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The following is an adapted excerpt from The Disaster-Ready Home: A Step-by-Step Emergency Preparedness Manual for Sheltering in Place by Creek Stewart. 

Let’s face it, disasters happen. If you’re not actively thinking about (and working toward) long-term food and water preparedness, you should be.  There are countless disasters, both natural and man-made, that can interrupt your food and water supply, at least for a short period of time. Having a buffer and plan for both, just in case, is a very smart idea.

In the water category, every home needs a renewable source of this resource, and I would recommend this source come via rain harvesting.

When most people think about rain harvesting, they think of expensive, hard-to-install, and unsightly pipes and tanks. This could not be further from the truth. If you have a roof of any kind with a gutter, I will teach you how to install an unobtrusive 55-gallon rain barrel in under an hour, and for less than $200 total. For every inch of rain that falls on a 1,000-square-foot roof, you can expect to be able to collect 600 gallons of rainwater! Now that is a serious return on investment.

Before you get started with rain harvesting, it is important to understand a few things:

Rain harvesting makes sense for almost everyone. Unless you live in an extremely arid climate that receives almost zero rainfall, installing a rain barrel is worth doing. For the small amount of time and money you will spend getting one installed, the reward is an almost effortless renewable source of emergency drinking water. This water can also be used for pets, gardening, washing, or bathing.Rainwater is safe to drink without filtering or purification. However, as it falls on your roof and makes its way into the rain barrel, it picks up debris. Because of this, rain barrel water should be considered wild water that needs to be properly filtered or purified to make it safe to drink. Every home should have a water filter to handle this. The one I recommend is the Big Berkey.Believe it or not, there are laws in some states that prohibit or restrict homeowners from harvesting rainwater from their own roofs. Some homeowners’ associations may also have rules in place that prohibit rain barrels. You will want to check to make sure before you install a rain barrel. Otherwise, a citation of some kind might make its way into your mailbox. (Or you can just move to a place with fewer restrictions on your personal freedoms.)
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If you have a gutter downspout, then you can install a rain harvester.

I have used numerous types of rain barrels over the years and have been most happy with a 55-gallon plastic drum conversion. They are not necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing of rain barrels, but I have found them to be durable, cost effective, and functional. New “food grade” 55-gallon plastic drums can be found on Amazon, some hardware stores, or ULINE.com.

These standard 55-gallon blue drums can be painted to match your home if desired. The key to doing so is prepping the surface of the drum by roughing it up with some sandpaper. The factory finish of these drums has an almost waxy residue that the sandpaper treatment removes. I suggest a spray paint that is made for outdoor use and that bonds to plastic. Plan on using at least two full cans to coat one 55-gallon drum.

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Roughing up the surface of a 55-gallon drum with sandpaper to ready for spray painting.

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Odds & Ends: October 27, 2023

Why Note-Taking Applications Don’t Make us Smarter. I like the concept of creating a super-powered cloud-based brain by capturing my thoughts and readings in a central note-taking application. My note-taking application will unleash an untapped torrent of creativity, I dream. Every time I try to put the idea into action, the results are always disappointing. This article will explain what could be causing the lack of enthusiasm. You can’t really outsource the old-fashioned way of thinking to a machine. Not yet, at least.

Clive Barker’s The Thief Of Always We have just finished reading it aloud to our family and everyone enjoyed it. Clive Barker is a prolific horror writer for adults. He also wrote this book aimed towards children. The story revolves around young Harvey Swick whose boredom drives him to the Holiday House where he spends each day experiencing all four seasons and major holidays. What could be more fun than celebrating Halloween and Christmas each day? There is a price to pay for all the fun. The second half is weaker than the beginning, but it’s still a good book for a pre-Halloween quick read.

Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals. Last week, the McKays backpacked in AR and ate these freeze-dried foods during our trip. These are the meals we like to take with us when backpacking. These meals are delicious and contain more calories (and protein) than most other backpacking foods. Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Pesto Pasta and Beef Stroganoff are two of the best.

WoodWick Candles Hygge is in order as the weather gets colder. Hygge, a Danish concept, is the idea of creating an atmosphere of coziness and relaxation in your home, especially during the darker and colder seasons of winter and fall. Hygge is a Danish concept that emphasizes the importance of candles. WoodWick makes one of our favourite candles. The wick, as the name suggests, is made of wood. When lit, it looks like a fireplace fire. It’s soothing. It’s great for meditations with fire.

