Odds ‘n Sods:

Our recent mention of Backwoods Home magazine‘ prompted reader RJV to note: “Don’t miss some of the gems from their [extensive] archives, such as this piece on do-it-yourself steam power.”

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Eric found this: Diesel thefts on the rise; demand increases for locking caps. Eric’s Comment: “As someone with a rebuilt diesel BOV that includes 70+ gallons of on-board diesel fuel I too am thinking about putting locking fuel filler caps on my truck. I also came across an interesting installable anti-siphon device that might be of interest to some.” JWR Adds: I generally discourage installing an anti-siphoning device, because you never know when you might need to siphon your our tank, post-SHTF. Also, locking fuel caps should only be installed on caps that are deep-set. If a thief can get a large pipe wrench on the cap, he most likely will, and thereby destroy the filler neck while prying off the locking cap.

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Reader Chris P. mentioned that readers might be interested in a deal that Sportsman”s Guide has going on for brand new 400 meter coils of military surplus field telephone wire for $30.

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Some folks in the mainstream media are finally seeing the big picture. From Fortune: Chaos on Wall Street–The big banks’ fear of big losses is threatening to bring down the entire system, with dire consequences for all of us. (A hat tip to Jim H. for the link.) Meanwhile, we read at Bloomberg: Brace for $1 Trillion Writedown of `Yertle the Turtle’ Debt. (Thanks to AB in Ohio, for finding that one.)

California court to reconsider home-school ruling