SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: 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. — We’ll start out with some troubling news: DHS Secret Terror Watchlist With Nearly 2 MILLION People On It Exposed Online With NO PASSWORD. o  o  o H.L. spotted this news: Black vultures are eating cows alive. Now some farmers can legally shoot the protected birds. o  o  o Tim J. suggested this, over at American Partisan: Ivermectin Treatment Protocols. …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 24, 2021

On August 24th, 410, Rome was overrun by the Visigoths in an event that symbolized the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is a moment in history that we would do well to remember. An empire that ruled the known world was corrupted from the inside to the point that they could not defend themselves from a much weaker enemy. This could conceivably be the beginning of the dark middle ages. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …


A DIY Solar Water Heater – Part 1, by St. Funogas

If you had to list ten things that would be most missed in a post-TEOTWAWKI world, opening a tap and having free-flowing hot water whenever you want it would have to be near the top of the list for a lot of us. In this article I’ll present an inexpensive solar water heater (SWH) which has gotta be the most efficient for the cost. I use this on my homestead almost six months of the year and in a non-freeze situation such as a greenhouse, this could be used year-round. Even with minimal skills and hand tools, you can build …


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 Yellowstone’s busiest month ever. (See the Wyoming section.) Idaho Totely Fire burning near Plummer burning 650 acres, 15% contained. [JWR’s Comment: This is the same fire that Patrice Lewis described in her blog. And, as I mentioned on Thursday, Patrice has established …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 23, 2021

August 23rd is the anniversary of the declaration of the independent state of “Franklin” in Eastern Tennessee by the settlers there in 1784. Unfortunately, the Continental Congress rejected it, so the state of Franklin never became a reality. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 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 …


Recipe of the Week: Carl’s Trail Mix

The following recipe for a high-protein nut and trail mix recipe comes to us from SurvivalBlog reader Carl B. Ingredients ½ cup dried blueberries 1 cup dried cranberries ½ cup dried cherries (tart style) ½ cup salted dried sunflower seeds (optional) 2 ½ cups salted mixed nuts (preferably with almonds but without any peanuts–unless you love peanuts.) ½ cup small dried pineapple (chop first to 1/3-inch cubes, if the chunks are too large) 1 cup M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces Carl’s Note: The last ingredient is optional or can be reduced. You may substitute one cup of something else that is sweet …


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 the return of some ammunition to gun store shelves. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: All eyes are still on Afghanistan. Mark my words: If you begin hearing the words “American Hostages” coming out of Afghanistan, then you can expect to see precious metals zoom up 10% or …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 22, 2021

Today is the anniversary of the founding of the London Armoury Company, in 1851. It was founded by Robert Adams (1810–1870). He patented the first successful double-action revolver in 1851. His revolvers were used during the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, the U.S. Civil War, and the Anglo-Zulu War. On August 22nd, 1949 the USSR detonated “Joe-1”, its first atomic bomb. August 22nd, 1992 was the second day of the Incident at Ruby Ridge. FBI sharpshooter Lon Horiuchi wounded Randy Weaver and Kevin Harris, and murdered Weaver’s wife, Vicki. It should be noted that in 1994, after being acquitted by …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: To share this, you can find it here: https://kapwi.ng/c/PxRyskMO Meme Text: In Afghanistan, The U.S. Government Leaves Piles of Machineguns, Free for The Taking But Here in The States, They Claim that a Piece of Rubber on the Back of Our Semi-Auto AR Pistols Makes Them a Felony Relevant News Link:  Planes, guns, night-vision goggles: The Taliban’s new U.S.-made war chest.  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 21, 2021

In 1986, Lake Nyos in Cameroon erupted with an estimated billion cubic yards of carbon dioxide gas. The gas had apparently been accumulating in the crater lake, held down by the weight of the water. When it finally erupted, the gas cloud smothered and killed every living animal, including insects, in its path until it dissipated. Outsiders learned of the disaster when they approached the villages and found animal and human bodies on the ground. The best estimate is that 1,700 people and thousands of cattle died. — A Special Note: We are now running very low on feature articles …


Mosquito Protection and a Headlamp, by The Novice

It is said that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. In this second installment of the Blind Squirrel series, I would like to pass along some nutty discoveries for your amusement and edification. Mosquito Protection The area where I live is quite swampy. At certain times of the year, being outside without some sort of protection is almost unbearable. Whenever possible, I like to avoid the use of insect repellent. It feels sticky, smells stinky, and I don’t like the idea of absorbing chemicals through my skin. Fortunately, there are some other tools available that …