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, Wrench Attacks on Bitcoin Whales. ‘Wrench Attacks’ Have Crypto Whales Living in Fear The UK Telegraph reports ‘Wrench attacks’ leave crypto billionaires living in fear. A quote: “Billions …



Preparedness Notes — Wednesday, May 27, 2026

On May 27, 1930 Richard G. Drew (pictured) invented cellophane tape. Five years earlier, he had also invented painter’s masking tape. — On May 27, 1941, the British Navy sank the German battleship Bismarck. — Also on this date, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney of Maryland issued Ex parte Merryman, challenging the authority of President Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. military to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in Maryland. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 124 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. This is the final round of the contest. There will not be …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

The 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. — Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson mentioned that Karl Bushby (pictured) was last reported in Nuremberg, 500 miles from Calais, on his way back to Hull, England. He has now walked or swam nearly all the way around the world. He might be done by July 1st, 2026. JWR Asks: Will the French and …


The Editors’ Quote

“Pace yourself in your reading. A little bit every day really adds up. If you read during sporadic reading jags, the fits and starts will not get you anywhere close to the amount of reading you will need to do. It is far better to walk a mile a day than to run five miles every other month. Make time for reading, and make a daily habit of it, even if it is a relatively small daily habit.” – Douglas Wilson


Preparedness Notes — Tuesday, May 26, 2026

On May 26, 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Murdock and their children became the first family to travel across the United States by car, driving from Los Angeles to New York City in a Packard Thirty in 32 days, 5 hours, and 25 minutes. — Randall Hank Williams (Hank Williams, Jr.) was born May 26, 1949. When not touring, he lives Somewhere in Montana, so he qualifies as a Redoubter. He has a large gun collection that is heavy on Sharps rifles and rifles that have factory letters showing that they were originally shipped to Montana. He also has many …


SurvivalBlog’s American Redoubt Media of the Week

This weekly column features media 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. Pictured above is Idaho’s Bogus Basin.  (Photo courtesy of the talented photographer Charles Knowles.) Redoubt News Links Boise County search crews find lost hiker, 2 dogs near Bogus Basin after 911 text. Local Cowboys Win Big at the Bannock County PRCA Rodeo Motor Vu Drive-In is back: America’s largest outdoor drive-in screen reopens. In Montana: Proposed AI data center near Broadview could use natural gas as a power …



Preparedness Notes — Monday, May 25, 2026

On May 25, 1842, Christian Doppler presented his concept, now known as the Doppler Effect (through the changing colors of binary stars), to the Royal Bohemian Society, in Prague. — And on May 25, 1878: W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan‘s comic opera “H.M.S. Pinafore” premiered in London. It was their first international success. — Today, Memorial Day, is a day of solemn remembrance in the U.S. of the many who have given their all for our freedoms. We always thank those who are serving in our military and their families who have also made sacrifices, but today most of …


Recipe of the Week:

The following recipe for Barbecued Hashbrown Scramble is from long-time SurvivalBlog reader and frequent recipe contributor Ellen H.  She says: “The exact proportions of the listed ingredients are not exact. Pick amounts to suit your taste.  This can be cooked at home on a barbecue or over a campfire in a dutch oven or even just in a heavy foil cooking tray.” Ingredients Ham, diced. (Cooked ham or substitute cooked bacon) Hashbrown potatoes, cubed (fresh or frozen, but thaw them first. 2 or more Eggs Milk –  of any kind. Shredded Cheddar Cheese (or substitute another cheese, to suit your …



The Editors’ Quote

“No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned…A man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company.” –  Samuel Johnson, as quoted In James Boswell’s ‘The Life of Samuel Johnson’ (1791) Vol. 1, p. 348.


Preparedness Notes — Sunday, May 24, 2026

On May 24, 1764, Samuel Adams wrote instructions for the Boston Town Meeting opposing the Sugar Act. This laid the groundwork for colonial resistance to taxation without representation. — May 24, 1962: US astronaut Scott Carpenter aboard Aurora 7 (Mercury-Atlas 7) orbits the Earth three times in a flight just under five hours. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 124 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. This is the final round of the contest. There will not be a “Round 125”! The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three-Day Course Certificate. …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: I Used To Think Of My Life As Something Straight Out Of “The Young And The Restless” But Now That I’m Getting Older, I Seemed To Have Changed Channels To “General Hospital” 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, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.


The Editors’ Quote

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give …