Month: February 2019

Bell & Howell TacLight Lantern/Flashlight Combo, by Pat Cascio

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When the lights go out, we usually reach for a flashlight. However, there are much better forms of portable light. Today we check out the TacLight lantern and flashlight. They are winners. I’ve owned many LED lanterns over the years, some were really bad, and some were a bit more than okay, when it came to giving us light, when the lights went out. Living in the boonies, we lose electricity quite often from trees falling on power lines because of heavy snow, rain, and winds. It just comes with living out in the country, and we are usually the …


Recipe of the Week: Yogurt Ranch Dressing

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Okie Ranch Wife’s Yogurt Ranch Dressing This yogurt ranch dressing is a pantry-friendly recipe. I have made it several times already and it is always gone quickly. What I like about making this recipe is that you choose what you put into it. I stay away from commercial products like mayonnaise that has soy or canola oil in the ingredients. You can make your own mayonnaise using just olive oil. You can also make your own yogurt and apple cider vinegar. This recipe easily doubles or triples.   Ingredients ½ cup Plain Yogurt (not Greek style) 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise 1 …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest news 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 SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today’s focus is on Black Gun Lowers. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Wall St., Main St. Still See Gold Bull Running Strong o o o What’s Up With Australia’s 80 Tonnes Of Gold At The Bank Of England?   Global Economy & Finance: From Wolf Richter: …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 24, 2019

On February 24, 1970 an avalanche took the lives of 29 Swiss army officers in Reckingen, Switzerland. — A reminder: We are seeking non-fiction articles for the SurvivalBlog Writing Contest. There is still just over one month remaining in the current round. With more than $850,000 worth of prizes awarded since 2005, the contest has tangible rewards for the most informative writers! More than $10,000 worth of prizes will be distributed to the top three prize winners, in the current round. Get busy writing! Share what you’ve learned, and we all win. Thanks. — Today we present a guest article by …


Is Venezuela on the Verge of Becoming Another Syria?, by Brandon Smith

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Establishment elites have always had a predilection for regime change. Obviously, this strategy helps weed out nation states that might be uncooperative with their future plans for a fully centralized global economic and political order. We have also seen regime change occur when former puppet leaders go rogue and refuse to follow the script they have been given. Most of these men have acted as dictators and are not very empathetic public figures, so we rarely care when they get overthrown or murdered. That said, there are always wider implications to such events. I believe the reasons for regime change …


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 “JWR”.  Today, we focus on Armed Americans. The Dreaded H.R. 8 Headed to Rules Committee The dreaded unconstitutional H.R. 8–a nationwide ban on private party sales of guns–was ramrodded through the House Judiciary Committee last week. In the Democrat-dominated committee, NO amendments were approved and debate was cut short. The bill is next headed to the House Rules Committee for a brief hearing at 5 p.m. on February 25th.  (The House Rules Committee …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — February 23, 2019

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I’ll start off today with some sad news:  W.E.B. Griffin, Army Veteran and Prolific Military Novelist, Dead at Age 89. — Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836). February 23rd is also the birthday of Captain Isaac Davis (February 23, 1745 – April 19, 1775), a militia officer and gunsmith who commanded a Minute Company in Acton, Massachusetts during the Battle of Concord. — Today we present a guest article by Gary Christenson.


Downturns and Financial Crises – Sequence, by Gary Christenson

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Editor’s Note:  This concise bullet point market and economic summary article first appeared at The Deviant Investor and is re-posted with permission. Pay attention folks. This echoes my own writings on the economy. Another global economic crisis could be approaching. — Bond Market Turned Down & Interest Rates Up – Check! Two-Year yield bottomed September 2011 Five-Year yield bottomed July 2012 Ten-Year yield bottomed July 2016 The 30+ year bond bull market is done. Housing Market Turned Down – Check! Mortgage rates bottomed in July 2016. Mortgage applications have fallen hard. London, Vancouver B.C. and Australian prices are down. New …


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 “JWR”.  Today, we focus on winter warfare training.  The photo for this column is a historical shot of Italian army alpine troops on skis. Some tactics and techniques are time-proven. SurvivalBlog Archive USB Sticks Back in Stock They’re back in stock! The first batch of 1,000 of the SurvivalBlog 2005-2018 Archive Waterproof 16 GB USB sticks sold out in just five weeks. After a brief delay, the second batch of just 550 is …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — February 22, 2019

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On this day in 1732, George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the second son from the second marriage of a colonial plantation owner. An initially loyal British subject, Washington eventually led the Continental Army in the American Revolution and became known as the father of the United States. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 81 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 …


Cutting Your Power Utility Cord, by Dennis Williams – Pt. 2

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Step 4: Equipment Inverters When setting up your off-grid power system, don’t buy the cheapest inverter that you can find on Amazon! There are several excellent inverter manufacturers out there. I have some that I love, some of them are okay, and some I will not install. Keep in mind, as a professional installer, my reputation is at stake on every project I put in. There are some cheap ones that may perform well, I can’t go there. Some of the “good stuff” out there can power your retreat, automatically start and stop the generator based on battery status, and …