Appleseed Project

Been with you guys off and on for years now. Just a quick note of thanks to Massad Ayoob for his article on the Appleseed Project (Issue No. 123). . . . I love to read his articles and appreciate all you guys for such a fantastic service you have been doing over the past couple decades.

. . . I’m sure that Massad Ayoob’s article will generate more people to go to an Appleseed, as I did, and for many of them to also take up the Heritage and seek to become more like the people who gave us this great Nation which we are seeing be dismantled day by day now. Your editorials always inspire me along the political lines as well and we are both on the same song sheet.

William Stover
Milligan College, Tennessee

Just wanted to say thank you for the story by Mas Ayoob on his journey to an Appleseed event. I have attended a few so I know what he was experiencing. I think the whole idea is one we all should share. Not just the shooting but the history that the instructors teach. Yes, I have shot a rifleman score and am proud to do so. It took a couple trips to the line but well worth it. Appleseeds are a great way to make new friends and learn a little more of that day in 1775 when our country was born.

M. Besneatte
Mountain City, Tennessee

I am a member/instructor of Appleseed Project. I am delighted you had an article on us, and I want to order your magazine. We live on a rifle range, and I am getting ready to take a stab at planting and growing our own produce this year. Need all the hints and help I can get!

Julie Jackson
Ione, California

Making Dandelion Poppers

I was reading “Wild Edibles in Delectable Dishes” (Issue No. 123) by Rebecca Cowell and was very impressed by some of the recipes. Primarily, I just can’t wait to try those sumac meringues!

I did notice that the dandelion portion seemed a little short on variety, so I thought I would offer Miss Cowell one of my personal favorites: Dandelion Poppers!

I learned to make these from a teacher when I was in elementary school and never looked at dandelions the same way again.

You will need to harvest the flowers of the plant and make sure to rinse them well. Dip them in pancake batter, deep fry them and serve with maple syrup or honey for dipping!

You would be surprised at how well this recipe goes over with kids.

Carol Arama
Cochise, Arizona

Hope replenished

I am currently a stay-at-home mother of two toddlers with a third baby on the way. My husband and I are a young couple with mature dreams of owning our own property, living off the land, and helping others.

Currently we are finding it hard to make money and thinking on what we can do different. We moved to NC from NY in hopes of a better economy after we graduated college. With his degree in Anthropology and mine in English we somehow found ourselves unemployed and more mouths to feed. After researching ways to make money and coming across your website (backwoodshome.com) my hope and dreams have been replenished. I thank you for doing what you do.

The story of the couple making money from home and homeschooling their children touched my heart. I want that and am not going to give up.

Mindy L. Scott
Raleigh, North Carolina

You might also consider a home-based business. If there are no jobs at present for anthropology or English knowledge, explore your avocations and hobbies. The internet is a large home-based marketplace. — Dave

Our 1st garden, chicks next

I absolutely love your magazine! I did a small garden last yr. First Time!! Did OK considering! And this spring I’m getting chicks!! (Tell Jackie!) My husband & I know that we’ll be self reliant with all the other things we’re doing too to prepare! Thanks again. Nice to know others are out there who think like us.

J.T. Goodler
Thornton, New Hampshire

Bucket feeder made my day

I loved the bucket feeder idea. (Sept/Oct 2009, Issue #119) I can’t believe how much they want in the feed stores for such a simple container.

I have been looking around yard sales and flea markets but someone had just snatched them up. This idea makes my day. I even think it works for ducks. At least they think so.

Jackie Smith
Lower Lake, California

Great customer service

I could not order something from the website the other night and I chalked it up to me ordering too late at night after all the kiddos went to bed. So when twice the order was placed without taking my payment info., and telling me that my order of NOTHING was coming soon, I decided to just go to bed and order it later. Not one day later, kind and sweet Haley (from the BHM office) called me on the phone to see if she could help me! Thrilled to talk to a live person from your fabulous magazine, I ordered not only what I wanted but an additional book as well! I am thrilled that such caring people are at your customer service/general store. She even made sure that my subscription was updated!

Thanks to everyone at BHM for not only putting out an absolutely essential, as well as entertaining, magazine, but for such great service as well!

Margot Keyes
Wife of one great man
Mom of four fabulous girls
Epsom, New Hampshire

Forming an SSSS Chapter

Upon reading the March/April 2010 issue of Backwoods Home Magazine, I just had to write you with a compliment towards your work in the mag. and the anticipated column to appear next issue entitled: “Sewing Circle & Survivalist Society.” I have been reading your magazine for several years and enjoy every page of it. I am 48 years old and would love to see an SSSS chapter in our area of central New York state…and I would like to learn how to sew. I was fortunate enough to be raised on a rural farm and learn many homesteading skills…but not sewing!

Mark Logan
Utica, New York

Forming an SSSS Chapter is easy. Just find a few friends who sew or knit, then take an evening to learn from them while talking politics and self-reliance. You’ll be an instant SSSS Chapter, then you can share your exploits with us. — Annie

BHM suits us to a tee

In case you wonder what type of people read your magazine, my wife and I have been married over 30 years, Christian, both disabled and on a limited income and live far out in the country. Your magazine suits us to a tee. We have always lived different than our friends and family. A new fancy home, new car and keeping up with the Joneses has never been our desire. Depending on ourselves, living off the land and treating people right is our desire.

Pascal Harsh
Philippi, West Virginia

Stole BHM from brother

My brother gets it (BHM). Had to quit stealing his and subscribe.

