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 concealed carry of firearms by private citizens. Constitutional Carry Versus Control Some cogent commentary from Reid Henrichs: Constitutional Carry vs Control – The Winds of Freedom Sprawling Ugandan Refugee Camps Mike Williamson (our Editor At Large) recommended this detailed piece that documents the grinding poverty of Africa’s huge refugee populations: In Uganda, a unique urban experiment is under way. Their dependence has become multi-generational, and their “camps” are …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — March 23, 2019

This is the birthday of acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He directed 30 films. His samurai films (many starring Toshiro Mifune) such as Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon, The Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, and Ran are considered legendary in the cinema world. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 81 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 Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite …


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 California’s 1862 Megastorm. Beating Facial Recognition Worth reading, at American Partisan: A Few Ideas on Beating Facial Recognition. Also see: Facial recognition’s ‘dirty little secret’: Millions of online photos scraped without consent A Sequel to California’s 1862 Megastorm? Here’s what a ‘very likely’ sequel to California’s 1862 megastorm would look like. Here are two quote:s “That singular storm, called the Great Flood, unleashed 10 feet of rain and …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — March 22, 2019

This is the birthday of Louis L’Amour. (Born 1908, died 1988.) Some of his novels have survival themes. One of the most notable ones of interest to survivalists is Last of the Breed. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 81 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 Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used …


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 return to the topic of custom knives. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)  Pictured is a famed Randall Knife–a production knife that–because of its reputation–often sells for more than many custom knives. Precious Metals: Gary Tanashian: Hurdles For Gold Stocks o  o  o At Kitco: Commerzbank Sees …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — March 21, 2019

Just three days after Hessian mercenary forces assaulted the local New Jersey militia at Quinton’s Bridge, the same contingent surprised the colonial militia at Hancock’s Bridge, five miles from Salem. In what became known as the Massacre at Hancock’s Bridge, at least 20 members of the militia lost their lives, some after attempting to surrender. The Loyalists reputedly exclaimed “Spare no one! Give no quarter!” as they stormed the occupied house. Judge Hancock and his brother (both Loyalists) were bayoneted in the melee by the attackers even though they were both staunch supporters of the crown and were themselves non-violent …


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 Nebraska floods. Nebraska Floods Still near the top of the news cycle: Historic floods hit Nebraska after ‘bomb cyclone’ storm. A selection from the Reuters article: “The National Weather Service predicted dangerous flooding would continue through the weekend in Nebraska and in south and west central Iowa, particularly along the Missouri River. ‘We’re still in a very widely dispersed and intense flooding situation in the eastern third …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Bodily vigor is good, and vigor of intellect is even better, but far above both is character. It is true, of course, that a genius may, on certain lines, do more than a brave and manly fellow who is not a genius; and so, in sports, vast physical strength may overcome weakness, even though the puny body may have in it the heart of a lion. But, in the long run, in the great battle of life, no brilliancy of intellect, no perfection of bodily development, will count when weighed in the balance against that assemblage of virtues, active and …


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — March 20, 2019

March 20th is the birthday of Mel Tappan. (Born 1933, died 1980.) His perennially popular survivalist books Survival Guns and Tappan on Survival have a well-deserved following. JWR’s Comment: I propose that March 20th be designated National Survivalism Day. That would be fitting to begin next year, to mark the 40th anniversary of his untimely death. It is also apropos that it falls in March–one of the months that both Northern Europeans and Native Americans refer to as The Starving Season–when stored food runs low, but before spring bounty appears. Plan ahead. Stock up. Don’t starve. I’m sure that Mel …


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 Thermo-Electric Generators (TEGs). (See the Gear & Grub section.) Books: The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals (Includes Refrigerator Labels) o  o  o Keto Diet: Your 30-Day Plan to Lose Weight, Balance Hormones, Boost Brain Health, and Reverse Disease o  o  o The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition   Movies: The Battle of Britain. This now-classic war film was released in 1969. The stunt flying and special effects are all genuine “old …


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 western societies going cashless. Precious Metals: Palladium soars to record, gold moves back up above $1,300/oz o  o  o Brace For “Slingshot” Rally; Best Days For Silver Are Yet To Come – CEO   Economy & Finance: Formerly Red-Hot Retail Sales Fizzle Back to …