Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 16, 2019

September 16th is the birthday of “Mad Jack” Churchill (1906-1996), who was a true eccentric. He went to war in WWII armed with a broadsword and a longbow. (The latter was successfully used to dispatch several German soldiers.) He later became a devoted surfer. — Today, our Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio has another review. This one is on a classic S&W autopistol, the Model 6906.




S&W Model 6906, by Pat Cascio

Many readers probably aren’t aware that, the US Navy SEALs packed the Smith & Wesson Model 59 in Vietnam back in the 1960s. This wasn’t the only handgun they used, but it was their preferred handgun to use a suppressor on.  And it held 15+1 rounds of 9mm ammo. The S&W Model 39 came along long before the Model 59. However, the Model 39 only held 8+1 rounds of ammo — still, it was a great handgun, I carried one for several years doing PI work. It was fairly “compact” all things considered, and it was light-weight, due to the …




Recipe of the Week: Alicia’s Fruit Leather Rolls

Reader Alicia J. kindly sent us her recipe for some tasty fruit leather rolls. She included several variations for different types of fruits. Take special note of the use of lemon juice to prevent browning, for any fruit leather than includes bananas or apples. Ingredients 1 1/4 pounds (about 5 cups) of chopped fruit. A few of of these should be first peeled. (See below.) 3/4 cup granulated white sugar 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lemon juice Directions Pre-heat oven or dehydrator to 200 degrees F. Combine the fruit and sugar in a blender. Add the lemon juice to …




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 vinyl records. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Gold Price Gains 1.5% After ECB Unleashes Bazooka Of -0.5% Interest Rate And QE Of €20 Billion A Month o  o  o Bubba Horwitz: Gold building a base Economy & Finance: At Zero …







Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 15, 2019

On this day in 1944, the U.S. 1st Marine Division landed on the island of Peleliu, one of the Palau Islands in the Pacific, as part of a larger operation to provide support for Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who was preparing to invade the Philippines. Within one week of the invasion, the Marines lost 4,000 men. By the time it was all over, that number would surpass 9,000. The Japanese lost more than 13,000 men. Flamethrowers and bombs finally subdued the island for the Americans, but it all proved pointless. MacArthur invaded the Philippines without need of Army or Marine protection …




The Pharmacy Around Us – Part 3, by Jen R.

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the three part series.) LOMATIUM Why you want it:  Lomatium is the go-to antiviral for influenza.  It’s much cheaper than Tamiflu, you don’t need a prescription, and it doesn’t have to be started within 24 hours to be effective.  During the Spanish flu, when it was used on patients thought to be lost causes, even these patients fully recovered. Lomatium is an herb that most people have never even heard of.  And yet, it’s something you really want to be able to identify and harvest if possible if you live west of the Mississippi, …




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”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the issue of open carry. Publix Supermarket Bans Open Carry by Customers Publix Supermarket Bans Open Carry by Customers. Farmers Market Attendees Angered by Open Carry Demonstrators Reader H.L. sent …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 14, 2019

This is the birthday of James Wilson, a lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence. (1742 – 1798) Today is also the birthday of actor Clayton Moore (1914–1999). His name is almost synonymous with Lone Ranger. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 84  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3,000 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 …




The Pharmacy Around Us – Part 2, by Jen R.

(Continued from Part 1.) BERBERINE Why you want it:  With actions similar to penicillin and amoxicillin, it is used for treating cholera, acute dysentery, diarrhea, E. coli, infected wounds, giardia, and yeast infections. While there are not as many uses for extracts from berberine plants as for juniper and Usnea, a berberine tincture is still very nice to have on hand in case of cholera or giardia.  The most common plants high in berberine content are Japanese barberry, Oregon grape, Nandina domestica, Hydrastis canadensis, and Phellodendron amurense (not to be confused with the common philodendron houseplant).  And you’ve probably got …




Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, 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! Jim Reports: I’ve been helping a relative for …







Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 13, 2019

September 13th, 1951 was the birthday of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan. — Uh, oh!  Here comes the back stab… just as I warned you, folks: Trump says good progress made on gun proposals. Please call and write the White House today to say: No Background Checks on on private party INTRAstate sales!  There is no Federal jurisdiction, period!  The White House Comment Line is: (202) 456-1111. — Harvestguard is running a 13-hour sale just today, Friday the 13th, 2019, from 7 a.m.  to 8 p.m. Mountain Time. Customers who enter the coupon code Friday13 will receive an additional …




The Pharmacy Around Us – Part 1, by Jen R.

Editor’s Introductory Note and Proviso: This is the first installment of a three-part article series. The following is for informational purposes only and is not be taken as medical advice. Consult your local physician before taking any herb or supplements, being mindful of interactions with either prescribed drugs or any other herbs or supplements. — Most SurvivalBlog readers already know about brewing pine needles for vitamin C, crushing egg shells for calcium, using willow for aspirin, and making an elderberry tincture for influenza.  It’s important to know about these remedies and be able to use them to care for our …