I just wanted to say thank you for all your wonderful articles.  I found your site to be quite helpful and love reading everything.

I grew up in 4-H and we raised lambs every years.  I have always been into horses.  But with the economy and market the way it is other avenues have to be taken to keep the farm afloat.

I have had my own farm for last 6 years in Virginia and am looking to get into raising a few cattle to sell for meat and your articles are quite helpful.

Please keep all this information coming.  Love it!

Michele DeVinney Schmoll, P.I.

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Dave,

Is BHM still available on the newsstand? I know it used to be, since that is how I got interested in it. I have been a subscriber for a few years now. You would reach more people and get more customers if copies of the magazine were out there.

Best regards,

Jack Kavanaugh

Jack: We put about 12,000 copies on the newsstands, mainly in places like Barnes and Noble, Borders, etc.. We restrict it to that small number because the sell-through on the newsstand is only about 35%. The rest of the magazines are destroyed. It’s an expensive way to attract new readers, plus the distribution companies often go bankrupt, burning the publishers for payments.

Dave

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Backwoods

I want to thank you for sharing all this info on the web

The articles have opened my eyes — and now I will prepare — for who knows whats coming down the pike  —-  with all our country’s debt.

Thanks.

Jeff Winn

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I’ve been getting Backwoods Home for many years. And I really wanted to come to Gold Beach.  I even went so far as to plan a trip this year by Making my own bio diesel to make the trip.

After reading [issues] #128 & #129  I realize that I don’t have all the equipment to make the trip.

I don’t have an on board attorney.
I don’t have a radar jammer.
I don’t have a passenger to keep watch on other vehicles.  ie cops
I don’t have a measuring device to make sure I stop at stop sign with my front bumper even to the stop sign.
I don’t have a glow in the dark or florescent orange seat belt to make sure the Gestapo can see it.
I don’t have a permit to transport my bio diesel in Oregon, I’m sure the Gestapo would want to check after he smelled my exhaust.  It smells like french fries and not donuts.

I did check the web for speed traps and sure enough Gold Beach is on the list.

Sorry I can’t make the trip this year, but maybe in the future when you get rid of the Gestapo.

By the way do they were the Nazi swastika?? And have nice shinny black boots??

I have even had the thought about moving there.  Sure seems like a real nice place, but I don’t want to have the watch my back all the time.  Sure wish you all the luck in getting things taken care of so you can enjoy Gold Beach.

Thanks for hearing my side.

Robert Widmar

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To the good folks at BHM,

I hope that all of you came through the recent tsunami in good shape. You have previously done some stories on tsunami preparedness in Gold Beach. How did those plans hold up in the face of the real thing? We are hearing very little about how Oregon and Washington fared and the California reports seem unbelievable. (No injuries in California and two million in damages yet we see news photos of 250-500 thousand dollar boats capsized or sunk at their moorings in marinas.)

The news from Japan seems to show that the Japanese programs worked. Sendai (closest city to the epicenter and struck by a 30″ wave) has a population of close to one million and Tokyo has about 30 million people, yet the national estimates are 500 -1000 dead and 2500 injured. Incredible. Would the US do as well?

I’d like to see some articles on the US preparedness plans (official ones). We in Arkansas worry about the New Madrid fault and we are having swarms of small quakes near Greenbriar, Arkansas. If the New Madrid lets go, Memphis, Tenn will probably be devastated and will draw most aid efforts leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves. Sound familiar?

I’ve been a subscriber for a while and wish I’d bought a lifetime subscription back when you still sold them!  Keep up the good work.

Scott Timmons
Hensley, Arkansas

Scott,

The tsunami waves from the Japanese quake were small on the Oregon coast with light damage, except for some boat and dock damage in local harbors. The local tsunami sirens worked as planned. My family evacuated to our mountain home, in accordance with the plan we’ve had in place for a few years. We are well prepared to hang out at our house for months in the event of any emergency.

