Month: June 2014

Notes for Saturday – June 21, 2014

June 21st is the birthday of Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998). He was the friend and mentor of SurvivalBlog’s retired Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio. 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 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 …


Family Disaster Planning, by N.J. – Part 1

“Poor Prior Planning Produces Pitifully Poor Performance”, or a similar version known as the “Six P’s”, is the mantra of this document. Plan ahead and you can survive most disasters. Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. In trying to put together a plan, it is best to have a plan that would “basically” fit any disaster by addressing the complications brought on by a disaster. These complications include loss of power, hampered communication, compromised safe location (temporary or permanent housing), limited resources (food, water, and clothing), financial hardship (separated for obvious reasons), lack of security, lack of transportation, reduced …


Letter Re: Salve Making

Dear Mr. Latimer, S.T.’s article on salve making was very interesting. I’ve been making them for several years now. Because I gift and sell them to other people, I buy different size amber and cobalt blue jars to pour the final product in. A great muscle balm salve (which I sent to soldiers’ in Afghanistan who liked it a lot!) is to use oils infused with arnica, meadowsweet, comfrey with a little added coconut oil to the melting beeswax. My favorite lip balm is “baby balm”, made with calendula, chamomile, and roses. It’s also great for diaper rash. A friend …


Economics and Investing:

Inflation? Only If You Look At Food, Water, Gas, Electricity And Everything Else – B.B. o o o U.S Department of Homeland Security has told banks – in writing – It may inspect safe deposit boxes without warrant and seize any gold, silver, guns or other valuables it finds inside those boxes! – SDS o o o Items from Mr Econocobas: Argentina: Won’t Submit to ‘Extortion’ on Debt Fed Says Economy “Rebounding” as It Trims Bond Purchases Fed Officials Raise Forecasts of Target Rates for Next 2 Years, Lower Long-Term Forecast on Slowing Growth


Odds ‘n Sods:

S. 150: The Biggest Proposed Gun and Magazine Ban in American History. – J.W. o o o Doctors Without Borders: Ebola ‘out of control’. – A.W. o o o Doomsday prepper father accused of plotting to kill federal agents and stockpiling guns and explosives for the ‘end of days’… only for FBI to raid his home and find only food and five legal firearms in safe. – JBG o o o DC Court Confirms That Government Agents Can Abuse US Citizens’ Rights With Impunity If They Leave The Country. – H.L. o o o An excellent DIY project on instructables …



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.

8

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 …



Notes for Thursday – June 19, 2014

There are two letters today regarding the militarization of local law enforcement across the nation, along with a number of Odds n’ Sods posts regarding the same. In this day and age of mistrust, it is important to maintain your ability to protect yourself and others around you from abuses of the system. Make sure you have visited CFAPA.org and obtained your free press credentials to guarantee that you meet the arbitrary requirements of “The Press” to be able to freely record encounters with government officials. o o o Today we present another entry for Round 53 of the SurvivalBlog …


A Primer On Salve Making, by S.T.

Salve making is an important skill now, and it will become an even more important skill after SHTF. So, master the skill now, collect your recipes, and obtain the various ingredients and equipment needed, because after SHTF there will be no more manufactured goods, and you may not have access to the essential oils and extracts that are needed. My salve making came about when I went looking for a way to replace store purchased hand lotion with a better product that I could make post-SHTF and has evolved from there. From rosemary salve for dry hands to salve for …