Year: 2011

Letter Re: Labor Requirements Expectations, Post Collapse

Hello James: This letter is an attempt to throw some stakes into the ground that might serve as  a realistic basis for “expectation management”. People’s ability to soldier onward under adverse conditions is very closely tied to the alignment (or gap) between expectations and the reality of the moment.   People who have had every advantage have given up and committed suicide because their expectation was that they were destined to become the Chief Executive Officer of a Fortune 500 company before their 45th birthday.  Others greet every morning with relentless cheerfulness even though their day meant 10 hours of mopping …


Two Letters Re: Unleaded Spout Solution for NATO Gas Cans

Dear JWR: In his Letter Re: Unleaded Spout Solution for NATO Gas Cans  in the July 14th edition of SurvivalBlog, writer Lee H. wrote that “Like many others that bought military surplus steel NATO fuel cans, I was frustrated by the fact that only large diameter leaded fuel spouts were available for these cans.” Happily, this is not the case. HQ Company (“Surplus and Survival headquarters”) in Colorado Springs, Colorado offers both screw-on type nozzles for the old U.S. military Jerry cans as well as the clamp-on NATO-type fuel can spout, both of which have their tips reduced for use with U.S. …


Two Letters Re: Fast-Deploying Paracord Bundles

Jim: I saw this YouTube video two years ago demonstrating how to make a “rip-cord” style paracord bracelet. I made one, but not for a bracelet. Instead of a wallet chain, I have a paracord rip-cord chain with about 30 feet. Same principle, and super-easy to unwind! One warning: When unwound, it’s ‘loopy’ so when unwinding, if possible, try straightening it as you go. – Tangalor   James; This World News clip on how to tie fast deploying paracord bundles could be a good way to keep the young ones busy on a rainy day. Your blog is a great …


Letter Re: Update on Midget White Turkeys

Dear Mr. Rawles: A few months ago I sent in an article titled, ‘Midget White Turkey, the Perfect Homestead Bird’.  The article described everything as it was…then.  But we’ve had a few hitches and I thought if people are preparing for serious times, they might want to know some of the problems we’ve also faced (and are facing) raising turkeys, especially since Survivalblog keeps a ‘library’ of all the articles that come in and someone might be using our article as a guide. After the first successful hatch, we were unable to raise a second one.  Multiple candlings showed most …


Economics and Investing:

Does this sound familiar? Iran’s Economic Spiral: Country to Cut ‘4 Zeros’ Off of National Currency. (A hat tip to F.J. for the link.) The same thing could eventually happen here. If it does, anyone holding coinage will reap a huge overnight profit. (Since coinage is usually not part of a currency exchange.) Have you been stocking up on Nickels? Items from The Economatrix: Ireland’s Debt Junked as Euro Crisis Spreads The Beginning of the End of Europe Eurozone Hits The Fan:  Gold Price Surging & Silver Begins to Make a Move A Run on the United States Government Alternative …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jeff B. wrote to mention this site: DNSDown.com. FWIW, our IP address is: 64.92.111.122. Please make note of it–both in your browser’s bookmarks file and on the back of a business card in your wallet. And just in case this blog (or even the whole Internet) ever disappears, a SurvivalBlog 5-Year Archive CD-ROM is available for just $14.95. Production of the CD-ROM will end on August 1st, so order soon! (We are currently developing a prototype with a new vendor. Stay tuned.)    o o o Reader John R. mentioned the trailer for a high budget Hollywood movie with lots …



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 E.) …


The Early Stages of Preparation, by St. Croix

The Early Stages of Preparation, by St. Croix Over the past couple of years I have had a few people, two in particular, hint to me that it would not be a bad idea to begin picking up a few extra non-perishable items on my weekly visits to Wal-Mart or the local grocery store.  I began realizing, like most of the population, when me or my wife go to the store, we normally only pick up a “few things”, or just enough to get us through the week.  However, thanks to their continuous subtle remarks, and the assistance of the …


Letter Re: Coin Roll Hunting–Acquiring Silver on a Tight Budget

James Wesley: When my father passed away a few years back my sisters and I split his meager coin collection. So I had a small amount to start out with. At one point when silver’s price dropped a bit I went to a local pawn shop and bought thirty-two 90% silver quarters for spot price. The melt value has increased roughly 10% so far. Then I went into local banks and asked if they had any fifty cents pieces. Sure enough a teller provided me one 1964 (90% silver) and a couple of the 1965-1970 vintage (40% silver), getting the …


Letter Re: Observations From Fence Building

JWR: Texas Rancher’s comments on fence building are spot on.  Build it right the first time or you’ll regret it.  If you’re in big country, then barbed wire is the way to go.  If you have a smaller place, from a few acres to a few hundred acres, you may want to consider high tensile electric fences.  High tensile fencing has a number of advantages over other types of fencing, particularly if you live in an area where there are trees. If you’re not familiar with high tensile electric fencing take a look at  Kencove.com  They are a good source …


Economics and Investing:

Zero Hedge recently posted this, which should sound familiar to SurvivalBlog readers in general and Redoubt States advocates in particular: The Strategic Advantages Of Community Building Several readers sent this: Ron Paul: “America’s AAA Rating Not Worth Saving” Because “We Are Insolvent” Found at Fierce Finance: SEC commissioner blasts settlement with ex-Morgan Stanley trader   Items from The Economatrix: Echoing Moody’s: S&P Warns It May Downgrade US Credit Rating Ratio Of Insider Selling to Buying on The S&P:  3,700x! Bernanke:  Fed Ready to Act if Economy Worsens Stock Rally Weakens as Hopes Dim for More Stimulus Fitch Downgrades Greece One …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Avalanche Lily mentioned some commonsense observations from Enola Gay, over at the Paratus Familia blog: TEOTWAWKI Fatigue    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson offers this, over at his own blog: The Garand: Almost As Good As A Real Rifle. (Thanks to Tam for the link.)    o o o News from the American Redoubt as seen through the statist lens of The Wall Street Journal: A Gun Activist Takes Aim at U.S. Regulatory Power    o o o I just heard that Country Living Grain Mills will increase their Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) to a …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, …


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 E.) …