Got a couple of queries this morning about my status 'round these parts, so thought I'd post over in the financial commentary section to keep the post from being "poofed"!

The disconnect over the last couple of weeks between what was being reported by corporate news syndicates and what was ACTUALLY occurring in the world was appalling. But rather than run increasingly alarming interpretive posts, I chose to ramp up my local activities in preparation for financial events that have moved from likely to near-certain. More on that later.

Let me explain, if I haven't before, a bit about the agreement Mike (Admin) and I made before setting up this area of the board. Much of what has happened in the past 18 months was predicted, by me, in private and public postings, more than four years ago. Forgive me if I engage in a Denningeresque round of "told ya!", but, in fact, I did.

Much of the frightening reality was very difficult to listen to, even a couple of years ago as the stock market was working it's way to new highs and housing had not yet begun its disastrous descent. But after a bit of conversation, Mike agreed that a bit of light shone on some of the more arcane causative elements (derivatives and securitization) of the coming crash might be useful. As long as it didn't get too far toward TEOTWAWKI territory.

Given that any LEGAL attention directed toward this site would likely land much harder on Mike than me (domain name registration, banking activities, legal exposure etc.), I was happy to (mostly) observe those loose guideline agreements.

That I have pushed the edges occasionally is at least partly excused (in my own mind) by the sheer measure of the theft occurring and the increasingly brazen illegality being engaged by the oligarchs and their hand-maidens in our employ in DC.

But for the last two weeks, nothing I typed out on my keyboard would 'make the cut', based on my agreements with my partner.

So, rather than scare the bejeezus out of you fine folks, I've busied myself with useful projects. And, while NONE of what I write should EVER be interpreted as advice, investment-wise or other, you may want to consider if, given the current state of affairs I'm completely daft, or just in a fine position for whatever may come.

We now have three reliable sources of water: artesian springs, which feed a hundred thousand gallon pond, and a forty gpm well. The fifteen acres now supports four gardens, an orchard, and the use of a neighbors fenced garden and greenhouse are being traded for a few wheel-barrows full of produce.

Large structures on the property can be effectively heated with wood, ten cords of which are cut, stacked, and curing in the high-mountain sun. If you imagine that we might have a large cache of basic food stuffs, you'd be right! Medicines, herbs, and natural healing elements have been gathered and preserved in quantity, and the skills of their use has been cultivated assiduously, study that continues to date.

Our small, southern Oregon valley now has a formal food security apparatus under construction, the work of a few dozen farmers and city dwellers well aware of the fragility of complex systems. When your NEIGHBORS' food supply is safe, yours is, as well.

A small number of the contributors to these pages have kept up a personal correspondence with me on their own preparatory steps. I'm delighted to get the news whenever it comes.

For predictions on where I think we get to in this calendar year, go back to the post I made on this site in early January. I will not be posting further on "predictions". My partner's mental health is more valuable than the arguments that nearly always ensue.

I'm not saying this is my last post on the subject. But it may be. Fire away! Keep in touch! Raise cash!

Oh, and read today's Ticker.

It's a doozy.

WOW! I am at a loss of words on that.

Clarification: The 30-year rate shows 6.5% on there yet when I checked it was 5.5% at par or even 5% at 1.5pts. I don't understand the disconnect. I can see rates going up but I'm not seeing it as too high. When I bought in 1991 we thought it was good to get in the single digits, like 9.75%. A decade before that it was just below 20%. A bump in mortgage rates of 50 bpts at this low rate will obviously be a large percentage increase. This same bump at 18% would not even register.

Housing is at historic lows right now and I admit will fall further, but at these rates affordability is at an all-time high.

I cannot get in a panic mode about it. At the same time I've got a full pantry, my annual garden (nothing new there), no revolving or consumer debt and a lot of money in the bank.

Uh, no. Not yet. But will be before long. Sorry.