Month: December 2024

Prescription Drug Preparedness – Part 1, by Rural Pharmacist

I am a registered pharmacist licensed in both an American Redoubt state and a state in the Ozarks. I own my pharmacy in a small town in a rural area. I have had many discussions with patients about larger than normal supplies, rotating stock, ‘vacation supplies’ and various ways to accumulate a stockpile of prescription medicines. The content in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice. Having your personal pharmacist on board with your prepping list of medications, is probably the cheapest way to accumulate a stockpile. I have compared prices at …


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, news of more Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) cases.  (See the Montana and Washington sections.) Idaho Jury issues decision in defamation trial centered on comments made to East Idaho News. o  o  o Avian Influenza confirmed in Treasure Valley, testing being done in CJ Strike area. …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 23, 2024

December 23, 1788: Maryland voted to cede a 10 square mile area for the District of Columbia. — December 23, 1907: The first all-steel passenger railroad coach was completed by the Pullman Company, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. — Today’s featured article was written by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson. — We are seeking entries for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $935,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. …


Winchester Model 190, by Thomas Christianson

A very popular firearm of half a century ago, the Winchester Model 190 is a tube-fed, semiautomatic, .22 rimfire rifle that is no longer in production. It was manufactured from 1967 to 1980 in New Haven, Connecticut. Altogether 2,171,263 of the rifles were made, including the 290 version which had a Monte Carlo stock. I am not sure if this number includes the models that were sold by Sears as the Ted Williams Model 3T. The Model 190 has a 20-inch barrel, a cross-bolt safety at the front of the trigger guard, and a two-part beech stock. The barrel of …


Recipe of the Week: Old-Fashioned Sausage Stuffing

The following recipe for Old-Fashioned Sausage Stuffing is from SurvivalBlog reader R.E.. Ingredients 1 pound mild pork sausage 2 cups chopped celery 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup milk 7 cups dry bread cubes, coarse 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon salt or salt to taste 1/4 teaspoon pepper Directions Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble sausage until it is no longer pink, 6-7 minutes. Drain sausage, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings; set sausage aside. In same skillet, cook and stir celery and onion in reserved drippings over medium …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 22, 2024

December 22, 1790: The supposedly impenetrable Turkish fortress of Izmail was stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies during the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792). — The December 22, 1989 Cold Wave: Recorded temperatures included: -6°F in Tulsa, Oklahoma; -12°F in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; -18°F in Denver, Colorado; -23°F in Kansas City, Missouri; -42°F in Scottsbluff, Nebraska; -47°F in Hardin, Montana; and -60°F in Black Hills, South Dakota. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest …


Reloading for the 1891 Argentine Mauser – Part 6, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 5.  This concludes the article.) The 6.5×55 Performance Standard A modern heavy for caliber bullet that is soft in construction and has a very high ballistic coefficient is the smarter way to compensate for modest velocities. The 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser cartridge is emblematic if not iconic for sedate velocities yet flat trajectories and spectacular accuracy at ranges that can exceed 1,400 yards. A high ballistic coefficient allows a bullet to retain its momentum and buck the wind far better than most higher powder cartridges and it does this at pressure suitable for most antique actions. Beyond 100 …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: The House Continuing Resolution: “Oh, But You’re Also Getting a Hefty Pay Raise!” News Links: Donald Trump rejects bipartisan plan to avoid a government shutdown, sets up debt ceiling battle. Members of Congress rolled a pay raise for themselves into big must-do spending bill. What’s going on with the CR – Tim Burchett. Government shutdown highlights: Congress votes to keep government open, sending bill to Biden. 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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — December 21, 2024

The Winter Solstice has finally arrived. Those of us who are gardeners can now look forward to longer days and a Spring planting date.  Patience, folks! — On December 21, 1784, John Jay became acting US Secretary of State. He served in that office from 1789 to 1790. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 116 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 …


Reloading for the 1891 Argentine Mauser – Part 5, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 4.) Temperature Stable Powders I will use temperature stable powder in these rifles so that during summer time temperatures, my previously safe-to-shoot cartridges is not adversely affected by an increase ambient air temperature or while chambered in a hot rifle barrel. H4895, H4831, H4350, and Varget are my top choices. I engineer a wide margin of safety for powders that are not temperature stable and settle on a lesser weight charge. Accuracy can often be found at lower pressures when using lighter projectiles and at higher pressures if using heavier projectiles. Good accuracy for lighter projectiles is …


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 …