Notes from JWR:

The docudrama “American Blackout” will air for the first time on the National Geographic Channel, Sunday October 27, 2013 at 9 p.m.. FWIW, I believe that their casualty estimates for the first 10 days are overoptimistically low. — Today is the birthday of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. (Born 1858, died January 6, 1919.) — 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 …


Your Two Foot Bugout, by The Virginian

For most of human history, people have traveled by foot or by beast.  People have walked great distances over trade routes, over Roman roads, caravan routes, the Appalachian Trail and the Bering Straits to name a few. Do not forget that your core bug out vehicle is your own two feet. So much emphasis in the prepper community is placed on fantasy vehicles, tricked out 4×4 SUVs, retrofitted military vehicles, campers, trailers, the list goes on. I call these fantasy vehicles not to insult those that have invested their future in them, but because for many people living paycheck to …


Letter Re: Constructing In-House Caches

Captain Rawles, In response to the excellent article regarding hidden wall caches I have some feedback. I work in the tiling industry for an unnamed mid-south distributor. As a distributor for Schluter Systems I have sold many of this kit for installers / homeowners to use for concealed access panels. Schluter Rema is the trade name. They come in quite handy for whirlpool tubs wherein access is required for frequent pump maintenance. I have sold many of these and have had no complaints. Best wishes, – Matt in Ohio


Economics and Investing:

Citi forecasts Greek devastation, unstoppable debt spirals in Italy and Portugal Reader Susan R. suggested this news: Seattle uses eminent domain to turn a parking lot into a parking lot Items from The Economatrix: Man Who Predicted Surge In Gold Says Rally Just Beginning Chaos Now Ready To Explode As The West Begins To Collapse The Growing Rift With Saudi Arabia Threatens To Severely Damage The Petrodollar


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl spotted this, over at Mac Slavo’s great site: They Will Smell Your Food From Miles Away…    o o o Tim R. sent: Taking a stand against real-life ‘Terminators’    o o o H.L. sent: Free and feral humans    o o o M.B. sent a link to something that sounds like it came from a novel I once read wrote: Sultan Of Brunei Introduces Sharia Law    o o o An interesting legal development: The Truth About SIG SAUER’s AR-15 Pistol Arm Brace



Notes from JWR:

It was 35 years ago today that American-born RLI Trooper Joseph Patrick Byrne, was killed in combat in Rhodesia. — 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.) …


The Things that Drive Us to Prepare, by Bluegrass Preacher

When the subject of Prepping comes up there are many facets which can be equated with the reason for Prepping.  Many people in regions where severe weather is a perpetual problem are preparing to deal with the effects of a weather related emergency situation.  It was actually the ice storm of 2009 which devastated almost the entire state of Kentucky that opened my eyes to the potential danger of being unprepared.  We were without power for 3 weeks while others went longer.  The first week two of the grocery stores actually opened for a few hours a day on generator …


Letter Re: Salt Curing for Meat

Jim,This is something I hear from people often: “If things go down I’ll just salt my meat!” My answer, “Really!!!  Do you know how??” So here’s the question I have for you folks, assume we are now at that TEOTWAWKI. How many of you really “KNOW” how to salt the meat you have on? Or how to preserve the meat you may harvest in the future? Everyone knows in the winter, if you’re in a cold climate just hang it, it’ll freeze. They’re right it will! Good Luck carving some for dinner. Don’t believe me? Pull out a pound of …


Letter Re: Thoughts on Socks

Jim: In a recent contest entry post, Clarence A. wrote: ‘Warm up some round river rocks that are as big as you can fit into a wool sock.  When they are too hot to touch with your fingers put them in the wool sock and use them like you would a hot water bottle.’ No offense at your experience Clarence, but hot river rocks can hold moisture and can and do explode. I’ve had it happen camping as a kid, using a river rock for part of the fire ring, lucky no one was close when it exploded! it sent …


Economics and Investing:

Measured Against Gold, US Dollar Purchasing Power Drops By 99.9% Sometimes a graph shows it best: The Size of the Problem Pierre M. sent: Could Prepping Become Illegal Here Too? Venezuelan Gov’t To Detain “Hoarders” Items from The Economatrix: How To Build Wealth In This Economy: “Rattle Snake Investing” De-Crowning The Dollar, And The ‘Collapse’ Ahead Kiss The Dollar Goodbye


Odds ‘n Sods:

Megan W. suggested: Africa Teaches the West How to Build a Car    o o o Seed for Security has announcing a special bonus with every purchase of $75 dollars or more. They will add two packets of old-fashioned flower seeds (Love-in-a-Mist, and Yellow Hollyhock). Also added will be six tea bags filled with mixed mints from Nan’s herb garden. This bonus offer for a limited time and will be automatically included with your order.    o o o Reader C.D.M. suggested this piece: New York’s Looming Food Disaster    o o o Barney Fife is alive and well: Tennessee …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." – Ecclesiastes 9:9 (KJV)


Note 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.) …