Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 9, 2024

On August 9, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte set sail for exile on Saint Helena island onboard the British ship the Northumberland. — August 9th, 1831 was the birthday of James Paris Lee (August 9, 1831 – February 24, 1904). He was a Scottish-Canadian and later American inventor and arms designer, best known for inventing the bolt action that led to the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield series of rifles. — I just heard that Seed for Security is running a stock-up sale. Their Colossal Pack is now priced at 25% off. This pack is a total of over 5 pounds of vegetable, herb, …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, some troubling news from legendary investor Warren Buffett. Precious Metals: Early in the week, all of the precious metals went into a slump, along with base metals, and as better publicized, the stock markets.  I’m assuming the drop in the precious metals was in anticipation of lower industrial demand. That same day, Bitcoin was down …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 8, 2024

On August 8, 1786, the US Congress unanimously chose the Dollar as the monetary unit for the United States of America. The coin’s specifications were based on the silver composition, diameter, and weight of the Spanish Dollar.  Also known as the piece of eight (Spanish: real de a ocho), the famous Spanish Miilled Dollar (pictured) was a silver coin of approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) diameter, worth eight Spanish reales. — A reminder: I will have five tables at the Missoula, Montana Gun Show on August 9-10-11, 2024. This is your chance to shop from about 80% of the Elk …


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, we look at some handloading Canadian homesteaders. Reloading: Homesteaders Going Full Dillon Over at the always entertaining Canadian homesteading Gridlessness vlog: We Made 10,000 Rounds in 24 Hours! …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 7, 2024

On August 7, 1420, construction began on the dome of Florence Cathedral, designed by Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi. — August 7th, 1933 was the birthday of Jerry Pournelle. He, along with Larry Niven authored the survivalist classic Lucifer’s Hammer. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This 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. — Reader H.L. sent us this link: How Appalachia Has Become a Hot—Even Hip—Place To Live That’s Still Dirt Cheap. Here are H.L.’s Comments: “No one has to tell me how beautiful and affordable West Virginia is.  I lived there for 10 years. I loved the land and the people.  The four seasons …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I see the liberty of the individual not only as a great moral good in itself (or, with Lord Acton, as the highest political good), but also as the necessary condition for the flowering of all the other goods that mankind cherishes: moral virtue, civilization, the arts and sciences, economic prosperity. Out of liberty, then, stem the glories of civilized life.” – Murray N. Rothbard


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 6, 2024

On August 6, 1819, Norwich University was founded in Vermont as the first private military school in the United States. Pictured is a squad of Norwich Army ROTC cadets on an air movement via a 10th Mountain Division Blackhawk helicopter, in 2021.  (U.S. Army photo by PFC Ethan Scofield.) — August 6, 1699, HMS Roebuck, captained by “explorer and pirate”  William Dampier, landed at Shark Bay, Western Australia on the first British scientific expedition to Australia. — August 6, 2011, a U.S. CH-47D Chinook military helicopter operating with the call sign Extortion 17 (spoken “one-seven”) was shot down while transporting …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. In today’s column, we cover some “remote” possibilities. Region-Wide Video: The Great Scenic Loop Of Idaho And Montana. o  o  o SurvivalRealty.com land search: Off-grid properties. Idaho Idaho Off the Grid: An Intimate Look at One of America’s Most Remote States. o  o  o Clark County, …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 5, 2024

On August 5, 1775, the Spanish packet boat San Carlos entered San Francisco Bay for the first time. It was under the command of Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala.  He and his crew of 30 men spent six weeks surveying the bay from its shallow southern end to the northern end of what is now known as Suisun Bay. — August 5, 1861: President Lincoln signed the first US personal Income Tax into law.  It levied 3% of incomes over $800. — On August 5, 1846, the Oregon territory was divided between the United States and Britain at the 49th …


Recipe of the Week: Fish Meat Egg Rolls

The following recipe for Fish Meat Egg Rolls is from SurvivalBlog reader Mrs. Alaska. She notes: “I have used freshly caught and/or frozen fish of six different species for this dish – all delicious, but you could try canned fish, too. This is based on a recipe I first discovered through the wonderful, national organization called BOW:  Becoming an Outdoor Woman.  Its courses and weekends are offered through the state departments like Fish and Game.  Highly recommended for both women and men (my husband attended, too).” Ingredients Egg roll wrappers (not wonton wrappers – they are super small) Fish of …