Coverin’ the Bases Reader Comments:

From: Kimberly: I enjoyed your article, however, I just wanted to let you know, hybrid seeds will reproduce, but they will produce a plant true to one of the parent types, instead of the hybrid that you purchased. I would suggest that people do purchase hybrids, just be prepared to harvest something different next year!

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**Thank you, Ma’am! You, like Choey, have both caught and corrected my mistake. Kudos to you both, and thanks for being involved. We definitely want our readers to get the very best in regards to statements made in our column as being correct. Again, if you guys see where I’ve made a misstatement, please do not hesitate, getting ahold of us to see that it’s corrected…and corrected promptly! Choey, Kimberly…GOOD JOB! You guys please keep coming in to visit! Dub From: Alton Maybe you should consider chickens, you would have eggs, meat when the eggs hatch, (most chickens will sit once a year).  Also you will have some of the richest fertilizer, just remember not to put too much on your plants as it will be too rich for them.  Another note do not refrigerate some eggs as those put in cold will not hatch.
Instead of burning leaves compost them for more fertilizer.
Another note: Better stock up on ammo, when and if things collapse and people find out you have access for food for your family, they will try to take it.  After all, the gov. has taken care of them, so why should you not? **Great ideas Alton and thanks for taking the time to comment! Actually we’ve already built our chicken coop, but haven’t fenced in their “stompin’ grounds,” yet…meaning no chickens so far. But this is a good point for our readers to consider in their own circumstance. All your suggestions are good advice! Thanks again, and please stay involved! Dub and Deb From: Glen GOOD MORNING DUB AND DEB CAME ACROSS YOUR ARTICLE, SELF RELIANCE IN THESE TOUGH TIMES  WELL HERE GOES I'M AN OLD FLORIDA CRACKER, BORN IN ORLANDO, LEFT FL FOR THE MISSOURI OZARKS FALL OF 1977.  LIFE HAS BEEN GOOD HERE. WINTERS SOMETIMES GET TOUGH, JUST LIKE THE LAST STORM 3 WEEKS AGO. WOULDN'T TRADE WINTERS HERE FOR FL MOSQUITOS. REF YOUR COYOTOES ISSUES.     WE ARE LOADED WITH THEM HERE.   SOMETIMES AT NIGHT, WHEN THEY HUNT, SOUNDS LIKE A SONG FEST IN THE BACK YARD. VERY SELDOM DO WE SEE THEM IN THE DAY TIME.  TRAPPING IS THE BEST. IF YOU EVER GET ONE, JUST HANG IT ON A FENCE LINE AND THAT HELPS TO KEEP THEM AWAY.   SORTA OF A WARNING SIGN.  JUST A TRICK I LEARNED FROM THE OLD TIMERS.   HAVE A GREAT DAY     GLEN **Thanks for reading Glen…and hello from one Fla. Cracker to another, GO GATORS! But, we were talking coyotes not gators, huh! My brother runs my Dad’s ranches down south and they’ve become a very big problem there, eating the baby deer, and now calves. A very large rancher down there, over 50,000 acres, has advised my brother, Shane, to contact a trapper experienced in coyote trapping. Shane has now done this, and they’ve started a trapping program. From what Shane has told me they’re very, very smart animals, and if trapping them, you really HAVE to have a man that does it all the time, or “knows the ropes” in other words. It’s literally gotten to the point that the number of deer you see anymore, has been reduced dramatically, thus emphasizing their impact. I’ll keep you informed. Thanks for reading, and please drop back in to see us! Dub and Deb From: Connie Dub and Deb, That was the best article I have read in a long time. Since Mrs. Obama wants everyone to get back to basics and put in a garden “like she does” – yeah right, then I think she should put you on the government’s payroll. I reckon that you could teach us a lesson a week and by plantin’ time, we’ll be ready to make our own vegetable gardens grow. I’ve been doing that for years.....but wouldn’t it be nice if all those folks in the grocery store with those little “gift cards” that the welfare office hands out, could learn how......it would be like they was takin’ care of themselves! And just think how much more that would leave in the public offering for Michelle and her daughters and friends and servants to go on their next vacation.    Actually, I appreciate your gardening expertise. I wish the trend would catch on. I am 55 and have had a garden since I was a newlywed at 19. I have lived in poverty and shame, but always kept my family fed. I no longer have to purchase the most inexpensive items on the shelf. When I watch the shopping habits of the more youthful generations, I can only assume they shop for the best cars, houses, clothes, and vacations with the same poor habits. They never look at the price and it does not matter how much it is..... they are certain they deserve it. I never took a dime of my government's money in my poorest of times. I can not understand the society who feels entitled to be given all that they want for......and then ask the remainder of society to give even more. I think growing some of their own food would be a wonderful place to start teaching the  self-reliant characteristics that many need to learn. Thanks for helping. Connie **Good morning Connie, and thanks so much for taking the time to send us your comments! Man, they’re sure appreciated! We, just like you, Connie, and I’m sure millions more just like us, have never taken a dime from our government! You know, back when I was younger to do such as this was literally embarrassing, I ain’t kidding! But today people have been convinced that this is “a right,” and that mindset comes from the left! How ya’ like that use of right, left, pretty good, huh?? Seriously though this “entitlement” B.S. has to stopped, nipped in the bud, like NOW! This is ONE of the major players in a Socialist, Marxist, Communist agenda, and it’s being played out right here in the USA, for God’s sake. Again, I have a good friend from Poland who, through Communism, lost everything, their land, home, heck, everything. We’ve talked continually on this subject. He keeps asking me what is wrong with the American people, why don’t they see this, it’s taken place worldwide, yet you guys don’t pay attention! Look at what takes place through our give-away programs. He tells me, Dub, this is what happens. The people are promised everything, don’t worry about it, we, the government know best, we’ll take care of you!   He then says, guess what…all of a sudden there’s no money, the Country is broke. Now you go to the market…no milk…no bread, this is the end result! Why don’t you people wake up to this fact? He’s right, we better wake up to this fact, and yesterday isn’t soon enough! But, you guys don’t want to hear my political rants…so I better shut up awhile…sorry! So, Connie, I know where you’re coming from, believe me. But I tell ya’ what, we’re gonna’ leave the door open, and how ‘bout you coming back by whenever the urge hits ya! Thanks again! Dub From: Mark Hello Deb & Dub,

