Knots. Hard to use cordage effectively without them.

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

Reader John L offered this:

“Thanks for running the interesting article on cordage. A few additions:

Knots. Hard to use cordage effectively without them. Bowline, sheet bend, clove hitch, and prusik will cover 98% of needs. Learn these.

Consider traditional laid (“twisted”) ropes instead of braided. Laid cordage can be spliced with appproximately 95% retention of strength, not only to make short pieces into long ones, but the spliced ropes can still go through a block (over a pulley). Also a spliced eye is way easier to use (once you make it) than a bowline.

Traditional 3-lay rope of any size can be made at home from anything fibrous, especially old bale twines which are discarded by the ton in many places. Four people working together can do it easily with no equipment, or a modestly handy person can build a ropewalk in a couple of hours. One person can spin two-ply cordage alone, but it can’t be spliced.”

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Secessionist, Border Realignment Movements Gaining Traction in US.

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Batteau penned this note:

“Even though we now live in an area near the edge of “town,” I still put out my game cameras.

It’s like opening presents on Christmas Morning. Lots of fun. All kinds of animals and occasional people.

Not sure if we’ll ever get back to the country. We’re hoping.

More in my wife’s family with Covid, but so far no additional deaths.

I have cataract surgery scheduled in about 2 1/2 weeks. Right eye first… then we’ll see about the left. It came on suddenly last year but didn’t want to go out among the Covid spread. I also had a few weeks with vertigo. Doctor wants to correct eyes first, thinks that may be a factor. I haven’t been driving since January.

Have fun with your trail cameras. God Bless All. Semper Fi.”

File under: No Great Surprise: Biden will announce vaccination requirement across federal government on Thursday. JWR’s Comments: Has the Biden-Harris administration readied themselves for the unintended consequences? These wi likely include: Mass resignations, tens of thousands of declared early retirements, medical disability “stress” retirements, active military AWOLs, reserve military “U” skipped drill weekends, unilateral contract terminations, and umpteen lawsuits — from individual employees, from unions, and from contractors for breach of contract. They’ve just dumped out a huge bucket of worms.

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Reader Jeff S. suggested this article: Wikipedia Co-Founder Larry Sanger Tells Tucker Carlson He Is ‘Embarrassed’ by Site He Created. JWR’s Comments: The leftist cabals rule Wikipedia with an iron fist. Please do not use Wikipedia. I suggest that you use Infogalactic, instead.

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Dr. Vernon Coleman has been banned from YouTube, but his videos are available on many other platforms: Covid-19 Vaccines Are Weapons of Mass Destruction – and Could Wipe out the Human Race.

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My old friend Terry spotted this bugout vehicle advertised in the Boise, Idaho Craigslist: 1982 Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer 712W — $35,000 (Donnelly, Idaho)

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Jean L. wrote:

“Enjoyed your blog for today. To let you know, real estate in the greater Houston area: out of staters are coming in and bidding 20% over listing price in order to win.

With the delta variant on the rise nationwide, only states that have gone on the record as no further lockdowns and no further mask orders will be left standing.

People will flee to those states, and drive up prices.

We were going to sell our properties here this summer, but have reasoned that next summer we will be able to get more.”

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Here is some food for thought: E-4B “Doomsday Plane” Just Made A Highly Unusual Visit To Secretive Tonopah Test Range Airport.

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Reader E.J.G. sent this note:

“I had to laugh when I read the article on Clocks and Glocks – When my Dad lived in Kansas in the 1940’s he purchased a cast iron Ansonia Belgium pendulum mantle clock that, so the story went, came to Kansas in a covered wagon. It worked well all though my childhood and when my Dad and Mom passed away, it acquired a spot on my mantle. I’m now in my 70’s and a few years ago it started running slow and finally quit. I took it to an elderly clock-smith who, when I checked back after about a week, asked ‘When was the last time you oiled this clock?; I stuttered ‘Well, it was my Dad’s and I never saw him do it and it hasn’t been oiled since I got it – so I guess never.’ He shook his head and said “Well I oiled it up for you and it works fine now..” He showed me a few spots on the mechanism and said ;If you’ll put a drop of oil on these spots every ten years or so, whether they need it or not, you’ll be OK. Just make sure not to put too much.’”

