SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: 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. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Tim K.  spotted this article from The Kitsap Sun: A Bangor sub just transferred its crew without returning to port. Here’s why that matters.  My old friend Sandy, who served on a U.S. Navy nuclear sub back in the early 1980s had this comment about the article: “This doesn’t sound unusual at all.  I was …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Any single man must judge for himself whether circumstances warrant obedience or resistance to the commands of the civil magistrate; we are all qualified, entitled, and morally obliged to evaluate the conduct of our rulers. This political judgement, moreover, is not simply or primarily a right, but like self preservation a duty to God. As such it is a judgment that men cannot part with according to the God and Nature.” – John Locke


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 14, 2022

On June 14, 1982 Argentina surrendered to Great Britain, ending the 74-day Falklands Islands conflict. On June 14, 1834, sandpaper was patented by Isaac Fischer Jr., of Springfield, Vermont. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 101 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 …


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, a follow-up on a mountain lion attack in eastern Washington. Region-Wide The Great Scenic Loop Of Idaho And Montana.  This video illustrates just how lightly-populated most of Idaho and Montana still are! o  o  o AmRRON Amateur Radio Network is Streaming Live on Sunday Nights …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The sharp division between gun culture and gun control culture is the border of an affected distancing from life’s realities. Gun controllers aren’t necessarily physical cowards, but they are moral cowards. The same sorts of people who think guns are ‘icky’ also don’t want to know where their meat comes from or to see the soldiers who come back from the wars. These are things that they pay other people to do because it preserves their illusions about the world and about themselves. America is becoming a nation split between those hard workers who take responsibility for dealing with life’s …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 13, 2022

On June 13, 1777, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette landed in the fledgling United States. — Here comes the back-stabbing RINO “compromise” that I warned you about!  Senate Group Reaches Bipartisan Compromise on Gun Control Bill. Please contact both of your state’s U.S. Senators and ask them to vote against this legislation package. We should remind them that RedFlag/ERPO laws are unconstitutional and unacceptable. The Federal government should not be funding them! The self-identified (“willing to negotiate”) backstabbers are: Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) …


Recipe of the Week:  Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings

The following traditional recipe for Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings is from reader S.T.. Ingredients 1 broiler or fryer chicken (2-1/2 to 3 pounds), shredded or chunked 3 cups water 1 cup chopped onion 4 celery stalks, sliced 3 medium carrots, sliced 1 teaspoon celery seed 2 teaspoons rubbed sage divided 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 3 cups of commercial biscuit mix 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley Directions (Chicken) Place chicken and water in a Dutch Oven. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cook until chicken is tender, about …


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 higher crude oil and fuel prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Silver hits a strong support zone. o  o  o India’s May gold imports surge 677% to $5.83 billion. Economy & Finance: Hedge fund redemptions accelerated in March. JWR’s Comments: This is just the beginning of a trend. …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 12, 2022

On June 12, 1987, during a visit to the divided German city of Berlin, President Ronald Reagan publicly challenged Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev to: “Tear down this wall.” The wall began to come down in November of 1989. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 101 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 …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 11, 2022

John Wayne, the iconic American film actor, died on June 11th, 1979. While John Wayne is probably best known for his westerns like True Grit, The Shootist, and Fort Apache, we remember him best for his roles in The Alamo and The Green Berets, both of which reflected his patriotic and conservative leanings. — Just as I feared, On Friday (June 10, 2022) the U.S House passed H.R.2377, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021. This ERPO bill (a.k.a. Red Flag bill), is now heading to the U.S. Senate. Please contact your State’s two U.S. Senators, and insist …


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:

“Make haste, o God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make …