Month: June 2024

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. — Reader G.L. wrote to mention: “For anyone interested in dipping a toe into the ham radio waters, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) annual Field Day this year is the weekend of June 22 & 23. Nearly every ham club in the country will be out in a public park somewhere that …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 4, 2024

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Granby, Colorado armored bulldozer incident on June 4, 2004, where Marvin Heemeyer knocked down several buildings in town. A documentary titled Tread details what happened that day, and the events leading to the rampage. Though often called the “Killdozer” incident, the only one who died that day was Marvin Heemeyer, from a self-inflicted gunshot, after his heavily-modified Komatsu bulldozer became immobilized. Today is the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, in 1989. On June 4th, in 1944 United States Navy Task Group 22.3 captured U-505, a German submarine and with it an intact …


Deciphering The Liberal Dog Whistles – Part 1, by G.R.

I started writing this two months ago, but every time I thought it was finished some new egregious event would occur that forced me to add or modify the following statements. So, I am shutting off any new additions, knowing there are more to appear. Anyway, there are several words or phrases that liberals bandy about and when we hear them, we should be very wary of. I will list a few of them here and explain what they really mean and how we SurvivalBlog readers can counteract them. ‘Ultra MAGA’ The liberals despise the phrase Make America Great Again, …


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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, we focus on an unintended consequence of Montana’s real estate boom. (See the Montana section.) Region-Wide Montana Versus Idaho Cost of Living in 2024. o  o  o A video essay: 13th Oregon County Approves ‘Greater Idaho’ Movement – Secession Gains Momentum. o  o  o Confidence …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 3, 2024

On June 3rd, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto claimed Florida for Spain. And one year later, June 3, 1540, he crossed the Appalachian Mountains. He was the first European to do so. — On June 3, 1781, Jack Jouett rode to warn Thomas Jefferson of British attack. — June 3rd can also be considered the “birthday” of the U.S. Army. (It was established by Congress on June 3rd, 1784.) — Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.


Minuteman “K” Rocket Stove, by Thomas Christianson

The Minuteman “K” Rocket Stove is an outstanding biomass-fueled stove for grid-down situations or for recreational use. The stove is easy to light and easy to feed. It is easy to remove excess ash from the stove while it is in active use. And the stove provides highly effective heat output that is suitable for use with full-sized cookware. The stove cost $289.95 at the time of this writing at Minutemanstove.com, including 2 one-pound bags of Maya Stick fatwood fire starter tinder. If you live in an area that is rich in sticks, twigs, and similar biomass, the “K” stove …


Recipe of the Week: Bayou Nut Trail Mix

The following recipe for Bayou Nut Trail Mix is from SurvivalBlog reader Paul in Louisiana. Ingredients 1⁄2 cup pecan halves 1⁄2 cup whole raw almonds 1⁄2 cup walnut halves 1⁄4 cup unsalted shelled sunflower seeds 1⁄4 cup unsalted shelled pumpkin seeds 1 tbsp. canola oil 1⁄4 tsp. salt 1⁄4 tsp. garlic powder 1⁄4 tsp. chili powder (or less, depending on your taste) 1⁄4 tsp. cumin 1⁄4 tsp. cayenne pepper (or less, depending on your taste) Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a lipped cookie sheet with baking parchment. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir to coat. Spread …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Every subject has a right to be secure from all unreasonable searches, and seizures, of his person, his houses, his papers, and all his possessions. All warrants, therefore, are contrary to this right, if the cause or foundation of them be not previously supported by oath or affirmation; and if the order in the warrant to a civil officer, to make search in suspected places, or to arrest one or more suspected persons, or to seize their property, be not accompanied with a special designation of the persons or objects of search, arrest, or seizure: and no warrant ought to …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 2, 2024

June 2, 1857, James Gibbs of Virginia patented the chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine. — On June 2, 1774, Parliament renewed the Quartering Act, allowing British military to stay in private homes if necessary, completing the Coercive Acts. The Quartering Act, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Boston Port Act, were known as the Coercive Acts. These Acts were Parliament’s way of asserting their control over the colonists after the Boston Tea Party and were one of the main motivations for the 3rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. — Today’s feature article is …


Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced: Round 112

We’ve completed the judging for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  Round 112 began on April 1, 2024, and ended on May 31, 2024. (The contest runs in rounds that each last two months.) The prize-winning writers for Round 112 are: First Prize First Prize goes to R.B., for Tree Planting and Care, posted on May 21, 2024. He will receive the following prizes: 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 $2,000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. …


On Police and Faith Based Safety Teams, by Robert E. Downing 

Editor’s Introductory Note:  This guest article was selected by JWR.  It was first published at the Sheepdog Church Security website. It is reposted with permission. — Let me start this article by saying that “I like the police”. No, that’s not strong enough – “I love the police”. On a couple of occasions, I worked as a consultant to help one of our local police departments and sheriffs’ departments work more efficiently together. I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the officers on these projects. And, contrary to what the news would have you believe, these officers showed a …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week: 

A meme created by JWR, in 2023: Meme Text: First, It Was Pride Day Then, It Was Pride Week Now, It Is Pride Month First, They Demanded Tolerance Then, They Demanded Acceptance Now, They Demand Participation 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, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.