Day: January 18, 2012

Notes from JWR:

I decided not to “black out” my blog today, but you can be assured that that I’m 100% opposed to SOPA. That horrible legislation was the impetus for setting up our server in Sweden. (Which, BTW, is still undergoing configuration and test.) Please both call and e-mail your congresscritters and urge them to stop SOPA and PIPA!!! — Today we present another two entries for Round 39 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This …


The Year I Accidentally Grew Wheat, by Gonzo In Virginia

I’d like to share a recent adventure in practical survival skills that I stumbled upon by accident. Luckily for me this was not a disaster that forced this, but instead the natural friction that occurs between man and wife. In the course of a year I grew a crop of wheat, harvested, processed, and made a loaf of bread. The adventure was that I did not start out to do any of those things! In the course of this learning experience I found out that things “everyone knows” are not, in fact, easy to find out. The adventure started innocently …


Keeping Chickens in a Backyard Flock, by Nightshade

In a SHTF scenario, already having a small flock of laying chickens will be of great benefit for everyone from an urban backyard to a rural, backwoods bunker setting. They are easy to care for, provide eggs and eventually, can grace your stewpot once they have stopped laying. Given the opportunity, they are also resourceful, and will scavenge for insects, grubs, and their favorite greenery. Be warned, they absolutely adore strawberries and kale, and will eat it right out of your garden! A laying hen reaches maturity and begins laying eggs at around 4-6 months of age. She will lay …


Letter Re: Alaska as a Retreat Locale

Dear Mr. Rawles, I just finished your novel novel “Survivors”. It was a good book and it spells out a lot of things that might happen. I have been an avid reader of your books and materials for some time. I would like to point out that Alaska is a better survivor island than many of the other Western States. First: Alaska does rely on products being imported but it has the capacity to manufacture its own fuel. Presently we have three refineries within our state but they concentrate on the manufacture of Aviation Gas because it has the highest …


Letter Re: Buffalo Bore Ammunition–Thinking Outside The Box

James, I’d like to offer a quick bit of follow up on Pat Cascio’s review of Buffalo Bore ammo. I’m a big fan of their ammo, and have quite a bit of experience with it. I recently ordered and tested some of the .45 Auto Rim +P 225 grain hard cast wad cutters, as well as the 200 grain version in .44 Special. I shot the Auto Rim in a 325 Airlight 2.5″ Smith & Wesson, as well as a Model 22 4″. This is stout ammo, pushing the big flat point bullet at over 1100 fps. I have to …


Economics and Investing:

Chris D. recommended this YouTube mini-documentary: Confiscation and Inflation Reader Kevin K. liked this piece: The $U.S. Dollar Centric Derivatives Complex: Progenitor of Parasitic, Ponzi Price-Fixing Twenty Two Signs Pointing to a Devastating Global Recession   All You Need to Know About Iran, $200 Oil, and $6.00 Gas Prices Items from The Economatrix: The Worst Economic Recovery Since The Great Depression Nearly 1 Million Workers Vanish Under Obama Home Seizures May Jump 25% this Year as US Foreclosures Resume Apocalypse How?  Dire 2012 Forecasts Pessimistic Prognosticators


Odds ‘n Sods:

Tom H. sent this: Free EMS nationwide radio scanner feeds, via Internet streaming.    o o o Clarke M. mentioned that there are some great resources for homeschoolers available at Donna Young’s web site.    o o o The 10 Worst States to Retire In: They’re Frosty and Costly    o o o With some angst, an Elle magazine writer asks: Should I Buy a Gun? (The journalist recently moved to Montana. So instead of having doubts about being unarmed, does this mean she is having Redoubts?)    o o o And just for fun, a little South of the …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Free wood is puppy dogs and sunsets! Free wood is money in the bank, fuel for the furnace, and landscaping all in one! It’s miraculous in its absence of liquidity. Ever seen a lawyer come and steal half your firewood? Had a politician skim 10% of the top of the cord? Had it vanish in a hard drive crash? I think not. Free wood is peace and joy…” – The Adaptive Curmudgeon blog