Month: October 2024

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — October 31, 2024

Our family does not celebrate the pagan Halloween. (We are with Drew Carey, on that one. We don’t “…party with this guy.”) October 31st is also Reformation Day, recognizing the significance of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses, and that is what we celebrate, here at the Rawles Ranch. — On October 31, 1888, Scottish inventor and veterinarian surgeon John Boyd Dunlop patented the pneumatic bicycle tire. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest …


Just-In-Time Food Storage – Part 3, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 2.) Priorities in Food Selection For a JIT Food-Storage Program The following list is a one-year supply for one person so multiply it by however many people you’re buying for. If a year’s worth doesn’t seem practical divide it by how many months you want to prepare for. Any kind of food-storage program should be primarily based on daily calories. For those without much money to spend, you want the most calories each dollar can provide you with. High-calorie foods also take up less storage space than low-calorie foods. Calorie information is provided on my list. For …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column: More saber-rattling and general angst, in the news. Election Fears Ignite ‘Preppers’ The leftist NBC News reports: Election fears ignite ‘preppers’ already planning for the catastrophic unknown. What …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — October 30, 2024

On October 30, 1938, a radio broadcast of H.G. Wells “The War of the Worlds“, narrated by Orson Welles, caused a mass panic. — October 30, 1893: US Senate approved repealing Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. — October 30th, 1735 was the birthday of President John Adams. (Some sources cite his birthdate as October 19, 1735.) — Some sad news: Teri Garr has passed away. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  …


Just-In-Time Food Storage – Part 2, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 1.) Repackaging vs Keeping Original Packaging Whether we’re using freezer or mylar bags for our SOP food storage, we’ll need to know what needs repackaging and what doesn’t. Leaving in Original Packaging – Pest-wise, some of the items on our shopping list can be left in the original packaging if the packaging is good enough or if the food doesn’t attract pests. Sugar can be left in its original paper bag. If it clumps inside the bag before opening, a few raps on a countertop will break up the lumps. The powdered milk I use comes in …


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. — By mule and helicopter, volunteers deliver aid to Helene victims. o  o  o Daniel Penny’s defense likely to invoke NYC subway as a key ‘witness’ in fatal chokehold trial. JWR’s Comments: In disarmed New York City, good citizens rarely step in to help others in danger. The few who do so are …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 29, 2024

Today is the birthday of World War II cartoonist Bill Mauldin (born 1921, died January 22, 2003). — October 29th is also the birthday of fighter pilot Vermont Garrison, an American who fought in three wars– WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was born in 1915 and died on February 14th, 1994, in Mountain Home, Idaho. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 115 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 …


Just-In-Time Food Storage – Part 1, by St. Funogas

This article describes a just-In-time food storage plan for preppers. These are some of the biggest reasons/excuses why some preppers don’t currently have much food storage: 1. I’ll probably never need it. 2. It’s too complicated to figure all the techniques out. 3. It’s too expensive. 4. Where am I going to store it all? 5. It would be much too embarrassing if my family and friends found out! This article is about taking probabilities into account as things heat up in the world and putting together a last-minute food-storage shopping list to be prepared just in case. Some of …


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 American Redoubt region races in the upcoming election. Even more importantly, pray! – JWR Region-Wide All of the American Redoubt states allow early voting and mail-in ballots. o  o  o As reported by the left-biased Malheur Enterprise: Measure makes Malheur County ballot …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 28, 2024

On October 28, 1640, English King Charles I signed a peace treaty with the Scottish Covenanters, ending the Second Bishops’ War. — October 28, 1831: Michael Faraday demonstrated his dynamo invention, an electrical generator. — The last day!  We’ve been running a 2-week-long sale at Elk Creek Company.  Until midnight PST tonight, October 28th, 2024, all of our pre-1899 shotguns have their prices deeply discounted. Most of these shotguns can fire modern 12 gauge 2-1/2″ or 2-3/4″ shotgun shells. Order soon! — Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson.


Swiza D03 Pocket Knife, by Thomas Christianson

With its locking blade, ergonomic shape, and easily gripped scales, the Swiza D03 is an attempt to update the venerable Swiss Army Knife into a modern everyday carry (EDC) knife. Unfortunately, its lack of ambidextrous one-handed-opening and a pocket-clip leave its performance lacking. For people who prefer a traditional pocket knife to a modern EDC knife, the D03 will be more than adequate. For people like me who prefer the ease of access and deployment provided by a pocket clip and a provision for ambidextrous one-handed opening, the D03 will fail to satisfy. The D03 had a manufacturer-suggested retail price …


Recipe of the Week: Storage Foods Granola

The following recipe for Storage Foods Granola is from SurvivalBlog reader Angie T..  She notes:  “This for making up bulk quantities of granola. The basic recipe makes 14 cups+ of granola, which is more than 5 pounds. But this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled, if need be.” Note that this recipe is gluten-free, if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats. (Any oats by themselves are gluten-free, but they must come from a facility that has no cross-contamination.) DRY BASE Ingredients 8 cups rolled oats (I use the gluten-free type) 1 cup chopped almonds 1/2 cup flax seeds 1/2 …