THE TRAIL IS STARTING TO WAKE UP

The warm weather is starting to bring out the beauty of the Richard Martin Trail.  We are going to enjoy some 70 degree weather the next few weeks.  Be sure to add walks on the trail to your calendar.

BEING PREPARED DOESN'T START WHEN YOU NEED IT

Those of us who try to live a more prepared life have a ton of reasons why we do it. Here are 10 reasons to be more prepared and 10 reasons to NOT be more prepared.  Many of us are just regular folk who like to have a bit of food and water and safety plans in place for all sorts of reasons

There are some of us in Elkmont who work at being ready to deal with life's trials but most of us don't see the need.  After all, nothing bad happens in our lives. However, if you read the post at the link below, you just might say that could be me. 

150 Reasons to be Prepared for Life Link

Maybe some of these scenarios will connect with you, and encourage you to get started today!

BBQ COOKOFF ENTRY

Elkmont Alabama Lions Club 

Smokin Railroad St Barbeque Cook-Off

June 26 & 27, 2020

Start Setting Up 8 AM Friday

Music will start at 6:30 pm Friday Night

Saturday at 8:00 am Vendors open

Concessions available on Saturday: BBQ PLATES, SANDWICHES, HAMBURGERS, HOTDOGS

Winners will be announced 3:30 pm or as soon as possible.

Click on the link below to get the Cook team applications for the Smokin Railroad Street BBQ Cookoff 2020

Link for more info

SCHOOL MEALS REMINDER

JUST DOWN THE ROAD, HISTORY OF ELKMONT - PART 7

Ma got busy fixing a special treat for all, venison porridge. This consisted of chopped up salt venison, pulverized buckwheat, fresh ground basil, chopped up wild onions, a small piece of indian turnip, lightly crushed chestnuts and seasoned with some ground sassafras leaves. Then she made a large piece of bread consisting of ground buckwheat and wild barley, venison stock, salt and water. 

The day was going well as she walked down to the branch to check on Herman. Herman had found more pieces of gold. The sun was bright and warm as she sat watching him. He was not having a care in the world. Involved in what he was doing. Ma begin to wonder where all their efforts would wind up. She begin to think about her sisters back East and tears begin to fall realizing she may never see them again. They were so far away. . Her thoughts were quickly interrupted when she heard a commotion in the cabin. Out the door came a huge black Bear with what appeared to be a hind quarter of deer in it’s mouth.

Gary Compton

BEING READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED IS A GOOD THING

When people first start trying to get prepared for life's emergencies, they usually make a few mistakes.  Sometimes it’s because they get caught up in the idea of prepping and rush into it without taking time to plan and really consider what they’re preparing for. Other times it is simply because they don’t have enough information.

You can gain wisdom from others so..
 “Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won’t have time to make them all yourself.” 
Don’t waste your time, money and energy by repeating the same mistakes many others have already made. Instead, read this list of tips to help you get started.

1. Start Living Below Your Means Right Now – You don’t want to just buy all your food and supplies with a credit card. Instead, look for ways to lower your bills until you have some money left over for preps.

2. Don’t Blow All Your Money In The First Month – Prepping is something that should be done slowly and steadily. Oftentimes there are survival items you think you need, then later you find out there’s a better deal somewhere or that you already own a suitable substitute. So try to be patient.

For more tips, click HERE

ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Elkmont High School is blessed to have community partners who have come to support our students and their families. We are still accepting donations at this time. If you or your family have a need, please come get what you need. No questions asked! We are here for you and your family.

ALSO
Message from Bill Tribble

Starting Thursday Elkmont High School will be serving breakfast and lunch. This will run Monday through Friday from 11am to 1pm. It will be drive through service in the front loop of the high school. We are in need of volunteer groups/churches to make this happen. If your church would like to help please let me know. All volunteer groups must enter through the main high school office. Thank you for the outpouring of support and continue to pray for our country!!!

SINKING IN A CAR - WHAT TO DO

There are lots of being prepared topics covered in the Elkmont blog.  One of these is floods; how to prepare; what to do but what if you are trapped in a sinking car?  How do you get out?  Probably not like you think.  This is a great video that shows you how to do it in the 30 to 60 seconds you have to make the right choice.

WHY BOTHER TO WORK HARD AND MAKE GOOD LIFE DECISIONS - AN ANT'S POINT OF VIEW

Someone asked me why do you bother preparing for trials in your life.  It doesn't matter, the government will take care of you or nothing will ever happen, it will work out.  I mentioned the Ant and the Grasshopper fable, and I was shocked that this story was something never heard before.  I thought everyone knew this one but evidently not.  So for those of you who also have never heard of this great story illustrating being prepared or making good decisions, I have included it today for the provident living segment. It applies to everything you can think of.  Tell it to your children or grandchildren tonight.

 The Ant and the Grasshopper by Aesop 

"In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

     "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

     "I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."

     "Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; "We have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

     
When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger - while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for days of need."  

YOU CAN USE STRAW BALES FOR WHAT?

It's cold BUT Spring isn't far away and your Elkmont spring garden can be planted in a few weeks.  Soil in our area has a lot of clay and needs organic material to break up the clay soil. Hill Spirit hasn't been satisfied with the hill garden since we moved here.  Trying different things each year, has made it better but still not producing the way it should.  This year straw bales is the something different that has caught the Hill Spirit's attention .

Here are a few links if you are wanting to try something new:
HOW TO MAKE A STRAW BALE GARDEN 

SWEET POTATOES IN THE STRAW 

STRAW BALE GARDENING

Hill Spirit is going to put some of the bales several inches in the ground as well as just on top and see if there is any difference.

Being self relient is something we all did not so long ago.  As you know, Hill Spirit encourages us Elkmont folk to be a little more prepared for life each day.  To read more,  check under labels "PROVIDENT LIVING" OR "BEING PREPARED" at the right of the blog.