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 of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the Yellowstone Geothermal Hot Spot. (See the Region-Wide section.) Region-Wide “Geological hazards” lurking below Yellowstone National Park, data show. (Thanks to reader C.B. for the link.)  Here is a quote: “Advanced geological surface mapping — a process that charts topography in a …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 4, 2023

On December 4, 1679, English philosopher and political theorist Thomas Hobbes, who was perhaps best known for his political philosophy, died at age 91. — December 4th is the birthday of Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, (born 1912) an AVG “Flying Tiger” volunteer pilot for the Chinese Nationalist government, WWII Marine Corps aviator, and Medal of Honor recipient. (He died January 11, 1988.) A proto-Redoubter, Pappy Boyington was born in Couer d’Alene, Idaho and was raised in Spokane, Washington. — A Reminder: Jonathan Rawles — my #1 Son who operates SurvivalRealty.com — has mentioned that they have recently revamped their Agent Directory, …


Recipe of the Week: Southern California Biscuits

The following recipe for Southern California Biscuits is from one of the 11 bonus books that will be included in the upcoming edition of the waterproof SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick:  GOOD HOUSEKEEPING’S BOOK of MENUS, RECIPES, and, HOUSEHOLD DISCOVERIES. (Copyright 1923). This 255-page book has hundreds of recipes. The 2005-2023 SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick should be orderable by January 25, 2024.  These sell out quickly each year, so mark your calendar. Ingredients 2 cupfuls bread flour 4 teaspoonfuls baking-powder 3 tablespoonfuls shortening 1 teaspoonful salt 8 cupfuls milk 2 tablespoonfuls butter or margarine Orange marmalade (for filling) Directions Sift together …


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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we examine the recent rally in the gold and silver markets. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: Gold prices ignore Powell’s hawkish stance as prices surge to session highs above $2,050.  JWR’s Comment:  Yes, the metals are indeed looking bullish!  I noted these figures, from after-hours trading on Friday evening (December 1st, 2023): Gold …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I believe that a man — a healthy, walking, talking human being — is the ultimate viral biological weapon. A man with strong convictions can spread those convictions to others, in a geometric progression, much like a virus. All that it takes is just one man, one driven man, to awaken a hundred men, and they in turn recruit a thousand, who recruit ten thousand, and then an entire nation. What is needed is awakening to the fact that the people vastly outnumber their oppressors and that they can quickly overthrow them. Once it begins to spread, a truthful idea …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 3, 2023

December 2, 1857 English writer Joseph Conrad, whose notable works included the novel Lord Jim (1900) and the novella Heart of Darkness (1902), was born. On December 3,1775, the first official US flag (the Grand Union Flag) was raised aboard naval vessel USS Alfred. On December 3, 1944, the Greek Civil War broke out in a newly-liberated Greece, between communists and royalists. On December 3,1967, Christiaan Barnard of South Africa performed the first human heart transplant, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. Today is also the birthday of actor Brendan Fraser (born, 1968.) He often plays “fish out of …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Most Presidential First Ladies Have Had a Pet Project or Cause… Ladybird Johnson: Highway Beautification Betty Ford: Breast Cancer Rosalynn Carter: Drugs Abuse Prevention Nancy Reagan: Just Say No To Drugs Barbara Bush: Literacy Michelle Obama: Regular Prostate Exams 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 to SurvivalBlog.com is included.  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — December 2, 2023

On December 2, 2001, following revelations of massive accounting fraud, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection; the energy-trading company was once the seventh largest corporation in the United States. — On December 2nd, 1823, what became known as the Monroe Doctrine was declared by President James Monroe to Congress outlining a foreign policy initiative that forbade European interference in the American hemisphere but also asserted U.S. neutrality in regard to future European conflicts. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 110 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both 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 the Odds ‘n …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword. Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — December 1, 2023

On December 1st, 1913, the world’s first moving assembly line debuted, used in manufacturing Model Ts at a Ford factory in Highland Park, Michigan; the innovation was the idea of owner Henry Ford, and it revolutionized the auto industry. — Today is the birthday of gun designer Charles Cashman Kelsey, Jr., of DEVEL firearms fame. He was born December 1,1935.  He was murdered in Texas under mysterious circumstances in April, 2003. — This is also the birthday of novelist Rex Stout (1886–1975). Rex Stout was the brother of Ruth Stout, the gardener who wrote about no-till, year-round mulching, organic gardening …


Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced – Round 109

We’ve completed the judging for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  The judging was particularly difficult for this round, because there were so many great articles. Round 108 began on August 1st and ended on September 30, 2023. (The contest is run in rounds that each last two months.) The prize-winning writers for Round 108 are: First Prize First Prize goes to SaraSue, for: Homesteading – A Cautionary Tale, posted on November 10-11-12, 2023. See: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. She will receive the following prizes: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC are providing …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“Unfortunately, there is a tendency among political elites to distrust the opinions of ordinary people. They are perceived to base their views on dark instincts and unjustified fears, rather than on rational choices. European voters, however, are highly educated, and it is ridiculous to suppose they can be easily fooled or manipulated.” – Geert Wilders