Year: 2024

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 2, 2024

June 2, 1857, James Gibbs of Virginia patented the chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine. — On June 2, 1774, Parliament renewed the Quartering Act, allowing British military to stay in private homes if necessary, completing the Coercive Acts. The Quartering Act, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Boston Port Act, were known as the Coercive Acts. These Acts were Parliament’s way of asserting their control over the colonists after the Boston Tea Party and were one of the main motivations for the 3rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. — Today’s feature article is …


Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced: Round 112

We’ve completed the judging for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  Round 112 began on April 1, 2024, and ended on May 31, 2024. (The contest runs in rounds that each last two months.) The prize-winning writers for Round 112 are: First Prize First Prize goes to R.B., for Tree Planting and Care, posted on May 21, 2024. He will receive the following prizes: 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 $2,000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. …


On Police and Faith Based Safety Teams, by Robert E. Downing 

Editor’s Introductory Note:  This guest article was selected by JWR.  It was first published at the Sheepdog Church Security website. It is reposted with permission. — Let me start this article by saying that “I like the police”. No, that’s not strong enough – “I love the police”. On a couple of occasions, I worked as a consultant to help one of our local police departments and sheriffs’ departments work more efficiently together. I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the officers on these projects. And, contrary to what the news would have you believe, these officers showed a …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week: 

A meme created by JWR, in 2023: Meme Text: First, It Was Pride Day Then, It Was Pride Week Now, It Is Pride Month First, They Demanded Tolerance Then, They Demanded Acceptance Now, They Demand Participation 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: 

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 1, 2024

On June 1, 1831, the British naval officer and explorer James Clark Ross discovered the locale of the North Magnetic Pole. This is the varying location between Canada and Siberia where the Earth’s magnetic field points directly downwards. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the first entry for Round 113 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 $2,000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This …


How to Install a Woodstove in an RV or Small Cabin, by Tunnel Rabbit

As the collapse occurs, slowly or suddenly, friends and family will need to be provided housing at a retreat location. Most retreats are not large enough to adequately house all the family and close friends that you’ll want to help with security and food production. They can park their recreational vehicle (RV) on your property, or perhaps locate a large storage shed that is converted into a small cabin. In either case, in all but the southeastern United States, these shelters will need a wood stove installed. This discussion focuses on installing a wood stove in an RV as that …


May 2024 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran & Everett Millman

Editor’s Introductory Note: Steven Cochran is transitioning to a new job, writing for an investment company. Starting next month, this column will be authored entirely by Everett Millman, who is also employed by Gainesville Coins. — Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and examine the factors that affected gold prices. WHAT DID GOLD DO IN MAY? The gold price opened the month hovering around the $2,300 level, taking a breather after notching record-high prices in mid-April. Beginning in earnest …


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: 

“For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the Lord; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 31, 2024

On May 31, 1859, Big Ben rang out over London for the first time. — On Thursday evening, after DJT’s conviction was announced, I got a few queries from readers, asking my opinion… All that I can say is that Trump should be very quick to make a very clear and unambiguous  “Turn The Other Cheek” speech, urging calm, respect for the court system, restraint, and civility. He needs to make it very clear that he doesn’t want to see anyone do anything rash. Otherwise, he might be blamed for inspiring some lunatic to do something horrible. DJT has a …


A Glimpse of Armageddon, But Not For Me, by T.M.

Having lived in the American Redoubt for 26 years gives me hope that I chose the right place years ago to spend my final days on earth. In this article I will relate my upbringing, a story that happened on May 27, 2024, and two other incidents that occurred around this location in April, 2024 and July, 1996. These happenings demonstrate how ill-prepared the general populace is for any coming catastrophic event. We all know that absolute chaos will ensnare all major and minor urban enclaves when the SHTF. I am a 79-year-old, somewhat crippled. I have had drop-foot on …


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, we look at expected shortfalls in the world’s copper supply. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Frank Holmes: Gold SWOT: The “safe haven” of choice is shifting from U.S. Treasuries to gold. o  o  o At Gold-Eagle.com: Report of New Partially Gold-Backed BRICS Settlement Currency. Economy & Finance: Repudiation, by Robert Gore. o  o  o …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 30, 2024

On My 30th, 1806, future US President Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson accused Jackson’s wife of bigamy. On May 30, 1626, an explosion at the Wanggongchang Gunpowder Factory in Beijing destroys part of the city and kills 20,000 people. May 30, 1783: Benjamin Tower of Philadelphia published the first daily newspaper in the US. — We are seeking entries for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer …