Our 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.
—
At Euro News: Poland is launching a new military training programme. How will citizens respond to it? [1]Here is a quote:
“Poland has unveiled a new programme of universal and voluntary military training.
The so-called “wGotowości” (mReadiness) programme was announced by Chief of General Staff Gen Wieslaw Kukuła, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defence Cezary Tomczyk.
During a press conference, Kukuła explained that the programme envisages five lines of focus across two different pathways.
“Firstly, to strengthen the individual resilience of citizens and secondly to strengthen the availability, resilience and competence of the reserves,” he said.
Importantly, resilience defence training is not equivalent to military service, nor does it culminate in an oath or entry on the reservists’ list.”
o o o
I recently bought a CR-123A battery adapter for my SDU-5/E Distress Marker Strobe Light from a small company operated by ham expert Brooke Clarke in Ukiah, California. His company is called PRC68.com [2]. Mr. Clarke manufactures and sells a wide variety of battery adapters, battery eliminators, and adapter cables for military radios, strobes, and night vision gear.
o o o
Surprise: Socialism In Bolivia Causes Bread Shortage [3].
o o o
Reader Tim J. wrote:
“I recently used one of these drones in a class and would recommend it for learning about drones.
It is not an Enterprise drone, lacks any kind of night capability, and is short-ranged. But, for the price, it has some great capabilities…
- K600 GPS Drone with Camera, 4.5 Inch LCD Screen RC, SD Card with GPS Drone, Auto Return Follow Me, Modular battery, Handbag GPS Drone under 250g $149.99 [4]
- Drone 3.7v 2200mAH battery, Applies to Karuisrc K610/K600€29.99 Qty – 3 [5]
- GPS Drone with EIS 4K Camera 4.5″ LCD Screen on Controller, FPV Drones Al Track&Orbit Mode with Professional with Auto Return Follow Me for Adult Beginner, GPS Brushless Drone Long Range Circle Fly, Under 249g $129.99 [6]
- Rechargeable Drone Battery, Suitable for Models K610/K600/K600GPS, efficient and Long-Lasting Flight $29.99 Qty – 3 [7]
I would buy three extra batteries”
o o o
In The WSJ: Big Paychecks Can’t Woo Enough Sailors for America’s Commercial Fleet [8].
o o o
SaraSue sent this snippet:
“For the first time, I butchered meat birds. It’s been a long journey to get to this place. I raised three flocks of meat birds over the past few years, only to have them wiped out by coyotes. A year ago, I did several things to protect my flocks. I had an 8-foot high fence built around the chicken run and hen house with a “no dig” border around the bottom. The sturdy, large, hen house had been built the year before. I got livestock guardian dogs, who are the best investment I ever made on the farm. I have not lost a single chicken since then. The dogs also protect the calves when they are born, and generally keep predators of all kinds off the entire farm.
I have a neighbor and friend who wanted to raise meat birds and offered to raise mine with hers, so I agreed. She took care of the birds and I purchased 25 chicks and she purchased 25 chicks. Then we took turns paying for their feed and I added waterers, feeders, and a large predator proof bin to hold their feed. The deal was that we would butcher them all together. But, when the first butchering date came, I was down with the flu. They went ahead and butchered not quite half of the birds. The following weekend, I was doing better, so we butchered the rest together. It was a great learning experience for me, and now I am confident that I can butcher chickens on my own. I am very grateful for my neighbors since I didn’t hold up my part of the bargain due to health.
We had problems with the plucker, and as it turns out, we scalded the first few chickens too hot. The plucker literally tore the chickens apart. So, we abandoned the plucker, and skinned the rest since we couldn’t get the scalder temperature cooled down fast enough. We had set up a killing area, a table for the butchering, a large container for saving chicken feet, and a large container for saving things like the hearts, livers, and lungs. We had a large tote full of very cold water to rinse the chickens that we changed out often, and then they went into ziplock bags and into a refrigerator to chill. The chicken feet went into the freezer for later broth making, or to feed to dogs, along with the innards.
Since I had no family coming in for Thanksgiving, I cooked one of the large chickens rather than a turkey. It was absolutely delicious. The next day, I took off all the cooked chicken meat, put the bones back in a pot for making broth, and I have used the chicken meat for sandwiches. I was very surprised that I could eat a chicken that I butchered. I expected my stomach to turn, but it didn’t. I expected that I wouldn’t be able to butcher, but I did. I honestly expected that I would faint at the sight of killing and all the blood, but I didn’t. One more self-sufficiency task that I have under my belt, thanks to my kind and gracious neighbors.”
o o o
Reader C.B. was the first of several folks to mention this news from Hoplophobic England: IT consultant arrested after posing with gun on LinkedI [9]n.
o o o
Reader Steve W. had this comment on my November 11th post titled Where Have All The Real Prepper Blogs Gone? [10]:
Please Send Us Your Snippets!
Please send your snippet items for potential posting to JWR [11]. or AVL [11]. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact [12] form.