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. — First up, this important analysis: Ukraine: Setting the Stage, and, 23 Jan Ukraine Update: The Clock is Ticking. o  o  o SaraSue sent us this update: “We’ve had unusual weather here in Tennessee, according to the Locals.  Recently, three snowstorms left quite a bit of snow on my property.  Compared to Idaho, it wasn’t crippling, …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 25, 2022

Today is the birthday of celebrated Scottish poet Robert “Bobby” Burns. He was born on January 25, 1759. — A quick update on the latest edition of the SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick:  455 orders have already been mailed. The remainder of the first batch of 1,000 sticks should be in the mail by early February. Since the first batch sold out so quickly, we’ve already ordered another 600 sticks, and we are taking backorders. Mailings from that second batch should begin in the third week of February. Thanks for your patience. SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for …


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 special edition of this column, with a round-up of home architects, retreat security specialists, land finders, and real estate agents that specialize in retreat properties in the American Redoubt. Please note that many of the companies and individuals mentioned are current or former SurvivalBlog …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 24, 2022

Today is the birthday of Tamara K., the editor of the long-running and very entertaining View From The Porch blog. January 24th is also the birthday of René Barjavel (born 1911, died November 24, 1985). This prescient French science fiction author wrote several books with survivalist themes, including Ravage, which was titled Ashes, Ashes in its English translation. — Today we present another review written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.  


Beretta M9A1, by Pat Cascio

I don’t know about other people, but I’ve always been resistant to change or controversy in my life. As I grow older, rapidly approaching my 70th year on this earth, I find I’m more resistant to change than ever. I don’t enjoy getting into a controversy over things. I believe a lot of controversy stems from our opinions on things. Many people simply don’t understand what an opinion is, either. Quite simply, an opinion is just that – an “opinion” and it is based on what we believe. I don’t think an opinion is right or wrong, it’s just one …


Recipe of the Week: Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Pear

The following recipe for Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Pear was sent by blog reader M.N.. It is cooked in a Dutch Oven. Ingredients 1 roasting chicken 1⁄2 stick butter 1⁄4 cup olive oil 4 head of garlic (or less, to taste) 1 Pear, Bartlet 1⁄2 cup dry white wine 1 Tbsp Thyme 1 tsp black pepper, finely ground 1 tsp salt Directions Melt butter in Dutch oven and add olive oil. Brown chicken on all sides. Set aside. Sauté garlic cloves until fragrant. Core, peel, and slice the pear. Add to garlic and wine, and simmer for 2 minutes. …


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 China’s unsustainable debt bubble. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Needless to say, look for a big breakout in the prices of gold, silver, and platinum if Russia fully invades Ukraine. Stack them deep, and stack them early. Commerzbank seems to agree. o  o  o Neither Inflation …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 23, 2022

On January 23rd, 1570, the world’s first assassination by firearm occurred when James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray was shot in Linlithgow, Scotland. On January 23rd, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell was awarded her M.D., becoming the first female doctor in the U.S. January 23rd, 1855 was the birthday of John Moses Browning. He was the brilliant designer of dozens of guns, including the M1911 pistol, Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), and the venerable M2 .50 Caliber Machinegun. Today is also the birthday of my #2 Grandson. His coincidental “Browning Birthday” ensures that he will inherit a disproportionately large portion of my guns …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — January 22, 2022

On January 22, 1944, Allied forces began landing at Anzio, Italy. On January 22, 1984 the first Apple Macintosh Computer was announced. The memorable first ad for the Mac aired just once, during the 1984 Super Bowl. One interesting fact is that the advertisement aired only once prior to its nationwide showing. A few minutes before midnight on December 31, 1983, it aired on Twin Falls, Idaho television station KMVT, Channel 11. This was so that it complied with rules that allowed it to be entered into an advertising competition. Once the ad aired, the tape was mailed back to …


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 …