Year: 2024

Photovoltaic Power and Prepping – Part 1, by B.S.V.

Preparedness comes in many shapes and sizes. Where we get a little extra complexity is when we have to prepare to prepare. I encountered this in one of my recent large endeavors, and found myself somewhat lacking. It worked out, but it could have gone smoother. Hopefully this article will help you avoid a similar situation. In a recent SurvivalBlog article, I discussed some strategies for using solar backup. Since then, my wife and I decided to move forward with setting ourselves up a bit better and entering the solar arena with a whole-house system. Before you think that this …


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, an update on the University of Idaho Kohberger murder trial. (See the Idaho section.) Region-Wide The Rural Areas Pushing for Divorce From Democratic Cities. o  o  o Reader D.S.V. mentioned this Fox News interview with the leader of the Greater Idaho organization: Rural counties in …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 25, 2024

On November 25, 1120, ‘The White Ship’ capsized near the Normandy coast while crossing the English Channel transporting many nobles, including William Adelin the grandson of William the Conqueror and heir to the English throne. About 300 others died. There was only one survivor. — We are pleased to welcome our newest advertiser: JASE Medical. They provide telemedicine and substantial supplies of prescription drugs. Their custom-packaged JASE Case prescription drug supply kit is ideal for preppers and anyone who lives or spends time in the backcountry. Just a short phone consultation is needed for them to approve your antibiotic and …


Ontario RAT 2 Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

With a 3-inch, satin-finish, flat-ground, drop-point blade made out of AUS-8 stainless steel, an OD green nylon handle, and a cost of just $38.95 at Blade HQ at the time of this writing, the Ontario RAT 2 folding knife represents an excellent value for a solid, well-designed everyday carry (EDC) knife. This knife is one of my favorites in the under $50 price range. If you need a good EDC knife and don’t have a lot of the green stuff, this one is worth a second look. Background Back in 2021, I reviewed the Ontario RAT 1 model for SurvivalBlog. …


Recipe of the Week: Slow-Cooked Venison Stew

The following recipe for Slow-Cooked Venison Stew is from SurvivalBlog reader R.S.. This recipe requires both a dutch oven (or a large stew pot) and a crock pot slow-cooker. Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds venison roast, cut into 1-2″ chunks 1 yellow onion, diced 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons tomato paste ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 cup of red wine 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 3 cups beef broth 2 cups water ½ teaspoon ground thyme 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 2 bay laurel leaves 1 pound potatoes, cut …


SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic: How U.S. presidential votes shifted from 2020 to 2024. (Graphic courtesy of Graham Kates, CBS News. See the CBS site for the full zoomable version of the map as well as interactive exit poll data and analysis by Graham Kates.) The thumbnail below is click-expandable. — Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 24, 2024

On November 24, 1642, Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman, who sailed from Batavia (Jakarta) to investigate the practicality of a sea passage eastward to Chile and to explore New Guinea, skirted the southern shores of what was later named Tasmania. And on November 24, 1871, the National Rifle Association (NRA) was incorporated in the U.S. — 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 …


Putting Down My Dog, by SaraSue

I had no sooner sent in my positive update to the blog last week than a near catastrophe occurred. I am sharing this, even though it hurts to write about it. I’m doing so because I think it’s important to recognize that country living has pitfalls, as does self-sufficiency. Your preps and relationships become very important and not just for the obvious reasons. In this case, I needed plentiful first aid supplies, a clear head, and neighbors I could call in an Emergency. I will tell you the story. Warning: This is a graphic heart-wrenching story. Please skip over it …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Don’t Worry, Dad… I Know The Guy That You Need To Appoint As The New ATF Director Ironically, His Name Is Brandon… News Link: San Antonio’s ‘AK-Guy’ and former Congressional candidate is gunning to be Trump’s ATF director. 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! Unchanged: Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 23, 2024

On November 23, 1869, the ship clipper Cutty Sark was launched In Dumbarton, Scotland. It was one of the last clippers ever built and the only one still surviving. — And on November 23, 1980, a 7.2-magnitude quake struck southern Italy killing more than 3,000 people. The casualty toll was probably so high because the tremor struck during Sunday night mass, as many residents sat in churches that crumbled in the quake. The quake was centered in Eboli, south of Naples. — Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to be part of the …


Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 5, by Single Farmer

Editor’s Introductory Note: This is the last part of a multi-part article series on retreats written by a Christian farmer who is praying and searching for a wife. Please prayerfully consider all of the topics that he discusses. (Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.) Solutions: The Journey for Possible Future Retreat Owners It would be nice if there were other easy solutions out there. But for a family man the road of hard work done intelligently will often yield good results over many years. There are some who claim that you cannot save to afford land without a …


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 …