Heart of a Patriot

I love Texas. There is something extraordinary about our state. It may be our geography, our historic struggles for independence, our ancient heroes, our way of thinking, these all speak to a different creed of people. This creed is not defined by our race, religion, politics, or education. This creed is illustrated in our passions, our faith, our vision of the future, our interaction with our families and our neighbors. The collective mindset of Texans has historically been displayed at Goliad, San Jacinto, and Washington on the Brazos. More recently it has been displayed at our world class hospitals, our leadership in the nations manned space flights, our energy producing abilities, our willingness to tackle difficulties on our own, without the permission of or with subsidies from the federal government. Immigrants to our state are often surprised at the difference.

Our love of freedom and liberty has caused many to give their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the good of this nation and our state. We have a history of taking what resources we have and preparing for the worst, and prevailing against what seems to be insurmountable odds. From the Alamo to the great Galveston hurricane, from the Texas City Van Camp explosion to the Challenger disaster we have examples of Texans prepping and responding to disasters.

Our day is no different, many Texans today look at the global and federal horizon see stormy weather ahead and are making preparations. Our world is filled with conflict and perplexing questions. The manipulation of our economy has created an environment that breeds uncertainty and fear. Politics are disgusting, shallow, and impotent. Right and wrong have been forgotten. Good is called evil and evil is called good. Seemingly our nation is permanently divided. We have no assurance that the leaders of our nation, businesses, unions, educational institutions, churches, will do what is right. Selfishness, greed, immorality, hatred, and have created a society that is unsustainable. As Abraham Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Often the public is ignored by the indifference and hubris of our leaders who believe they know better than the unwashed masses. We have failed to be a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

I know I am not alone! You see it too, don't you? Trouble is on the horizon and our families, churches, businesses, institutions, and constitutional government are in the crosshairs. It seems these sorts of times try the souls of every generation. This is our challenge. How we respond will define who and what we are, and determine the future of our children and grandchildren. Our preparation must be carefully planned but not limited to the physical needs of our bodies. Our preps must also include a understanding of what will arise from the ashes of national collapse. We must begin the strengthening and stabilization of our hearts and souls by educating ourselves to what our preparations will accomplish. I do not want to simply survive so that I or my family will be slaves of an all powerful state. I was born free, I will live free, or I will die free.

So from the spirit of historic Texans we should take a lesson in preparation. Probably the first great lesson of preparation in Texas was taken by the brave men and women who would not abandon the Alamo. They faced great opposition, ridicule, isolation, deprivation, and lack of supplies, inadequate medical care, and the likelihood of death. However bleak their situation was, there was a cause. Liberty and freedom were more important than their safety.

So at a Catholic mission in the wilderness of central Texas they made their preparations. Lines of communication were established, food and water were stockpiled, bandages and medicines were created, guns, cannons, and knives were ensured to be in working condition, the battle field and walls were prepared, the gates were strengthened, and the shaken hearts of all were stabilized. Their preparations and fortifications would give settlers in the east time to escape Santa Anna's army. The longer they could occupy that stone and adobe church the more time the forces of the Republic of Texas could regroup to fight another day.

Today like the patriots of the Alamo we are making preparations. I truly hope that our preparations do not lead to conflict. However those preparations will change you. They will lead you to live a different life than your care free, materialistic neighbors. In our response to the approaching storm of our generation we consider every means of survival.

• Food (gardens, canning, storage)
• Water (an independent source)
• Security (that protects you and your family)
• Currency that will maintain value
• A community of like minded preppers
• Medical needs
• Energy and fuels (off grid, solar, wind, and thermal)

The greatest preparation in the coming crisis is not physical, although that preparation is important. The greatest preparation occurs in your mind, purposes, and goals. The heart of the prepper should be the same as the heart of the patriots of the Alamo. It’s that attitude that made Texans great in the past and will make Texans extraordinary in the future.

In the months to come, I will offer some simple suggestions that may aid you in your preparations.

CK in Southeast Texas

Veterans Day

Thank you to all veterans.

We at TPN hope all of you have a blessed day.

Pickdog
III

New Member - CK in Southeast Texas

I’d like everyone to give a big Texas welcome to CK from the Southeast Texas area as a new member of the Texas Preppers Network. CK has decided to become a member of TPN. He will also be contributing ideas about beginning preps and other great ideas as well.

You can contact CK in Southeast Texas at: clklock@gmail.com

His e-mail is located in the side bar for future reference.

CK looks forward to sharing ideas and information with everyone.

Welcome to the Texas Preppers Network!

Be aware. Be informed. Be prepared.

Riverwalker

Membership in the TPN

It’s been a while since I talked about membership in The Texas Preppers Network. I talked to Mayberry the other night for quite a while and this is just one of the topics we covered. We are always looking for new persons to join the network and help others in our great state become more aware, more informed about relevant issues and better prepared to deal with adverse conditions, emergencies or a crisis.

