Day: June 29, 2015

Notes for Monday – June 29, 2015

June 29th, 1868 is the birthday of astronomer Dr. George E. Hale. Dr. Hale was credited with founding the Yerkes Observatory in Chicago and the Mount Wilson and Palomar Mountain Observatories in Southern California. He also invented the spectroheliograph and first learned that the sun’s outer shell is made of gas. He photographed colossal hurricanes of incandescent vapor and discovered that the flaming whirlpools of hydrogen leaped 300,000 miles from the surface of the sun and were large enough to engulf the earth like a cinder in a furnace.


Scot’s Product Review: Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Application Sling and More

I’m not sure who first coined the phrase, but whoever it was suggested that we think of a sling as a holster for a long gun, and I’ve always rather liked that analogy. Some slings also help the shooter be more accurate by providing support in shooting positions. By and large, however, the main use of the sling is to carry a long arm while keeping one or both hands free for other purposes. There are a number of types of slings and ways to attach them to a rifle or shotgun. The most common is a simple carry strap …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Kershaw’s Emerson CQC-4KXL

I still remember the first time I toured the Kershaw Knives plant, some 20+ years ago. It was for an article in Knives Illustrated. I wrote for Knives Illustrated for many years, probably longer than any other writer at that time, and I was promoted to their West Coast Field Editor position, where I mostly covered knives made in the Pacific Northwest area. To be sure, Oregon alone houses numerous knife companies itself. It might just be the cutlery capitol of the USA. Back during my first Kershaw tour, if I recall, they only had, at best, a couple dozen …


Recipe of the Week: Baked Pineapple, by BanjoNinja

At our house, people would fight over the pineapple on an Easter or Christmas ham, until a friend suggested this recipe. It’s a favorite recipe, for the holidays or anytime, that is good tasting and relatively inexpensive to make: Ingredients: one can of crushed pineapple one can of chunked pineapple one can of pineapple rings 1 cup flour 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed), plus about 4 tablespoons for later 1/2 stick butter, chilled 1 tsp. cinnamon, plus more to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Drain and reserve the …


Letter Re: Illusive Self-Sufficiency

HJL, I have a question for you and the SB readers. This is our third year living on our rural retreat and fifth year prepping in earnest. We have animals, a large garden, stored food, and other essentials. We’ve come a long way, but I can’t help but think when I survey everything how far we still have to go to become truly self-sufficient. Our garden wouldn’t come close to feeding our family year-round, but I’m already stretched to capacity with the current size, not to mention the animals and general farm chores (like cutting and splitting wood for the …


Economics and Investing:

Nature Provides Novel Solution To Energy Storage Problem o o o A Wary Athens Awaits the Referendum on Austerity. – JBG o o o Puerto Rico Debt Crisis Mounts With Key Deadline Just Week Away. – G.G. o o o Greece Update: Run On Banks Risks Leaving Them Cashless – JBG o o o The world is defenseless against the next financial crisis, warns BIS. – G.G. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Greek Capital Controls Begin: Greek Banks, Stock Market Will Not Open On Monday


Odds ‘n Sods:

A consulting client asked about sources for military surplus vehicles. One auction firm that is reputable is GovPlanet.com. But as with buying any used vehicle, caveat emptor! – JWR o o o Slave or Rebel? Ten Principles for Escaping the Matrix and Standing Up to Tyranny Some Americans are beginning to realize that they are slaves, and that if they don’t act soon they will find themselves imprisoned in the electronic. – H.L. o o o Tom Hammond’s Soldering Tips. – T.P. o o o ‘Sneak & peek’ warrants allow police to secretly enter homes without notice. – H.L. o …