Day: May 4, 2013

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 46 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 …


Tree Felling, by George H.

Disclaimer: Tree cutting is inherently dangerous with many injuries and fatalities every year, please do you own research and obtain training before trying this on your own. In New England there is extensive woodland and always a need to cut down trees to keep your garden growing and your house from being overrun. This keeps your house warm with the resulting firewood. Cutting down a tree is always risky but there are many ways to reduce this risk using various tools and skills. Never start cutting unless you are well rested, fully alert and all your tools are sharpened and …


Two Letters Re: Sewing, Mending and Altering Your Clothing After the Ball Drops

James: I would like to add a couple of things with regard to the recent article and letters on sewing.   1.  Get a button jar.  People used to save the buttons from discarded, worn out clothing and use them for repair or when making new items.  When a button hole begins to wear out even a novice with needle and thread can sew on a larger button and make the garment wearable until the button hole can be repaired. A riveted metal button cannot be sewn back on and neither can a broken button.  I have buttons that have …


Letter Re: One Year Food Supply at COSTCO

Hi JWR, Just a quick note regarding the posting of “One Year Food Supply at COSTCO”. Just in case Walt G. and others are not aware, that particular food storage system has no meat In Costco’s THRIVE special, it’s all TVP. True, there is milk and egg protein, but if someone needs actual meat, there isn’t any–it is [soy-based] TVP (textured vegetable protein).   Take care, and thanks, Steve N. in Arizona JWR Replies: There are other food storage packages on the market that do have real meat. And one alternative is to supplement with real canned meats (such as …


Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff: A Collapse Happened In 2008, But The Real Collapse Is Still Ahead Andre D. sent: Gold buyers forced to go on waiting list Items from The Economatrix: We, As Americans, Are About To See A Major, Major Collapse In Our National Monetary System, And Our Normal Way Of Life Ron Paul On Bitcoin: If I Can’t Put It In My Pocket, I Have Reservations” ObamaCare Is A “Neutron Bomb” That Will “Decimate” Jobs In America


Odds ‘n Sods:

The editors of Mother Jones have belatedly discovered prepperdom.    o o o For the gent in Ohio who wrote to chide me that: “.308 [semi-auto]s are impractical for rapid fire shooting, and close combat.” Well, Jerry Miculek shows how it is done. Perfect practice makes perfect!    o o o Monday (May 6th) will be the last day of the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House canned long term storage foods. Order soon.    o o o Alan S. sent this headline from Australia: Murder trial after NSW knife man shot dead. The hand-wringing Aussie judicial …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the …