Harold and Mario share a lunch of Canton rations (cold mush). They want to discuss their predicament, but are aware that the foundry's office is bugged. Fry, one of the laborers assigned to the project, shares the news that they are to cast a second aluminum blade base. The first crew's casting failed. The rumor is that the first crew were taken out to sea and shot for their failure. You can show your support for the continuation of the stories by buying a virtual coffee on Buy Me A Coffee. Monthly supporters on Patreon and BMAC are getting the chapters of the second novelette -- Susan's Raid.

Mic, Brian and Jeff have a roundtable discussion keying off of Todd Sepulveda's November 10th podcast. Todd talked about some people who were prepping for post-election chaos seem to have just stopped prepping since chaos didn't happen. Was that a reasonable response? Because Trump won, will things be safe, secure, and problem free -- at least for the next four years?  The guys weigh in with their two cents (sometimes more). Links to items discussed in this podcast: >> Blog post by Paul T. Martin. (Nov.6) "Many Preppers Are About To Make A Huge Mistake. Don't Be Them" >> Todd Sepulveda's Nov. 10 Podcast discussing Martin's article Available Now!  Book 6: The Summer of Wood & Iron is now available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback form.

Harold Perkins arrives at a small abandoned foundry well outside of the protective bounds of Canton Boston. He, and another man, have been ordered to cast a new aluminum base for a wind turbine blade. The overseer of this project, a Mr. Dorn, is sternly adamant that failure is not an option. Dorn gets angry when Harold says the small foundry does not have everything they need for Dorn's project.   Thank you to all of you who supported me and encouraged me in the creation and completion of Book 6. Work is underway to get the material processed through Amazon for the Kindle, paperback, and Audible versions.As the story continues through four novelettes, do show your support by buying me a cup of virtual coffee on Buy Me A Coffee. Even better, would be joining the other monthly supporters on Patreon and BMAC. Those members are getting the chapters of the second novelette -- Susan's Raid.  

Mic, Brian, and Jeff look at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in light of the recent hurricanes and aftermath. Did FEMA deserve the bad press it got? Is FEMA actually supposed to rescue people? Mic looks at the old Civil Defense model (pre-FEMA). Brian looks at the current Swedish version of Civil Defense -- which is strong on DIY. Below are links to things discussed in this episode. FEMA website: Ready.gov website James O’Keefe interview with FEMA whistleblower--- Bert the Turtle, Duck and Cover, video: Target You, Civil Defense preparedness film (1950)--- Sweden’s Civil Defense program: 19-page Swedish Preparedness PDF (in English):   Show your support for the Siege podcasts by buying Mic a virtual cup of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee Better yet, consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a monthly member at Buy Me A Coffee,

Martin and his crew assemble the Ferals for the hike into Manchester. They are blocked by the stocky man and his men who insist on taking some of the Ferals as their own personal slave labor. Stocky's plan is derailed by the Overseer of the Grange. After all of that, the long march into the city begins. Once in the city, the Ferals find opportunities for work and housing. Martin is finally free to return home without the distractions he had endured all summer. This is the final chapter of Book 6: The Summer of Wood and Iron   Thank you to all of you who supported me and encouraged me in the creation and completion of this project. I have appreciated the feedback, the coffees on Buy Me A Coffee, and the regular support on Patreon and BMAC. What's Next? In his outro, Mic discusses his plans for the podcast going forward. Check it out!  

This week, Jeff, Brian and Mic will be discussing a 15-minute intro video by a scientist named Lewis Dartnell, who tries to sort out what humanity would have to know to rebuild civilization after an apocalypse.  Of course, you can't describe everything you'd need to do to rebuild our current civilization in just a short video. Some things he touches on are sound. Some things superfluous. The boys put in their two-cents as to what someone would need to know for post-apocalyptic knowledge. The Link to the Video:   If you want to view the video before the guys discuss it, here is the YouTube link. Humanity After An Apocalypse.   As we near the conclusion of Book 6, let Mic that you you want to hear more of the Siege story by buying virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee Monthly members will be getting previews of what's next. Become a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee,

Martin and Margaret try to manage the sudden horde of Ferals that have settled around the Simmons house. While a solution is found, they put many of the Ferals to work in exchange for a meal of pine fries. A big project to keep most of them busy is digging out an area for a pond along the little stream on the Simmons' property. The work is interrupted by two men who wish to arrest one of the Feral women whom they accuse of stealing a chicken. As we near the conclusion of Book 6, you can show Mic that you've enjoyed the story by buying virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee Monthly members will be getting previews of what's next. Become a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Link for Next Friday Next week, Jeff, Brian and Mic will be discussing a 15-minute intro video by a scientist who tries to sort out what humanity would have to know to rebuild civilization after an apocalypse. If you want to view the video before the guys discuss it, here is the YouTube link. Humanity After An Apocalypse.  

