All posts by Derek

Garden & Animals

Rat in Chicken Coop

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We have been raising layers for more than 10 years and we noticed  holes being chewed out of the chicken coop floor starting last fall.  I noticed that “tunnels” were being dug  beneath the floor.  Upon further investigation, I found out the chicken coop has no concrete foundation and is sitting on wood beams, but the floor is insulated with 2″ thick foam board with plywood on top.

Being inexperienced with rats, I simply patched the hole with concrete, hoping that would stop the invasion.  Well, new holes would pop up every other day randomly, even on walls (plastic board).  Initially I thought the unwelcome guests were moles or voles, but after research on the internet, I finally realized that the nightmare was brought about by rats.  You see, moles love to dig tunnels, but they do not eat grains; they eat earthworms and grubs.  Voles are rodents but they mostly eat plants.  Rats, on the other hand, eat anything and are notorious for chewing holes through thick wood.

The rats are attracted by the chickens because  seeds and feed would fall around the feeder during pecking and when food is scarce in winter, the warm chicken coop is a perfect habitat.

Arming with the discovery of the real enemies, I purchased a rat “high power kill” trap and baited it with peanut butter.  Sure enough, the trap was triggered but was pulled all the way to the hole.  Next, I screwed the trap to the floor but again the peanut butter was gone with no sign of rats (trap triggered).

I then purchased a rat bait station but the rats were not attracted by the bait.  Later I found out that the hole was too small for the rat to enter!

Finally I decided to try the Havahart® X-Small 1-Door Trap.  I had success with this trap for catching squirrels.  Sure enough, after a few nights, I finally caught the bugger!  It was a big grey Norway rat!

But….that was not the end of story.  I ended up buying the traditional wooden snap trap as well so I continued to set the snap trap, live trap and bait station.  Subsequently, I found out the snap traps were only effective against baby rats.  The adult rats could wriggle away after being snapped!  The live trap was the only effective way.

We ended up killing 4 big rats and 2 small ones.

But….that was also not the end of story.  After a few days, there were still signs of rats.  What in the world!?  By this time I have 2 live traps but this rat never visited them, yet it started to chew holes everywhere again.

Finally, I decided to take the rat bait from the bait station and dropped it through the hole in the wall and then sealed the holes up with spray foam.

Now after 3 days, no signs of rats yet…..but I won’t be able to tell until at least a week is past.  Unfortunately, here in Ontario only licensed personnel can purchase rat poison without bait station and in my situation, the rat bait was the last resort.

Coming spring, I would have to dig around the coop and seal the holes.  I would also lay down a layer of hardware cloth on the floor and put new floor on top.  Lots to do on a farm.

Country Life

Register for Summit Basecamp (FREE)

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Through my older daughters’ Lumerit Unbound college degree, I came to know the wonderful Christian ministry Summit.  Summit focuses on teaching biblical worldview to the younger generation and tackling popular cultural strifes arise from conflicting worldviews.

Although Summit’s target audience are mostly children and young adults, I find the material very helpful in defending my Christian faith and engaging non-believers with facts and love.  Besides providing bible study and homeschooling curriculum,  Summit also provides FREE Basecamp events.  I highly recommend Christian parents to check them out here.

Past events include Practical Tools for Equipping Gen Z and Truth & Relationship in a Sexually Confused Culture.  

Upcoming event in May would be Navigating A Technological and Pornified Culture.

 

Christianity

Say NO to Canadian Gay Loonie

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Loonie is a “one dollar coin” in Canada.  It is named as such because it bears an image of a common bird loon. 

But now the Canadian government plans to issue a new loonie to commemorate the end of laws against homosexuality.

Since they won the last election, the leftist/socialist/Marxist liberal government has been pushing LGBT agenda on all Canadians ferociously.  Anybody who simply does not agree to their agenda is labelled “intolerant” and could face judicial persecution under Hate speech laws.

Do we have freedom in Canada?  Not really if you are a conservative person who hold true the traditional definition for marriage is between one man and one woman.  Just because the Canadian government legalize same-sex marriage, abortion and divorce, it doesn’t make these laws right.

In fact, these laws are harmful and devastating to our society and children.  If you think deeper, these laws encourage the breakdown of traditional families.  Traditionaly, marriage/sex/babies come as a package.  Same-sex couples are inherently sterile.  Abortion is an act of murder and children from divorced parents lack love and support while growing up.

None of these laws bring any benefits to the human race.

Now, our Trudeau liberals want to permanently put a shame on our country by issuing a homosexual coin.  All I ask is for the government to stop pushing the agenda of less than 1 % of the population.

PLEASE SIGN THE FOLLOWING PETITION:

https://www.citizengo.org/en-ca/fm/167676-say-no-gay-loonie

 

Health

Harmful Wireless Techonologies

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Since the inception of cell phone and general adoption of wireless technologies,(e.g. WiFi, internet of things, smart devices), we have experienced revolutionary change in modern society when it comes to communication, business model and health.

In my opinion, the negative impact of wireless technology on our lifestyle far outweighs the convenience that it promises.  My wife and I are first-hand victims of the modern powerful wireless technologies; we are electromagnetic sensitive.  Although a quick search on wikipedia describes ES as :

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a claimed sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, to which negative symptoms are attributed. EHS has no scientific basis and is not a recognised medical diagnosis. Claims are characterized by a “variety of non-specific symptoms, which afflicted individuals attribute to exposure to electromagnetic fields”.

We know that we are affected by electromagnetic frequency (EMF).  Whenever we start using cell phone for more than a couple of minutes, we start to have headaches at the back of our head.  Once we turn it off or put it into airplane mode, the headache is gone.  We have experienced this phenomenon hundreds of times with the final conclusion that EMF causes our bodies to react in a negative way.  We cannot be close to a wifi router, talk on bluetooth nor can we use a wifi-enabled tablet.  My wife is more sensitive than I: she can feel the unseen presence of WiFi when she steps in a busy public library or mall with hundreds of wireless devices sending EMF signals.  She literally has to leave the premise within minutes.

I don’t need some doctors or experts to show me scientific evidence whether EMF is harmful.  My own experience tells me that the detrimental effect of EMF on human body is real.  Thankfully, there is now a documentary film dedicated to inform the public about EMF and your health.

If you have young children, I highly implore you to watch “Generation Zapped” and be educated.  Young children are highly susceptible to the harmful EMF because their skulls and immune systems are still developing.  Here is what we do to mitigate our situations.

  1. Do not use WIFI at home.  Provide ethernet cables to your computers.  Purchase ethernet adapter for your tablets.  I know this is inconvenient, but then you and your children will spend less time online (and hopefully have more family time together).
  2. Do not place ANY wireless emitting devices near your sleeping area at night.  The wireless baby monitors?  Better throw them away.
  3. Limit your air time you spend on your cell phone.  Do you really need to check facebook or text messages every 5 minute?  I know WhatsApp can bring us instant information about our friends….but do we need to know right away in most cases?  Take a break and check back in an hour.
  4. Do not put the phone close to your head.  Use speaker or wired (NO bluetooth) headset.
  5. For more serious folks, shield your home with fabric, paint or aluminum screening to block and reduce EMF exposure from cell phone towers (we have 3 around our home!) and routers from neighbours.
  6. If you have to use any wireless device, try to stay as far back as possible.
  7. Purchase a good EMF meter and find out the source of EMF pollution in your home.

With the coming 5G technology which is extremely dangerous because of its transmission power, I don’t know how I can further protect my family except wearing EMF shielding hats and clothes whenever we go out (own none so far).

If you want further information, please visit this site.

Economics, Homeschooling

Review of 2018

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As 2018 draws to its end, I take this opportunity during the holiday break to review my personal life and what had happened globally.  I like to share these with the readers of this blog.

