Saturday, March 16, 2019

Magazine Review: Modern Farmer - old print version.

At first glance the magazine "Modern Farmer" was very well printed, written and laid out.  While there are some interesting bits, this one is mainly geared towards the urban homestead "dreamer".  The issue that I reviewed was a bit older (took me a while to read it as it didn't grab me immediately).  This periodical is not relegated to a website only so you won't see it on news stands.  Below is my take on why it declined.

The good:

Layout.  You can tell that a very professional magazine staff was illustrating and putting things together.

Quality: Most photo's in the magazine were pro-quality photographs with very few exceptions.  The paper the magazine was printed on was excellent.  A+

Articles: One how to article by Shepherd Ogden on saving tomato seed was very well written and thorough.  Another by Thomas Christopher on raising ducks was informative.

The bad:

Equipment reviews: Most of the reviewed items I found were the "high end" chic.  For instance a wheel hoe/cultivator highly reviewed by the magazine runs about $100 more than similar more practical one from a reputable homesteading store.  Easydigging.com vs ASC.  Actual homesteaders are generally much more practical than chic.

They also demonstrated in their "blueprint" section a three bin composer from pallets that any middle school child could engineer and likely build without the aid of instructions.

Articles such as a hippie priest of agriculture and travelling to India for some reason abound.  Triple meh. 

Their re-bound website is well meh too.  See for yourself, but I'm not leaving them a link.  

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Quote of the day:

Chinese proverb - It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.  

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Backwoodsman Magazine

This has been one of my favorite magazines for years.  It is focused on historical frontier skills as well as modern bush craft.  It's one of the only mom and pop magazines that I'm aware that still exists.  https://www.backwoodsmanmag.com/

Cumberland Island Hog Hunts

I spoke to someone who goes to Cumberland Island to hunt deer and wild hogs.  Apparently this is a very fun way to hunt on a national park area.  The hunts are to preserve the area and there is apparently a significant hog problem in the park.

I am planning to attempt a hunt in the next couple of years.  I solicit anyone with experience with this hunt to provide any insight they have!

https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/managed-hunts.htm

National Center for Home Food Preservation Website

This website is a national resource for advice and methods on canning your food at home safely.  It is taxpayer funded thru Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (CSREES-USDA).

https://nchfp.uga.edu/

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Amazing website for Harbor Freight Coupons

Harbor Freight has different coupons for different areas.  In my observation and belief they put better coupons out where their stores are new or maybe when they are struggling for some reason in an area.  Part of their business model is definitely some type of coupon manipulation to get foot traffic.  This website is centered around listing coupons from as many areas as possible.  Basically, every coupon you have ever seen from them is going on somewhere, but you just don't have it.  Now you do.  They pretty much list every valid coupon from HF and give you and image of it to use.

Check it out:

Harbor Freight Tools Discount Database 

Helen, GA

This is somewhere that I really want to check out.  Specifically there is an Airstream Park nearby called Top of Georgia.  It's near the Bavarian Alp themed town of Helen, GA.  Anyone ever heard of it?

Only in Your State - Helen, GA

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Saint edge pistol

This is a very interesting new AR pistol from Springfield.  Anyone have one?  This is now on my "When I get some $$"

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Airstream Gaskets

This is absolutely the most thorough site I've found for the rubber gaskets you need to fix the windows and doors on an Airstream.  They even have a section with drawings on how to disassemble the double pained windows.  https://www.vintagetrailergaskets.com/  Note: I'm not paid anything by them.  Just want others to be able to find this great resource.