Day: April 12, 2017

Notes for Wednesday – April 12, 2017

April 12th is the birthday of the late novelist Tom Clancy. (Born 1947, died October 1, 2013). It was Clancy who almost single-handedly created the modern techno-thriller genre. Coincidentally, Tom Clancy’s first literary agent was my agent, Robert Gottlieb. – JWR o o o SurvivalBlog would like to wish all of those who celebrated Passover and are beginning the Feast of Unleavened Bread a wonderful time of fellowship with friends and family as you keep God’s appointed times. May your cup overflow with happiness, peace, and prosperity!


March in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

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Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, by Steven Cochran of Gainseville Coins, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover the price action of gold and examine the “what” and “why” behind those numbers. What Did Gold Do in March? Gold started March on pretty good footing, having gained over 3% in February. However, better than expected economic data in the early part of the month soon sent the dollar and stocks soaring and gold falling below $1200 an ounce on expectations that the Fed would certainly hike interest …


Letter Re: The Human-Powered Veggie Garden, by J.A.

Hugh, I would offer these suggestions to enhance the ease of preparation of the garden area. First, double digging the ground is a tried and true method, but it can be labor intensive. This can present a challenge to older persons or anyone with physical limitations. An alternative would be to use the layered or “lasagna” approach to change the sod into a garden. The book Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza covers this in detail, but a brief summary is to cover the grass with wet newspapers or cardboard and then build up layers of compostable material, allowing enough time …


Economics and Investing:

An uncomfortable conversation on a plane ride: How to cut your taxes no matter what your situation o o o Is Another Bust Looming Over The Oil Industry? Global demand growth has been slowing over the last decades, which could spell trouble in the coming years if the oil industry does not plan for the change. o o o War on Cash: ECB, EU on collision course with Germany – DSV o o o Toshiba Warns Westinghouse Nuclear Losses Jeopardize Its Future. “The disclosure came Tuesday as the Tokyo-based company took the unusual step of reporting third quarter earnings without …


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Books: A well-written book was just recently released aimed at prepping newbies: Self-Sufficient Home, by Nancy Hoffman. (It’s not recommended for advanced preppers, but it’s a great one to hand to your newbie neighbors and friends.) The Edgemaster’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing, Using, and Maintaining Fixed-Blade and Folding Knives (I haven’t yet read this book, but it was written by Len McDougall, who authored the highly-rated book The Self-Suffcient Manifesto, so I can safely assume that this new one is well-written.) Movies: London Has Fallen (This movie has a high quotient for “suspension of disbelief”, but it is …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I noticed that the NAPA Auto Parts chain stores are having a “Spring Filters Sale” from April 9th to 22nd, 2017. Some filters sold under the NAPA Filters label are priced at discounts as deep as 60% off. This is s good chance to stock up on oil and fuel filters. If you buy any for use as, ahem, “solvent traps”, then be sure to pay in cash, so that you don’t leave a paper trail. o o o ‘Ol Remus recommended this thought-provoking essay by Bill Buppert: T.E. Lawrence and the Coming American Civil War o o o Thank …