Day: January 3, 2014

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.) …


The Joys of Prepping, by V.R.

Who said prepping couldn’t be fun?   Granted, prepping is something that should be taken seriously, but in our journey to prepare for a possible eventual catastrophe we can enjoy the ride.  I think of it as setting up home, going camping and uniting the family all wrapped up in one.  In my eagerness and urgent desire to see friends and family prepare for an oncoming disaster, either natural or manmade, I feel like I have frightened or overloaded them into inaction.  Discouraged by my lack of persuasion I was reminded of one of Aesop’s fables where the Sun and the …


Letter Re: Settlement Based on Watershed Regions

James Wesley, Here is a link to an interesting map showing what the US might look like if John Wesley Powell’s ideas of settlement districts based on watersheds were applied to all state boundaries. Powell recognized that water issues would be an ongoing problem for westward expansion and published his strategy in the 1879 paper, “A Report on the Arid Regions of the United States, with a More Detailed Account of the Lands of Utah”.  He was greatly influenced by Mormon settlers’ management of water resources. – C.J.


Letter Re: Diabetics in Disasters

Jim, A quick note about regular insulin (either Novolin R or Humulin R):  it is considered a fast acting insulin, which is different from a rapid acting insulin.  From Diabetes.org – The rapid acting insulins, Humalog, Novolog and Apidra, "begin to work about 15 minutes after injection, peak in about 1 hour, and continue to work for 2 to 4 hours.  Regular (or short-acting) insulin usually reaches the bloodstream within 30 minutes after injection, peaks anywhere from 2 to 3 hours after injection, and is effective for approximately 3 to 6 hours." This may not be a huge difference, but …


Two Letters Re: Want To Raise Pigs?

Jim, Regarding feed sources for home-raised pigs: Many supermarket chains will gladly “donate” outdated or overripe fruits, vegetables, and cheeses, due to the cost of container disposal. This often includes apples,  melons, citrus, tomatoes, avocados, and even prepackaged salad greens, berries and herbs.  Even a relatively small store will have 2-3 trash cans full, daily. They may even provide containers if they are emptied on a regular basis and kept clean.  Commercial bakeries and baked goods outlets often provide bear hunters with barrels of donuts, snack cakes, and breads during hunting season.  Ask them if you can take care of …


Economics and Investing:

Some more sad “Bad OPSEC” news from Australia: Bullion worth $200,000 stolen from Brisbane home of war veteran by thieves using wheelie bin Company makes good on leaving Colorado over gun laws: Colorado gun accessories maker Magpul moving to Wyoming, Texas because of new gun laws Items from The Economatrix: Retail Traffic Plunges By “Staggering” 21% In Week Before Christmas Comparing the inflated cost of living today from 1938 to 2013: How the US Dollar has lost incredible purchasing power since 1938. How does an America with no middle class look like? Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects top two …


Odds ‘n Sods:

‘Looks Like Weimar Germany’: The Viral Photo Out of Connecticut That’s Giving Some Gun Owners Chills . (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.)    o o o Shipping companies largely silent on NSA intercepting packages    o o o Another one of Former Mayor Bloomberg’s MAIG members is sentenced: “Filthy Filner” Sentenced For Sexual Harassment.    o o o A fascinating video: AK-47 Underwater at 27,450 frames per second    o o o F.J. suggested this at Instructables: How To Make A Knife