Canadian jam knot

Busy the last few days. Got a few things done around the house and mowed grass at the wifes business. Also, as of Friday at about midnight we have three new foster children. Jennifer, Emma and Mckenzie, sweet little girls.
Before work I found my boys and the neighbor boys trying to build a shelter with leaves. I pulled out some limbs we had from tree trimming and got them started on a little lean-to. Nothing big, just showing them how to get started. Used a tarp to cover it and had them piling on the leaves for insulation when I left.
We don't have much to work with in our yard but I'm excited they're getting into these kinds of things. Hopefully when we move there will be some woods nearby for them to roam.

Looking forward to seeing how far they got with the shelter when I get home, definitely take a few pictures. My kids have helped me but this is probably their first go at it on their own and getting their friends involved was nice to see. One neighbor kid hinted that it would be easier if they had a knife, smart kid but it wasn't gonna happen as I had to leave for work and they're not ready to be left un-monitored with a knife.

On another note, I showed my kids the Canadian jam knot the other day which I just learned myself. Very simple, easy to tie knot. Youngest son Gus still having trouble with shoes but can tie this knot. It can be used to replace a broken strap on a pack. It can be sinched down really tight so would be good for compressing a sleeping bag or bed roll. Would make good lashing knot in building a shelter also. Saw all this on Iowa Woodsman's you tube channel, he's got some good stuff. Wish I new how to post a link to his blog. One thing he didn't mention about the Canadian jam knot is that it could be used as an emergency tourniquet, just throwing 2¢ at it.
Live it all -

The Final Frontiersman

Started reading, The Final Frontiersman by James Cambell last night. Had to force myself to put it down as I had to work today and need my beauty sleep.

The book is about Heimo Korth and his family who have lived in the Alaskan wilderness for more than three decades. They live approximately 200 miles from civilization, have mail and some supplies flown in by bush plane and hunt, fish and trap year round. Only a couple of chapters into it but am totally fascinated.

Hope this one doesn't fizzle or turn all "green" on me. Definitely my kinda read and plan on doing a more in depth review when I'm finished.

Live it all -

Nook/Bow Saw

I'm all over this Barnes & Noble "Nook" e-read/e-book thing! Didn't even know there was such a thing. Apparently you buy the book, it downloads immediately and you read it on this device. I read a lot on my cell(at&t tilt), especially blogs and such but an entire book would be stretching it. Heard people use their iphones for reading e-books also but I guess the e-read thingy is supposed to be better(don't know much details yet) gonna have to get some research in before X-mas.

Very curious how it works, said before I struggle with tech stuff. I'm already confused wether you have to go to the actual store to buy and download a book or if it's all done on the device. Anyway, sounds pretty cool!

On another note, my next few days off I'll be looking for some red oak, ash or hickory to build a bow saw. Had a few spare 30 inch raker-tooth blades for this project but can't find them so I'll be hitting the hardware store also. I own and use a few but this will be my first time building one, pretty simple really but I'm excited nonetheless. Gonna surprise my son with enough wood for him to work on his own, guess I should take him with me to cut it since that's all part of the process. Either way, I know he'll be thrilled.

Really need to spend some time learning how to post pictures and links!
Live it all -

Ray Mears

I watched some videos on youtube today of Ray Mears building a birchbark canoe with a master canoe builder (can't remember his name) very interesting. I've watched some other Ray Mears stuff and have to say he's a fascinating guy. Never seems to be rushed and appears to always be in the moment when he's doing or talking about something, which is a big thing to me. He obviously has a wealth of knowledge to offer but I'm talking more of his demeanor and passion. I can't say enough about someone that loves what they do and is passionate when talking about it.

Silly but can't help but wonder if when the cameras are off he's running around screaming about the time, cussing the camera dude for filming him on his bad side while carving a spoon. Sometimes the people that seem the most personable and down to earth on camera or say, in a pulpit turn out the most rude unsociable people around when the limelight is turned off.

