Drought Engulfs 60% Of U.S.
…As Farmers Begin Spring Planting
From one of our recommended resources, Zero Hedge. Honest, alternative media. Excerpt:
“The southern US is already experiencing severe, extreme, and even exceptional drought conditions, putting pressure on key crops such as sugarcane, rice, and peanuts, while fruit trees have also been damaged by extreme temperatures. Across the Great Plains, otherwise known as the nation’s breadbasket, winter wheat farmers are being forced to decide whether to keep the struggling crop or cut losses and replant, with dry soil also making germination harder. The drought also complicates matters for ranchers, as the nation's cattle herd is already at its lowest level since the 1950s. As a result, some ranches may further reduce their herds, which will only push beef prices to new record highs…All bad news for food prices.”
Stock up on food now, while supply is still good and the prices are still (relatively) affordable. Buying in bulk can save you tons of money. Don’t forget to stock up on water too.
What is happening to the world? Is a great chastisement upon us? Is is pay-up time for our many sins?
Thought for the Day
“You cannot print any more money than there is energy to back it up…
Infinite growth collides with finite energy.”
Mike Ruppert
Saint Patty's Day is Coming!
My Aunt Mary Hamilton passed on to the Lord last Spring. May she rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her. She wrote a memoir 15 years ago, which is available at this link:
It Only Happens Now and Then
Here is the description:
“Remembrances of Mary P. Hamilton about growing up in an Irish emigrant family in Brooklyn, New York, during the 1940s and 1950s and her subsequent marriage and family life in Montclair, New Jersey.”
The title was from a poem my poet Uncle Jimmy (her husband) wrote. It is a charming book about growing up Irish Catholic and living life in the New York area. There is important history here, which I am so happy she took the time to record. Mary was always kind and elegant, with high standards. Her home was a joy to visit. If you read the book, please let me know and I would love to hear your comments.
In the back of the book, she gives her Irish Soda Bread recipe! I made it last year and it was superb, much better than store-bought. I plan to make it again on Tuesday. Aunt Mary got this recipe from her Aunt Peggy, born in Longford, Ireland, so it is traditional and authentic. It is bready and lighter than usual soda breads, not too sweet. Here it is (note dough is sticky and a bit hard to work with, but worth the effort)…let me know if you make it!
Have a blessed Saint Patrick’s Day. Saint Patrick, ora pro nobis!
Aunt Mary Hamilton’s Irish Soda Bread PDF Printable
War with Iran: Air freight rates expected to spike as Iran war escalates
A New Prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi!
Since visiting Assisi last October, my devotion to Saint Francis and Saint Chiara has only grown, so much, that I am now actively pursuing becoming a Third Order Franciscan, which has been on my mind for many years. I have a statue of Saint Francis in my yard and I find myself praying to him often, especially when I watch the wildlife (my house borders a wooded area). My dog is named after Saint Francis (Frankie) and I often pray to him about my dog, as I take delight in him and as I am sometimes concerned for him. I feel Saint Francis watches over my little Shihpoo.
So…I have found the need to write a short prayer, which I can say quickly any time, to deepen my relationship with this great saint, who I feel such a connection with and whose companion is my patron saint. This ministry, since we are about preparedness, is closely connected to the land, and therefore, nature….and farm animals. This is one reason why Saint Francis’ philosophy resonates so much with me. The following prayer was based in form, on my short prayer to Saint Joseph, (see next post) whom we honor this month. When planning the “Eclipse Pilgrimage of Mercy,” 2 years ago (see topic to the right), I incorporated “Canticle of Brother Sun & Sister Moon” into the prayers and also wrote my own “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” poem about the eclipse…here’s the PDF.
In this terrible time of war, when there is so much loss of our best and brightest, on all sides, and they all have mothers somewhere, let us flee to Saint Francis for intercession and inner peace…and don’t forget it is a Franciscan Jubilee Year!
O Saint Francis
O Saint Francis, wonder of Assisi, intercede for us before the Triune Godhead. You, who loved the poor and all creation, help us in our earthly need. Having received the glorious stigmata, we trust your prayers will resound before the Almighty, unto our consolation.
Amen.
“O Saint Francis” PDF Printable
March is the Month of Saint Joseph-Part 2
Why does Holy Church dedicate the month of March to Saint Joseph? As probably all of you know, his feast is celebrated on the 19th, honoring his espousals to the Mother of God. It is interesting to note, this feast always occurs during Lent (unless it happens to fall on a Sunday, in which case, have your Italian dinner with tiramisu to celebrate!)…as Easter falls between March 22nd and April 25th (Sunday after first full moon after vernal equinox, which the Church fixes at March 21st MORE INFO). So it is a no-brainer to incorporate Saint Joseph’s feast into your Lenten exercises. Some ideas: attend Mass, read the Mass from the missal, pray a novena starting 9 days before the feast, give alms in honor of Saint Joseph.
Other notable feasts this month in both calendars…
3rd-Saint Katherine Drexel, USA
7th-First Saturday of the Immaculate Heart / Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor of the Church
17th-Saint Patrick, patron of Ireland
18th-Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop & Doctor of the Church
21st-Saint Benedict, founder of monasticism, twin of Saint Scholastica
22nd-Passion Sunday, begins octave of Passiontide in the trad
24th-Saint Gabriel the Archangel, immediately before the Annunciation
25th-Annunciation of the Lord/Blessed Virgin Mary
27th-Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, always one week before Good Friday
29th-Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins
Prepper Challenge for March: Make a Plan!
