13:32 – Anyone who believes that Germany is in good shape should read Ambrose Evans-Pritchard’s current column: German model is ruinous for Germany, and deadly for Europe
As I’ve said repeatedly over the last few years, Germany is the real Sick Man of Europe. Its decline really started with reunification, and has become pronounced over the last 15 years or so. Germany faces a catastrophic demographic crisis, which is evident even now to anyone who cares to look. Stated simply. Germany is aging fast. Far more older people are retiring than there are young people to replace them. The cost of social welfare programs is already threatening the economy, and we haven’t yet even begun to see the disastrous effects of these increasing costs and decreasing output on the German government, economy, and citizens.
Colin and I are preparing ourselves for Barbara’s departure tomorrow. She’s making a car trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee with Frances, Al, and their friend Marcy. For the last several days, Colin has been focused on hunting. Usually he pretty much ignores squirrels unless they’re almost in his face. Lately, he’s been going into alert pose when he spots one even 50 meters away, and then attempting to stalk and pounce them. Barbara thinks his instincts are telling him that it’s time to fatten up for the winter. I think he’s afraid I’ll forget to feed him while Barbara’s gone.
My new air rifle arrived yesterday. It’s a Gamo break-action spring-piston model, which means I’ll need to break it in with 100 to 500 shots before it’ll settle down and start shooting with the accuracy it’s capable of.
It’ll be interesting to find out how much noise it makes. Many people think of air rifles as silent or nearly so, but in reality they can be quite loud, some models as loud as a .22 rimfire. It’s illegal to fire an air gun inside city limits, but if it’s not too loud I may wait until no one is looking and nail a squirrel for Colin’s and my dinner.
Work proceeds on The Ultimate Family Prepping Guide. Right now, I’m focused on the Food chapter. Thanks to everyone who’s signed up for the discussion list. As I mentioned when I announce it here, there won’t be much (any) activity for a while. I’ll start posting chapters for download as soon as I’ve finished writing them.