Year: 2013

Free Food: How I Found it and What I’ve Done With it, by Ristin B.

I have discovered an ongoing source of mostly organic, quality food that requires only my commitment, labor and time as payment. Because it often arrives at my house in amounts greater than can be consumed immediately, most of it is being preserved to add to my long-term storage of foods in preparation for the days ahead when obtaining such food will be difficult. A new food shelf opened in my town a bit more than a year ago. This particular food shelf works with a major chain of well-known grocery stores. The food shelf accepts the fresh produce and flowers …


Letter Re: Transitioning From Cool Weather Crops

Good Morning Captain Rawles, With the weather warming dramatically in the south, the winter grown crops are fading due to the heat and longer days. Our high temps are in the 80s and our lows are in the mid-70s now.  As folks notice that their turnips, mustard greens, broccoli, and collard greens start to get tough leaves that are not good to eat, they rush to pull them up and plant something else.  This is a mistake, if you are looking for seed security.  We have just finished harvesting our seed for this fall from these plants.  We have saved …


Economics and Investing:

Just as we assumed: Red States Have Most Economic Potential. (A hat tip to H.L. for the link.) This Crazy Extend & Pretend Economic World. Here is a quote: “The Japanese government spends 24% of its annual revenues on interest expense, but only because the average interest rate is quite low. If interest rates rise to 2.2%, their interest expense will consume 80% of the government revenues.” Reader Bob G. suggested this: The Four Big Risks Massive Money Has Brought to the U.S. Economy The price of Austerity in Italy: Homemade Bread The Feds Seized Another Bitcoin Site. Items from …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “AmEx” sent: Department of Homeland Security Forced to Release List of Keywords Used to Monitor Social Networking Sites. In other gov-tech news: E-mails of top Obama appointees remain a mystery    o o o The big semi-annual sales on Mountain House long term storage foods at Ready Made Resources and Safecastle are continuing for just a few more days. It is is important to note that Mountain House plans to significantly raise their wholesale prices on July 1st, 2013, so it would be wise to order during this sale. Get your orders in before June 8th!    o o …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 47 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 …


Surviving the Moore, Oklahoma Tornado, by J.B.

One of our motivations for making disaster preparations was the tornado scenario.  Living in Tornado Alley, there is a reliable risk every May and June.  Each spring brings numerous alerts and trips to the closet when the sirens go off.  This was my first experience of a tornado disaster since moving to Oklahoma eight years ago. On May 12th  of this year, the sirens went off three times, which means a tornado has been spotted on the ground nearby.   My sister and I headed to the safe room each time, where our “disaster bags,” water and snacks were stashed.  Nothing …


Letter Re: Oppressed Owners Storing Their Guns Out of State

Hey Mr. Rawles, So I’m stuck in The People’s Republic of California. I can’t get out. We would basically have to walk away from a business we have been running since 1978 with nothing. As I’ve noted in the past, I do have a mountain retreat that is ready to go. But here is my question – With all these new California laws which will surely be passed and signed by the governor, I’m obviously a little concerned about my semi-auto long guns. I know folks talk about burying them in tubes and such. But would this be a viable …


News From The American Redoubt:

Check out this custom knifemaker in Lewistown, Montana: Black Wolf Armory. Amazing quality.    o o o Reader R.B.S. sent: Hydropower from ag ditches pushed in Congress    o o o Some Idaho news: Ysursa says firearms lobbying dustup resolved    o o o AR-maker Nemo Arms (in Kalispell, Montana) reports that they are expecting to book sales between $5 million and $10 million in 2013.    o o o I’d like to publicize current ministry opportunities in the American Redoubt. If you know of an open pulpit or any other full or part-time ministry opportunities in the Redoubt region, …


Economics and Investing:

Reader J.M.R. suggested: The Coming Guaranteed 48% Real Estate Crash J.B.G. sent: Venezuela police seize 2,500 rolls of toilet paper and ‘Unbelievable’: Venezuela Shortages Move Far Beyond Just Toilet Paper Peter Schiff: The Great Reflation There have been more revelations about Bloomberg’s financial spies. Items from The Economatrix: 10 Reasons Why So Many People Are Moving To Texas Consumer Spending In U.S. Unexpectedly Declined In April On Crushing Student Loans, Worthless College Degrees, And The Millennials


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog’s G.G. flagged this sign of the times: Detroit Citizens Protect Themselves After Police Force Decimated.    o o o Steam Engines As Alternative Energy: Marjory Wildcraft Interviews Mike Brown    o o o Mark that beast those sheeple! Google: Motorola’s tattoos could replace passwords    o o o George S. sent this news item: The Indian Motorcycle Company is back. (In case you are wondering, the motorcycles are made in Iowa, using engines that are made in Wisconsin.)    o o o Your “Turn In Gun” can now have a new life in an Iowa Police sting operation. [JWR’s …



Note from JWR:

Today marks the 87th birthday of former Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, Ph.D. (born 1926.) He was the U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 6th congressional district, serving from 1993 to 2012. He was the only outspokenly survivalist member of congress and a strong proponent of EMP and solar flare preparedness.


Pat’s Product Review: Ruger SR1911 CMD

While I’ve always loved the Government Model 1911, in .45ACP, it isn’t my first choice – in a 1911. I’ve lost count of the number of 1911s I’ve owned over the years, and traded or sold, for some stupid reason, but I suspect, I’ve owned well over a hundred different types of 1911s in my lifetime. However, given my druthers, I’d druther have a Commander-sized 1911 – one with a 4.25-inch barrel, instead of the 5-inch barrel found on the Government Model. The 4.25-inch barrel 1911s just seem to balance better in my hand, and they are quicker on-target. Additionally, …


T.M.’s Book Review: The Great Game, by Peter Hopkirk

© 2006 Peter Hopkirk Published by The Folio Society 2010 510 pages with map of the area on the inside covers. Available in paperback and eBook from Internet booksellers. There are color photos and illustrations, a lengthy bibliography, and a comprehensive index in my copy. Recommended for high school students and older. If you want to know the back story of the present situation in Afghanistan, you need to read The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia. First published in 1990, it is still available thanks to paperback and eBook editions. First edition hardback copies are available …