“If you like small government you need to work hard at having a strong national defense that is not so militant. Personal liberty is the purpose of government, to protect liberty – not to run your personal life, not to run the economy, and not to pretend that we can tell the world how they ought to live.” – Former Congressman Dr. Ron Paul
On February 16, 1659, the first known cheque was written, for £400. It is now on display at Westminster Abbey. — February 16,1838: The Weenen Massacre. Hundreds of Voortrekkers were killed by Zulu warriors along the Blaukraans River, Natal. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This …
Two of the latest memes created by JWR: Meme Text: Take A Chill Pill, Pocahontas Zeroing The USAID Budget Will Not Cause a Constitutional Crisis News Links: ‘We are here to fight back’: hundreds protest suspension of US financial watchdog. Elizabeth Warren roasted over ‘temper tantrum’ on Senate floor. Sen. Warren slams Trump for ‘cutting the parts of government that help bring down costs’ Meme Text: The DOGE Witness Channeling Roy Orbison “There Goes My Budget, There Goes My Heart…” News Links: MAGA cruelly mocks DOGE committee hearing witness just because he’s blind Notes From JWR: Do you have …
“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, …
On February 15, 1867, Johann Strauss’ Blue Danube waltz premiered in Vienna. — Today’s feature article is a guest piece from our friend Brandon Smith. It is not part of the writing contest judging. — We are seeking entries for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 117 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging. …
“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my …
The Battle of Cape St. Vincent was fought on February 14, 1797: The British fleet commanded by Admiral Sir John Jervis defeated the larger Spanish fleet under Admiral Don José de Córdoba y Ramos near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Captain Horatio Nelson distinguished himself in this naval battle. — February 14, 1803: Writing the majority opinion in the landmark Marbury V. Madison decision, Chief Justice John Marshall declared that any act of U.S. Congress that conflicts with the Constitution is null and void. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing …
(Continued from Part 3. This concludes the article.) Cooking with Wood and Propane We do not regularly use our house wood stove for cooking. We can, but since we installed the wood stove, it has not been needed. Recently, I was given an old, homemade wood stove from an old-timer’s cabin. The stove is very well made. I have it outside of the shipping container and use it to cook on. It is an extremely large stove inside and out. It stays outside and will likely never be indoors again. Whoever built it, put several feet of ¾ inch steel …
“The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.” – Thomas Jefferson
February 13, 1692: The Glencoe Massacre. About 38 MacDonalds were killed early in the morning by rival Campbell clan members, allegedly for not promptly pledging allegiance to the new king, William of Orange. — On February 13, 1861, the first military action to result in the award of a Medal of Honor, as Bernard J.D. Irwin volunteered to lead the rescue of 60 soldiers from Chiricahua Indians at Apache Pass, Arizona. — And on February 13, 1945, Allied planes began bombing the German city of Dresden, resulting in a devastating firestorm that destroyed the city and killed more than 22,000 …
(Continued from Part 2.) When the 2024/2025 woodstove season started, I had roughly seven cords of stacked, seasoned wood in the shipping container. We use about two cords of wood each winter. My goal is to always have at least two years of firewood on hand. To me, three years is an insurance policy. If I am unable to gather firewood one summer, I do not need to worry. I will simply gather more the following summer. I also store everything I need to gather, cut, carry, and split wood to prep it for storage. Our log splitter, chainsaws, axes, …
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: Dismantling the Deep State. Team Trump’s Substantive Swamp Draining Some fascinating reading, over at the EKO substack: OVERRIDE — INSIDE THE REVOLUTION REWIRING AMERICAN POWER. A key quote: …
“Children who reach the age of eighteen with their entire skillset composed of Nintendo and eating Doritos have been neglected. Their parents neglected to give them the character traits necessary to live successfully.” – Dave Ramsey
On February 12, 1818, Chile gained independence from Spain. — February 12, 1870: An official proclamation set April 15 1870 as the last day of grace for US silver coins to circulate in Canada. — Ready Made Resources (our longest-running advertiser) has announced a special overstock sale on military contract canned freeze-dried foods. These include some premium meats and are available in individual #10 cans, or in six-can case lots. Stock up! — I’m scheduled for cataract surgery on my right eye, today. Even though this surgery is now considered a “routine” outpatient procedure, I’m still feeling a bit anxious. …
(Continued from Part 1.) Tools for Cutting Wood at Home Wheelbarrow or manure cart- I use these to haul wood and cutting equipment. Occasionally, someone will offer me free firewood they cut some time previously. Sometimes, if it is seasoned and not split, the wood can be heavy. In these circumstances, I will use a furniture dolly, but I try to never cut and/or haul anything that large/heavy. Hunting/Boy’s Axe – I prefer using a two-pound “boy’s axe” because it is extremely light, and easily maneuverable. This is strictly used for delimbing. Splitting maul – I use these not only …
