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. To begin, reader H.L. sent this: With the lights off, food spoiling, gas pumps out of order, New Orleans faces an extended power failure. JWR’s Comment:  It is an interesting coincidence that Hurricane Ida made landfall 16 years to the day that Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. o  o  o Readers J&M wrote: “My son is nearing the end of …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Cartridge firearms are compact vehicles for change that have shaped modern history. The righteousness of their use is entirely up to their users, since like any other tool they can be used both for good or for ill.  A firearm is just a tool with no volition. A rifle is no different than a claw hammer. To wit: A hammer can be used to build a house, or it can be used to bash in someone’s skull—the choice of uses is entirely up to the owner.  A bulldozer can used to build roads, or to destroy houses. A rifle can …


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 31, 2021

On August 31st, 1992 Randy Weaver surrendered to the Federal Authorities, ending the 10-day siege on Ruby Ridge. This is the incident that preceded the Waco siege and is known for the unconstitutional rules of engagement and overzealous actions by the jackbooted thugs of the federal authorities that resulted in the death of two innocent people– Sammy and Vicki Weaver, Randy’s son and wife. It is notable that Randy was acquitted of all charges except missing a court date and violating bail conditions on an ATF sting operation where it is suspected that Mr. Weaver did nothing wrong but that …


August 2021 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance, and the factors that affected gold prices. What Did Gold Do in August? Gold held above the $1,800 mark to start August, until an unexpectedly bullish Non-Farm Payrolls report on Friday the 6th and an orchestrated flash crash on Monday the 9th combined to send gold down almost $100. Gold prices slowly ground higher as the month went on. $1,750 was reached, then $1,780 later on. Gold got a $25 boost on Monday …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

Today we are presenting a special edition of this column, highlighting woodworking companies, all around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Pictured is a set of custom cabinets by Hughes Woodworks in Huson, Montana. Idaho In Boise: Idaho Custom Woodwork is a custom-made furniture and full-service repair and restoration shop that specializes in “…all types of furniture repair and total antique restoration. We specialize in building outdoor and indoor furniture, Farmhouse style, live wood edge, live edge river tables and modern.” o  o  o In Coeur d’Alene: The Joinery Custom Cabinetmakers crafts high-end custom …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 30, 2021

Farewell, Mel:  I just heard from a good friend that my old gunsmith Mel Doyle of Plummer, Idaho went home to the Lord, on Sunday. He and Hazel (his wife) both contracted COVID-19 last week and ended up in Clearwater Valley Hospital. Mel will be greatly missed. I still own several guns that Mel had blued for me. They will be treasured keepsakes that will serve as reminders of a true American Patriot. — In 1862, the Second Battle of Bull Run in Virginia began — as wall as the establishment of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. August …


Recipe of the Week: Dill Zucchini Relish

The following recipe for Dill Zucchini Relish is from reader “Sis”:  Dill Zucchini Relish. Ingredients 9 lbs Zucchini (or Cucumbers), diced 1/2 cup pickling salt (I use sea salt) 2 tsp. Tumeric 4 cups water 3 cups white vinegar 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 white onion (finely chopped) 2 Tbl. Sugar 2 Tbl. Dill Seed 1/4 cup fresh red pepper (finely chopped) Directions Combine all ingredients in a large kettle. Bring to a boil Simmer 10 minutes. Put in canning jars Process in water bath canner for 15 minutes. SERVING I use these relishes with my canned meats to …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Today, in lieu of our regular column of Economics & Investing news items, I’m posting my retrospective on the long-term legacy of currency debasement in the United States. I chose to do so this week because Richard M. Nixon’s Day of Perfidy was 50 years ago, earlier this month. The U.S.: 50 Years in Currency Fantasyland It was 50 years ago, in August of 1971, that the United States finally severed its last vestige of a gold standard. This came when President Nixon announced that the Treasury “temporarily” ceased redemption in gold of U.S. Dollars presented by foreign governments. He …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 29, 2021

August 29th is a mournful day, as we remember the anniversary of the death of “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” – Isaiah 40:3. John, the Baptist, who heralded the first coming of our Lord and stood true to his belief in the face of death, was beheaded on this day in 29AD. — 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 …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: To share this, you can find it here: https://kapwi.ng/c/gbyNjcklkb Meme Text: Joe Biden: Making Talibanistan Great Again. Four Out of Six Jihadis Prefer American M4s. They Say: “Thanks, Sniffy Joe” Related News Links:  Biden’s Gift to Taliban Included 110 Helicopters, 20 Light Attack Airplanes, 42,000 Light Attack Vehicles, 25,000 Grenade Launchers. Disturbing Footage Shows Extent Of Weapons Seized By Taliban After Biden’s Disastrous Pullout. The Taliban Are Ditching AK-47s for Captured U.S. M16 Rifles. Taliban shows off ‘special forces’ in propaganda blitz.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13: 47-50 (KJV)


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 28, 2021

August 28, 1833: Slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire. — 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 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 civilian …


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 …