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. — NOAA space weather scientists now predict a fairly fast-rising and intense solar maximum, to peak in 2025: Solar Cycle Progression Updated Prediction (Experimental). o  o  o Reader L.E. sent this snippet: “Wine Jelly: A very delicious and not overly sweet jelly can be made from wine. I use the cheapest Wild Vines …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 31, 2023

On October 31, 1941, after nearly 15 years of work, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota was completed; the colossal sculpture features the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. (Photo above, by Dean Franklin.) — As Christians, our family does not celebrate the pagan Halloween. Since October 31st is also Reformation Day, that is what we celebrate, here at the Rawles Ranch. — I just heard that Siege Belts has created a new coupon code: “SBLOG” for Survivalblog readers to get $20 off the price of any regularly …


SurvivalRealty.com is Expanding!

Jonathan Rawles (my #1 Son) has announced that he has set aside his other career and will now be devoting all of his time to SurvivalRealty.com, and related ventures. This means that he will be able to greatly expand the number of listed properties and have properties listed in the majority of the 50 States. He also plans to make the website a more comprehensive source of information for preparedness-minded families who are planning to relocate. I’ve encouraged Jonathan to write a regular column for SurvivalBlog on retreats and relocation topics. He has already co-authored one book with me (Survival …


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, more about Bush Pilots in the Lower 48.  (See the Region-Wide section.) Region-Wide Trent Palmer and his flying buddies finally get the mainstream media attention that they deserve, in Outside magazine: Winging It with the New Backcountry Barnstormers. (A hat tip to H.L., for the …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 30, 2023

Henry Tudor, who was crowned King Henry VII on this day in 1485, founded the Tudor dynasty, ended the Wars of the Roses, used his children’s marriages to build alliances, and signed treaties that increased England‘s power. The Soviets detonated Tsar Bomba over Novaya Zemlya island in the Arctic Ocean; the largest nuclear weapon ever set off, it produced the most powerful human-made explosion ever recorded. Orson Welles‘s radio dramatization of H.G. Wells‘s War of the Worlds was broadcast, causing great alarm—though reports of a nationwide panic were unfounded—as some listeners feared a genuine invasion from Mars. October 30th, 1735 …


Recipe of the Week: Storage Oatmeal Pancakes

The following recipe for Oatmeal Pancakes is from SurvivalBlog reader Joanna E.  She writes:  “Do you have more oats than flour in your food storage supplies? No worries!  Make oatmeal pancakes…” Ingredients 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup milk, regular or non-dairy 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, and some more for cooking 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) Directions Whisk 1 cup rolled oats and 1 cup milk together in a large bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes for the oats to …


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 the rising price of gold. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: Up, up, up: Spot gold jumped to $2007 USD per Troy ounce on Friday, and spot silver followed suit to $23.12 USD per Troy ounce. Seeing precious metals prices this strong in the face of an ostensibly “strong” U.S. Dollar …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — October 29, 2023

On October 29, 1618, British adventurer and writer Sir Walter Raleigh was executed for treason. — October 29th is also the birthday of fighter pilot Vermont Garrison, an American who fought in three wars– WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was born in 1915 and died on February 14th, 1994, in Mountain Home, Idaho. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 109 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 …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:   Meme Text: I Bet He’s Thinking About Other Women Why Can Some Guys Tell a 1/2-Inch Bolt from a 9/16ths, Just By Glancing At It? 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:

“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — October 28, 2023

On October 28, 1726, Anglo-Irish author Jonathan Swift anonymously published Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World (later called Gulliver’s Travels), a keystone of English literature that helped give birth to the novel form. Today is also concidentally the birthday of several gun designers: Wilhelm Bubits (born October 28, 1954) in Lutzmannsburg, is an Austrian handgun designer and creator of the Caracal Pistol and Steyr Mannlicher M and S model pistols. As a hobby shooter and former police officer, Wilhelm Bubits used his experience and ideas about handguns to advance modern pistol design. Bubits worked for the Glock firearms …


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 …