Day: July 6, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 41 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 $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


Discovering What We Needed in an Actual Time of Need, by M.M.

There has been much talk on many survival/prepper blogs about when and if our electricity goes out. Lots of speculation by folks who have experienced short power outages. My husband and I have experienced numerous, long power outages. They are very common in the remote area where we live. As we are the last house on the power line, when the power goes out we are the last to get our power restored. Our most recent long lasting power outage was in January, when our area experienced a rare ice storm. In 17 years of living in our present home, …


Hot Water, Post-SHTF, by Scott C.

In March of 2012, I was shopping at Sam’s Club doing some food prepping when a tornado struck my rural northern Kentucky community. We were asked to go to the center of the store until further notice because a tornado had been spotted in the area. After 20 minutes of nervous waiting, we were able to continue shopping. On our trip home there were several roads closed due to mobile homes being in the road as well as a tractor trailer turned over on my main route home. Seeing the destruction so close to home I started to get this …


Two Letters Re: New England Gardening, by George H.

JWR: Just a couple of ideas/notes on gardening, inspired by the recent article on New England Gardening: Land that was previously “Forested” and cleared is usually poor soil initially for vegetable gardening, even when adding compost and manure.  Forested land is fertile when many years of plant residue build up naturally, and then fertile for more trees and brush only usually, but lacking in desired nutrients for vegetable crops. Without the natural “compost” layer the trees provide the soil will become barren quickly from erosion etc. Essential nutrients/minerals to provide a balanced diet for both the vegetable plants one wants …


Economics and Investing:

I highly recommend this interview: Chris Duane on Coast to Coast AM. Thankfully, the recording is minus the lengthy commercial breaks. Duane (of Silver Bullet & Silver Shield) says that the collapse of the U.S. Dollar is a “100% mathematical certainty.” Duane also points out the risk posed by the 27 million Americans on prescribed antidepressants. He predicts that there will widespread psychotic breaks if there is a disruption of pharmaceutical supplies. Despite this gent’s odd demeanor, his words ring true: No independence. (Thanks to K.H. for the link.) Sue C. sent this: Brent higher, U.S. crude pares losses after …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Another Sustainable Preparedness Expo will be held on September 30, 2012 in Spokane, Washington.    o o o Reader RBS forwarded this: Footage shows African ‘ghost town’. JWR’s Comment: I can almost hear the echoes of some CPC politburo member’s whim: “I think blue might look nice.”    o o o It is not over yet: In West Virginia, mass feedings planned in wake of storms, heat wave. (Thanks to “CoffeeMatt ” for the link.)    o o o Long-time SurvivalBlog content contributor AmEx (American Expat) send a link to a popular video of an imperiled ice climber being rescued. …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The Obamacare decision has revealed the Supreme Court for the fraud it is. They bound and gagged the Constitution long ago, embezzled its authority and now speak for it rather than from it. It’s a Medieval priesthood overawing the citizenry with imagined infallibility, but at ground level these cocktail-circuit Big Thinkers enable and shield DC’s most conspicuous assaults on the rightful liberty of the people. The deciding vote was cast by Chief Justice Roberts, a Bush appointee whose confirmation Obama opposed, which shows DC as it really is, an evil carnival of political chameleons imposing their dark fantasies on the …