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. Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson suggested this article: Ground-breaking night-vision film can be applied to regular glasses. o  o  o H.L. sent us the link to this fascinating page: Animated Map: U.S. Droughts Over the Last 20 Years. o  o  o Garand Thumb reviews the SIG “DVO” LPVO: US Army’s New M4 Optic. o  o  o Tim. J. in Florida …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 22, 2021

On June 22, 1633, Galileo Galilei was coerced by Pope Gregory XV to recant his belief in heliocentrism–that the Earth orbits the Sun. The Vatican did not concede that it was wrong until October 31, 1992. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 95 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 …


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, we focus on Pastor Matt Shea’s fledgling ministry. (See the Central & Eastern Washington section.) Region-Wide Judge deals blow to Oregon group’s vision of ‘Greater Idaho’. o  o  o Forecasts show drought continuing for Inland Northwest. o  o  o Inland Northwest Insights provides current economic and …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Be it remembred, however, that liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned, and bought it for us, at the expence of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood. And liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know—but besides this they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 21, 2021

June 21st — the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere–is the birthday of Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998), author of Kill or Be Killed. He was the friend and mentor of SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio — who authored today’s feature article. — Last week’s scheduled Senate Judiciary Committee preliminary vote on David “Waco” Chipman for ATF Director was postponed to Thursday of this week (June 24, 2021), without any explanation. Apparently, all of our phone calls to our U.S. Senators are having an effect.  Keep up the pressure to have them reject the horribly …


Recipe of the Week: Joe T.’s Chocolate Pudding or Pie Filling

The following recipe for Chocolate Pudding or Pie Filling is from SurvivalBlog reader Joe T., This makes enough for one large pie or six chocolate pudding servings. Ingredients 1 cup of sugar 3/4 cup cocoa 2-1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons of corn starch mixed with 1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon of vanilla Directions Heat all except corn starch and vanilla. Just before boiling, add corn starch and vanilla. Stir with wire whisk for one minute while boiling. When it thickens, pour into pie crust or individual serving dishes. Let cool before eating. Top with whipped cream, 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 market reactions to recent Federal Reserve signals. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Why is gold down nearly $100 after Fed shakes up markets? o  o  o Neils Christensen: Panic selling in gold could last a little longer as Wall Street turns bearish on gold, but many look …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 20, 2021

June 20th the anniversary of the 2013 death of novelist Vince Flynn. (Born April 6, 1966, died June 19, 2013.) His death at age 47 was a loss to the literary world. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 95 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 …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: To share this, you can find it here: https://kapwi.ng/c/ClOK0IhA Meme Text: Hunter Biden’s Artworks are Expected to Fetch $500,000 Each But of Course, Those Payments Have Nothing To Do With Buying Influence Related News Link:  Hunter Biden’s abstract art to sell for $500K to ‘anonymous’ and ‘confidential’ collectors says his ex-con agent, raising serious questions about WHO the buyers are.  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 19, 2021

June 19, 1834 was the birthday of Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon, who died 31 January 1892. He was a British Particular Baptist preacher. — Today’s feature review article was too short to be included in the judging for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Round 95 of the contest ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.  Thanks! – JWR


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 …