Year: 2015

How To Keep Chickens Laying Through Winter, by S.I.

I love my chickens. They are the most easy to care for and more rewarding of all farm animals, in my opinion. However, I am also a pragmatist. My chickens are here to DO something, and that something is lay eggs. These are not pets; they are food producers that I also find beautiful and entertaining. I provide them with a clean living environment, free-ranging fun, food, and protection. In turn, they provide me with eggs. When they stop laying eggs, my family eats the chicken. Some chicken owners may wince at this outlook, but my family lives on a …


Letter Re: Prepper Digital Security

Hi Mr. Latimer, As I read the post “Prepper Digital Security” and then, later, the “Letter Re: Prepper Digital Security”, I kept thinking back to an old XKCD comic strip simply titled “Security”. Both those articles have some great advice in them, but I caution you and your readers from thinking such measures will make you safe. As is often the case in the field of digital security, humans are the weakest link in our defense strategies; I encourage you to keep that in mind. Happy New Year – Z.S.



Odds ‘n Sods:

Notable for their absence: You won’t find any of the American Redoubt States listed in America’s 10 Most Dangerous States. However, you will find three of the Redoubt states in the Safest States List. (And if Eastern Oregon were a separate state, it would probably make the latter list.) – JWR o o o NY confiscates Navy vet’s guns, revokes his license after he sought medical help for insomnia . – H.L. o o o Video: Introduction to AmRRON . – J.J. o o o Girl, 7, Who Walked Away from Plane Crash Had Survival Skills: Family . Girl, 7, …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.” Luke 5:22-24 (KJV)


Notes for Saturday – January 03, 2015

On this day, in 1521, Martin Luther– the father of the reformation and founder of Protestantism– was officially excommunicated by Pope Leo X from the Roman Catholic Church. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 56 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ 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 government …


Natural Pharmacology: Medicinal Use of Mushrooms/Fungi and More, by M.H.

(Disclaimer: the following is for informational purposes only. The correct identification of fungus is incredibly important. If you do not know what you’re doing, and even if you do, do a spore print test. If you don’t know what that is, you better study before doing anything. The following medical examples are exactly that– examples! Some of the natural properties are incredibly beneficial, while some are extremely poisonous. You must know what you are doing. All other medical articles are geared towards research and extreme emergency-only procedures. None of this document should be construed as medical advice; please refer to …


Letter Re: TruCrypt

Hugh, Of course people should do what they are comfortable with, but TrueCrypt is still safe to use. For those who want the “new and improved” version of what was once TrueCrypt, there is now “VeraCrypt“—and-its-better Users should note that even though it looks and acts like TrueCrypt, VeraCrypt can NOT decrypt files that were encrypted with TrueCrypt. Happy New Year. – V


Economics and Investing:

“Audit The Fed” Bill Gains Momentum, Yellen Starts Damage Control o o o Beware the Money Illusion Coming to Destroy Your Wealth o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Could Russia Back Its Currency With Gold? Japan Is Writing History As A Prime Boom And Bust Case The American People Are Utterly Clueless About What Is Going To Happen As We Enter 2015


Odds ‘n Sods:

From Frank and Fern: Radio – Adventure with a New Antenna o o o I received the following announcement from the manufacturer of Polar Pure, in Saratoga, California: “After three years of negotiations with the DEA and the EPA, I am pleased to inform you that Polar Pure is officially back on the market!” I was able to obtain a sample from the new production. The packaging looks identical to the “pre-ban” variety. I recommend stocking up before the DEA bureaucrats change their minds! – JWR o o o Candle alternative. – G.P. o o o Not everyone today believes …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” Genesis 48: 15-16 (KJV)


Notes for Friday – January 02, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 56 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ 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 government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with …


Lessons on Prepping From an Afghanistan Deployment, by A.K. – Part 2

We are continuing this article, from a Marine Sergeant, about lessons learned while living in a remote region of Afghanistan, Marjeh district, which seem similar to a possible TEOTWAWKI environment. Food After two months of eating nothing but MREs, I began to get sick of them and started losing weight. Many of my fellow Marines experienced the same thing. We started to barter batteries for food that the ANA ate. They had a cook and bought bread every morning from the Bazaar. They had chickens for eggs and meat, and occasionally they had a goat. Eventually we bought 12 chickens …


Letter Re: Theology and Prepardeness – Some Thoughts

Mr. Rawles, First, Mr. Wesley, I want you to know that I’m deeply thankful for the work that you do. Sound theology is what drove me to preparedness in the first place, and your commitment to the application of sound theology to the subject of preparing for the times ahead has been a tremendous blessing and personal inspiration to me. I love you for your dedication to Christ, your love for His law, and your faithful witness. I’m sending this message in the hope that it will encourage you and provide you with some profitable reflection. The Scriptures are clear …