Month: July 2022

Whewboy! What a year this has been. It feels like just yesterday that I got the keys. I can confidently say that I haven’t worked this hard since I had four babies, in quick succession, to care for. And even then, I don’t think I worked this hard. I did finally “crash and burn” recently and was sick as a dog for over two weeks and had to call for help just to keep animals alive. I think it’s interesting and helpful to take the time to review the year and make decisions about how things should go moving forward. Managing a small farm by yourself is not for the faint of heart. Hopefully, anyone dreaming about a homestead can pick up a few things from my story that will be helpful. The joke I make with my family is “I go, therefore, in order to set an example of what not to do.”

A Little Background

For those of you just tuning in, over a year ago I left Idaho, sold my cabin in the mountains, and moved to Tennessee. I did so because my children and grandchildren decided to move here and I didn’t want to be so far away from them. My roots are in Tennessee, my dad was born here, and I visited my grandparents and other relatives in these here parts when I was a child. I never dreamed I would come this way again as an adult. But, here I am. Previous to my Idaho respite, I worked in high tech as a professional and travelled the country consulting. I worked very long hours and was under tremendous pressure all the time. A series of serious illnesses stopped me in my tracks and I had to retire early. I was definitely in the “city girl” category and never imagined that I would become a “country girl” in my retirement years.

When I found this small farm, I felt like God said, “This is what you wanted ever since you were a little girl, right? You wanted a farm like your grandpa had, and you wanted animals to care for. Here you go.” I was pretty ecstatic at the time. And I am still grateful and still feel like I was given a big present. I had no idea what I was doing though. Which has made everything that much more interesting. I laugh a lot. I laugh at the sense of humor God has. I laugh at myself for thinking I can do anything I want. I laugh when I’m overwhelmed and every muscle is screaming at me. I do sleep good though!

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

I guess the first question is: would I start a small family farm, at my age (60 something), if I had it to do over again? I can still say, yes! Would I do anything differently? Yes, just about everything. Honestly, no matter how brave you are, you just don’t know what you don’t…

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Digital trails related to reproductive care also might fall outside HIPAA’s narrow protections for certain kinds of companies and data, said John Davisson, senior counsel and litigation director at the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center.

“So the message here is that the laws on the books at the federal level aren’t sufficient to protect privacy in a post-Roe world,” Davisson said. “More statutory authorities are needed,” including an industry-wide federal privacy law, he said.

Read the full article here.

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“Comprehensive privacy legislation is good for a whole host of reasons, one of which is that it provides protection for people seeking reproductive health services,” said John Davisson, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center. “That needs to be part of the response to the privacy threats faced in the post-Roe world.”

Read the full article here.

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The following Berries Du Jour Cobbler recipe is from reader D.R.. This recipe can be made with any sort of berries that are seasonally available — alone, or in combination:

Ingredients

• 6 to 8 cups of berries (fresh, frozen, or rehydrated.)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 Cup plus 4 tablespoons of sugar, divided
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/2 Cups all-purpose baking flour
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons baking powder
• 6 Tablespoons butter, chilled, cut into slices
• 3/4 Cup of heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Combine your choice of berries and lemon juice in a medium bowl.  Set this mixture aside.
3. Mix the cornstarch with 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl.
4. Pour the cornstarch mixture over the berry mixture.
5. Stir the combined mixture gently until the ingredients are blended.
6. Pour berry mixture into a 9 x 9-inch (2-quart) Pyrex glass or metal baking pan.
7. Set this aside.
8. Pour flour into a large mixing bowl.
9. Add 3 tablespoons of the sugar. Set aside the rest.
10. Add baking powder.
11. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or a pair of table knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
12. Stir in the cream to make a soft dough. Do not over-mix it.
13. Drop spoonfuls of dough over the berry mixture.
14. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over the top of the dough.
15. Bake at 350 F for about 50 minutes or until the top is well browned and juices are bubbly.

SERVING

Serve warm, with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

STORAGE

Cobbler stores well in your refrigerator overnight, but leftovers are unlikely!

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

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When it comes to bedding for your pet rabbit, there are a lot of different materials that you can choose from. You may have heard that you can use newspaper as bedding for your rabbit cage, but you may be wondering if it is actually safe. After all, rabbits are known to chew on everything, so could they accidentally ingest chemicals from the ink? 

The good news is that modern newspapers are actually quite safe for rabbits. Most newspapers are now printed with soy-based inks, which are non-toxic and will not harm your rabbit if they happen to eat a few pieces.

In addition, newspaper is an excellent absorbent material, so it can help to keep your rabbit’s cage clean and dry. Of course, you should always exercise caution when introducing any new type of bedding to your rabbit’s cage, and be sure to monitor their health closely for any signs of distress. But overall, newspaper is a safe and effective option for bedding material.

How Do I Find Out if My Newspaper’s Ink Is Toxic?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about the ink that’s used in your newspaper. After all, it’s just paper, right? But what you may not realize is that many newspapers use inks that contain harmful chemicals that can be toxic to your rabbit.

