Month: June 2023

Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 19, 2023

June 19, 1834 was the birthday of Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon, who died 31 January, 1892. He was a noteworthy British Particular Baptist preacher. The text of more than 3,500 of his now famous sermons were preserved and are available online. — Today’s feature article is a review that was penned by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — I noticed that an interesting retreat property near Bonners Ferry, Idaho has been advertised at SurvivalRealty: 20 Acre Sustainable Homestead. — Please keep Pat Cascio in your prayers.  His health has been failing, in recent months.


Henry Long Ranger in .308 Winchester, by Thomas Christianson

I grew up watching Westerns on television. When it came to a movie or a television series that involved cowboys, if they were armed (and they usually were), the handguns were six-shooters, and the rifles were lever action. I dreamed of someday riding off into the sunset with a revolver on my hip and a lever action rifle in my saddle boot. Many decades passed. I might not have been quite at the place where I would be riding off into the sunset, but I could see that place from where I was. And I still had never fired a …


Recipe of the Week: Cheesy Broccoli Soup

The following recipe for Cheesy Broccoli Soup was kindly sent in by longtime SurvivalBlog reader “Sis”. INGREDIENTS and Directions Sauté: 1/4 cup butter & 1/2 medium onion (diced). Stir in: 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in: 2 cups of half n half & 2 cups of chicken broth. Add: 1 cup of diced carrots, 3 cups of chopped broccoli. Cook until carrots are tender. Add 1/4tsp. of nutmeg (important) Add salt and pepper to taste. Lastly, stir in 8 oz. (1 cup) of sharp cheddar cheese. Some Options and Ideas: Fresh broccoli is best but you could easily use frozen, dehydrated, …


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. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at a possible UPS workers’ strike. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: The price of gold was flat on Friday (June 16, 2023), but spot silver saw a nice 1.33% bounce to close at $24.46 USD per Troy ounce. So I adjusted my silver divisor accordingly: I now accept pre-1965 US …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 18, 2023

Today is the 70th birthday of Pastor Douglas Wilson. Born in 1953, he is the pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho and a prodigious author of books and articles on Reformed theology. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 used for any of …


Communications For a Dystopian Future – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Antenna Selection Advntages For COMSEC, it is always the best policy to use the lowest power setting that still allows reliable communication. Using the best antenna for a particular situation is often overlooked as it is much more convenient to increase the power until we can be heard. If our equipment is low power then we can use a high-gain directional, or omnidirectional antenna to compensate. And using a better antenna to listen to weak signals increases our effectiveness. In a communication circuit using common 1/4-watt FRS transceivers, I can reliably communicate …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: On Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 Greta Thunberg’s “Five Years” Will Have Passed. Apparently, Only Rationalism Has Gone Extinct Note From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 17, 2023

On June 17, 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill began. June 17th is the birthday of Libertarian economist Harry Browne. (June 17, 1933 – March 1, 2006.) This is also the birthday of musician Red Foley (born, 1910, died September 19, 1968). His patriotic song Smoke on the Water topped the music charts for 13 weeks in late 1944 and early 1945, and charted for 24 weeks. This song, which describes the doom of tyrants, would be considered quite politically incorrect these days. And it is the birthday of Dean Ing. (June 17, 1931 – July 21, 2020). He was …


Communications For a Dystopian Future – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction As the conditions for worldwide famine, pestilence, and war increase, we can anticipate that the Third World will suffer first, and many residents will be forced to flee elsewhere, looking for resources.  A flood of illegal immigrants will rush unabated through our now undefended southern border.  Desperate tens of millions, and potentially, hundreds of millions in the future, who would come from around the world into the U.S via our southern border in the next few years as risks escalate. This scenario is based on the work of Micheal Yon: Cometh the Horsemen: Pandemic, Famine, War | Michael Yon …


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 …



Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 16, 2023

On June 16, 1903, the Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford and 11 associate investors. — Today is the birthday of pioneering economist Adam Smith, in 1723. He was born in Kirkaldy, County Fife, Scotland. He died July 17, 1790. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 …


An Honest Look at My Farm – Year 2, by SaraSue

We are coming up on the second-year mark of developing this small five-acre farm.  I share my experiences in hopes it will help others.  I’ve had some great successes and some disappointing failures.  I am in the process of reviewing my own work to see where I can change processes for more success in year three.  I’ve learned so much I can’t even write it all down.  I’ve worked too hard, of course.  I’ve spent too much money, guaranteed.  I’ve often had to do things over, trying to save money, only to spend two to three times what I could …