Personal achievements:

  1.   Started and completed Level 1 of Military Fit.  Currently finishing the program 2nd time.  I found this program very helpful in keeping me healthy and fit.  As you know, I like to be prepared for unforeseen disasters and being psychically fit is crucial in surviving most situations.
  2.   During summer I was able to run 1 mile (1.6km) around 6:30.  The fastest record was 6:23 which I was never able to achieve again this year.  My next challenge is to keep the same running speed but with a weighted vest.
  3.   Together with  my children, we built a new chicken tractor, built a new firewood shed and raised our first steer. These are unforgettable experiences.  Hard work but satisfying.
  4.   My 2 oldest daughters (17 and 16) have completed their 1st year of online college courses with Lumerit.  It was a great relief to know that we can save a substantial amount of tuition fees pursuing undergraduate degree while staying home.  New  issues of cyber addiction, time scheduling and “teenage rebellion” amalgamate into new parental challenges for Kay and I.  I thank God that we have the Word of God to help us in these situation but boy, we would have to go through these scenarios 8 times!
  5.   Visited Ottawa, capital of Canada for 2 days.  We went to the Parliament,  Supreme Court, Aviation Museum, Nature’s Museum and Royal Canadian Mint.  What made it special was the entire itinerary was organized by my 2 oldest daughters.

Checking my post “A reflection of year 2017” a year ago, none of the listed issues have subsided except North Korea.  In addition we have new crisis of the trade war between China and USA, increasing sanctions against Russia and Iraq, gilets jaunes protest in France and finally the beginning of the burst of “everything bubble”.

The world is awash in debt.  From the mouth of MSM : The World Will Pay for Not Dealing With Debt:

Since 2007, global debt has increased from $167 trillion ($113 trillion excluding financial institutions) to $247 trillion ($187 trillion excluding financial institutions). Total debt levels are 320 percent of global GDP, an increase of around 40 percent over the last decade.

Now interest rate is slowly rising, interest payment will put tremendous financial pressure on household, private and public sectors.  The coming financial collapse is engineered of course and this post by Mr. Smith explains it very well: The Psychological Warfare Behind Economic Collapse .

If you have not scaled back your investment exposure to real estate and equities, you should cut loss and do so.  I was 2 years ahead of expecting the collapse but it looks to me 2019 is the year when things are going to get really ugly.

Happy New Year and continue to trust in Jesus Christ!

 

 

Survival

Mini Ice Age Coming

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Looking out of the window as I am writing this blog, it is snowing with strong wind (snow squall) this morning on our hobby farm, in the middle of November 80 km north of Toronto.  As a Canadian, snowing in late November is not uncommon, but I have noticed that recent winter has arrived a bit earlier with more snow.  When I first immigrated to Canada 20+ years ago, it was cold and snowy.  Then we had warmer winters and even “green” Christmas at times.

We have all heard about “global warming”, which prompts nations around the world to try implement Carbon emission related tax and regulation.  I have noticed that the term “global warming” has been replaced by “climate change”.  Why?  Because we are actually entering into “global cooling”.  The carbon tax is simply a hoax orchestrated by the elites to grab more money from her citizens.

When God created heavens and earth, He also setup up ordinances, seasons and cycles.  “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.“  (Ecclesiastes 1:9)  Therefore, the sun plays a crucial role in “climate change”.  When the sun spot and solar flare activities diminish, the average temperature on earth will drop.  When the sun goes into a prolonged solar minimum period, we call this “mini ice age”.  

According to John Casey author of the books, Cold Sun and Dark Winter. Co-Founder and Chairman, International Earthquake and Volcano Prediction Center, Orlando, Florida.  In 2007 he had a scientific epiphany while researching climate change models and realized that the sun’s cycles, especially its 206 year cycle, more closely represented the climate change actually observed than do any of the so called ‘global warming’ models. Based on his observations of the correlation between the 206 year cycle and actual climatic changes, he predicts that we have already begun a 30 year period of cooling, with the temperatures bottoming out in around 2030.

The following 2 diagrams depict recent solar activities and the trend of global temperature.  It is clear that average temperature has been declining since 1990s.

 

You may ask “Ok, a couple of degrees drop and more snow, what is the big deal?  I like skiing.”  I like cross country skiing too!

However, if we look back at history and search about “mini ice age”, we can see that cold climate was usually accompanied with increase earthquakes, volcanic activities, famines, pestilence, wars and mass migrations.  This is easily understood: less sun -> short cool summer -> less food -> famine -> pestilence -> countries fight for resources.

The earth population has expanded exponentially for the past century.  With the advance of technology, humans have extracted vast amount of fossil fuel and polluted the environment with plastic and toxic waste, causing other species’ extinction.  I don’t believe human will become extinct in the coming ice age, but I do think a lot of people will die if history was correct.

