Month: April 2011

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 …


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 Others On Board (A Prayer Answered), by Michael T.

The most amazing thing happened to my wife and I. First, some background about us.  I am a retired Master Sergeant from the Army.  I currently work for them in a civilian role in California.  My wife and I decided after my retirement in 2005 that being tied to a home and living in New York City was not in our best interest.  So, we sold everything, bought a heavy duty truck and RV and we left. Well, since moving to California, I found myself having more time to get into some things that I always wanted to.  I wanted …


Letter Re: 40% Silver U.S. Half Dollars

Mr Rawles, I was aware that pre-1965 [dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars] are 90% silver, but I also learned that [some] coins made from 1965-1970 were made with 40% silver. My question is, is there any value to these coins, and are they worth keeping around due to their silver content? Thanks – Andrew A. JWR Replies: The 40% silver composition only applies to Half Dollars from those years. Surprisingly, they are still sometimes found in circulation. (In fact, more so than any other U.S. silver coin.)  Save every one that you can find! See the Coin Roll Hunters …


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

Jim: As a maple producer I want to comment and expand on a few things regarding The Forest’s Sweetener. The original poster instructs you how to find sugar maples which are the best for sugar content but any native maple tree will work (Japanese maple is not native), I even tap silver maples. When making a spile take special care to have clean hands. Trees heal ia a way similar to humans do (bacteria helps close the wound) and will end your season quickly. A better alternative to people in the Northeast ever considering making syrup is to buy some …


Economics and Investing:

Using the Backyard Grill This Summer Just Got More Expensive. (Thanks to J.D.D. for the link.) Brent S. suggested an article by Robert McHugh: Silver and Gold Will Remain in Strong Uptrends Why Electric Cars are Really Coal Cars. H.M. sent us this: The foreclosure mess isn’t going away. Pierre M. and Chip W. both sent this: Oil could hit $200-$300 on Saudi unrest. Several readers sent this: Feds seek $7 Million in privately made ‘Liberty Dollars’. We are witnessing an absurd inversion of reality: The government, which now prints only worthless and irredeemable fiat, wants to seize Norfed’s genuine …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Lydia sent a link to this piece: Meet the New York hillbillies More city folk than ever are turning their homes into farms. But is living off the land as virtuous as it sounds? The condescending tone was troubling, but that is what we expect from big New York City newspapers.    o o o Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) spotted this press release: Bourque Industries, Inc. Announces Successful Live-Fire Demonstration of New Kryron Ballistics Helmet. (That is superior to the currently-issued Kevlar helmets.)    o o o F.G. sent this: Lawmakers renew push for “rogue websites” bill. …



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 …