Fellow novelist Matt Bracken mentioned this article: Farms of fear, about murders in rural South Africa. It gives some useful glimpses, when considering security measures for retreats in the not-too-distant Schumeresque future.
o o o
Speaking of Harder Homes and Gardens, ponder this piece: Bulletproof public design in Los Angeles. (A hat tip to James K.)
o o o
Inyokern spotted this sobering piece: Into the Economic Abyss: How Deep Will It Go? Even the mainstream media is catching on...
o o o
Reader "EL" suggested using propane for a source of lighting. EL notes "The Amish in our area use it through out their buildings. Using three 30# and (2) 20# barbeque tanks with a accessory hose and fitting running a single mantle lantern from Wal-Mart, the set up (determined by testing hours of burn time from (1) 20# tank) is all that's needed to get five hours of light per night for one full year. The compact single mantle lantern puts out a little less than a 40 watt incandescent light bulb."
