Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 1, 2019

May 1st is the birthday of the late Joel Rosenberg, a Canadian-born novelist and gun rights advocate (born 1954, died June 2, 2011). He is not to be confused with Joel C. Rosenberg (born 1967), who is another great novelist and the author of The Last Jihad series. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 82  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator …




JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on the very affordable Mora Sheath Knife. (See the Gear and Grub section.) Books: The latest from conservative commentator Mark Levin: Unfreedom of the Press o  o  o Warbird Factory: North American Aviation in World War II o  o  o The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age (The Plant Paradox) Movies & Television: To Have and Have Not. (The classic, with Bogey and Bacall.) o  o  o The quality of this Blu-Ray is …




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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we’ll focus on Family Budgets. Precious Metals: Put Gold In Your Bag, Man, But Let Silver Sag, Says Sachs o  o  o GDP Numbers Show Gold Is Learning To Live Without U.S. Dollar: George Gero Economy & Finance: At Zero Hedge: $220,000 For Every Man, Woman And Child …







Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 30, 2019

Today is the birthday of sci-fi novelist Larry Niven (born April 30, 1938). Along with Jerry Pournelle, he co-authored the survivalist classic Lucifer’s Hammer. April 30th is also the birthday of Ed Yourdon, who was born in 1944. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 82  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day …




SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. Today, we are making special mention of the restoration of a C-47 (DC-3) dubbed “Miss Montana”. (See the Montana section.) Region-Wide Dismal Columbia River salmon forecast may trigger emergency fishing restrictions. A quote: “Fishery managers in Washington and Oregon are concerned the spring and summer chinook salmons runs on the Columbia River are going to be one of the lowest on record. And …




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”.  Today, we focus on covert body armor. Going Gray Man, Step By Step This is well worth reading: How to be a Gray Man Step by Step. Mike Williamson on Covert Body Armor Our Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent along this link: Wonder Hoodie: The Bulletproof Hoodie That Can Stop a .44 Magnum. Mike’s Comments: “These are worth considering. Also, the standard US military issue armor groin protector is the …










Recipe of the Week: Helen J.’s San Juan Island Salad

Helen J.’s San Juan Island Salad This is a salad recipe from an old family friend who was a practiced gardener. A local on the island butchered pigs each year and cured bacon. Thus, nearly all of the ingredients were local. Note that the ingredients are listed without measurements. The ratio of ingredients is intended to be fine-tuned to suit your family’s taste preferences. Lamb bacon, Turkey bacon, or Tofurkey Bacon can be substituted if you refrain from pork. Ingredients Red table grapes, halved Bacon, cooked and diced Broccoli crown pieces, briefly steamed (firm) Diced Celery Diced Onion Slivered almonds …




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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at investing in discontinued Colt Python Revolvers. (See the Tangibles Investing section at the end of this column.) Precious Metals: Why Is Gold Up When The U.S. Economy Grew 3.2%? Dive Deeper, Say Analysts o  o  o Washington State Politicians Drop Cynical Attempt to Impose …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Through the ages, the principle of financial leverage has been both used by many and abused by the wealthy and powerful in society. The seduction of leverage is strong, in that it makes the difficult appear easy and the impossible seem within reach. It brings the illusion of equality between the wealthy man and the common laborer in the land of finance. You can think of leverage a drug, and an addictive one at that.” – Karl Denninger, from Leverage: How Cheap Money Will Destroy the World




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 28, 2019

April 28th is the birthday of Aimo Johannes Lahti. (Born in 1896.) This clever Finn designed (or co-designed) an amazing array of weapons including the L-35 Lahti pistol, the Suomi M-31 SMG, the Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG, the famous Lahti L-39 20mm anti-tank rifle, and even the 20 ItK 40 (a 20 mm dual anti-aircraft cannon.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 82  of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar …




Our Path Towards Preparation, by SBC

On our curious and sometimes convoluted path towards being prepared for TEOTWAWKI, I have sometimes impressed, often confounded and occasionally amused myself and family with our brilliance and stupidity. Here follows the outline of the story of our adventure in the hope that it will inspire or amuse or warn you and help your own journey be a bit easier and the load a bit lighter. We began our journey after Hurricane Katrina when FEMA so effectively demonstrated how inadequate the federal support system was dealing with large scale disasters. So what began as a ah-ha moment of “perhaps we …