Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 19, 2025

On August 19, 1561, Mary Queen of Scots arrived in Leith, Scotland to assume the throne after spending 13 years in France. — August 19th is the birthday of Philo Taylor Farnsworth (1906-1971). Farnsworth was an American inventor who is best known for his image pickup device that formed the basis for the fully functional and complete all-electronic television system. Among his many other inventions was the Farnsworth-Hirsch fusor, a small nuclear fusion device that remains a viable source of neutrons. At his death, he held over 300 patents, mostly in radio and television. — Today’s feature article is by …


A 2025 Assessment: The Emerging Artificial Intelligence Threat

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has been alarmingly rapid since 2022. Before then, AI was considered little more than a plaything or a novelty.  But now it is transforming businesses, wiping out entire categories of office jobs, and threatening human liberty. The first practical release of the Claude AI code-writing tool just by itself has completely transformed the global software industry. I’m talking about a Buggy Whips level of industry transformation. As a personal illustration, I should mention that my youngest son is now in his third year at a university here in The American Redoubt, studying for 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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, I’m offering an eclectic assortment of videos from inside the American Redoubt region. These describe and show geography, historical tidbits, amazing scenery, wildlife, and some genuine characters. Pictured above is Salmon, Idaho, circa 1940. Idaho A video of a visit to Salmon, Idaho by some …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 18, 2025

On August 18, 1564, Spanish King Philip II joined the Council of Trent. — August 18, 1769: A lightning strike on the Bastion of San Nazaro in Brescia, Italy, ignited 90 tons of gunpowder. The resulting explosion killed 3,000 people. — August 18th is also the birthday of Meriwether Lewis, an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator who is best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. — Today’s feature piece was written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — We are seeking entries for Round 120 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. …


Recipe of the Week: 

The following recipe for Raisin-Walnut Cookies is from SurvivalBlog reader R.E.. This recipe makes about 6 dozen cookies. Ingredients 1 cup water 2 cups raisins 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup vegetable shortening 2 cups white granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 large eggs 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon table salt 1.5 cups chopped walnuts Directions In a small saucepan, combine water and raisins, bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. While the raisin mixture is cooling, stir together flour, …


Graphic of the Week:

Today’s graphic:  A map showing that 95% of ocean plastic originates from 10 rivers in Asia and Africa. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) The thumbnail below is click-expandable.     — Please send your graphics or graphics links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I prefer to analogize the global currency milieu as a Leper Colony. The fiat currencies are all lepers. They are all dying slow, painful deaths. Some of them are just dying more slowly than others. The Swiss Franc and the U.S. Dollar are two of the healthier lepers, with a few more fingers and toes than their neighbors. But inevitably they will also die.” – James Wesley, Rawles


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 17, 2025

On this day in 1870, Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump made the first ascent of Mount Rainier, Washington. — August 14, 1952: The word “fallout,” referring to radioactive particles carried into the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion, was first used in The New York Times. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 120 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: 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 Peak Refuel “Wasatch …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: I Went to Buy Some Camouflage Clothes Today… …But I Couldn’t Find Any Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.  



Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 16, 2025

On August 16, 1777, militiamen of Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys, the New Hampshire Militia, and volunteers from Massachusetts defeated British forces at the Battle of Bennington, during the American Revolutionary War.  From the InfoGalactic Wiki: “The Bennington flag is a version of the U.S. flag associated with the American Revolution Battle of Bennington, from which it derives its name. Its distinguishing feature is the inclusion of a large ’76’ in the canton, a reference to the year 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed.” — On August 16th, 1841, President John Tyler vetoed a second attempt by Congress to …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both 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 the Odds …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 15, 2025

80 years ago today, August 15th, 1945 was Victory In Japan (“V-J”) Day. — On August 15, 1620 the Mayflower set sail from Southampton, England, with 102 Pilgrims aboard. — August 15, 1914:  The Panama Canal opened to traffic with the SS Ancon making the first official steamship passage through the canal.  The canal was completed under budget, and ahead of schedule. The canal was extended in 1916. — Today is the birthday of British folk-rock singer Maddy Prior, the lead singer of Steeleye Span. She was born August 14th, 1947. — The last day to order! As part of …