Month: April 2011

Odds ‘n Sods:

Feds mine Facebook for info. JWR Adds: I expect this sort of intrusive intelligence gathering to be commonplace, soon. Avoid social network services!    o o o Tom F. recommended these two Altoids tin hobby projects: Altoids Solar Charger and Altoids Emergency USB Charger.    o o o I just noticed that our SurvivalBlog visitors map shows that I have a reader on Madagascar and one in Antarctica. The Internet is a simply amazing way of linking folks, globally. I’d like to welcome our many new readers. (SurvivalBlog now gets well in excess of one million unique visits per month!) …



33 Ways to Encourage Atlas to Shrug

Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel “Atlas Shrugged” is enjoying renewed popularity following the release of the new Atlas Shrugged movie. Rand’s story describes a group of American industrialists that lose patience with onerous regulation and taxation, and “shrug”–disappearing from their normal lives to relocate to a hidden valley called Galt’s Gulch. While this tale is fictional, it has some strong parallels to modern-day America. And despite the fact that Ayn Rand was an atheist and favored legalized abortion, she was a good judge of both character and the inevitable tendencies of elected governments. When I consider the regulatory and tax burdens …


Letter Re: Inexpensive Mailorder Eyeglasses

Letter Re: Inexpensive Mailorder Eyeglasses James, Just completed an order with Zenni Optical for a pair of “computer glasses” (as opposed to “reading glasses” for the tech age, I suppose) and I am very pleased.  For $11.90 with shipping and handling. I got a pair of glasses that I was able to customize for computer work.  You can hardly get a pair of generic Chinese-made readers from Wal-Mart anymore for that price.  I plan to make a bulk order of backup glasses for the family from them.  It took a while to get them, but it was within the timeframe …


Letter Re: Controlling Post-TEOTWAWKI Food Odors

Sir, A point I would like to make to those that are living in a city, suburb or rural setting: If you are in a TEOTWAWKI scenario, then I am guessing you have read much of what is here and hopefully feel somewhat ready to take care of you and yours. I would suggest that unless you are able and willing to feed a whole neighborhood–I for one, am not–then please realize what smells have to do with your survival. If you go out your door on any given day you will note what is cooking or burning within a …


Letter Re: Book Recommendation: “Poke Greens for Breakfast”

The book Poke Greens For Breakfast? is a collection of memories of a woman who grew up in rural Arkansas in the early 1900s.  It is an excellent antidote for those who might overly romanticizing of that kind of life.  The author, Walta Sorrels Jennings, belonged to a privileged class.  Her step-father owned land, cattle and businesses.  He hired people.  And life was still a relentless, physical grind.  Step-mothers and step-fathers were the norm due to high mortality rates.  Some girls married at age 13. (The reason given was that they had “kissed”, but likely that was code for intimate …


Letter Re: Taking Knitting Classes

Hi  James, I wanted to share that Jo-Ann’s (a chain craft store) has half-price sign up days for their classes once per month.  The next two half price days are May 7th and June 11th. I am not 100% sure but I think the knitting 101 and crochet 101 basics include supplies. They are under $20 per class, if you sign on the half price days.  They also e-mail out either 40% or 50% coupons once per week. Two months ago they had a $5/off any $5 purchase. I was able to buy several circular knitting needles for $1 – $2 each.   With the 50% off coupon I can get …


Letter Re: Increasing Home Propane Tank Capacity

James, Some localities have tank certification ordinances that virtually prohibit private ownership and therefore supplier shopping. Suppliers certify their own tanks and refuse to fill "un-certified" tanks. Depending on the locality obtaining a certificate can be a hair ball. Those who are considering private purchase of a tank should first inquire among the local suppliers to ascertain if any bureaucratic roadblocks are lurking in the way of obtaining propane fill-ups. – Dollardog


Economics and Investing:

Michael Pollaro writes in Forbes: US government’s fiscal plight, the numbers say it all J.B.G. sent this from The Telegraph: Gold price could rise to $1,700 an ounce More housing market doom: Distressed Properties Claim 40% of Existing-Home Sales. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate G.G. for the link.) Loyal content contributor F.G. sent this: A Frightening Satellite Tour Of America’s Foreclosure Wastelands Doug C. recommended: Survivalist Ahead of Silver and Gold Items from The Economatrix: Government Cash Handouts Now Top Tax Revenues Obama Warns Spending Cuts Could Trigger Second Recession. “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!“ US Home Foreclosures Soar to …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ron in Florida suggested this YouTube slide show: How to Make Powdered Eggs    o o o I’m considering doing something special to celebrate SurvivalBlog reaching the 30 Million Unique Visits milestone. That is coming up soon. Any suggestions?    o o o K.A.F. kindly sent this: Five Tech-Related Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin    o o o Jeff F. sent a link to a bit of data, for those considering retreat locales: The Best and Worst Run States In America: A Survey of All Fifty. Of course, state indebtedness is just one factor to consider. For example, Hawaii …



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 , …


Prepare While You Can, by W.L.

Many of our family and friends have teased us about my husband’s and my desire to live as independently and as far away from others as we possibly can. They have often scoffed at our (as one relative called it) “end of the world pantry”. These are of course the same family and friends that love to vacation at our place. The very same that called immediately after 9/11 and asked if the violence and terror reached near their homes could they come and stay with us. These same people have begun calling in the days since the massive earthquake …


Spiritual Survival, by Rob C.

What is the big picture?  What is the point of it all – all the hours of prepping, all the hard work, researching and sacrifices?  To get to Heaven, where “no eye has seen, no ear heard what the Lord has prepared for the who loves him.” See that?! the Lord prepares too!  but He is preparing for our coming home.  Heaven is our true home and we are but pilgrims on our journey home.  He is planning a big home-coming party for us.  He is preparing a place for us and He wants us to be with him forever.  …


Three Letters Re: Deep Well Hand Pumps

JWR: In this entry, the idea of having a hand pump for the water well, and wanting to have at least some redundancy regarding the ability to pump water, is mentioned. Since potable water is a primary concern for me, I have been looking into the alternatives to our municipal water supply (which currently depends on the electrical grid to be operational).   Since I sell solar electric equipment, I naturally thought of having a solar powered water pump as a back up. But what if something knocks out my solar array? I ultimately would like to have a manual water pump. At the same time, I …