Day: April 5, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower …


The Forest’s Sweetener–How to Make Maple Syrup, by Melissa T.

I am new to the survival mindset and I am a person that loves to make desserts for my family. My first reaction to some of the articles I have read was how would I continue to make the treats that they enjoy after TEOTWAWKI?  Then I realized there would be a way by making maple syrup. This is a family tradition that has continued in our family from two previous generations.  After taking a survey, my oldest son realized many people do not know how to make maple syrup and that is what has led me to write this …


Letter Re: Building a Refrigerator Wall Adobe House

Dear Mr. Rawles: A recent article on your site mentioned using shipping containers to build an enclosed courtyard similar to those that were constructed as California Missions. The author stated he could not use adobe due to the wet climate in which he planned to construct his non-fortress-looking enclave. Here is another suggestion in lieu of adobe: While living in a rural area in Southern California in the early 1960s, I had to take trash to the dump about every third week. Over the span of just a couple of years, I watched a huge canyon fill-up with trash from …


Economics and Investing:

It has always been self-evident, but here are the numbers in chart form, to back it up: Purchasing Power of the Dollar Versus Gold. (Thanks to R.P.B.for the link.) David R. pointed me to this sobering statistic: In just the month of March, the US government spent $1.1 TRILLION dollars. Rick in Colorado sent this interesting interactive map link: Map The Meal Gap. Rick’s comment: This is why the average person needs to prepare. Note that for a family of four making $40,000 a year 1/3 of household are food insecure and this was in 2009! Foreclosure red carpet style …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Families get new feathered friends, and future of better eggs, at chicken swap. (Thanks to Greg C. for the link.)    o o o Regarding OPSEC, reader Mike C. reminds us that some of those “handy tools” can be used against us: YouGetSignal.com.    o o o K.A.F. flagged this op-ed piece: Sunday Reflection: From ‘just-in-time’ to ‘just-in-case?’    o o o North Carolina bill threatens to criminalize naturopaths, homeopaths, herbalists, midwives, aromatherapists as felons. (A tip of the hat to Marilyn R. for the link.)    o o o Bret F. flagged this: Idaho Radio Shack owner adds gun …