Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 30, 2019

Today is the birthday of sci-fi novelist Larry Niven (born April 30, 1938). Along with Jerry Pournelle, he co-authored the survivalist classic Lucifer’s Hammer. April 30th is also the birthday of Ed Yourdon, who was born in 1944. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 82  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 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 …




Displacement Planning – Part 1, by J.M.

(The first of the three-part series.) One of the primary tenets of the preparedness community is that we want to be prepared for any eventuality. We stockpile supplies, develop skills and make changes to our homes and lifestyles to help increase the chances that we can survive any scenario that we might encounter, be it natural or man-made. In regards to displacing in the event of a major SHTF situation, some people plan on taking the ‘forting up’ approach and fortifying their current location, while others favor the ‘bug out’ approach and plan on relocating to a more secure location. …




SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. Today, we are making special mention of the restoration of a C-47 (DC-3) dubbed “Miss Montana”. (See the Montana section.) Region-Wide Dismal Columbia River salmon forecast may trigger emergency fishing restrictions. A quote: “Fishery managers in Washington and Oregon are concerned the spring and summer chinook salmons runs on the Columbia River are going to be one of the lowest on record. And …




The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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 covert body armor. Going Gray Man, Step By Step This is well worth reading: How to be a Gray Man Step by Step. Mike Williamson on Covert Body Armor Our Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent along this link: Wonder Hoodie: The Bulletproof Hoodie That Can Stop a .44 Magnum. Mike’s Comments: “These are worth considering. Also, the standard US military issue armor groin protector is the …










CRKT Provoke Knife, by Pat Cascio

Just when I think I’ve seen it all in folding knives, someone throws me a curve ball. This time around, it is CRKT with their “Provoke” model by custom knife maker Joe Caswell. And, to be sure, this isn’t quite what most folks picture as a folding knife, when it comes down to it. As a knife designer myself, I’ve designed quite a few fixed blade knives over the years, and most were made for me, by custom knife makers. I now have one folding knife design, and I’m trying to tweak the design specs, and that is no easy …




Recipe of the Week: Helen J.’s San Juan Island Salad

Helen J.’s San Juan Island Salad This is a salad recipe from an old family friend who was a practiced gardener. A local on the island butchered pigs each year and cured bacon. Thus, nearly all of the ingredients were local. Note that the ingredients are listed without measurements. The ratio of ingredients is intended to be fine-tuned to suit your family’s taste preferences. Lamb bacon, Turkey bacon, or Tofurkey Bacon can be substituted if you refrain from pork. Ingredients Red table grapes, halved Bacon, cooked and diced Broccoli crown pieces, briefly steamed (firm) Diced Celery Diced Onion Slivered almonds …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

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, we look at investing in discontinued Colt Python Revolvers. (See the Tangibles Investing section at the end of this column.) Precious Metals: Why Is Gold Up When The U.S. Economy Grew 3.2%? Dive Deeper, Say Analysts o  o  o Washington State Politicians Drop Cynical Attempt to Impose …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Through the ages, the principle of financial leverage has been both used by many and abused by the wealthy and powerful in society. The seduction of leverage is strong, in that it makes the difficult appear easy and the impossible seem within reach. It brings the illusion of equality between the wealthy man and the common laborer in the land of finance. You can think of leverage a drug, and an addictive one at that.” – Karl Denninger, from Leverage: How Cheap Money Will Destroy the World




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 28, 2019

April 28th is the birthday of Aimo Johannes Lahti. (Born in 1896.) This clever Finn designed (or co-designed) an amazing array of weapons including the L-35 Lahti pistol, the Suomi M-31 SMG, the Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG, the famous Lahti L-39 20mm anti-tank rifle, and even the 20 ItK 40 (a 20 mm dual anti-aircraft cannon.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 82  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar …




Our Path Towards Preparation, by SBC

On our curious and sometimes convoluted path towards being prepared for TEOTWAWKI, I have sometimes impressed, often confounded and occasionally amused myself and family with our brilliance and stupidity. Here follows the outline of the story of our adventure in the hope that it will inspire or amuse or warn you and help your own journey be a bit easier and the load a bit lighter. We began our journey after Hurricane Katrina when FEMA so effectively demonstrated how inadequate the federal support system was dealing with large scale disasters. So what began as a ah-ha moment of “perhaps we …




The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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 the Wild Bee Crash. Wild Bee Population Collapses by 90% in New England We’ll start out today with this from reader H.L.: Wild Bee Population Collapses By 90% In New England, Study Warns. A snippet: “Researchers from the University of New Hampshire conducted a study to document declines in about 100 wild bee species critical to pollinating crops throughout New England. What they discovered, according to the study, …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — April 27, 2019

On this day in 1789, the crew of the British ship Bounty mutinied, setting Captain William Bligh and 18 sailors adrift in a launch in the South Pacific. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 82  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 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, …