What can we do then?

Here are some good information to get yourself familiar:

Cold Sun Warning! 350-Year Ice Age Starting in Months

Ice Age Emergency: China Building Artificial Sun and Moons

Cold Times: How to Prepare for the Mini Ice Age

As always, turn to Jesus Christ.  He is your only hope.

If you can move closer to the Equator, do so.  For those who cannot move, including myself, I would start stocking up food and water.  I would make sure everyone in my family has enough winter gloves, jackets, boots.  I would insulate my house as best as I can.  I would learn how to build a green house and grow cold resistant plants.

Be prepared.

Economics, Survival

The Coming Rise of Interest Rate and Recession

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Recently, the global stock markets have dropped somewhat, finally.  The stock market (US mostly, but can be applied to other countries) has enjoyed a nine-year-old bull ride, thanks to the ultra-low interest and QE policies by the Federal Reserve and central banks.   The result is massive debt incurred by sovereign nations, municipalities,  corporations and regular households:  the global debt is now at 247 trillion US dollars.

This is absolutely staggering and mind bogging.  Stock prices and real estates prices have been inflated to the moon, while “real” asset such as gold and silver have been artificially kept low.  Instead of investing in research and development or boosting business efficiency, corporations are using the “free” borrowed money to initial stock buyback (thereby inflating the stock prices) and pay their CEOs handsome bonuses.  Banks have been ignoring lending risks while approving loan applications.  A great read can be found here by Howard Marks

However, when interest rate rises, the asset price bubbles will burst with all parties unable to afford higher interest payments and be forced to default and even declare bankruptcy.  The emerging markets (e.g. African countries) will be hit hard first, with larger developed countries (e.g. Italy, Greece) following suit.  Finally, countries like China, Japan and US will be in trouble as well.

All of a sudden, the sentiment of Wall Street has shifted and has been sounding alarms all over.  Most notably, IMF is warning about the risk of approaching the Second Great Depression.   Another example, two-thirds of U.S. business economists see recession by end of 2020 .

The current trade war between US and China will greatly hamper global trade and could escalate into more serious conflict, i.e. a real war between NATO/US vs Russia/China.  So what can we expect?

Here is what I think:

  1. Rising interest rates will definitely lead to a collapse of stock market and real estate markets.
  2. Rising interest rates will definitely drag the economy into contraction -> demand drops -> companies layoff workers -> governments raise tax/increase spending hoping to boost economy -> more layoffs -> lesser demand -> recession
  3. Possible rise of oil prices, especially with the conflict in Middle East.
  4. Rise in precious metal such as gold and silver.  Wealth cannot be destroyed, they are simply transferred.
  5. Riots and civil unrest everywhere.  Government will be forced to cut budget when recession hits.  Basic standard of living expected by normal Western citizens will be affected.
  6. Conflict between Russia/China against US/NATO seems imminent, especially when all else fails, they (the elite) will take you to war.  In other words, when the economy fails, they need to turn the public’s focus and blame on someone else (China or Russia are the culprit)
  7. ….and many more

This has been one of my themes on this blog:  be prepared!

  1. If you are not a Christian, make sure you come to believe in Jesus Christ before doing anything else.  Get yourself and your household in order and know that when you are under the wings of the Almighty, no depression/recession/war would harm you.  You might die of hunger, disease, persecution and war.  However, you will be resurrected and living with God forever.  This is the most amazing thing in this world.
  2. Get out of debt.  We cannot change what the governments and central banks have done, but we can repent of our reckless spending and start paying off our debts.
  3. Make sure you have 3 months’ savings readily available when hard time comes.
  4. Store up food, water and necessities for your family.
  5. Learn survival skills, self-defense skills and grow your own food.
  6. Connect with other like-minded families so that you will have a supporting communities when no body answers 911 anymore (I am serious, read history)
  7. If you still have money leftover when you have done the above, but some gold and silver.  They cannot earn your interest, but they can preserve your wealth.

