Day: February 11, 2014

Notes from HJL:

Today we present another entry for Round 51 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), 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, Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value), A $300 gift certificate …


In Defense of the Humble Shotgun, by V.F.

As a longtime reader and supporter of survival blog I must first and foremost thank JWR and the many contributors. Your wisdom and insight have taught me many things that will help me and mine in the times of trouble now upon us. My first exposure to the shotgun was as a youngster hunting pheasant in southern Arizona with an old 16-gauge double barrel, which was a little bit more than my 10 year old body could handle. I learned to shoot it, nonetheless, with the help of my grandpa and my dad. The two of them had many a …


Setting Up A Sick Room in Your Home, by G.A. (RN)

The time may come when normal medical facilities are not available for any number of reasons. If a family member were sick or injured, would you have the supplies and skills to care for them in your home? After 26 years as a registered nurse (RN) working in a hospital setting with a multitude of different types of patients, I have learned the procedures, tips, and tricks for making patient care easier. I will not attempt to teach you about specific injuries and diseases or their treatments. There are many resources for learning these skills, and I suggest that you …


Letter: What Skills to Have

Dear Editor, I find myself often not knowing what skills I should have. As a former Boy Scout, I have thought about getting a stack of the merit badge pamphlets, but which ones should I get? I think this website may be of interest to some of your readers, especially those interested in the Newbie section. It is a list of all the requirements for each Boy Scout merit badge, and each one includes a bibliography for those requirements. Sincerely, – S.K. HJL Replies: The Boy Scout merit badge pamphlets are a good place to start, but you should be …


Letter: Human Powered Tools and Appliances

Hi, I have been thinking about trying to start a business of making treadle or pedal power appliances and tools, but I was wondering what your view point is on what would be most wanted, and if you think that someone could make a living that way. I would like to make kitchen appliances that use one power unit, and I think that the food processor, blender, and mixer would be the most wanted kitchen appliances. House tools would be a washing machine, vacuum, and generator. For the shop, I think a grinder, saw, and drill are the most useful …


Letter Re: Cast Iron

Dear Friends, I read the submissions regarding seasoning cast iron with interest. Many years ago I was fortunate to buy a new Wagner Dutch oven that must have sat on the shelf for an appreciable amount of time; the price was under $20. Inside it had the instructions from Wagner for seasoning. The instructions called for the use of peanut oil in an oven at 375 degrees F. for one to two hours. The only reason there is peanut oil in our house is for seasoning cast iron. Seasoning is not a once-and-done procedure, rather it needs to be built …


News From The American Redoubt:

Experts say Eastern Montana economy fueled by Bakken oil o o o Megaload hunkers down in Choteau, waits out weather and snowy roads o o o Here we go again: Firearms dealers have shortages for guns, ammo: supplies tight, prices escalating – B.R. o o o Here is one for the Redoubt! Go WYOMING! Wyoming most conservative, D.C. most liberal in 2013 – F.B. o o o County spends $38,000 on transmission line battle


Economics and Investing:

America’s make-work sectors have run out of oxygen – P.S. Gold and U.S. Bonds the New Great Trade? – C.S. Items from The Economatrix: 221 Percent Increase In One Year? Why Are So Many People Renouncing American Citizenship? U.S. Economy Adds 113,000 Jobs In January It’s ‘As If 100,000 Service-Sector Jobs Went Missing,’ Rosenberg Says The Shackles Of Consumer Credit In A Low Rate Environment– Banks Would Rather Leverage Low Rates From The Fed Than Lend Money To Cash Strapped American Households. 15 Percent Average Rate On Credit Cards And Typical Savings Account Rate Near 0 Percent.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Serving Down Under: Australia offers military jobs to US troops facing separation o o o Cleta Mitchell to Congress: DOJ IRS Investigation Is a Sham, Non-Existent – YouTube – B.R. o o o In a fit of irony: Gun control activist swears he forgot he was carrying gun while visiting school – JBG o o o This really peaked my interest when I saw it: This Diesel-Powered Scooter Packs More Utility Than a Swiss Army Knife – FJR o o o P.M. found this post in a forum. Once again the TSA humiliates someone: DH was humiliated by TSA o …