Notes from JWR:

My sincere thanks to the readers of SurvivalBlog, for your generous support of Anchor Of Hope Charities, in memory of my late wife, Linda (“The Memsahib”.) You’ve donated more than $5,800 this year alone and more than $45,000 in all to the Linda Rawles Memorial Fund. This fund benefits a Christian mission and boarding school and other charities in rural Zambia. Anchor’s team from Indiana recently returned from Zambia, where they were busy putting new shoes on the feet of more than 9,000 children. (That trip was from November 24th to December 11th.) Anchor Of Hope is a fully qualified …




Bug-Out Bag (BOB) Levels, by Bob M.

I’ve been a prepper for over 40 years, starting back when we were called survivalists. I still have the .22 rimfire AR-7 rifle and Ruger Mk. II pistol bought in the 1970s, as well as other gear. I’ve also always had a bug-out-bag (BOB) in my vehicles, and still do today, even though I’m retired to my retreat. Over the years, the contents of the BOB changed as new items came out or old ones were discontinued (or discredited — remember the Aqua Timer?). My BOB got larger, as I was now packing for two and my bug-out location got …




Letter Re: Advice on Sleeping Bags

Dear Mr. Rawles, Would you please address outdoor sleeping gear for women?   I feel like I am very prepared. However, the one glaring problem I have had my whole life is sleeping comfortably outside in about any season.  When I was 20, I just didn’t care but now that I am 40 and have five kids, not getting enough sleep is not an option.   I would love to hear how others, especially women, stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  The biggest problem I have is that I either sweat too much and freeze (doesn’t …




Economics and Investing:

It is time to cue up “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana: Fitch says comprehensive solution to eurozone crisis is ‘beyond reach’ – statement in full. (Thanks to Jim McC. for the link.) J.B. sent a new article about Alabama Rate Increases: “These people are going to end up rioting about this.” Norwegian city to adopt The Vilnius Solution to panhandling? ‘Fine people who give beggars money’. Items from The Economatrix: Is The Gold Bull Really Dead? Massive Downward Revisions Imminent:  National Association Of Realtors Miscounted Millions Of Home Sales Over Last Five Years. Europe’s Crisis:  Goldman Warns of …




Odds ‘n Sods:

I was interviewed by John Jacob Schmidt, for a Radio Free Redoubt podcast that just aired on Sunday. The theme of this podcast hour was “Taking The Gap”. It should soon be available for download.    o o o Reader D.B.C. sent some good news: Congress overturns incandescent light bulb ban. JWR Adds a Bit of Humor: It would have been a shame to see incandescents banned. BTW, reporters missed mentioning that enforcement of the proposed ban would have constituted racial profiling of people from South America. (Many of whom are of Incan descent.)    o o o How I …