Blog Posts - neoTerra

The Rational Prepper - Canning Food Update

10/6/2022

No pictures today. Just an update.

As I mentioned yesterday, I was disappointed that two (of eight) jars did not seal on my last canning attempt. I have now used the Canner five times and always had at least one jar that didn't seal.

Upon inspection, it seemed that the two jars that failed to seal were very full. The instructions say that there should be 1 inch of empty 'headroom' in the jar before you seal and place in the Canner.

This rule is annoying... a pint jar should hold 16 ounces which would be about 1 lb of meat. However, with an inch of headroom the jar only holds about 14 ounces... and I'm stuck with leftover product. Sometimes (often) I overfill the jars.... as an engineer I expect that a 16 ounce jar should hold 16 ounces.... dammit!

Anyway, Tuesday afternoon I went to Kroger and they had bulk Italian sausage on sale. I thought 'hmmm, I don't have to cut this up or weigh it, I can just pack it into the jar with the correct headspace and no liquid'. Honest, a little cartoon bubble appeared over my head with those exact words.

I had four empty jars left from the case of 12 so I did two jars of Italian sausage and two jars of ground beef (with a few sweet peppers thrown in). As expected I had about three ounces of sausage and three ounces of beef left over, but the jars had the proper headspace.

When I checked the jars this morning they were all properly sealed. YAY!

Of course, an experiment with just four jars doesn't prove much... but it is encouraging. From now on I will 'under-fill' the pint jars.

As an aside, regular canned-goods (beans, carrots, potatoes, etc) are in 14.5 ounce cans. I always thought that was just deceptive... but maybe a canned pint has always been about 14.5 ounces. This could be a long standing, and well concealed, deception by the Matriarchy... to short the men by 10% on every pint!!

In conclusion, what to do with six ounces of leftover pork and beef?? Maybe a mini meatloaf for tonight's dinner.... and a real, 16 ounce pint of beer.

Scarcity - Happy Eight Billion Day

10/5/2022

Just in case you weren't paying attention, the world population hit 8 BILLION last night. Happy Eight Billion Day!

What the Globalists don't want to tell you is that the populations of wealthy countries are stable or even decreasing, but the populations in the most uneducated, unskilled countries are exploding.

It is completely irrational that some countries (Canada, The Netherlands) are restricting the use of critical synthetic fertilizer while the population is growing by Hundreds Of Thousands per DAY. There will be a food crisis in 2023 and the Globalists will try to blame it on Climate Change or Russia.

Here's what the world looks like today. Click the pic to read the article at Visual Capitalist.

The Rational Prepper - Canning Food

10/4/2022

One of the best ways to fight inflation (or plan for zombies) is to learn how to can your own food

Pressure canning can be very time consuming and I'm lazy so I decided to buy a Presto Digital Pressure Canner. It's pretty smart and it won't blow-up your house if you happen to wander off to take care of other projects (or sit on the deck with a cold one).

I used my Presto a few times earlier in the year and then got distracted with summer projects. Yesterday I decided to put my training-wheels on and give it another go. Kroger had chuck roast on sale a couple of weeks ago so I bought a couple... about 7 lbs overall.

In my previous attempts I cooked the food and then canned it. That is double work... this time I decided to "raw-pack" the meat.... in other words it goes into the canner raw.

I partially froze the beef so I could cut it into thin slices. I decided that I would can half plain and I would marinate the other half in beef broth with Italian spices to see if it might come out like Italian Beef (YUM!).

The digital canner is pretty simple. There is a bit of babysitting for the first stages (warming the jars and venting once the jars have been filled). But once venting is done you can just walk away for several hours.

The Presto Canner will can and cool the jars, which takes 3 - 4 hours. Then you take the jars out and wait for at least 12 hours to check the seals.

I'm a bit disappointed. In my previous attempts, one or two jars (out of eight) would not be properly sealed. These 'renegades' go into the refrigerator because they have to be consumed within a few days.

Yesterday's attempt was no different. Two jars did not seal so I'll be eating beef stew this week.

I have followed the instructions. I wipe the tops of the jars with vinegar after filling to insure there is no grease or food that might compromise the seal. I put the lids on just finger tight. I'll just have to keep trying until I get it right.

The Great Reset - Europe Is So Screwed - Part 4

9/29/2022

Recap
I really did not plan to continue this topic beyond Part 3... but here we are.

In the previous three segments I talked about the expanding energy crisis in Europe, which continues to get worse, and the continuing drought.

