Year: 2008

Letter Re: Questions on Root Cellaring

Hi Jim, I don’t recall reading a specific article about root cellaring, specifically long term storage of vegetables. Is there a point and time when potatoes go to sprout that you can no longer safely eat them? What about the best overall temp to store in and yes or no to burlap bags? What about other veggies? Another tidbit was on Fox and Friends house call portion of the show they talked with an expert and outlined the extreme benefits of eating broccoli and broccoli sprouts with their extreme cancer killing properties and the vitamins in the vegetable. On a …


Letter Re: Advice on M1A Rifle Scopes and Scope Mounts

Mr. Rawles, Thanks for the great articles. I have been able to check out your web site for several months, and have recently been able to purchase thru private channels an M1A (Smith Enterprise receiver) battle rifle. It came with a McMillan fiberglass stock and two 20 round”W”-marked magazines. I have purchased four more of the same magazines through Cheaper Than Dirt, and wanted to know if you had any recommendations on scopes and scope mounts. There seem to be a lot of cheap import scope mounts, but many customer reviews are mixed. Also, with this type of weapon, a …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Pete in New Hampshire found this web site while preparing to test his Bug Out Bag equipment in the field. Pete mentioned “It allows you to build customized topographical maps of the area you pick and if you pay $20 they will mail it to you laminated, ready for field use.”    o o o This latest bit of Nanny State meddling doesn’t bode well for those of us that like to formulate our own soap or otherwise do any home chemistry: Home Science Under Attack In Massachusetts. (A hat tip to “Crusher” for sending the link.)    o o …



Note from JWR:

There is just one day remaining in the current SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction. The high bid is still at $500. This auction is for a big mixed lot: a NukAlert radiation detector, donated by KI4U–a $160 value), a DVD of 480 E-books on Alternative Energy (donated by WK Books–a $25 value), and the following package of survival gear all kindly donated by CampingSurvival.com: One case of MREs, one pack of water purifications tablets, a bottle of colloidal silver, a fire starter, a bottle of potassium iodate tablets, an emergency dental kit, a pack of “Shower in a bag” bath wipes, and …



Letter Re: Buying Storage Food and Precious Metals on a Budget

Jim, Thanks so much for SurvivalBlog. I’ve been lurking there for around six months now, ever since I started to realize the value of being prepared. It’s a daily stop for me, because I know I’ll learn something new nearly every day. I read with interest some of the recent writings about preparedness on a budget and investing in metals. I’ve combined the two. I, like many people, don’t have a lot of money to spend on preparedness (good thing, otherwise I might be a mall ninja). But at the same time, I want to prepare for everything at once. …


Letter Re: Flexibility and Adaptability

Hiya! Just discovered your site. You have lots of useful information, but I have noticed a few points that may have been overlooked, or that I haven’t gotten to [in the Archives] yet. 1. Off road or utility motorcycles: I feel safe to discuss this,being a former off road racer! A 4 stroke bike is the way to go,it gets 4 to 5 times the gas mileage. A big 2 stroke will smoke anything that can fit thru the woods but sucks gas like a maniac. My [two stroke] race bike was lucky to get 5 mpg–a 500 cc Husqvarna. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Prince Charles warns GM crops risk causing the biggest-ever environmental disaster. (A hat tip to Bob G. for the link.)    o o o Keith recommended an article by John Silveira with some alternative thoughts about Peak Oil. Keith notes: “The article will remind you what makes this country still work and it points out the pitfalls of assuming that how things are in the present will continue into the future. I’m not saying they are the do-all end-all, but you cannot discount technology, innovation, and free enterprise.”    o o o Mike McG–a veteran intel Cold Warrior–sent us a …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 18 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include: First Prize: The writer of the best contributed article in the next 60 days will be awarded two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value! Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing Round 18 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing …


Icelandic Sheep Offer Great Versatility for Self-Sufficiency, by Sigrid

Icelandic sheep are the ultimate survival livestock for anyone living in USDA climate zone 6 or colder. Why? Because unlike other small livestock they are triple purpose: meat, milk, and fiber. They were bred by the vikings who settled in Iceland for 1,000 years. The viking husbandry practices only favored the hardiest and smartest sheep. In Iceland the sheep are turned loose to forage for themselves as soon as the snow melts and not rounded up again until late Fall when no forage remains. Typically the oldest daughters spend the summer at pasture with the sheep milking them and making …


Letter Re: Advice on Preparedness for Travelers?

Jim, Thank you for dispersing such a wealth of knowledge on your blog. My prayers are with your family and for the Memsahib’s recovery. I concur with D.J.’s post on Third World Experience. Having done mission work in Central America, Australia, and Nepal I have seen a broad range of austere environments and it truly does open your eyes to have a more prepared mindset. Being in Nepal during the onset of a small civil war brought to my attention the need to be prepared while travelling. Other than the obvious G.O.O.D. kit within arm’s reach while overseas what are …


Letter Re: Chia Grass Sprouts are a Super Food

Mr Rawles, I don’t recall if I have ever seen a mention on the blog about this widely known (or maybe just remembered) product so I thought I would give it a mention. We have been using Chia (of “Chia Pet” fame of yesteryear, a.k.a. Salba [grain/grass seed] ) for a little over one year now and this stuff is incredibly versatile for anything food related. Ounce for ounce this stuff is far more nutritious than any other grains on the market. Here is a link to one of the places I found to purchase in bulk: Hidalgo Foods. They …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Five Years After Blackout, Power Grid Still in ‘Dire Straits’    o o o I spotted an interesting thread over at the LATOC Forums: Questioning my rural relocation strategy… Obviously, some in the Peak Oil “Doomer ” crowd discount the threat of looting and other lawlessness in a Grid Down America. I’m not one of them!    o o o Cheryl N. found us this: Wachovia boosts loss to $9.11 billion, cuts more jobs    o o o Cheryl also spotted: Credit Crunch Misery Deepens for UBS–Writes Down Another $7.6 Billion