Year: 2021

My Tennessee Journey, by SaraSue

I left Idaho for a few reasons and recently purchased my Tennessee homestead. I don’t know why or how Tennessee became so popular for “American refugees” fleeing the big cities. People are coming from all over the country, mostly from highly populated “blue states”, unlike myself. There’s a lot to like about Tennessee including a strong Second Amendment along with a Church on practically every street (solidly in the “Bible belt”), as well as a longer growing season than Idaho. My reasons were that family was moving there and I wanted to be close to my grandchildren. At one time, …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

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 Don in Oregon wrote to mention:  “Water fire extinguishers are handy to have around. Suitable only for Class A fires, but easily rechargeable (water and compressed air). Best used in short spurts, with your thumb over the nozzle to make a fan spray.” o  o  o From SurvivalBlog reader “The War Wagon”, a lengthy and quite useful comment …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 13, 2021

On this day in 1787, Congress enacted the Northwest Ordinance structuring settlement of the Northwest Territory and creating a policy for the addition of new states to the nation. The members of Congress knew that if their new confederation were to survive intact, it had to resolve the states’ competing claims to western territory. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 95 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 the model chosen, …


For the Love of Bread, by Autumn D.

I grew up in the kitchen, with both parents very capable in the kitchen and spending time with my dad in the restaurant he worked in for much of my life. Though my mom did not “love” me doing my own thing in “her” kitchen, she was always happy with me helping, which taught me a lot. Once I had my own kitchen, I would experiment with many a variety of dishes for breakfast (homemade waffles and apple turnovers), lunch (homemade vegetable sushi), dinner (eggplant, parmesan, and chili), and dessert (homemade cheesecake and cookies). Though I felt comfortable with all …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the grizzly bear mauling death of a Californian tourist, in Montana. (See the Montana section.) Region-Wide For anyone who wants fairly current information on wildfires with maps, Avalanche Lily and I have found that INCIWeb is very useful. o  o  o Blazes …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Repeal all weapon laws and restore liberty. That is all there is to it. Everything else regarding ownership and use of weapons (as with ownership and use of ANY object) must be viewed in light of understanding our right to defend ourselves and others, and our obligation to exercise those rights without violating the rights of others. Perhaps the ownership and use of weapons, especially firearms, offers more potential for misuse than the ownership of, say, food or clothing or a copier or phone. But there are many other things which we can own which present significant potential for misuse. …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 12, 2021

On July 12, 1865, George Washington Carver, the African-American scientist whose numerous discoveries helped to improve agriculture in the South, was born. He died on Jan. 5, 1943. — We’ve now run out of the second production run of the 2005-2020 SurvivalBlog Archive sticks. The next edition should be available in February of 2022. — Today we present another review written by our Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio.


Springfield Armory XD 9mm, by Pat Cascio

Some years ago, there was a 9mm pistol coming into the States, called the HS2000. It looked very similar to the Glock line of handguns. It was (and is) being made in Croatia, and when it was first marketed here in the USA, the importer just didn’t quite market it in the right way. Springfield Armory soon purchased the rights to market the HS2000 in the States. Rebranded by Springfield Armory, it became known as the XD9. Soon, sales of this gun took off, like you wouldn’t believe. Variants were also soon available in .40 S&W and in .45 ACP. I …


Recipe of the Week: Smothered Chicken

The following recipe for smothered chicken 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. Ingredients 2 small chickens or 1 large one 2 or more tablespoons butter or butter substitute Salt and Pepper Flour Directions This is one of the most delicious ways of cooking chicken. – Take off the neck and split the chicken down the back, wiping it with a damp towel. Season inside and out with salt and pepper, and dredge on all sides with flour.  Lay the chicken, with …


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 how and where to find affordable land. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Why Copper Will Help Define Silver Supply Through at Least 2030. o  o  o Gold, Silver And Basel Three: A Glimpse Of The Future. Economy & Finance: Video: The Fed Just Lit the Fuse for …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The modern ‘presidency’ is in fact a kind of disingenuous autocracy, in some cases (as in ours) episodically elected. Whoever holds the office wields the power of a premier or general secretary. He – or she – issues ‘executive orders,’ another form of linguistic legerdemain meant to flim-flam the minds of the not-very-thoughtful by giving decrees the imprimatur of “democratic” legitimacy. The general secretary/premier-president makes vast pronouncements about the ‘leadership’ he will provide; about the ‘policies’ he will pursue. Makes promises – and issues threats – like a Third World el presidente. All that’s missing are the sashes, medals and …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 11, 2021

July 11th is the birthday of John Quincy Adams. He was born in 1767 and died in 1848. Not to be confused with his father– John Adams– the younger Adams also served as a diplomat, congressman, and as president. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 95 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 the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This …


Preparedness and Homesteading as a Middle-Aged Woman, by P.B.

This is what I know, but I am no expert.  This is what I do and I am sometimes successful….most times half successful. I know about preparing for emergencies and learning to homestead.  I live a small homesteading life with my husband of almost 27 years while working a full-time medical job and caring for my sister who is wheelchair-bound and completely dependent.  We raise turkeys for meat as well as meat and laying chickens. I was inspired back in the 1970s by the television show The Waltons.  Living a simpler, self-sufficient life seemed the best.  Surrounded by a large family …