, lol.

I am in South Central Missouri, Ozarks proper.  If you like good coffee and like good stories, I have tons to tell.  Give me a shout.  [email protected]  Let’s see what we can get done.

Take care and good luck,

Steve.