Letter Re: Settlement Based on Watershed Regions

James Wesley, Here is a link to an interesting map showing what the US might look like if John Wesley Powell’s ideas of settlement districts based on watersheds were applied to all state boundaries. Powell recognized that water issues would be an ongoing problem for westward expansion and published his strategy in the 1879 paper, “A Report on the Arid Regions of the United States, with a More Detailed Account of the Lands of Utah”.  He was greatly influenced by Mormon settlers’ management of water resources. – C.J.


Letter Re: Diabetics in Disasters

Jim, A quick note about regular insulin (either Novolin R or Humulin R):  it is considered a fast acting insulin, which is different from a rapid acting insulin.  From Diabetes.org – The rapid acting insulins, Humalog, Novolog and Apidra, "begin to work about 15 minutes after injection, peak in about 1 hour, and continue to work for 2 to 4 hours.  Regular (or short-acting) insulin usually reaches the bloodstream within 30 minutes after injection, peaks anywhere from 2 to 3 hours after injection, and is effective for approximately 3 to 6 hours." This may not be a huge difference, but …


Two Letters Re: Want To Raise Pigs?

Jim, Regarding feed sources for home-raised pigs: Many supermarket chains will gladly “donate” outdated or overripe fruits, vegetables, and cheeses, due to the cost of container disposal. This often includes apples,  melons, citrus, tomatoes, avocados, and even prepackaged salad greens, berries and herbs.  Even a relatively small store will have 2-3 trash cans full, daily. They may even provide containers if they are emptied on a regular basis and kept clean.  Commercial bakeries and baked goods outlets often provide bear hunters with barrels of donuts, snack cakes, and breads during hunting season.  Ask them if you can take care of …


Economics and Investing:

Some more sad “Bad OPSEC” news from Australia: Bullion worth $200,000 stolen from Brisbane home of war veteran by thieves using wheelie bin Company makes good on leaving Colorado over gun laws: Colorado gun accessories maker Magpul moving to Wyoming, Texas because of new gun laws Items from The Economatrix: Retail Traffic Plunges By “Staggering” 21% In Week Before Christmas Comparing the inflated cost of living today from 1938 to 2013: How the US Dollar has lost incredible purchasing power since 1938. How does an America with no middle class look like? Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects top two …


Odds ‘n Sods:

‘Looks Like Weimar Germany’: The Viral Photo Out of Connecticut That’s Giving Some Gun Owners Chills . (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.)    o o o Shipping companies largely silent on NSA intercepting packages    o o o Another one of Former Mayor Bloomberg’s MAIG members is sentenced: “Filthy Filner” Sentenced For Sexual Harassment.    o o o A fascinating video: AK-47 Underwater at 27,450 frames per second    o o o F.J. suggested this at Instructables: How To Make A Knife



Notes from JWR:

Please pray for John Mosby and his wife. They just lost their newborn son. — Now that Mayor Bloomberg is a former mayor, my New Year’s Wish is that he fades into obscruity and irrelevancy, and that he and his group of criminal gun grabbers become the national laughingstock. — Today we present another entry for Round 50 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $9,700+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. …


Hydroponics: An Update, by D.P.

Today I have an update for you on my hydroponics adventures. The system has been up and running all season (April 20 – November 1) so there is a lot of information to be shared. The system currently includes 12 beds – 4 outdoors and 8 in a greenhouse – for a total surface area of 56 sq.ft (~ 5.5 m2). An in-depth description of the system was published last year on Survivalblog. I made only 1 substantial change since then and that is in the way the polyethylene drain pipes are connected to the beds. The connections need to …


Letter Re: The Bakken Oil Development has Ended the Peak Oil Debate

Dear JWR: I’m sitting in Western North Dakota atop a sea of oil.  We are producing barrels of oil in numbers that could not be imagined less than six years ago.  Natural gas production is soaring.  Why?  Fracking.  Geologists have determined that world-wide natural gas production, with fracking could produce enough for hundreds of years usage. When I was growing up here in the 1960s, after the boom of the 1950s, experts said we were never going to discover any more oil.  The boom of the 1970s proved that wrong.  Then in the 1980s, it was all over but the …


Economics and Investing:

Cuba economic reforms felt at the dinner table. (Thanks to James W. for the link.) The hidden costs of ObamaCare Items from The Economatrix: On This Day In History, Gas Prices Have Never Been Higher November Durable Goods Jump, Driven By Abnormal Seasonal Adjustments Mortgage Applications Down 66% From Highs To New 13-Year Low


Odds ‘n Sods:

Suzanne G. spotted this at Forbes: Nemesis Camouflage Conceals Body Heat From Thermal Sensors    o o o Reader Jim M. suggested this compendium: 100+ Heirloom Seed Suppliers.    o o o Retired General: Americans Must Confront Obama’s Tyranny    o o o It’s not just your phone calls – it’s YOU they are listening to



Notes from JWR:

Pat Cascio (our Field Gear Editor) receives a large number of products to review. So many, in fact, that starting this month we will be posting two of his product review articles per week. For anyone who might be wondering: Pat Cascio is paid by SurvivalBlog for each of his articles. But to assure his neutrality, he never receives any compensation from product manufacturers, importers, distributors, or dealers. — Today is the birthday of John Cantius Garand (born 1888 – February 16, 1974.) Born in St. Rémi, Quebec, John Garand designed one of America’s best known battle rifles, the M1 …


Want To Raise Pigs? by Mountain Top Patriot

  I hope this missive provides you the reader with insights and useful knowledge to raise your own pigs. I’m not a farmer, just a regular guy with five acres and the desire to eat healthy food our family raises, save some hard earned bucks, and be as self sufficient as practically possible. My intention is to provide a complete 1st hand account in order to convey the pertinent details so you can make your own determination as to pig raising and it’s feasibility in regards to your particular circumstances. It is hard work at moments, but as pigs are …


SurvivalBlog’s Annual Disclaimers, Provisos, and Public Notices

SurvivalBlog, a private information service, is obliged to post some disclaimers and provisos, annually. These notices are current as of January 1, 2014 and remain in force unless later specifically revoked or modified by the Editor. Advertising and Reviews Per FTC File No. P034520: SurvivalBlog accepts cash-paid advertising. To the best of my knowledge, as of the date of this posting, none of our advertisers that sell the products mentioned in this blog have solicited SurvivalBlog or our staff to write any reviews or endorsements, nor have they provided me any free or reduced-price gear in exchange for any reviews …