I’m very impressed by the Japanese people in the wake of this catastrophe. I think the people in my area of Oregon would behave the same. If need be, I could shelter and feed another 20 neighbors at my mountain home, and I think others in my area would be similarly ready to assist their neighbors.

Dave

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Hoping the Tsunami sweeping across the ocean leaves you all safe and dry. Been thinking about you and your staff all night.

Jamie Allen

Thanks for the concern. We’re fine. We closed the office and the family evacuated Gold Beach. No damage in GB but we’re pretty wary.

Dave

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I hope you are all well at my favorite magazine!

I read every issue cover to cover and I think that you are all like family.

More than family, because my family does not share all the views that I share with you.

May your survival mind set have protected you from this disaster.

And, of course, we all wish the best for the people in Japan and others that suffered this disaster.

Douglas S. Basberg

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I first ran across BHM’s website several years ago when, sick to death of the city, I started dreaming of just running away. Needless to say, it didn’t happen (but then, military deserting isn’t my style). But, I went on and on about the magazine, and I confess my husband did think me quite daffy… until I made him read it. We’ve been hooked ever since; I even take along an anthology or two on car trips, because if I’m not driving, I’m reading them aloud (and my 2-year-old always wants “another one”, so rest assured you’re getting an early start on him!). Both of our families have done their share of living off the land, and we’ve been “studying up” to do some of it ourselves.

Now, we’re just 3 weeks from moving “back home” to rural AL, purchasing property from my grandmother that my family has owned for generations, and all of the BHM anthologies (and the subsequent self-reliance library that I’ve grown from the recommendations thereof) have their own boxes, which are in the “pack last / open first” group. The more I read, the more impatient I am to get to it!

I do want to thank you all, though, for making this more than a self-reliance magazine. I’ve read through several (most of which I learned of through you, anyway), but they’re cut and dried… Your staff has a personality (and a large dose of sarcasm seems to be a prerequisite) that makes the articles both informative and entertaining–now you’re doing double duty! Still, the more I read, the more I get to know all of you, and the more I want to read more. Though we’re definitely cutting back lately, this subscription is in no danger of getting dropped, ever.

Tiffany

(p.s. Tell Jackie that since I’ve learned to can from her, she should finish up the next book so I have more ideas for how to use it!)

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Editor,

I have been reading your magazine, as well as a few other “self reliant” magazines, for many years now.  I usually pick them up in a local bookstore, near where I work.  I have just recently decided to cut down to just one magazine!  This has nothing to do with the downturn in the economy, just a matter of streamlining.  I feel that Backwoods Home gives me more information on more diverse subjects, than the “others”!

With the decision made, I went with your “whole Shebang” offer!  I want to thank Rhoda for making my  ordering very easy.  While talking to her, I gave her my story.  No, it does not start with “once upon a time…”, but MY determination to not only try to help myself, but help others as well.

While placing the order with Rhoda, I remembered reading about people who could not afford their subscriptions anymore.  I told her I would like to pay for someones sub. and she asked if I wanted to pay for one or two years.  When she said that, I asked to cover one year for two people.  Rhoda went on to tell me she would put them down as “Gift Subscriptions” and that each one would be at a much reduced price.  I asked that if they were at a reduced rate, then can I cover four subscriptions.  She said that would be “OK”!

Now let me clarify things here:  I am not rich, I lost over 45 percent of my retirement in the stock market crash, My house and the rest of my retirement and savings are going to my soon-to-be EX-wife, BUT, by the grace of God, I AM still employed!

I live in a medium sized city on the Long Island Sound, and have been working at the same place for over twenty years.  I worked for a mid-sized Pharmaceutical Company, that decided to sell it’s manufacturing and research facility, and move to New Jersey.  Well this was when everything was starting to look bleak with jobs moving out and businesses closing.  We all thought this was the end for us, the job we had was gone, but it had been many great years!

We had been told {grapevine news stand} that there were at least two mall chains looking at our property, and we would be let go.  As it turned out, there was this “unknown variable” waiting in the wings!  One of the “great bastions of Liberal/Progressive thinking” bought not only the property, BUT hired on “only” about 20 of the former 2000+ employees!  I happened to be one of those twenty or so people!

