The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at our northern border. Illegal Border Crossings at Northern Border Breaking Records At The Center Square: Illegal border crossings at northern border continue to break records. …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people. We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should. Happy Fourth of July.” – Ronald Reagan




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 3, 2024

On July 3, 1861, the Pony Express arrived in San Francisco with the first delivery of overland letters from New York. — On July 3, 1778, British forces massacred 360 men, women, and children in Wyoming, Pennsylvania. — On July 3, 1890, the Idaho Territory became the 43rd state in the Union. — July 3rd is also the birthday of both musician Aaron Tippin and of actor Tom Cruise. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at …




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. — An NIH medical paper:  An alternative hemostatic dressing: comparison of CELOX, HemCon, and QuikClot. o  o  o At Instructables: Firepit and Tree Stump Removal All in One! o  o  o Vernon R. had this feedback: “I do appreciate the article you published today on the “New Neighbors”, the Amish.  Very interesting article …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Last night I heard this politician Talking ’bout his brand new mission Liked his plans, but they came undone When he got around to God and guns I don’t know how he grew up But it sure wasn’t down at the hunting club ‘Cause if it was he’d understand Just a little bit more about the working man God and guns keep us strong That’s what this country was founded on Well we might as well give up and run If we let them take our God and guns I’m here in my neck of the woods Where God is …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 2, 2024

July 2nd, 1881, US President James Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disappointed office-seeker. Garfield died 79 agonizing days later. — July 2nd, 1937 aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight at the equator. In January of 2024, there came this report: Explorers say they think they’ve found Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane. — July 2nd, 1679. Europeans first visited Minnesota and saw headwaters of Mississippi in an expedition led by Daniel Greysolon de Du Luth. — On July 2nd, 1808, Simon Fraser completed his trip down …




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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today’s column has an emphasis on some news coverage of the recent ARRL ham radio Field Day gatherings in the American Redoubt. Idaho Field Day: What are you bringing to the table? o  o  o Snake River Amateur Radio Club. o  o  o Buck Knives Reopens …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The American people are not naifs who yearn for isolationism, but they are starting to ask some hard questions about the way we have been doing business for 50 years, and it may well be time to grant the French, Canadians, Germans, Turks, South Koreans, and a host of others their wishes for independence from us: polite friendship – but no alliances, no bases, no money, no trade concessions, and no more begging for the privilege of protecting them.” – Victor Davis Hanson




Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 1, 2024

On July 1st, AD 70,  Roman General Titus (Titus Flavius Vespasianus) and his forces set up battering rams to assault the walls of Jerusalem. July 1st, 1535, Sir Thomas More went on trial for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. On July 1, 1798 Napoleon‘s fleet reached Alexandria, Egypt. July 1st is the anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, in 1863. Today is Canada Day. On July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada was formed, comprising the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec, …




Recipe of the Week:  Melon-Mint Smoothie

The following simple recipe for a Melon-Mint Smoothie is from SurvivalBlog reader I.J.. Ingredients 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice, from a lime 2 cups cubed ripe cantaloupe, from about half a medium-size melon 1/2 cup plain yogurt 10 mint leaves, plus more for garnish if desired 1/2 to 1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste) Pinch of salt 2 ice cubes Directions Add lime juice, cantaloupe cubes, yogurt, mint, honey, salt, and ice cubes to blender. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. SERVING Serve immediately, garnished with mint if desired. — Do you have a well-tested recipe that would …










Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 30, 2024

On June 30, 1893, the Excelsior diamond (blue-white 995 carats) then the world’s largest, was discovered in Jagersfontein Mine, South Africa. On June 30, 1834, the U.S. Congress created Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). June 30th is also the anniversary of the tragic death of 19 hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire, in 2013. On June 30, 1908, a giant fireball, most likely caused by the air burst of a large meteoroid or comet flattened 80 million trees near the Stony Tunguska River in Yeniseysk Governorate, Russia, in the largest impact event in recorded history. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we …




JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: The Clear Winner in the June Trump-Biden Debate?  Depends 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:

“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 …