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 hidden gun safes. Hidden Gun Safe Storage Options Here is a good overview article with links to several companies, suggested by reader D.S.V.: Hide in Plain Sight: Hidden Gun Safe Storage Options. Here is a snippet: “In general, truly hidden gun storage options are mostly the same. They are home decor like end tables, coffee tables, picture frames, wall shelves, wall mirrors, wall clocks, and coat racks that …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“[[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” – Psalm 110:1- 4 (KJV)




Preparedness Notes for Friday — March 1, 2019

Today is the birthday of the late singer, songwriter, and cowboy poet Allen Wayne Damron. Damron was quite the Texan, through and through. (Born 1939, died August 13, 2005, in Terlingua, Texas.) — The gun legislation news wasn’t all bad this week… First, the bad news: The U.S. House passed both H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112. Please try you best to stop their Senate equivalents. The good news: Oklahoma legislature passed a permitless carry bill, the Oklahoma Governor immediately signed it. The new law recognized the right of people over 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm without any …




How NOT to Build a Retreat, by The Jewish Prepper, Pt. 2

(Continued from Part 1) A Word On Showers & Toilets I can tell you that no matter how much you like hiking and camping, you will quickly get tired of working construction all day and not being able to take a nice shower. You also get tired of relieving yourself in the woods. Early in the process, I built a small out-house, which I used for years. For a couple of years, I maintained a membership at a local gym for $10/month, just so that I could have a place to go shower each night I was up there working. …




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’s focus is on Chinese debt. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Supply Problems Worsen in Minted Silver o o o Sentiment Speaks: Be Careful – Something Is Wrong With The Gold Market o o o Stewart Thomson: The Trade Deal: Great News For The Gold …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I woke before the morning, I was happy all the day, I never said an ugly word, but smiled and stuck to play. And now at last the sun is going down behind the wood, And I am very happy, for I know that I’ve been good. My bed is waiting cool and fresh, with linen smooth and fair, And I must be off to sleepsin-by, and not forget my prayer. I know that, till to-morrow I shall see the sun arise, No ugly dream shall fright my mind, no ugly sight my eyes. But slumber hold me tightly till …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday – February 28, 2019

February 28th is the birthday of famed Swiss investor and economic pundit Marc Faber (born 1946). — Update, Thursday mid-day: H.R. 8 passed in the House today with just one very minor amendment, clarifying some wording. Please call your Senators, and urge them to stop the Senate version of the bill (S.42)! 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 …




How NOT to Build a Retreat, by The Jewish Prepper, Pt. 1

Introductory Note: Please forgive the length of this essay, which will be posted in four parts. My project took me 10 years, so I have a lot to include. As a public service to those of you who are considering building a retreat for your family, I humbly offer a few of the lessons I’ve learned through the blood, sweat and tears I spilled to build a 480 square foot cottage in the woods. Prior to this project, I had no real construction experience, and no clue what to expect. The effort wiped out my savings, caused tremendous stress, 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 the lateR. Lee Ermey.  May he rest in peace. R. Lee Ermey Snubbed in Oscar Memoriam Montage Marine Corps veteran and beloved character actor R. Lee Ermey was missing from the “In Memoriam” segment of the 2019 Academy Awards.  They may have overlooked Gunny Ermey, but we haven’t! PayPal CEO Admits Partnership with SPLC to Blacklist Conservatives This comes as no great surprise: PayPal CEO Admits Partnership with …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Think gently of the erring: Ye know not of the power With which the dark temptation came In some unguarded hour. Ye may not know how earnestly They struggled, or how well, Until the hour of weakness came And sadly thus they fell. Think gently of the erring: Oh! do not thou forget, However darkly stained by sin He is thy brother yet; Heir of the selfsame heritage, Child of the selfsame God, He has but stumbled in the path Thou hast in weakness trod. Speak gently to the erring: For is it not enough That innocence and peace have …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – February 27, 2019

Warning: The truncated debate and immediate floor vote on H.R. 8 is expected to be held today!  The parliamentary gymnastics that were employed in the Rules Committee were astounding. To call this bill “ramrodded” by Speaker Pelosi is putting it mildly!  She has cleverly scheduled the committee testimony of Michael Cohen for the same day, to distract attention away from the H.R. 8 debate. The severe limits on amendments and debate on a measure of this gravity are absurd. Please contact your congressmember ASAP and ask them to do everything that they can to stop it, including stalling tactics and …




Making Flour From Mesquite, by Pete Thorsen

My goal this past year was to make flour from Mesquite pods and I did meet this modest goal. To do this I planned ahead and I was able to purchase an old hand crank meat grinder and a hand crank grain mill. Both were used but appeared to be in excellent shape. The all-metal grain mill looks much like the old-style meat grinder but has two flat plates between which the milling takes place. New hand meat grinders and new grain mills like what I bought are still made and readily available. Many can be found on eBay and …




JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on stainless steel zip ties. (See the Gear & Grub section.) Books: The Prepper’s Canning Guide: Affordably Stockpile a Lifesaving Supply of Nutritious, Delicious, Shelf-Stable Foods o  o  o 52 Prepper Projects: A Project a Week to Help You Prepare for the Unpredictable Movies & Television: Something special for Terry Pratchett fans: Going Postal.  (Available on Amazon Prime.) o  o  o I really enjoyed this review: Serenity Retrospective/Review. For any of our readers who have not yet seen …




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’s focus is on Brandon Smith’s analysis of the economy. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Barrick CEO defends $18 billion hostile Newmont bid as logical tie-up. (A hat tip to H.L. for the link.) o o o It’s A Good Time To Be A Palladium …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“GOD, give us men! A time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands; Men whom the lust of office does not kill; Men whom the spoils of office can not buy; Men who possess opinions and a will; Men who have honor; men who will not lie; Men who can stand before a demagogue And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking! Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty, and in private thinking; For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, Their large professions and their little deeds, Mingle in selfish strife, …