Eight Lessons Learned From the Polar Vortex Plunge

The recent plunge of the Polar Vortex deep into the American Midwest should serve as a wake-up call for those who are preparedness-minded. Here are some recent headlines: Polar Vortex Triggers Coldest Arctic Outbreak in at Least Two Decades in Parts of the Midwest Minneapolis could break low temperature records originally set in the 1800s, and Chicago could challenge its all-time record low of minus 27 F, set on Jan. 20, 1985. (BBC): Polar vortex brings deadly cold snap to US states (BBC): Polar vortex: Ice quakes, burning railways and other quirky effects Polar vortex brings coldest air in a …




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 the planned New USMC Squad Organization. Vashon Islanders Prepare for a Major Earthquake A reader sent us this news from Vashon Island, Washington: A Small Island Town Prepares for a Major Earthquake.  Viable Online Payment Alternatives? Since PayPal jumped on the Censorious Bandwagon during the recent Patreon debacle, conservatives and libertarians are quickly looking for alternatives. Even the traditional credit card processing companies may be clamping down more, …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday – February 2, 2019

Great news!  South Dakota’s newly-elected Republican Governor Kristi Noem just signed a permitless Constitutional Carry bill into law! The news report states:  “There are currently 12 states that allow permit-less carry: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Vermont. That number will rise to at least 13 with South Dakota, and could further increase to include Texas, Oklahoma, and Iowa, all three of which are witnessing efforts to repeal permit requirements in their respective states.”  Freedom is on the march! — February 2nd is the birthday of Ayn Rand (born Alisa Zinov’yevna …




Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, 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 the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready! …




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 where your power comes from, all mapped. Pictured is Grand Coulee Dam, in central Washington. It is America’s largest hydroelectric dam. Annually, it produces 20.2 Terawatt-Hours of electricity! In Maps: Where Your Power Comes From Peter sent us this fascinating article: Mapped: Every Power Plant in the United States. Do you know where your power comes from? I’d estimate that 95% of today’s Americans have no clue about …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel. Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by …




Preparedness Notes for Friday – February 1, 2019

February 1st is the anniversary of the secession of Texas from the United States in 1861. A State Convention considering secession opened in Austin on January 28th, 1861 and on February 1st, by a vote of 166-8, adopted an Ordinance of Secession from the United States. It’s important to note that not all Texans favored this act and the state Governor, Sam Houston, while being loyal to the union, refused offers from President Lincoln to keep him in office and was subsequently deposed as governor. We also remember February 1st, 2003, when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas and …




Round 80 Non-Fiction Writing Contest Winners Announced!

Round 80 of SurvivalBlog’s Non-Fiction Writing Contest has ended and the editors have picked the winners. If you are one of the top three winners, please make sure that you e-mail us your USPS and your UPS/FedEx addresses. Any article submitted, but not published in the December 2018-January 2019 timeframe have been automatically rolled over to Round 81 of the Contest. Our congratulations to the writing contest winners! First Prize: First Prize was awarded to K.B., M.D., for Medical Action Sheets (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, & Part 4) which was posted December 26-29, 2018.  She will received the …




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’s focus is on filling in your gun collection gaps. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Gold, Silver Investors: Strap In; It’s Going To Be A Bumpy Ride – LBMA 2019 Price Forecast o o o From chartist Hub Moolman: A Major Silver Breakout Ahead? Economy & …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I do love a good tree. There it stands so strong and sturdy, and yet so beautiful, a very type of the best sort of man. How proudly it lifts its bare head to the winter storms, and with what a full heart it rejoices when the spring has come again! How grand its voice is, too, when it talks with the wind: a thousand aeolian harps cannot equal the beauty of the sighing of a great tree in leaf. All day it points to the sunshine and all night to the stars, and thus passionless, and yet full of …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday – January 31, 2019

On January 31, 1606, Guy Fawkes was executed for his part in the Gunpowder Plot against parliament and King James. Also on this day in 1872, American author Pearl Zane Grey was born. He was best know for his popular adventure western novels, including Riders of the Purple Sage, which was his best-selling book. o  o  o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the final entry for Round 80 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable …




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 are pleased to report on the release of a novel One Time Pad Generator. New AMRRON One Time Pad Generator and Printer Alex Barron (aka The Bard of the American Redoubt) has posted a video blog review of the ADL-1 One Time Pad Field Generator and Printer. JWR’s Comments: Finally, someone has come up with a truly secure, stand-alone one time pad device with a printer! It all fits in …