 

 

 

Country Life

Building Firewood Shed

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I have been storing firewood under tarps for many years and it always bothers me when I have to replace the tarps every year because of tear from wind/UV.  It is also quite inconvenient to retrieve firewood logs under the tarp in the cold winter.  Nevertheless, it is cheap and affordable.

This year, I decided to build a proper firewood shed after other chores have been taken care of.  To save money (yeah, call me cheap), I am going to use free pallets as base and scrap boards as sides.  I still have to purchase some gravels for the concrete slabs, 2x4s for studs and rafters, OSB boards for sheathing and shingles.

To house 2 bush cords of firewood, the shed is going to be 10 ft long by 6ft wide and 6ft tall (at the highest).  The tedious part of the project, if you have ever build any sheds, is to prepare the foundation as best as you can.  It took me 2 days to cut the slabs, dig holes, fill in the gravels and level them properly.

Within a week, with help from the children, the shed is finished!

Using slabs and gravels as foundation.
The pallet is placed on the slabs.
Studs.  All 2x4s
Side View
Rafters and sheathings.
Under the roof
Marking chalk lines on top of the sheathing.
Nailing shingles by hand is a pretty tiring job.
Putting up side boards from scrap fences.
Firewood delivery.
My wonderful children who help me build the shed and piling the firewood.  They are super fast!!
Garden & Animals

Garden Progress Summer 2018

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It has been a hot summer this year. Several occasions of above 40°C weather. There was even a “camp fire ban” issued by the fire department in our township. Thankfully, thunderstorms arrive and relieve the mini “drought” for our garden. Plants start to grow rapidly.

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This is a ROUND zucchini!  An heirloom variety.
This is a normal green zucchini but somehow grows like a staircase!?
Very early apple crop.  Almost every apple has blemish and some are rotten.  I still have a long way to grow the perfect organic apple.
Potatoes:  Alta Blush, German Butterball and Purple Viking.
  Green cabbage, yellow zucchini and cucumber.
  Daikon (big white radish)
  Purple peacock pole beans.

 

Christianity

Organized Global Pedophilia

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Recently in Pennsylvania, state officials have released a landmark grand jury report that identifies more than 300 “predator priests” who molested children in six dioceses. It also accuses church leaders of taking steps to cover up the abuse:

Rick Wiles from Trunews also discusses thess horrific findings: Society’s Sickness: Molesters in High Places

The Catholic church has been plagued with reports all over the world regarding predator priests sexually abusing young children repeatedly without any arrest and punishment for their crimes.

The worldwide, systemic pedophilia attacks take place not only in the Catholic church, but also in United Nations: HORRIFYING UN REPORT DETAILS WIDE SPREAD CHILD RAPE BY HIGH-LEVEL UN EMPLOYEES

I have long believed that both the Vatican and UN are satanic organizations in disguise.  The most senior leaders of these organizations are most likely devil worshipers who instigate all forms of sins, including pedophilia.  That is not to say a layman in the catholic church is not a real Christian saved by blood of Jesus Christ.  That is not to say a UN worker who wants to maintain peace and help the poor is faking his way.

However, the rampant and extremely high number of abuses and offenses in the Catholic church and  UN should sound the alarm for one to examine the root and background of these organizations.  Why did the leadership cover up for the pedophiles?  Why did they let the pedophiles continue to abuse young children over and over again in different dioceses or countries?

One better believes that at the highest level of government and entertainment industry, well-known political figures and movie stars are also involved in pedophilia, human trafficking and sex rings.   Do a quick search on the ‘Clinton Lolita express’, ‘spiritual cooking’, ‘Hollywood sex scandal’ would reveal the truth.

Parents, keep your eyes on your precious children at all times.  Do not trust anyone, including yourself, grandpa, pastor or your best friend.  We do not allow our children to sleep over at anybody’s place unless my wife or I are also present with them.  We ask at least 2 of our children to go together into a public washroom and into our barn.  If someone attacks them, hopefully one of them can get away and ask for help immediately.

There are reports that grown men of  Americans, Canadians and Europeans have regular, organized “sex tour” to Thailand, South America, Philippines, etc…  Sadly, children are the prostitutes.

This world has become more wicked than Sodom and Gomorrah.  Lord Jesus, do come quickly and judge the unrepented sinners, save the little children and execute justice.  Amen.