Month: October 2015

Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader Dan sent in this article: Refugees Over Run Germany, From an Expat’s Prospective (Prepardnessadvice.com) o o o Even Sweden is close to collapse, due to the wave of migrants that just keep coming, according to this article sent in by J.C. o o o SurvivalBlog reader P.M. sent in the link to this article on R.T. explaining how America is a bomb waiting to explode. o o o Lucky Gunner has posted an article comparing more than 115 handgun loads tested in Ballistic Gel. It’s the test you always wanted to do but didn’t have the funds for. …



Notes for Monday – October 19, 2015

19 October is the birthday of three notables– the late Alexander Zeisal “Zus” Bielski (born 1912), investor Jim Rogers (born 1942), and James Howard Kunstler (born 1948). Kunstler is well known to SurvivalBlog readers as the author of the novel World Made by Hand and the nonfiction book The Long Emergency. A fictionalized portrayal of Zus Bielski is seen in the movie Defiance. This movie was loosely based on the excellent book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans by Nechama Tec. o o o October 19th also marks the anniversary of Operation Gatling; the “Green Leader” raid in which Rhodesia attacked ZIPRA …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Tristar L120 9mm CZ-75 (clone-esque)

For many years, I longed for an original CZ-75, but alas there weren’t very many in the USA back in the 1970s, and the few that could be found were high priced, to say the least. Then, we had the sorta clones, imported from Italy, including Tanfoglio and FIE. It was a hit or miss proposition whether you got one that worked, and they were a decocker model. I wanted a CZ-75 (clone-ish) that I could carry “cocked ‘n locked”. Then along came an almost dead-ringer for the CZ-75, imported from Switzerland, if I recall correctly! I don’t recall the …


Recipe of the Week: Morning Muffins, by C.S.

Ingredients: 2 eggs ¾ cup vegetable oil 2 tsp. vanilla 2 cups flour 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. salt 1 ½ cups shredded carrots (2-3 medium) 1 cup shredded peeled apples ½ cup coconut ½ cup raisins ¾ cup sliced almonds, divided Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Paper or spray 18 regular sized muffin cups. Prepare the carrots and apple and set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla. Add flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in …


Letter: A Few Random Thoughts

Hugh, Here are some random thoughts on more outdoor work than usual when water is precious: Stock talcum powder, no-rinse washes, Lubriderm (or generic) hand lotion, lip balm. More on non-power tools: Get lots of can openers, because they all fail, older U.S.-made ones from yard sales will last longer; stock U.S.-made GI versions as backup because they always work. Egg beaters and hand drills with an idler gear on the back side are more durable, not just from the support but because they are better quality to begin with. Antique shops are high $ place to shop for hand …


Economics and Investing:

This Is How Bad It Is: “The World Must Create 5 Million Jobs a Month Just to Prevent the Situation from Getting Worse” (SHTF Plan) Sent in by B.B. o o o Items from The Economics Team: Signal of Global Trade Collapse Coming From India (Zero Hedge) The Scoop on When You Can Expect Your Stuff to Break (Frugal Living) Glencore Watch: Glencore Plans More Debt Cuts (Wall Street Journal) Bank Securities Analysts Cheating on Tests? It can’t be! (Bloomberg) Rich Nations Lose Emerging Markets Motor (Wall Street Journal) This is an interesting article (and short read) which should give …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large sent in this report on a comparison and analysis of 5.56mm and 7.62mm with several intermediate caliber cartridges and their effectiveness stating “This supports my previously stated hypothesis and prediction that intermediate calibers would do away with 7.62mm, possibly before replacing 5.56mm. “Though I would be leery of the commentary from Program Executive Office Soldier and their love for ‘universal’ solutions to distinct environments, given that their previous effort along those lines was the “universal” camouflage now being dumped as a complete failure.” o o o As the flood of Middle Eastern Refugees continues …



Notes for Sunday – October 18, 2015

18 October 1662 was the birthday of Matthew Henry (died 22 June 1714). He was a Presbyterian minister who lived primarily in Chester, England. Matthew Henry’s six-volume Exposition of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called Matthew Henry’s Commentary) (1708–1710) is a must for the bookshelf of any serious Bible scholar. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 61 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a …


A Project to Produce and Store Heat, Energy, Water, and Food, by T.S.

We all know that we can’t survive very long without water, food, and heat. Because we live in uncertain times, the benefits gained by this project would more than offset the initial cost. In a grid down situation, the extra heat, stored water, energy, and food production would be invaluable. The list of benefits include but are not limited to: Heat production to help heat the house. Water storage plus heat storage. Solar energy production and storage. Food production. Three years ago on a sunny winter day, I went out on our south (well, more like a southwest facing) porch, …


Letter Re: Sources of Vitamin C in a Post-SHTF World, by Okie Ranch Wife

HJL, Regarding R.T. in Georgia’s advice of using sassafras root tea to counter “bad water”, sassafras tea won’t halt a bacterial infection, and it isn’t safe to consume as tea, regardless. From Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: “Because there is no evidence of effectiveness, sassafras should not be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, infections, or any other medical condition. “Sassafras is classified as a carcinogenic substance. It caused liver cancer in laboratory animals; the risk of developing cancer increases with the amount consumed and duration of consumption. “Sassafras was once used as flavoring agent in root beer and candies, but …


Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog reader B.B. sent in this jewel of an article calling the economy what it is: Ignore The Media Bullsh*T – Retail Implosion Proves We Are In Recession (The Burning Platform) o o o Dollar Death Sentence (Daily Reckoning) Sent in by G.G. on the Economics Team. o o o The Brutal Reality of Municipal Bankruptcy: Vallejo, California (Huffington Post) Puerto Rico’s Severe Financial Crisis (The Puerto Rico Report) Signal of Global Trade Collapse Coming From India (Zero Hedge) Sent in by T.A. on the Economics Team. Items from Mr. Econocobas: Biggest US Debt Sell-Off In 15 Years Capitalism Explained …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Sent in by SurvivalBlog reader P.M. Islamist UK Teachers Tell Pupils: ‘Wives Can’t Refuse Sex’ (Clarion Project) o o o Jason in Kansas writes in to say: “So my birthright is now to be thrown away like an old Buick?? I truly feel as if I’m going to vomit. God, please save what remains of our republic from this monster…” Clinton Praises Australian Gun Buyback Program (Free Beacon) o o o A SurvivalBlog reader sent in this article from WND on Healing a Broken America. o o o San Francisco Whistleblower Transferred After Revealing Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi NOT Qualified To …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. …