Notes from JWR:

There are just two days left in Freeze Dry Guy’s 25% Off Special All Mountain House #10 Cans. And meanwhile, Camping Survival has started their own 25% off sale, which runs until July 7th. — Mississippi’s open carry law was set to go into effect today. Despite a temporary court injunction (which is sure to be overturned soon) Mississippi will soon be a fairly gun friendly state. For example, it is a non-discretionary concealed carry state. Freedom is on the march! — July 1st is the birthday of the late Oakley Hall. (Born, 1920, died May 12, 2008.) He wrote …


Home Power Systems: Batteries, by L.K.O.

[Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series of feature articles by our Central Rockies Regional Editor about alternative / sustainable / renewable energy (RE) solutions for self-sufficiency. Previous related articles in SurvivalBlog that complement this one are “Home Inverter Comparison: Off Grid and Grid Tied,” Home Power Systems: Micro Hydro and Energy Efficiency and Conservation. Upcoming article topics in this Home Power Systems series will include: Photovoltaics, Wind generators, Solar Water Distillers, Solar Ovens, and Solar Water Heating.] First Things, First: Home Power Prerequisites One important foundation of a cost-effective, sustainable home energy system is energy efficiency and conservation; …


Dollar Destruction Averaging

I recently got a letter from a financial planner who derided my occasional “Buy at this dip” recommendations and suggested dollar cost averaging when investing in precious metals. I replied: “While I agree that dollar cost averaging is the right approach in most markets and for institutional investors, it is not necessarily the correct approach in the current secular bull market in silver for small investors and for those who are hedging against the dollar with small sums.  The vast majority of my readers had less than $10,000 to invest in 2005, and they work for wages.  So they haven’t …


Pat’s Product Review: Cannon Safe EMP Locking System

I’m a chronic worrier. However, over the years, I’ve learned (at least I think I have) to put my worries in some sort of priority. Like most Americans, I worry about making ends meet each month – there usually is more month, than there is money – we try our best to work around it, with our limited funds. Whenever I hear a noise under the hood of my car, I start to worry, and make an appointment with my mechanic to check it out – more often than not, it’s nothing that needs immediate attention. The “Check Engine” light …


Letter Re: The K9 Question

Hello. As an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) owner, I felt compelled to address the inaccurate information in the post titled, The K9 Question. Since the reputation of the ‘pit bull’ type dog has been shredded by the media and various myths, I ask that the information be corrected.   The post states; “On the other hand, if children are not necessarily a consideration and your needs are for a one purpose guard dog you might decide on one of the BULL TERRIER breeds commonly referred to as Pit Bulls.  They are easy to find.  Every dog shelter is overflowing …


Recipe of the Week:

C. in Florence’s Boer Sausage Recipe This is an old Afrikaaner favorite. It was saved, dried, smoked, boiled, grilled and fried. At a braai (barbeque) it is at it’s best.)     Boerewors Sausage Recipe   10 lbs lean ground beef or minced chuck. 2 lb of coarsely minced pork, or you can sub for this with turkey if you like. 3 lb pork fat which is minced coarsely Sausage casings ( real or artificial, your choice) 4 tbs salt 1 tbs pepper 3 tbs finely ground coriander 1 tbs finely ground cloves 1 tbs red pepper 1 1/2 tbs nutmeg …


Economics and Investing:

It is very clear that we are approaching a national debt crisis. This chart from the St. Louis Fed illustrates America’s tale of woe. Once interest rates start to rise–and inevitably they must and will–then the whole charade will abruptly end. We will suffer a debt crisis far more horrendous than what we witnessed in 2008. No nation can survive a sustained debt level greater than 100% of GDP for and extended time without a crisis. Some interesting reading over at The Daily Bell: Chris Becker’s Austrian Perspective on South Africa, Gold and the Ludwig von Mises Institute Jim Rogers: …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The latest in the long saga of U.S. military camouflage patterns transition: Guy Cramer Talks Camo Part V – Phase IV C3: Camouflage, Color and Cost. (Thanks to Matt L. for the link.)    o o o I was recently sent a few test and evaluation samples of some LED lights by the folks at www.CreativeLightings.com. (We’ve mentioned them before in SurvivalBlog, first commenting on their LED light “ropes.”) Seeing their new products, I was amazed at how far LED lighting technology has leapfrogged in the past couple of years! Their 18″ long LED units that replace standard 12 VDC …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The 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.) D.) a $300 …


The K-9 Question, by L.D.

We won’t be talking about the family dog here. The family dog, to most households is quite often an undisputed, full-fledged member of the family.  In some cases “Fufu” or “Spot” is treated better than some family members. Those privileged pooches will, of course, figure into these family’s doomsday scenarios and allowances will, undoubtedly, be provided for the little darlings.                                                                                    In this article we will be discussing working dogs.  It is some Preppers’ misguided belief that acquiring a big, mean, muscle-bound ball of fur with flashing yellow teeth, straining at the end of a chain, could be an advantage …


Letter Re: Observations on the Alberta Province Floods

Mr Rawles, You may already be aware of the devastating floods Alberta has experienced in the past 10 days, with some areas receiving up to an amazing 8-11 inches of rain and over 100,000 people evacuated.  The flood has washed out dozens of highways and bridges, stranded campers in the Rocky Mountains, and saw lions from the zoo moved to city jail cells.  The hippos almost escaped into the river.  In even more worrying news, police have confiscated firearms from flooded residences ‘for safekeeping’ much to the outrage of the citizens.  [JWR Adds: It is noteworthy that with Canada’s system of gun …


Letter Re: Relocating and Transport of Firearms and Ammo

Sir: Your reader who wrote regarding “relocating & transport of firearms and ammo” from New Hampshire to South Carolina is trapped. There’s no way out of New Hampshire without going through New York, Massachusetts, or New Jersey. I’m sure readers in those states will have more info, but I’d suggest avoiding New Jersey at all costs. Massachusetts, despite its strong restrictions, may be the least onerous of the three; New York has a state law stipulating possession of five or more handguns is prima facie evidence of felony gun trafficking, New Jersey prohibits possession of hollow point ammunition (in any …


Economics and Investing:

Supply Policies Prevent Hydropower from Fulfilling its Potential Treasury Auction Bids Drop To Weakest Since 2009 As Yields Rise   Items from The Economatrix: As Demand In The Global Economy Weakens, American Multi-Nationals Feel The Pain John Galt: The End of Global Banking or Worse? Cash Is Tight:  Six More US Muni Bond Sales Postponed