Nord Stream Destroyed
The Euro energy crisis is now guaranteed to last until 2024 at the earliest... perhaps until 2026!

The Nord Stream pipelines were blown up in what seems to be an act of sabotage by unknown actors. It is known that both of the Nord Stream 1 pipes were destroyed. At least one, and possibly both, of the Nord Stream 2 pipes were damaged or destroyed.

Evidence for sabotage comes from the Swedish Seismic Network which recorded two large underwater explosions in the area where there is now a massive gas leak roiling in the Baltic. (Click the pic) The leak is so large that there is a churning bubble of methane 1/2 mile in diameter.

What Next?
There is no immediate effect on Europe since Russia had already shut off the flow of gas in retaliation to Euro-American sanctions. (Note, the pipes had to remain pressurized although no gas was being delivered).

However, the destruction of the pipelines means that there is no possibility of re-establishing the supply if Europe were to reach a reconciliation with Russia. Since Europe previously received about 40% of its NatGas supply from Russia, the coming winter will be bleak and many key industries (and jobs) will remain shut down indefinitely.

In an act of irony (or Karma) the Europeans are devastating their forests in a desperate attempt to stockpile firewood. They are quite literally destroying the Environment today because of their misguided policies to save the Climate of the future.

I have my theories on who is responsible.

The Rational Prepper - Victory Gardens

9/28/2022

There is a looming global food shortage created by bad (Green) energy policies and exacerbated by drought and the Ukraine War. I don't think people will be starving in America but we will be paying ever higher prices for food.

It's time to start a garden! (I know that many of you already do some gardening).

History
Of course rural folks have always had gardens. During WW2 the gov encouraged people everywhere to plant home or community gardens and they called them "Victory Gardens".

Back in the 1940's we were a patriotic nation united in a great battle of good vs evil. Today we are fighting fake catastrophes created by the elite Progressives at the WEF. (hmmm... perhaps it is still Good vs Evil... it is just that we are no longer united). The two following pictures illustrate Then Vs Now.

1940's

2022

Europe Is SO Screwed
Rationing was another aspect of the War era that may be coming back to America in 2023. Brandon has drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to buy votes in the midterms and the Administration has now exhausted every dishonest option at their disposal. Rationing of gasoline and diesel could happen in 2023.

Europe is totally screwed and the puppet-masters at the WEF will be calling on Brandon to bail Europe out at our expense.

People in Europe are already facing a "Heating vs Eating" crisis and I firmly believe Joe will bring that crisis home to America. Ironically, it currently looks like the northern 'blue' states will be punished the most... so perhaps there is a bit of Karma at work.

A neoTerra Victory Garden
I never considered gardening because neoTerra is so shaded by large trees (and I'm lazy).

However, to get Starlink working, I had to have several trees north of the house topped. (and I'll have to top more). There is now a partially sunny area north of the driveway. I also got about 2 face cords of firewood for 2023 and a BIG pile of mulch.

I'm thinking about putting in a small (20x16) garden, kind-of like this, before Spring. It will need to have an electrified fence to keep Bambi and Yogi out.

With the trees cleared, the next step is to bring in a couple truckloads of topsoil so I can level the area. Then, I can install the fence so it will be ready for Spring.

Sustaining Liberty - Plural Marriage

9/27/2022

I'm not sure if this should be a topic of Sustaining Liberty or Clown World... but here it is. I will attempt to put a humorous twist on a sad development.

Folks, I honestly don't have a position on polygamy or poly-amorous relationships. I'm not saintly or such... I just don't think I could make the effort to give happiness to two (or more) women when it is so much easier to accept continuous disappointment from one. LOL

Hmmm, on the other hand... maybe multiple females would keep each other in line and leave me alone! Maybe the Lion King is a genius.. But he looks tired... maybe from hunting all day to feed his women... Ha, Ha, They feed him. I may have a theory on why he's tired. LOL

OK, getting serious for a moment, this is a story of Progressive hypocrisy.

The Past
The Church of Latter Day Saints (aka The Mormons, aka LDS). Allowed polygamy as an aspect of their religion. This irritated Easterners for some reason and in 1862 the US Congress passed the Morrill Act, which prohibited plural marriage. The law was never enforced due to the Reconstruction and the impracticality of attempting to control people so far away.

Polygamy remained (legally) a 3rd degree felony in Utah until 2020 when it was reduced to a misdemeanor.

The Present
OK.. with the historical context in place please enjoy the woke, Progressive twist.

