My load of river cane. I just harvested Saturday. This will have to dry out then de-limbed. For arrows and atlatl darts cut to appropriate lengths. I will post more as the process progresses. Some of these will be made for personal use others will be fro sale ot trade.

This story was first recorded by James Mooney who lived with the Cherokee in the late 1800’s and collected many of the Cherokee children's stories from the elders and old medicine men.  This story is named “The Rabbit and the Tar Wolf.” If you have ever read or heard of "Uncle Remus" this story may sound similar since it is attributed to being passed along from slaves owned by the Cherokee. I am posting this story because one part of survival is your surroundings. If we are familiar with our surroundings then the "thicket" where others are not familiar will be the best place to hold out at times.

“Once upon a time there was such a severe drought that all streams of water and all lakes were dried up. In this emergency the beasts assembled together to devise means to procure water. It was proposed by one to dig a well. All agreed to do so except the hare. She refused because it would soil her tiny paws. The rest, however, dug their well and were fortunate enough to find water. The hare beginning to suffer and thirst, and having no right to the well, was thrown upon her wits to procure water. She determined, as the easiest way, to steal from the public well. The rest of the animals, surprised to find that the hare was so well supplied with water, asked her where she got it. She replied that she arose betimes in the morning and gathered the dewdrops. However the wolf and the fox suspected her of theft and hit on the following plan to detect her: They made a wolf of tar and placed it near the well.
“On the following night the hare came as usual after her supply of water. On seeing the tar wolf she demanded who was there. Receiving no answer she repeated the demand, threatening to kick the wolf if he did not reply. She receiving no reply kicked the wolf, and by this means adhered to the tar and was caught. When the fox and wolf got hold of her the consulted what it was best to do with her. One proposed cutting her head off. This the hare protested would be useless, as it had often been tried without hurting her. Other methods were proposed for dispatching her, all of which she said would be useless. At last it was proposed to let her loose to perish in a thicket. Upon this the hare affected great uneasiness and pleaded hard for life. Her enemies, however, refused to listen and she was accordingly let loose. As soon, however, as she was out of reach of her enemies she gave a whoop, and bounding away she exclaimed: 'This is where I live.'"

East Texas is finally getting rain hopefully it will not be like last year! This time last year you could walk out and the grass would crunch under your feet. So far this week alone we've got at least 5 inches of rain. I have been waiting for the rain to stop so I can go and cut some river cane. I am in need of making some arrows for bows and atlatls. I have some hunting points ready for some arrows. So hopefully soon I will have some cane dried out and post some pictures of the finished products. I will have my boys working on them too, so that they can learn how their ancestors made them and they will hunt with later this year and hopefully they will be able to take some game also.

Happy Independence Day! America! What is left of it! Those dirty, greedy politicians are slowly taking our freedoms and liberties away bit by bit. Yes go ahead and tag me a REBEL! Right now I pay over $10,000 a year in health insurance for my family, but now that I am being forced to and you know the rates will all start to multiply like rabbits I will take my 1% penalty tax and not worry about it. On my income that would only be $367.00 a year. And since the insurance companies will have to take you even with pre existing problems if something major comes along I will stop by the old insurance agent on the way to the doctors get insurance to keep the bills down then after everythings cured and ok drop the insurance and pay the penalty again. I think that looks like a great plan to me. I will come out way ahead. Now if they want to force my employer to give me a big raise to pay for the insurance increases I guess that might work also the only problem is the company would then be crying bail us out you created the healthcare law and we can't afford to pay otr emplyees more thus the continued sinking ship. Our economy is shot there is no pulling it out, we are in for a long hard rough ride so fasten your life vest and learn to tread water because there are not enough life boats for everyone only the rich that have bought there way aboard. The rest of us had better have an alternate plan because not too long after will be complete civil unrest with police, or military to protect the innocent. The innocent will either have to band together or you are on your on. The empire is falling and its best we stay as far as possible out of the way and pick up with whats left over. In the mean time have  great holiday and thank those who selflessly sacrificed for others to make it possible!