Month: December 2013

Letter Re: Coal–The Other Black Gold

James, I was in a bad pickle this summer.  A housing opportunity came by and my family moved to a nice country home in Minnesota farm country.  It’s low traffic, well sheltered from the wind on all sides by mature trees, and safe for outside pets.  There is ample space for a large garden that will produce a surplus while feeding the entire family.  Yet there is one problem.  The house, while well kept, is a century old.  It is not very well insulated, and we knew from the previous tenant that it is difficult to heat in the winter. …


Recipe of the Week:

Linda U.’s Cream of Peanut Butter Soup The peanut, goober  peas, salted roasted and butter. Good stuff. Packed with protein. But the peanut is really not a nut. It is a legume in a shell that grows in the dirt. Originally from South America the lowly peanut made its way to Spain via Spanish explorers then went to Africa. From Africa it was sent to America as food on the slave ships.  Not much was done with peanuts until the Civil War. Oil and food shortages meant a new appreciation for the little legume.  Around the same time, the people …



Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader F.J. sent: 33 Awesome DiY Projects for Preppers    o o o The folks at PrepperPress.com have added yet another book to their SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest book package. It is is the 7th book in the 299 Days series. So their package now includes all 26 of the books published by PrepperPress.com. This is a $270 value.    o o o G.G. flagged this sad news that should serve as a lesson: Eight die from carbon monoxide poisoning as ice storms leave tens of thousands without power for nearly a week    o o o Empire State Gun …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 50 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $9,700+ worth of 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.) …


An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure for TEOTWAWKI, by K.M. in Ohio

Many SurvivalBlog contributors have discussed storable foods, nutrition, First Aid, health care supplies, supplements, aromatherapy and herbs over the years I’ve been reading SurvivalBlog. But, what will you do if obtaining vitamins and common first-aid ointments will be difficult or extremely expensive? (Think Weimar Germany) So you may have Echinacea growing in your yard. Do you know how to prepare it for use effectively? What is a common source of vitamin C to prevent the debilitating disease of Scurvy and how do you use it? In the middle of winter it will be difficult to find Plantain leaves to put …


Letter Re: Use of the Title Architect

Letter Re: Use of the Title Architect James, In nearly every state I am aware of it is unlawful and may be a misdemeanor for any person to use a title, business name, or description of business services using the word “architect”, or “architectural” to refer to one’s self or business, unless the principal of the firm is a state licensed architect. Some states take this so seriously that I as a licensed architect on several states, am prohibited to use of “Architect” and/or “Architectural” in a state where I am not licensed, or in a state where I am …


Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson forwarded a link to a FAS and government report on rare earths. Reader Jerry E. recommended a captivating article in The Guardian: Former BP geologist: peak oil is here and it will ‘break economies’ N.S. suggested this video:Economic Problems and the Rise of Dictators — Mike Maloney & James Turk J.B.G. sent: Shoppers Stock Up On Rifles, Shotguns Before Long Gun Registry Begins Moguls Rent South Dakota Addresses to Dodge Taxes Forever. (Thanks to H.L. for the link.) Silver To Hit New Highs As The Quality Of Analysis Sinks To New Lows


Odds ‘n Sods:

Forbes reports: Utah Made It Easier For Cops To Seize Innocent People’s Property. And Not A Single Lawmaker Voted Against It. (Thanks to Jeff B. for the link.)    o o o Of interest, over at the Acorns and Chestnuts web site: Famine Foods    o o o James W suggested: Versa Carry Holster Review    o o o Tim in Connecticut liked this reference: State Knife Carry Laws: Know Your Rights



Notes from JWR:

A reminder: Just until January 1, 2014, Ready Made Resources is giving away 15 pre-1965 90% silver dimes for every $100 worth of Mountain House long term storage foods purchased.  So, for example, a $400 food purchase would result in you receiving 60 silver dimes. — Today we present another entry for Round 50 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $9,700+ worth of 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 …


Our Retreat/Home in Northwest Nevada, by W.T.

In 2011 I retired from the military and my wife and I moved to our forever home in Northwest Nevada.  At the time we were not preppers, nor were we from here.  We just wanted to live on some acreage, away from big city problems, in a location in which we could indulge our love for the outdoors.  After the 2012 elections, our fears about the direction of our country grew rapidly and we stumbled upon the concept of prepping.  As we begin our second calendar year of prepping I thought it would be helpful to execute a self-assessment of our …


Letter Re: Advances in 80% AR Lower Receiver Technology

James, There have been some interesting developments in the world of 80% complete AR lowers. The following are some companies that are producing beefed up AR-15 carbon fiber or polymer lowers that can be completed more easily than their older generation aluminum relatives: EP Lowers JMT Polymer 80 Another innovation is a jig that allows a hand router to be used to mill out the control pocket of an AR-15 80% aluminum lower. As many of your readers already know, the lower receiver is the part with a serial number that the BATF considers a “firearm.” However, an 80% lower …


Economics and Investing:

Several readers suggested this article: Be prepared: Wall Street advisor recommends guns, ammo for protection in collapse National Debt Clock Passes $150,000 Per Taxpayer Comparing the inflated cost of living today from 1938 to 2013: How the US Dollar has lost incredible purchasing power since 1938. Items from The Economatrix: Faber, Rogers, Dent, Maloney, & Stockman – What Do They Say Is Coming In 2014? U.S. Dollar And Treasury Bonds Are Dead-Dr. Jim Willie Recession In 2014: “The Government Will Not Be Able To Save The Economy” 2014 Going To Be Better For Silver & Gold-David Morgan