A judge in New York has just ruled that polyamorous relationships - in this particular court case a 3-person unit living together in an apartment - are entitled to the same legal protection as opposite-sex or same-sex 2-person marriages.

In other words, there can now be legal marriages of three or more persons... and it may be any combination of the 87 possible genders. The Court, mocking conservatives, says

"American conservatism has long mourned the proliferation of single parents, but, if two parents are better than one, why are three parents worse?"

Solid legal logic... wouldn't you say??... I disagree.

I will answer the snarky comment from the dishonorable Judge... three (or more) parents are indeed worse if the State cannot determine biological lineage of children. When the four or five (or more) parents of vague gender adopt and transition a couple of kids... who gets the kids when the relationship implodes? If none of them are the biological parents how do the courts untangle the Gordian Knot?

A 'family' is not about your sexual amusement... a family is about the next generation.

Hypocrisy
Again, I make no moral judgement, but the elite dishonesty is sickening. The Mormons have been demonized for 150 years for practicing polygamy (in a strict religious setting, btw). And now those same Progressive elites want to legitimize and normalize their urban promiscuous freak shows.

Perhaps I'm over-reacting but the pic on the left does not make me think of the pic on the right.

Conclusion
In closing, American (mostly urban) society is in decline and granting legal status to orgies and promiscuity is just another step toward disintegration.

I honestly don't know if I should be irritated or if I should just make some popcorn and wait for the legal shitshows to begin on reality TV. Here are my predictions for Sitcoms/Dramas of the (very near) future. (I iz a prophet, after all... it's a small world, after all)

Father Knows Best -> Fathers Know Best (Starring Pete and Chastain)
Leave It To Beaver -> Too Much Beaver (Self explanatory. BIG Beaver, Hilarious)
With Six You Get Eggroll -> With Six You Get Gonorrhea (A fight for medical equality)
Little House on The Prairie -> Little Commune In The CHAZ (Growing grubs in boxes. Heroic)
Paladin -> Have Vibrator, Will Travel (Might be too edgy... nah go with it)
Cinderella -> Darn it Disney already made a woke version.. can't get ahead
My Three Sons -> Sorry guys... I'm not even gonna touch this one...

As a pop-quiz, and a future prestigious career opportunity, if you can figure out the chart below (and lots of additional charts with more 'partners') then you WILL be a candidate for the Supreme Court in 2030.

You will NOT need a Law Degree to qualify for the Supreme Court (in the future)... The new neoTerra University of Equity Studies will be offering an advanced degree in Moral Superiority and Justification Best of all, the Gov will pay for it!! Enroll Now!! Classes for the Fall Semester are filling up fast!!

(Click the pic... but don't get sick).

Sustaining Liberty - Italy Rising

9/27/2022

As you may already know, conservative Giorgia Meloni swept the Italian elections and has become Italy's new Prime Minister.

She was overwhelming elected by the people of Italy in spite of serious threats from European Union (EU) President Ursula Von der Leyen. "We will see the result of the vote in Italy. If things go in a difficult direction, we have tools, as in the case of Poland and Hungary."

As a bit of background, Meloni is a staunch conservative running on a platform of Family - Country - Freedom. She is a powerful speaker. The Progressive media is already characterizing her as worse than Mussolini!

Watch the following vid and judge for yourself (click the pic). I wish she could run here in the US!

Her quote from Chesterton at the end of this short speech is brilliant. I had never heard of Chesterton (shame on our education system and shame on me). He wrote this more than 100 years ago... and we find ourselves here today.

'Fires will be kindled to testify that two and two make four.' Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer.'"

There is hope for Italy!

Let us hope that Americans will vote for Family-Country-Freedom in November.

Clown World

9/26/2022

No Problemo At The Border
When a reporter recently asked dishonest, hypocrite Kamala about border security, here was her response:
"The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, in particular, over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed,"

But, the FACTS don't lie. We are seeing record numbers of illegal migrants, approaching a TWO MILLION annual total. (Click the pic)

Wow, she does not believe there is an invasion taking place at our southern border. When roughly 150,000 Russians entered Ukraine she called that an invasion... but over 3 MILLION 'refugees' crossing our border is a broken immigration system because of Trump!

Here is the real story, right from Border patrol. Kind looks like things got really bad when Joe took office. (Click the pic for details)

Sanctuary Kamala
Since Kamala claims the border is secure and won't actually go to the border to see the crisis in person, Gov Abbott sent about 100 illegals to Kamala's home in DC. Yeah, I know it's a PR stunt... but it makes me laugh.

The comments from Progressive idiots are priceless... (click the pic). Here are a couple of my favorites:

The state [Texas] gets federal money for asylum seekers. That needs to stop. No more welfare for Red States.
That’s the dumbest supposition that she “won’t go” to the border. You don’t get to set her schedule. She’ll go when it’s determined that it’s timely, and the right thing to do. Do you think that’s the only thing on her plate?
The only ones applauding this are MAGA- don’t know if they can be called people any more though. They seem to have an evil penchant for sadistic cruelty.

Runway or Run Away?
While we're on the subject of Kamala Harris.... I have proof that we are approaching The End Of Days. Ella Emhoff, Kamala's step-daughter, is now a Runway Model and Fashonista.

OMG, This is so bad!

Sanctuary Cities
The month isn't over yet but I am giving the coveted Hypocrite Of The Month award to The Democrat Party... with extra special credit to Martha's Vineyard.

Governor DeSantis flew 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard to highlight the hypocrisy of wealthy Democrats. The residents put on a great show... for one night, and then brought in a force of 150 National Guard members to remove the 50 migrants from the island. They have been taken to a military base for 'their safety'.

Happy Equinox!!

9/23/2022

Hello Everyone, and welcome to the official arrival of Fall!

The Fall (or Autumnal) Equinox occurred at 9:04 PM Eastern yesterday (Astronomers are SO precise). The Spring (or Vernal) Equinox will occur and March 20th, 2023 and is the official arrival of Spring and rebirth.

On an Equinox day and night are both 12 hours long everywhere on Terra. (click the pic for more)

Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere will now experience a Little Ice Age that we often refer to as Winter. But never fear, next Spring we will return to the heat and maybe even boiling Oceans in a period we quaintly call Summer.

YAY! Climate Change!!

The Rational Prepper - Basmati Rice

9/20/2022

Introduction
A Rational Prepper thinks about how likely an undesirable 'situation' might be and what costs or actions can be taken to eliminate or reduce the impact.

The 'situations' that are the most likely in the next 12-24 months are:

Continued inflation/shortages of energy and food.
Recession and loss of income or loss of savings
Escalating violent crime in urban America.

It's easy to just avoid Urban America... just move away... don't put yourself at risk.

As a Rational Prepper I'm thinking about how to reduce/mitigate the impact of food inflation as we try to sustain our lifestyle. Mostly, this just involves stocking up when items are on sale.

Royal Basmati Rice
Today, I give you a small, somewhat silly example to show the difference between sustaining and surviving.

Years ago, my very good friend and Chef Extraordinaire, Mr. Lanza Romanza, introduced me to Royal Basmati Rice. It is grown in the Himalayan foothills of India and it changed my mind about rice. I have been cooking with Royal Basmati ever since.

Several weeks ago I read that India will be hoarding rice for their own people so I went to Walmart and bought an extra 20 lb bag of Royal Basmati. ($18 for 20 lbs... YAY).

As an aside, I always buy rice in 20 lb bags to save $$. We eat rice once or twice a week, so 20 lbs lasts 6-8 months. I expect supplies will get worse next year so I'd like to have enough to get by. If it's properly stored, rice will last for several years and it won't go to waste.

Sustaining vs Surviving
Again, this is a silly example. If we can't get Royal Basmati, we could survive on Uncle Ben's (sorry, he is not an Uncle anymore) boil-n-bag rice. But I prefer Royal Basmati and I want to sustain my preferences.

Storing rice in 20 lb bags is inconvenient and the rice might deteriorate if its exposed to humidity or icky bugs. Fortunately, storing any dried staple is SO EASY.

First, I save the Atlas/Mason jars from Classico spaghetti sauce. Of course I could just buy new jars at Walmart or Kroger... but I'm frugal.

Note: You shouldn't use the Classico jars for pressure canning but they are excellent for storing dry goods (like rice or beans).

Make sure the jars are clean and dry. The Classico jars hold 20 ounces so you will need 18 jars. Fill all the jars with rice.

I already have a six month supply of rice so these jars will sit in the pantry for several months. To insure freshness I will put an Oxygen Absorber in each jar before I seal it.

Once you open the packet of Oxygen Absorbers you need to move quickly, so have your lids lined up and ready to go. 100 cc absorbers are sufficient for preserving a jar. (Click the pic for a link to Amazon).

Drop one absorber in each jar, screw the lid on tight, and you are DONE!

Note: when the absorber has consumed all the oxygen in the jar it will create a vacuum seal. The rice will stay fresh indefinitely.