Year: 2017

Notes for Thursday – March 23, 2017

This is the birthday of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He directed 30 films. His samurai films, (many starring Toshiro Mifune) such as Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon, The Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, and Ran, are considered legendary in the cinema world. In honor of his birthday, I’m pulling out one of his movies on DVD tonight. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. …


Equestrian Survival For Bugging Out, Recon, Rescue, Projection of Force, or Hunting- Part 3, by R.M.

It also pays to have practiced riding bare back. If you have to run, you may not have time to saddle up and will be fortunate enough to grab your rig. It’s like riding at a trot without posting. You will sit full on the back where the saddle would be, back straight up, allowing the body to become one with the horse’s up and down motion. Moving to the canter or full gallop is easier. Your body must be fluid with the horse. Running away, then collecting yourself, and returning on foot to take back gear might work and …


Letter Re: Surviving Custer

Hugh,I always keep a hide-a-key attached to my car for situations just like your reader at the Custer Monument. It has saved my bacon more than once when far from home. If you have an older car, it is relatively simple to get spare keys made and tucked away in a magnetic hide-a-key box under the vehicle. However, with today’s anti-theft keys, there are some challenges you must overcome. First, if you live where the temperature drops below freezing, the battery in the electronic key fob can become frozen and not operate. When this happens just tuck it under your …


Economics and Investing:

Tech Miracle In U.S. Shale Is A Media Myth. Contrary to popular belief, the technological advances in drilling technology have only brought break-even costs down by 10%; the industry bust has done the rest. o o o Bitcoin in your IRA? Excerpt: “The IRA LLC allows complete self management of IRA funds, including buying, holding, or even trading bitcoin. With IRA LLC you can keep the bitcoin in cold storage, secure from access or control of anyone except yourself.” o o o The Best And Worst States For Business: 90% Of The Top 10 Voted For Trump; 80% Of The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader J.D. wanted to let us know that the newest Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Operations Handbook was just published and is a rewrite from the iconic 1985 publication: Air Force Regulation 64-4. This is often referred to as the “Survival Bible”. It can be found on http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/ by searching for AFH10-644 o o o Wait, where did this happen? Over 100 Ruger Pistols Stolen From Chicago Train Yard – W.W. o o o Robb Moffett posted a new video on Nine low tech ways to figure out if someone has been in your house, room or office. …



Notes for Wednesday – March 22, 2017

This is the birthday of Louis L’Amour (One of Hugh Latimer’s favorite childhood authors). Some of his novels have survival themes. One of the most notable ones was Last of the Breed. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, …


Equestrian Survival For Bugging Out, Recon, Rescue, Projection of Force, or Hunting- Part 2, by R.M.

Figure Out How Much Weight Your Horse Can Handle If things head south, and you think you might have to use your horse under stress at some point in the near future, keep his weight right and work his chest. A firm horse is one you can rely upon. Using a soft horse for a strenuous endeavor is not fair to the horse and is a safety hazard to you. Every horse is different. A horse with bad conformation (bone structure) can’t have much expected of him; a swayback isn’t a long distance choice. You have to have a good …


Letter Re: Regarding Maple Syrup

Sarah, Yup, you got that right regarding maple syrup. We keep a gallon or two of maple syrup in our refrigerator/freezer and in our stand-up freezer in the basement. Both of those appliances are part of our core systems powered by 2Kw of solar panels. Backup inverters are stored in galvanized cans for hard times. So barring misfortune we will still have refrigeration during SHTF. Maple syrup is available in a variety of forms, including the favorite liquid (classification based on color) and crystallized candies. I often add it to recipes calling for sugar and highly recommend it be used …


Economics and Investing:

One-third of Americans say they’d have trouble coming up with an emergency $2,000 – G.G. HJL’s Comment: That’s incredible when you consider how easy it is to have an emergency that requires $2000– a transmission on a car, a broken leg, even the temporary loss of a job. That means that 1/3 of Americans are one paycheck away from total disaster. o o o Payless Is Said to Be Filing for Bankruptcy as Soon as Next Week – DSV o o o Iconic CA Company Carl’s Jr. Flees ‘Golden State’ for TN. The Republic of Kalifornia is getting closer to …


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Books: The Homeowner’s Advocate: Tips From A Contractor for Dealing With Contractors (The Advocate Series Book 1) How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease Movies: Army of Crime (a slightly fictionalized account of Armenians and other minorities in the French Resistance during World War II.) Dazzle: The Hidden Story of Camouflage (Documentary) (available through Amazon Prime) Television: Shogun The War – A Documentary Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick Music: Tom Petty: Full Moon Fever Mark Isham: Vapor Drawings Instructional Videos: A great video: 900 Watt Van Conversion full walkthrough (full time …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Fellow blogger Ol’ Remus mentioned this thought-provoking essay over at The Price of Liberty (edited by MamaLiberty): When will the Fifty States break up? o o o Edward Snowden on Vault 7 NSA Spying tools, IOS, and Samsung at the CeBit in Hanover Germany tech conference. JWR’s Comment: This one hour and 22 minute interview is worth watching. Don’ t miss Snowden’s comments on metadata, HTTPS, intentional vulnerability of the Internet Of Things, the vulnerability of cloud data, Quantum Sweep, and the loss of faith in government institutions. o o o How To Get Kicked Off Fox News in 5 …



Notes for Tuesday – March 21, 2017

On this day, in 1778: Just three days after Hessian mercenary forces assaulted the local New Jersey militia at Quinton’s Bridge, the same contingent surprised the colonial militia at Hancock’s Bridge five miles from Salem. In what became known as the Massacre at Hancock’s Bridge, at least 20 members of the militia lost their lives, some after attempting to surrender. The Loyalists reputedly exclaimed, “Spare no one! Give no quarter!” as they stormed the occupied house. Judge Hancock and his brother (both Loyalists) were bayoneted in the melee by the attackers even though they were both staunch supporters of the …


Equestrian Survival For Bugging Out, Recon, Rescue, Projection of Force, or Hunting- Part 1, by R.M.

Assess Your Horse’s Capabilities and Temperament We all love to think of our horses as part of the family. Some might love their horses. Let me begin by saying that before you do an overnight or longer trip away from all the comforts of home, you need to honestly assess your horse’s capabilities and temperament. Temperament is key here. I am careful to choose the horse for the job. I prefer traveling far with my dog as well. He is a great scout, level headed, and loves to ride. He often hunts for himself, but I always bring food for …