SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: 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. — Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this: Germans Attend ‘Blackout Courses’ as Energy Crisis Worsens Ahead of Christmas. Mike’s Comments:  “I find it amusing they need courses for what we’ve known for decades.  When our house furnace failed in 2017, we used the cooking range and fireplace for three days, closed off the …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 15, 2022

Today is the birthday of David Stirling. (15 November 1915 – 4 November 1990.) He was a Scottish officer in the British Army, mountaineer, and the founder of the Special Air Service (SAS). He saw active service during the Second World War. — We are pleased to welcome our latest banner advertiser, Collider Tactical.  They sell all sorts of gear, including knives, flashlights, weapons lights, scopes, thermal weapons sights, and thermal monoculars from a number of makers. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 103 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


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’ll cover some unseasonably early snowfalls. Region-Wide This well-written article describes the legislative process required to make this happen:  Two more Oregon counties say ‘yes’ to Greater Idaho, but ballot wins far from moving borders. o  o  o KREM-2: Chief Meteorologist Jeremy LaGoo’s long-range winter …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 14, 2022

On November 14th, 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano erupted in Colombia, killing over 20,000 as nearby towns are buried in mud, ice, and lava. Scientists studying the volcano believed an eruption was imminent and had recommended an evacuation of the area which was largely ignored, resulting in the high number of casualties. — To help make up for the loss of so many subscriptions when folks quit PayPal, we have greatly expanded our list of affiliate advertisers. (See the full list of more than 130 links, below the square graphic ads.) Please shop with our paid banner advertisers first.  …


Recipe of the Week: Yogurt from Dry Milk

Mrs. Alaska provided directions for an easy-to-make yogurt with dry (or fresh) milk and a few tablespoons of store-bought yogurt (with live cultures) per quart of milk. “I have successfully done so with dried, non-fat milk and even from store-bought yogurt that had frozen. Motivations: I do not raise milk-producing animals. It is challenging for us to transport dairy products to our home. With yogurt, I can replace sour cream in any dip, sauce, gravy, baked goods (like pancakes and quick breads) as well as using it for a topping for fruit or granola. Directions: Heat 1 quart of milk …


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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we again look at a potential derivatives crisis. (See the Derivatives section.) Precious Metals: Silver price predictions to 2030. o  o  o Gold/Silver: Two charts you must watch. Economy & Finance: o  o  o Jeffrey Snider had this lengthy but insightful analysis of yield curves and foreign reserve flows, in this video: …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 13, 2022

Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, was born in Scotland on November 13th, 1850. — Continental Army Brigadier General Richard Montgomery took Montreal, Canada without opposition on this day in 1775. Ironically, shortly after this Montgomery was killed while fighting the British in Quebec, and the British retook the territory. — Please pray for the victims of this tragic accident: Two Planes, Including A World War II-Era Heavy Bomber, Collide At Dallas Air Show. — In honor of Veteran’s Day, Next Level Training (one of our long-time advertisers and writing contest prize …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Graphic of Tesla being charged by a generator. Charging a Tesla During a Blackout: The irony, it burns. The Generator, It Burns Too: Gasoline. News Links: Did Californians charge their $120,000 electric Tesla Supercars with gas generators because the grid was overloaded?  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 12, 2022

Today is the birthday of USMC Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph “Dan” Daly (born 1873, died April 27, 1937). He was one of only nineteen men (including seven Marines) to twice receive the Medal of Honor. — November 12th, 1950 was the birthday of Corporal John Alan Coey (died 19 July 1975). He was the first American volunteer killed in Rhodesia. — GunMagWarehouse.com (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running a pre-Black Friday special: ASC mil-spec AR-15 .223 / 5.56 30-round Allloy Magazines for just $8.99 each. Stock up! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 103 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel. The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up. For thus saith the Lord God; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel. For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — November 11, 2022

November 11th is a bit crowded with significant history notes… The Cherry Valley Massacre took place November 11, 1778. According to the Infogalactic wiki: “The Cherry Valley Massacre was an attack by British and Iroquois forces on a fort and the village of Cherry Valley in eastern New York on November 11, 1778, during the American Revolutionary War. It has been described as one of the most horrific frontier massacres of the war. A mixed force of Loyalists, British soldiers, Seneca and Mohawks descended on Cherry Valley, whose defenders, despite warnings, were unprepared for the attack. During the raid, the …