Cool Whispers

The weather has finally turned towards heaven with cool breezes and bright sunshine. When I arrived at the shop my old mercury gauge read fifty-nine degrees. We Florida residents think of this as a cold snap.

Rev. Paul would be wearing swim-trunks and a sweat rag, and my lovely friend, kymber, up in the far frozen reaches of Canada, well, she'd skinny dip in fifty-nine degree water. On the other hand, Sweet Wife wore a sweater to work.

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I'd like to remind you, my dear followers, that my best friend (I have at least thirty best friends) Senior Chief, now writes a blog. He's a really nice guy. Remember, though, we military guys tend to cuss, on occasion. Just wanted to let you know he can be colorful in his word selection. More importantly he can teach you a thing or two about food preps....his logistics system and methods are worth close study.

Please, drop by for a visit.

For those of you new to my blog it's a well kept secret that I am a founder of a group of like minded individuals (we hold the same world view) sworn to help each the other in times of emergencies - man-made or natural. Membership requirements are simple - members must have military experience, veterans, or currently on active military duty. Any branch will suffice. Another group member is my very close friend, Duke. Of course wives are also considered members, case in point, the lovely and talented, Glock Mom. The poor girl is married to Senior Chief.

We have (the Group) a sub-membership category. Auxiliary membership is simple; any member with a vote (there are only six) has the right to reach out and tap a worthy individual for auxiliary membership if the voting member feels the person will bring a talent or skill valuable to our group.

One such auxiliary member is my good friend, MDR, better known as The Modern Day Redneck. He lives way out yonder in Texas....
Sad to say I've been remiss in my friendship. Life you know. But none the less, when the cow patties hit the fan our arms will be opened wide.

Excuse me, lost my train of thought....he moves to jerk a cup of coffee.

My point - they're great people, each and every one of them and I'm proud to have them as friends.

Sometimes we forget.

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 I've made many wonderful friends through the magic of this blog. My blog would have never made it off the ground without the very valuable assistance and kindness of my lovely and sweet and talented friend, Patrice Lewis, of Rural Revolution fame. Patrice, and her nice husband Don gave me much encouragement and help in the early days as I made attempts to find my voice. I owe them much. I'll always think of Don as a brother.

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It was the cool whispers of my sweet friends, Brigid and Tam, that boosted my readership and kept my nose to the grind stone.

I still remember when Tam wrote and left a note of encouragement after I made some comment about 'not sure if people will read this drivel.' She said, 'If you write they will come.'  Indeed. Thanks, Tam.

 And, Brigid, I still have the photo....it makes me smile. You're a sweetheart. Thank you so very much for your kindness and help.

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As you can tell I'm rambling....business is slow this morning and I'm in the mood to say 'thanks.' I truly wish I had the time to leave a link to each of you that have been kind enough to leave comments on this little blog. A blog I've written solely for selfish reasons as a chronicle to my grandchild, Little Bit. But, the effort of such would fill a good weeks worth of time.

I must leave one big thank you to my friend, James Wesley, Rawles. Trust me, if you ever write a piece on your blog and it catches the attention of Mr. Rawles, get ready, you'll be in for an evening of fun and hard work. I promised readers if they left any comment on my blog I'd always reply. Early on one of my simple pieces was linked at SurvivalBlog. I sat that evening and wrote 'thank yous' until two the next morning. It's a humbling experience. Thank you, James.

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 And, to my Little Bit.

You are the reason.

Stephen

  

Founders

So very busy today....which is wonderful. My copy of 'Founders' arrived. This is the third installment of James Wesley, Rawles novels in the Survivor series. Since its arrival, in those moments between work, I've read bits and pieces. So far - very good.

Give it a try.

Now - I'd like to thank each of you for the nice support and kind comments I've received since yesterday when I posted my thoughts on the problem I've experienced with my zombie medication. You've touched me deeply. God bless each of you.

Stephen

Rawles, James W.

To be published this September:

To explain: "Founders" is the second sequel to "Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse". It is set contemporaneously to the first two novels, but in different geography, with some crossover characters. This novel details the epic cross-country trek of Ken and Terry Layton that was just briefly described in "Patriots". There are also storylines at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and in the vicinity of Fort Knox, Kentucky.

