Odds ‘n Sods:

The editor of the Rural Revolution blog mentioned a company that makes nifty fixtures that turn Mason jars into kerosene lamps. The editor wrote: “Specifically I purchased item # 10BR3273, which is a bulk purchase of ten fixtures. They come with wicks. (Here is a photo.) A package of 10 of them costs $22 plus shipping. I’m also buying glass globes every time I see them at thrift stores. These usually don’t cost more than $2 each. I’m also buying extra wicks.” For stability, the larger the jar, the better. With a two quart jar and a long wick, one …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“It appears we have appointed our worst generals to command forces, and our most gifted and brilliant to edit newspapers! In fact, I discovered by reading newspapers that these editor/geniuses plainly saw all my strategic defects from the start, yet failed to inform me until it was too late. Accordingly, I’m readily willing to yield my command to these obviously superior intellects, and I’ll, in turn, do my best for the Cause by writing editorials – after the fact.” – Robert E. Lee, 1863


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 29 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 500 round case of …


Lessons Learned From a Novice Hunting Trip, by Russell L.

Last fall I was lucky enough to join a friend and his father on a hunting trip. It was their umpteenth trip into the woods, but my first. They had been going to the same place since my friend’s father had started hunting, almost 45 years ago. We were hunting deer, and my friend and his father and both won in the lottery to hunt Does as well as Bucks. (Note: they don’t use deer stands. It is more, “you cover this area and I’ll cover that area.” And while my friend and his father often just pick a spot …


Three Letters Re: Starting Your Desert Backyard Garden

I have some tips and ideas to add to Colleen’s wonderful article on desert gardening. I have successfully cultivated summer & winter gardens throughout the southwest desert regions of Arizona & New Mexico for the past 7 years. My methods are not necessarily in support of OPSEC in WTSHTF scenarios, but just desert gardening in general. * Try to set up raised beds along the west or south facing side of the house or block wall – the walls retain heat all day and provide some radiated warmth during cold evenings. * A very simple winter “greenhouse” method is to …


Economics and Investing:

An interesting piece, over at the Dr. Housing Bubble blog: Frankenstein real estate market – $3.5 trillion in commercial real estate debt and $10.3 trillion in residential real estate debt. Items from The Economatrix: AP Analysis: Economic Stress is Easing More Slowly Investors Shake Off Slowdown in Services Growth Deficit Hysteria in Times of Depression New, Nearly Dictatorial Powers Go to Fed Economic Gloom Shrouds Spain Market Forecaster Sees Plunge to 1,000 Dow Repeats Great Depression Pattern Retailers Launch Their Own Stimulus Packages


Odds ‘n Sods:

I got this from an newspaper editor in Alaska: Bear Attack: A Firsthand Account. The editor’s comments: “We had one of our readers submit this article today about a mama grizzly bear and her two cubs. It is a great story about man’s best friend helping as well as the importance of having a deterrent like Bear mace.    o o o KAF flagged this: Louisiana’s New Law Allowing Churchgoers to Pack Heat    o o o There was an excellent 21-page article in the July issue of National Geographic about the current state of the power grids in the …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 29 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 500 round case of …


Starting Your Desert Backyard Garden, by Colleen M.

One of the first things many preppers begin with is starting a backyard garden.  Those of us living in desert regions have additional challenges when beginning this task as water conservation and soil quality are serious issues in desert regions.  It’s tempting and easy to become overly dependent on technology when reclaiming the landscape around you, but with patience, trial and error and a little bit of skill you can use low tech strategies to build good soil and have a productive, water friendly garden.  The first two seasons of backyard gardening in the desert can be frustrating but are …


Two Letters Re: How Long Can You Tread Water?

Mr. Rawles: I have been reading your site for over two years now and have two of your books. I have a growing concern on what is going on in the world and working to prepare myself and my family for what the future may or may not bring us. I eagerly await the next day postings of SurvivalBlog each and everyday and look forward to what your other readers bring to the table. I took great interest in “How Long Can You Tread Water?” by Tom S. but more in the initial response. I am sure there will be …


Letter Re: Equipping my My G.O.O.D. Boat

A couple of points bothered me about Doug W.’s plan to G.O.O.D. with his boat. First, his idea about using logs to keep out intruders in his retreat anchorage has one possible flaw. According to Murphy’s Laws of Combat, anyplace too difficult to get into will be too difficult to get out of! Next, I am no sailor, but I’ve been around the ocean and I’ve seen some horrific storms. I saw no plan for riding out bad weather, unless these bays are very sheltered. Next is that unless tied up close to shore, sitting at anchor in the middle …


Economics and Investing:

Randy K. zeroed in on this: Wall Street Apocalypse: The World of the Doomsday Investors G.G. flagged this: Implications of a Likely Economic Downturn Items from The Economatrix: Job Creation in Private Sector Remained Weak in June So What Exactly is a Double-Dip Recession? Mortgage Rates Scream “BUY” But Who’s Listening State Pension Woes Only Worsening ISM Says Service Sector Growth Slows in June Post Office Announces 2-Cent Rate Increase. (Say, what happened to that much-touted deflation?) Pump Prices Head Down Again After Holiday Weekend


Odds ‘n Sods:

   o o o Sheryl suggested “an awesome hour long video of life in the Arctic.”    o o o The Thrifty Maven is giving away a free copy of the excellent book “Making the Best of Basics”.    o o o F.J. liked this article on hypothermia: The Truth About Cold Water.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"These are times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." – Thomas Paine, from his essay “The Crisis”