Month: March 2006

Note From JWR:

Note from JWR: We were hoping to provide searchable archives and RSS feeds. However, because of difficulties in getting our revised blog template (created in Blogger) to display properly in some versions of Internet Explorer, we have temporarily switched back to the old blog format (using Dreamweaver.)   Firefox and Netscape worked fine, but the glitches in I.E. thusfar elude us.  Once we get the bugs worked out, we will switch back to Blogger or perhaps another piece of blogging software. Today we feature another entry in Round 3 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best …


Making a Living in a Rural Environment, by JD

  If there were one factor that prevents people from living at their retreat more than any other, I would guess it to be employment. This isn’t surprising, as the very qualities that make a particular locale ideal for a retreat — rural, small population, away from major cities — also make it far less likely to find employment there. What little employment is available is often snapped up by locals who have been around far longer than any Johnny-come-lately carpetbaggers (and rightly so!) When my family moved to our tiny town from our fairly large city, I knew from …


Letter Re: Why “Invest” In Gold or Silver?

Jim: I came across some links that may help “clarify” why Gold/Silver for some readers. Keep up the good work! http://www.bambooweb.com/articles/h/y/Hyperinflation.html http://www.kitco.com/ind/Wiegand/feb142006.html http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_03/waltzek091003.html http://inflationdata.com/Inflation/Inflation_Rate/ConfederateInflation.asp


Letter Re: Alternative to Creosote for Preserving Wood?

Hello Mr. Rawles, Had a question that you might be able to answer. Looking to do some preserving of wood that will be stuck in the ground. I used to work for a telephone pole repair company. We used a very plastic Creosote and Tar paper ( keeps dirt from soaking up the creosote ). I have been trying to figure out a way to create an alternative to creosote. The best I can think of is used motor oil and soap ( gas and soap being napalm ) this seemed logical to me. Wondered if you had any thought. …


The Recent “Opening” of the 6 Meter Band

Jim: The first two weeks of February were spectacular for us hams working the 6 meter band. From my home in Northern California, I worked all western states using only 10 watts on an Icom IC-560.  No power amplifier was needed. One QSO [two way conversation] that I did lasted for 30 minutes to a gentleman right outside of  Tombstone Arizona on 52.525 Mhz FM [mode]. What was so unusual about this, is that is was not in SSB mode. The QSO was nearly as good as a local 2 meter simplex contact. The gentleman was using an Alinco FM-only …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"I used to visit and revisit it a dozen times a day, and stand in deep contemplation over my vegetable progeny with a love that nobody could share or conceive of who had never taken part in the process of creation. It was one of the most bewitching sights in the world to observe a hill of beans thrusting aside the soil, or a rose of early peas just peeping forth sufficiently to trace a line of delicate green." – Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mosses from and Old Manse



Letter Re: “Group Standard” Firearms Standardization

James, I live in the Pacific Northwest, in an urban area and in the event of TEOTWAWKI, my wife and I will most likely bug out and retreat to a friend’s ranch just outside our urban growth boundary. The location is not ideal, but better than us attempting to retreat in place. The ranch is somewhat hidden and has a few acres of cleared fields around the house. My friend is retired and his immediate family will probably reside there too. He’s got a large house and there will be eight adults and two children living together. I’m a firearms …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Two interesting articles on Ethanol: http://finance.yahoo.com/columnist/article/trenddesk/2591  and http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/02/06/8367959/index.htm    o o o I heard that there are now just two slots left open for the Tactical Lifesaver course. It will be held on April 15-16, 2006, in Douglas, Georgia. A Iraq war vet Physician’s Assistant (PA) will teach you a lot of skills that the American Red Cross doesn’t. (Such as: how to prep an intravenous infusion, how to insert and orthopharyngeal airway, wound debridement, suturing, how to treat a sucking chest wound, and much more.)  Don’t hesitate. This course will be sold out, soon! See: http://www.survivalreportblog.com/Tactical_Lifesaver_Course.html    o o o …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Since printing paper money is nothing short of counterfeiting, the issuer of the international currency must always be the country with the military might to guarantee control over the system. This magnificent scheme seems the perfect system for obtaining perpetual wealth for the country that issues the de facto world currency. The one problem, however, is that such a system destroys the character of the counterfeiting nation’s people–just as was the case when gold was the currency and it was obtained by conquering other nations. And this destroys the incentive to save and produce, while encouraging debt and runaway welfare. …


Note From JWR:

If you know of any potential advertisers for SurvivalBlog, please give them a call or drop them a line to encourage them. I need to find about 20 more advertisers if  I’m going to be able to put bread on the table when I quit my day job and take up writing SurvivalBlog full time. (Starting next month.) And needless to say, a few more “10 Cent Challenge” contributions would also be greatly appreciated. Today we feature another entry in Round 3 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. This article is a first hand report about a Revolutionary War Veterans …


Impressions Following My Return From a RWVA Appleseed Shoot

An organized rifle-shooting event can be intimidating to anyone who has never participated before. I’ll cover my experience as a newbie at this first Appleseed Shoot in several categories: First Timers Pre-shoot Preparation, What to Expect Upon Arrival, Lessons Learned, and What is the Next Step? My experience and what I took away from the shoot, and lastly, Regrets. First Timer Pre-Shoot Preparation: Remember what the title of the shoot implies, Appleseed. The purpose of the shoot is to plant the seeds of knowledge into those that have never before been formally trained in rifle marksmanship skills. This is not …


Letter Re: Why “Invest” In Gold or Silver?

Mr. Rawles, I have been a reader of your blog for about a month now and as some one who believes in being prepared for any situation. I have found a lot of your comments very useful. I am confused though about your suggestions to invest in gold and silver. I am just learning about these things so hopefully you can help clear up my confusion. If you look at the track record for gold and silver over the long run these assets have just kept up with inflation. Over the same historical time period the stock market has been …


Odds ‘n Sods:

America’s Sorriest Generation: http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin284.htm    o o o The latest in Lithium-Ion batteries: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.03/start.html?pg=9    o o o Doc at www.bigsecrets.cc spotted this web page for a “House in a Box”: http://quicksitebuilder.cnet.com/jpalibroda/    o o o SurvivalBlog reader Michael Z. Williamson (the sci-fi author) recommends the Goliath Expedition: http://goliath.mail2web.com — Karl Bushby’s amazing web journal. As Mike put it, this sporadically posted blog is written by “a nutcase British former Paratrooper who is walking 36,000 miles around the Americans and Eurasia. His journal and photos offer some interesting insights on travel in emergencies, and kit. The experienced reader will also …


Two Letters Re: Getting a Spouse “On Board” with Preparedness

Jim – Your post for today brings up the topic of the spouse that goes fetal versus choosing to cope with the world’s ugliness. Please open up the forum to hear how other people go their wife to the game! Maybe someone has a great technique that I haven’t thought of! – D.A.B. Mr. Rawles: I can certainly relate. My spouse doesn’t show much interest in preparedness either-but in our case-my spouse is my husband. He acts like my preparedness ideas and actions are just a goofy hobby. Any ideas on why a man would be in “denial”? -L.B.