Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 35 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 …




Raising Children to Be Ready for Life, by P.J.G.T.

It is my observation that many children are not being raised ready to live a real life. I can speak as a full time teacher for ten years and as a stay-at-home mother for the past 17 years. Here are my suggestions for how to improve your children’s education so they will be ready to think and succeed. Please do not think that our children are perfect and always wonderful. They are not! However, they are respectful, tidy and courteous to everyone. We have been told numerous times how “lucky” we are to have such delightful children. No, we are …




Letter Re: Water Will Be Crucial When The Grid Goes Down

JWR: I live in a very rural agricultural area 50 miles from Memphis, Tennessee (a major southern city) and have some thoughts on the reality of a Golden Horde situation. This region has an abundance of water. However virtually all the potable water is electrically pumped from deep aquifers hundreds of feet underground. In a “lights out” [grid down] scenario this area might as well be a desert. The only available water will be ground water and in the south that will quickly lead to debilitating and or fatal diseases. In a matter of days the possibility of a Golden …




Letter Re: Raising a Healthy, Happy Infant in a Survival Situation

Mr. Rawles,   Just a note to clarify the use of homemade baby cereals:  I made much of my own children’s baby foods and one thing that was stressed often was that there is a fundamental difference between homemade grain cereals and store bought.  The powdered cereals you buy at the store are made from cooked and dehydrated cereal grains and can be reconstituted with just a bit of warm water or milk.  When you grind your own grains at home (which I did and recommend from a nutrition and budget standpoint) you must then cook the ground cereal by …




Economics and Investing:

News from Oz: RBA board member warns of Europe meltdown. (Thanks from Tom in Buffalo for the link.) C.D.V. sent the latest news of fiscal suicide: Despite Deadline Uncertainty, U.S. Faces Bad Choices if Debt Limit Not Raised. Morici argues there is one way for the government to keep paying its bills for a year or longer: “The Treasury can print money and the Federal Reserve can buy back that cash when it goes into circulation with its portfolio of bonds, and keep going quite a bit that way.” Items from The Economatrix: Greece Passes Steep Cuts as Riots Seize …




Odds ‘n Sods:

A possible chain reaction of dam failures? The looming Missouri dam flood. (Thanks to John R. for the link.)    o o o F.J. spotted this over at Cool Tools: Transfer Punches. These are available through Amazon.com. As with our other Amazon links, SurvivalBlog earns a small commission each time that you place an order. (That applies to all Amazon purchases, but only if you follow one of our links. Thanks!)    o o o Robert R. liked the recent National Geographic documentary “Doomsday Preppers.” A portion of it is available online.    o o o Until the end of …