Notes for Friday – June 20, 2014

June 20th is the birthday of Audie L. Murphy, who was born in 1925. He died in a plane crash on May 28, 1971. This is also the anniversary of the death of novelist Vince Flynn, who was born April 6, 1966 and died June 19, 2013. His death, at age 47, was a loss to the literary world. o o o Today we present another entry for Round 53 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or …




Gravity Fed Water Systems, by J.S.

Gravity systems are simple but very complex at the same time. Having lived on spring water that was fed by gravity for over 50 years, I have some experience in making these systems work and easy to maintain. I hope that my simple overview will help you design, build, and enjoy a gravity-fed system, too. There are four basic elements to a gravity water system: source, intake, sediment removal, and storage. Of course, you may have to deal with some troubleshooting down the road as well. Source The source can be any supply of free water. Spring, creeks, lakes, rivers …




Letter Re: Useful CERT Publications For Preppers

The article on CERT was well written and very useful. I hold a CERT certification through FEMA’s online certification process, along with a whole grocery list of courses from the same source. I did so as part of my involvement with my local amateur radio club’s efforts regarding the Amateur Radio Emergency Service unit of the club. It’s all part of being prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. Also, in regards to your link to the article about mob mentality, I would refer you and your readers to, among other books, The Lord of the Flies and …




Letter Re: The Pachamanca: A Survivalist’s Feast

One alternative to the pachamancha pit is the “haybox cooker”. My experience involves only foods cooked with lots of liquid, but the idea is to get the food to a rolling boil, then pack it away in a well-insulated environment for six hours or so. Traditionally, people used a box filled with straw, but modern alternatives exist, typically in the form of a simple metal pot and an insulated larger pot with a tight-fitting lid. Amazon should turn up several examples under the search term “thermal cooker”. – EQR




Economics and Investing:

An Austrian bank just collapsed! Hypo Alpe Insolvency Is Uncontrollable, Austrian Regulator Says! – A.D. o o o The Austerity Diaries: How Saving Money Is Better Than Earning It – H.L. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Fed Looks At Exit Fees On Bond Funds Price Index for Meats, Poultry, Fish & Eggs Rockets to All-Time High Gasoline at U.S. Pumps Set to Hit Six-Year Seasonal High Consumer Prices Rise Sharply in May




Odds ‘n Sods:

Mother dies in jail while being punished for kids missing school – H.L. Can somebody please explain to me why a mother was in jail for her children’s truancy? o o o Postal Service Explores Sensors, Data Collection Via ‘Vehicles, Mailboxes, Machines, Letter Carriers’ – G.P. o o o Is this what our republic has succumbed to– vulgar 6th graders being encouraged by their parents? This is sickening and the fruit of a depraved and fallen culture–a society that has abandoned God. Josh Orlian: 12-Year-Old Standup Comedian Gets Naughty on AGT Stage – America’s Got Talent 2014 – R.G. o …