I recently attended a local preparedness expo. 
There were the expected solar generators, dehydrated food storage, and water storage businesses represented there and it was rather ho-hum until we saw a neat bucket-sized stove.
The guy who created this stove did it for people in developing countries who need safe, fuel efficient ways to cook food. This little stove gets maximum cook time from minimal fuel. It burns any solid biomass, eliminating the need for wasteful charcoal. It’s a great addition to earthquake/disaster preparedness arrangements. Yes, we bought one. I think Mr. Hot Stuff is looking forward to breaking it in when he returns from Big Red.
I also found out about this other organization called Project Appleseed. I am SO EXCITED! Project Appleseed is run by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association and teaches Revolutionary War history along with a rifle marksmanship course.
In order for us to do this, we had to buy another Ruger 10-22. That was an interesting (code for long) experience. I will never complain about the long wait at the DMV again. Good Grief. Also, I don’t think Walmart is the best place to go for guns. 80% of the slowness was a result of their own procedures and lack of knowledge (the manager who really knew the ropes was on vacation for a week). If I buy another gun, I’m going to a gun shop, thankyouverymuch.
Now I’m just hoping that the cold I’ve got is all gone by the weekend of the new adventure and that the weather is nice. They move forward rain or shine, but I’d really prefer shine. 🙂 I’ll let you know how it goes.
So now that I’ve triggered all the website censors in China, and probably been flagged by the Feds in the U.S., I think I’ll go have lunch!
winner-winner, chicken dinner 🙂
(Isn’t that a great tag-line for a vegetarian? LOL)
Weathering The Journey 
Hi. Call me Brewskie. I noticed a few of your comments on wtdevflnt’s blog, and decided to check out your site – which I like and will defiantly bookmark.
I’ve had an interest in China for quite some time that emerged as China’s growing prominence entered the scene; I felt I should assimilate what I can of the country’s culture, her (intriguing) history.
Currently, much of my research of China surrounds her new infrastructure – particularly the quality behind some of it. One of the biggest complaints I hear from Westerners living or doing business in China – whether they love/hate China – is the build quality of a fair portion of her new infrastructure, how (stunningly) it quickly deteriorates.
And that is a concern of mine as well, as I’ve felt from the start, the new infrastructure China’s building now will impact her long-term future. As Winston Churchill said, “First we shape the buildings, then the buildings shape us.”
Anyway, I’ll be sure to check in on your blog, keep up the good work.
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Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like it.
It’s a concern I share. The lives of those people are at risk in so many ways on a daily basis, to have buildings, plumbing, and transportation systems that deteriorate so rapidly is going to be very limiting to their ability to compete globally. It’s worrisome to think of the number of lives lost due to failures to build things properly to begin with. All that glitters is, indeed, not gold.
See you around. 🙂
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