Month: February 2013

Letter Re: Dealing With Biting and Stinging Insects

Dear James, Those of us who live in the Southeast are constantly dealing with ticks and chiggers.  Sometimes the old-timers have the best ideas.  We were told that ticks and chiggers hate Vick’s VapoRub.  It really works!  Before getting dressed, rub the Vick’s VapoRub on the back of your knees, your ankles, and anywhere else you know they are going to go.   But we found there are two more things you need to do to repel ticks and chiggers.   1.  Wash your clothes in this recipe.  Most of the conventional laundry detergents, and fabric softeners have heavy perfumes.  Bugs …


Economics and Investing:

Chris Duane has expanded his Silver Bullet – Silver Shield video channel page. Check it out. Jim Rogers on Fed Easing? ‘This is going to end very very badly’ Items from The Economatrix: Nearly Half Of American Families Live On Edge Of Financial Ruin Why Gas Prices Are Rising Home Depot To Hire 80,000 For Spring


Odds ‘n Sods:

An interesting tidbit, useful for background checks: Decoding SSNs. OBTW, they should have done this research on “Hawaiian born” BHO, long before he ran for Senate.    o o o This new compact GPS tracking technology has some good and bad implications. Even scary implications.    o o o Bob G. recommended: Time for the Church to Act    o o o My dear mother suggested this harrowing video that was shot in 2011: A drive on the Norwegian coast on a stormy day.    o o o The Top 5 “Top 50 Lists of Prepper Web Sites”


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:5-10 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

Today is the birthday of Major George Nonte (Born 1926, died June 30, 1978.) He was a prolific gun writer. I had the privilege of attending ROTC Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky in the same Company with his daughter Yvette, in 1981. Some of the stories that she told me about her late father were amazing. He was quite a guy. Yvette Nonte went on to a distinguished career in Army Intelligence, retiring as a Colonel. — Today we present another two entries for Round 45 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First …


A Yuppie Prepper’s Guide to Chickens, by Audrey H.

While I am new to the world of prepping; (having just read Discovery to Catastrophe and learned of prepping society), I have lived on a farm my whole life, and have spent the last 16 years home educating and canning my way to heaven.  It appears that my grandmother and mother taught me to be a prepper when I did not even know it and gave me life skills that are severely lacking in America today.  To pay homage to them, I respectfully submit the following essay: Raising chickens for survival is an interesting topic these days when so many …


Where Do I Start? Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew, by Kentucky Girl in Ohio

One of the most daunting challenges in preparing for TEOTWAWKI is the absence of our crystal balls. What will TEOTWAWKI really entail? Let’s be honest, would a catastrophic disaster be necessary to majorly upset the balance of life as we know it, or could even the simplest of events turn our cushy, pampered, disposable income lives into a tailspin?  I think the answer is obvious. Despite any financial challenges we may be facing, it’s safe to assume that we all live relatively pampered lifestyles. Because we have become so far removed from our forebearers’ day to day struggle for existence, …


Letter Re: .22 Magnum in Times of General Ammunition Shortages

Dear JWR: I currently live in the People’s Republic of Illinois and have seen the mad dash for ammo and firearms make it very difficult to acquire even the standard .22 Long Rifle rimfire ammo that until a few months ago could be purchased by the case at nearly any Wal-Mart, gun shop, or sporting goods store. Recently when browsing the aisles of both Bass Pro Shop and Wal-Mart I noticed something rather peculiar: that .22 Magnum ammunition was aplenty. This struck me as really odd that .22 Magnum was even being sold in bulk packs (CCI brand) at Bass …


Economics and Investing:

The Real Story Behind JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s (JPM) Infamous Whale-Sized Trade In Credit Derivatives Kevin S. suggested this “must watch”interview of Jeff Berwick: Get Far Away From USA…Its Collapse Will Be Messy. In this interview, Berwick aptly says: “We are in the last days of this financial system in the United States. This is Zimbabwe.” Berwick is starting a “Galt’s Gulch” ex-pat community in Cafayate, Argentina. JWR’s Comment: I believe that Chile would have been a better choice than Argentina, which has a socialist government and a currency with frequent bouts of inflation. Mac Slavo of the excellent SHTFPlan …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A special alert for Californians: List of Proposed California Gun Control Measures — 500 Round Max, No Grandfathering, No Detachable Mags, Mandatory License. Here is some related coverage, that discusses the full implications: California Democrats Introduce Bill To Confiscate Every “Assault” Weapon In The State From Their Law-Abiding Owners… (Thanks to B.B. for the latter link.)    o o o Some troubling news: Obama Gives Foreign Cops New Police Powers in U.S.    o o o Dr. B. mentioned this: Psychiatric Drugs More Often Prescribed in the South: Study looked at stimulant, antipsychotic and antidepressant use across U.S.    o …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them]. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob [shall be] upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.” …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 45 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) 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 …


Industrial Sewing Machines for Prepared Families, by Lockstitch

I began as an apprentice in the Upholstery trade when I was 15 years old. I worked the trade all through high school and it helped to put me through college. Eventually I opened my own shop and worked the trade until 2004. In 2004 I partnered with a good friend and we began designing and manufacturing tactical gear for him and the guys he worked with overseas. This business has continued until today. All in all, I have been using industrial sewing machines of various types for over 20 years now. In that time, I have learned much about …


Letter Re: The Proposed Citadel Community in Idaho

James, I read a post from one of the administrative members of the Citadel the other day.  He posted a request for “ways ahead” from group members (individuals who have paid the $208 application).  Specifically, he asked for suggestions on how to proceed given that they told the world they were looking for 3,000 acres on which to build their community.  Now, they are leaning towards a scaled down version to start; 200 acres.  While I don’t find that too cosmic a question to ask, I do think incompetence is showing.  On top of that, the forum they’ve created for paid applicants …


Letter Re: Helicopter and Fixed Wing Drones for Retreat Security

James, I am not an RC aircraft enthusiast, but I am a pilot and an engineer, and have a few comments regarding the article “Helicopter and Fixed Wing Drones for Retreat Security”, but Long Jim. I suggest folks consider fixed wing aircraft rather than helicopters for this mission for a number of reasons: 1. Helicopters have more moving parts, and therefore more places for a critical failure to occur that would take the aircraft out of action. This makes them less reliable (or requires higher maintenance for same level of reliability.) 2. The main advantage of a helicopter – the …