Year: 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. — Lily suggested this brief video with some serious truth bombs. (Warning: There is some foul language): A great message everyone needs to hear from a real man. o  o  o Reader R.W.  mentioned this company in Grand Junction, Colorado that specializes in American-made outdoor products: Hill People Gear.  From their site: “We …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 13, 2024

On February 13, 2016, Antonin Scalia—who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, becoming well known for his strong legal conservatism—died under mysterious circumstances in Shafter, Texas. On February 13, 1689, following the Glorious Revolution, William and Mary were proclaimed king and queen of England this day in 1689, after which they ruled jointly as King William III and Queen Mary II until her death in 1694. February 13th is also the birthday of Robert Charles R.C. Sproul (born 1939, died December 14, 2017), a well-respected American Calvinist theologian Today is also the birthday …


Making Your Home More Self-Sufficient, by Jonathan Rawles

As we have just passed the midpoint of winter, it’s time to be laying plans for the spring. Whether you are already residing at a rural retreat or it’s still a future goal, there opportunity to improve on your home’s self-sufficiency and food production. Where can you start with self-sufficiency if you’re still on a suburban lot? You must be more considerate of neighbors, local ordinances, and homeowners’ Associations (HOAs). But even so, there’s great potential for supplemental food production even on a city lot. A few projects to consider: Replace ornamental trees with productive fruit or nut trees. With …


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 of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, a new look at wolf populations in the Redoubt. (See the Region-Wide section.) Region-Wide From the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS): Service Announces Gray Wolf Finding and National Recovery Plan. A quote: “Gray wolves are listed under the ESA as endangered in 44 states, threatened …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 12, 2024

On February 12, 1924 George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” premiered. The piece is among Gershwin’s best-known compositions and one of the most popular pieces of the symphonic jazz genre. — February 12, 1851, gold was discovered in east-central New South Wales, sparking Australia’s first gold rush. — On February 12, 1554, at age 16 Lady Jane Grey, titular queen of England, was executed in London by order of Mary I. — And on February 12,, 2001, the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touchdown in the “saddle” region of 433 Eros becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid. — Today’s feature …


XStream Straw Water Filter and AquaBrick, by Thomas Christianson

We all need air, water, food, and protection from the environment (clothing and shelter). If we are deprived of any of these necessities for a long enough time, we will die. Lack of access to clean drinking water can result in death through dehydration or disease. Emergency planning should include securing access to clean drinking water both at home and in the field. I recently had the opportunity to test the Sagan Life XStream Straw Ultralight Water Filter Deluxe. It is light, easy to use, and effective. It is an excellent tool for preparing potable water under field conditions. At …


Recipe of the Week: Uxbridge Sour Milk Cornbread

The following simple recipe for Uxbridge Sour Milk Cornbread is from Good HouseKeeping’s Book of Menus, Recipes, and Household Discoveries (253 pages, copyright 1925, now in public domain). That is one of the 11 new bonus books included in the new 2005-2023 edition of the SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick. Ingredients 1 egg 2 cupfuls sour milk 1 cupful cornmeal 1 cupful bread flour 1 teaspoonful soda 1 teaspoonful baking-powder 2 tablespoonfuls melted shortening 1 teaspoonful salt Directions To the egg weII beaten add the sour milk. Add the cornmeal, flour, soda, baking-powder, and salt sifted together. Beat in the melted …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 11, 2024

On February 11, 1945, the Yalta Conference between the Allied leaders of World War II came to a close. — February 11th is the birthday of the late Burt Blumert (born February 11, 1929 in New York City, died March 30, 2009). He once owned Camino Coin Company. Coincidentally, Dr. Ron Paul also once owned the same company. — I just heard that comedic singer and radio host Mojo Nixon passed away at age 66. I remember him best for his song “I Hate Banks”, which was a KFAT favorite.  His birth name was Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr. — SurvivalBlog …


The Cactus Police, by Hubbyberry

We just got back from the grocery store where my wife bought a cactus. I’m not a “plant person” generally, but if it makes her happy, well, then I’m happy. Removing the new plant from its bag revealed it to be a dragon fruit cactus. FOOD!!! I am always up for food. A closer look at the label revealed more information that was odd. Turns out the company placed a registration number on the houseplant’s tag, which allows the consumer to register it online with the company. Needless to say, (but I am going to) this led us to investigate …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:   Meme Text: No Worries, America. If Elected, Michelle Obama… …Will Have The Same Policies That Barack Had 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.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his …