Day: April 7, 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, 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 Ammo , and …


Buying In Bulk–What We Have Learned, by J.S.P.

This article is to share what we have learned in our attempt to leverage our food preps by buying commercially and in bulk with Survival Blog readers. What works in our part of the world may not be reality in your location but I hope what we have learned will be of value to some readers. To begin with, one of our favorite places to buy in quantitative is “cash and carry” stores. Cash and carry stores were originally set up by large food distribution firms that allowed businesses such as restaurants, bars, smaller retail stores, schools, etc to come …


Letter Re: #10 Cans for Ammunition Storage

Mr. Rawles,   I have searched your site and others for detailed information on long term storage using sealed #10 cans.  Are there any drawbacks?  I can buy cans from the LDS cannery for around 1.00 a piece, which is much cheaper, by volume, than regular ammunition cans.  Any information you or your readers could provided would be greatly appreciated. – John S. JWR Replies: The #10 steel can is awesome! For food storage, they don’t suffer from the gradual oxygen transmission (permeability) weakness of HDPE buckets. For ammo storage, they work nearly as well as military surplus ammo cans. But …


Letter Re: The Forest’s Sweetener–How to Make Maple Syrup

Mr. Rawles: I’m certainly not an expert and do not claim to be, but you can tap and produce syrup from a number of deciduous trees.  Anecdotally, I have a Métis friend who learned to tap poplars from her grandmother, and hickory syrup is now considered “gourmet”. Birch syrup, or rather the ‘tonic’ or straight spring sap, has been a spring tonic in northern Europe.  These resources are not to be overlooked by the people who want to be food independent, especially after a hard winter without any fresh vegetables.  So if you’ve got a big stand of poplar on …


Letter Re: Internet Resources on Preparedness and Self-Sufficiency

James: To follow up on the recent Letter Re: Internet Resources on Preparedness and Self-Sufficiency, I’d like to recommend some more great resource web sites with free, no-copyright files that would be of interest to those who are studying preparedness and self-sufficiency: CD3WD Colossal collection of freebies. Journey to Forever Lots of articles and e-books. S.S.R.S.I. Tons free stuff. Soil and Health Library Some rare, free e-books. P.F.A.F. Nice database of useful plants. The database itself can be downloaded for a small donation. Practical Action Many great free articles with innovative solutions. Appropedia Endless articles. Fun to browse. F.A.S.T. Has some good resources, though not as many as …


Economics and Investing:

From Zero Hedge: Meet The 171 Banks For Which The Margin Of Failure Is [As Little As] One Thousand Dollars B.B. recommended this post over at Seeking Alpha: Food Prices and Global Hunger Equal Riots, Civil Wars and Revolution Chris D. suggested this post: No Investment Goes Straight Up, Except in a Mania. John R. sent this: Despicable Lies, Delusional Economic Recovery, Hyped Unemployment Numbers  Also from John:   Mortgaging Our Grandchildren’s Future? That’s Being Optimistic! (Jeff Berwick in The Dollar Vigilante) U.S. Fiscal Meltdown in Spitting Distance: Laurence Kotlikoff. He has some excellent analysis of the current political grandstanding. The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Michael W. spotted this: Suburban Survivalists: ‘I Just Want to Be Prepared’. (It includes mention of the training offered by OnPoint Tactical.)    o o o This Is What Happens When Establishment Control Of The Media Cracks For A Moment. The analyst’s commentary starting at just before four minutes into the segment is particularly biting.    o o o My wife (“Avalanche Lily”) enjoyed this piece posted over at the excellent Paratus Familia blog: TEOTWAWKI and Relationships.    o o o Sven S. spotted this: Japan crisis spurs survival planning by U.S. Mormons    o o o The Prepper Podcast …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I wonder,” [Ashley Wilkes] said.  “I wonder not only what will become of us at Tara but what will become of everybody in the South.”   [Scarlett O’Hara] felt like snapping out abruptly: “To h*ll with everybody in the South!  What about us?” but she remained silent because the tired feeling was back on her more strongly than ever.  Ashley wasn’t being any help at all. [Ashley continued] “In the end what will happen will be what has happened whenever a civilization breaks up.  The people who have brains and courage come through and the ones who haven’t are winnowed …