Preparedness Notes for Friday — February 28, 2025

Today is the birthday of William Ewart Fairbairn  (28 February 1885 – 20 June 1960).  He was a British soldier and police officer. He developed hand-to-hand combat methods for the Shanghai Police during the interwar period, as well as for the Allied special forces during World War II. He created his own fighting system known as Defendu. Notably, this included innovative pistol shooting techniques and the development of the famed Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife (pictured.) — Some sad news: Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, wife found dead in Santa Fe home. Those in the prepper community will of course remember Hackman best …


The Wit and Wisdom of Ol’ Remus

The legendary blogger and social commentator “Ol’ Remus” of the Yer Ol’ Woodpile Report passed away in July, 2020.  His wife had passed away just a few weeks earlier. Now that nearly five years have elapsed, I think that it is high time to post a proper acknowledgment and requiem. This is especially for the benefit of SurvivalBlog’s newcomers, who may not have heard of him. “Ol’ Remus” was of course a nom de plume.  Among other things, he was preparedness-minded.  On that topic, he had these terse and oft-quoted words: “Stay away from crowds.”  With operational security (OPSEC) in …


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, some interesting news of a planned Fort Knox audit. America needs to return to genuine money! Precious Metals: We’ve been promised an audit of the Fort Knox gold depository by the DOGE Boys and Senator Rand Paul. JWR’s Comments:  I suggest that they bring a drill motor to check the cores of several gold ingots …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — February 27, 2025

February 27, 1919: the first public performance of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” symphony. — On February 27th, 1900: Felix Hoffman patented acetylsalicylic acid, better known as aspirin. — And on February 27th, 1902 Harry ‘Breaker’ Harbord Morant was executed in Pretoria. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course …


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, we look at the best states to live in, for raising a family. Conservative States Dominate List of Best Places for Families Reader D.S.V. suggested this WND article: …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — February 26, 2025

On February 26, 1797, the Bank of England issued the first £1 note. — Feb 26, 1993: A truck bomb built by Islamic extremists exploded in the parking garage of the North Tower of New York’s World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than …


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. — Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson mentioned some “less lethal” solid aluminum projectiles for paintball guns. He notes: “They are also available less expensively on Amazon, but this way you support a smaller business.” o  o  o Mike Williamson also mentioned: “The UK has demanded access to the Apple Cloud, and Apple has …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 25, 2025

February 25, 1814: Australia’s first currency – the “holey dollar” introduced, made of Spanish ‘pieces of eight’  (8 Reales) with the centers stamped out and overstamped with a date and “NEW SOUTH WALES”, for the colony of New South Wales. — Today’s feature article is a review written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — We are in need of entries for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 117 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. …


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 news story that described the use of thermal imaging.  (See the Idaho section.) Idaho Thermal imaging drone helps police locate suspect hiding in darkness by riverbank. o  o  o The future of the death penalty hangs in the balance in Idaho. o  o  o …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 24, 2025

The artist Winslow Homer was born on March 24, 1836 in Boston, Massachusetts. The illustration above is a detail from Homer’s 1865 painting: “The Veteran in a New Field.” It hangs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. — On February 24, 1905, the Simplon railroad tunnel through the Alps in Switzerland achieved breakthrough after 7-1/2 years of construction. — February 24, 1971:  Algeria nationalized 51 percent of French oil concessions. — Today’s feature is a guest post that is not part of the writing contest. (On Mondays, we normally post a review penned by our Field Gear Editor, Tom Christianson.) — …


Recipe of the Week: Simple Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies

The following recipe for Simple Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies is from SurvivalBlog reader Carol in Delaware. Ingredients 1 large egg ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, very soft — room temperature) ½ cup light brown sugar, packed ¼ cup granulated white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 ½ cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats (not instant or quick cook type) ¾ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/8 cup more semi-sweet chocolate chips to add after baking (or substitute with raisins, walnuts, etc.) Directions Fully preheat oven to 350 degrees …