For Preppers With Adolescent Chidren, by D.M.C.

Parents who decide to pursue the survivalist lifestyle do so for many reasons. Some are convinced of a need for self-sufficiency. Others are uncomfortable with the direction in which they see society headed, and may even see a more deliberate lifestyle as beneficial for their children. And, yes, some are on a fantasy trip after watching the latest Mad Max movie. Regardless of the motivation, parents need to remember that they are carrying some other souls along with them…their children. Even the more mature adolescents may not understand the motivation to step out of the old, comfortable life to move …


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 of the death of a Wyoming Bull Rider. (See the Wyoming section.) Idaho Idaho House and Senate wrap up 2025 legislative session. o  o  o Pocatello: Zoo Idaho opens April 5th.  From the press release: “Zoo Idaho is back for the 2025 season, showcasing …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 7, 2025

Gerrit Dou (April 7, 1613 – February 9, 1675) — also known as Gerard Douw or Dow — was a Dutch Golden Age painter.  From the InfoGalactic Wiki: “…[his] small, highly polished paintings are typical of the Leiden fijnschilders. He specialized in genre scenes and is noted for his trompe-l’œil “niche” paintings and candlelit night scenes with strong chiaroscuro. He was a student of Rembrandt. Dou was born in Leiden, where his father was a manufacturer of stained-glass. He studied drawing under Bartholomeus Dolendo, and then trained in the stained-glass workshop of Pieter Couwenhorn. In February 1628, at the age …


Recipe of the Week: Swiss Chard and Walnut Pesto

The following recipe for a Swiss Chard and Walnut Pesto is from SurvivalBlog reader Joanna E.. Ingredients Swiss chard leaves from one large bunch. Remove the stems and set aside. Roughly chop the chard leaves. 1 cup of basil, roughly chopped ½ to ¾ cup olive oil 4 garlic cloves 1 cup walnuts 1 lemon, zested and juiced ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste Directions Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chard, stirring until leaves are just wilted. Remove from heat and let cool for …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 6, 2025

On April 6, 1320, Scottish nobles reaffirmed their independence by signing the Declaration of Arbroath addressed to Pope John XXII. — And on April 6, 1652, the Cape Colony, the first European settlement in South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company under Jan van Riebeeck. — Today is the birthday of novelist Vince Flynn. (Born April 6, 1966, died June 19, 2013.) His death at age 47 was a loss to the literary world. — This is also the birthday of famous American newsreel and radio journalist/narrator Lowell Thomas. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another …


Fractional Reserve Banking: The Global Fraud Syndicate

I’ll begin with some history: Beginning in the 1500s, goldsmiths began issuing paper receipts or notes for gold that was held in safekeeping for their customers. Each note represented a specified amount of gold that they held in their vaults. Any note could be used to have the goldsmith repay the depositor, or later anyone holding that piece of paper, handing over a like amount upon demand. These receipts were locally traded for goods and services because they could be freely redeemed for gold. So people believed that these receipts were almost as good as gold.  The goldsmiths soon realized …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: He Sayeth: “My Advice To Thee Is To Trade Thy Gold Coins, And Buy Shares….” And I Replieth: “Methinks You’d Also Have Me Play The Fool and Sell My Guns!” News Link: Stocks drop, gold hits record as tariffs stoke recession worries. 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 the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — April 5, 2025

On April 5, 1722, Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen was the first European to discover Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui) in the southeastern Pacific. Today is the birthday of Baron Arisaka Nariakira (April 5, 1852 –January 12, 1915), the inventor of the Arisaka Rifle. On this day in 1614, Pocahontas married John Rolfe which ensured peace between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan Indians for several years. — Today’s feature article is a guest post by our friend and fellow blogger and American Redoubt resident Brandon Smith. — We are seeking entries for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. …


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:

“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — April 4, 2025

Today is the 100th birthday of famed Navy fighter pilot Royce Williams. From Wikipedia: “He is known for his solo dogfight with seven Soviet pilots during the Korean War, which, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune, has been called “one of the greatest feats in aviation history” by military experts. A retired admiral and multiple members of Congress have been campaigning for him to receive the Medal of Honor for his exploit. On January 20, 2023, he received the Navy Cross—the second highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. Navy—from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. In 1952, then-Lieutenant …