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.
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Reader H.B. suggested a Facebook reel on how to make your own local topo maps [1].
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At our friend Jack Lawson’s website: Do It Yourself! Building a 3500-Watt Portable Battery Bank Solar Power Unit [2].
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Here is a free short story based rooted in an ancient legend, with a useful introduction. It was co-authored by SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large, Michael Z. Williamson and his wife: Skjaldmóðir [3].
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SaraSue sent this snippet:
“After-action report of the Big Freeze on my farm in Tennessee: I did not lose electricity, heat, or well water despite freezing rain, ice, sleet, and snow. If I had, things would have been quite different and terribly difficult. I prepped well in advance of the storm, and in doing so, I found that my generator would not start. I had two neighbors work on it, but it was too late to get a professional. It was going to be useless during the storm. Our lowest temperature was -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Taking care of a full farm in this type of weather is absolutely exhausting. Watering the animals was the hardest chore because I was carrying out buckets of boiling hot water. Water for the cows was my chief concern, so I had set up a spare 425-gallon water tank that I could feed the cow water troughs with. Once it hit 15 degrees, the handle and hose froze solid, so I had to make some adjustments.
I made a list of things to get done this year, if finances and time allows. Some things are inexpensive and easy. Other things are expensive and probably won’t make the cut.
Easy and relatively inexpensive fixes:
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- A sled to help carry out hay and straw
- Get the generator fixed and test it every few months
- Store more gas
- Get a transfer switch installed so the generator can run the well pump
- A wood-burning fireplace insert or stove
More involved fixes:
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- Whole-house generator and propane tank
- Distributed watering system for the animals with frost-free hydrants.
All things considered, it went very well here, and I am grateful. As I’m writing this we are having another freeze and it is currently -1 with the wind chill. This freeze will be over quickly and is not accompanied by snow or sleet. Blessed relief.”
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Why This Southern Ice Storm Turned Into a Week-Long Crisis [4]. The article begins:
“Over 300,000 people have been sitting in the dark for a week across Mississippi and Tennessee, and here’s why this storm is so destructive. The ice snapped power poles like toothpicks, but it’s the arctic air that moved in behind it and refused to leave that’s turned this deadly — a full week of teens and 20s in places where the grid wasn’t built for it. At least 69 people have died while National Guard troops go door-to-door checking on folks running out of food and meds. We break down the meteorology behind why some winter storms cause quick damage while others create week-long crises.”
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A video that was recommended by Cody (“Wranglerstar”): Forgotten firewood hand splitting technique [5].
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Spray-on powder developed in South Korea stops severe bleeding in just one second [6]. (Thanks to F.J. for the link.)
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Reader D.S.V. sent this news: New York Thieves Clone Key Fobs to Steal $2.4 Million Worth of Dealership Vehicles [7].
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A recent Brushbeater video: License-free radio for the prepared patriot [8].
Please Send Us Your Snippets!
Please send your snippet items for potential posting to JWR [9]. or AVL [9]. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact [10] form.