In this episode, Mic, Brian, and Jeff discuss the post-apocalyptic film of 1970, No Blade Of Grass. It is called by some as the British version of the American film Panic In Year Zero. But the story is not about living in the woods, post-SHTF, but looks only at the journey from the big city to their Bug Out Location in the country. The boys try to look past the awkward artsy-ness of the director to discuss the story's events from a prepper's perspective. Links for this Episode: The book that the film is based upon: The Death of Grass (1956) Read online (free) at archive.org The movie No Blade of Grass at Amazon Prime (rental) Description of the movie No Blade of Grass on ClassicScifi.blogspot.com Description of No Blade of Grass on Wikipedia ---With "frost on the pumpkin', virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are especially welcome. Your support helps me keep the Siege story going. Consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, 

Harold and his family arrive in Manchester. The casting process process begins for making a new cylinder head for the ailing locomotive. While they work, Harold shares some of what life was like in the detention camp and some of the mysterious goings on. Once the work was completed, Martin returns home to find a difficult surprise.   You can help keep the Siege stories going. Become a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Of course, one-time virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always appreciated. --    

A counterpoint to the dark Mad Max vision, are stories of people rebuilding after an SHTF event. Mic dips into his old-movies archives to discuss Swiss Family Robinson (1960). Mic, Jeff, and Brian then look at Kevin Costner's The Postman (1997) as a tale of SHTF survivors who grasp at hope that "America" is coming back and begin to assert control over their own lives and defy the local warlord.   Links from films discussed in this podcast Swiss Family Robinson -- The imdb.org listing, cast, reviews, etc. Swiss Family Robinson -- Rent from Amazon, or available on Disney+ The Postman -- The imdb.org listing, cast, reviews, etc. The Postman -- Rent the movie on Amazon if you have Prime   Enjoying these episodes?   Consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee,  Of course, virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always welcome.  

Martin was busy tending to his unexpected guests when an urgent radio call came in. The railroad project needed the welding repair done immediately. Martin tried to tell Charles to get his welder up to Manchester and do the welding as he had promised, but the Hendrick brothers had gone to the coast and would not return until Friday. The welder was still at the Hendricks' farm but how could he get it up to Manchester without the truck?   Your support helps me keep the Siege story going. Consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Of course, virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always welcome, especially as the mornings are getting darker and cooler.  

Mic, Brian and Jeff discuss one of the iconic tropes in prepperdom -- the world gone "Mad Max". Formed mostly on the basis of the first two Mad Max movies (and there have been sequels afterward), the chaotic, desolate, and violent world of Mad Max serves as a sort of worst-case archetype for a post-SHTF world.  But, how likely is the world to Mad Max? Can one prep for that? Why aren't there roving gangs of good guys? Join us for the discussion and feel free to share your thoughts too. Links to films referred to in this episode Things To Come (1936) Movie adaptation of H.G.Wells' novel. A world war destroys civilization, sending mankind back to the stone age. Synopsis Captive Women (1951) Movie about post-SHTF barbarism. Synopsis World Without End (1956) Another movie about post-SHTF barbarism, but with astronauts! Synopsis. Mad Max: (first film: 1979) -- Wikipedia synopsis. Watch it free at archive.org. Mad Max 2 (1981) -- Synopsis on imdb.org  Rent at Amazon Prime, YouTube subscription, etc.

