Month: March 2018

A Few Hard-Learned Lessons- Part 2, by Grey Woman

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I am continuing to share some of my hard-learned lessons as a single woman who moved out into the country. My story and lessons that follow, provided in no particular order, might save you money, time, injury, and humiliation as you make this journey towards self-sufficiency and preparedness. Yesterday, the lessons were on chainsaw, firewood, and wood stoves. Bears, Birds and Bullets One part of moving out of the suburbs and into “the country” that I was really excited about was being more in touch with nature, especially birds. I have always loved watching wild birds and hearing them sing …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Facebook employees are panicking? What’s so bad about that? Rural Hospitals Gone Small rural hospitals across the nation are filing for bankruptcy because they can’t stay afloat in today’s healthcare environment. This means that many small towns don’t have access to local hospitals and emergency crews must transport to the nearest hospital which can be up to an hour away in some cases. The rates of local hospital closures is the highest …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday – March 24, 2018

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March 24th is the birthday of Dr. Art Robinson, who was born in 1942. o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today features another entry for Round 75 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 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. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for …


A Few Hard-Learned Lessons- Part 1, by Grey Woman

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I assure you that all of the following lessons are ones I have learned the hard way. I am sure that for those of you who grew up with a self-sufficient lifestyle or have been doing this for a while or even just possess a tiny bit more common sense than I do, this will be a good laugh. These are embarrassing but all 100% true. Feel free to chuckle, guffaw, head slap, ridicule, or otherwise enjoy my complete and utter loss of pride. I can take it, and I certainly deserve it. Sometimes even I wonder how I have …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready! …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Once again, the American people are betrayed by their congressmen and more gun control is implemented. Republicans Pass Gun Control The ridiculously expensive omnibus bill just passed by both the House and the Senate and signed by President Trump includes the controversial “Fix NICS” background check enhancements. It also contains provisions to strip the Second Amendment rights from Social Security recipients if they have financial problems. This despite no “old timers with …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” – Jeremiah 9:23-24 (KJV)


Preparedness Notes for Friday – March 23, 2018

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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 The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives managed to sneak in the dastardly “Fix NICS” bill into an omnibus spending bill. This can still be stopped in the Senate, so please contact your Senators, today! – JWR — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today …


Cipher Security- Part 2, by East Sierra Sage

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I’m talking about cipher security. In review, I am a Retired Marine Infantry Staff Non-Commissioned Officer who has served multiple combat tours in Iraq, as well as most of the “skirmishes” the U.S. got involved in leading up to the global war on terror. I have taught “Survival in the Mountains” and have trained combat staff members in command post operations. I have taught Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, and Air Force Para-rescue operators, as well as many numerous foreign military personnel. During my career I was “voluntold” to write ground-up Intelligence reporting to higher headquarters. These tasks …


Letter: Exceptional Individuals

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Hi Hugh, I have a good friend. His name is J.P. We met at the base gun club. He was there firing his WW2 Era carbine, and I had my “Modern Sporting Rifle” He shot tighter groups than me at 200 yards that day with his iron sights, I had my big fancy rifle with a big fancy scope. It had not been my first day at the range, but it felt like it that day. We kind of hit it off from there. One day J.P invited me and my son on a fishing trip. My son was three …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on S&W Firearms. (See the Tangibles Investing section, near the end of this column.) Precious Metals: Gold Pushes To Daily High On Positioning Ahead Of FOMC Cryptos: Jim Wyckoff: Bitcoin Daily Chart Alert – Bulls Showing Strength This Week – March 21 o  o  o “This …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday – March 22, 2018

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This is the birthday of Louis L’Amour. Some of his novels have survival themes. One of the most notable ones was Last of the Breed. On a side note, I recently found that the hardbound, leatherette special edition of his books has been discontinued, but you can find complete sets of them on eBay at reasonable prices. o o o Take note that the recent re-order of SurvivalBlog 2005-2017 Archive USB sticks is already 50% gone. If you want one of these, you should make your order now before it’s too late. o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today features …


Cipher Security- Part 1, by East Sierra Sage

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[Editor’s Note: This is good information, but readers should note that simple transposition ciphers of any type can be easily broken. Only One Time Pads and book codes offer any reasonable level of cipher security.] My Nom de Plume is “East Sierra Sage”, and I’m writing about cipher security. I am a Retired Marine Infantry Staff Non-Commissioned Officer. I served multiple combat tours in Iraq, as well as most of the “skirmishes” the U.S. got involved in leading up to the global war on terror. Two tours were served as an instructor of Mountain Warfare training for the Marine Corps. …