Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 12, 2024

June 12, 1859: The Comstock Silver Lode in Nevada was discovered. This was the first major silver discovery in the US. — 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.” — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 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 …


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. — We’ll start off with a video showing some Old School toolmaking craftsmanship by Timothy Dyck, in Canada: Why I bought this train rail. o  o  o Giant, Venomous, Flying Spiders Coming to U.S. Northeast. (Thanks to reader C.B., for the link.) o  o  o Reader S.H. wrote: “The recent article about the …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 11, 2024

On June 11, 1488, in the Battle of Sauchieburn, in a rebellion against the Scottish crown, King James III was killed. — On June 11, 1742, Benjamin Franklin invents his now famous Franklin stove. — June 11, 1864: The Battle of Trevilian Station, the bloodiest and largest all-cavalry battle of the American Civil War, begins in Louisa County, Virginia. — John Wayne, the iconic American film actor, died on June 11th, 1979. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …


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, news of a wayward bull at a central Oregon rodeo. (See the Central & Eastern Oregon section.) Idaho Idaho farmers say water curtailment order will dry up land, push them out of business. o  o  o Idaho Bar Explodes In Popularity For Celebrating ‘Straight Pride …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 10, 2024

Some sad news: Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, who captured ‘Earthrise,’ killed in plane crash. — On June 10, 1898, US Marines landed in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. Roosevelt’s Rough Riders (The 1st  US Volunteer Cavalry) landed later in June.  The famed Battle Of San Juan Hill was not until July 1st. — On June 10, 1967, the Six-Day War ended as Israel and Syria agreed to observe a United Nations-mediated cease-fire. — Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.  


Recipe of the Week: Cookie Sheet Baked Feta and Vegetables

The following recipe for Cookie Sheet Baked Feta and Vegetables is from SurvivalBlog reader  Liz D.  This is intended to be baked on a cookie sheet with a full perimeter lip. It seems that Liz is a fan of the Terminator movies. She writes: “There is no feta but what we bake for ourselves.” Ingredients 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1 sprig of fresh rosemary plus 2 tablespoons of rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon honey Kernels from 4 ears of sweet corn 8 mini bell peppers, stemmed, halved and seeded 1 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch chunks 6 scallions, …


SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic shows the recognition of the right to openly carry a firearm, by state. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) Update: Reader V.T. wrote to mention some possible errors in the graphic: “Oklahoma has open carry with no permit required (although one is available).  I believe Missouri passed the same.” The thumbnail image below is click-expandable.       — Please send your graphic ideas 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:

The state is the great fictitious entity by which everyone seeks to live at the expense of everyone else. For, today as in the past, each of us, more or less, would like to profit from the labor of others. One does not dare to proclaim this feeling publicly, one conceals it from oneself, and then what does one do? One imagines an intermediary; one addresses the state, and each class proceeds in turn to say to it: “You, who can take fairly and honorably, take from the public and share with us.” Alas! The state is only too ready …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 9, 2024

On June 9, 1803, British explorer Matthew Flinders arrived in Sydney becoming the first person to circumnavigate Australia, proving it is one continent. — On June 9, 1923, the Brinks company unveiled their first armored security vans. — On June 9, 1960, Roy Orbison released the single “Only the Lonely”. It became his first major hit – peaking at #2 in the US and topping the UK charts. — Today is the birthday of Jean Alexandre Francois LeMat (1824–1883), is best known for the percussion cap revolver that bears his name. This clever design has a cylinder that rotates around …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: I Was Just Two Years Old on D-Day, 1944 So Why Can These 100+ Year-Old D-Day Landing Veterans Stay Awake and Hold Their Fudge, Better Than Me? News Links: On 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, Biden and Macron honor WWII veterans at Normandy. Joe Biden onlookers fear he ‘pooped his pants’ at D-Day event 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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 8, 2024

On June 8, 1918, Nova Aquila, the brightest nova since Kepler’s nova of 1604, was discovered. Remnants of the stellar explosion can still be seen. — On June 8th, 1776, Canadian Governor Sir Guy Carleton defeated American Patriot forces under John Sullivan. After taking heavy losses and the loss of General Richard Montgomery at Quebec, the Patriots were pursued by Governor Carleton. Halfway between Quebec and Montreal, at the Trois-Rivieres, the Patriots turned to fight. The Redcoats and German mercenaries killed 25, wounded 140, and captured 236, but Carleton allowed the rest of the 2,500-man force to complete their retreat. …


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 …