The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, announcements of a couple of upcoming preparedness expos. Self-Reliance Festival Oct. 14-15 in Tennessee A Self-Reliance Festival will be held on October 14th and 15th at: Special Operations …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“By government giveaway programs, individuals are often hurt far more than they are helped. The recipients of these programs become dependent on the government and their dignity is destroyed. Is it compassionate to enslave more and more people by making them a part of the government dependency cycle? I think compassion should be measured by how many people no longer need it. Helping people to become self-sufficient is much more compassionate than drugging them with the narcotic of welfare.” – The Late Rush Limbaugh


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — October 4, 2023

October 4, 1895 was the birthday of American film comedian and director Buster Keaton, who was known for his deadpan expression, amazing stunts, and his imaginative and often elaborate visual comedy. — October 4th is also the anniversary of the Tongo Tongo, Niger Ambush, in 2017. American KIAs: Staff Sgt. Bryan C Black, Sgt. First Class Jeremiah W Johnson, Sgt. La David T. Johnson, and Staff Sgt. Dustin M Wright. — October 4, 1923 was the birthday of the late Charlton Heston, who was born John Charles Carter. He died April 5, 2008. He is often remembered for movies like …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Reader Fred S. wrote: “This is a 3/4-inch PVC pipe coupler that I bought about 20 years ago. Note the marked 33-cent price. This same item is now priced at $3.99 in stores.  House paint is also now very expensive.  Every item in a hardware store is now noticeably much expensive, with …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 3, 2023

October 3rd, 2023 is the 30th anniversary of the Mogadishu, Somalia raid. The 18 Americans killed were: MSG Gary Gordon, 1st SFOD-D SFC Randy Shughart, 1st SFOD-D SSG Daniel Busch, 1st SFOD-D SFC Earl Fillmore, 1st SFOD-D MSG Timothy Martin, 1st SFOD-D CPL Jamie Smith, 3/75 Ranger SPC James Cavaco, 3/75 Ranger SGT Casey Joyce, 3/75 Ranger PFC Richard Kowaleski, 3/75 Ranger SGT Dominic Pilla, 3/75 Ranger SGT Lorenzo Ruis, 3/75 Ranger SSG William Cleveland, Jr. 160th SOAR SSG Thomas Field, 160th SOAR CW4 Raymond Frank, 160th SOAR CW3 Clifton Wolcott, 160th SOAR CW2 Donovan Briley, 160th SOAR SGT Cornell …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, several news stories illustrate the changing times, in Wyoming. (See the Wyoming section.) Idaho North Idaho College tables motion to censure Trustee Tarie Zimmerman. o  o  o A RINO alert, as reported by the leftist Sandpoint Reader:  Woodward will seek Dist. 1 Senate seat. o  …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 2, 2023

On October 2, 1957, the British-American war classic The Bridge on the River Kwai had its world premiere, and it later won the Academy Award for Best Picture. — On October 2, 2002, the Beltway sniper attacks began. This was a series of coordinated sniper attacks that occurred in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The attacks lasted three weeks and resulted in the killing of 10 people. — Today’s feature article is a review penned by Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.


Recipe of the Week:  Simple Honey-Glazed Chicken Bites

The following recipe for Simple Honey-Glazed Chicken Bites is from SurvivalBlog reader N.D.. Ingredients ¼ cup honey 2 tablespoons soy sauce ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut to bite-size chunks Directions Whisk honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes in a bowl; set aside. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir chicken in hot oil until lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Pour honey mixture into the skillet; continue to cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink in the center and sauce is …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, news of BRICS countries dumping U.S. Treasuries. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Costco says its 1-ounce gold bars are real and have been selling out in hours. o  o  o Spot silver and gold both dipped sharply, over the weekend. This is another buying opportunity, for those of you who stack bullion …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — October 1, 2023

On October 1, 1936, Francisco Franco became head of the new Nationalist regime of Spain at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. His dictatorial reign lasted until his death in 1975. — On October 1, 1553, with her coronation, Mary I became the first queen to rule England in her own right; she was later nicknamed “Bloody Mary” because of her persecution of Protestants in a vain attempt to restore Roman Catholicism in the country. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the first entry for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced — Round 108

We’ve completed the judging for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  The judging was particularly difficult for this round, because there were so many great articles. Round 108 began on August 1st and ended on September 30, 2023. (The contest is run in rounds that each last two months.) The prize-winning writers for Round 108 are: First Prize First Prize goes to Reelfisherman, for: Vintage Car Repair Part 1 and Part 2, posted on August 29 and 30, 2023. He will receive the following prizes: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC are providing a store-wide 10% …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: That Face You Make When You Learn That Another $18.9 Billion in Treasuries Were Just Dumped by BRICS Countries News Link: $18,900,000,000 in US Treasuries Dumped by BRICS Members China, Brazil, India and UAE in One Month.  Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provide that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.