Day: April 23, 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 …


Getting To Really Know Your Spouse and Yourself: An Unexpected Prepping Setback, by K.S.

Most of us know the value of a good friend in times of trouble and how they can be of help. And most of us either have had a prepping setback, heard of such setbacks, or have thought of what would happen in case of a setback. You can imagine the loss of valuable preps to such things as flooding, storm damage, or even theft. But recently I had a major setback come from a completely unexpected direction. In 1997, through my church, I met a wonderful woman and despite our age differences (she was 21 and I was 34) …


Letter Re: Deep Well Hand Pumps

Mr. Rawles: Thank you so much for enriching our lives with your knowledge.  My question is: I lost electricity this past week for two days.  I had enough water stored for me and my wife for cooking, drinking and flushing toilets stored and for our dogs, too.  But what would I do in a longer duration power outage? I remember my grandfather having an old hand pump on his well that we used to get a drink from on hot summer days when I was a kid.  My question is, where can I get one of these kinds of hand …


Letter Re: Rechargeable Lithium Ion Button Batteries

James, If you like to target shoot to keep your skill level up like me and have red dot scopes then you know how expensive those coin or “button” batteries are. I have been looking for a rechargeable coin battery for a while. Well I found it. There are now CR-2032 LI-ION rechargeable batteries. For $1.75 each (if you buy 10 or more), I think its a deal. The recharger is only $5.75. I hope this will help those who enjoy plinking and are looking to save a few dollars. Service was great and fast shipment. Disclosure: I have no …


Economics and Investing:

John R. sent a link to some great analysis by Rob Kirby: Amaranth Kill Shot: Collateral Damage in a 78 Trillion Dollar Derivatives Book Compliments of J.P. Morgan Chase Also from John, a piece by Claus Vogt: Two Collapse Scenarios Michael P. suggested the latest ShadowStats report: Hyperinflation – 2011 (Updated) Scott M. recommended this segment wherein Neal Cavuto interviews Former Treasury Chief Restructuring Officer Jim Millstein: Debt Ceilings and the Risk of U.S. Default Hedge fund assets top $2 trillion for the first time. (Thanks to Mark W. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Oil Settles Above $111 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader G.E.C. wrote to note: “I have been surprised to see little mention of Smithfield Hams.  In the South these are called, generically, “country hams”, and are considered a special delicacy.  They are salt-cured, bagged in cotton, and hung without refrigeration.  The original “Smithfield Ham” was tested and preserved well for twenty years.  I’ll be adding several to my supplies.”    o o o Safecastle has introduced a new Solar Laptop Bag, using components that they’ve assembled from reliable makers like Maxpedition. (Their Gleneagle Messenger Bag.)    o o o Keeley flagged this: Second Amendment Rights Once Again at Risk …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“If [it had not been] the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; If [it had not been] the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed [be] the LORD, who hath not given us [as] a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the …