SO not only did I not lose my job, I also got a raise!  So it is with this “extra” that I wish to bless someone else!

Thank you for allowing me to pass at least this part of my fortune along to other people!  I can only hope it will inspire others out there to do the same.

John S.

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Great article on canned bacon.  Very informative and worthwhile to us avid canners.

Would appreciate follow-up articles on canned cheese and butter.

Thanks.

Jerry Mangen

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Hi Annie & Gang,

First off, Happy Holidays!

I’ve noticed that you are missing element in today’s world, whether it be homesteading or not. HOMESCHOOLING. While I have no kids of my own, I’ve noticed more and more on all the message boards I belong to (including yours ;)) that you really don’t delve deeply into homeschooling. Maybe an article here and there. I know you have only so much much space and do appreciate that, but more and more in the forums I see more and more parents asking for help in getting started homeschooling their children. What curriculum do others use, how to incorporate preparedness in HS, etc.

With more people getting into the self reliance lifestyle, I think that if you could add more about HS, it would be so helpful to the beginners out there.

Yours is the only magazine I choose to subscribe to.

Happy Holidays!

Cecilia Calvin

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What an absolute joy to have found your magazine. All the times we have been in Gold Beach and never new you were there.

You see for those who don’t know Gold Beach we go there to get ‘abrated’. One just stands and faces the ocean and the wind and sand take off a couple layers of skin. AAAAh  feels so good.

Thrilled with your magazine. Have subscribed  and won’t stop.

Next time we are in town will pass up coffee shop and stop in to visit.

Excellant, excellant publication with excellant writers.

Did I say excellant too much?

Howard
Citrus Heights, CA

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My Sister-in- law, Barbara Blackmore referred your Magazine to us. What a Holiday Gift.

My Wife and I started trying to be self-sufficient 2 years ago. We saw the direction this Country was heading and wanted to provide for ourselves. Your Magazine, and my passion, are one and the same -teaching people to do for themselves. We’re opening a small raw Milk Dairy in the spring of 2011. Our hope is offering people a choice for fresh foods. We have Pigs and cows also.  One day there will be very little food at the supermarkets so we each need to provide for ourselves and help our neighbors to do the same.

Sorry to ramble on, but this is my passion. Thanks for your time. Happy Holidays and God bless you and yours.

Jim Graham

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I love your website. I found it by searching for building snares & live traps. We may not be homesteading, but we live just outside of town in the country of Oregon City. We have chickens, ducks, a goat & rabbits. We also have wild deer that roam our yard. Now we have something coming after our chickens and ducks & we are not rich financially to purchase live traps, etc.

Your articles are a wealth of information. My husband gave me a greenhouse for a wedding gift & I still don’t know how to use it, let a lone setting it up. Your articles will help us in many ways.

I am surprised you are in Oregon. I half expected you to be in Ohio or Missouri or someplace like that. Keep up the great work!

Cindy Wanvig

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I am writing to you via my personal E-mail and not business or junk E-mail out of respect and appreciation.

Just as an impression of the reader, I am a 39yr old man from Indianapolis Indiana originally. I now reside in Brown County Indiana which is a little more country. We live in a wooded area but city life is only 30 minutes away. I have not been here long and actually change periodically from the bigger city in Indianapolis to the much more beloved country life here in Brown County. This time I have only been here for a few months now. So my interest in your articles are not just with the country in mind.

I feel as though this magazine is designed around my own beliefs and interest.

The reason why I am really writing to you is not only to inform you of my approval of your Magazine, but also to say “THANK YOU” thank you very much for posting the free articles. They are invaluable to me. I am very very poor at the moment and the money I do get I focus on my 3yr old Daughter. Its terrifying having such a young child so late in life. She is my first and I love her so much, I do not want her to do without. Anyway I unfortunately can not afford a subscription, but I love this magazine so much since recently finding it. I have been sharing the name of your publication with family, friends and anyone who will listen.

