Odds ‘n Sods:

Dan T. sent a link to a list of the 10 worst tornado states in the country. Dan notes: “I live in Kansas, the #2 tornado state and I’ve never seen a tornado in my life. I’ve seen the results of tornadoes, but have never actually seen one and they excite me more than worry me. I have a basement.”    o o o Don’t miss this informative piece: How big a Garden? How much seed? (Their other articles are indexed here.)    o o o J.B. mentioned that an invasive species law is misapplied to heritage breeds: Michigan DNR …



Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 39 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a …


A Lesson From a Loaf of Bread, by C.R.

I’ll start with a little about myself. I am a 21 year old disabled Iraqi campaign vet. I spent four years in the U.S. Army. I joined when I was 17 and started my terminal leave a couple of months before I was 21. I was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. I was there during the November 5, 2009 shootings. I couldn’t believe the absolute chaos that caused and how unprepared we were for a situation like that, and that was just on a small scale that really only affected Fort Hood. As a whole if that had been …


Caring for Ill and Disabled People, Post-TEOTWAWKI by Mrs. Icebear

Introductory Note: We are not medical professionals. We just have extensive experience working in nursery homes and taking care of injured, sick or disabled family members, here called “patient”, insert whatever is relevant to you. So here are our tips and recommendations, not necessarily in order of importance: If you have a disabled family member, consider getting hold of a wheel chair and a specially designed  “sitting” sleeping bag for wheelchair users. Alternatively make a carpet bag with a side zipper out of fleece blankets. Essential for bugging out or just if the heating fails. Have a bedpan and a …


Two Letters Re: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving School Rampage Shootings

Editor JWR: To paraphrase an old quotation, those that refuse to study history and learn from it are condemned to repeat the same mistakes. In the early 1970s, school classrooms in Israel were favored targets for PLO terrorists. They were favored for several reasons including maximum media coverage, maximum shock value (killing children) and softness of target (little security). The solution was simple and effective: All teachers were required to keep a selective fire weapon and loaded magazines in their classrooms. As another example of historical note of common sense, during the 1600s, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony had a …


Letter Re: The Perpetual Light

Hi Jim:  I came across a really neat little phosphorescent light source that your readers might like.  It is sold by Wiggy’s, a maker of high end American-made sleeping bags [and a long-time SurvivalBlog advertiser.].  They call it a Perpetual Light and you can use sunlight, headlights of cars, et cetera to charge it up.   Its not a flashlight, its more of a general area kind of light and their pretty cheap.   I  bought one for general camp use and I really like it.   Go to wiggys.com to check it out. – SmokecheckTim Economics and Investing:


Economics and Investing:

A shadow inflation hits shoppers through economic sleight of hand: Inflation and the hidden side of finances. Reader B.B. sent this: CBO: Health law could cause as many as 20 Million to lose coverage Also from B.B.: Ann Barnhardt Schools – the real story about your health insurance yet another from B.B: Four large US banks fail stress tests Items from The Economatrix: US January Trade Gap Widens As Imports Hit Record High Broken Promises:  Pensions All Over America Are Being Savagely Cut Or Are Vanishing Completely Fed Nods To Better Economy, Mum On Next Move Savings Low, Worry High …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Daniel S. suggested: How to make a Millipede Survival Paracord Bracelet. This new weave is very quick to unbraid!    o o o Reader H.S. in Arkansas wrote to ask about a source of boxes to re-package loose (bulk-packed) eastern European military surplus 7.62x39mm from “spam cans” as a well as 7.62×51 NATO that has been de-linked. He said that he wants to be able to have it look presentable, for eventual barter and resale purposes, in attractive boxes. I immediately recommended RepackBox.com. I’ve personally used their products, and they are excellent. These very professional looking die-cut single-wall white cardboard …



Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 39 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a …


Mobile Prepping, by D.W.

We are a mobile culture. The vast majority of us begin our day by getting into a vehicle and driving to work.  Some of us, once we reach work drive again to reach work details. We are accustomed to driving everywhere.  We drive to the store for groceries and supplies; we drive to schools, work, doctors, etc. When the SHTF most of us who live in a densely populated area are not going to be entirely comfortable just hunkering down where we live and hoping for the best.  Those that choose to bug-in in a suburban or urban environment are …


A Classical Education: The Greatest Educational Opportunity for Our Children by J. M.

My wife and I are preppers primarily for our children.  Though we have lived rich, full lives, they are not yet even adolescents.  If what we are prepping for happens, it will be this generation that will rebuild this nation to greatness.  We want them to be equipped intellectually and spiritually.  We want them to understand the influences of the Greeks, Romans and British that helped our Founding Fathers craft the greatest nation this planet has known.  I refuse to entrust America to those that do not understand these truths or those that are not up to the task. When …


Letter Re: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving School Rampage Shootings

James: I’m writing regarding A Parent’s Guide to Surviving School Rampage Shootings, by Greg Ellifritz. One important item I think that was missed was allowing any/all adults who choose to do so to be armed.  In the October, 1997 school shooting in Pearl, Mississippi an assistant principal ran to his car, got a gun, and stopped the episode.  Gun free zones give the criminal huge numbers of potential hostages and victims.   The presence of armed folks makes it a bit more difficult for the bad guys to prevail. – W.B.


Letter Re: After the Shooting

Mr. Rawles, Mr. Tupreco has made some salient points in his article on your actions and statements after a shooting to protect you and yours. However some of what he says is blatantly false, at least in my neck of the woods. I am a retired police officer who was involved in five separate instances of deadly force during my career so I think I speak with some experience that Mr. Tupreco lacks. He states that police officers are focused only on clearing cases so they will interrogate you with that frame of mind even if your use of deadly …