Preparedness Notes for Friday — January 24, 2025

On January 14, 1984, Apple Computer Inc. unveiled the Macintosh personal computer in a Super Bowl television ad directed by Ridley Scott. — January 24th is the birthday of René Barjavel (born 1911, died November 24, 1985). This prescient French science fiction author wrote several books with survivalist themes, including Ravage, which was titled Ashes, Ashes in its English translation. — Today is also the birthday of Tamara K., the editor of the long-running View From The Porch blog. — Sales of the new 2005-2024 SurvivalBlog waterproof archive sticks have been very brisk. There are now less than 60 left …


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, we look at the recent spike in propane prices (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: The Next Phase Of Gold’s Bull Market Has Just Begun. JWR’s Comments:  2024 was a great year for gold investors. Spot gold posted a gain of 27.2% in US dollar terms, 37.1% in Swiss Franc (CHF) terms, and 35.6% in …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — January 23, 2025

January 23, 1855 was the birthday of John Moses Browning. He was the brilliant designer of dozens of guns, including the Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol, Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), the Auto-5 shotgun (pictured with designer, above), and the venerable M2 .50 Caliber Browning Machinegun.  Variants of all four of these are still in production, more than a century later. Today is also the birthday of my #2 Grandson. His coincidental “Browning Birthday” has ensured that he will inherit a disproportionately large portion of my guns that are Browning designs. – JWR — Sales of the new 2005-2024 SurvivalBlog waterproof …


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, a further examination of Avian Influenza. Bird Flu: 20 Million Dead Chickens in US Reader C.B. sent this: Bird flu kills 20 million chickens in US, driving egg …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In view of the Constitution, in the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here. Our Constitution is colorblind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.” – John Marshall Harlan, 1896


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — January 22, 2025

On January 22, 1506 the first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrived at the Vatican. They still quite competently guard it, in the 21st Century. — On January 22, 1944, Allied forces began landing at Anzio, Italy. — Today is the birthday of the late Linda Rawles (“The Memsahib.”) — We are in great need of entries for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $935,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our 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 C.B. recommended this well-reasoned article by prolific gun and preparedness writer Duncan Long (pictured, in a self-portrait from his younger days):  Backpack Fever. JWR’s Comments: This article was written in 1989, but it is still quite relevant. I still hear the same fantasy “survival” plans espoused in e-mails from some of …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 21, 2025

In honor of the birthday of John Moses Browning (January 23rd, 1855), we have begun a 10-day sale at Elk Creek Company.  This January sale is always our biggest sale of the year. All of our gun and knife inventory has been deeply reduced until January 31st, 2025.  Don’t miss out on these Birthday Week sale prices! — On January 21, 1793, Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris, following his conviction for “high treason” by the newly created French Parliament (Convention nationale), during the French Revolution. — January 21, 1525: The Swiss Anabaptist Movement began when …


Get Ready for Tariff War 2 or World War 3

This brief essay serves as a reminder, for the new year. As we enter 2025, both geopolitics and global economics are displaying some profound changes.  The Ukraine war, the fall of Assad’s government in Syria, and the ongoing civil wars in Burma (aka Myanmar), Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia all have the potential to spill over into wider conflicts. Ditto for potential invasions in Taiwan and South Korea. Meanwhile, the rise of the BRICS trade bloc, the out-of-control U.S. National Debt, global debt as a whole, and the run-up of precious metals prices are all evidence of deep-seated economic …


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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a description of the most remote places in CONUS. Region-Wide Video: The Most Remote Places Left in America (Lower 48). JWR’s Comment:  It should come as no surprise to SurvivalBlog readers that six of the regions profiled in this video are geographically in The American …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 20, 2025

On January 20, 1954, a low of -70°F was measured at Rogers Pass, Montana. This still stands as the record low temperature in the contiguous United States. — January 20, 1981: 52 American hostages were released by the Iranian government, following 444 days of captivity, to be reunited with their families. Not coincidentally, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President, the same day. I have a feeling that Hamas may soon be releasing its Israeli hostages, for a quite similar reason.  – JWR — The new 2005-2024 SurvivalBlog waterproof archive sticks are selling out rapidly. There are now less than …


Recipe of the Week: Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

The following recipe for Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader E.J.. Ingredients 2 Tbsp canola oil 1 onion, chopped 1⁄2 tsp salt, divided 1⁄4 tsp black pepper (more or less, to taste) 1 cup baby carrots 1 lb bone-in, skinless chicken thighs 1 1⁄2 lb skinless chicken breasts (and be ‘bone-in” type) 1 bay laurel leaf 5 cups of chicken broth (fresh, frozen, or canned) 2 Tbsp chopped dill 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed 1 1⁄2 cup vermicelli, broken into 2-to-3-inch long pieces, cooked separately and drained. Directions In a large skillet, heat oil for 30 …