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 Michael R. sent this technology tip: “Here is the ‘Radioactivity Counter’ app on an old Tab A tablet just now, without and with a sample radioactive rock. Clunky and very slow but similar results to the GBC800 Geiger counter that I received from Amazon, yesterday. But the sample should be near …


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — December 3, 2024

December 3, 1736: Astronomer Anders Celsius took measurements that confirmed Isaac Newton’s theory that Earth was a slight ellipsoid, rather than the previously accepted perfect sphere. — On December 3, 1944, the Greek Civil War broke out in a newly-liberated Greece, between communists and royalists. — Today is “Giving Tuesday”.  Please consider some of the worthy charities linked at our Charity page. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the first entry for Round 116 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 …


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. Today, news of RCMP agents surveilling  Montana gun shows. (See the Montana section.) Idaho Idaho’s vet shortage remains problematic. o  o  o Another interesting backcountry Tundra Tire flying video. This one is down in the Owyhee country: Secret Backcountry Oasis in Idaho at the 45 Ranch. …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 2, 2024

On December 2, 1805, Napoleon defeated the Russians and Austrians at Austerlitz.  The painting is a romanticized rendition by French artist François Gérard, circa 1810. — December 2, 1927: The first Model A Ford sold, for $385.  In paper currency, that would be the equivalent of $6,984.52 in inflated 2024 U.S. Dollars.  But in terms of U.S. gold coins that were still circulating in 1927? $385 divided by $20.67 per ounce = 18.63 ounces of gold. The 2024 value of gold of $2,640 x 18.63 = $49,183.20. — Our Big Sale Ends at Midnight! We’ve been running a Black Friday …


Recipe of the Week: Leftover Turkey Casserole

The following recipe for Leftover Turkey Casserole is from SurvivalBlog reader Angie T..  She says:  “This mostly uses Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, but I always keep Mozzarella cheese on hand.” Ingredients Turkey Mashed potatoes Turkey gravy Stuffing Cooked Rice Carrots Peas Green beans Cranberry sauce (Whole berry or jellied type) Mozzarella Cheese (can substitute cheddar) Garlic powder (if desired) Salt and Pepper, to taste Directions Just layer the available ingredients together as a casserole.  Make some stuffing the top layer, so that it gets slightly crispy. Bake it briefly, at 300 F — just a bit more then re-heating. — Do …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There is no provision by a bill of rights to guard against the dangerous encroachments of power in too many instances to be named: but I cannot pass over in silence the insecurity in which we are left with regard to warrants unsupported by evidence — the daring experiment of granting writs of assistance in a former arbitrary administration is not yet forgotten in the Massachusetts; nor can we be so ungrateful to the memory of the patriots who counteracted their operation, as so soon after their manly exertions to save us from such a detestable instrument of arbitrary power, …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 1, 2024

December 1, 1903: Release of “The Great Train Robbery” the first Western film, starring Justus D. Barnes and G. M. Anderson.   December 1, 1966: The radio time signal WWV was moved from Greenbelt, Maryland to Boulder, Colorado. — Today is also the birthday of gun designer Charles Cashman Kelsey, Jr. of DEVEL fame. He was born December 1,1935. He was murdered in Texas under mysterious circumstances in April, 2003. — This is also the birthday of novelist Rex Stout (1886–1975). Rex Stout was the brother of Ruth Stout, the gardener who wrote about no till, year-round mulching, organic gardening …


Writing Contest Judging Results (Round 115)

We’ve completed the judging for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The judging for this round was very difficult since there were five very informative Hurricane Helene after-action reports and several excellent technical articles. First Prize goes to Soyez Ferme, for Hurricane Milton After Action Review. See: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.  It was posted on October 23-24-25, 2024. His prizes will include: 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 …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: An Important Safety Tip: You Gents Aren’t Camouflaged Unless Your Gear is Camouflaged A Useful Link: SurvivalBlog’s Editor-at-Large Mke Williamson suggested this post on X: Puzzle Piece Camouflage.  Mike says: “Should be even better since there are multiple random layers of interference.” Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 30, 2024

On November 30, 1902, Harvey “Kid Curry” Logan, the second-in-command of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch gang was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor. — November 30, 1924: The first photo facsimile is transmitted across the Atlantic by radio. (London to New York City.) — Satirical novelist Jonathan Swift was born on November 30th, 1667. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 115 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 …


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:

“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the …