Issue #91 January/February, 2005

This issue is Sold Out.

Articles listed in red are available to read online. Just click on the listing

DEPARTMENTS

6  Publisher’s Note 7  Editorial:       That old survivalist mumbo jumbo and 10 reasons why it makes sense 76  Ask Jackie:       How long to hang meat?, freezer-burned meat, acidic tomato sauce, squash and spaghetti sauce, horseradish recipe, canning cabbage, dangers of water bath canning, etc. 75  Irreverent joke page 63  Ayoob on Firearms:       Firearms: tools of rural living 74  Claire goes to the movies 86  Letters 91  Classified ads (pdf) 91  Classified advertising form 90   Advertiser Index 95   BHM anthologies, CD-ROMs, & books 96-97  Order form/Subscription Info 98  The last word:       The impact of firearms on crime, business, and politics For a subscription Call Toll Free 1-800--835-2418

ABOUT THE COVER       This issue’s cover is a watercolor by BHM’s own artist, Don Childers. The theme is appropriate since we have articles in this issue on ice fishing and pickling your catch by Linda Gabris, and two others on bait alternatives by a new writer, Gary Gresh. The only problem we had with the cover was that in the preliminary pencil sketch Don faxed to us, there were three fish laying on the ice next to the hole. In the final version the fish are gone. But notice the dog’s well-fed look. We think we know where they went.

FEATURES

Building and tools 8  The art of chimney building   By David Lee       David Lee says, “An efficient chimney extracts more heat from your firewood.” But the chimneys he designs and builds are not just efficient, they are marvels of beauty and can even enhance the sturdiness of your house. 52  Build a trail   By Claire Wolfe       Claire Wolfe had about half an acre of her property overgrown with blackberries, brambles, and other weeds. What began as a project to just cut a swath so she could harvest more berries turned into an ongoing trail-building adventure that has made once inaccessible land her own little Eden Alternative energy 35  Build your own solar-powered water pumping station   By Jeffrey Yago       ometimes, because of remoteness, a solar-powered water pump just makes sense. Jeff Yago explains how he designed and installed just such a system and tells you what considerations you should make if you decide to install one yourself. Self-reliance 18  Practical preparedness planning   By Jeffrey Yago       Every family should have preparedness plans to meet life’s uncertainties, whether they are earthquakes, storms, terrorist attacks, or whatever else may befall you. Jeff Yago discusses sensible plans and preparations that may just help you pull through. 26  Catch your own bait   By Gary Gresh 29  The supermarket bait shop   By Gary Gresh 41  Starting over — again, part 2   By Jackie Clay       After moving onto their new land in the dead of winter, Jackie Clay describes how she and her family had to do road maintenance, build a goat barn to protect their animals from predators, lay the foundation for the house, start a garden, put in fruit trees, and a host of other things so they can start life over—again. 72  Walking on thin ice is risky business   By Tom and Joanne O’Toole 90  Killing weeds with boiling water   By Tom Kovach Food and recipes 61  Pickled fish and rollmops   By Linda Gabris 69  Maple syrup   By Habeeb Salloum Country living 57  Breaking ice on hard water fishing—a cool introduction to a fun sport   By Linda Gabris Farm and garden 48  Blueberries: delicious and easy to grow   By Alice Brantley Yeager