Quote of the week

In a certain sense, a person who looks at the present through the lens of the future and takes into consideration his entire being, can be satisfied with his lot. . . If a person reaches the point of being so satisfied that they say, “I don’t want to learn any more or do anything more or be any further,” then he should be turned into a mummy. A mummy, of all things hideous, is the most hideous. And the most hideous mummies are the ones that run around the streets talking.

–H.W. Beecher

The Art of Manliness published Odds & Ends – October 27, 2023 first.

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Gifting Ideas for The Upcoming Season – Thanksgiving Edition

This article originally appeared here: Gifting ideas for the Upcoming Season, Thanksgiving Edition

Thanksgiving is not just about turkeys, pies and parades. It’s also a time to celebrate the warmth and joy of family and the expression of gratitude. The hearty meal may be the highlight of the day, but it is the thoughtfulness and care that goes into the gifts that we give to our loved ones that really embody this special occasion. The festive season is fast approaching, and there’s never been a better time to think about thoughtful gifts to show our loved ones how much we care.

Host/Hostess gifts

What do you give to the person who does all the work in the kitchen, if anything?

When in doubt, choose the classics. The combination of a fine bottle of wine and artisanal cheeses is always a winner. It’s the ideal gift to express your appreciation to your Thanksgiving host, offering a sophisticated touch to the festive celebrations.Customized Serving Trays: If you want to add that extra personal touch, consider gifting a customized serving tray. It can be engraved with a family name or special message. This keepsake will make their Thanksgiving spread a memorable one.

Gifts for Family

The best family gifts involve sharing experiences, making memories and cherishing our time together.

Board Games and puzzles: There’s nothing that brings families together more than a friendly competition. These gifts are sure to bring hours of enjoyment and engagement, whether it is a strategy game that tests the mind or a picture puzzle with a scenic view. They’re also a great way to bridge generation gaps, so everyone, from the grandma down to the youngest relative, can have a good time. DIY Craft Kits: Let your creative juices flow! These kits aren’t only for children; they can be used by the whole family. These kits are great for anyone who wants to get their hands dirty. They can be used to create Thanksgiving decorations, paint, or do any other crafty project. Who knows? Who knows?

Fashionable Gifts

Dressing up is a part of the holiday spirit. Why not give a gift that will add a little style to your celebration?

Varsity jackets are cool. It could be the nostalgia that they bring back, or their effortless style. These jackets are versatile and trendy, making them a wardrobe staple. These jackets are versatile and can be worn with anything. They’re a wardrobe essential. These unique designs are not only beautiful but tell a tale. These pieces make the recipient feel valued and remembered. They are a great choice for the holiday season.

Tech and Gadgets

Tech gifts today are not just flashy gadgets. They’re also tools that can enhance our everyday experiences.

Smart Home Devices – The future is intelligent, so what better way to enter it than by using smart home devices. These devices, whether they’re voice-controlled assistants or smart lighting or thermostats that can be controlled by a smartphone, not only make your life easier, but also modernize any home. These are the perfect gifts for those who want to stay on top of their game. They’ll elevate your living space. What’s a good party without some tunes? Portable Bluetooth speakers allow you to take your music with you wherever you go. Compact, powerful and boasting impressive

Did you miss our previous article…
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Reviewing The Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar

Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar

Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar

While scrolling through CigarPage’s catalog, I came across Black Label Trading Co.’s aggressive macabre branding and was immediately curious.

I am the target demographic for this brand; I have a black cat, my first concert was Iron Maiden, and I have a 12-foot skeleton in front of my house that stands year-round, scaring children and squirrels alike.

If the branding doesn’t pique your interest, knowing that this cigar won the 2023 Cigar Journal’s Best Boutique Nicaraguan Brand award should. Come along as I review the Royalty corona via the following categories:

Cigar FormulaCigar OverviewLook & FeelFlavours & BurnIdeal PairingsOverall Experience

You can use the links above to jump ahead or scroll down to learn more.

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Download the Black Label Trading Co. Royalty Cigar Matrix as a PDF.

Black Label Trading Royal Cigar Review Formula
Learn more about the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula

Cigar Overview

Brand: Black Label Trading Co.Range: RoyaltyReviewed Vitolas: 5.5 x 42 CoronaWrapper: Ecuadorian CorojoBinder: HonduranFiller: NicaraguanFactory: Oveja Negra, EstelíHandmade: YesBody: FullEstimated Smoking Time: 60  MinutesPricing: $132 / Box [Buy Now]

The Royalty range uses an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, Honduran binder, and long Nicaraguan filler tobacco. The cigars are hand-rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, at the Fábrica de Oveja Negra, which translates to “black sheep factory.”

Black Label Royalty Cigar with Box & Formula

Shop The Black Label Royalty Online!

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