Preparedness Notes for Thursday — November 30, 2023

On November 30th, 1996, a block of gray sandstone known as the Stone of Scone was returned to Scotland, 700 years after it had been taken to England as war booty by King Edward I. — Satirical novelist Jonathan Swift was born on November 30th, 1667. — And on November 30, 1782, Britain and the United States signed the preliminary articles of the Treaty of Paris as part of the Peace of Paris, a collection of treaties concluding the American Revolution. — A very practical new property listing over at SurvivalRealty: Off Grid, 20 Acres, Two Homes, Year Around Access, …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at the Bunker Building Boom. (Pictured is a diagram of an underground bunker from Atlas Shelters.) An Invasive Tick That Can Clone Itself Is Spreading Over …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 29, 2023

Today is the birthday of writer Clive Staples (“C.S.”) Lewis, who was born in 1898 and died 22 November 1963.  The news of his passing was surely overshadowed by the media attention to JFK’s death, the same day. — We are now seeking entries for Round 110 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $850,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 110 ends on January 31st, 2024, so get busy …


The 21st Century Geopolitical Chessboard

As we approach the end of 2023, I’ve been assessing world events. In short: The world is an increasingly dangerous place. There are numerous current threats, most notably: The Western debt-based financial system is overextended and nearing a collapse. The rise of the BRICS bloc. Pandemics are being used as weapons to reduce population, control citizenries, and as excuses for a wide range of social engineering projects. Note that Avian Flu is still spreading and a new pneumonia strain broke out in northern China, and it is already jumping national borders. There is also a new canine respiratory illness and …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Far-right anti-Islamist Wilders wins Dutch election, sending shockwaves through Europe. o  o  o How Blue States Work Around SCOTUS to Restrict Gun Rights. o  o  o Fellow American Redoubt resident Commander Zero shared this wisdom on pistol tritium sights: Nuke ’em till they glow. o  o  o Fact-Checkers Are Gaslighting You on …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 28, 2023

On November 28, 1757, English engraver, artist, poet, and visionary William Blake, whose notable works included the poetry collections Songs of Innocence (1789) and Songs of Experience (1794), was born. And on November 28th, 1520, Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean after navigating the dangerous straits on the southern tip of South America that now bear his name. He became the first European explorer to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic. — Jonathan Rawles — my #1 Son who operates SurvivalRealty.com — mentioned that they have recently revamped their Agent Directory, making it easier to find a local survival property specialist …


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, another look at the Patriot Front agitprop group. (See the Idaho section.) Idaho Patriot Front members sentenced to 5 days in jail, banned from Coeur d’Alene parks. JWR’s Comments:  It is widely believed that the Patriot Front group is an agent provocateur operation that is …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 27, 2023

Through the will drawn up by Alfred Bernhard Nobel—the Swedish chemist, engineer, and industrialist who invented dynamite and other, more powerful explosives—the Nobel Prizes were established on this day in 1895. — On November 27, 1942, the French navy scuttled 73 ships at Toulon in order to avoid German seizure during World War II. — A piece of property at SurvivalRealty.com (that is pictured above) in Manitoba, Canada caught my eye: Riverfront Off-Grid Timber Frame Home on 95 Acres in Canada.  Click on the map and zoom out a bit.  From a retreat security standpoint, there are very few places …


Recipe of the Week: Stuffed Pepper Soup

The following recipe for Stuffed Pepper Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader “Sis”.  She writes: “This is another great recipe that can be made from your food storage and then freezes well or could be canned. Quite a few people have some good storage but I’m thinking that most just store it and don’t cook from it. So the recipes that I’m sending to SirvivalBlog use food storage items.” Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds of browned hamburger 2 cans (11oz) tomato soup 1 large onion ( diced and sauteed) 1 can (4oz) mushrooms (or use dehydrated ones) 1 tablespoon salt 3 large …


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 look at a possible rise in the Argentine Peso. (See the Forex and Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: Both silver and gold appear to be building a base for a price breakout in the new year.  I’m also bullish on platinum, although the more “industrial” price of platinum may dip as we slip into the …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 26, 2023

Casablanca premiered this day in 1942 and became one of Hollywood‘s most-revered films. Set in occupied Morocco during World War II, it was directed by Michael Curtiz. Casablanca starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. November 26th is the birthday of gun inventor Eugene Reising (born 1884, died February 21, 1967). This is also the birthday Barton Biggs (born 1932, died July 14, 2012). Biggs was a money manager known for his pro-preparedness stance. — Just a few days left!  We are still seeking entries for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $850,000 worth of …