Two Letters Re: The Aesthetic Pantry: Trading Ornamentals for Edibles

Dear James, In his otherwise excellent article on replacing ornamental species of plants with useful, edible species in landscaping, Matthew C. mistakenly advises getting rid of hawthorns (medium and small size perennial shrubs). Hawthorn is valuable medicinally, tactically, and nutritionally. Hawthorn is one of the most potent heart and blood pressure medications available.  It has been extensively researched, and has been approved by the German Commission E Report.  Unlike digitalis, which is much better known, hawthorn is extremely non-toxic, and is not known to interact with any other medications.  The earliest recorded medicinal use was in ancient Greece. In a …


Economics and Investing:

Trivest, a private equity firm headquartered in Florida, has wisely acquired Wise Foods, a maker of long-term storage foods. I found this over at Gold-Eagle: Unraveling Why A Fed President Just Suggested Doubling QE3 GammaRei sent: The Five Most Surreal Financial Apocalypses from History (Warning: Foul language.) Rich businessmen pulling out of France as tax-hit looms. (A hat tip to K.A.F. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: The Real Unemployment Rate Faber Warns “Everything Will Collapse” Money Printing Trumps Fundamentals Stock Exodus Continues As Investors Yank $5.1 Billion Out


Odds ‘n Sods:

Don J. recommended this: Prioritizing Every Day Carry Gear for Personal Defense.    o o o Ralph N. was the first of several readers to send this Los Angeles Times article: Many drugs are just fine years after they ‘expire,’ study finds    o o o Of interest to folks in western Oregon: The Oregon City Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held Saturday, October 20, 2012. Free admission! 10 am – 4pm. Location: 14340 S. Donovan St. Oregon City, Oregon. Lead speaker : James Roddey, former Director of Communications of the Red Cross 1pm-2pm “Quake Up Call”. Also speaking will …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 43 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …


The Useful Cattail by Brian in Pennsylvania

For those of you who are awake and aware of the fact that our current lifestyle is about to change in a big way, this information should appeal to you.  I would like to take the time to present some information that might not be known to everyone. This article is about the Cattail.  That humble plant that some people go to great lengths to rid themselves of.  That is foolish in the extreme in light of the coming collapse.  A person that had a pond with cattails growing thick around the perimeter, or access to one, should consider themselves …


News From The American Redoubt:

Some interesting statistics: Immigration to Wyoming    o o o Farm to Fork movement helps out Idaho.    o o o Another great new flying video from Ttabs: Idaho Elk Country. This one includes some inset still pictures of his recent archery elk hunt. (The unusually hazy skies–most noticeable at 2:30 and beyond–are from some recent large wildfires in Washington and Oregon.)    o o o I’ve just added another church to the list of Reformed churches at the American Redoubt page. It is: The Well, in Boise, Idaho. Reader B.Z., who made the recommendation, notes: “Pastor Matt Marino has …


Economics and Investing:

Hyperinflation Hits Iran Like Weapon Of Mass Destruction. The article begins: “‘Better buy now,’ advised the rice merchant in Tehran. The retired factory guard took him up on the advice, buying 900 pounds of the stuff to feed his extended family for the next 12 months.” G.G., SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, flagged this: Global Food Prices Set To Soar–Again. [JWR’s Comment: We can expect to see more instability in Third World countries, just like the last time there was a big price shock in agricultural commodities.] Also from G.G.: Big Bank Derivative Bets Nearly Double In Six Years European Economic Depression …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader F.G. suggested this: Coyotes, bears, and lions: the new urban pioneers?    o o o James C. suggested this great little anthology at Popular Mechanics: The 110 Best DIY Tips Ever    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this: 10 Coldest Temperatures in U.S. History. It is notable that several of these records were set in American Redoubt states, but take a look at the elevations. These are not spots where most folks would want to live!    o o o Claire Wolfe’s latest commentary: Your right to sell your stuff.    o o …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

Now Garm howls loud before Gnipahellir, The fetters will burst, and the wolf run free; Much do I know, and more can see Of the fate of the gods, the mighty in fight. Brothers shall fight and fell each other, And sisters’ sons shall kinship stain; Hard is it on earth, with mighty whoredom; Axe-time, sword-time, shields are sundered, Wind-time, wolf-time, ere the world falls; Nor ever shall men each other spare. Fast move the sons of Mim, and fate Is heard in the note of the Gjallarhorn; Loud blows Heimdall, the horn is aloft, In fear quake all who …


Note from JWR:

Steve of Amateur Radio Ponderings just posted a nice review of my novel Founders. As an aside, I must mention that some non-Christians have slammed my novel at Amazon.com, giving it one star reviews. For the sake of balance, I’d appreciate seeing reviews from people who’ve also read the book but that don’t share their anti-Christian bias. The other main complaint about Founders is that some people found it repetitious. To explain: I took an 11-page post facto summary chapter from my first novel Patriots and fleshed it out into more than 100 pages, providing substantially more detail about Ken …


Pat’s Product Review: CRKT Foresight Tactical Folder

I’ve been writing about Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT ) products for about as long as they’ve been around. They started out small, with just a few really cool tactical knife designs. They were all were quality-made, and priced right. I’ve watched CRKT grow steadily, year after year, but adhering to their roots, to provide quality products at affordable prices. Some folks denigrate the idea of knives made in Taiwan, but I’m not in that group. You get as good as you want in a product, no matter where it might be made. I know that Rod Bremer, who …


Letter Re: Guarding Your Mental and Emotional Health

Dear JWR: I want to make just a quick comment on C.T.M.’s recent article titled Guarding Your Mental and Emotional Health.  There is an excellent essay that Dr. Song, Director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in New York has made available. He notes that perhaps 1 in 20 folks have an opposite reaction to Valerian. I know, that is only 5% – but what if you are one of those in that 5%?  My suggestion is to give it a try before you stock up.  Practice now, so you know what works. – Linda Z.


Recipe of the Week:

Lisa N.’s Taco Soup Here’s a recipe that uses nothing but canned goods and packaged seasonings. It’s very simple–just throw everything together and heat. A great favorite at our house! 2 cans kidney beans 1 can whole kernel corn 2 cans stewed tomatoes 1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies 1 small can green chilies (Optional: this will make it very spicy. Use less or none at all, to suit to taste.) 1 pkg dry Ranch dressing 1 pkg taco seasoning mix Mix all ingredients together in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer at least 30 minutes. …


Economics and Investing:

Wall Street’s Grand Old Man, Richard Russell declares: The Only Way Out Is to Devalue. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Reader H.L. sent word of some ill-advised State Level Cap and Trade. H.L. call it “…the final nail in the coffin of the once Golden State.” G.G. suggested this piece at Tyler Durden’s oft-quoted Zero Hedge blog: Do the Swiss Know Something the Rest of Us Don’t? Also from G.G.: Greece ‘to run out of money’ Items from The Economatrix: California Cities In Fiscal Trouble “Conga Line” Warnings That A Massive Stock Market Crash Is Imminent Iran In Economic …