Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 15, 2023

November 15, 1315, the Swiss Confederation achieved its first great military success against the Austrian Habsburgs at the Battle of Morgarten. On November 15,1630 Johannes Kepler, the German astronomer who discovered three major laws of planetary motion, died in Regensburg, Germany. On November 15, 1904 American inventor King Camp Gillette was granted a U.S. patent for the first razor with disposable blades. — I just watched the 2023 documentary film Police State, by Dinesh D’Souza.  I highly recommend watching it! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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. — To begin, SurvivalBlog reader H.L. sent this: New Report Details How the Federal Government Partnered with Universities to Censor Americans’ Speech. o  o  o 2A Victory: Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Biden ATF ‘Ghost Gun’ Limits – Rules Agencies Cannot ‘Write Laws’. o  o  o And more good Second Amendment news in …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 14, 2023

On November 14, 1851, Harper & Brothers published Herman Melville‘s masterpiece Moby Dick. — On November 14, 1889, American journalist Nellie Bly began her around-the-world race against the record of the fictional Phileas Fogg, hero of Jules Verne‘s Around the World in Eighty Days; she completed the journey in slightly more than 72 days. — There are a half-dozen new listings of interest this week over at SurvivalRealty.com site. Here is just one of them: Atlas E Missile Base – Sprague, Washington (567th Missile Wing, Site 4). — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 109 of …


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, news of the death of former astronaut Frank Borman. (See the Montana section.) Idaho Judge blocks enforcement of Idaho ‘abortion trafficking’ law. o  o  o The U.S. Project Meant To Debut Revolutionary Nuclear Reactors Just Fell Apart. (Our thanks to reader C.B. for the link.) …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 13, 2023

On this day in 2015, terrorists staged coordinated attacks in Paris and its environs, the deadliest occurring at the Bataclan theatre and concert hall; in all, at least 130 people were killed and more than 350 were wounded. — You may recall my mention of my old friend and colleague Eugene Robinson, and his nonfiction book, Fight.  Well, now Eugene’s autobiography has been released. It is titled: A Walk Across Dirty Water And Straight Into Murderer’s Row: A Memoir. Both books are available through Books-A-Million, and also easily found at eBay. — Today’s feature article is a review written by …


Recipe of the Week: Kielbasa Potato Soup

The following recipe for Kielbasa Potato Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader Tractorguy.  It makes about six pints. Ingredients 4 medium potatoes diced up into 3/8″ cubes 1 medium chopped onion 1 stalk celery cut into 3/8″ pieces 1 14 oz. can beef broth 1 14 oz. can chicken broth 1 cup water 3/4 lb. kielbasa sausage sliced and diced into 1/2″ pieces 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup Ground black pepper (to taste) Directions In a large pot, combine potatoes, beef broth, chicken broth, onion, celery, and water. Bring to a gentle boil for 15 minutes to cook the …


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. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at Euro Zone Instability. (See the Forex & Cryptos section and the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: First up, Jerome suggested this Armstong Economics: Gold – the Desirable Object – Can it Survive as the Alternative to Electronic Money? o  o  o At Gold-Eagle.com: Gold Clings to Its War Premiums. Economy & Finance: …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“[C]onceived it to be the privilege of every citizen, and one of his most essential rights, to bear arms, and to resist every attack upon his liberty or property, by whomsoever made. The particular States, like private citizens, have a right to be armed, and to defend by force of arms, their rights, when invaded.” – Roger Sherman, Debates on 1790 Militia Act


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 12, 2023

On November 12, 1970, the Bhola cyclone struck East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), killing hundreds of thousands of people in the densely populated Ganges–Brahmaputra delta; it was perhaps the deadliest tropical cyclone in recorded history and one of the greatest natural disasters. — 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 …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: What If The National Electrical Code For Male and Female Connectors Was “Updated” To Become Gender Fluid? Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 11, 2023

At 5:00 a.m. on this day in 1918, the Allied powers and Germany signed an armistice document in the railway carriage of Ferdinand Foch, the commander of the Allied armies, and six hours later World War I came to an end. Ever since then, November 11th has been celebrated as Armistice Day — later called Veteran’s Day. — This is also the birthday of General George S. Patton, Jr..  (Born 1885, died December 21, 1945). — On November 11, 1880, Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, who was the most famous of the bushrangers (bandits of the Australian outback), was hanged in …


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 …