Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make 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 this column, in …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. There …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — November 5, 2021

On this day, King James learned about the Gunpowder Plot. Hence we have Guy Fawkes Day. “Remember, remember the Fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.” — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 97 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 can be …


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 look at America’s new physical tungsten investors. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: The result of the November 2-3 Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting may be a genuine move toward tapering their bond purchases. (Versus their incessant jawboning, to date.) This could push up interest rates and hence …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — November 4, 2021

On this day in 1979, student followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini sent shock waves across America when they stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran. The radical Islamic fundamentalists took 90 hostages. The students were enraged that the deposed Shah had been allowed to enter the U.S. to seek medical attention. Just a few days later, the provincial leader of Iran resigned and the Ayatollah Khomeini took full control of the country. Two weeks later, all non-U.S personnel, as well as female and minority Americans, began to be released. The remaining 52 hostages were held for 14 months until the election …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 3, 2021

November 3, 1903 was the birthday of Walker Evans, the American photographer best known for his portrayal of America during the Great Depression. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 97 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 can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Tonya sent this instructional video link: Building a Smokeless Burn Barrel. o  o  o Mike in Alaska pointed me to this fascinating read: Exclusive Front-Line Report: Modern Trench Warfare in Eastern Ukraine. o  o  o ‘Doesn’t happen every day’: Bear climbs tree, bites Wisconsin deer hunter in the back. Reader Tom R. sent this: “To your comment about HF signals being …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 2, 2021

On November 2, 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour submitted a declaration of intent to establish a Jewish homeland, known as the Balfour Declaration. While Arab hostilities and the outbreak of World War II delayed the desired outcome, the Nation of Israel was eventually re-established in 1948. The pen & ink of Jerusalem circa 1839 was drawn by the late Barbara M. Rawles. — Because I’m back on the road, I didn’t have the time to assemble a News From The American Redoubt column for today. My apologies. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 1, 2021

November 1st, 1923, is the birthday of science fiction writer Gordon R. Dickson (pictured at a sci-fi convention.)  He was born in 1923, died January 31, 2001.) Many of his novels and short stories, such as Wolf and Iron, have survivalist themes. — November 1st is also the birthday of economist Martin A. Armstrong. For many years he was a prisoner of conscience, in part because he refused to turn over his proprietary trading algorithms to Federal prosecutors. After seven years in prison without a trial, the longest Federal incarceration for contempt in American history, Armstrong was finally put on …


Recipe of the Week: Red Wine Venison Stew

The following recipe for Red Wine Venison Stew is from reader Kelly in Montana. Kelly says: “This is an old French recipe that requires 8+ hours to marinate the meat, but it is worth the wait.” Ingredients 2 to 3 pounds of venison, cubed 1 cup coarsely chopped white or yellow onions 3 medium carrots, sliced to 1/4-inch thickness 1/4 cup finely chopped celery Up to 3/4 teaspoon salt (to taste) Up to 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste) 2 teaspoons dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary 1 cup dry red wine 3/4 cups …


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 look at rising fertilizer prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Why Isn’t Gold Going Up With Inflation? o  o  o “$3000 In Months, Not Years” – Gold’s Inflation-Protection Means “Violent” Run-Up Imminent Economy & Finance: Missed Interest Payment Upped, Evergrande Bankrupt, Western Media Corrupt, Financial Disrupt, China Hiccuped, HSBC Next …