Day: February 24, 2012

Note From JWR:

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 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a …


Trial by Snow, by Bill S.

To say we have had a mild winter here in Iowa is an understatement to say the least. That was until recently. It would be safe to say that with temperatures in the 50 degree range I have gotten a little complacent this winter. Like many who read SurvivalBlog I spend time watching the news and trying to keep an eye on the big picture. At least in this case it came at the expense of some of the details. Like everything in life I would like to remind myself as well as all my Brothers and Sisters out there …


Physical Fitness and Training, by Patrick N.

As an avid reader of SurvivalBlog, I have read a countless number of articles on communications, food storage, tactics, weaponry, and a long list of almost every topic involving survival during a SHTF or TEOTWAWKI situation.  One major area that directly effects all of the aforementioned topics is physical fitness.  As a certified Health and Physical educator that is working on receiving a Certified Personal Trainer certification I take physical activity very seriously. One term that is used frequently in my field is GPP or General Physical Preparedness. GPP is the base level of fitness that a person must have …


Four Letters Re: Could America’s Farmers and Ranchers Face a Rhodesian Future?

Hi Jim,  Reading your article brought back many memories of the period in our land during the 1970s. We lived on the Eastern border and were regularly attacked at night and even during the day and the culprits ran back across the border into Mozambique. We attended many funerals of fellow farmers and their families. One point of interest that you do not mention is that groups of farmers (neighbouring) hired Militia groups of experienced soldiers. Normally about 10 people plus a leader who in some cases was a white man. They patrolled the farm area at night and set up …


Two Letters Re: Traditional Tools for TEOTWAWKI, by Bill H.

James, For best use with most woodworking other than large beams, a draw knife requires a shaving horse. A draw knife very useful for barking logs as they last much longer with the bark removed. You will also need a broad axe and adze to shape beams. A froe to rive boards and shingles is good too. Good books to get are the Foxfire series, as are the primitive series by John McPherson. Also see McPherson’s web page at PrairieWolf.net.      Keep up the good work, – Ted. J   Sir: Having just read the most recent article Traditional …


Economics and Investing:

A derivatives article worth reading, by way of Fierce Finance: Exclusive: SEC widens probe of exchange-traded funds. Currency Debasement Should Take Gold Prices Over $6,000/oz and Silver Above $400/oz Spain barter economy wins followers in grip of crisis. (Thanks to Tim R. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: 18 Statistics that Prove the Economy Has Not Improved Under the Current Administration Colorado Looking At Gold, Silver Currency Turning The Screw On Greece Oil Above $104 After EU Gives Greece Bailout Deal


Odds ‘n Sods:

P.G. sent this: How to Use the Internet in Stealth Mode    o o o Rick B. sent another link to good piece at The How Do Gardener: Crop Rotation in the Home Garden    o o o Jeff G. suggested this: Introduction to the Constitution (a free lecture series featuring Dr. Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College)    o o o Some more observations from Ol’ Remus: Guns.    o o o J.M.C. sent us this: More Indiana Women Carrying Guns


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“In reading The History of Nations, we find that, like individuals, they have their whims and their peculiarities, their seasons of excitement and recklessness, when they care not what they do. We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first.” – Charles MacKay, from the preface to his classic book “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness of Crowds“