Year: 2025

Update: Charity, Civility, Community, and Hope

JWR’s Introductory Note: This is an update to an article that I wrote for SurvivalBlog in December, 2005. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — Whilst pondering the various possibilities for the future, it is easy to get caught up in the minutiae of radio frequencies, milligram dosages, microns of filtration, calibers, and calories per ounce. (You’ll read plenty of those details in SurvivalBlog. But in doing so. we can easily lose sight of bigger, far more …


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:

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” – Psalm 100 (KJV) 


Preparedness Notes for Friday — November 28, 2025

On November 28th, 1942,  492 people died in a fire that destroyed the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts. The fire was fueled by flammable tropical decor. This was the deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. History. On that night, the club was filled beyond capacity. The building’s capacity was supposed to be 460 people, but it is estimated that more than 1,000 people were in attendance. — On November 28th, 1520, Magellan finally reached the Pacific Ocean after navigating the dangerous straits on the southern tip of South America that now bear his name. He became the first European explorer …


Update: Critical Capabilities for Retreat Defense: “Move, Shoot, and Communicate”

JWR’s Introductory Note: This is an update to an article that I wrote for SurvivalBlog in December, 2005. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — As an Army officer, I learned that in order to be effective, any army must have three key abilities: To move, shoot, and communicate. Take away any one of them, and you are ineffective. But if you get all three right, and you can absolutely devastate an opponent–even one that has superior …


Economics & Investing Media of the Week

In Economics & Investing Media of the Week, we feature photos, charts, graphs, maps, video links, and news items of interest to preppers. This week: A map of U.S. job cuts from January to October, 2025. JWR’s Comments: As you can see, the Trump Administration is sending part of the entrenched D.C. Deep State packing. It is no wonder that the statist Mainstream Media is apoplectic. The thumbnail below is click-expandable.         (Graphic courtesy of Visual Capitalist.) Economics & Investing Links of Interest Spot silver touched a record-breaking $56.67 USD per Troy ounce today. This brought the …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — November 27, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!  From the SurvivalBlog family to yours, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Despite the crises in this world and the many mounting pressures, we give thanks to our LORD that you are still here, you are still prepping, and that He will never forsake us. Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation: “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of …


Update: Honey–Storage Life, Crystallization, Storage Quantities, and Medicinal Uses

JWR’s Introductory Note: This is an update to an article that I wrote for SurvivalBlog in March, 2007. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — A series of letters and posts on honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in 2007 prompted several readers to send comments and questions about storing and using honey, which are summarized below. For some of my responses, I relied heavily on these references: The Golden Blossom Honey FAQ A Mayo Clinic web page …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, news of a bear attack at a school in British Columbia. Grizzly Attacks a B.C. School Field Trip Group Reader Chris F. sent this news: Teachers were ‘heroes’ in …


The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

“A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.” – The Late John MacArthur


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 26, 2025

On November 26th, 1716, a tamed African lion was exhibited for the first time in the American colonies by Captain Arthur Savage at his house on Brattle Street, in Boston, Massachusetts. — November 26th is the birthday of both gun inventor Eugene Reising (born 1884, died February 21, 1967) and the late Barton Biggs (born 1932, died July 14, 2012). Biggs was a money manager known for his pro-preparedness stance. — Today’s feature article is by JWR. — We have room for just one or two entries in Round 121 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $970,000 worth …


Kanban: America’s Ubiquitous “Just in Time” Inventory System: A Fragile House of Cards

JWR’s Introductory Note: This is an update to an article that I wrote for SurvivalBlog in February, 2007. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — When I give lectures or do radio interviews, I’m often asked for examples when I mention that “we live in a fragile society.” Here is one prime example: kanban. The kanban or “just in time” inventory control system was developed in Japan, and became popular in America starting in the 1970s. It …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

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. Pictured above is the headquarters building of the BATFE. — President Trump Nominates Robert Cekada to Head ATF. The article includes a key quote from Knox Williams, president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association: “If confirmed, he would be the first ever truly pro-Second Amendment nominee to head the agency. By nominating …