A link to Survivalblog is located at the upper right of my blog page.

Stephen

Pioneers in Blogging

As many of you know I'm very new to the world of blogging. Standing Outside, Looking In is less than three months old. I'm so very raw at this, my soul bleeds.

A few years ago my friend Arsenius the Hermit sent an email and suggested I write a blog. I laughed. He's a fine man, and wise beyond his years, a whipper snapper with a keen intelligence. I can say this about him because he is a personal friend and I'm about a year older. He was and is my inspiration. He lives a life I envy, on his own terms, independent with his library of books, a good pipe and a cup of coffee. I admire the hell out of him.  But, there are others that have lead the way, plowed the ground so to speak, for my blog.

Tamara, sweet gun-toting, bike riding, expert of all things Smith & Wesson, Tam. Queen of the snark. I love her....(please, don't tell my Sweet Wife) because Tam makes me laugh, and think.  If I had a daughter I'd want her to be just like Tamara, wordsmith extraordinaire. To describe Tam as intelligent would be like saying the sun is hot...how does one measure such a wit. She too paved the way and I owe her thanks beyond measure.

Then we have Brigid....now Brigid doesn't know me from a pile of beans. Yet, I've followed her beautiful prose for many years. Like Arsenius and Tamara she is one of the intelligentsia. Again, with the independent spirit (notice any similarities here) and a very versatile lady. She's a private pilot, a scientist, and best of all, she shoots. Her photography is beyond excellent. This beautiful redhaired lady is talent, grace, and beauty personified.

Now to Patrice and Don, of Rural Revolution. Patrice posted a snippet of the first article I wrote for this blog. The article was written in anger when I noticed a very young girl forgotten by her parents across the street from my shop.  Patrice and Don linked this bit of anger, and turned me into a reluctant guardian angel...to my complete surprise. I have a thing about children; you hurt them in front of me and I shall hurt you - I will open a can of whoop-ass on your soul. Sweet Wife tells me it isn't my war. Sorry.
When Patrice and Don posted my article, they gave me a boost that would have taken me years to achieve if left on my own. I'll never be able to repay them. Don is a man I admire; he has talent beyond measure, and is the kind of man my dear departed mother referred to as salt of the earth. He's also a fine craftsman; his handmade wooden tankards are works of art.
Patrice recently published her first book. I ordered a copy and Sweet Wife stole it. If you haven't read it, please do, the lady soothes the soul with her words. Her book, The Simplicity Primer, is listed on my sidebar.

Then there is James Wesley, Rawles of Survivalblog fame. Another blog I've read for years. James wrote the book, both in the form of a blog which set the standard of instruction to millions but also the novel, 'Patriots.' I owe him too. He's mentioned this blog twice at Survivalblog. I spent hours writing replies to all the comments afterwards, with a smile on my face. He and I have much in common - we both did the same job in the military. I understand him. He's a good man. What else can I say, he rules.

Before I begin receiving emails or text or comments, let it be known I'm writing this out of pure gratitude. I have asked nothing in return. It's nothing more than a heart felt thank you to each. These fine men and women have lead the way for many of us. They have all made me smile, laugh, and most importantly, think. Many of you, I'm sure, have read their works, and if you are half as smart as I know many of you are, they have influenced your efforts too.  

I lack the talent, at the moment, to hot link names, words, or even the odd squirrel, if so, you'd see little blue spots above. So, I will post links beneath. Do yourself a favor, if you've been living on the far side of some long forgotten blue moon, and you haven't as yet read these wonderful blogs, please do.

Patrice and Don - http://www.rural-revolution.com/

Brigid - http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.com/, gotta love any blog with both Mauser and muffin in the title.

Sweet Tamara - http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/

My friend, Arsenius the Hermit - http://ajournalofselfsufficiency.blogspot.com/

James Wesley, Rawles of Survivalblog.com - http://survivalblog.com/

Stephen

Thank You Mr. Rawles

Seems I was given a mention and link over at http://survivalblog.com/, thank you Sir. Seven thousand hits for one of my simple posts is mind blowing.

By the way, if you have as yet to read his novel, Patriots, get 'er done.

Stephen