Year: 2022

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: responses to posted articles, 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. — First and foremost is the great news that Georgia will become America’s 25th Constitutional Carry state: Gov. Brian Kemp: Georgians’ ‘Carry Permit Is the 2nd Amendment’. Here is a quote: “Kemp tweeted, “For law-abiding Georgians, their carry permit is the 2nd Amendment.” JWR’s Comments:  I’m glad to hear that Governor Kemp agrees with me. In …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I do not say that democracy has been more pernicious on the whole, and in the long run, than monarchy or aristocracy. Democracy has never been and never can be so durable as aristocracy or monarchy; but while it lasts, it is more bloody than either. … Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. It is in vain to say that democracy is less vain, less proud, less selfish, less ambitious, or less avaricious than aristocracy or monarchy. It is not true, in fact, …


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — April 6, 2022

Today is the birthday of novelist Vince Flynn. (Born April 6, 1966, died June 19, 2013.) His death at age 47 was a loss to the literary world. This is also the birthday of famous American newsreel and radio journalist/narrator Lowell Thomas. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 99 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 …


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 5, 2022

Today is the birthday of Baron Arisaka Nariakira (April 5, 1852 – January 12, 1915.) He was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army. The inventor of the Arisaka Rifle, he is regarded as one of the leading arms designers in Japanese history, alongside Kijiro Nambu. On this day in 1614, Pocahontas married John Rolfe which ensured peace between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan Indians for several years. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the first entry for Round 100 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power …


Where to Call “Home”: Prepping Post-Pandemic – Part 1, by Alex Braszko

Introductory Notes: Alex Braszko is a retired Military Intelligence and Space Operations Officer with over 22 years of service in the U.S. Army. He is currently a Military Analyst at the Center for Army Lessons Learned. He is in the process of writing a book focused on prepping from a Christian perspective entitled, “Preparing for the Day; an Orthodox Christian Perspective on Prepping”. In this article, he provides a glimpse into the decision-making process he and his wife went through in selecting a final home. Given their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, he reviews the soundness of that decision. The …


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 present a special round-up of photovoltaic (PV) power companies in the American Redoubt Region. Idaho Backwoods Solar Electric Systems 1589 Rapid Lightning Creek Rd., Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 (208) 263-4290 I started doing business with these folks back in 1992, when they installed a six-panel …




Writing Contest Winners Announced — Round 99

We’ve completed the judging for Round 99 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. This contest round ran a bit long, because a six-part article began running near the end of March. Round 100 begins today. The Round 99 prize winners are… First Prize Winner: First prize goes to SaraSue, for Shortages, a 7-Year Food Supply, and Beating Inflation – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 which was posted on February 22-25, 2022. She will receive: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could …


Bersa Model 383, by Pat Cascio

This particular pistol, the Bersa Model 383, has been in the family for about 25-years, maybe even longer. It was my wife’s everyday carry gun, for a lot of years. She just likes the way it feels in her hand for some reason. It was a step-up from her little .22 LR pistol that was never reliable, and of course, the .22 LR is a pitiful stopper when used for self-defense. It took a lot of years before my wife gave up the Versa 383 and started carrying a Glock 19, with a laser on it. It was just recently, …


Recipe of the Week: Layered Baked Mexican Dip

The following recipe for a layered baked Mexican Dip is from blog reader Phil M.. He says: “I have made this is in at least ten different countries over the years and it’s always been a hit.” Ingredients 1 Can refried beans (or dried equivalent) Jalapeno peppers  to taste 1 to 1½ cups cottage cheese 2 Cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese or mild cheddar cheese 2 green peppers diced 3 red peppers diced One bag of Nacho chips (round ones are good) Directions In a medium casserole, spread the refried beans evenly. Add a layer of Jalapeño peppers (I used …


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 farm commodities. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Andre sent us this: Russia Is Now Initiating A Short Squeeze On Gold Derivatives In The West. o  o  o What You Need To Know About Physical Gold Supply And Demand. Economy, Finance, & Taxation: Recession ahead! US Treasury yield curve inverts …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 3, 2022

This is the birthday of Washington Irving, an American author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th Century. He is best known for short stories like Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but he also wrote several biographies and served as the US Ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846. — Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine. The situation is becoming quite dire, with atrocities coming to light. —   SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 99 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


Youth’s Lessons: The Slingshot – Part 6, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 5.  This concludes the article.) For an inexpensive commercial slingshot the PC Supersonic is an excellent initial option. It costs around $20, is made of super strong polymer and has thumb screws for band attachment, which allows quick band changes in the field. It only supports OTT for band attachment, which works well for most beginners, supports multiple grip styles and comes with a single lighter weight band. It doesn’t have an arrow rest option, but if you search the web for ‘diy slingshot arrow rest’ you can find a number of ways to easily add one. …