How did you do with last month’s pantry organizing challenge? Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and we may post it! Please know, I am doing these challenges with you. I have bought some great products and also have been watching motivating videos. There are so many resources out there now for decluttering, minimalism and organizing. (Yes, you can and should be a minimalist prepper.) Here are some products I love:
The Home Edit 3-Tier Shelf OXO POP Container
I have also been insanely getting into making custom labels. I bought a thermal label printer, which works from your PC or phone, a lot like Power Point. You can be really creative and it’s lots of fun. The older strip-tape manual printers are still quite common and they work great too.
We are now at war with Iran. This could go in many concerning directions. Iran is a whole different animal than anything we have ever dealt with before. Supply issues is a major concern…along with the domino effects this may have. So, consider yourself warned. Avail yourself of reliable alternative media, which we regularly refer you to, to stay informed. In terms of supply, I recommend having a reasonable amount for your family, plus a little extra. People may need to stay with you. You may also need to help others in your community. It is impossible to say “how much” you should have, but cluttering your home is counter-productive. Pray for guidance and trust God. And don’t worry, be at peace…and learn how to be resilient (gardening, sewing, keeping small animals and other useful non-electronic skills).
So, this month, think about what I have said above and please print our…
15 Points Preparedness Worksheet
This 4-page worksheet will make it super easy to sit down with your family and make a concrete preparedness plan for the next 12 months and beyond. And it’s not what you expect, it is from a holistic perspective, based on over 20 years of research and experience. Don’t delay, just print it and start filling it out. I’ve made it easy for you! And again, I am doing it with you. It’s about time for me to review this and spiff up my own plan. (If you are local to Long Island, please note I am available to give a talk on this.)
Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord
Today is Epiphany in the post-conciliar calendar of the USA. In the trad, it is always January 6th, immediately following the 12 Days of Christmas.
Here is the traditional Epiphany Blessing of the Home, which has become more popular in recent years. This version is Nomen Christi Apostolate’s, based on research involving several good sources. How wonderful to revive these treasures of our Holy Faith!
epiphany blessing of the home PDF
And here is our Epiphany Topic for further info.
The Epiphany Blessing format suggests singing a hymn at the end, here is…
“We Three Kings of Orient Are”
This Christmas Song Should Be Much Better Known!
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
by Sir John Rutter
Going through the hills on a night all starry
on the way to Bethlehem,
far away I heard a shepherd boy piping
on the way to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King
is come to bring us peace on earth,
and He's lying cradled there at Bethlehem
Tell me, shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily
on the way to Bethlehem,
who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely
on the way to Bethlehem?
None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely
on the way to Bethlehem,
but a King will hear me play sweet lullabies
when I get to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky came down from on high,
hovered o'er the manger where the Babe was lying
cradled in the arms of His mother Mary,
sleeping now at Bethlehem
Where is this new King, shepherd boy piping merrily,
is He there at Bethlehem?
I will find Him soon by the star shining brightly
in the sky o'er Bethlehem
May I come with you, shepherd boy piping merrily,
come with you to Bethlehem?
Pay my homage too at the new King's cradle,
is it far to Bethlehem?
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the infant King
is born this night in lowly stable yonder,
born for you at Bethlehem
I only recently discovered this song and wondered where it’s been my whole life! Why don’t we hear it more often? It’s wonderful!
Composer Sir John Rutter wrote Shepherd’s Pipe Carol (I believe the lyrics as well) when he was only about 21 and it’s the thing that first placed him on the musical map at that young age. He went on to an illustrious career, chiefly known for choral music, much of which is spiritual. At the age of 80, he seems to still be going strong.
One might call this carol genius, unique among Christmas songs, crisp and joyful (if performed right), yet still with poignant moments. You may notice each verse ends with “Bethlehem.” This is Hebrew (Ba-it Lechem), meaning “House of Bread.” Such was Divine Providence that the Bread of Life was born in Bethlehem!
”And Jesus said to them:
I Am the Bread of Life:
he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that
believeth in me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35
December is the Month of the Divine Infancy & the Immaculate Conception / Update
[Edited since posting.]
UPDATE: I’ve been very busy prepping for my ADVENT OF THE HEART prayer groups. You may know I got a sprained ankle while in Rome and that was slowing me down…now, as soon as the ankle got better, a neuroma popped up in the same foot [No! This was wrong, turns out it’s a fracture]. So again, I am slowed down. Since the intense last-minute planning of the trip in September, my life has not been “normal.” I am very joyful however, about the Advent prayer groups and they are going very well. One is at a church (see our new “Meetings/Events” button above and one is at a Catholic store (by invitation only, as it is a very small space-this is actually a brief presentation at an existing prayer group, each of the 4 weeks of Advent).
Hopefully in January, my condition will be improved and I can continue to move forward in my life, as was the plan after passing through the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s Basilica. I am still thinking about what this blog will look like next year, how it will evolve, as I am simultaneously bringing this ministry into the real physical world. So we are in flux. And that is good, because the whole world is in flux and we must respond to that. Adaptability and willingness to change is an important prepper tenet. I think those who are attuned to things feel it is time to be moving, shaking, re-thinking and morphing. We will be given the knowledge and grace.
Consider doing the ADVENT OF THE HEART program at home, scroll down for the post on this. Also, check out our topics to the right>>>Advent and Christmas Season!
Here are some notable feasts this month in both the trad and the post-con calendars…
8th-IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, Holy Day of Obligation, USA
10th-OUR LADY OF LORETO
12th-OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
17th-Ember Wednesday of Advent (trad meat at one meal)
19th-Ember Friday of Advent
20th-Ember Saturday of Advent (trad meat at one meal)
24th-VIGIL OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD (trad day of fast)
25th-NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, Holy Day of Obligation
28th-THE HOLY FAMILY
Remember the 12 Days of Christmas leading up to Epiphany and the Epiphany Blessing of the Home.
Wishing all our readers and your families great Advent and Christmas blessings!