Month: February 2023

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 horse-drawn wagon builders, restoration specialists, museums, and some camping rentals. Idaho Idaho Sheep Camp builds traditional Basque sheep wagons. o  o  o Live Out Your 1883 Fantasies at This Incredible Idaho Covered Wagon Park o  o  o I missed seeing this obituary …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 13, 2023

Today is the birthday of General Chuck Yeager (born, 1923), the first man to break the sound barrier. He passed away December 7, 2020. February 13th is also the birthday of Robert Charles R.C. Sproul (born 1939, died December 14, 2017), a well-respected American Calvinist theologian. — A special request from JWR: A relative of mine will soon be attending a school that is south of Hamilton, Montana.  That relative will need to rent garage space to store a vehicle for about a year. Ideally, it would be a spot with an outlet available for a trickle charger, and that …


Silver Stag Lion, by Thomas Christianson

The Silver Stag Lion is an heirloom quality, primarily handmade, semi-custom knife. It has a razor-sharp three-inch blade made of D2 tool steel and a handle made from naturally-shed deer or elk antler. It is 100% made in these United States. It is by far the finest knife I have ever carried. At the time of this writing, it was available for $169 from www.silverstag.com. The major drawback of the knife is that it is such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that I am almost afraid to use it. It seems to deserve a place of honor in a display …


Recipe of the Week:

The following peanut butter granola recipe is from SurvivalBlog reader Jennifer R.  She writes: “This is one of many food storage recipes I’ve posted on the Prep School Daily blog, which focuses on food and medical preparedness.” Ingredients 1 ½ cups sugar 1 cup water 1 1/3 cups coconut oil 2/3 cup peanut butter ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 12 cups rolled oats 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) Directions In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water Stir occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in the peanut butter, coconut oil, salt, and vanilla. …


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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the continuing stagflation threat. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Michael Pento, at Gold-Eagle.com: Four Reasons Why The January Rally Will Falter. o  o  o Gold Forecast: Temporary Correction Followed by a Breakout Above $2000. o  o  o Gold Still in Stall, Looks Further to Fall. Economy & Finance: Stagflation …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 12, 2023

February 12th is the birthday of theologian and journalist Cotton Mather (1663–1728). — Today’s feature article was written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio. — We are still in need of entries for Round 105 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Round 105 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.


Magazine Pouches Are a Must, by Pat Cascio

I won’t mention any names, to protect the innocent. However, I have a long-time friend – he used to be one of my martial arts students more than 30+ years ago. He was a great guy. We consider ourselves brothers – and couldn’t be any closer if we were actual blood brothers. Every now and then, we butt heads on something, but always remain brothers. I no longer teach any martial arts classes or firearms classes – my beat up ol’ body just doesn’t allow it these days. Every now and then, I’ll take a friend out for some shooting …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Why Is It That The Bidenistas Belatedly Shot Down A Chinese Spy Balloon, But They’ve Left The Chinese TikTok Spy App Snooping On Americans, For Years News Links TikTok admits to spying on U.S. users as effort to ban the app heats up. TikTok Caught Planning to Spy on the Locations of Specific American Citizens. TikTok admits using its app to spy on reporters in effort to track leaks.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — February 11, 2023

I just heard that pop music composer Burt Bacharach passed away, at age 94.  For many years, he teamed with lyricist Hal David, who passed away in 2012. They are gone now, but their music lives on. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 105 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 be …


My Swedish Death Cleaning Experience – Part 2, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Financial Death Cleaning A neighbor recently received a large portion of her financial inheritance from her mother even though she’s still alive and well. I’ve often thought the idea of leaving our wealth to our children when we die is an inefficient system now that people live so much longer than they did a century ago. Typically when older people die nowadays, they pass their wealth on to their children who themselves are already “old,” well-established in life, and who oftentimes have no practical use for the money. I think of how …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both 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 the Odds ‘n …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their …