As a responsible pet owner, you want to make sure that everything in your rabbit’s environment is safe and non-toxic. This includes the ink used in your newspaper. While most newspapers use safe, non-toxic inks these days, there are still some that contain harmful chemicals. If you’re not sure whether or not your newspaper’s ink is toxic, there are a few things you can do to find out.

One way to do this is to take a look at the paper itself. If the ink smudges or comes off on your hands, it’s likely that it contains harmful chemicals. Newspapers that contain soy inks will not smudge or leave dark marks on your hands.  You should also avoid using newspapers that are printed with glossy inks, as these can be particularly dangerous to your rabbit.

If you’re still not sure whether or not your newspaper’s ink is safe, you can contact the publisher and ask them what kind of ink they use. Most reputable publishers will be happy to tell you what kind of ink they use, and they should be able to provide you with a list of ingredients. Once you have this information, you can check the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) to see if the ink is safe for your rabbit.

Can I Use Magazines Instead of Newspapers?

If you are looking for an alternative to traditional newspapers for your rabbits, you may be wondering if magazines are a suitable option. While magazines do have some advantages over newspapers, there are also several drawbacks to consider.

No, you cannot use magazines instead…

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“Meta is one of the largest data processing companies in the world — they have global reach and the volume and scope of personal data that they collect and transfer is truly enormous,” says Calli Schroeder, global privacy counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about privacy-related issues. “If the draft decision bars them from transferring EU data, my guess is that they will have to set up internal controls to immediately geo-silo Europe to ensure they no longer collect or transfer data from Europe … if they are unable to ensure that no EU data is transferred to the US, Meta would have to stop doing business in the EU until this is resolved.”

Any company that regularly transfers data on EU users to the US — including other tech titans like Google and Amazon — will likely be feeling the pressure right now, and, per Schroeder, “should consider … what technical and procedural measures they could take” if their ability to transfer data becomes more restricted.

Beyond the business implications of the DPC’s decision, the move signals a broader concern about the US’ stance on data protection and privacy. “[This move] can … be viewed as a warning from Europe that the US has not taken EU laws and enforcement seriously enough,” Schroeder notes.

A possible solution? A new, more stringent EU-US data transfer agreement. Regulators in both regions have already been negotiating a framework to replace Privacy Shield, and Schroeder predicts that it’s “very likely” they’ll reach a deal. The DPC’s new draft order is likely to increase pressure on regulators to finalize a deal.

Read the full article here.

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If you’re a rabbit owner, then you may be wondering about the care and health of your pet’s teeth. Rabbit teeth can fall out or break, but don’t worry – they can grow back!

Rabbits have open-rooted teeth, meaning their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and can be replaced if they break or fall out. So make sure to give your bunny plenty of hay to chew on to keep those pearly whites healthy!

Why Do Rabbit’s Teeth Break?

Rabbits’ teeth breaking can be a cause of concern for rabbit owners. There are a few reasons why this may happen.

The most common cause is an incorrect diet. Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously, at a rate of about 2 mm per week, and they must also be continuously ground down or trimmed. Without a proper diet that includes hay, fresh vegetables, and water, (or good rabbit pellets and hay), rabbits can develop a condition called malocclusion, in which their teeth become overgrown and misaligned.

This can lead to painful chewing difficulties, mouth sores, and eventually tooth breakage or loss. A responsible rabbit owner will work with a veterinarian to ensure that their pet has a healthy diet and routine dental care to prevent these problems from occurring.

Your rabbit may have a genetic predisposition to tooth problems. If your rabbit’s parents or grandparents had dental problems, then your rabbit may be more likely to have them as well.

Your rabbit may have an underlying health condition that is causing their teeth to break. If you notice your rabbit’s teeth breaking, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any medical conditions.

Another source of a rabbit breaking their teeth is just from overstraining the tooth, such as biting a metal cage. If this is the case, you may be required to trim the teeth of your rabbit that were not broken, to ensure that all teeth grow back at approximately the same length. In any case, it’s important to keep an eye on your rabbit’s teeth and make sure they are healthy and strong.

How To Prevent Tooth Troubles

It’s no secret that bunnies love to chew, and their teeth are specially designed for it. However, all that chewing can lead to tooth trouble if their diet isn’t properly balanced. To keep your rabbit’s teeth healthy, make sure they have plenty of hay to gnaw on. Hay is high in fiber and helps wear down the teeth, keeping them at a healthy length.

You should also offer pellets and hay. Avoid giving your rabbit sugary treats, as these can contribute to tooth decay. You can also give your rabbit leftover vegetables to help lower your pellet bill. With a little care, you can help prevent rabbit tooth troubles and keep your bunny healthy and happy.

Which Teeth Grow Continuously?

All rabbits have teeth that grow continuously. This is necessary because their diet consists mostly of hay and other tough vegetation. As they…

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In a letter following up on a recent Executive Order, EPIC urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to scrutinize federal funding of predictive algorithms and biometric systems in law enforcement.

EPIC called on the DOJ to establish meaningful oversight of the grants the DOJ has awarded to state and local law enforcement for predictive and biometric technologies and to temporarily suspend such grants until DOJ’s study is complete. EPIC also urged to the DOJ publish information about these federally funded technologies and to require that any such system be proven nondiscriminatory before use.

