Day: July 1, 2013

Notes from JWR:

There are just two days left in Freeze Dry Guy’s 25% Off Special All Mountain House #10 Cans. And meanwhile, Camping Survival has started their own 25% off sale, which runs until July 7th. — Mississippi’s open carry law was set to go into effect today. Despite a temporary court injunction (which is sure to be overturned soon) Mississippi will soon be a fairly gun friendly state. For example, it is a non-discretionary concealed carry state. Freedom is on the march! — July 1st is the birthday of the late Oakley Hall. (Born, 1920, died May 12, 2008.) He wrote …


Home Power Systems: Batteries, by L.K.O.

[Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series of feature articles by our Central Rockies Regional Editor about alternative / sustainable / renewable energy (RE) solutions for self-sufficiency. Previous related articles in SurvivalBlog that complement this one are “Home Inverter Comparison: Off Grid and Grid Tied,” Home Power Systems: Micro Hydro and Energy Efficiency and Conservation. Upcoming article topics in this Home Power Systems series will include: Photovoltaics, Wind generators, Solar Water Distillers, Solar Ovens, and Solar Water Heating.] First Things, First: Home Power Prerequisites One important foundation of a cost-effective, sustainable home energy system is energy efficiency and conservation; …


Dollar Destruction Averaging

I recently got a letter from a financial planner who derided my occasional “Buy at this dip” recommendations and suggested dollar cost averaging when investing in precious metals. I replied: “While I agree that dollar cost averaging is the right approach in most markets and for institutional investors, it is not necessarily the correct approach in the current secular bull market in silver for small investors and for those who are hedging against the dollar with small sums.  The vast majority of my readers had less than $10,000 to invest in 2005, and they work for wages.  So they haven’t …


Pat’s Product Review: Cannon Safe EMP Locking System

I’m a chronic worrier. However, over the years, I’ve learned (at least I think I have) to put my worries in some sort of priority. Like most Americans, I worry about making ends meet each month – there usually is more month, than there is money – we try our best to work around it, with our limited funds. Whenever I hear a noise under the hood of my car, I start to worry, and make an appointment with my mechanic to check it out – more often than not, it’s nothing that needs immediate attention. The “Check Engine” light …


Letter Re: The K9 Question

Hello. As an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) owner, I felt compelled to address the inaccurate information in the post titled, The K9 Question. Since the reputation of the ‘pit bull’ type dog has been shredded by the media and various myths, I ask that the information be corrected.   The post states; “On the other hand, if children are not necessarily a consideration and your needs are for a one purpose guard dog you might decide on one of the BULL TERRIER breeds commonly referred to as Pit Bulls.  They are easy to find.  Every dog shelter is overflowing …


Recipe of the Week:

C. in Florence’s Boer Sausage Recipe This is an old Afrikaaner favorite. It was saved, dried, smoked, boiled, grilled and fried. At a braai (barbeque) it is at it’s best.)     Boerewors Sausage Recipe   10 lbs lean ground beef or minced chuck. 2 lb of coarsely minced pork, or you can sub for this with turkey if you like. 3 lb pork fat which is minced coarsely Sausage casings ( real or artificial, your choice) 4 tbs salt 1 tbs pepper 3 tbs finely ground coriander 1 tbs finely ground cloves 1 tbs red pepper 1 1/2 tbs nutmeg …


Economics and Investing:

It is very clear that we are approaching a national debt crisis. This chart from the St. Louis Fed illustrates America’s tale of woe. Once interest rates start to rise–and inevitably they must and will–then the whole charade will abruptly end. We will suffer a debt crisis far more horrendous than what we witnessed in 2008. No nation can survive a sustained debt level greater than 100% of GDP for and extended time without a crisis. Some interesting reading over at The Daily Bell: Chris Becker’s Austrian Perspective on South Africa, Gold and the Ludwig von Mises Institute Jim Rogers: …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The latest in the long saga of U.S. military camouflage patterns transition: Guy Cramer Talks Camo Part V – Phase IV C3: Camouflage, Color and Cost. (Thanks to Matt L. for the link.)    o o o I was recently sent a few test and evaluation samples of some LED lights by the folks at www.CreativeLightings.com. (We’ve mentioned them before in SurvivalBlog, first commenting on their LED light “ropes.”) Seeing their new products, I was amazed at how far LED lighting technology has leapfrogged in the past couple of years! Their 18″ long LED units that replace standard 12 VDC …