Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 23, 2023

On this day in 1314 began the Battle of Bannockburn, a decisive engagement in Scottish history whereby the Scots defeated the English, regained their independence, and established Robert the Bruce as Robert I. — We have run out of articles to post for the Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. So if you have one that you’ve been writing, then please complete it and send it in. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.


Disconnection: Fifth Generation Warfare Tactics

As I’ve mentioned before in SurvivalBlog, modern warfare has evolved into what is now termed Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW).c Even the leftist wonks at Wikipedia have summarized the evolution of warfare fairly well, in re-stating the generations of warfare concepts developed by military analysts and historians including William S. Lind, Terry Terriff, and Robert Steele: First-generation warfare refers to ancient and post-classical battles fought with massed manpower, using phalanx, line, and column tactics with uniformed soldiers governed by the state. This generation came to an end around the mid-nineteenth century due to rapid improvements in the range, accuracy, and rate-of-fire …


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. In today’s column, a special look at Overseas Investing and Expatriation. Precious Metals: Spot gold and silver both saw declines this week.  Silver was hit particularly hard, in trading on Thursday.  It was at $22.74 per Troy ounce when I last checked. This could be a good buying opportunity for folks who like to buy on …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I place economy among the first and most important virtues and public debt as the greatest dangers to be feared … We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our choice between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude … The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the disposition of public money. We are endeavoring to reduce the government to the practice of rigid economy to avoid burdening the people …” – Thomas Jefferson


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — June 22, 2023

On June 22nd, 1611, English explorer Henry Hudson—who earlier had tried to discover a short route from Europe to Asia through the Arctic Ocean—was set adrift with his son and seven others in Hudson Bay by mutineers. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 can be …


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 remote work possibilities and the changing global workforce. Hybrid and Remote Work in 2023 Over at ZDNet: Hybrid and remote work: The state of …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 21, 2023

June 21st is the birthday of Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998), author of Kill or Be Killed. He was the friend and mentor of SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 can be used for …


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. — For anyone concerned about the negative health effects of Radio Frequency (RF) and other Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) in their homes, I know of a consulting company that specializes in RF/EMF remediation.  Keith Cutter, the owner of the company, has about 30 podcasts on the subject now archived and available for free listening. …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The entire argument for gun control is built upon a false premise. The second amendment is not about self-defense from criminals. As unpleasant as it may be for this modern society to say out loud, historically and constitutionally speaking, the right of the people to keep and bear arms has always been a right to protect yourself from those in power who want to enslave you. If America wants to engage in a real factual debate on the right to keep and bear arms, then it must be approached from the proper perspective. A proper debate on one’s right to …


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 20, 2023

On June 20th, 1903, American automobile-racing driver Barney Oldfield accomplished the first mile-a-minute performance in a car, at Indianapolis, Indiana. June 20th is also the birthday of Audie L. Murphy. He was born in 1925. He died in a plane crash on May 28, 1971. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 …


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 of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the lengthy Republican walkout of the Oregon legislature.  (See the Central & Eastern Oregon section.) Idaho Idaho ranks #3 in USNews report: Economy, fiscal stability, and crime boost Gem State. o  o  o Kellogg shooting on Father’s Day leaves 4 dead, suspect arrested.  …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 19, 2023

June 19, 1834 was the birthday of Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon, who died 31 January, 1892. He was a noteworthy British Particular Baptist preacher. The text of more than 3,500 of his now famous sermons were preserved and are available online. — Today’s feature article is a review that was penned by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — I noticed that an interesting retreat property near Bonners Ferry, Idaho has been advertised at SurvivalRealty: 20 Acre Sustainable Homestead. — Please keep Pat Cascio in your prayers.  His health has been failing, in recent months.


Recipe of the Week: Cheesy Broccoli Soup

The following recipe for Cheesy Broccoli Soup was kindly sent in by longtime SurvivalBlog reader “Sis”. INGREDIENTS and Directions Sauté: 1/4 cup butter & 1/2 medium onion (diced). Stir in: 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in: 2 cups of half n half & 2 cups of chicken broth. Add: 1 cup of diced carrots, 3 cups of chopped broccoli. Cook until carrots are tender. Add 1/4tsp. of nutmeg (important) Add salt and pepper to taste. Lastly, stir in 8 oz. (1 cup) of sharp cheddar cheese. Some Options and Ideas: Fresh broccoli is best but you could easily use frozen, dehydrated, …