Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 27, 2023

On March 127, 1975, construction began on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; spanning 800 miles (1,300 km), the oil pipeline cost $8 billion. It was completed in 1977. Today is also the anniversary of Tennirife airliner collision disaster, in 1977. And March 27th is the birthday of the late Robert W. Ford (born 1923, died 20 September 2013). He was an amazing man who had a remarkable life. His book, Wind Between The Worlds (an account of experiences in Tibet, captivity by the communist Chinese, and his fight against brainwashing), is highly recommended. It is available for free download. — Today’s feature …


Recipe of the Week: Grain & Dried Fruit Salad 

The following recipe for Grain & Dried Fruit Salad is from SurvivalBlog reader D.J.: Ingredients 3 cups water 1/2 cup medium pearl barley 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice 2/3 cup uncooked basmati rice 1/2 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels 1/2 cup salted pumpkin seeds 1/2 cup each of three of your favorite dried fruits (such as raisins, golden raisins, chopped prunes, chopped dried apricots, or dried cranberries) 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley 4 teaspoons grated orange zest Directions In a large saucepan, bring the 3 cups of water to a boil. Add barley and wild rice. Reduce …


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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, some post-mortem details on the Credit Suisse takeover. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: A word of caution to anyone looking for pre-1965 circulated U.S. silver coins: You should be shopping very carefully.  In today’s frantic marketplace, the premiums charged by dealers are varying much more widely than normal.  When I checked the …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — March 26, 2023

On March 26, 1812, in opposition to the redrawing of districts to favor incumbents in an upcoming election, the Boston Gazette published a satiric cartoon that graphically transformed the districts into a fabulous animal, “The Gerry-mander”; the terms gerrymander and gerrymandering entered the American lexicon. — The Battle of Glorieta Pass began on March 26, 1862.  The outcome of this battle ensured that the west stayed with the Union, and denied the Confederacy the gold and silver from the western states. — On March 26th, 1812 And earthquake now estimated at 7.7 on the Richter scale destroys 90% of Caracas, …


A Special Notice: The Harvest Guard Company is Up For Sale!

I was just informed by the owner, Brad Stieg, that because he is nearing retirement, that the Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids business is being put up for sale. Note that this is an essentially recession-proof business, because when times get hard, people tend to buy more canning lids than they do in good times. The following lists the assets and associated items included in the sale of Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids. Mr. Stieg writes: “We would love to see a like-minded entrepreneur take the reins and continue forward, especially considering the economic storm that we see on the …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: The Bidenista School of Financial Crisis Management: Big Banks Get Bailouts, But Little Banks Get Bail-Ins News Links: Big banks experience deposit spike after Silicon Valley Bank collapse. Treasury Secretary Yellen says not all uninsured deposits will be protected in future bank failures. Will Americans end up footing the bill for bank failures? Why regulators seized Signature Bank in third-biggest bank failure in U.S. history. Big banks may get bigger as crisis swamps ‘too big to fail’ worries. Nolte: Janet Yellen Admits Government Choosing Bank Bailout Winners and Losers. Video: Treasury Secretary …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — March 25, 2023

National Medal of Honor Day is officially observed on March 25th of each year in the United States. — On March 25 1944, RAF Flight Sergeant Nicholas Alkemade survived a jump from a burning Lancaster bomber from 18,000 feet over Germany without a parachute. His fall was broken by pine trees boughs and soft snow, and he suffered only a sprained leg. He died on June 22nd, 1987. — This is also the birthday of English film director David Lean. He was born in Croydon, England in 1908. He died in 1991. He is best known for his films Lawrence …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — March 24, 2023

March 24th is the birthday of Dr. Art Robinson, who was born in 1942. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 105 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 any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 …


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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, some more coverage of the ongoing banking crisis. Precious Metals: Posted back on March 16th: Gold sparkles in stormy week for markets. Some Observations by JWR: The prices for precious metals have been quite solid, and are showing signs of starting a stair-stepping pattern. There is a whiff of bull market in the air. To …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — March 23, 2023

Today is the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death speech. It was delivered to the Second Virginia Revolutionary Convention meeting at St. John’s Church, Richmond, on March 23, 1775. This is also the birthday of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He directed 30 films. His samurai films (many of them starring Toshiro Mifune) such as Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon, The Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, and Ran are considered legendary in the cinema world. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 105 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for …