Month: May 2022


Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 16, 2022

On May 16, 1997, Zaire’s president, Mobutu Sese Seko, ended 32 years of dictatorial rule, giving control of the country to rebel forces. — Today is the birthday of clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader Woody Herman.  (Born 1913, died October 29, 1987 — Today we present a review written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus,  Pat Cascio.


Rock Island Armory GI Compact, by Pat Cascio

I’ve mentioned this before. However, if you missed that article, there are more 1911-style handguns made in the Philippines, than anyplace else in the world. Yeah, I know, there are a lot of companies in the USA that manufacture 1911s, but nothing compares to the Philippines for the sheer number of handguns produced there. And, there are three manufacturers there, so you know they produce a lot of 1911s – in just about any configuration you might want. Some time ago, I did a review of the Rock Island Armory Compact 1911. This was one of their tricked-out versions and …


Recipe of the Week: Rick’s Creamed Chipped Beef

The following traditional recipe for Creamed Chipped Beef is from reader Rick G.. Note that Creamed Chipped Beef is a thick meat gravy that is familiar to folks who have served in the U.S. military. There, it is commonly and lovingly called Same Old Schumer (S.O.S.), or when served over toast, as Schumer On A Shingle (S.O.S.) or Schumer On A Raft. Ingredients 1-1/2 lb lean ground beef 1/2 cup flour 4 cup cold milk, cream, or substitutes. (See Directions Step #4.) Salt, to taste. Pepper, to taste. Worcestershire sauce, to taste. Directions In a large skillet, brown the ground …


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 the developing stock market panic. (See the Economy & Finance section.)  But first, a personal note from JWR: The Paywalling of The News I must report that I’m finding it increasingly difficult to gather the requisite news links to assemble my regular blog columns. I attribute this to the …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 15, 2022

I just heard that actor Fred Ward (of Tremors, The Right Stuff, and Remo Williams fame) passed away at age 79. He will be missed. — Today is the birthday of Evelyn Ernest Owen (15 May 1915 – 1 April 1949) was an Australian who developed the Owen submachine gun which was used by the Australian Army in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. — On May 15th, 1942, gasoline rationing began in 17 Eastern states as an attempt to help the American war effort during World War II. The main concern behind the rationing scheme …


Surviving a Transition to Solo Prepping, by JPK

This article addresses when the end of the world as we know it hits… but for you alone. When prepping, planning and long-term goals are done as a family it makes life so much easier. We started in earnest pre-Y2K then my husband and I were blessed to be introduced to JWR’s writings in 2008. So our preps have been ongoing and well-thought-out. From our conversion of a grid-powered well to a solar-powered pump with cistern to the metal roof on our rock house to the multi-year tree removal plan we had the big things on track. We found a …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: To share this, you can find it here: Meme Text: The Ultimate False Flag To Salvage a Doomed Election May Be a Major Hollywood, Network TV, and Internet Media Co-Production News Links: House Intelligence Committee Panel to Hear UFO Testimony Next Week. House panel will hold first public hearing on UFOs in decades. Read U.S. Intelligence’s Declassified Report On UFOs To Congress. (2021.) Pentagon releases 1,500 pages of secret documents about shadowy UFO programme after four year battle. Related Quote: “Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 14, 2022

I received news that Randy Weaver has passed away. While I had no fondness for his racism, I certainly empathized with him, for what the ATF, US Marshalls, and FBI put his family through. Clearly, he was set up, for overtly political reasons. I never met Randy, but I did meet his daughter Sara, in 2019. My condolences to her and the rest of the Weaver family. — May 14th, 1686 was the birthday of Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, who invented the thermometer. On May 14th, 1948, in Tel Aviv, Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel, reestablishing …


Our Experience Living Out of a Car, by M.B.

Living in a 2008 Toyota Prius on the road in the United States during much of the 2020 and 2021 pandemic mandates was an unexpectedly rewarding growth experience. Here are the top five suggestions I have for living on the road out of your car during these times. 1. Be careful where you park when you sleep. The best locations to park for a night are highway rest stops, some Walmarts and at 24-hour gas stations. 2. Buy water by the gallon. Staying hydrated is top priority when living on the road. I like the Crystal Geyser brand spring water. …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

Edit Edit date and time 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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 13, 2022

May 13th is the birthday of firearms engineer Theodor Koch (born 1905, died 1976.) Koch, along with Edmund Heckler and Alex Seidel salvaged tooling from the bombed-out Mauser factory at Oberndorf, and with it founded Heckler und Koch. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 can …