So how do you become a member?

First, you don’t need to be a blogger. All you need to be is a Texan concerned with preparedness issues that are of interest or relevant to the unique conditions Texans face everyday.

Second, you will need a non-personal e-mail address that can be posted so that other members can contact you about information on happenings in your area of the state. Texas is a big place and much too large for any one person to stay effectively informed about any disasters or emergencies that may occur. We rely on local people to supply relevant information and insight on things that are happening in their area. A non-personal e-mail will also allow you to set up some serious spam controls. It is unfortunate that there are a lot of “e-mail farmers” that collect e-mail addresses posted on the internet, so get ready to get a little spam. Personally, I get a LOT!

Third, send your thoughts on being better prepared or information on ideas that you think may help others be better prepared. You can e-mail Mayberry or myself and we will see to it that your information is posted on TPN. If you are a blogger, you may also be given posting privileges once you are a listed member.

Fourth, your level of participation is decided by you. Serious bloggers know how time consuming it can be to maintain a site. This is being done for you and all we ask is that you submit your thoughts and ideas whenever possible. I don’t post a lot of information directly on TPN because it is meant as a place to share ideas that are specific to preparedness issues in the great Sate of Texas. My personal blog, Stealth Survival, is more of a general nature where survival and preparedness topics are concerned. You also don’t have to be a Hemingway to write something relevant. It may be a great link to a website that you know about, it could be something involving your own experience in preparedness or an update on severe weather conditions that may be affecting your area and is of interest to others in the same area. The smallest of things can have a big impact on being prepared.

Just as a computer network allows individual computers to be connected so that everyone can access needed information, so too is the purpose of the TPN. It is to allow individuals to connect with each other to have access to more and better information.

Be aware. Be informed. Be prepared.

Riverwalker

Special Note:

MH and CK in Texas: I will be contacting you shortly or you can email me directly.

RW

Fort Hood Shootings

We at Texas Prepper's Network offer our condolences and pray for the families and victims of this horrible event. And to the suspect, if guilty, may you rot in hell.

All Texas Flags are to be flown at half-mast until at least Sunday by order of Governor Perry.

Pickdog
III

Raising Horses - Haltering the Foal

First off, let me say, I DO NOT advocate leaving a halter on any foal or horse while unattended. Too many times a foal or Horse has become injured, maimed and killed simply because their halter got tangled up with something. If you can’t catch your horse or it won’t come to you, then it’s a behavior problem that needs re-schooling.

The mare and foal should be in the corral, small paddock or large stall area you have been sequestering them in since birthing. Depending on the attitude of the mare, you can leave her loose or you may have to tie her up to keep her from interfering. A foal’s attitude is derived from the mare. How a mare reacts to things will transfer to the foal as it sees that this is the proper course of action. Irregardless of how you treat the mare, remember to be extra cautious and keep an eye on the mare. She can and will hurt you if she thinks you’re hurting the foal. DO NOT SEPARATE THE MARE AND FOAL.

To begin haltering a young foal, ensure you have a proper fitting halter. I like the kind that has adjustable the nose piece as well as the adjustable side or cheek pieces and crown piece. This type of halter allows further adjustment as the foal grows. You may have to adjust the halter to its smallest configuration in the beginning. It should fit as snugly as possible without being very tight. Some small amount of play is allowable, a too-large halter will allow the foal to slip it off or become entangled in it.

During the first week, you’ve made friends with the foal and are able to handle it all over its body. The foal has come to recognize you (and people generally) as non-aggressive and friendly. This allows you to get close to the foal and if you have a “helper” available, you can trap the foal with your arms without creating a panic. Once the foal is “trapped”, either you or your helper can slip the halter over the foal’s nose and close the crown piece. At this point, just stand back and allow the foal to explore the sensations of wearing the halter. At first, the foal will be confused and maybe a little frightened. It will shake its head, trying to dislodge the halter and maybe even bound around a bit. As the foal realizes the halter isn’t hurting it and is just an inanimate “thing” on its head, the foal may become angry at the halter. You’ll see an attitude change and at this point, the foal may try to scrape the halter off with a hind foot. Carefully watch to ensure the foal doesn’t catch a foot in the halter. This can lead to calamity.

Remember, the calmer and self assured you are, the calmer the foal will be. Allow the foal to wear the halter for about 15 minutes the first time, and then remove it. Allow the foal some time with the mare (about an hour or so), it will think about the experience and realize that nothing bad happened. Then repeat the haltering lesson. For the next several days, repeat the halter lesson in as quiet and calm a manner as possible. Repetition is the key, the more times you do it and let the foal discover that it’s a harmless lesson, the calmer and more accepting the foal will be. Eventually, you will be able to just walk up to the foal and place the halter on it.

YeOldFurt