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A Grizzly Bear Terrorized a Man for Days in Alaska. The Coast Guard Saw His SOS.

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This is a bit of a long shot: (pardon the pun), but I’m looking for a Nightforce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Illuminated MOAR /Mil-R reticle scope new or gently used. I have silver, full capacity magazines, and antique guns to trade. For photos and descriptions of my available antique guns, see: www.ElkCreekCompany.net. I might consider another quality brand 4-14x or 4-16x scope (such as Leupold), but it must have an illuminated reticle and preferably have some decent stadia lines or mil-dots, for ranging reference. It can have either a 1″ or 30mm tube. Thanks! – JWR

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The perils of bulk collection, via smartphones: “Most People Don’t Even Realize What’s Happening” — Edward Snowden.

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Escape a Warrant, Evade Law Enforcement, Change Identity, Live as Fugitive?

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Tim J. liked this video from some Alaskan homesteaders: Let the Sawdust Fly | Our New Cost Cutting Way to Build.

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SaraSue wrote us:

“We finally moved in to the Tennessee homestead this past week. When escrow closed, I went into the only furniture store in the little town and said “Hi! I need to furnish a house. Do you have anything in stock?” The kind gentleman walked me through his large, old brick, building, and I pointed while he pulled tags. Prices were very reasonable! They promised to deliver within 3 days. Buy Local!! The family has owned the store for 70 years. An answer to prayer!! Then I got online and ordered household and nonperishable food supplies to be delivered. Then back to the hotel for another couple of nights. The morning of delivery I went to Costco on the way back to the farmhouse and stocked up on fresh foods. Since my Idaho home went on the market, I’d felt insecure, so it was great to get stocked up again, and sleep in my own bed, in my own home. I got to work organizing so everything has its place.

Then I went to arrange to have my precious GSDs flown to me from the Idaho ranch where they’ve been happily boarded, only to find out that airlines don’t fly large warm-blooded animals during the very hot “dog days of summer”. I panicked, then bowed my head and prayed. I got online and found that dogs are often relocated by private “shippers” – basically, people who like earning money by transporting animals in their private vehicles across the country. The cost covers their travel and then some. They are background-checked, and the reviews of their work is handled by a third party, so the reviews can be trusted. I chose someone who had experience and loved German Shepherds, and who also happened to be available immediately. I prayed again. These dogs are like my own children. So, right now, they’re almost halfway across the country and should be here in 2-3 days. I get pictures, videos, and updates, as well as the ability to follow their travel via GPS. Amazing! I can’t wait to be reunited.

This place is amazing. I’m so exhausted, every inch of my body is screaming at me. So I am reclining in the air conditioning and staring out the windows, dreaming of the next steps. There are 5 well-fenced paddocks, outbuildings, and so much room to garden! So much to do outside and it’s hot and humid. I’ll take this time to plan and recuperate. I feel so blessed. More soon!”

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Also from Tim: You may like Black Rifle Coffee but does it like you?

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Captain Nemo wrtote:

“As a shop item, I get pads of 10 to the inch graph paper, 0.5mm automatic pencils/lead/erasers, and drafting items. Those graph pads are my power free CAD system. If I can draw it, I can build it! Currently, I’ve only seen them available through Staples. Fine graph paper is very hard to find anymore, so stock it when you can find it! A real score is the Beinfang 11×17” pads of 10 to the inch. Last I’ve seen them for was about $25 a pad. And that was years ago! Haven’t seen any since!”

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This does not bode well: ‘Pingdemic’: English businesses buckle under COVID-19 isolation demands. (Our thanks to Sean for the link.)

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And lastly, there is this news, mentioned by H.L.: Mark Levin’s Book ‘American Marxism’ #1 on NYT Best Seller List, 400,000 Copies Sold in First Week.