Congratulations on making the choice to be as self sufficient as you can.  Living from the land is an old art and skill set that has all but disappeared from the last few generations.  I believe these are skills that every person could benefit from, and should be part of regular elementary school.  After all, you never know when this whole ponzi scheme of an economy will collapse and leave many people hungry, without heat or shelter, and desperate.

But aside from that, I find it so satisfying to "borrow and payback" to the earth, rather than the cursed bankers.  My wife and I made the same lifestyle choice 4 years ago and are progressing as self sustainers quite well.  We only have to go to a market once every month or so at this point, and for less reasons as time goes on.

We are basically "off the grid", and generate and store our own electricity.  We process all our waste in a two year cycle composting system that returns everything back to the soil and eliminates any need for fertilizer.  We have a well for water and collect all the rainwater that we can, plus we use a solar still setup to purify our drinking water.

The John Seymour books are exceptional.  Have fun discovering how to live from the land.  It's hard work, but very rewarding.

Cheers,
Mark **Hello right back at cha Mark! Sounds like you guys have really been making headway into becoming not just more self-reliant, but actually becoming TOTALLY self-reliant. Congratulations, man! Also thanks for giving us more food for thought, from the info you just shared with us! Let me just say this not only from my behalf but our readers as well, please come back in to visit and share anything you’d like. Thanks so much for stopping by, please come back to see us! From: Rick Great ARTICLES, LAUGH and FARM, you bet. Hi Dub and Deb,

I wanted to drop you a line and commend you on your lifestyle.  My lovely wife Cathy and I have been pursuing the same dream for 30 plus years.  

The reason I'm writing in you line about laughing.  I thought I could contribute to you there.  You see we've done more that build a little farm, we also built a hidden Comedy Club here in the mountains of north Idaho.  Five balconies and seats 70 if you can believe that.  All with logs off our own land.  Best to you both your family and all your loved ones.  I'm sure you have many of those, seems to come with the wonderful lifestyle doesn't it?  HA!  I'm a comic also guys, for over 20yrs.

I'm sure you get lots of email to read so I'll keep this short.  Thank you for the great read and your positive, constructive lives.  Rick Reed, Viet Nam Vet, Logger, homesteader, x-Road House owner, Carpenter...HA!..and..Stand up Comic.  The whole club is on facebook too. **Dad-gum Rick…what’s up buddy? You sure sound as if you might just be our kinda folks! Thanks for taking the time to drop us a line, it sure is appreciated!! Sure sounds as if you guys have carved out your own little “Shangri-La” out there, my friend. I bet it is absolutely beautiful…God’s Country! I’ll be looking over some of your “stuff” this weekend, can’t wait actually, and will be sharin’ come next week, thanks, man. Listen Rick, thanks again for stopping by and ya’ll please come back to see us! Be sure an tell your “lovely wife, Cathy,” Dub and Deb say hello! Dub and Deb