Why The Great Outdoors Is So Great?

We are a country that loves statistics. Whether it is in education, business, or politics, we love having the numbers to prove whatever point we are trying to make. Well, this week I read some pretty disheartening statistics. The numbers varied depending on the polling company, but Congress's approval rating is currently sitting at around 17 percent at the moment. In case you were wondering, that puts the lawmaking assembly of our nation in roughly the same approval category as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. It makes sense actually--Congress is also full of spoiled brats who generally accomplish little more than drama and whining.

Seriously though--17 percent? Is there any other job in the country where you can keep your job when your boss is unhappy with you over 80 percent of the time?

There has been a huge focus on the presidential elections coming in November, but with sixty-six Senate and House seats coming up for election as well, maybe some thought should be given to those. We haven't had a national budget in three years. The Senate has stalled and refuses to do the nation's business. The House can pass every resolution and bill before it, but without a working Senate, it's useless. I don't know about you, but I think some serious house cleaning is in order.

But regardless of what goes on in Washington, we can still pursue those things that help us remain independent in our own worlds. This week we have several articles that you should probably print out and save as a hard copy in your preparation file at home. First of all, we have an article on two ways to grow your own bread starter. Bread is the staff of life. I don't know about you, but I love my bread! I can't imagine life without it, and if Sunbeam is no longer around, I still want to be able to make my own. (Homemade is just better anyway...)

And then we have an article on handmade rope and binding material. My dad used to save every little piece of rope and string available, "just in case." What if we can't run down to Walmart or the local hardware store and get a roll? What do we do then?

And then we have an article on why the great outdoors is so... well, great. We've become divorced from living as we were intended. Now, I don't mean we have to go back to caves and thatched roofs, but we weren't made for desks and office chairs 24/7 either. It's time to revel in all the creation that is around us.

And for those of you considering a handgun