So your articles really help me so much. I get to still enjoy the rich content that your Magazine has to offer. I am so sorry that at the moment I can not contribute cash to the purchase of this well deserved Magazine. I can however, offer you my deepest appreciation for what you do and my admiration for the way you have built this enterprise, which too is a dream of mine, to create a business which frees me from the corporate grind allowing me choice and freedom and the ability to educate and strengthen my Daughter in the way I feel she will need, so that she can be prepared to be on her own sooner than most, given my age.

I want so much, for what it is worth for everyone responsible for such a selfless act to know that it does not go unnoticed. Thank you, Thank you and Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.

Thank You!

Sincerely;

Rick Johnson (Loyal Reader)

God Bless You!

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I’m a recent subscriber but I also bought a number of back issues and anthologies. I’ve learned something from every issue.

- The recent water treatment articles have been helpful. Tim Thorstenson was very generous in offering to answer questions. I sent him some questions and also suggested topics that would be good for additional articles. I hope you’d be open to that. With a little reorganization, the articles would make a good booklet. (Mostly more clearly defining subtopics and putting all the info on a subject in one spot.)

- The recipes and commentary by Richard Blunt are always well written, interesting, and helpful. I have a degree in foodservice, was in the business for 15 years, have done most of the cooking for 40 years, yet I have learned something from each of Richard’s articles. I’ll have to try every recipe he suggests in his most recent article.

- Can you ask Norman Bennett a follow-up question on his metal roofing article?

The most commonly cited question/problem re: metal roofs is leakage around the screws after 5 to 10 years. Supposedly, with expansion and contraction, the holes in the metal enlarge and the seal on the screw deteriorates. What has Norman seen re: any problems?

I recently had a metal roof installed by an independent contractor–the one that the metal supply company said was their best installer and that they send out to solve problems. (I engaged the supply company owner in a conversation and kind of worked it out of him.) The job looks great and the trim, etc. is as Norman recommends. But I wish I had seen Norman’s article before spending the 10K!

I needed a new roof because a wind storm broke off 20% of the “tabs” on 10 year old builder-grade asphalt shingles. The metal roofing contractor laid a premium foam underlayment (Palisade) over the old shingles . I had and still have some concerns about the screw issue but my feeling is that even if a screw does leak, the water has to drip around the screw, then through the plastic underlayment, then through the old shingle, then through the old felt, enough to rot the plywood. So it should be a very tiny leak thus taking a long time for any real damage to occur–right?

- I find it interesting that several of those canceling because they disagree with your libertarian principles also complain about all the lies on Fox News. Are they talking about all the liberal hosts on Fox–at least 25%?  The liberal political operatives? Or is it Glen Beck, who usually shows video clips of progressives convicting themselves with their own beliefs. In any case, why would they watch a show they think is presenting lies?

I’m interested in how many of the cancellations are from those who subscribed for more than one year. Or are they plants who subscribed within the last year–just so they could cancel? You should post the number of issues those canceling have been subscribers. I also can’t imagine any homesteader or someone even thinking about living in the country being antigun–don’t they know about rabid raccoons, bobcats and coyotes?  These cancellations smell even more like outside agitators since it’s easy to skip over the gun articles.

Thanks,

Irv K.

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Just wanted you to know that the reason why I have kept your magazine above all others is the quality of advice by your experienced writers.

I can collect lots of info on-line but would rather not follow the “tried it once and it seemed to work” folks.  If I have more experience in the subject than the writer their articles usually just waste my  time.

Keep up with the good writers and I will always be a subscriber.

Holly B.

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I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed “the gee-whiz page” in issue #125. I thoroughly enjoy all the articles that include any insight from O.E. MacDougal.  I have learned a tremendous amount over the past few years of reading back issues that featured John Silveira‘s recounts of conversations with MacDougal.  The series about the first ladies was especially interesting.

Thank you for including history in Backwoods Home Magazine.

Marlana Ward
Mountain City, TN

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