Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 2, 2021

September 2, 1969 is the day that the first automatic teller machine (ATM) made its first public debut, dispensing cash to customers at Chemical Bank in Rockville Center, New York. While being as indispensable to most people as cell phones and e-mail, they have introduced a whole new set of issues. Consumers are faced with scams, skimmers, and robbers, and even fake ATMs have been discovered. — A Reminder: The Paratus Holiday for preppers is observed on the Third Friday in September. This year, that falls on September 17th. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 1, 2021

September is Kilted to Kick Cancer Month. September is also National Preparedness Month. — There is just one week left to comment on the ATF’s proposed “pistol stabilizing braces” rule. If codified, this rule might make as many as one million American gun owners into unwitting felons. Please post your well-reasoned and polite comment, soon! The deadline is midnight on September 8, 2021. — I have put Elk Creek Company on another ordering hiatus, for the month of September, 2021. I’m now traveling, and gathering more inventory. I plan to reactivate our shopping cart system on September 29th. (Mark your …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 31, 2021

On August 31st, 1992 Randy Weaver surrendered to the Federal Authorities, ending the 10-day siege on Ruby Ridge. This is the incident that preceded the Waco siege and is known for the unconstitutional rules of engagement and overzealous actions by the jackbooted thugs of the federal authorities that resulted in the death of two innocent people– Sammy and Vicki Weaver, Randy’s son and wife. It is notable that Randy was acquitted of all charges except missing a court date and violating bail conditions on an ATF sting operation where it is suspected that Mr. Weaver did nothing wrong but that …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 30, 2021

Farewell, Mel:  I just heard from a good friend that my old gunsmith Mel Doyle of Plummer, Idaho went home to the Lord, on Sunday. He and Hazel (his wife) both contracted COVID-19 last week and ended up in Clearwater Valley Hospital. Mel will be greatly missed. I still own several guns that Mel had blued for me. They will be treasured keepsakes that will serve as reminders of a true American Patriot. — In 1862, the Second Battle of Bull Run in Virginia began — as wall as the establishment of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. August …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 29, 2021

August 29th is a mournful day, as we remember the anniversary of the death of “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” – Isaiah 40:3. John, the Baptist, who heralded the first coming of our Lord and stood true to his belief in the face of death, was beheaded on this day in 29AD. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 28, 2021

August 28, 1833: Slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 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 Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 27, 2021

August 27, 1917 was the birthday of American gun designer Robert Hillberg, who was best known as the designer of the C.O.P. four-barrel derringer, Winchester’s Liberator shotguns, the graceful Whitney Wolverine, and the Wildey .44 Magnum gas-operated pistol. He died in 2012. — Incoming! The Sun Fires-Off an ‘Earthbound’ CME. It is a Class 3, but it is still a good excuse to put all your spare electronics in your Faraday cans/cages/bags. If you have a grid-tied PV system, then it might be a good idea to throw the interconnect breaker to go independent for a while. It is also …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 26, 2021

August 26, 526, is the official anniversary of the invention of toilet paper by the Chinese. We celebrate this, though not because of its convenience. In fact, it has many shortcomings, some which are described within the articles and letters of SurvivalBlog. Our celebration of it is primarily because we now have an official metric of just how hard core of a prepper you are as well as a metric for just how economically unstable your country is. — August 26, 1946 was the official release date of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” — Today we present a guest article by Jack …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 25, 2021

August 25th is a birthday shared by humorist Bret Harte (pictured, born 1836), novelist Frederick Forsyth (born 1938), and the late American humorist Patrick F. McManus (born 1933). Forsyth was the author of The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil’s Alternative, and many others. McManus was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho, so his books could be classified as American Redoubt humor. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 24, 2021

On August 24th, 410, Rome was overrun by the Visigoths in an event that symbolized the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is a moment in history that we would do well to remember. An empire that ruled the known world was corrupted from the inside to the point that they could not defend themselves from a much weaker enemy. This could conceivably be the beginning of the dark middle ages. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 23, 2021

August 23rd is the anniversary of the declaration of the independent state of “Franklin” in Eastern Tennessee by the settlers there in 1784. Unfortunately, the Continental Congress rejected it, so the state of Franklin never became a reality. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 96 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 Certificate. This can …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 22, 2021

Today is the anniversary of the founding of the London Armoury Company, in 1851. It was founded by Robert Adams (1810–1870). He patented the first successful double-action revolver in 1851. His revolvers were used during the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, the U.S. Civil War, and the Anglo-Zulu War. On August 22nd, 1949 the USSR detonated “Joe-1”, its first atomic bomb. August 22nd, 1992 was the second day of the Incident at Ruby Ridge. FBI sharpshooter Lon Horiuchi wounded Randy Weaver and Kevin Harris, and murdered Weaver’s wife, Vicki. It should be noted that in 1994, after being acquitted by …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 20, 2021

August 20th, 1866 is the day that President Andrew Johnson formally declared the Civil War over. — August 20th, 1935 was the birthday of former Congressman Ron Paul.  Dr. Paul is to be commended for fighting the good fight for many years. — Some sad news: Journalist Joe Galloway, chronicler of Vietnam War, dies. — The last day!  Today is the last day of a two-week sale at Elk Creek Company. In honor of gun designer James Paris Lee’s birthday, I’ve set sales prices with discounts from 5% to 25% on nearly all of our inventory. With the recent drop …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 19, 2021

August 19th is the birthday of Philo Taylor Farnsworth (1906-1971). Farnsworth was an American inventor who is best known for his image pickup device that formed the basis for the fully functional and complete all-electronic television system. Among his many other inventions was the Farnsworth-Hirsch fusor, a small nuclear fusion device that remains a viable source of neutrons. At his death, he held over 300 patents, mostly in radio and television. — Two Special Prayer Requests: First, blog reader “RKRGRL68” wrote: “I just wanted to reach out and ask my SurvivalBlog family for special prayers as I just found out …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 18, 2021

August 18th is the birthday of Meriwether Lewis, an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator that is best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. — The deadline to submit comments on the ATF’s proposed receiver reclassification rule is tomorrow, August 19th, 2021. Please leave your polite comment, ASAP. Note: When you write your comment, include “Federal Register Number 2021-10058.” Without that, your comment will not count. — Just two days left!  We are nearing the end of a two-week sale at Elk Creek Company,  In honor of gun designer James Paris Lee’s …