Early one morning, the motion alarm that Martin installed in his bean field, goes off. He rushes out to find a mysterious silhouette at the edge. He chases and tackles the person. She turns out to be a member of a group of Feral women who had been hiding in the woods across the road.  Margaret coaxes them into cooperating and relocating to behind the Simmons' house so that they would be safe from the disgruntled townsfolk who are hunting them. The Simmons' do not have enough food for eight new mouths. What can they do? To show Mic that you are enjoying the Siege story, please consider buying Mic a cup of virtual cup of coffee (or two?) at Buy Me A Coffee . To become one of the really cool kids (that all the others envy,) consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee,

The US Government's EMP Commission's report stated that at E.M.P. attack could take out the nation's power grid for over a year. After a year without the grid, said the report, that 60% to 90% of Americans would be dead. None of us can prevent an EMP, a CME, or a terrorist hack, but there are steps we can take to help be in the surviving 10%. Mic, Brian, and Jeff discuss grid-down media and an EMP movie. Links to material the boys discussed: Grid-Down / Power-Up (2021 documentary starring Dennis Quaid) Ted Koppel interview discussing his grid-down book: Lights Out (2015) Ted Koppel's book, Lights Out, on Amazon (2015) Movie, E.M.P. 333 Days (2018) free on Tubi, for rent for $2 on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime.

Martin resumes his chores around the house and checks out Dustin's rabbit snares at the back bean field. He takes a break to help Andy move out to Mara's camp. Andy is thrilled to be rooming with his soul mate. Martin gets back home in time to attend a contentious Grange meeting. Members complain about the Ferals stealing food and spreading disease. A mood of vigilanteism sweeps the meeting.   To check out Mic's post about the recent bobcat attack on his chickens, check out his Buy Me A Coffee page or his Patreon page.  

Mic gives an audio tour around the homestead as things stand at mid-summer.-- the quiet, elderberries that were only mostly-dead, what seems like slow fruiting, the chickens and the sad tale of dropping a tree on top of his low garden. Doh. All that, and news that target shooting is, apparently, a popular spectator sport for chickens. Who knew?   To see photos that go along with this audio tour, visit my Buy Me A Coffee page and click on Posts. If you prefer Patreon, go to my Patreon page and it should be the top post. Both are available to everyone.   If you're enjoying these between-the-chapters episodes or the chapters themselves, consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Of course, virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always welcome.  

The train leaves Laconia, making its way down through Tilton and Concord, on its way to Manchester. When they arrive, everyone aboard is surprised to see very little ready for them. The city is oddly open-looking. All the trees are gone. lMartin returns home to an enthusiastic welcome, but the chores he frets over were still not done.   Your support helps me keep the Siege story going. Consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Of course, virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always welcome.

Is it better to prep by trying to be an off-grid homesteader, or a basement stasher of a year's worth of all your consumables? Mic, Jeff, and Brian discuss these two poles of the spectrum of prepping.  Brian goes into a couple of rants about the cons of homesteading. He is also frank about some challenges to the basement stasher. Feel free to email Mic with your two-cents on the issues we discussed. mic (at) mic-roland (dot) com If you're enjoying these between-the-chapters episodes or the chapters themselves, consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Of course, virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always welcome.  

Martin is tasked with riding on the front of Engine #6 to inspect the rails as the train leaves Plymouth. He sees two people running on the tracks toward the train. They jump into the brush beside the rails. More people come running down the tracks and jump off at the same place. Shots ring out. Martin signals for the train to stop just before it reaches a small bridge. What he discovers under that bridge was completely unexpected. Please consider showing your support for the Siege stories by becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Of course, virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always welcome. Oh sure, it's a hot summer, but coffee is always appreciated.    

Mic, Brian, and Jeff all watched what might be the first realistic SHTF-Bug-Out movie: Panic In Year Zero (1962). While it is, of course, Hollywood fiction, many of the scenes are directly applicable to today. If you needed supplies, would you steal to get them? If you were confronted by someone you meant you harm, should you 'terminate' them right then? Our three movie-watchers discuss many of the scenes that raise relevant questions for today. Panic in Year Zero Movie: (YouTube Link) Shown in 10 parts. Link is to Part 1. The subsequent parts usually follow automatically, but take note that the new part has the next part number. They don't always follow correctly. But hey, it's free. :-) Give it a try. See for yourself what we were jabbering about. --- If you're enjoying these between-the-chapters episodes or the chapters themselves, consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at Buy Me A Coffee, Of course, virtual cups of coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are always welcome.