Odds ‘n Sods:

My thanks to everyone who has helped Orange Jeep Dad in the aftermath of the fire that destroyed his home. Please continue to pray for him and his family, and do what you can to help.    o o o Prepper Recon Podcast: TEOTWAWKI Communications with John Jacob Schmidt of Radio Free Redoubt    o o o Several readers have mentioned this exemplar of pudge and braggadaccio: So-called “prepper” fail: “We’re going to take what you’ve got and there’s nothing you can do”. His attitude closely resembles the despicable looter mentality that was cleverly illustrated in an October, 2009 SurvivalBlog …



Notes from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ 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. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) …


Alternative Power Systems: An Update, by David J.

A couple years back I wrote a piece for SurvivalBlog about alternative energy in the suburbs.  I described a strategy for dealing with a potentially prolonged blackout in suburbia.  Essentially the plan is to keep a low profile, by camping in my grid tied, stick built, difficult to defend home.  This was accomplished by shrinking our energy footprint by using a well-insulated basement, propane heat and small scale solar to primarily power DC appliances.  The article is still available in the SurvivalBlog archives.   It is a sound strategy, well within the reach of most suburbanites and could keep many people …


News From The American Redoubt:

I heard about another two prepper-friendly churches the Redoubt. One is Providence Bible Presbyterian Church, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The other is Mountain View Baptist Church in Pierce, Idaho. Contact: Mountain View Baptist Church P.O. Box 186 Pierce, Idaho 83546 Elder’s Phone: (208) 435-4098    o o o Gary Marbut (of Montana) writes the Supreme Court about the “Made In Montana Guns” law.    o o o Perhaps the Redoubt is bigger than we thought… New Colorado? Rural voters approve secession idea. Meanwhile, partition plans are still in progress in the State of Jefferson counties. According to the National Constitution …


Economics and Investing:

In today’s economic environment, spot silver below $21 per Troy ounce is a bargain. For those who don’t consistently make dollar cost averaged silver purchases, this is a good time to hedge into physical silver. Some clips from the 2013 Sovereign Man Offshore Tactics Workshop, Santiago: Violent Revolution coming to Europe; Ron Paul, Nigel Farage, Jim Rogers Cue up an Asian rendering of Carmina Burana or some other ominous doom music: Canadian Province Issues Offshore Yuan-Denominated Bonds. (Thanks to AmEx for the link.) Ann Barnhardt: The Survival of Civilization Depends on You. Venezuela jails 100 ‘bourgeois’ businessmen in crackdown. (Thanks …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The e-book version of Lisa’ Bedford’s Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios is on sale for just $3.99 until November 25th. Her popular blog is also quite informative.    o o o Noah (the ultimate prepper in history) comes to the big screen. Here is a quote from the movie trailer: “When They Come, They’ll Be Desperate; And They’ll Be Many.”    o o o Reader Peter S. sent: New Mesh Network Documents Confirm Police Vehicle’s Real-Time Access To DHS Spy Cameras    o o o Appellate court affirms unconstitutionality of California …



A Message To Janet Yellen: Welcome to the Crack House

It appears that Federal Reserve Governor Janet Yellen will be taking over as Fed Chairman soon. (Although, I suppose that in the politically correct Newspeak, she will ignominiously be called a “Chair.” ) As she assumes command of that soiled centenarian private banking cartel, all that I can say to her is: Welcome to the Crack House. Back in April of 2012, I wrote: “Remember when I compared Quantitative Easing debt monetization to crack cocaine addiction? It appears that Tim Geithner and Ben Bernanke have moved up to the level of co-dependency and are only one step away from collapsing …


Pat’s Product Review – Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM II

I cut my teeth on the military M14, way back in 1969, during my basic training at (now closed) Fort Ord, California. I learned to love it, and I qualified “Expert” with it – loved shooting that rifle. Later on, while working full-time for the Illinois National Guard, I joined the Illinois State Rifle & Pistol Team, and was issued a match-grade M14 (and 1911A1) along with all the ammo I wanted – those were the days. I shot in many competitions, and always winning in my classification with that M14. I always wanted an M14 of my own, however, …


Letter Re: My Experience in Expatriating to Panama

Dear JWR, Regarding “My Experience in Expatriating to Panama”, by Chuck Holton: I too lived in Panama from 2008 to 2012 and while I agree with almost everything the author says, there are some exceptions I’d like to discuss.  First covers the medical system.  I was in the local hospital four times from 2010 to 2012 and the doctors were never able to discover what my problem was.  Nothing earth shattering or unusual, I have cancer and not a rare type either.  I used a private hospital the first two times and after running up bills in excess of $15,000 …


Letter Re: Our Journey to the American Redoubt and My Experience with Todd Savage

Jim, I have been a long time reader of your blog (several years) but have never posted. It is my recent experience with Todd Savage of Survival Retreat Consulting that has prompted me to write. My wife and I have been married almost 27 years and have one child who is married to a like-minded young man. My journey to prepping started as a boy when I watched my parents garden, can, sew quilts, raise ducks and chickens and many other endeavors that were not considered prepping as such but just normal activities in the 1960s. We had a one …


Letter Re: Knob Creek After Action Report, Fall 2013

The weather at Knob Creek was great, the dust was minimal and the travel was above average.  The car ran fine, I didn’t die a fiery death and the CV joints only started making noise and going bad after I got home. Yeah! Best price I saw on .308 ammo was Military Shooters Supply, Inc. with PMC and Lake City (the 2 loose packed boxes I examined all had 2005 head stamps, (de-linked I imagine) for $340 per 500rd. They had PMC 55gr .223 $389/1000 and 68gr 5.56 $429/1000. Brown Bear 7.62×39  $119/500. Pat’s Reloading prices were not as good …


Wanted for a Project: Your Dead IR Web Cams

I’m working on a security project here at the ranch. For it, I’m in need of a few web security cameras to cannibalize. I need the type that have a cluster or ring of infrared (IR) illumination LEDs. So if you have any spare cameras that no longer work (typically this happens because of rainwater intrusion) I would greatly appreciate it you would mail them to: Jim Rawles c/o P.O. Box 303 Moyie Springs, Idaho, 83845 I will be happy to reciprocate by sending you a like number of SurvivalBlog Archive DVDs. Thanks! – J.W.R.


Recipe of the Week:

Old Kimber Girl’s Freezer Slaw DRESSING: 1 cup vinegar 1 tsp. mustard seed 1 tsp. celery seed 2 cups sugar ¼ cup water Combine the above dressing ingredients and boil 1 minute.  Cool SLAW: 1 medium head cabbage, shredded 1 tsp. salt 1 carrot, grated Mix cabbage with salt; let stand 1 hour Squeeze out excess liquid and then add grated carrot COMBINE: Dressing and Slaw.  Place into freezer containers, canning jars or freezer bags.  Freeze. This slaw remains crisp. Useful Recipe and Cooking Links: Coleslaw Recipes Cabbage Recipes Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest …