Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 16, 2022

Today is the prepper’s holiday, Paratus. It was originated by my buddy, Commander Zero. He is the Editor of the great Notes From The Bunker blog. Happy Paratus, Y’all! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 15, 2022

On this day in 1944, the U.S. 1st Marine Division landed on the island of Peleliu, one of the Palau Islands in the Pacific, as part of a larger operation to provide support for Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who was preparing to invade the Philippines. Within one week of the invasion, the Marines lost 4,000 men. By the time it was all over, that number would surpass 9,000. The Japanese lost more than 13,000 men. Flamethrowers and bombs finally subdued the island for the Americans, but it all proved pointless. MacArthur invaded the Philippines without the need of Army or Marine …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 14, 2022

Today is the birthday of James Wilson, a lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1742 – 1798). This is also the birthday of actor Clayton Moore (1914–1999). His name is almost synonymous with The Lone Ranger. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 Tuesday — September 13, 2022

September 13th, 1951 was the birthday of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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), Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 12, 2022

Today is the birthday of Richard Jordan Gatling. He was born September 12, 1818, and died February 26, 1903. He was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, the first successful machine gun. — After nearly 40 years of riding across millions of American television and movie screens, the cowboy actor William Boyd, best known for his role as Hopalong Cassidy, died on this day in 1972 at the age of 77. — I suppose that by now, most of you have seen the video from yesterday (September 11, 2022), of an audio system glitch …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 11, 2022

September 11th is of course the anniversary of the 2001 Al Qaeda attacks on the U.S., but it is also the 10th anniversary of the Benghazi Embassy attacks, in 2012. (Those events were recounted in the recent Hollywood film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.) Please remember the sacrifice of J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, and CIA (former Navy SEAL) agents Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Between them, Woods and Doherty reportedly dropped at least 60 of the attackers, before their position was overwhelmed. Please also remember the spineless worms in Washington, D.C. who decided to not back up …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 10, 2022

On September 10, 1776, George Washington asked for a spy volunteer. Nathan Hale stepped up to the challenge of an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City. Unfortunately, the British captured and executed him. He is probably best known for his last words before being hanged: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” He has long been considered an American hero, and in 1985, was officially designated the state hero of Connecticut. It is good for us to remember that every American patriot and hero from the times leading up to and during the …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 9, 2022

On September 9, 1492, the fleet of Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo / Cristóbal De Colón) set sail west. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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), Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 8, 2022

On September 8, 1565, the first permanent settlement in what would become the United States of America was formed — St. Augustine, Florida. — Also, in 1943, on this day, Italy surrendered to the Allies in World War II. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 7, 2022

Today is the birthday of novelist Taylor Caldwell (born 1900 – August 30, 1985). Today is also the birthday of Dr. Ludwig Vorgrimler (born 1912 in Freiburg, Germany; died 1983). Vorgrimler was the designer of the Spanish CETME rifle, from which sprang a plethora of roller-lock descendants from HK, including the G3, HK21, and MP5. His bolt design was also copied by the Swiss for their excellent PE57 and SIG 510 rifles. (Although the Swiss felt obliged to mount a “beer keg” charging handle on the right side of the receiver, for the sake of familiarity to Schmidt-Rubin shooters.) And …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 6, 2022

September 6th, 1757 was the birthday of Marquis de Lafayette (often known simply as Lafayette), a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He came to America at age 19 and served meritoriously in the American Revolution at his own expense. He was also instrumental in convincing the French king and his ministers to support George Washington and his embattled Continental Army with loans, troops, and the powerful presence of the French fleet. The alliance with France was crucial for the American victory in our War of Independence. Lafayette was a close friend of George …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 5, 2022

On September 5, 1774, fed up with the meddling of the crown and being mostly independent-minded, our nation’s founding fathers met together in the First Continental Congress, in Philadelphia, laying the foundation of what would become the world’s greatest nation. — There are several new listings over at our SurvivalRealty.com spinoff site. These include: Majestic Meadows — 185 acres between Troy, Montana and Moyie Springs, Idaho, surrounded by National Forest. Being sold by owner, not through a brokerage. Price reduced to $1.99M – originally listed at $2.5M. McDevitt Creek Retreat – 39.5 Acre Self-Sufficient Refuge Self-sufficiency! Earth-sheltered/Green Roof Home Privacy …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 4, 2022

September 4, 1862 is the fateful day that General Lee invaded the North with 50,000 troops.   SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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), Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 3, 2022

English general and statesman Oliver Cromwell died on September 3, 1658. On September 3, 1752, Great Britain and its colonies, including the future United States of America officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, and it immediately became September the 14th. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 2, 2022

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. — In place of my usual Friday Economics & Investing column,  I’m posting a guest article about the interplay of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy and the gold markets. — Because Front Sight …