Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If even the concepts of individual responsibility and individual ability to make social agreements volitionally are to survive, then our competence in such survival skills as creativity and community must be constantly of concern, along with our tools. When it comes to tools, however, we have our our own emphasis also. There is coverage galore these days of ways to turn back full circle to subsistence living, voluntary simplicity, and virtually technology-free ways of working. That is an option, of course. Our own experience strongly suggests that people cannot be held to such limits. Human creativity always leaps over limits." …


Notes from JWR:

May God Bless and Protect all SurvivalBlog readers in this new year, regardless of calamitous events. — Today is the 125th birthday of John C. Garand (born 1888, died February 16, 1974.) — Today is also the birthday of novelist Daniel Carney. (Born 1944, died January 9, 1987.) The year 2013 also marks the 50th anniversary of Carney’s emigration to Rhodesia. Daniel Carney is best known for his 1977 novel The Wild Geese, which was soon made into a very popular movie of the same name. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing …


Moving to An Asset-Orientated Life by Greg G.

If you’re a long-time reader of this blog you know what to do to get prepared. Stock up on food for short and near term survival, find a location where like minded people live. Become physically fit and active, and train in self defense. But all of these things cost money. My article goes towards moving to an asset orientated lifestyle to achieve your goals. When you’re cash poor, it is tough to even think about planning. If you read these articles about guns and survival food, and retreat locations and wonder, while the dispute between .223 and .308 is …


Resolving to Start the New Year Right

Here at the Rawles Ranch, we’ve resolved to get back into doing our daily stretching/calisthenics and thrice-weekly tactical hikes on the National Forest land that compasses our property. (We had let this practice slip away last Fall, as the cold weather set in.) Hence forth, no more lame excuses. We’ve also begun supporting C.R.O.S.S. Ministries with weekly support. With automatic PayPal payments, this won’t be overlooked. They deserve your support, too. Note that these are Christian missionaries who will train South Sudanese villagers with small arms, so that they can defend themselves. This is a Biblical concept! (Luke 22:36) We’ve …


Letter Re: I Thought I Was Prepared

Hi Mr. Rawles, It is a bit embarrassing to share this account with you, but maybe, just maybe someone will learn from my errors. I guess we’ve always been ‘preppers’’ of some sort.  We’ve always had a fruit-cellar and extra personal hygiene items along with bandages etc. on the shelf.  When I found this site about 4 years ago, my husband and I took a long, hard look at where we were and where we needed to be.  The two of us are not just looking at helping ourselves, but my sister and her family.  So we dug in and …


News From The American Redoubt:

Wyoming has nation’s 4th highest population growth. Also in the news: Wyoming may loosen gun laws. (Among other things, allowing teachers to arm themselves. Yes!)    o o o Reader R.B.S. sent: Idaho ranks last in earnings by full, part-time job holders. No wonder that bartering is so popular in Idaho. Ditto for the underground economy.    o o o I noticed that Ulti-MAK (in Moscow, Idaho) has added several new scout style scope mounts to their product line. They also now have a good assortment of rail-mounted optics and gear.    o o o The Nampa, Idaho Rod & …


Economics and Investing:

B.B. recommended: In 2002, CBO predicted 2012 US debt would be 7.4% of GDP. In reality, it was almost 74% of GDP $1 Trillion Obamacare Tax Hike Hitting on Jan. 1st San Bernardino may have to pay pensions before police protection Items from The Economatrix: Ordinary Folks Losing Faith In Stocks Housing, Factory Data Point To Momentum In Economy


Odds ‘n Sods:

The news is full of sad tales like this: Fearful of ban, frenzied buyers swarm gun stores. And this: Shelves empty of AR-15s. And it is not just a shortage of AR-15s and magazines: Nation running out of ammo. And survey the crowd at the Las Vegas gun show! (Thanks to B.B. for the link.)    o o o J.B.G. sent: California gun sales jump; gun injuries, deaths fall    o o o Steve W. recommended the latest from Selco: 10 Rules for Trading in Long Term Survival Scenarios    o o o Facebook bans Gandhi quote as part of …



Notes from JWR:

I’m put up the blog posts for December 30 and 31 early, to allow time for my son to start assembling our updated Archive DVD. This new edition will cover 2005 to 2012, and have even more bonus material than the previous edition (Which was on a CD-ROM). It will first be available as a digital download, and then in about two weeks as a DVD. (This will allow us time to test prototypes.) You can look for an announcement around January 5th. Thanks for your patience. — Beat the price increase! “Appleseed Gift Certificates for men on sale for only …


Pat’s Product Review: Emberlit Camp Stove

I’d like to believe that after Earth for more than 61 years, that I’m getting a little bit smarter in my old age. Well, maybe not smarter, but a bit wiser, might be a better description. There was a time, not too many years ago, when I could hump 50-pounds around the boonies, with a full-set of A.L.I.C.E. gear and a full combat load of ammo and some manner of AR-15. Those days are long gone! However, I’m actually in better shape physically these days, than I was 10 years ago, but that doesn’t mean that I want to pack …


Harry’s Book Review: Last of the Breed

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Author: Louis L’Amour Copyright Date: 1987 Publisher: Bantam ISBN: 978-055 Audio, e-book or foreign translation available? Yes, Audio, Kindle & Nook Suitable for children? Teens and up, yes, particularly males. I did not pick up the novel Last of the Breed thinking it would be for a SurvivalBlog review topic. Louis L’Amour is one of the authors I read as “mind candy”, an easy read just for the fun of it. However, I quickly realized that this book is one of L’Amour’s exceptional works and an excellent read for anyone who lives or is thinking of living in the American …


Letter Re: AR-15 Rifle and Pistol Legality in the U.S.

Mr Rawles, In the Odds ‘n Sods section on Saturday 29 December, a reader indicates that, regarding AR pistols: “Most people don’t realize they exist, and that they can be legally converted to rifles, and back”. Anyone considering this route to acquiring an AR rifle should be very aware of the relevant laws about assembling an AR rifle from the pistol configuration. As the rule has been explained to me, any rifle with a barrel less than 16″ in length would be considered a ‘short-barelled rifle’ and would fall under the regulation of the National Firearms Act (NFA), i.e., would …


Letter Re: Internet Service in The American Redoubt

Hello,  I just read your article The American Redoubt — Move to the Mountain States.  I am confused about something.  On one hand you said to not expect high speed Internet then scrolling down further you refer to using the Internet.  There must be some sort of Internet service where you are.    My income is acquired using my computer and high speed Internet.  So does that leave me out?   Thanks for your time. – Deborah T. in California JWR Replies: There is dial-up Internet available in most towns in the Redoubt, but high speed (DSL, or better) is …


Recipe of the Week:

S.A.’s Killer Potato Soup I was given this hand-written, hearty recipe 20 years ago by an Air Force wife. It’s super nutritious including several vegetables, potatoes for carbs, and bacon for protein. When planning meals, I like to think of how to incorporate small amounts of protein (a la Dan Fong in Patriots) for nutrition and flavoring from stored foods such as canned meats and either commercial dehydrated foods or my own stores. This soup features root vegetables and is a great starter or can be the meal along with some good bread. It’s easy to make as nothing needs …