Diana Robinson
Zortman, Montana

BHM my “Bible” for years

I found you the second year you were in print. I bought the mag. at a grocery store at first and then started to subscribe. Ya’ll have been my “Bible” for many years now and I hope to continue to read your wonderful magazine for many more.

Barbara Hasson
Springville, Alabama

Uh … a building inspector?

Among your other fine articles, I’ve been following the construction of “Eric’s House” with interest. It appears that he will have a beautiful house when finished, at a fraction of the cost of hiring it done.

Of course, the pride of doing it yourself is inestimable.

Since I bought an old farmhouse on 145 acres in rural West Virginia in 1989, I have had to learn all of the skills involved here. While I have formal training in commercial carpentry, nothing in that prepared me for working on these old “Jenny Lind” houses.

I’ve done plumbing from the well, wiring from the service connection, gas piping from the wellhead or city meter, and septic systems from where you don’t want to know.

When severe summer or winter weather knocks out the power for weeks at a time, those less prepared can visit me for a hot shower and some TV, because I’m prepared for that.

I have also acquired four rental properties, and have had to replumb all of them, rewire most of them, and fix roofing, windows, doors, and things too numerous to mention.

I love where I live, and also your magazine. I have only one question.

Uh…What’s a “Building Inspector?”

John Dillon
Chloe, West Virginia

Grandparents were right

Great magazine. Thank you Dave and crew! I am still living w/o running water and electricity for 14 years on 80 acres in CO, front view west Elk Wilderness Mtns. Lived in a tent for 5 winters before starting house. Retired mail-man (31+ yrs). Even better than the living experience is the ranch & house & veh(s) are paid for! Grandparents were right!

Rob Roberson
Crawford, Colorado

Reusable canning lids

Thanks for the article on Tattler re-usable canning lids (May/June 2010). Never heard of them before.

Donna Kimmer
Charlotte, North Carolina

Cancel my subscription

I want to cancel the subscription to your “right wing” magazine. Your political views and I do not agree…

Joe Gilbert
Alba, Texas

No renewal. Guns-guns-guns. We’ll pass. Too bad—really enjoyed rest of magazine.

Gregg Hinkley
Middleton, Wisconsin

Sorry—too much Republican crap. I don’t care what you call it, but I get all the lies I want from Fox. If you drop the politics, I will come back. Too bad, you were great, if not the best.

Donald Fabini
Middle Grove, New York

Sorry, but Libertarian ideas have been part of BHM’s self-reliance mix since the beginning. In my mind, self-reliance and freedom are like space­time: inseparable concepts. — Dave

BHM strikes a balance between politics, how-to

It’s been a while since I’ve bought a copy of BHM, and while standing in line at a local food co-op, I saw issue #122 in the magazine rack, and got a copy. Well worth the price. The quality is still there. I like the “nuts-n-bolts” how-to articles, written by people who’ve done the things they’re writing about.

I’m not a big believer in Doomsday predictions, or conspiracy theories. Just look into the past. When I was in high school, it was almost considered a given that at some point in the future, the U.S. and Soviet Union would play a very realistic version of Missile Command. Few guessed the USSR would just fold. Y2K caused barely a flutter, if that, and it’s my guess 2012 will be what they laugh about in 2013. Predicting the future is iffy at best.

With that said, there’s a lot going for being prepared for things that can go wrong—you can’t plea bargain with Murphy’s Law. BHM, in my opinion, seems to have struck a balance between politics and practical how-to for everyone.

Scott Thomas
Lexington, Kentucky

Taxes the new battleground

First I must tell you how much I enjoy Backwoods. I read it cover to cover and bought my sister a subscription.

I have realized over the last decade or two that I have libertarian views on most politics. As a Vietnam Vet I do not want to see young Americans lost in wars we should not be fighting. We are going to have to let the rest of the world live their own lives and not expect them to live as we believe. They have a right to govern themselves without our interference.

Taxes are becoming the new battleground for us as they destroy our economy for the good of a few fat cats. We must stop asking to be taken care of and take care of ourselves. We are part of the problem every time we say the government should do something about a problem . . .We must rein in big government before debt and inflation destroy us.

Robert Hale
Germantown, Ohio

Waiting for the shoe to drop

I listen to Glenn Beck, and became curious/concerned about the direction our country is going politically and economically. I began to look for info on personal and family preparedness. I found your magazine on the newsstand and after a couple of issues decided I needed to be more into this, and soon, because I’m not sure how much time is left to get ready for the next shoe to drop. Which may be a thunderous big stomp.

John Kellmer
Noble, Oklahoma

Grow tomatoes with milk

Just read the latest issue, #123. Saw Charles Sanders article on tomatoes. Thought I would pass along one of my own experiences with growing tomatoes last year. Have had many disappointments trying to find something to help them produce and always had really bad Blossom-end Rot. Live in Colorado and it is very low on calcium.

My husband volunteers as a driver for our local Food Bank. Wound up that they had gallons & gallons of out-of-date and Blinkey (just spoiling) milks to throw away.

Since I know that tomatoes need calcium I had him bring some home. That was the only “fertilizer” that I used all summer and fall. . . Not only did the tomatoes thrive and produce lots, but not one brown end! . . . The rest of the garden did really well, also. The cabbage, dill, cukes, string beans, and lettuce, squash, and zucchini out-did themselves. . .

Plan on using the same this 2010 season. Thanks for a fine, knowledgeable, useful magazine helper.

Dorothy Hergemueller
Broomfield, Colorado