Day: April 20, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries 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 , …


The Power of Three, by Jerry S.

Since we have all been reminded of the principle the “two is one and one is none”, it brings me to the conclusion that being prepared is really about “having a backup for your backup”.  So if “two is one”, then “three must be two”.  That has led me on a quest to discover at a minimum, three different ways to approach the problems we’ll face in a disaster situation.  If you are new to prepping or just want a different perspective of looking at things, maybe this will help.  To get us started, the first thing you should be …


A Guide for the Herbal Medicine Closet, by Heather F.

So you stock up on a year’s supply of medications. What then? There comes a tremendous sense of confidence when you know how to find and grow your own “medicines”. I have to begin with my very favorite herb and actually most common “weed”; though, weed is a dirty word in my vocabulary! You will find that most of the plants we consider nuisances are some of the most beneficial herbs for healing. This article has an emphasis on herbs for respiratory ailments. Herbs You Can Find Growing Wild: Plantain can be found virtually anywhere in the United States and …


The American Redoubt Proposal — Criticism, as Expected

For those that have requested it, I turned my American Redoubt post into a static page. I also added a map to illustrate the concept. To answer some of the critics who have recently bashed me at a survival forum, I added an important point of clarification: I do not, nor have I ever advocated asking anyone already living here in the Redoubt States to leave, nor would I deny anyone’s right to move here, regardless of their faith, (or lack thereof). I forgive the people that try to put words into my mouth, or dream up nonexistent sub-texts, or …


Letter Re: The Importance of Acquiring First Aid Supplies in Depth

James: Tom L. points out that it took a while to find steri-strips and latex gloves needed to treat a wound so not to cause an infection. I would have to indicate that [bulk-packaged] latex gloves that you find in Wal-Mart or Walgreens are not sterile gloves. They are gloves that protect the wearer, not the one being treated though they are cleaner than bare hands. Proper washing of the wound with sterile saline water would be the best procedure and use the steri-strips for the closure under such late night conditions. Truly sterile gloves that surgeons use are individually …


Letter Re: Buying Stock in Apple (Not the Corporation)

JWR: A few things to take into account when thinking of apple trees.  I planted three trees about five years ago and they are still far from being fruit bearing.  I figure they have about five years more before they are capable of bearing fruit.  This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t use them, but its defiantly a plan ahead thing.   Another thing to take into account is that they require a bit of yearly maintenance to keep them bearing decent sized fruit.  An un-pruned tree bears a fruit that is about three fingers wide.  A properly pruned tree …


Economics and Investing:

The convenient fiction that the U.S. is worthy of a “AAA” credit rating continues: S&P Cuts U.S. Ratings Outlook to Negative. How long can Uncle Sam dog-paddle in a sea of red ink? (Thanks to M.E.W. and several other readers for the link.) Deborah B. sent this: U.S. Taxpayers on the Hook for Portugal Bailout Items from The Economatrix: Builder Outlook Falls Ahead of Spring Season Poll:  US Economy Improving Despite Global Events. (If they sprinkle around enough hundreds of billions in quantitative easing funny money, it has to have some impact on the economy…) temporarily.) Morgan Stanley Defaulted On …


Odds ‘n Sods:

There is an excellent new blog that I can recommend called the Preparedness Advice blog. It is chockfull of useful information. Unlike so many other blogs that are long on diatribes and short on practical skills, the Preparedness Advice blog is full of clear, concise, level-headed advice. This one has been added to my blog roll.    o o o Reader K.A.F. sent this: Video: Atlas is shrugging already    o o o Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) spotted this: Georgian woman cuts off web access to whole of Armenia: Entire country loses internet for five hours after …