SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our 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. — Reader R.D. sent us this: “I started collecting them and already have over 650”: a user has been powering his home with laptop batteries since 2016. JWR’s Comment: The charging method pictured in the article has “lithium battery charging thermal runaway fire” written all over it.  (Pictured above is a lithium battery fire …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 20, 2025

On May 20, 1736: Royal Approval was given by King George II to construct the original Westminster Bridge across the River Thames, in London. The 1747 painting above (titled “Westminster Bridge, with the Lord Mayor’s Procession on the Thames“) was by the Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Canal (aka Canaletto.) — May 20, 1774: The British parliament passed the second of the Intolerable Acts: the Massachusetts Government Act. This gave the British-appointed governor wide-ranging powers. — May 20th, 1942  was the birthday of Carlos Hathcock (died February 23, 1999). He was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a …


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 horn-hunting National Guardsmen.  (See the Montana section.) Idaho Teen cited for reckless driving after popping wheelie on electric dirt bike in traffic. o  o  o Bryan Kohberger back in court for pre-trial hearing, trial begins in August. o  o  o Security guards …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 19, 2025

Tom Christianson sent this important update: Smithsonian posted this report: Sun Launches Its Strongest Solar Flare of the Year So Far, Causing Radio Blackouts Around the World. (The May 18, 2025 photo above is courtesy of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. NASA / SDO.) — On May 19th, 1515, George, Duke of Saxony sold Friesland for 100,000 gold guilders to Charles of Habsburg, Duke of Burgundy. He was later named Emperor Charles V. — On May 19, 1796, the first game law was approved in the United States. The law created penalties for hunting or destroying game within Indian Territory. It …


Recipe of the Week: Raspberry Streuseled Muffins

The following recipe for raspberry streuseled muffins is from SurvivalBlog reader V.F.. She writes: “With raspberry season coming up, I thought that I’d share this recipe that was e-mailed to me by a good friend, two years ago. I have successfully doubled this recipe with no problems.” Ingredients 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon salt Slightly heaped 1/2 cup measure of granulated sugar 1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided Half a medium lemon 1 large egg 2/3 cup plain unsweetened yogurt 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 8 ounces fresh or frozen raspberries (will measure from 1-2/3 to …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 18, 2025

May 18, 1291: After 100 years of Crusader control, the last Crusader stronghold of Acre (now known as Akko, Israel) was reconquered and destroyed by the Mamluks under Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil. — May 18th, 1825 was the birthday of Daniel Baird Wesson, of Smith and Wesson fame. — On May 18th, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington erupted, causing a massive avalanche and killing 57 people. Ash from the volcanic eruption fell as far away as Minnesota. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Punster Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s Fame (Creator of The “Cherry Garcia” Flavor) Was Arrested for Disrupting the Senate But He Faces No Charges For His Crimes Against Hugh Manatee Hugh Had No Comment News Link: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder arrested after disrupting Senate hearing with pro-Gaza protest 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:

“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 17, 2025

On May  17, 1756, Britain declared war on France. This was later known as the Seven Years’ War or the French & Indian War. — On this day in 1769, George Washington launched a legislative salvo at Great Britain’s fiscal and judicial attempts to maintain its control over the American colonies. He brought a package of non-importation resolutions, drafted by George Mason, before the Virginia House of Burgesses. This initiated a chain of events that led to Britain’s House of Lords demanding that men involved in the extra-legal Massachusetts convention of towns be tried in England. Britain’s plan backfired and …


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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked …