Odds ‘n Sods:

Phill K. sent a link to an interesting story about insulin that can be stored at room temperature.      o o o Voting with our feet: Americans Try to Outrun State, Local Tax Hikes. Wyoming (which has no personal income tax) and some of the other American Redoubt States are looking better and better.    o o o C.R.W. spotted this over at Jim Sinclair’s web site: Wanted – Farming Couple in Tanzania    o o o Lousy Timing Department: Just as hundreds of thousands of people in the central United States are having their lives devastated by tornadoes, …



Notes from JWR:

JRH Enterprises is running a Memorial Day Week sale on AN/PVS-14 night vision monocular/weapons sights. This is the lowest price that they have ever offered on 3rd generation Pinnacle Autogated scopes. These are brand new mil-spec factory units that come with their original data sheets and a five year warranty. Standard units are available for only $2,795 and and upgraded versions with a higher line-pair count (like the one we use here at the Rawles Ranch) are available for $3,150. The current sale ends next Wednesday, so order soon! — Today we present another entry for Round 34 of the …


Survival Security Tactics–In All Locations, by Roy K.

I see little difference between a SHTF situation and a TEOTWAWKI situation in terms of self defense. The mission is identical; protect our family from predators whether it be for a month or years. Same challenges, same tactics, same end result. I will concede that the longer chaos prevails, then the greater desperation and violence we could expect. But, may I submit that if forced to use lethal force, a bullet doesn’t know the difference between a killer, rapist or looter. The end result is the same. No matter where you live.   The variables and subsequent permutations of survival …


Letter Re: Long Term Storage Foods in Supermarkets and Big Box Stores

Jim, I recently had a discussion with management at the Clarkston, Washington Wal-Mart [in eastern Washington, on the Idaho state line.] The General Manager has definitely got a finger on the pulse of consumers.  They have a huge display set up at the entrance to the store of freeze dried food [in #10 cans] from Augason Farms.  The display was an island two pallets wide and 8 pallets long.  They offer a full line of freeze dried foods from alphabet soup to Whole Egg Powder and whole raspberries.  They also had a display of breakfast and dinner emergency cases of …


Letter Re: A Suggestion for Preppers Outside of the U.S.

Dear Mr. Rawles, Thank you very much for your help with my inquiry about storing grain and mylar bags. I have acquired some mylar bags from the US.  Your blog is a tremendous source of information but of course most the suppliers mentioned in the blogs and advertising on the blog are in America. As stated in my original e-mail I am very new to prepping and have spent countless hours on the net trying to find a source of supply of items here in Australia.  No doubt countless preppers do the same thing attempting to find the things they …


Economics and Investing:

Money Magazine: Another Economic Crisis Coming. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.) Seniors Have Lost 32 Percent of Their Buying Power Since 2000 Reader Robert H. recently found this message waiting for him when he re-visited an Internet shopping site, after a three month absence: “Please note that the price of Great Lakes Select Honey, Clover, 32-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 3) has increased from $16.75 to $23.08 since you placed it in your Shopping Cart. Items in your cart will always reflect the most recent price displayed on their product detail pages.” (That is a 37% increase!) Items from The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Tam, over at the View From The Porch blog comments on disaster preparedness: It’s A Twister, Auntie Em! Edition.    o o o Un-Easy Rider: Peter Fonda encourages his grandchildren to learn long range shooting.    o o o Pierre M. sent a link to some dramatic photos: Grimsvotn Volcano Erupts in Iceland.    o o o Reader K.N.B. wrote to mention that Calumet, Oklahoma was just struck by a tornado, and it has been reported that Calumet Industries (recently mentioned in SurvivalBlog) has suffered some damage. Please keep the folks there in your prayers. If any of you have …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 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 Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


A Guide to Chemical Warfare Preparations, by Bryan R.

All survivalists, indeed all citizens everywhere, should give proper thought and consideration to the threat posed by Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) and Radiological agents, particularly chemical agents as they are the most likely to be encountered in dozens of possible situations. It is a fact of life that chemicals are everywhere, be they in surplus military storage depots, the local chemical plant down the road, the chemical laden train moving through the county, the semi hauling a tank filled with chemicals, or the nefarious terrorist who has finally realized that all he needed to make some very nasty blood agents …


Letter Re: Listening in to the Joplin Tornado — and Other Disasters

Jim — Thanks for all that you do and the many able contributors to your site.  This evening, Sunday, 05/22/2011, I am listening to the “live audio feed” of the Jasper County and Joplin, Missouri, law enforcement scanner traffic.  As I am listening, the various agencies are dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado that hit Joplin.  As a former police officer I have been through this sort of event. However, listening to their radio traffic is eye-opening, even for me.  I am getting a new perspective on many of the nuances of dealing with a catastrophe of this …


Two Letters Re: Bugging Out Via Boat

Dear Jim, I disagree with [SurvivalBlog Editor at Large] Mike Williamson’s opinion on boats as a bugging out survival alternative. With proper planning, thought and equipment selection; as well as the appropriate “ships stores”, and with all the knowledge necessary to any other solution to the problem, the right boat will allow you to avoid many of the perceived problems associated with a complete breakdown of society. It’s no easier or harder than any other subject, just different and less common. Just look at the volumes of material on your site, the problem is never solved and there is never …


Economics and Investing:

Matt R. sent this: Greece default fears rise as reprofiling talk flounders Deputies confiscate 250 pounds of copper during exchange Bank of America to give away houses. (Thanks to KAF for the link.) Kirk Elliot puts the unemployment rate in proper perspective. Items from The Economatrix: Greece on Verge of Defaulting What Destroyed Rome Was Its Unfunded Government Employee Pensions US Stocks Plunge On European Debt Worries What Happens When Greece Defaults BoE Chief Warns Of More Tough Times


Odds ‘n Sods:

Paulette suggested this: Beginner Basics: Fitting a Backpack    o o o More Nanny Statism: USDA fines family four million dollars for selling bunny rabbits. Thanks to Dann for the link.    o o o Some pointed humor, over at the Paratus Familia blog: Patient Zero    o o o Loyal content contributor F.G. flagged this: Armed With Stone-Tipped Arrows, Hunters Stalk Their Inner Cave Men