Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 25, 2021

A Special Note From JWR: I have some sad news. Reader Pam B. wrote to mention that Judge Steve Vandiver is reported to have passed away. Yes, the Steve Vandiver whom you know from SurvivalBlog. At least that is what I’m assuming — since his obituary matches several things he referenced in the article. If so, then we have lost a great patriot. Our condolences to his family. If you haven’t already done so, then please read his two-part article, that just ran this past weekend:  Part 1 and Part 2. — This is the birthday of explorer and pilot …


Recipe of the Week: Gwen’s Sazon Spiced Soup

The following Sazon Spiced Soup recipe is from SurvivalBlog reader Gwen. She writes:  “This is based on a recipe that was given to me but I changed four elements so I would say it qualifies as an original one. Ingredients 1 lb ground hamburger 1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables 2 – 32 oz Swanson Vegetable Broth 1/2 cup dry macaroni noodles 1 can of red beans 1-2 packages of Goya Sazon seasoning found in the Mexican aisle Directions Brown your hamburger or ground meat of choice and drain the fat. In a saucepan heat the broth to boiling and …


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 Joe Biden’s inflationary policies. (See the Inflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: Video interview: From ‘dead money’ to a breakout: Silver’s fortune is about to change. o  o  o Video: Why Silver Could Spike To $80 Or Higher. o  o  o “Gold Suppressed, Shelves Empty, Out-of-Control Fed” – Ron Paul. Economy …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — October 24, 2021

October 24th is the anniversary of the firing squad execution of Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling, in 1945. His ignominious place in history was to have his surname become a noun. “Quisling” is now a moniker synonymous with treason and alliance with an invading army. The popularity of “Vidkun” as a boys’ natal name in Scandanavia dropped precipitously after he took power. Ditto for “Adolf”, in Germany, and “Benito”, in Italy, after 1944. — 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 …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — October 23, 2021

On October 23rd, 2002, around 50 Chechen rebels stormed a Moscow theater, taking 700 hostages during a popular musical. After 57 hours, during which two hostages were killed, Soviet Special Forces pumped a powerful narcotic gas into the theater knocking the terrorists and hostages unconscious before breaking in through the walls and roof. When the dust settled, most of the rebels and 120 hostages had been killed. Sadly, many were killed by an overdose of the gas. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 97 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


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, …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — October 22, 2021

This is the birthday of painter and book illustrator N.C. Wyeth (1882–1945). It is also the birthday of actor Jeff Goldblum (born 1952), who had unforgettable roles in Buckaroo Banzai and the Jurassic Park and Independence Day films. — Today, because of out-of-state travel to attend a memorial service, we won’t be posting an entry for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Round 97 ends on November 30th.  We are currently running low on entries to post for the writing contest, so we’d greatly appreciate it if you would e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and …


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 the rising spot and futures prices for silver in U.S. Dollar terms. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: Precious Metals Rise; Silver Scores 5-Week High. A pericope: “Silver for December delivery surged 61.9 cents, or 2.7%, to close at $23.883 an ounce. The settlement was the highest since …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — October 21, 2021

I just heard from reader “Jimbo” that Gary Paulsen, the author of Hatchet and other young adult adventures, has died at age 82. He will be missed! Jimbo noted: “Hearing this news reminded me of an interview I heard with him. He said there was a news story about a pre-teen boy lost in the woods.  When asked if he was worried, his dad said casually, ‘I’m not worried.  We have read Gary Paulson’s book Hatchet several times together and I’m confident he will do fine.’” SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 97 of the SurvivalBlog …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— 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. Today, we look at American weapons in the hands of teh Afghan Taliban. US-Supplied Weapons Now in Afghan Gun Shops For sale now: US-supplied weapons in Afghan gun shops. Here is an excerpt: “American …