Odds ‘n Sods:

Attention Texans: April 26 to 28 there is a Self Reliance Expo in Arlington, Texas. Marjorie Wildcraft, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy are among the many speakers.    o o o Some commentary by Claire Wolfe over at Backwoods Home: Can the U.N. Ban America’s Guns?    o o o Sad news from Oz: Queenslanders handing in 500 guns a week. Of course what is not mentioned in the article is that there are millions of unregistered guns in Australia, including hundreds of thousands of now contraband semi-auto and pump action guns. Recognizing their long standing right, many Aussies have …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Military analysts pretty much agree Japan lost the war in the Pacific because they were playing chess while we were playing checkers. Overthinking all but guarantees failure. Engineers will tell you complexity increases as the square of the subsystems involved, or near enough, something survivalists should keep in mind when they attempt to replicate their ‘normal’ life. And no, being a nice, deserving person with good intentions won’t make failure modes go away. The cost of maintaining complex systems eventually exceeds the value they provide and fail when they become too complex to effectively manage. A trivial glitch that won’t …


Notes from JWR:

I just heard that Tattler Reusable Canning Lids is offering select items up to 30% off, through midnight April 9th, 2013. And if you enter the coupon code “100days” when checking out, you can take another 5% off your order.   — Today we present another two 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 …


Winter Outdoor Survival Lessons Learned, by Jim N.

Darkness was rapidly settling in, I was soaking wet, and the temperature was falling as fast as the snow.  There were still about 8 miles of very rough country between me and my truck and I was flat out smoked from hiking all day in deep snow at high elevation.  I realized I could not hope to navigate by headlamp the many blow down trees and steep canyon walls that separated me from my truck in my current condition.  While I realized the seriousness of my situation, I was not particularly worried and silently thanked the Lord I had practiced …


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

Dear James, To follow up on your comments to getting a printed version of the Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course binder/book, I would strongly recommend taking a memory stick (thumb drive) into one of these stores to retrieve a hard copy, if you don’t have a moderate capacity printer at home.  The Online Printing offered by FedEx Office, The UPS Store, and others put your request into a national database and relay your order to the store you choose – the store then accesses your print job on the national data base to print the project out. While you …


Letter Re: UVPaqlite Forever Lite

Jim, Just an FYI, regarding Pat’s Product Review of the The UV Paqlite Forever Lite: I got two of the UVPaqLites from Wiggy’s several months ago and they are great. I got the largest rectangular sheet ones and I can attest that they do indeed work well. When not in normal use, They hang on the bathroom window. All night long, no need to turn the lights on in the bathroom. All in all, pretty nice and it supports Jerry Wigutow–a SurvivalBlog advertiser. – The Army Aviator


News From The American Redoubt:

Spokane Grandmother of 10 Holds Burglar at Gunpoint at Her Home    o o o The latest from Montana legislator Krayton Kerns: The Naked Gun    o o o Here is an article that quotes SurvivalBlog. The included map is instructive: America’s Death Zones: Where NOT To Be When It Hits the Fan. (Note the map’s inverse correlation to the American Redoubt.)    o o o Even the Redoubt isn’t immune from some crimes: $28,000 worth of copper wire stolen in Kootenai County. (Thanks to Russell in Idaho for the link.)    o o o Damon and H.L. both sent …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Andre D. sent us this: Rehn: big bank depositors could bear cost of bank failure: People with big deposits could suffer a ‘haircut’ under planned European Union law if a bank fails, the EU’s economic affairs chief Olli Rehn said. Reader H.L. sent this: Obama Proposes Retirement Account Limit In First “Wealth Tax” Salvo Rhode Island’s tallest building will soon go dark. Dirty Harry to World Savers “You’ve Got To Ask Yourself… – Do You Feel Lucky? Items from The Economatrix: Sinclair:  This Will Create The Mother Of All Financial Crises Economic Apocalypse Is Here! Gigantic Miss: Just 88,000 …


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 …