Month: September 2023

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — To start, reader Tom H. wrote: “Just a quick note of interest, 2023 National Championship Air Races – Final Flag was carried live at Reno Air Racing Association’s website on YouTube. Sunday was the last day of the races after 59 years at Reno Stead Airport (RTS) where you will see everything …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 19, 2023

On September 19, 1991, in the Ötztal Alps on the Italian–Austrian border, German tourists discovered a mummified human body of a neolithic hunter (later known as Ötzi the Iceman) that was subsequently determined to date from 3300 BC. And on this date in 1796, George Washington addressed the nation in his farewell address as president. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 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 …


Homesteading: A Trapper’s Perspective – Part 1, by Lodge Pole

This will be an instructional/how to article, though I feel the need to set the stage first as to how I acquired the skills I write about and how I implement them regularly. Before attempting anything described in this article, check local laws and regulations. Introduction About fifteen years ago, when I was a younger man and had an answer for everything, I overheard some cowboys call their Queensland Healer dogs as “tools, not pets.” As I listened to and watched the cowboys work their dogs, I scoffed at their comments about their animals being tools. I looked at a …


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 the end of a troublesome bear. (See the Montana section.) Idaho Judge may rule soon on whether Idaho’s ‘abortion trafficking’ law can be enforced. o  o  o North Idaho College releases special report to accreditor. o  o  o Idaho’s unemployment rate rises …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“At this moment I pulled trigger, as I knew not what else to do and hardly knew that I did this, but it accidentally happened that my rifle was pointed towards the bear when I pulled and the ball piercing his heart, he gave one bound from me, uttered a deathly howl and fell dead, but I trembled as if I had an ague fit for half an hour after. We butchered him, as he was very fat, packed the meat and skin on our horses and returned to the fort with the trophies of our bravery, but I secretly …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 18, 2023

On September 18, 1812: Great Fire of Moscow burns out after 5 days, 75% of the city was destroyed and 12,000 people were killed. On September 18, 1811, the British East India Company force led by Baron Minto conquers Java, part of the Dutch East Indies, Stamford Raffles appointed lieutenant governor. And on September 18, 1931:  To create a pretext for the invasion of Manchuria, China, a railway explosion is faked by the Japanese. — Today’s feature article is a review by Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.


Browning X-Bolt Speed in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson

Back in February, I tested Browning’s X-Bolt Speed bolt-action rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. I found it to be light and well-balanced with outstanding fit and finish, moderate recoil, a great trigger, and excellent accuracy. The X-Bolt Speed is not the most inexpensive bolt action rifle on the market, with a manufacturer suggested retail price of $1,379.99 . Due to the high quality of its materials and workmanship, this price represents a good value for the money. Background As I have aged, I have become gradually more sensitive to recoil. This recoil aversion has motivated me to test some potential …


Recipe of the Week: Pam’s Pumpkin Soup

The following recipe for Pam’s Pumpkin Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader Pam C. Ingredients 2 small sweet pumpkins — 2 pumpkins yield about 2 1/4 cups of pumpkin puree 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 medium shallots, diced — 2 shallots yield ~1/4 cup) 3 cloves garlic, minced — 3 cloves yield ~1 1/2 Tbsp) 2 cups vegetable broth (home-made or store-bought) 1 cup canned light coconut milk 2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp black pepper Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking …


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 inflation and recession fears. (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: Alasdair Macleod: A brief history of the gold standard. o  o  o At Gold-Eagle.com: Transitory 2.0 Is Coming for Gold. Economy & Finance: Average American household now has $10,170 credit card debt. o  o  o Reader H.L. sent us this: Hedge …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 17, 2023

Today, September 17th, we celebrate Constitution Day in these United States. — On September 17, 1939, the Soviet army invaded Poland from the east—joining Germany, which had launched its attack several weeks earlier—and the Polish government fled to Romania. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 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 …


My Experience with a Bluetti AC180 – Part 2, by Rick S.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) THE BLUETTI 180P This brings us to a real-world solution: the Bluetti AC180. This is a charge controller/battery bank/inverter in a single, elegant package. The heart of the AC180 is a bank of Lithium Iron batteries with an advertised life of 3,500 charge/discharge cycles and is warranted for five years. Integrated into the package is a charge controller capable of charging from a number of sources: 120 VAC house supply, car charger, or solar panels. It then is capable of supplying that stored power in a number of ways: various USB connections, …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:   Meme Text: I’ve Concluded That The Wisest Investment Is Putting My Money In Canned Goods Notes 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! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provide that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in …