Month: January 2022

Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 31, 2022

On this day in 1872, American author Pearl Zane Grey was born. He was best known for his popular adventure western novels, including Riders of the Purple Sage, which was his best-selling book. On January 31, 1606, Guy Fawkes was scheduled for execution for his part in the Gunpowder Plot against Parliament and King James. As he was being marched up the steps to his gallows, he fell and broke his neck and died, depriving his executioners of any satisfaction. In recent years, Guy Fawkes masks have become a symbol of resistance to big government, worldwide. — The first batch …


Notes on Firearms Maintenance, by Pat Cascio

We’re going to review any new products today, instead, we’re going to let you in on a few “secrets” to keeping your firearms clean and running. I’m a real stickler when it comes to keeping my meager firearms collection in good shape. I’ve always been this way for as long as I can remember. It got very intense when I worked for the late Col. Rex Applegate, when I maintained his gun collection of more than 850 firearms. It was a monthly chore, believe it or not. The good Colonel didn’t shoot most of the guns in his collection – …


Recipe of the Week: Aberdeen Beef-Bacon Pie

The following Aberdeen Beef-Bacon Pie recipe is from reader L.C. Ingredients 1/4 pound sliced bacon, diced 3 pounds beef stew meat, in 1-inch cubes 1 cup chopped onion 1-1/2 cups sliced carrots 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup beef broth 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 pie crust (see standard recipes, or use a store-bought crust) 1 large egg, lightly beaten (optional) Directions Preheat oven to 375°. In a fry pan or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Brown the …


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 further examine the effects of rising inflation. (See the Inflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: Silver Price Prediction 2022: David Morgan (GoldCore). o  o  o Interview: Failure of U.S. to protect Ukraine from Russia will embolden China and crash markets – Anthony Scaramucci. Economy & Finance: Kim Khan at Seeking Alpha had …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There can be no socialism without a state, and as long as there is a state there is socialism. The state, then, is the very institution that puts socialism into action; and as socialism rests on aggressive violence directed against innocent victims, aggressive violence is the nature of any state.” – Hans-Hermann Hoppe, A Theory of Socialism and Capitalism: Economics, Politics, and Ethics, (2007)


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 30, 2022

January 30th, 1925 was the birthday of Douglas Engelbart, who invented the computer mouse. Actor Eugene “Gene” Allen Hackman was born January 30, 1930. January 30th is the birthday of historian Barbara Tuchman. (Born 1912, died February 6, 1989). — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 98 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 …


Some Basic Preparedness Information – Part 4, by C.I.

(Continued from Part 3. This concludes the article.) Protection If you can’t legally stand in front of your property, with a means of self-protection for your life and your family, then you will lose it to those with evil in their hearts. Desperate men and women will do desperate things to feed themselves and their children. About 2-3% of the population are sociopaths and are quite dangerous. Along with refugees, these individuals will migrate out of the large cities as supplies run out there. Your Dog: Usually the first casualty in an armed invasion. However he or she will give …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: To share this, you can find it here: https://kapwi.ng/c/tGBa4blDmM Meme Text: Hey, Joe: What Defines a “Minor Incursion” Into Ukraine? It All Depends on Whether or Not You Live There Some Historical Context: French people staring and waving at the French Army remaining troops leaving metropolitan France at Marseilles harbor, 1940. Current Events:  Biden warns Ukranian leader: “Kyiv could be sacked”, and essentially tells him that he’s on his own.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — January 29, 2022

Today is the birthday of actor Tom Selleck (born 1945), best known for playing the title role of Magnum, P.I. He is an avid shooter and quite pro-gun. On this day in 1845 Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” was published. Today is also the birthday of journalist and inventor Thomas Paine (1737–1809.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 98 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 …


Some Basic Preparedness Information – Part 3, by C.I.

(Continued from Part 2.) Cooking Use a stove as long as you have electric power, natural gas, or propane. If you can find an old fashion wood-burning cookstove, great. This allows you to be able to cook when fuel or grid electrical power is gone. With a lot of gas stoves, the surface burners will work without electric power, but you will need to light them with a match or some other spark source. The oven will not work in modern models without electric power. A camping stove, gas, propane, or charcoal grill can be used. However, you will need …


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:

“Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — January 28, 2022

January 28, 1855 was the birthday of William Seward Burroughs, who invented the adding machine. January 28th is also the anniversary of the rescue of General James L. Dozier from his Italian Red Brigades kidnappers. Tangentially, Colonel Jeff Cooper created a shooting drill in honor of those who freed him – The Dozier Drill. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 98 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, …


Some Basic Preparedness Information – Part 2, by C.I.

(Continued from Part 1.) Other foods Baking powder (how to make) once mixed, it has a shelf life. However, each ingredient separately will last for years: 2 tsp of cream of tartar, source Bulkfoods.com 1 tsp of baking soda, 1 tsp of corn starch Gravy (canned or dry) for food fatigue prevention. Bouillon cubes mixed with flour and water will give you a gravy, which will make bland foods more pleasant to eat. Flour (white) will keep for 8-10 years. Pasta, 1,600 cal per pound, great shelf life Dried potatoes 1,700 cal/pound, good shelf life Oil/fats olive oil keeps for …