Year: 2024

Big Idea Design Bolt Action Pen, by Thomas Christianson

It is said that the pen is mightier than the sword. The written word can change hearts, while force can only impose unwilling submission. Pens have so many practical uses that I habitually keep one with me, as everyday carry (EDC). The pen that I am currently carrying is the Big Idea Design Bolt Action Pen. It is a truly rugged and reliable writing instrument, with the amazing ability to accept at least 127 different brands and models of ink refill cartridges. The titanium exterior of the pen tolerates a remarkable amount of abuse with minimal signs of wear and …


Recipe of the Week: Lily’s Maple Mint Fridge Pickles

The following simple recipe for Maple Mint Fridge Pickles is from Avalanche Lily. Note:  This is not a canning recipe.  It is meant for immediate use.  Storage life in the refrigerator is approximately one week. Ingredients Three to four medium-sized cucumbers — freshly-picked from the garden — sliced Medium fresh onion, diced One cup and a half of Apple Cider Vinegar Three to four Tablespoons of Maple Syrup Five large fresh Mint leaves, chopped fine Pinch of mustard One teaspoon of coriander seeds (leave them whole) One teaspoon of fennel seeds (leave them whole) Pinch of crushed clove Salt, to …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 11, 2024

The Eiger Peak in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland was first summited on August 11, 1858, by an international trio: Christian Almer and Peter Bohren of Switzerland and Charles Barrington of Ireland. — On August 11, 1857, N. H. Wolfe and Company, the oldest flour and grain company in New York City, failed. This failure shook investor confidence and began a slow selloff in the market which continued into late August. Several other failures followed, and this cascaded into what was later called the Panic of 1857. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of …


Basic Sewing: Cloning Clothes – Part 3 , by N.C.

(Continued from Part 2.  This concludes the article.) Front And Back Seams Now you have two separate pieces and each piece (left and right) has one completed French seam. You can pick front or back for the next seam, I will show with the back. To join them into a single 4-panel piece of cloth use the same French seam procedure. The only difference is to start at the top and only go down the sharp angle Figure 17.   Right sides out, pin from the waistband area down to the sharp angle. Sew with a running stitch. Flip the …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: So, Which of These is Worse? Driving Drunk, at 96 M.P.H. in a 55-Zone? Or Deployed War Veteran Exaggeration? Or Rivaling Commie Kammie, for Leftist Views? News Links: Pictured: Tim Walz’s Mugshot From 1995 DUI Arrest. National Guard report refutes Tim Walz’s claim of actually toting war weapons ‘in war’. Tim Walz’s military record, National Guard departure get new scrutiny Tim Walz a ‘coward’ and ‘traitor’ for retiring from military before Iraq, says Guardsman who replaced VP pick. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 10, 2024

On August 10, 1938, a state-record daytime high temperature 119°F (48°C) was recorded in Pendleton, Oregon.  Pictured is the Pendleton Post Office, earlier that same year. — On August 10th, 1984, Red Dawn, the first PG-13 rated movie, starring Patrick Swayze was released. The movie (the 1984 original, not the 2012 remake) is a favorite of both JWR and HJL. The movie embodies the independent, indomitable spirit that created this country. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power …


Basic Sewing: Cloning Clothes – Part 2 , by N.C.

(Continued from Part 1.) Figures 4 and 5 (below) show a little more of the process of tracing. Note that the shorts themselves are moving around a fair bit.                     Figure 6 shows that using this method of keeping parallel to the seam you will wind up with a gap. That’s not a big deal. Extend the lines out and you’ll be done drafting the pattern. The little error here doesn’t matter. Extend the lines and you’ll be fine. Then cut the pieces out.


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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 9, 2024

On August 9, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte set sail for exile on Saint Helena island onboard the British ship the Northumberland. — August 9th, 1831 was the birthday of James Paris Lee (August 9, 1831 – February 24, 1904). He was a Scottish-Canadian and later American inventor and arms designer, best known for inventing the bolt action that led to the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield series of rifles. — I just heard that Seed for Security is running a stock-up sale. Their Colossal Pack is now priced at 25% off. This pack is a total of over 5 pounds of vegetable, herb, …


Basic Sewing: Cloning Clothes – Part 1 , by N.C.

Being able to make your own clothing is an old-time skill that shouldn’t have been forgotten. Our forefathers made their own hunting shirts and buckskin leggings out in the wilderness but with modern cheap clothing few of us know how to make our own clothing anymore. I taught myself how to hand-sew garments and what I found is that it is an excellent project for intermittent spare time or for multitasking. It doesn’t tie up all your attention. You can make useful progress in 5 to 10 minutes. It’s easy to pick up and put down. You’re practicing a skill …


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, some troubling news from legendary investor Warren Buffett. Precious Metals: Early in the week, all of the precious metals went into a slump, along with base metals, and as better publicized, the stock markets.  I’m assuming the drop in the precious metals was in anticipation of lower industrial demand. That same day, Bitcoin was down …