Day: August 25, 2014

Notes for Monday – August 25, 2014<

August 25th is a birthday shared by novelist Frederick Forsyth (born 1938) and American humorist Patrick F. McManus (born 1933.) Forsyth was the author of The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil’s Alternative, and many others. McManus was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho, so his books could be classified as American Redoubt humor. JWR met Pat a few years ago, and Pat very kindly autographed his entire battered collection of Pat’s books. Some of these books had been so well-loved that the pages were falling out of their bindings. …


Guest Article: Another Good Reason to Can, Process, Preserve, and Repackage Your Produce, by R.W.

As if you have not heard enough great reasons to process, can, and preserve your own foods, here is more food for thought (pun intended). I cannot speak to every state in the union, but as for the state I live in there are some very strict rules about what foods can be placed in an “official, non-profit Food Pantry”– a charity often run by a church or other non-profit organization that hands out food to those in need. Here are a few of the draconian rules that apply to organizations that are trying to get food (mostly non-perishables) to …


Scot’s Product Review: InstaFire

Fire is kind of a big deal. It keeps us warm, cooks our food, and can signal for help. It’s comforting to sit around one. Being able to have a fire quickly is a very nice thing. InstaFire FireStarter lives up to its name, though you do actually have to go to the bother of striking a match to light it. That’s really not too much to ask for, though, considering the benefit. Yes, there are a lot of things you can set on fire with a match, but unlike a piece of wadded up newspaper, this stuff burns hot …


Recipe of the Week: Italian Bean Soup, by L.H.

This is a favorite soup of ours. It’s hearty, healthy, and perfect for a cold winter’s day. It is also a wonderful way to slip some healthy spinach into the diets of those in your family who think they don’t like it; they’ll never taste that it’s there. Ingredients: 2 cans (14.5 oz. ea.) cannellini beans (or any white beans), rinsed and drained 1 tbs. olive oil ½ – 1 c. cooked, diced ham 2 stalks celery, diced 2 carrots, sliced 1 small onion, diced 1 c. thinly-shredded cabbage 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes 3 cans (14.5 oz. ea.) …


Letter Re: Calcium Hypochlorite Reminders

Hugh, A reminder that Calcium Hypochlorite WILL corrode metal stored anywhere nearby. Also, many articles appear stating that you can siphon gas from your gas tank. ALL late model cars and 1/2 ton trucks and vans have a restriction in the filler neck that is designed to prevent leaking gas in the event of a rollover. Siphon hoses will not work in this application. They will work in 3/4 trucks and up, because they fall into different federal class regulations. -F.M.


Economics and Investing:

New definition of retirement = work until you die: Half of Americans have little to no savings for what will likely be a long and drawn out retirement. o o o Bitcoin Phishing Click Rate Higher than for Regular Scams. – JBG o o o Beware the Return of Debtor’s Prison o o o DOJ Allows Bank of America to Deduct $12 Billion of $17 Billion Settlement. – PLC Items from Mr. Econocobas: Is Portugal Next In Line For Wealth Confiscation?


Odds ‘n Sods:

From Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large: Stupid Hot prvi Ammo o o o Churches warned: ‘Tidal wave of gay theology’ looming – J.W. o o o Want Milk or Toilet Paper? The Venezuelan Government Wants Your Fingerprints. – T.P. o o o An amazing display of an individual soldier’s kit through the ages: Military kit through the ages: from the Battle of Hastings to Helmand – T.P. o o o Drought Leaves 100s Of Central CA Homes With No Tap Water. – G.L.