Month: August 2020

Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 31, 2020

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On August 31, 1954: Hurricane Carol makes landfall on Long Island and Connecticut, taking nearly 70 lives and resulting in tens of millions of dollars in damage. — Some good news:  More Costco stores are now displaying my latest book. (The Ultimate Prepper’s Survival Guide.) I was able to buy some at the Reno, Nevada Costco, on Saturday, for just $14.99 each. But the bad news is that many Costco stores have reduced the size of their book sections, they’ve shifted to mainly selling children’s books, and they have moved their few remaining book tables to the periphery of their …


Kershaw Knives Fringe, by Pat Cascio

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Kershaw Knives, never ceases to amaze me, with the number of new and exciting knives they come out with each year, and what is even more amazing, are the prices on these knives – very affordable, to say the least. I like Kershaw products, they are right here in my “adopted” home state of Oregon. Actually, I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois – but I’ve lived most of my life in Oregon – it is my selected home state, even with the messed-up Liberal politics they have, it’s still a great state to live in. We have it …


Recipe of the Week: Planked Steak

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The following recipe for Planked Steak is from The New Butterick Cook Book, by Flora Rose, co-head of the School of Home Economics at Cornell University. It was published in 1924. A professional scan of that 724-page out-of-copyright book will be one of the many bonus items included in the next edition of the waterproof SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick. This special 15th Anniversary Edition USB stick should be available for sale in the third week of January, 2021. The 14th Edition sold out quickly, so place a reminder in your calendar, if you want one. Ingredients 1 steak, 2 inches …


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. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at commodities price forecasts for 2021. (See the Commodities section.) Economy & Finance: At Zero Hedge: American Airlines Warns Admin: Keep Bailing Us Out Or At Least 19,000 More Jobs Are Gone o  o  o Reader Joe B. sent this telling news, also at Zero Hedge: Pelosi Calls Republicans ‘Domestic …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 30, 2020

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August 30th is the birthday of the late Joachim Rønneberg, a hero of the Norwegian resistance during World War II. He was born in 1919. His exploits earned him the War Cross With Sword, Norway’s highest military honor. In April 2013, Rønneberg was presented with a Union Jack during a ceremony at the Special Operations Executive (SOE) monument in London to mark 70 years since the successful Gunnerside heavy water plant sabotage mission. Rønneberg died in 2018, just one year short of his 100th birthday. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 90 of the SurvivalBlog …


Versatile Photovoltaic Power – Part 2, by Tractorguy

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(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Refrigeration Refrigeration will likely be one of the biggest loads on your solar power system, if not the biggest. I went back and forth for a long time on the propane vs. DC electrical discussion to run refrigeration. I finally came down on the side of DC refrigeration for two reasons: 1. The rugged terrain around my Buglout Location (BOL) would make it extremely difficult for a truck to deliver a tank and refill it; and 2. The availability of bottled gas after a grid-down or TEOTWAWKI situation would be pretty much …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 29, 2020

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On August 29, 1862, the second Battle of Bull Run in Virginia began. This Battale is also referred to as “2nd Manassas”.   A blog reader notes: “Not that it is very important, but what you referred to as occurring in 1862, was actually 2nd Bull Run, although it is more commonly called the Battle of 2nd Manassas. It was fought in August 1862 on the same ground as the First Bull Run which was fought in July 1861. As for First Bull Run, the “First” is usually dropped. In the South, it was referred to as Manassas, but the Northern …


Versatile Photovoltaic Power – Part 1, by Tractorguy

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Solar power from photovoltaic (PV) cells is an inexpensive, plentiful source of versatile energy for off-grid locations. This piece is not intended to be a comprehensive treatise on solar power design – there are many excellent books on the subject. Rather, this is a discussion specializing on considerations for solar power in a bug out location (BOL) or homestead, especially with some thoughts toward going forward after a grid-down event. It also describes some tips on what I have found works the best at my BOL. System Voltage – 12, 24, 36, or 48V? The higher voltage used, the more …


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. 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. Note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 28, 2020

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August 28, 1833 is the anniversary of the abolishment of slavery throughout the British Empire. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 90 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A course …


Living to 100: The Blue Zone Diet for Survival, by M.E.

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“Living well is the best revenge.” – George Herbert. When I was in high school in the late 1960s, we were pretty sure someone was going to drop a bomb on us. We had graduated from duck and cover to emergency preparedness, bomb shelters and all. One day in the auditorium we watched some training on first aid and handling trauma. The films were pretty vivid and some kids left in a hurry to throw up. One thing from this that has stuck with me is: if you are sick or injured, you can’t help anyone else. Anyone who has …