Fact is I have no reason to believe that he is nothing other than passionate about what he does and seems a pretty likable guy. I've believed for a while that people need to slow down. Quit running around ninety miles per hour and start living in the moment and Ray Mears seems to be doing this, at least while on camera.

Definitely gonna have to order his book and need to see about getting Discovery Channel also cause I'm tired of missing out on all the good stuff.

Live it all -

Busy

Had a busy few days off. Sold my old camper, put the new tires on the new camper and placed it in storage for the winter. Had to take the old camper to the guy as he has no way of pulling it at this time. Was glad to get it sold so didn't mind taking it to him. Also got my tandem trailer back from a friend and placed it in storage as well.

We have three foster kids staying with us for a brief time. Christian, Nevaeh and Jasmine. Very sweet kids. Don't know if I have mentioned in past posts that we have recently become licensed foster parents. We are doing respit care, which is like substituting or baby sitting for other foster parents because we have not had a child actually placed in our home yet. Anyway, like I said it's been busy the last few days.

Working on getting permission to hunt some land owned by a friend of a friend. Not sure of the layout but it's 180 acres and as far as I know there's only a few people hunting it sporadically. Would like to scout it some but as usual I waited until right before deer season to ask permission and am still waiting for my friend to get back with me. In the meantime I need to get my gear ready and everything lined out in case it's a last minute go. Otherwise I'm gonna hunt the backside of my in-laws former property, that is if it's not orange infested.

I keep a pack in my jeep, aside from my every day pack, that I use for scouting and hunting. It stays there for balloon going up apocalyptic type emergencies as well so I'm usually set for any type of outing... You never know!

Live it all -

Posers

I have no problem with a guy making money, especially if it's in something he's interested in. No better job or money making venture than one involving something you love. So on one hand I understand some blogs trying to sale you on certain gear that they supposedly use or pointing you to other sites that sale the latest and greatest toys. Seems back scratching goes on everywhere and I have no problem with it because I feel that I am capable of weeding out the posers, which brings me to the second hand.

Ever see a dude on youtube doing a review on a piece of gear that has obviously never been used? That's the other hand! Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of guys make it clear when it's new and they're kinda doing a preliminary, first thoughts kinda thing. That said, many times I've watched a fella standing in the woods(or his living room) going over a pack for example, claiming it's the best around and the only one to suit his needs and the dang thing doesn't have a speck of dirt on it! How does he know? Maybe got a new one for video purposes. Maybe takes really good care of his gear. I do not proclaim to know each man's thoughts or motivation in this area but I will say that the posers are becoming more evident to me the more blogs and youtube videos I visit.

I like outdoor gear. I like talking about it and reading about it and I definitely like watching instructional videos about it and anything outdoors related. If I had any readers I'm sure I would catch some negative feedback on this post. Not claiming be-all outdoorsman title here. I do not get out as often as I would like. I have not found the "one" knife, the perfect pack, tarp or all around kit for all occasions. But I am looking. I'm also looking for a blog and/or a woodsman that is authentic. The real deal, I've had this knife, axe and cook pot for twenty years and they've served me well kinda men. Anybody out there that can say that please contact me. My guess is I won't hear from anyone, those men are all in the woods.

For the record I know this topic could be talked about more in depth. Also, I mostly enjoy the blogs I frequent and to be honest there is a ton of useful as well as entertaining information to be gathered. My blogroll only lists a few of many favorites as I was just learning and have not gotten around to completing the list.

One last thought while it's in my head. How you out doing if your on the computer talking most of the time, myself included? Can't teach my boys anything from a computer... or can I? Leaving that for a later post.

Live it all -

Curiosity

Son 2.0 was looking at my collection of pocket watches and a few knives I keep in a manly type jewelry box on the bookcase/nightstand by my bed. He mentioned how many there were which was actually a plea for me to give him one. I told him there were more in the gun safe and his reply was, "I would be verwy inorested to see dem." We ended up going through the entire gun case watches, knives, guns and other accumulated stuff. Glad he didn't ask about the large ammo chest. He was fascinated and wanted to hold everything he saw. And yes I gave him a watch to carry, probably find it laying around or chewed on by the dog.
Live it all -