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. — A video interview and tour with the late, great Mike Oehler: Idaho modern oldtimer builds underground & solar $50 houses. He passed away on February 2, 2016, at age 78. o  o  o Reader J.A. wrote: “Regarding the article “Winning The War On Weeds – Part 1, by St. Funogas” where St. Funogas uses/suggests using carpet, blankets and especially …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence–on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations. Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No …


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 17, 2021

While salmon fishing near the Klondike River in Canada’s Yukon Territory on August 17th, 1896, George Carmack reportedly spotted nuggets of gold in a creek bed. His lucky discovery sparked the last great gold rush in the American West. His two companions later agreed that Skookum, Jim–Carmack’s brother-in-law–actually made the discovery. — Today we present a guest article. Unfortunately, it was too short to qualify as an entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. By the way, Round 96 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a …


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, an update on a fatal grizzly bear attack in Montana. (See the Montana section.) Region-Wide Air quality deteriorates to very unhealthy in the Inland Northwest. o  o  o Counterfeit Killer: The Fentanyl Crisis in the Inland Northwest. o  o  o Massive Fire Near Wyoming Border …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 16, 2021

Some Observations on Afghanistan From JWR: Some of the “experts” predicted that Afghanistan might fall to the Taliban within 18 months after Creepy Joe Biden’s April 14th pull-out announcement. But now it is looking like 18 weeks is a more accurate prediction. The latest headline: Afghan president flees country as Taliban move into Kabul. You may recall that back in April, Biden set September 11th as the deadline for withdrawing all U.S. forces. It now appears that there could be a full change of government to Taliban control before then! A side note:  Whenever someone of the caliber of Biden’s …


Recipe of the Week: Trench Fruitcake

The following recipe for Trench Fuitcake kindly comes to us from SurvivalBlog reader Allie E. This recipe dates to World War I, when English and Scottish families often mailed parcels with fruit cakes to their sons, grandsons, husbands, and nephews serving in the trenches of France and Belgium. Hence, the name: “Trench Fruitcake” or just “Trench Cake.”  This makes a great storage food treat, to break up the monotony of other stored foods. Some tinned fruitcakes have been eaten after 10 years of storage with no significant change in flavor or consistency — although of course their nutritive value diminishes, …


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 revaluation of the Venezuelan currency. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: It was 50 years ago, this month, that President Richard Nixon took the U.S. Dollar off the Gold Standard –ending convertibility of paper Dollars into gold. We’ve been on the Paper Standard ever since. Not …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 15, 2021

On August 15, 1961, two days after sealing off free passage between East and West Berlin with barbed wire, East German authorities began building a wall–the Berlin Wall–to permanently close off access to the West. For the next 28 years, the heavily fortified Berlin Wall stood as the most tangible symbol of the Cold War–a literal “iron curtain” dividing Europe. The wall has now been torn down for longer than it stood, but the scars in memory are still there. — Auction ends tonight! Through a friend with an FFL, I’m auctioning a stainless steel Seecamp LWS .380 ACP made …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: To share this, you can find it here:  https://kapwi.ng/c/T0on8u2d Meme Text: Will He Be the Fox in Charge of the Hen House? “Many see putting a committed gun control proponent, like David Chipman, in charge of ATF… is like putting Antifa in charge of the Portland police department.” – Senator Chuck Grassley Related News Links: Biden ATF Nominee David Chipman Sick Past Comes To Light. Grassley: Whistleblowers Allege ATF Nominee David Chipman Racially Targeted A Black DOJ Employee. Note From JWR:  Please phone and e-mail both of your state’s U.S. Senators and urge them …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 14, 2021

Today is the birthday of British folk-rock singer Maddy Prior. She was born August 14th, 1947. August 14th, 1945 was Victory In Japan (“V-J”) Day. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers. Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 13, 2021

Today is the birthday of sharpshooter, entertainer, and folk heroine Annie Oakley (1860–1926.) — I had a couple of inquiries about the percussion revolvers that I have listed at Elk Creek Company. To clarify, in addition to the one that I currently have listed, I have several more Ruger Old Army .44 revolvers available, mostly in stainless steel. They have not yet been listed at our online store. Their prices range from $800 to $1,500 FRNs. I can show any of my antique gun inventory to you in detail via Skype video if you have Skype. SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today …