Preparedness Notes for Thursday — January 13, 2022

This is the birthday of actor and shooter Robert Stack (1919-2003.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 98 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 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we relate some retirement news from Dr. Gary North. Dr. Gary North Signs Off, With His Final Book Reader D.Z.  alerted me to this sad news from prolific economics writer and prepper Dr. …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In urban America today, there exists an entire class of mayors and council members who believe they can control thieves, muggers, rapists, and murderers by surrendering to them. Truth be told, some of these politicians are only concerned about their careers and couldn’t care less about the real victims of these crimes and the productive, tax-paying residents who are forced to live in these violent hellholes. Regardless of their meaningless rhetoric, they are obviously not alarmed as their cities crumble and their policies make it impossible for law-abiding residents to live in peace. As their stupidity and weakness continues to …


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — January 12, 2022

January 12 1879, the British-Zulu War began. British troops, under Lieutenant General Frederic Augustus, invaded Zululand from the southern African Republic of Natal. On this day in 1737: John Hancock was born. He was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. — A USB Stick Update: The first batch of 1,000 waterproof/EMP-resistant 2005–2021 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks sold out in just four days! We are now taking backorders on a second batch of 500 sticks. Deliveries of the first batch will begin in mid-February. Deliveries of the second batch will begin on or around March 1st. — SurvivalBlog Writing …


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. — I read a piece that mentioned the 1973 movie Soylent Green was set in the year 2022. So, perhaps it is time to re-watch that film. I remember that seeing the bicycle-powered generator for the apartment occupied by Detective Frank Thorn (played by Charlton Heston) and that impressed me, as a budding survivalist. It makes …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 11, 2022

Today is the birthday of big-game hunter and writer Peter Hathaway Capstick. January 11th is also the birthday of Alexander Hamilton. (Pictured.) And today is the natal day of the late Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby, who was born in 1918. He was the most decorated hero of the Norwegian resistance under the German occupation. He died May 10, 2012. — A USB Stick Update: The waterproof/EMP-resistant 2005–2021 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks are now orderable. Deliveries will begin in mid-February, 2022. Take note that only 1,000 sticks will be made for this batch. As of Noon, Pacific Time on Tuesday, 980 …


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, we focus on Stag Arms, now headquartered in Wyoming. (See the Wyoming section.) Idaho This article about Moscow, Idaho originated in the UK Guardian, and was later syndicated: ‘Make it a Christian town’: the ultra-conservative church on the rise in Idaho. o  o  o Here is …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The young men thought it was too hot to sleep inside their kaia, Bwana,” he replied. “Also,” he said, shuffling the dirt with a big toe, “they were a little bit drunk.” He shrugged with typical African fatalism. Most Africans believe it can never happen to them, something like the attitude of front-line troops.” – Peter Hathaway Capstick, Death in the Long Grass: A Big Game Hunter’s Adventures in the African Bush


Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 10, 2022

On January 10, 1976 the song “Convoy” by C.W. McCall was the #1 song on the U.S. pop charts. This song, in part, led to huge interest in Citizen’s Band (C.B.) radio for the next year, in the United States. — January 10th, 1776 is the day that North Carolina Governor, Josiah Martin issued a proclamation calling on the king’s loyal subjects to raise an armed force to combat the “rebels”. This ultimately led to Colonel Donald McLeod leading the men on an assault on the Patriots that ended with fifty of his men dead and 880 captured. The Patriots …


Expanded SurvivalBlog Archive USB Sticks Now Available

An Update: The waterproof/EMP-resistant 2005–2021 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks are now orderable. Deliveries will begin in mid-February, 2022. Take note that only 1,000 sticks will be made for this batch, and they are selling rapidly. Why You Need It: The archive sticks emulate most of the behavior of the online edition. With this stick, you can access everything that was ever posted in SurvivalBlog up to December 31, 2021, almost as if you were online — even if you are in a remote area in a grid-down situation or otherwise don’t have access to the Internet. And you never know …


Recipe of the Week: Layered Taco Dip

The following recipe for Layered Taco Dip variants is from reader S.A. S.A.’s Introduction: We know the phrase “Beans, Bandaids, and Bullets.” While I love beans, in fact, almost any bean except for kidney beans, and can eat them everyday, some people can’t or don’t want to.  A nice alternative to a bowl of beans is Layered Taco Dip. This easy recipe has many, many variations, and is well-loved in Texas and perhaps other places, as well. It can be served as an appetizer, main dish (if you include plenty of protein), or a side dish. I prefer Frito Lay …


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 strong U.S. Mint gold sales. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: U.S. Mint sees strongest gold coin sales in 12 years, sells 1.25 million ounces in 2021. o  o o What To Expect In 2022 From The Precious Metals Sector. Economy & Finance: Ford Posts 7 Percent Fall in …