Pat’s Product Review: Altai MF Tactical Boots

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it doesn’t pay to purchase cheap shoes or boots. You only have one pair of feet, so treat them nicely by buying the best you can get! In 1969, when we were on our first day of Basic Training in the U.S. Army, there was one thing the drill sergeants told us (and I’ve never forgotten it) was to “not wear your boots into the shower, get them wet, and wear them until they dry on your feet.” We were told we’d get an Article 15, which is a military reprimand/punishment. …


Recipe of the Week: Mrs. HJL’s Roast and Vegetables

This is a recipe for Comfort Food that is simple and yummy. 1 Rump or Chuck Roast Lawry’s Seasoned Salt 2 Onions, sliced 1/2 cup water Roasting pan Aluminum foil Place the roast in roasting pan. Sprinkle the seasoned sale heavily over the roast. Lay onion slices on top of roast. Pour water into the pan (not over the roast). Tight cover the roast and roasting pan with foil, sealing the edges around the pan. Place in an oven at 300 degree Fahrenheit. Cook all night (at least 8 hours). Peeled potatoes, halved Carrot pieces, large chunks In the morning, …


Letter Re: Communication Radios

HJL, Thought I would give my two cents worth regarding T.K. ‘s question about emergency communication in his valley. About 20 years ago I posed the same question to a ham operator friend of mine. His suggestion was for me to buy a cb with sideband. He claimed that would be the easiest and cheapest way to call for help if needed. He also stated that I may not be able to reach anybody locally due to my remoteness but should find somebody in the country if not the world to respond. I was skeptical at his claim to say …


Letter Re: EMP

Hi Jim, Do you know if we have a EMP attack or if the grid goes down weather we will still have internet service? – GLB HJL Replies: Since the vast majority of the Internet depends upon the power grid, it really depends on how much of the power grid survives an EMP event. The long hauls of the infrastructure would probably survive due to the fact that most are based on fiber optics, which are not affected by EMP. The hubs, connection points and routers all have to have power though, which is affected by EMP events. If the …


Economics and Investing:

I have subscribed to John Mauldin’s newsletter for quite some time now and while I don’t agree with everything he says, I usually enjoy his writings. I’m looking forward to his series on “income inequality”. Take a look at his latest: The Worst Ten-Letter Word. Warning: An email subscription is required to see the full article. o o o Stoic Cyprus back from the dead after banking collapse – Telegraph – JBG Items from The Economatrix: Fed Minutes Point To Continued Paring Of Stimulus U.S. Home Sales Plunged 5.1 Percent In January Is Food Inflation Coming Back? Return of Goldilocks …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A number of people have sent in this link to Selco’s Blog, True Nature of Survival. It is particularly relevant because of the conflicts that we are seeing in Ukraine and Valenzuela. If your main concern is your survival or that of your family, then it makes perfect sense. My problem with it is that it is from a pretty self-centered perspective. If our founding fathers had held to the same ideals, the revolution would have died a quick, crushing death. The supposition is that you cannot affect the outcome, so don’t even try. Yes, there is seemingly senseless death …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“The tank, the B-52, the fighter-bomber, the state-controlled police and military are the weapons of dictatorship. The rifle is the weapon of democracy. Not for nothing was the revolver called an ‘Equalizer.’ Egalite implies liberte. And always will. Let us hope our weapons are never needed—but do not forget what the common people of this nation knew when they demanded The Bill Of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, and the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny.” – Edward Abbey, Abbey’s Road


Notes from HJL:

Today we present another entry for Round 51 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value), A $300 gift certificate …


Survival Health and Fitness

There is a preparation we can all make that doesn’t required much money, much storage, or much expertise. Yet it should be a critical component of your readiness. Yes, it is your personal health and fitness. If you started 2014 with good intentions but haven’t had the success you hoped for, this article is for you. This commentary outlines the whys and hows of improving your health and fitness. Survival Benefits to Improving Health and Fitness Prevent ever needing, or even reverse the need for drugs that you may no longer be able to get when the SHTF. Statins (Crestor, …


Letter Re: List of Lists

Hi, My fiance and I really appreciate the work that you do at SurvivalBlog.com. We are Reformers who are trying to figure out our strategy as I speak. We live in British Columbia and were looking to South America, but realize that maybe being in English-speaking remote BC would be a better idea. I am a horse/farm girl. He has always been a city boy. I know the meaning of hard work, and I am taking everything sometimes too seriously. (I think I over focus.) I am actually just reading Jim’s novel Founders. At any rate, I thought that on …


Letter: Hoarding

Hello Hugh. I have been following what is going on in Venezuela and the hoarding situation. Now of course their regime has made it illegal to hoard anything. So, I have been following what items that are in short supply. Not in any particular order they are: toilet paper, milk, powdered milk, coffee, corn flour, wheat flour, diesel, all soaps of any kind, and tires for cars and trucks. A black market is thriving, of course. The penalties for hoarding range from 6 to 14 years in prison. The very government that created this mess is now trying to lay …


Economics and Investing:

This was sent in by B.B.– Myths and Lessons of the Argentine Currency It’s a very straight forward piece that helps us to understand exactly what is going on in the Argentine economy. Items from The Economatrix: Why Gold Might Drop Another 50% Jobless Claims Drop; Consumer Prices Stay Tame January Inflation Subdued Despite Biggest Jump In Electricity Prices In Four Years “Polar Vortex” Shock And Awe: The Utility Bill Arrives (And Why It Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better)


Odds ‘n Sods:

DGC sent in Who Will Protect You From The Police? The Rise Of Government-Sanctioned Home Invasions along with this note: “Some of you I am writing to are fathers, as am I. This situation is so very terrible I don’t know where to begin. This is not what American is supposed to be. We all need to do something about this; each of us has a responsibility as citizens in a Republic to speak up when these things are happening. I am sending this link with an email and some quotes from the bill of rights and our founding fathers …



Notes from HJL:

We are introducing a new, temporary column today. The trickle of news from the Ukraine is fast becoming a flood of information. As the situation develops, we will keep track of it in the “Clash in Ukraine” column. o o o Today we present another entry for Round 51 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day …