Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 6, 2025

May 6, 1527: Spanish and German Imperial troops sacked papal Rome, ending the Italian High Renaissance. Charles III, Duke of Bourbon had been killed in the assault. It was reported that his death removed any restraint for the victorious soldiers.  The 17th-Century rendering above, titled The Sack Of Rome was by Johannes Lingelbach, — May 6th is also the birthday of Tuvia Bielski. (Born 1906, died 1987.) You may remember that Daniel Craig portrayed him in the movie Defiance. — Today’s feature article is an essay by JWR. — We are in need of entries for Round 118 of the …




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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, news about some tax cuts and some tax increases.  (See the Region-Wide section and the Montana section.) Region-Wide Op-Ed: Montana, Idaho join the ‘record’ tax cut club while Washington imposes a ‘historic’ tax increase. The piece begins: “If there was a theme for the 2025 …







Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 5, 2025

Today, May 5th, 2025 is the 75th birthday of Michael Bane. Born on May 5, 1950, Bane is an author, firearms trainer, television host, and the host of the longest-running firearms podcast:  MBTV – On the Radio.  A proto-prepper, Michael Bane lives in an off-grid home in rural Colorado. Mr. Bane was also the basis of the “Michael Blessing” character in James Tarr’s zombie novel trilogy. Michael Bane’s website–michaelbane.tv–is the place to find his podcast, his blog, and his superb video series: Triggered. It is highly recommended. — We are announcing a change to the First Prize package in the …




Recipe of the Week: Garlicky Corn & Tomato

The following recipe for a Garlicky Corn & Tomato is from SurvivalBlog reader R.E., who says: “This a great summer recipe for your garden produce. It takes just 5 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes to cook.  This makes a great side dish.” Ingredients 4 Ears of raw corn on the cob (about 2 cups of corn) 4 medium sized tomatoes 1 small bunch (a handful) of fresh basil 3-4 cloves of garlic (peeled and minced) — or less, to taste Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste 1/4 cup of water Directions Cut the raw kernels off the cobs …










Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 4, 2025

May 4th is now informally known as “Star Wars Day”, because of a silly play on words: “May The Fourth Be With You.” May 4th 1943 – A patent for helicopter controls was obtained by Igor Sikorsky. Sikorsky invented fixed-winged and multi-engined aircraft, transoceanic flying boats, and helicopters. On May 4, 1415, reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance. The death of Hus inspired the later Hussite revolution in Bohemia. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this …




JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR, based on an idea suggested by SurvivalBlog reader C.B.: Meme Text: So, Do You Prefer Open Carry… …Or Concealed Carry? News Links: As of February 2025, there are 29 states that allow for carrying without a permit. Reps. Mann, Hudson Introduce Bill to Expand Concealed Carry Permits. Shall-Issue States — 2025. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 3, 2025

On May 3, 1621, after confessing to corruption, Lord Chancellor of England Francis Bacon was sentenced to imprisonment in the Tower of London, a £40,000 fine, and banishment from court, Parliament, and public office. — May 3rd, 1952 was the birthday of Pastor Chuck Baldwin. He has done yeoman service in promoting the American Redoubt movement. — Today’s feature article was too short to be included in the judging for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 ends on May 31st, so …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron. Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 2, 2025

On May 2, 1536, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, was arrested and taken to the Tower of London. She was beheaded following a four-day show trial. — May 2, 1924: President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the ancient lava fields in Idaho as Craters of the Moon National Monument, in order to “preserve the unusual and weird volcanic formations.” — On May 2nd, 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton announced that high-accuarcy GPS would be made available to the public; the satellite signals had previously been degraded for nonmilitary use. — And on May 2nd, 1803, the United States purchased …




Life With Propane Freezers and Refrigerators

Via an e-mail from reader Richard T., I recently had a special request to write an article.  His request: “From a 1975 The Mother Earth News magazine, I found an obscure reference to the Crosley “Icy Ball” refrigerator and a search found it mentioned in a SurvivalBlog article from 2009. I followed the link in the article which led me on to research it some more. Using “Crosley Icy Ball refrigerator” as a search phrase in Youtube I found several short videos on it. I then discovered this was not a lost technology but this is how RV and propane …