Day: August 28, 2010

Notes from JWR:

Several readers sent this important item: Massive solar storm to hit Earth in 2012 with ‘force of 100m bombs’. There is a dissenting voice, from Australia. But regardless, have you got you Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids squared away? If not, then it is high time to do so. It is also important to buy a few galvanized trash cans with tight-fitting lids, to provide Faraday Cage protection for all your radios and other electronic gear that are not in day-to-day use! — Today we present another entry for Round 30 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this …


Food for Long-Term Survival, by Sheila C.

Many food strategies have been discussed in preparation for a TEOTWAWKI scenario: beans, rice, MREs, coupon-based purchases and heirloom vegetable seeds, just to name a few. However, there are certain limitations to a food-storage-only strategy. MREs, for instance, are quite expensive and only provide one meal at a time. They would be great for an emergency G.O.O.D. situation, but not long-term sustainable when you are packing everything you have in the world on your back. And beans and rice are wonderful staple foods, but what do you do when you run out of them… or worst case scenario happens and …


Seven Letters Re: Community Crisis Planning for Societal Collapse

Mr. Rawles, I read with much interest the article on community planning for a societal collapse. It mirrors my own thinking on the subject and it is an issue I’ve given a lot of thought to lately. The reality of my situation is that I live in a small town (about 1200-1300 population) that lies on one major line of drift and two minor ones. The major line of drift is a major east-west interstate between two medium-sized cities and the two minor lines of drift are a state route that parallels the interstate (on the opposite end of town …


Two Letters Re: Getting Myself Home to Bug Out

James, I want to disagree with anyone who might suggest that during a SHTF event that the highways and byways will suddenly be overcrowded with millions of sheeple trying to get home. I was on the road from work just after the second plane hit the second tower on 9/11. I was pretty convinced that this was an attack as soon as it happened. I had 20 miles in front of me on Highway 270 surrounding Saint Louis, and other highways and it was smooth sailing all the way. Most people were at work by then and while this was …


Economics and Investing:

I spotted this linked over at The Drudge Report: Dow Faces Bouncy Ride to 5,000: Strategist The trillion dollar bailout you didn’t hear about – Commercial real estate values plummet again yet banks hide losses. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) J&M suggested a piece by Rick Ackerman: Few May Imagine What is Coming Erik M. flagged this: Global outlook casts shadow over Fed retreat. Erik’s comment: “Sounds eerily familiar to parts of Chapter One of a book I’ve read a couple of times.” Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Slip as Caution About Economy Returns Scarcity of Jobs Put More …


Inflation Watch:

Sheryl N. wrote: “There is a nice discussion over at Homesteading.com about the various tricks used nowadays to shrink the content of a package without looking like it, reducing portion amounts but charging the same, et cetera.” Frederick D. flagged this: Health Insurance Costs Expected to Rise Sharply in 2011. (I pity those who bought in to the propaganda that health care costs would go down under Obamacare!) John M. in Florida notes: “I have recently bought quart-sized containers of different brands of yogurt at the grocery store and noticed that the level of yogurt was about an inch below …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader RFJ mentioned an awesome piece over at Instructables: Hidden Door Bookshelf.    o o o Frequent content contributor Damon S. suggested two articles on do-it-yourself hydroelectric power: Homestead Hydropower and Home-Made Water Power for the Homesteader.    o o o Kelly D. was the first of several SurvivalBlog readers to mention this: Two days of food stretched more than two weeks in mine; Determined to stay alive, trapped Chilean miners made two days of food last more than two weeks. These guys have displayed tremendous courage and discipline. May God see them safely home!    o o o Why …