Day: August 18, 2025

Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 18, 2025

On August 18, 1564, Spanish King Philip II joined the Council of Trent. — August 18, 1769: A lightning strike on the Bastion of San Nazaro in Brescia, Italy, ignited 90 tons of gunpowder. The resulting explosion killed 3,000 people. — August 18th is also the birthday of Meriwether Lewis, an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator who is best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. — Today’s feature piece was written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — We are seeking entries for Round 120 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. …


Mossberg 590RM Pump Shotgun, by Thomas Christianson

Mossberg continues to innovate tactical shotgun design with their new 590RM Pump Shotgun. The “R” in the name refers to the ambidextrous rotary safety that gives the shotgun more AR-like ergonomics and handling features. The “M” refers to the 10-round detachable magazine that allows faster reloads. Other key features include a Magpul pistol grip with a storage compartment in the grip, a buttstock adjustable for LOP, a recoil pad, and a heat shield over the barrel. The model that I tested also features a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, adjustable Magpul MBUS3 two-piece pop-up sights, and a front M-Lok adapter …


Recipe of the Week: 

The following recipe for Raisin-Walnut Cookies is from SurvivalBlog reader R.E.. This recipe makes about 6 dozen cookies. Ingredients 1 cup water 2 cups raisins 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup vegetable shortening 2 cups white granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 large eggs 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon table salt 1.5 cups chopped walnuts Directions In a small saucepan, combine water and raisins, bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. While the raisin mixture is cooling, stir together flour, …


Graphic of the Week:

Today’s graphic:  A map showing that 95% of ocean plastic originates from 10 rivers in Asia and Africa. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) The thumbnail below is click-expandable.     — Please send your graphics or graphics links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I prefer to analogize the global currency milieu as a Leper Colony. The fiat currencies are all lepers. They are all dying slow, painful deaths. Some of them are just dying more slowly than others. The Swiss Franc and the U.S. Dollar are two of the healthier lepers, with a few more fingers and toes than their neighbors. But inevitably they will also die.” – James Wesley, Rawles