Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 20, 2024

On November 20, 1953, Scott Crossfield, piloting the Douglas Skyrocket, was the first man to break Mach 2 (1,300 MPH).

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In 284, Roman general Diocletian was proclaimed Emperor by the armies of the east and west after the death of Carinus at the Battle of the Margus.

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On November 20, 1914, the US State Department began requiring photographs for passports.

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November 20, 1942: The 2,451 kilometer-long Alaska Highway (“AlCan”) from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Fairbanks, Alaska, first opened to military traffic.

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We are pleased to welcome our newest advertiser, Angel Studios. They produce faith-based movies and television shows. Their latest project is a feature film that is spinning off a television series, called Homestead.  It should be of great interest to preppers and survivalists. The Homestead movie will open in theaters on December 20th, 2024.

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Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to be part of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 2, by Single Farmer

Editor’s Introductory Note: This is part of a multi-part article series on retreats written by a Christian farmer who is praying and searching for a wife. Please prayerfully consider all of the topics that he discusses.

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The Land: Your Base of Operations

Our farm can support the core food needs of hundreds of people. Farm productivity has been increasing much faster than the population. Over the space of two centuries, the number of people who are living on farms has decreased from almost universal to around two percent. Since the number of people who now live on farms is so relatively few as a percentage of the population, this has decreased the survival prospects of the rest of the population in the event of large-scale and persistent shortages. In each successive generation, self-sufficiency has declined overall and now almost everyone depends on a complex series of events to get almost everything that you need.

By 1920, the majority of the population lived in cities rather than rural areas and this change has had major effects on families. Our country is a net exporter of food, so the figure of how many people the average United States farmer feeds is nearly 170 people. Back in 1960, it was about one farmer feeding 25 people. The vast majority (95 percent) of all farms are owned by families. Whenever you go to the grocery store, you most likely are supporting a family farm. A lot of these amazing productivity numbers are achieved by specialization, inputs, and technology that would not be available in the event of a long-term emergency.Continue reading“Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 2, by Single Farmer”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Democrat Senator Mazie Hirono Claims SCOTUS Created Ability to Own Guns in 2008.

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Reader G.C. in Southern California wrote:

“I really like reading your quotes of the day.  But one thing bugs me.  I’ve seen you quote hymns but I’ve never seen you quote a modern praise chorus.  Why not?”

JWR Replies: There are exceptions, but I contend that generally contemporary praise choruses can best be described by four facets: Their dearth of sound Biblical doctrine, an over-emphasis on emotionalism, mantra-like repetitiveness, and a surplus of personal pronouns.  Modern praise choruses have as much to do with traditional hymns as hip-hop music has to do with classical music.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Switzerland is a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and is all stuck
over with large brown hotels built on the cuckoo clock style of architecture.” –  Ernest Hemingway, Toronto Star Weekly, March 4, 1922

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 19, 2024

On November 19, 1274, the Mongol army landed at Hakata Bay in Japan during their first invasion attempt. They were defeated. Famously, a typhoon (“Kamikaze“) destroyed most of their fleet as they withdrew.

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Today is the anniversary of the Kyle Rittenhouse “Not Guilty” verdicts, in 2021.

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On this day in 1863, U.S. President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, at the dedication service for the National Cemetery in Pennsylvania.

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Brownell’s (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running an Early Black Friday Sale. This sale will run until November 24th, 2024.  Take a look at their great discount pricing!

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Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to be part of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 1, by Single Farmer

Editor’s Introductory Note: This is part one of a multi-part article series on retreats written by a Christian farmer who is praying and searching for a wife. Please prayerfully consider all of the topics that he will discuss.

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Preparedness Terminology History

My family preparedness history goes back generations. Before the term “prepper” was used, people who were into preparedness were known as “survivalists” and even before then people were known as “retreaters.” Our survival library is very extensive covering preparedness-related subjects including original civil defense publications from the 1950s until today. I have spent many hours reading the articles and books that have been collected by my family. Recently, I was reading an article written thirty years ago that speculated on what term would be used after “survivalist.” The author had several interesting suggestions, but “prepper” was not one of them.

I consider our family library to be one of our key preparations. I have been told many times and I believe it: “You do not have time, money, energy, or lives to repeat every mistake, so learn from your elders.” Each book represents the voice of a person which is resonating throughout history. Many of these authors are no longer with us, but you can still learn from them.Continue reading“Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 1, by Single Farmer”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a look at ghost towns in the American Redoubt. Pictured above is Silver City, Idaho.

Region-Wide

7 Ghost Towns on the Way to Yellowstone.

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Video: Ghost Towns of Idaho and Montana #1.

Idaho

A Road Trip Through Idaho Ghost Towns.

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Salmon Valley Ghost Towns.

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Ghost Towns in Idaho.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 18, 2024

On November 18, 1883, US and Canadian railroads set and synchronized four standard time zones – Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific, replacing more than 100 previous time zones.

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On this day in 1978, Peoples Temple founder Jim Jones led hundreds of his followers in a mass murder-suicide at their agricultural commune in a remote part of the South American nation of Guyana. This incredibly tragic occurrence introduced the term “…drink the Kool-Aid” into our parlance, since poison-laced punch was the vehicle behind most of the deaths.

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A new listing over at SurvivalRealty: Beautiful Underground Berm Home in the Heart of the North Carolina High Country — $349,000 –167 Simmons Ridge Road, Spruce Pine, NC.

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The last day! We have been running a Wee-Long Veteran’s Day Sale at Elk Creek Company. The prices of all of our in-stock military-issue rifles (and sporters) and our military-issue revolvers have been deeply reduced. They are selling quickly. I boxed up five rifles this weekend and they will be shipped today. This a great opportunity to shop for a Christmas or Hanukkah gift that will be treasured for generations. Place your order before midnight Pacific Time tonight. (Monday, November 18th, 2024.)

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Today’s feature article was authored by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson

With one of the most comfortably-shaped ergonomic stocks I have ever used, an excellent trigger, and a 22 inch free floating threaded bull barrel, it is not surprising that the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 Creemoor offers excellent accuracy.

Weighing in at 8.8 pounds not counting optics or ammo, the rifle is no featherweight. That makes it your friend while absorbing recoil, but less so if you need to haul it under your own power into the boonies.

With a manufacturer suggested retail price of $1,085 at www.mossberg.com at the time of this writing, it represents a excellent value for medium to long range still hunting of medium-sized game.Continue reading“Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Fried Tuna Burgers 

The following recipe for Fried Tuna Burgers is from SurvivalBlog reader E.J.. She says: “Do you have cases of tuna that are near their expiration date? These tuna burger patties are a quick and easy alternative to fish sticks. These can be served as patties, between hamburger buns, or between slices of toasted bread.”

Ingredients
  • 2 cans of light tuna, drained
  • 1 cup crushed dried bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup dehydrated onion flakes
  • 3 eggs, or rehydrated equivalent of powdered eggs
  • ½ tsp. lemon pepper (or less, to suit your taste)
  • Flour (to coat patties)
  • Your preferred frying oil — I use olive oil
Directions
  1. Mix drained tuna, bread crumbs, egg, onion flakes, and lemon pepper.
  2. Divide into golf ball-sized portions.
  3. Hand press these into burger-like patties.
  4. Dip both sides in flour.
  5. Heat oil to medium heat and gently place patties into your frying pan.
  6. After one side is done, turn and finish cooking.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic is a clever cartoon panel created by award-winning cartoonist Dave Coverly of Speedbump.com.  It is reposted with Mr. Coverly’s permission.

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

 

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Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“If you thought Kamala Harris was a sure win in 2024, then you haven’t been paying attention to the epic shift in the cultural zeitgeist over the past few years. The thing that bothers me most about political and social analysis is dealing with people who foolishly assume nothing ever changes. Things change all the time. People can and do learn from the past. Nothing is hopeless, and nihilists are lazy and incompetent.

For example, since 2020 within liberty movement circles there has been a contingent of naysayers claiming that red states were being subversively “turned blue” by leftists relocating during the pandemic. My argument was that this was an idiotic take.

Yes, there were mass relocations across the US but all the data showed the vast majority of these people were conservatives seeking to escape blue state tyranny. I can’t tell you how many “experts” tried to argue with me that Texas, Florida, Idaho, and even my state of Montana were all going to be overrun by progressives. In the aftermath of the election I was once again proven right and they were utterly wrong.

Florida was an absolute landslide for conservatives. It wasn’t even close and I doubt that state will ever come close to being blue again. The same happened with Texas, Idaho, Montana, etc. There was no blue wave. It didn’t exist. It was actually a red wave.” – Brandon Smith

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 17, 2024

On November 17, 1603, English explorer, writer, and courtier Walter Raleigh went on trial for treason.

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November 17, 1855, David Livingstone became the first European to see Victoria Falls, at what is now the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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Just one day left! We are running a Week-Long Veteran’s Day Sale at Elk Creek Company. The prices of all of our in-stock military-issue rifles (and sporters) as well as our military-issue revolvers have been deeply reduced. Be sure to place your order before midnight on Monday, November 18th.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Backyard Chicken Tips, by Tractorguy

Keeping laying hens is an excellent idea for preppers, if you have the space and ability to do so. They are an excellent source of nutrition, particularly fats, which can be problematic to store in a grid-down or survival situation. Back in the early part of the 20th Century, during two world wars, the US government encouraged all households to keep laying hens. It is sage advice.

Keeping hens to provide eggs is not hard, and does not require a large amount of time and attention. Much information is available online about raising chickens. This is not meant to be an exhaustive treatise on keeping poultry, but rather some real-world things I have learned to make things easier and more productive.
Feeding

One great thing about chickens is they can take bad food, spoiled food, or food that you may not care for, and convert it into food that you do like. My hens love the dead mice that I have caught in my mousetraps! Table scraps can be an easy part of their diet, and the US Government realized that as well.Continue reading“Backyard Chicken Tips, by Tractorguy”