Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 11, 2024

The Eiger Peak in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland was first summited on August 11, 1858, by an international trio: Christian Almer and Peter Bohren of Switzerland and Charles Barrington of Ireland. — On August 11, 1857, N. H. Wolfe and Company, the oldest flour and grain company in New York City, failed. This failure shook investor confidence and began a slow selloff in the market which continued into late August. Several other failures followed, and this cascaded into what was later called the Panic of 1857. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: So, Which of These is Worse? Driving Drunk, at 96 M.P.H. in a 55-Zone? Or Deployed War Veteran Exaggeration? Or Rivaling Commie Kammie, for Leftist Views? News Links: Pictured: Tim Walz’s Mugshot From 1995 DUI Arrest. National Guard report refutes Tim Walz’s claim of actually toting war weapons ‘in war’. Tim Walz’s military record, National Guard departure get new scrutiny Tim Walz a ‘coward’ and ‘traitor’ for retiring from military before Iraq, says Guardsman who replaced VP pick. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 10, 2024

On August 10, 1938, a state-record daytime high temperature 119°F (48°C) was recorded in Pendleton, Oregon.  Pictured is the Pendleton Post Office, earlier that same year. — On August 10th, 1984, Red Dawn, the first PG-13 rated movie, starring Patrick Swayze was released. The movie (the 1984 original, not the 2012 remake) is a favorite of both JWR and HJL. The movie embodies the independent, indomitable spirit that created this country. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power …


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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 9, 2024

On August 9, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte set sail for exile on Saint Helena island onboard the British ship the Northumberland. — August 9th, 1831 was the birthday of James Paris Lee (August 9, 1831 – February 24, 1904). He was a Scottish-Canadian and later American inventor and arms designer, best known for inventing the bolt action that led to the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield series of rifles. — I just heard that Seed for Security is running a stock-up sale. Their Colossal Pack is now priced at 25% off. This pack is a total of over 5 pounds of vegetable, herb, …


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, some troubling news from legendary investor Warren Buffett. Precious Metals: Early in the week, all of the precious metals went into a slump, along with base metals, and as better publicized, the stock markets.  I’m assuming the drop in the precious metals was in anticipation of lower industrial demand. That same day, Bitcoin was down …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 8, 2024

On August 8, 1786, the US Congress unanimously chose the Dollar as the monetary unit for the United States of America. The coin’s specifications were based on the silver composition, diameter, and weight of the Spanish Dollar.  Also known as the piece of eight (Spanish: real de a ocho), the famous Spanish Miilled Dollar (pictured) was a silver coin of approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) diameter, worth eight Spanish reales. — A reminder: I will have five tables at the Missoula, Montana Gun Show on August 9-10-11, 2024. This is your chance to shop from about 80% of the Elk …


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 some handloading Canadian homesteaders. Reloading: Homesteaders Going Full Dillon Over at the always entertaining Canadian homesteading Gridlessness vlog: We Made 10,000 Rounds in 24 Hours! …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 7, 2024

On August 7, 1420, construction began on the dome of Florence Cathedral, designed by Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi. — August 7th, 1933 was the birthday of Jerry Pournelle. He, along with Larry Niven authored the survivalist classic Lucifer’s Hammer. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 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 could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This …


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. — Reader H.L. sent us this link: How Appalachia Has Become a Hot—Even Hip—Place To Live That’s Still Dirt Cheap. Here are H.L.’s Comments: “No one has to tell me how beautiful and affordable West Virginia is.  I lived there for 10 years. I loved the land and the people.  The four seasons …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I see the liberty of the individual not only as a great moral good in itself (or, with Lord Acton, as the highest political good), but also as the necessary condition for the flowering of all the other goods that mankind cherishes: moral virtue, civilization, the arts and sciences, economic prosperity. Out of liberty, then, stem the glories of civilized life.” – Murray N. Rothbard