Month: March 2023


Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 27, 2023

On March 127, 1975, construction began on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; spanning 800 miles (1,300 km), the oil pipeline cost $8 billion. It was completed in 1977. Today is also the anniversary of Tennirife airliner collision disaster, in 1977. And March 27th is the birthday of the late Robert W. Ford (born 1923, died 20 September 2013). He was an amazing man who had a remarkable life. His book, Wind Between The Worlds (an account of experiences in Tibet, captivity by the communist Chinese, and his fight against brainwashing), is highly recommended. It is available for free download. — Today’s feature …


Valley Forge Damascus Bowie, by Pat Cascio

There was a time, some years ago, when many of the knives coming out of Pakistan were pure junk, and I mean junk! This has changed over the years, and now some high-quality knives are coming out of Pakistan, at very good prices. I previously covered another Damascus fighting knife, made in Pakistan, and it was a 100% winter in my opinion. Today, we’re looking at another selection from Pakistan and it is imported by Cutlery Corner Network. They have television shows daily on cable television. Many of their knives are not up to par, in my estimation. Then again, …


Recipe of the Week: Grain & Dried Fruit Salad 

The following recipe for Grain & Dried Fruit Salad is from SurvivalBlog reader D.J.: Ingredients 3 cups water 1/2 cup medium pearl barley 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice 2/3 cup uncooked basmati rice 1/2 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels 1/2 cup salted pumpkin seeds 1/2 cup each of three of your favorite dried fruits (such as raisins, golden raisins, chopped prunes, chopped dried apricots, or dried cranberries) 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley 4 teaspoons grated orange zest Directions In a large saucepan, bring the 3 cups of water to a boil. Add barley and wild rice. Reduce …


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, some post-mortem details on the Credit Suisse takeover. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: A word of caution to anyone looking for pre-1965 circulated U.S. silver coins: You should be shopping very carefully.  In today’s frantic marketplace, the premiums charged by dealers are varying much more widely than normal.  When I checked the …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — March 26, 2023

On March 26, 1812, in opposition to the redrawing of districts to favor incumbents in an upcoming election, the Boston Gazette published a satiric cartoon that graphically transformed the districts into a fabulous animal, “The Gerry-mander”; the terms gerrymander and gerrymandering entered the American lexicon. — The Battle of Glorieta Pass began on March 26, 1862.  The outcome of this battle ensured that the west stayed with the Union, and denied the Confederacy the gold and silver from the western states. — On March 26th, 1812 And earthquake now estimated at 7.7 on the Richter scale destroys 90% of Caracas, …


A Special Notice: The Harvest Guard Company is Up For Sale!

I was just informed by the owner, Brad Stieg, that because he is nearing retirement, that the Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids business is being put up for sale. Note that this is an essentially recession-proof business, because when times get hard, people tend to buy more canning lids than they do in good times. The following lists the assets and associated items included in the sale of Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids. Mr. Stieg writes: “We would love to see a like-minded entrepreneur take the reins and continue forward, especially considering the economic storm that we see on the …


Bank Failures are Driving What I’m Doing, by Sara Sue

I’ve been trying to figure out what The Powers That Be (TPTB) are up to and how it’s going to affect me. I can only speak of my own strategy for the coming deep recession and/or depression. I can’t solve the big picture crisis. I can only attend to my own farm and family. My primary goals have been to grow food as if our lives depend upon it, and to get as far away as possible from any big city without being so remote I can’t get help. Additionally, since I rely on banking, a year or so ago …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: The Bidenista School of Financial Crisis Management: Big Banks Get Bailouts, But Little Banks Get Bail-Ins News Links: Big banks experience deposit spike after Silicon Valley Bank collapse. Treasury Secretary Yellen says not all uninsured deposits will be protected in future bank failures. Will Americans end up footing the bill for bank failures? Why regulators seized Signature Bank in third-biggest bank failure in U.S. history. Big banks may get bigger as crisis swamps ‘too big to fail’ worries. Nolte: Janet Yellen Admits Government Choosing Bank Bailout Winners and Losers. Video: Treasury Secretary …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — March 25, 2023

National Medal of Honor Day is officially observed on March 25th of each year in the United States. — On March 25 1944, RAF Flight Sergeant Nicholas Alkemade survived a jump from a burning Lancaster bomber from 18,000 feet over Germany without a parachute. His fall was broken by pine trees boughs and soft snow, and he suffered only a sprained leg. He died on June 22nd, 1987. — This is also the birthday of English film director David Lean. He was born in Croydon, England in 1908. He died in 1991. He is best known for his films Lawrence …


Foraging for Fun & Survival – Part 3, by Hobbit Farmer

(Continued from Part 2.  This concludes the article.) Hopniss-Apios americana Hopniss is in the legume family, and produces edible tubers. In southern climates the season may also be long enough for it to produce edible pods resembling beans. Some plants in the bean family can cause allergic reactions and so can hopniss. Most people are not affected but you will want to start with a small serving. This is a plant that I am still looking for so I can give it a try. Hopniss was an important food crop for native peoples and has 3 times the protein of …


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:

“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore …