Notes for Wednesday – October 26, 2016

October 26th is the anniversary of the death of American-born RLI Trooper Joseph Patrick Byrne, in Rhodesia, in 1978. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 67 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 wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value), A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A …




Lessons Learned in Livestock – Part 1, by C.K.

Editor’s Introductory Note:  Some details in this article were deleted or slightly altered, to protect the anonymity of the author.- JWR A brief history of my background and education: My family has been farming since they came to this country in the 1840s. My Father was a farmer like all the previous generations, but also started working livestock auctions in 1961. Now I work auctions only on a part time basis, and attend about thirty auctions a year. My life took a change on my second marriage. Not only did I get a beautiful wife; she also came with the …




Letter Re: Water Storage Options for Suburbanites

Hi, I was reading SurvivalBlog’s special page with info for newbies and I realized we are behind the eight ball. But my husband and I are Christians and we are both over 50. I am on disability but I am a retired Registered Nurse and I also sew, crochet etc. You mentioned that we needed to have an underground water tank and I don’t see that as possible for us, however we do have a pool just off the back deck. Any advice?  Thanks, – Carol C. JWR Replies: My mentions of underground water storage tanks were intended for people …




JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Books: Rand McNally 2017 Large Scale Road Atlas Blue Book of Gun Values Movies: Ender’s Game RED 2 Music: Sounds of Summer: Very Best of The Beach Boys The Blues Brothers Original Soundtrack Podcasts: The Mountain Medicine Podcast The Survival Podcast: Episode-978-Fall Gardening Primer with Tips and Tricks for 2012 Instructional Videos: Firewood cutting rack DIY Firewood Storage From Pallets Gear: Nitecore i4 Intellicharge Universal Smart Battery Charger with 12 VDC Cable Israeli Battle Dressings







Odds ‘n Sods:

Charles Hugh Smith:  What Happens When the Electricity Is Off for Three Days? o o o SurvivalBlog Reader G.L. wrote to mention this Radio Free Redoubt podcast: Episode 16-40 Reconciling Christian Dual Citizenship, Patriotism, and Politics (You can scroll forward to the 35:20 mark to skip over some now dated news..) o o o Here is a useful primer: Travel Power Adapters: How to Choose




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“What can be simpler or more accurately stated? The Mexican government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc. …Many fabulous people come in from Mexico and our country is better for it. But these people are here legally, and are severely hurt by those coming in illegally.” – Presidential Candidate Donald Trump




Notes for Tuesday – October 25, 2016

This is the birthday of explorer and pilot Admiral Richard Byrd (1888–1957). His autobiography titled Alone is a must-read. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 67 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 wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value), A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A …




Everyday Survival Living Overseas Among Muslims, by A.E.

I read articles and letters on this site, and other blogs and web sites, where people are prepping for survival. Oftentimes these articles and letters concentrate on hypothetical or theoretical post-TEOTWAWKI situations. My family’s and my survival experience is not theoretical. We live in an everyday survival context. I hope this article can help to enlighten some of you on prepping for everyday living and to expose some of the challenges faced across America and the world by people wishing to prep in less than ideal circumstances. I am an American, an Army veteran of foreign wars, believer in the …




Letter: Advice for Rural Retirees

Dear Editor: My husband and I are older, he is 84 and I am 70.  We are very concerned about the way this country is traveling and are even more concerned if Hillary Clinton is elected.  I realize that we need to start gathering supplies and storing them.  My question is: we live in a small, rural, agricultural community. However, we live on a main road and are within 50 miles of two major cities and about 70 miles of another one.  Our economy took an unusually hard hit in 2008 and is recovering at a slower rate than many …




News From The American Redoubt:

An enormous 500MW wind farm could soon grace the fields of Eastern Oregon. The skyline in the region is already dominated by wind turbines, but this will mean seeing even more of them. The entire Northwest (both Pacific and Inland) is already a power exporter. Thus, it will be the most likely to see rapid islanding and then restoration of regional grid power, in the event of a collapse of the western grid. o o o This Spokane-based company is making news:  Stay Alfred: The biggest short-term rental startup you’ve never heard of is on track for $25M in revenue …




Economics and Investing:

Alasdair Macleod: Fiat Money And Gold. JWR’s Comment: A government simply cannot triple the money supply without it affecting wages, consumer prices, and commodity prices.  We are witnessing deflation now, but in the long term, mass inflation is inevitable. Be ready for both, folks. o o o Republican Trump says 70 percent of federal regulations ‘can go’ o o o Zero Hedge: Three Weird Consequences Of NIRP o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.




Odds ‘n Sods:

Linda Y. suggested this great 24-minute video showing old-time carpentry skills, in Latvia: The Birth Of A Wooden House. The portion showing joinery was particularly interesting. Note the growth of their daughters, marking the considerable passage of time.  All in all, a very satisfying documentary! o o o Several readers sent this: Iceland, a land of Vikings, braces for a Pirate Party takeover o o o Commander Zero’s humorous poster:   Election year and Smokey the Bear… o o o Telegraph: U.S. Top Country for Gun Ownership, Not Even in Top 10 for Firearm Deaths