Odds ‘n Sods:

Another big solar coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred on August 20th. Luckily, this one was not pointed directly toward Earth. Next time, we may not be so lucky. (It could be like the 1859 solar storm.) Are you ready to hunker down for months or years without grid power? Get ready, folks!    o o o Raising Mealworms for Chicken Food    o o o Glock 17 and Glock 19 owners, take note: If you are looking for pouches that will fit 33 round Glock magazines, SurvivalBlog reader Jeff S. recommends using the 1980s/1990s vintage (ALICE era) flashlight holder pouches …



Notes from JWR:

I was saddened to hear that bestselling novelist Vince Flynn passed away at age 47 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. My condolences to his wife and three children. His novel Term Limits was fantastic.  — I heard from Ready Made Resources that during the upgrade of their web site that they had a technical glitch which sidelined their site. It should be back up with 24 hours. If you have any questions, you can call them at (800) 627-3809. (They are taking orders by phone, even during the web outage.) — Today we present another entry for Round …


Prepping From My Purse by S.M. in Arizona

Triple-decker mint brownies are one of my favorite treats.  The base is a thick, chewy brownie.  Next, a layer of green mint filling is spread on the brownie which is then topped off with a thin layer of creamy, chocolate glaze.  When I think of these delicious brownies I think of prepping.  The thick, chewy brownie on the bottom represents the base of my preps.  This is long term, shelf stable food, water, security, sanitation, first aid, communications, and all the other things which are the foundation of being prepared.  This is by far the largest layer.  The mint layer …


Letter Re: Bug Out Strategy Advice

JWR, Thanks so much for your invaluable blog.  I’ve been reading with interest all of the checklists on what to include when bugging out.  But I’ll be 70 years old on my next birthday in January.  So even 40 lbs. on my back is too much for me to travel very far.  That limits what I can carry and how long I can stay viable.  Then I remembered when I was camping in the mountains of eastern Oregon, I saw what some hunters brought with them to bring back their deer.  It was a home made single wheel cart using …


Letter Re: You’ll Need a Fine-Tooth Comb

Hello James, One item that is often overlooked in preparing for a collapse situation – where hair and beards can grow long and so can the interval between showers, is the humble nit and lice comb. So take a look at the Shantys nit and lice comb, and watch their video. (I have no connection whatsoever with this company)   Best Regards, – Andre D. JWR Replies: Reviewing the history of the 20th Century, one could summarize: “War is hell, but it is also lousy.” Whenever people live in close confines, the spread of lice increases dramatically. Just imagine your …


Economics and Investing:

A new CATO Institute study found that a mother in New York State with two children is eligible for $38,004 in welfare benefits–which is greater than the annual salary of a first-year New York school teacher. Note where Idaho falls in the benefits spectrum. (Idaho certainly can’t be faulted for “encouraging multi-generational dependency.” (Thanks to John in Washington for the link.) G.G. sent: $2,001,093,000,000: Fed’s Ownership of U.S. Debt Breaks $2Trillion for First Time. Items from The Economatrix: Stars Aligned For “Serious” Stock Correction Dave Hodges:  Escape From Wall Street Cramer:  Giant Reset Looming For Markets


Odds ‘n Sods:

Colorado Counties Vote on Forming a New State. (If they are successful, I will certainly expand the American Redoubt!)    o o o Anyone who owns a 26.5mm flare gun (either a flare pistol or one of the big RV-85 shoulder-fired flare launchers) should consider getting one of these new ATF-approved goodies: Sub-Caliber Device for .45 Colt or .410 shotshells. Kennesaw Cannon also makes one that shoots .22LR. (Of course consult your state and local laws before ordering either model.) These inserts are sold by a number of Internet/mailorder firms, including Cheaper Than Dirt.    o o o Maine Bill …



Notes from JWR:

Happy birthday to former Congressman Ron Paul. (Born 1935.) I commend Dr. Paul for fighting the good fight for so many years. — Today we present another entry for Round 48 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.) …


Water: PV-Powered Water Pumping and Storage, by A. Haggard H. Rider

All sources of preparedness information stress the importance of water. Without water everything else is put at risk. You cannot drink bullets, beans do not have a lot of moisture and sucking on a bandage will not help. The ideal situation is to have some form of safe running water on your property. But what if you don’t? Hopefully you have a well, but if your electric goes out your pump will not work. A hand pump will work, but it takes a lot of energy to get that water, and then you have the situation of Operational Security (OPSEC) …


Two Letters Re: Extending Your Vehicle’s Driving Range, Without Cost

Hello Mr. Rawles, Some thoughts on the recent post on Pulse and Glide driving (PGD), taking for granted that safety is always more important than fuel economy, and not considering any survivalist aspects: I don’t doubt the core claim made by Steven B. – that his use of PGD has reduced his fuel consumption. I am, however, skeptical about some of the other statements made in support. I note that while my comments are based on my experience as an engineer and physicist, I have not done any tests of PGD versus other driving styles. If an actual automotive engineer …


News From The American Redoubt:

If population density is proportional to relative safety in a societal collapse, then the American Redoubt would fare very well. Note that around 90% of Oregon ‘s population and 80% of Washington‘s population is west of the Cascades, which means outside of the Redoubt. If they were considered separate states (as they really should be), Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon would probably be ranked just above and just below Idaho. Here is the big picture. (That map also makes it clear why I picked the Four Corners Region as one of the locales for “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming …


Economics and Investing:

Reader H.L. sent: China Gobbling Up Wheat, as US Exports to Nation Soar Where the Housing Recovery Is Strongest and Weakest Buy Gold Now That Soros & Paulson Are Done Liquidating, Says Analyst Bill O’Neill Items from The Economatrix: How Bad Can Things Get? Obamacare Rate Calculator The Most Important Number For The Market: 2.75%


Odds ‘n Sods:

Yesterday I mentioned needing Anderson Power Pole adapters for cigarette lighter plugs and jacks. Several readers promptly wrote to tell me about two companies that already make them: Quicksilver Radio and Powerwerx. (The latter has a huge variety of DC power products.)    o o o Here is a small company in Huntersville, North Carolina that was started by a retired Navy man who is now a Christian missionary, to help with his retirement: ThriftyPrepperMall.com    o o o While doing some research for my now nearly complete “Rawles on Tools” book (for Penguin Books, scheduled for release in May …