Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 39 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 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a …


A First-Timer’s Cider Making, by The Gentleman Fahma in New Hamsha

If you live in apple country, you have a wonderful resource readily available for pre- and post-TEOTWAWKI. All it takes is some up front costs for equipment, and your labor and desire. The process is simple. I’m speaking of producing fresh apple cider for immediate enjoyment or trade, and hard cider for delayed enjoyment, stockpiling, or trade. Thus, you can easily acquire a valuable skill for post-WTSHTF. A nice thing is you can gradually ramp up your expense and involvement. You can: Buy the fermenting equipment and use purchased fresh unpasteurized sweet cider, skipping the expensive apple crusher and press …


Communications: Why You Should Get Your Ham Radio License, by M.G.

I admit it. I’m woefully unprepared.  Recent events have caused me to “wake up”, much like Neo in The Matrix who takes the “red pill” and awakens to the painful reality.  When you first awaken it’s overwhelming.  You feel that there is so much to do and so little time. My resources are limited and I expect they will become more so over time.  Rather than succumbing to the paralysis of analysis, and constant study without action, I feel it’s better to begin chipping away at getting prepared.  I suggest you start today and get a toe hold on being …


Two Letters Re: Cap and Ball Revolver Options

Hello James, Thanks for a great site. Here in New York City you can own an antique or reproduction black powder revolver, but if you have caps, bullets and/or powder then you are considered to possessing an unregistered pistol. (A felony.) As you always say: “check your state and local laws .” Thanks, – Richie from New York City   Dear Mr. Rawles, I read with interest the letter about Cap and Ball Revolvers as a workaround for restrictive gun laws.   I have long advocated this to some of my friends and acquaintances,  who, for one reason or another, are …


Letter Re: Your Earthquake Audit

Mr. Rawles: The recent article about conducting a home earthquake audit reminds me of a preparedness step that I took: A little over a year ago I saw an automatic gas shutoff valve displayed at a professional plumbing store. After looking in the cutaway demonstration  valve , I inquired about the cost of the valve, which was around $100. I have kept a wrench next to the gas meter for years, but last year I had to commute 60  miles  away for school. Now with a new prepper mentality  , I wondered what would happen if a big quake did …


Economics and Investing:

Long-time SurvivalBlog reader and contributor R.B.S. sent this: Risky Places To Swipe Your Debit Card Pierre M. sent this from ABC News: Green Firms Get Fed Cash, Give Execs Bonuses, Fail Over at ETF Daily News: The Rising Price of Commodities: The Most Investable Trend Over The Next 20 Years Items from The Economatrix: Gold Price Will Plunge Below $1,000 Bears Claim Gasoline Pump Price In US Climbs For 24 Straight Days Oil Up On Iran Fears; Growth Worry Limits Gain Gold Recovers From Lows As Dollar Retreats


Odds ‘n Sods:

Joseph R. sent this: CONEX Temporary Housing in Japan. (This was the next step, after paper partitions.)    o o o And speaking of Japan: One year after Fukushima – Defining and classifying a disaster. (Now a five part series.)    o o o David T. sent this NPR news story: The Ultimate In Heirloom Wheat Arrives At Seed Vault    o o os Human nature dictates that a lot of preparedness only comes belatedly: Sale of storm shelters on rise after string of deadly tornadoes. (Thanks to Tim J. for the link.)    o o o Seed for Security …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 39 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 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a …


The Life of the Wife of a Prepper, by Erica S.

I wake up in the morning, get out of bed, and head to the kitchen. There is a jar of seeds on the counter that have sprouted. They have little, white, hair like sprouts, with some sort of fuzzy little hairs covering them. I think to myself, “I agreed to eat this?” As I go about my day, I encounter various oddities from my husbands prepping. The above mentioned sprouted seeds are wheat sprouts, as many of you may have already guessed. I hear, from my husband, that they are packed with nutrients. He has quite a few mylar bags …


Buying Silver and Gold as Part of Our Preps, by Jeff in Upstate New York

Let me start by saying that I am not a professional financial advisor.  Nor am I someone who wants to sell you anything, or give “investment” advice.  I am a science teacher.  I had some experience working on Wall Street in my previous carrier.  I have had personal experience trading stocks.  I also have had experience saving money in precious metals.  Many of the questions that I had when I started buying silver and gold are the same ones that you may be asking as well.  You may ask questions like: how and from who, or what kind, or what …


Two Letters Re: Your Kidneys in TEOTWAWKI

Dear Mr. Rawles,   Dr. Bob is 100% accurate in telling people subject to kidney stones to give up coffee, tea and cokes (a.k.a. calcium oxalate).  As a man who has given birth to 14 stones in 10 years, 2 by litho., I am glad to say I am stone free for two years and show no signs of having more stones.  Part of my Southern heritage is enjoying sweet-tea.  But it had to go, along with my morning coffee and afternoon Coke.  I had a headache for 6 days before the caffeine left my body.  Still, I can look …


Economics and Investing:

Poor and Elderly: The Five Worst States to Grow Old In. (It should come as no surprise that most of The American Redoubt states are at the opposite end of the list–those with the smallest income gap.) Greek default looms as voluntary debt deal looks set to fail. Central banks’ $9 trillion is global economic lifeline How Much Gold Do You Need to Pay Yale’s Tuition? The Same as in 1900 Items from The Economatrix: “Plan For An Economic 9-1-1”:  Analysts Warn Americans to Buy Guns and Gold, Predicting Market Crash and Street Riots Within A Year


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jeff R. was the first of several readers to send us this: Blast it or paint it: Asteroid to threaten Earth in 2013?    o o o Fellow ham radio DXers might find this of interest: International DX Convention, Visalia California, April 20-22. (Thanks to Mrs. R.L.B. for the link.)    o o o A reminder that the free “SurvivalBlog Reader” App is available for those that use Android phones.    o o o I recently had a talk with one of my teenage sons about how he will eventually find a good wife. I of course stressed the importance …