Shadows Of Sanity And Survival (Old Preppers Die Hard Book 3) by Ron Foster

versions of fighting with those kinds of knives and forget about the mundane tasks of living such as we are doing now. Now, I’ve let Jeremy and Fong shadow fight the air with my favorite blade but getting either one of them little boogers to properly skin an animal without hitting it’s viscera or having to do that God awful anal cut without getting splashed has got them seeing the sense of shorter and more practical knives that has nothing to do with Merlin or Lancelot in their choice of blades. I love Bowie knives also but that’s another story and use. This new pair I bought has got a gut hook on it and in case ya’ll don’t know exactly what that is, it does a twofold purpose. But basically the way I will explain it to you is that you can make a small slit on an animal, insert a hook that’s built into the blade that’s dull on the surface that touches the innards or membrane layer so it doesn’t tear into the sacs and such and basically does the unzipping of say a deer out of it’s hide in one precise trouble free motion. It takes a lot of the expertise and carefulness out of the operation needed because of its specific design. It also serves another function, however, and that is removing the guts of an animal without having to dig your hands in which we all are kind of squeamish about. The bigger blade serves many functions and has the added value of having a machined watch case type of engraving finish that helps to hold oil on the blade when it’s stored.” Farley explained.
     
    “I don’t think Fong would be overly jealous if you gave Jeremy those, he knows how much he admires yours. Now me on the other hand is different, those are gorgeous!!” Becky said with a smile before continuing.
     
    “Do you have anything in particular for Fong or are you still looking?” Becky questioned.
     
    “Yea I got real lucky I guess on that one. I got him what in my opinion is the best hand axe ever made and a book to insure that he loves it. My favorite book for prepper kids or for that matter adults if I ever gift them a good hand axe is a classic about a boy who receives an axe from his mother and ends up using it to survive all by himself in the wilderness. The Ax is an Estwing sportsman’s axe and the book is Hatchet by Gary Paulson. That’s an Estwing on the cover by the way.
     

     
    “I would say that I managed to come about as close as I possibly could in finding something that could be appreciated as much those Silver Stag knives Jeremy is getting. Those two boys are a good team and having to depend on each other’s capabilities daily could mean the two different tools (Gut Hook and Axe) might be a good thing for them to have to ask the other to share.” Farley declared.
     
    “Oh I read that book when I was growing up! It’s a classic and on most schools reading lists. It’s a wonderful story and one of my very all-time favorites! Very appropriate to these days and times, I think you did real good choosing gifts for them!” Becky said giving Farley a pat and an unexpected hug that made him beam a smile and get tongue tied for a moment.
     
    “Now then, ah hem.” Farley spluttered before regaining his composure. “I see them boys heading this way. Time for this stuff to go back in my Santa sack, also known as an old government duffel bag that has a hole needing mending! We will talk more about my paperwork and this bag and a box or two back at my cabin later.” Farley declared and buckled the bag shut.
     
     
     
    “The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.”
     
    Aristotle

 
    4
     
    SAWING AWAY AT SURVIVAL
     
     
    “Come along boys, I reckon it’s time I go ahead and let you borrow a couple of my prize possessions. You all got some work to be getting done while I go out by myself on a little foraging and politicking trip for a few days. Now is the time that we all need to getting very serious about getting ready