Odds ‘n Sods:

Some interesting observations from a fellow blogger: Oh Dark Thirty    o o o P.N.G. liked this article over at Electronic Design News: A super-het radio runs 5 years on a C-cell, plus a pentode radio    o o o Kyle L. mentioned a gooddeal on Federal brand .22 LR hollow point ammo from Cabela’s. I predict that .22 hollowpoints will be an ideal item for barter in the event of a socioecononmic collapse, so stock up. (BTW, they are also offering free shipping fee on any order over $150, with promo code “WOCTOBER”)    o o o FBI begins …




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV)




Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …




A Grandmother’s Practical Preparedness Plans, by Mrs. M.B.

Those of us who are from the 1930-1940s generation may have a lot of childhood memories from our parents and grandparents that will serve us well as we approach TEOTWAWKI.  As I meditate back on the sketchy memories of childhood, I can recall a number of things that today would be called “survival living” but for us at that time was simply “living.” In survival times, let us not forget our kids emotional well-being.  In addition to needing extra love and assurance from parents and grandparents, there are many simple ways to help them entertain themselves and break free of …




Letter Re: Sorting Canadian Pennies

Mr. Rawles, I had a moment of inspiration today and after looking up melt value of Canadian coins on Coinflation and giving thought to your article about storing U.S. nickels.  I decided to try an experiment sorting Canadian coins, specifically nickels and pennies.  Note that these melt values are when Copper spot price is listed at $3.246/lbs – a two year low in October 2011.  Personally, with the currency printing going around world wide, I think it’s reasonable to assume these prices are going to skyrocket in the near future. I went to a Canadian bank and bought several roles …




Letter Re: Farmer’s Markets in the American Redoubt?

Dear James- I just recently found your blog through a story on The Daily Crux by Stansberry and Associates. I am very impressed by the amount and quality of the info. I now feel less alone! The people that I have tried to talk to here don’t have a clue-they either say that if something bad happens they know we will take care of(feed) them or they say that they have guns and will take what they need. I only know of two other preppers and they are many miles away. We run a greenhouse business and vegetable farm in northern Wisconsin. …




Economics and Investing:

Ian Gordon: Hedging With Gold Against Imminent Economic Collapse State may expedite Florida foreclosures B.B. sent a link to the latest Jim Rogers CNBC Interview. Also from B.B.: Gold is not in a Bubble: It’s on its way to $10,000 an ounce Yet another from B.B.: Foreigners Dump $74 Billion In Treasurys In 6 Consecutive Weeks: Biggest Sequential Outflow In History Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Rise On Gain In Retail Sales; Google Jumps California Revenues Down By $705M The Depression:  If Only Things Were That Good Retail Sales Rose Strongly In September On Autos  




Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader C.D.V. found a handy search tool where you can look up your local school and see what toxic chemicals the children are exposed to. It goes on to list what chemicals and what businesses/industries are responsible. This is just one more tool to use when research retreat locales. It also provide further support for my states designated in The American Redoubt.    o o o Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) sent links to a couple of video clips on creative uses for CONEX containers: Concrete reinforced CONEX “wine cellar” and Prefab CONEX cabins.    o o o …







Notes from JWR:

A reader alerted me that the first two hours of my three-hour interview late Wednesday/early Thursday morning on “Coast To Coast AM” with George Noory are now available on YouTube. (There are four sequential clips available.) — Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain …




Letter Re: A Predator-Resistant Chicken Coop Design

After reading the article about protecting your chickens, I would like to comment on my solution.  After experiencing my early failed attempt at chicken raising because the possums would chase the night dumb chickens back and forth against the chicken wire enclosure and extrude them through the chicken wire eating as they pulled, I built chicken coop number two.    First I built it off the ground with a slightly sloping plywood floor covered by galvanized sheet metal ship lapped to protect the floor. When pressure washing, the water flows to the outside.  At the low end I raised the wood stud base plate …




Letter Re: A Reader Reviews the Movie Phase 7

CPT Rawles, Some thoughts on a little foreign film I first heard about on SurvivalBlog, titled Phase 7.   Short Background: It is a foreign film in Spanish (with subtitles) set in a city in Argentina. A disease pandemic spreads across the globe and the residents of a small apartment building are quarantined inside. Mayhem ensues throughout the movie.   First, this movie isn’t made by Hollywood – So see it. It most certainly has some conspiracy aspects to it, but it doesn’t get to deep into the weeds (i.e. G. H. W Bush’s NWO speech.) The movie has a …




Letter Re: Land of Plenty–Establishing or Reclaiming an Orchard

Mr. Rawles,  I very much enjoyed the recent article on orchards. Fruit and nut bearing trees are definitely low maintenance. I am now benefiting from my forebearers’ efforts to establish fruit and nut bearing trees and bushes. One thing that they always did if they could: They would always plant a few trees every year. It’s a habit. It doesn’t cost a lot at a time to plant one or two trees a year, and it’s a lot less work to maintain. If one dies, at whatever growing stage, you replant it. It’s always good to have a great variety …




Letter Re: An Army Veteran’s Thoughts on Camouflage

Sir, In regards to the article: An Army Veteran’s Thoughts on Camouflage.  I have a few comments and recommendations: There are many different types of materials that a ghillie suit can be made from and burlap being a very good and cheap and easily accessible one, a couple bundles of natural color jute and some color dyes (mixed with some burlap) can make one very nice ghillie suit.  There are many places that these materials can be purchased from.  Ghilliesuits.com (which I have ordered my Jute from) is just one.  Do a quick search for “ghillie suit kits or jute …




Economics and Investing:

Chuck McAlvany: The Atomic Bomb that is About to Explode at the Federal Reserve Days of Reckoning Are Here: Accumulate Precious Metals and Hard Assets Zero Hedge: It Begins: Harrisburg Files For Bankruptcy Protection G.G. flagged this: Banks turn to demolition of foreclosed properties to ease housing-market pressures Items from The Economatrix: Buckle Up:  America Is Getting Very Angry And The Protests Are Going To Become Much More Frightening Millions Could Lose Unemployment Benefits In 2012 Wall Street Sees “No Exit” From Woes Roubini:  Double-dip Recession A Foregone Conclusion