Year: 2021

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Let the American youth never forget that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils and sufferings and blood of their ancestors, and capable, if wisely improved and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to the latest posterity all the substantial blessings of life, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence. The structure has been erected by architects of consummate skill and fidelity; its foundations are solid, its compartments are beautiful as well as useful, its arrangements are full of wisdom and order, and its defenses are impregnable from without. It has been reared for immortality, if the work …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 13, 2021

September 13th, 1951 was the birthday of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan. — A Reminder:  I have put Elk Creek Company on another ordering hiatus, for the month of September, 2021. I’m now traveling, in part to gather more inventory. I plan to reactivate our shopping cart system on September 29th. (Mark your calendar.) Thanks for your patience. – JWR — Today we present another review written by our Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio.


SIG-Sauer MPX Pistol, by Pat Cascio

This 9mm pistol, and it is a pistol, has been discontinued by SIG-Sauer for some reason…and they now have a shorter, smaller version called the Copperhead. I received an early version of the MPX for testing, and I’m just now getting around to finishing the article I started a few years back. Right now, there is a lot of confusion, caused by politics and the BATFE, over certain firearms. Until recently, the ATF has held that pistols, with an arm brace or wrist brace, is legal to own and use. But the BATFE, as always, just keeps changing the rules on …


Recipe of the Week: Chicken Boullion-Flavored Rice

The following recipe for Chicken Boullion-Flavored Rice is from SurvivalBlog Reader Carl W.. It is a tasty way to use some of your stored rice. The dried versions of the seasonings store well, so this would make a good TEOTWAWKI recipe. This recipe makes 4 to 5 servings. Ingredients 3 cups of white rice — This can be long grain, short grain, Jasmine, or Basmati. 2 tablespoons of chicken bouillon powder (or less, if using concentrated bouillon cubes.) 2 teaspoons of dried onion dices or powder (or 3 teaspoons if using fresh, finely chopped onion) 1/4 cup of dried parsley flakes (or closer 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. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at classic car sales. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Gold Bullion Bar Supply Crunch for US Mint. JWR’s Comment: If you want a real gauge of the genuine value of the flood of U.S Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) and confidence in them, then just watch U.S. Mint sales. …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 12, 2021

Today is the birthday of Richard Jordan Gatling (September 12, 1818 – February 26, 1903). He was best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, the first successful machine gun. The design was later modernized to become the now-ubiquitous family of electric motor-operated miniguns, chain guns, and Vulcan cannons — ranging from 5.56mm up to 30mm. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on …


More About Leadership, by Old Bobbert

I’ve addressed the issue of leadership before in SurvivalBlog.  I’d like to expand on that a bit, in this essay: True leadership is a status conferred by knowledgeable persons whose choices reflect their recognition of ability, experience, integrity, character, and a full commitment to a common cause or endeavor. Being chosen as a leader generally is a result of a decision that they will be supported and enabled by the leader to be successful and secure in the common group efforts. Often the new group members have made their choice of membership based on their confidence that the current leader …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 11, 2021

September 11th is of course the 20th anniversary of the 2001 Al Qaeda attacks on the U.S.. Our lives have changed a lot since then, and our liberty has suffered. This is also the anniversary of the Benghazi Embassy attacks, in 2012. (Those events were recounted in the Hollywood film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.) Please remember the sacrifice of J. Christopher Stevenson, Sean Smith, and CIA (former Navy SEAL) agents Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Between them, Woods and Doherty reportedly dropped at least 60 of the attackers, before their position was overwhelmed. Please also remember the …


Just When You Thought, by Don in D.F.W.

Editor’s Introduction The following brief guest article could be classified as a rant, albeit a fairly well-reasoned one. If you dislike rants, then just skip down to reading today’s columns. Author’s Introduction The following is is my assessment and I hope that I am wrong. Unfortunately, there are plenty of major criminal types to go around. I cannot forget the James Rhodes articles that I’ve read on the 200-year plan [of The Powers That Be]. Regardless, put four major criminal enterprises in a room and I can guarantee you get collusion. Such is the basis for my recent revelation. Heaven …


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 your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in this column, in …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 10, 2021

On September 10, 1776, George Washington asked for a spy volunteer. Nathan Hale stepped up to the challenge of an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City. Unfortunately, the British captured and executed him. He is probably best known for his last words before being hanged: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” He has long been considered an American hero, and in 1985, was officially designated the state hero of Connecticut. It is good for us to remember that every American patriot and hero from the times leading up to and during the …