Letter Re: The Serval Mesh Network

Mr. Rawles, If you have not yet heard of the Serval Project, I would encourage you to check out the web site. This is an Australian based non-profit that is attempting to build the software and hardware for a mesh network that can be erected post-disaster. It is all open-source and there is even a free Serval app available at the Google App Store. For those of you not familiar with the idea, mesh networks are self-contained networks that run off of the same protocols as the internet, using the same hardware, but are not necessarily linked to the actual …


Letter Re: Light Blocking Suggestions for Windows

James: In response to the recent article: Light Blocking Suggestions for Windows, I’d like to mention that another very low cost option for blacking out windows is a roll of roofing (tar) paper. It takes up very little space. It can also be used as expedient, water-resistant repair material.  – Pat O’C. JWR Replies: Tar paper does indeed have many uses, but I’de recommend that you use it outside, rather than inside widows. Tar paper is notorious for outgassing. The distinctive tarry smell can linger for many months or even years in a confined space, so I would recommend never …


Recipe of the Week:

Homeschool Mom’s Cheesy Chili Mac Soup 1 T. butter or oil 1 lg. onion, chopped Saute the above for a few minutes. To it, add: 1 lb. ground beef or other ground meat 1 T. chili powder 1 t. cumin Cook until browned. Then add: 2 1/2 C. milk (use fresh or canned reconstituted, I find soups are a good way to rotate storage milks) 2 C beef broth (I like to store the little Knorr Homestyle tubs that you reconstitute, no MSG in them) 1 8oz. pkg cream cheese Stir together, bring to a boil and add: 1 1/2 …


Economics and Investing:

Reader R.K.D. sent: Fed’s Tarullo details plans to counter bank runs Blogger Mike “Mish” Shedlock is Fined €8,000 Euros by France for Freedom of Speech Items from The Economatrix: US Existing Home Sales Fall 3.2 Percent in October Declining Prices Of U.S. Homebuilder Stocks An Indicator Something Not Right With Housing Market Jim Rogers On QE, Currency Wars, Gold And Inflation


Odds ‘n Sods:

G.G. flagged this: Imagining the Post-Antibiotics Future    o o o Further down the slippery slope to tyranny: Police Find Hidden Compartment in Man’s Car, but No Drugs or Illegal Items – So Why Was He Arrested? (Thanks to J.B.G. and H.L who were the first of many readers to send this link.)    o o o Another one of Mikey Bloomberg’s “crime fighting” anti-gun mayors is headed for the Big House, this time ironically on a gun charge: Marcus Hook mayor convicted in guns episode    o o o Meanwhile at the U.S. Patent Office: United States Patent – …



Notes from JWR:

November 24th marks the day that John Knox died, in 1572. (He was born in 1514.) AtheistAgendaPedia says: “Born near near Haddington Scotland. He was influenced by George Wishart, who was burned for heresy in 1546, and the following year Knox became the spokesman for the Reformation in Scotland. After imprisonment and exile in England and the European continent, in 1559 he returned to Scotland, where he supervised the preparation of the constitution and liturgy of the Reformed Church.” — Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of prizes for …


Consider The Little Things, by R.P.

I hope some of you know most of these things, but I’m sure most of you won’t know all of these things. I took a camping trip not too long ago where I made one of my favorite childhood camping dishes, the hobo dinner. I’m sure those of you who camp have had it a few times. Put some potatoes and veggies in some aluminum foil and throw it right on the fire. Easy enough. Tastes great. Don’t even need a plate. I, however, am not your average cook. I like to try new things, and I don’t eat plain …


Letter Re: Basic Mechanics Skills and Knowing Vehicular Limitations, Part 1

Dear Editor: While alloy wheels can have an alloy-to-steel corrosion issue, hitting them with a sledge hammer will probably damage the rim.I f you have an issue with a stuck rim, then just lower the flat with the nuts finger tight. If you do so, then he weight of the car will break the wheel lose with no damage. – Black Hat


Economics and Investing:

ECB Calling U.S. Out on Its QE Mistakes I heard about a bullion coin company that has launched a retail web site with competitive prices: Upstate Coin & Gold. They sell nationwide. Over at The Daily Bell: Bitcoin: Hoping for the Best After Bernanke’s Endorsement Items from The Economatrix: Warning – NSA To Oversee Individual Bank Accounts & Wealth  Fed Could Taper Even Without Strong Job Market U.S. Retail Sales Signal Rise In Demand; Inflation Tame


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader M.K.P. spotted this: HydroBee wants to be your personal hydroelectric generator    o o o One down 1,000 to go: Pennsylvania town kicks out anti-gun mayor.    o o o Reader Frank X. wrote to make special mention of Mayville Engineering Company (MEC), the world’s largest consumer shotshell reloading machine making company. It is located in Mayville, Wisconsin.    o o o Norwegian army goes vegetarian… to fight global warming    o o o Reader James C. recommended this piece over at Apartment Prepper: Hiding your Emergency Supplies from Strangers


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” – Luke 14:27-30 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

Today is the 35th anniversary of Operation Dingo, in 1977. This combined air strike and airborne operation against Robert Mugabe’s ZANLA headquarters at Chimoio, Mozambique, was one of Rhodesia’s most successful cross-border raids. — 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 …


Anticipated Traumatic Stress in TEOTWAWKI, by F.B.

Have you been able to sit quietly and thoughtfully imagine what your world would be like at TEOTWAWKI?  Your world? Your new and untried world? There are so many lists on the Internet, and so much information available that it would seem to be impossible to miss this point, but mentally and emotionally we will be all over the map!  Anyone aware of extreme threat situations knows about physiological factors impairing wise judgment.  Body chemistry does strange things during life and death encounters.  In St Paul, Minnesota, an elderly lady was robbed at gunpoint.  She could not tell the police …


Letter Re: Basic Mechanics Skills and Knowing Vehicular Limitations, Part 1

James Wesley, In reply to Z.T.’s article, Basic Mechanics Skills and Knowing Vehicular Limitations, Part 1: In general, while Z.T.’s post concerns tire maintenance, you should think “maintenance” on all fronts. Are you personally familiar with how much oil your vehicle eats per thousand miles? Are you familiar with your current, average and customary fuel mileage? Any diversion from the customary indicates a potential problem. Provided you’re aware of what “customary” is on all fronts. Are you also checking, and familiar with, all fluid levels? Of all kinds? Simple preventive stuff. Find the problem before it becomes an actual problem. …