Numerous studies have shown predictive policing tools and biometric technologies to be biased and ineffective, exacerbating discrimination and disparate impacts. The DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded nearly $60 million in grants to state and local law enforcement for “smart policing”-type programs since 2009, including nearly $4 million in 2021 alone.

EPIC tracks risk assessments throughout the criminal legal cycle, advocates for a ban on face surveillance, and routinely calls on state, federal, and international decisionmakers to privilege privacy and human rights over aggressive adoption of AI.

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Given the right conditions, anything will rot. Composting can be defined as optimizing conditions, so aerobic bacteria and other organisms consume the waste, destroying any harmful bacteria and pathogens in the process. The result is a fertilizer that can be safely handled and spread in your garden.

Like how you can compost household scraps, you can also compost human waste. It may seem scary to put composted fecal matter in your garden. However, the process is fairly straightforward. There are even many newer models of compost toilets that simplify the process.

Turning Human Waste into Compost

Bacteria can be divided into two types: aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic bacteria require oxygen levels of at least 5% survive. By contrast, anaerobic bacteria thrive in conditions with little or no oxygen.

Aerobic bacteria are what you want for composting. They are very efficient in turning waste into compost. They eat up the waste and excrete nutrients that are great for your garden, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium.

As aerobic bacteria compost waste, they produce heat. As the temperature increases, different types of aerobic bacteria will take over.

You may have read about these when setting up your compost pile – like mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria. The temperature gets hot enough in a compost pile to sterilize human waste. There’s an excellent overview of these bacteria here.

If anaerobic bacteria are allowed to thrive, things get nasty. They release ammonia-like substances, which cause bad smells and gases.

For aerobic bacteria to thrive, composting toilets must:

• Keep waste oxygenated: Typically, the waste chamber will be rotated so oxygen can reach all waste. An exhaust fan will also assist in blowing air on the waste.
• Maintain carbon-nitrogen balance: Urine contains huge amounts of nitrogen. If urine is allowed in the compost chamber, anaerobic bacteria will get out of control. Thus, almost all compost toilets will have urine-diversion devices. As for the carbon, a bit of peat moss, coconut fiber, or sawdust is added to the chamber.
• Reduce moisture content: Fecal matter is about 75% to 90% liquid by volume. Aerobic bacteria do not thrive in high-moisture environments. However, they do need some moisture to survive. So, compost toilets will have a fan which helps most (but not all) moisture evaporate from the solid waste.
• Regulate temperature: For aerobic bacteria to thrive, temperatures must be kept at around 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Compost toilets will not work in very cold or freezing weather. Some advanced models of compost toilets have temperature-regulating devices.

Compost Toilets vs. Pit Latrines

All pit latrines are essentially compost toilets: give it enough time, and the waste will eventually be turned into a safe substance.

However, it will take a VERY long time for latrine waste to…

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A question that many people ask is whether rabbits and ducks can live together. The answer to this question is not as simple as a yes or no. Both rabbits and ducks have different needs and behaviors that need to be considered before deciding if they can live together. 

Rabbits are social animals and do best when they live in pairs or small groups. They are also timid by nature and can easily become alarmed, which can lead to them injuring themselves. Ducks, on the other hand, are not as social and do not mind being alone. They are also very curious and active, which can sometimes result in them disturbing the peace of a quiet home. 

Behavioral differences aside, rabbits and ducks also have different nutritional needs. Rabbits require a diet that is high in fiber, while ducks need a diet that is higher in protein. This means that they would need to eat different foods if they were to live together. 

So, while rabbits and ducks can technically live together, it is important to consider all of the factors before making the decision to do so.

Why Ducks and Rabbits Aren’t the Perfect Pair

On the surface, ducks and rabbits seem like they would make the perfect pair. They’re both cute, cuddly, and relatively easy to care for. However, there are a few important reasons why these two animals shouldn’t be kept together.

Duck Traits and Facts

As anyone who has ever been to a park or pond knows, ducks are a common sight. These waterfowl are found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats all over the world. While there are many different species of ducks, there are 12 that are considered to be common. The most distinguishing factor between different types of ducks is their feeding habits.

There are two types of ducks based on how they acquire their food: diving and dabbling ducks. Divers will submerge themselves and dive for their food, whereas dabblers will acquire their food just beneath the surface of the water. In addition, ducks are also classified by their plumage. Some ducks have brightly colored plumage, while others are more drab. The functions of plumage vary from species to species, but it is generally used for camouflage or to attract mates.

Ducks are also unique in that they have webbed feet, which help them to swim and walk on soft surfaces like mud and marshland. Their feathers are also waterproof, which helps to keep them warm and dry.

Rabbit Traits and Facts

Rabbits are relatively small mammals found in a variety of habitats all over the world. American Rabbit Breeders Society recognizes 49 rabbit breeds, which are classified based on their physical characteristics. For example, some rabbits have short fur while others have long, fluffy coats.

Rabbits are herbivores and live on an entirely plant-based diet. In the wild, they are mostly active at dawn and dusk and spend most of…

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