Odds ‘n Sods:

Congress returns to try to reach final deals on major issues of immigration, gun control. Please contact your Senators again!    o o o Kansas Governor Sam Brownback Signs HB 21 – Recognizes All States’ Concealed Carry Permits. Hopefully this will be a trend setter!    o o o Dawn S. in Texas wrote to mention that just found a large variety of flower, vegetable and herb seeds in Mylar packaging at her local Wal-Mart. She notes: “Some are heirloom varieties. Although the product is listed with a “sell by” date of 12/13, it is hermetically sealed. This is a …



Notes from JWR:

April 8th is the birthday of the late Ian Smith, the former Prime Minister of Rhodesia. (Born, 1919, died November 20, 2007.) Ian Smith’s government was far from perfect, but it was much preferable to that of his successor: Comrade Mugabe and his thugs. Mugabe has absolutely wrecked and systematically looted the country and have made almost everyone’s lives miserable. Once residents of the prosperous Bread Basket of Africa, Zimbabweans now face starvation. The Rhodies have a saying: “Rhodesia didn’t die. It’s just fallen asleep and is having a bad dream called Zimbabwe.” Remember Rhodesia. — This is the last …


Pat’s Product Review: UVPaqlite Forever Lite

I’m like many folks, and when I can get a good deal on a product, that can help me fill a particular need, I like that. However, when I can get a great deal on a product, I’m even happier. But when I can get a free deal on something I need, I couldn’t be happier. When the power goes out, we all reach for a flashlight, to help us find our way in the dark. When out camping, we need a light source of some type as well. Many folks carry flashlights in their BOB, or have lanterns for …


Job Available Ranch/Farm Team (Eastern Oregon)

[Editor’s Note: I’m re-posting this as a favor for one of my old consulting clients. I have visited this ranch, and I can attest that it is an amazing fully-equipped off-grid ranch with large acreage. This would be a great opportunity for an energetic couple that wants to live in the boonies but that cannot afford a retreat of their own.] Seeking two-person team for hard labor job running a remote ranch, dealing with cattle, grain farming, large garden, and ranch maintenance. Personal requirements: Stable relationship, no children at home, no smoking, drug use, drinking, or criminal history. We will …


Letter Re: Hard Copies of Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course?

James Wesley; Can I get the Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course in a paperback version or other printed version? I don’t have a printer and don’t want to depend on the computer to have lists and those appendix tables. I’m not really computer useful. Thank you very much. I read your blog every day, and have your books, – Bob L. JWR Replies: Sorry, but the course is now available only via digital download. But keep in mind that the old binder copies sold for $120+ each, so the digital download–at less than $20–is a real bargain. If you …


Recipe of the Week:

K.A.F.’s 1890s Cordials Diana Berry’s favorite beverage from Anne of Green Gables was a Raspberry Cordial. Here is a recipe for a Raspberry Cordial taken from an Almanac of 1892. Note, Cherry or Grape cordial may be made in the same fashion. Raspberry Cordial Crush one pound of raspberries and store into them one quart of water and the juice of two oranges; add a thinly sliced lemon, cover, and let the mixture stand for two hours, then strain, and add one pint of sugar. Cool or ice before serving. Blackberry Cordial Crush ripe blackberries, and to each gallon of …


Economics and Investing:

The State Of Silver Bullion and Other Anomalous Events Pierre M. sent: Numbness gives way to anger in Cyprus over bailout. G.G. flagged this warning sign: Obama administration pushes banks to make home loans to people with weaker credit Voting With their Feet: Beretta Leaves Maryland Because Of Stricter Gun Laws Items from The Economatrix: Former US Treasury Official:  Fed Desperate To Save System The Chart That Will Crash The Market Wells Fargo Website Hit By Another Cyber Attack Weak Jobs Gain Hurt Economic Outlook


Odds ‘n Sods:

Signs of the times: As cities lay off police, frustrated neighborhoods turn to private cops. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.)    o o o And yet another! Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) member and Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin was arrested yesterday for allegedly accepting bribes from an undercover FBI agent, as part of a wide-ranging federal corruption probe that netted six New York state politicians. Meanwhile, we read, about another MAIG member: Gun-Toting Mayor Charged in Sex Intimidation Case. He has now been formally booked for a long list of charges, but they missed discharging a firearm inside …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"But imagine this church: It is huge and is still numerically growing. People like it. The music is good. Whole extended families can be found within its membership. The people are welcoming. There are many exciting programs, and people are quickly enlisted into their support. And yet, the church, in trying to look like the world in order to win the world, has done a better job than it may have intended. It does not display the distinctively holy characteristics taught in the New Testament. Imagine such an apparently vigorous church being truly spiritually sick, with no remaining immune system …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 46 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 …


Off Grid Cooking Solutions, Part 1, by V.W.

About three years ago, my husband and I jumped in with both feet and decided to invest in emergency preparedness and survival skills. It’s been quite a journey, and we certainly have learned a lot. My husband’s main interests are in security and heating the home, while mine have been food storage and off grid cooking. We make a good team as we rely on each other’s strengths and abilities. Although we are not yet at the level we hope to be, we are a lot further down the road than where we once were. I recently taught a small …


Letter Re: Sew You Think You’re a Prepper? Look to Your Treadle in Troubled Times

Some great points have been brought up by R.S. in a response to my original article. I appreciate the input and agree completely with the value of a true industrial machine while electricity is available. Nothing compares to a walking foot industrial for those heavy jobs that use materials such as thick leather, webbing and multiples layers of canvas. I should have mentioned that a household low-tech treadle would pale in comparison to a modern electric industrial machine. I too, appreciate their capability for sewing heavy work.  As luck would have it, I own and operate both a Consew 226R …


Economics and Investing:

Familiar imagery? If The Fed Loses Money, It Can Just Print More Tungsten Silver? Or More Salt in the Open Wound? (Thanks to Jeff L. for the link.) Kevin S. sent: Instawallet Hacked: The company is suspending its services indefinitely, and will be refunding all balances of 50 Bitcoins or less. Items from The Economatrix: The Big Banks Are Recklessly Gambling With Our Money, And It Will Cause The Global System To Collapse Jobless Claims Have Hit 4-Month High Jim Rogers:  I Suspect They’ll Take The Pension Plans Next; I For One Am Worried And Making Preparations Discouraged Job Seekers …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Kevin S. recommended this over at the JPFO site: Jim Crow Rides Again    o o o Pro-Gun Laws Gain Ground: Since Newtown Massacre, More States Ease Regulations Than Bolster Them. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.) And speaking of liberty and the lack thereof: “State Control”: What the UN Firearms Treaty Is All About. (Thanks to Jim W. for the latter link.)    o o o Over at Red State: The only gun infographic you’ll ever need.    o o o Worth noting: Camping Survival has dropped their price on sandbags by about 30%. As usual, SurvivalBlog readers …