The Forest’s Sweetener–How to Make Maple Syrup, by Melissa T.

I am new to the survival mindset and I am a person that loves to make desserts for my family. My first reaction to some of the articles I have read was how would I continue to make the treats that they enjoy after TEOTWAWKI?  Then I realized there would be a way by making maple syrup. This is a family tradition that has continued in our family from two previous generations.  After taking a survey, my oldest son realized many people do not know how to make maple syrup and that is what has led me to write this …


Letter Re: Building a Refrigerator Wall Adobe House

Dear Mr. Rawles: A recent article on your site mentioned using shipping containers to build an enclosed courtyard similar to those that were constructed as California Missions. The author stated he could not use adobe due to the wet climate in which he planned to construct his non-fortress-looking enclave. Here is another suggestion in lieu of adobe: While living in a rural area in Southern California in the early 1960s, I had to take trash to the dump about every third week. Over the span of just a couple of years, I watched a huge canyon fill-up with trash from …


Economics and Investing:

It has always been self-evident, but here are the numbers in chart form, to back it up: Purchasing Power of the Dollar Versus Gold. (Thanks to R.P.B.for the link.) David R. pointed me to this sobering statistic: In just the month of March, the US government spent $1.1 TRILLION dollars. Rick in Colorado sent this interesting interactive map link: Map The Meal Gap. Rick’s comment: This is why the average person needs to prepare. Note that for a family of four making $40,000 a year 1/3 of household are food insecure and this was in 2009! Foreclosure red carpet style …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Families get new feathered friends, and future of better eggs, at chicken swap. (Thanks to Greg C. for the link.)    o o o Regarding OPSEC, reader Mike C. reminds us that some of those “handy tools” can be used against us: YouGetSignal.com.    o o o K.A.F. flagged this op-ed piece: Sunday Reflection: From ‘just-in-time’ to ‘just-in-case?’    o o o North Carolina bill threatens to criminalize naturopaths, homeopaths, herbalists, midwives, aromatherapists as felons. (A tip of the hat to Marilyn R. for the link.)    o o o Bret F. flagged this: Idaho Radio Shack owner adds gun …



Note from JWR:

Sale ending soon: Lulu.com has extended their 20% off sale, for any product, through April 4th. That includes the 2005-2010 SurvivalBlog Archive CD-ROM! So if you’ve been delaying, then here is your chance to save $3.99. To get the 20% discount, enter coupon code “SPLISH305“, during checkout. The sale ends at midnight on Tuesday, April 4, 2011, so order soon!


Pat’s Product Review: Don’t Buy Junk!

When I started writing for SurvivalBlog, I told readers that I wouldn’t review junk. I don’t want to waste my time, or yours, reviewing junk. When you buy junk, you have to buy it again and again. When you buy quality, you are buying the best. Jim Rawles asked me to write about some junk – to help readers avoid it.   I’m like everyone else, I like a good deal, especially on guns and knives. I also like a good deal on military and survival gear, and like everyone else, I occasionally fall for something that is too good …


Letter Re: Advice on AN/PVS-14 Gen 3 Night Vision Monoculars

Hello Mr. Rawles, Could you post some qualities to look for in an AN/PVS-14 Generation 3 night vision monocular/weapon sight? I would like to support one of your advertisers, but the different quality levels (apparently due to the sensor quality) is different even within the same make/model across different US manufacturers, but at very different prices.  Have you any thoughts? Best Regards, – Tom JWR Replies: If you want to buy the best, then you need to get a military specification Gen 3+ AN/PVS-14 monocular that comes with a Litton factory data sheet.  Have one hand-picked for the maximum number …


Survivors (Patriots Sequel) Book Bomb Day — October 4th

A reader wrote to mention that my upcoming novel “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse”  is already available for pre-order on Amazon.com. Please wait to order until the planned Book Bomb Day, October 4th, 2011. Please mark your calendars. By concentrating most of the initial orders on that day, we are hoping to drive the novel’s sales ranks up into the Top Ten, and thereby generate extra publicity. (That approach worked well with “Patriots”.) Many Thanks!


Three Related Disasters (Part 3), by Joe Refugee From Tokyo

After the first few days, it was possible to get some idea of what had happened. The initial numbers of fatalities had been fairly low, and it was hard to know how many had survived in the coastal towns. As the phone systems and many roads there were devastated, a big effort was going to be required just to scope out the damage. Sadly, it became clear that well over 10,000 lives were lost. In terms of life in Tokyo, though, it was electricity and basic supplies useful during disasters that became somewhat hard to come by. The other major …


Letter Re: Internet Resources on Preparedness and Self-Sufficiency

Sir: Let me start with, my #1 resource for information has been the Internet for over 15 years.  I learn just about everything from this seemingly endless source of ‘how to guides’, to history and nature.  I can literally download thousands of ‘text based’ with the 1,000 gigabyte external memory devices I own.  It is also easier to lug around than just a few hundred books.  My point is, I am not knowledgeable on ‘survival’ and ‘growing foods’.  When the Schumer hits the fan, I doubt I’ll have the Internet as an extremely valuable resource of information to help me …


Economics and Investing:

A “must read” piece by Patrice Lewis, wherein she argues that useful tangibles are the only safe investment, as the Federal government approaches default or mass inflation: Drowning in debt C.D.V. suggested this: Selling America: The view from a bear’s chair. Also from C.D.V. come a link to some advice from Shawn Tully at Fortune that is about three years premature: Real estate: It’s time to buy again. Items from The Economatrix: A Hundred Municipalities Won’t Make It Out Of Debt Times Are Good For Silver Investors What’s In Your Wallet? “Skunked”:  Bill Gross On How “The US Will Likely …


Odds ‘n Sods:

With calving season rapidly approaching, I’ve had two readers that are first-time cow owners ask me about sources for home dairying supplies and books. Lots of mailorder companies sell Bag-Balm, but not many sell butter churns! I recommend the Homestead Store. (One of our advertisers.) For books, I recommend The Family Cow by Dirk van Loon, and Raising a Calf for Beef by Phyllis Hobson. OBTW, there is also quite a bit of good cattle raising information in Carla Emery’s The Encyclopedia of Country Living.    o o o Pete A. sent this from a Colorado newspaper: Prepping for disaster: …



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 …