Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — December 11, 2024

On December 11, 1913, DaVinci’s “Mona Lisa” was recovered two years after it was stolen from the Louvre Museum. — December 11, 1978: Six masked men bound 10 employees at Lufthansa cargo area at NYC Kennedy Airport and made off with $5.8 Lillion USD in cash and jewelry. All of the participants and some associates were later killed on order of the alleged organized crime mastermind. The loot was never recovered. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Peter in Washington wrote: “A reminder that HB 2118 takes effect on July 1, 2025 in Washington State.  Here is the key part of the bill, Section 1 (3) from the final language: No dealer may sell or otherwise transfer, or expose for sale or transfer, or have in his or her …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — December 10, 2024

On December 10, 1907, Rudyard Kipling received the Nobel prize for literature, the first English-language writer to do so. — On December 10, 1869, while still a territory, Wyoming became the first state to grant women the right to vote. — And on this day in 1942, my great uncle Lt. Robert I. Kinsella was killed when his B-24 bomber (part of the 90th Bombardment Group, Heavy, 320th Bomber Squadron), flying from the Iron Range Airfield in Northern Queensland, Australia went down in the South Pacific. — Gerber Gear (maker of knives and multi-tools  and one of our affiliate advertisers) …


Should We Get Ready For a NFA Amnesty?

For the past several weeks, President Trump has been very busy naming his cabinet appointments.  One that is still uncertain is his choice to become the new BATFE Director. The current director, Steven Dettelbach, is a clueless anti-gun buffoon who can’t give congressmen a straight answer.  Many American gun owners are hopeful that DJT will appoint 07/02 FFL holder, gun designer, and pro-gun pundit Brandon Herrera as the new Director.  If that happens, it will surely inspire some boisterous celebration. In addition to his vows to slash the ATF’s budget and operations, Herrera has also promised to begin a series …


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, more Greater Idaho movement news.  (See the Region-Wide section.) Region-Wide Greater Idaho Asks for Support from Incoming Trump Administration. o  o  o Wyoming and Montana Republicans vow to challenge Biden decision to block coal mining in area. Idaho Idaho abortion trafficking law partly revived by US …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 9, 2024

December 9, 1775: At Fort Ticonderoga, New York, Henry Knox began his historic transport of abandoned British artillery to Boston, Massachusetts, that later forced the British to evacuate Boston. — December 9, 1914 was the birthday of Maximo Guillermo “Max” Manus. He was one of the few Norwegians who fought the Nazi occupiers. Max Manus passed away in 1996. His exploits are fairly accurately shown in the movie Max Manus: Man of War. — Today’s feature article was penned by Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — We are seeking entries for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More …


Recipe of the Week: Mrs. Alaska’s Split Pea Soup

The following recipe for Split Pea Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader and fellow blogger Mrs. Alaska. She writes: “Split pea soup is a tasty winter treat, easy to cook on a wood stove or on a tripod over a fire as well as on an electric or gas stove. The peas degrade to a nice, creamy texture with little attention other than an occasional stir over several hours. This is always my planned meal when I enter my stone-cold cabin or camping site. I light the wood stove or campfire, set a pot on top, pour water or snow into …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 8, 2024

On December 8, 1864, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was finally opened in Bristol, England, five years after his death. The deck and cables that we see today are replacements, but the footings and towers are original. — Today’s feature article is an open letter by SurvivalBlog Senior Editor, James Wesley, Rawles (JWR). — We are seeking entries for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $935,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to …


A “Stay Behind” Strategy for Ukraine and Moldova

This article serves as an open letter, primarily to Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Trump’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI) designee. It would also be of interest to planners in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations (DO). Take note that rather than re-hashing some well-documented historical subjects, I will be relying heavily on quoting the InfoGalactic Wiki. Also, note that this is an article about strategy rather than tactics. – Carborundum With casualties mounting after more than two years of intense fighting in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Army is quite simply losing its war of attrition against the combined Russian ground and air forces. …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Project Camel Smoke: Step 1: Joe Biden Pardons Hunter Biden. Step 2: Joe Resigns and Kackling Kamala Becomes “The First Female President” Step 3: President Harris Conveniently Pardons Joe Biden News Links: ‘It’s a Sad Statement About Where We Are’: A Pardon Expert Explains Biden’s Decision to Pardon His Son. Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter spurs broader discussion on who else should be granted clemency. Biden weighs pre-emptive pardons for potential targets of Trump’s retribution. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll …