Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Steve D. was the first of several readers to send this: Feds Raid Amish Milk Farm.    o o o George J. spotted this bit on Nanny Statism news: N.J. town limits chicken hookups. Here is a quote: “Hopewell Township residents can have up to a half-dozen hens on half-acre lots. Roosters would be allowed only 10 days a year for fertilization purposes.”    o o o The annual book “Passport to World Band Radio” is now out of print (sadly, the final edition was published in 2009) but I’ve found that The Shortwave Listener’s Guide web site seems to …

Loyal content contributor F.G. sent a link to an incredible video of the 1/2 mile wide monster funnel cloud in Tuscaloosa. F.G.’s comment: “Prayers for those who have lost family, friends, and homes.” o o o Directive 21 has announced a new product, called the Herbal Seed Bank, which includes over 68,000 seeds.  If you purchase one of their popular Emergency Seed Banks at $134 they will include a free Herbal Seed Bank, valued at $99. This will apply only to orders received between Monday May 2nd, and Friday May 6th, 2011. o o o I was asked by a …

It has already mentioned in SurvivalBlog, but it looks like the XM2010 .300 Winchester Magnum is coming closer to fielding: Army May Field More Powerful Sniper Rifle    o o o Attention Texans: Time to give up eating “Possum on the Half Shell” — Armadillos linked to leprosy in humans. (Thanks to Sean B. for the link.)    o o o Announcing two Extreme Survival Workshops in Central Texas: Eating Insects May 15, 2011 (5 – 7 pm). The organizer describes the workshop: “Alan Davisson has been eating insects for the last six years.  He will teach us how to …

Here is a house design with some retreat potential: The First Zombie-Proof House. (A hat tip to Dane for the link.)    o o o If you’ve ever wanted to make some parachute cord bracelets, but don’t have the skill, the patience, or the time, then I recommend this maker in Georgia: SportBraceletStore.com. Yes, they are American made! An explanation from their site: “The cord can be gutted to use the seven inner strands for fishing line or thread to repair torn clothing. For a medical emergency, the cord can be used to create a sling for an injured arm …

K.T. sent this YouTube video: The Lost Art of Cut Shells. JWR’s Comment: Don’t attempt to feed cut shells in a pump or a semi-auto from a gun’s magazine–instead, drop them into the chamber, one shot at a time. (Otherwise, you can expect some horrendous jams.)    o o o Cheryl N. sent this: From Stockpiling To Living Off The Grid, More Colorado Residents Preparing For Disasters    o o o Tam, over at the View From The Porch blog mentioned this bit of whimsy: The Silver Bullet. Also by way of Tam comes an article guaranteed to make your …

Feds mine Facebook for info. JWR Adds: I expect this sort of intrusive intelligence gathering to be commonplace, soon. Avoid social network services!    o o o Tom F. recommended these two Altoids tin hobby projects: Altoids Solar Charger and Altoids Emergency USB Charger.    o o o I just noticed that our SurvivalBlog visitors map shows that I have a reader on Madagascar and one in Antarctica. The Internet is a simply amazing way of linking folks, globally. I’d like to welcome our many new readers. (SurvivalBlog now gets well in excess of one million unique visits per month!) …

Ron in Florida suggested this YouTube slide show: How to Make Powdered Eggs    o o o I’m considering doing something special to celebrate SurvivalBlog reaching the 30 Million Unique Visits milestone. That is coming up soon. Any suggestions?    o o o K.A.F. kindly sent this: Five Tech-Related Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin    o o o Jeff F. sent a link to a bit of data, for those considering retreat locales: The Best and Worst Run States In America: A Survey of All Fifty. Of course, state indebtedness is just one factor to consider. For example, Hawaii …

Reader A.A. described this as “Another retreat that could use some OPSEC”: Sanctuary Retreat and Survival Center    o o o My #2 Son alerted me to this: Internet I.D. System? This does not bode well for personal privacy.    o o o Eric B. suggested this: Why ‘Self-Sufficiency’ Should Replace ‘Sustainability’ in the Environmental Movement    o o o F.G. was the first of several readers to mention this news item: Termites Devour $222,000 in Indian Rupees Stored in Bank Safe. (Another Matthew 6:20 reminder.)

Reader G.E.C. wrote to note: “I have been surprised to see little mention of Smithfield Hams.  In the South these are called, generically, “country hams”, and are considered a special delicacy.  They are salt-cured, bagged in cotton, and hung without refrigeration.  The original “Smithfield Ham” was tested and preserved well for twenty years.  I’ll be adding several to my supplies.”    o o o Safecastle has introduced a new Solar Laptop Bag, using components that they’ve assembled from reliable makers like Maxpedition. (Their Gleneagle Messenger Bag.)    o o o Keeley flagged this: Second Amendment Rights Once Again at Risk …

Science fiction writer David Brin (the author of The Postman) offers his observations on societal fragility: Our Worst Frailty: An Electro Magnetic “Hit”. (Thanks to G.G.)    o o o Dateline: Nanny State, New York: Summer Camp Tag, Wiffle Ball Will Come With a Warning, Thanks to New York Politicians. “Camps that want campers to play the games will be required to pay a $200 registration fee and have medical staff on hand.” (Thanks to Eric B. for the link.)    o o o B. sent a link to a video about the only remaining B-29 Superfortress that is still …

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) sent this: Stuff To Consider When Planning For SHTF Scenarios.    o o o Reader F.G. suggested this: Earth Class Mail – Best Mail Forwarding Service So Get A Ghost Address    o o o Dan S. recommend this article: Banning Guns by Changing Definitions, Part 4    o o o For those of you who are news junkies, bookmark this one: The InnoPlexION    o o o When the drug you need to cure a cancer is nowhere to be found. (Thanks to F.D. for the link.)

There is an excellent new blog that I can recommend called the Preparedness Advice blog. It is chockfull of useful information. Unlike so many other blogs that are long on diatribes and short on practical skills, the Preparedness Advice blog is full of clear, concise, level-headed advice. This one has been added to my blog roll.    o o o Reader K.A.F. sent this: Video: Atlas is shrugging already    o o o Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) spotted this: Georgian woman cuts off web access to whole of Armenia: Entire country loses internet for five hours after …

Roman recommended: Your bike – the coolest part of your disaster kit    o o o Non-Retreat Locale: Riding Along With the Cops in Murdertown, U.S.A.    o o o Vin Suprynowicz chimes in: The enormous disconnect between ‘mainstream’ professional reviews and viewer response to ‘Atlas Shrugged The Movie, Part I’. Bottom line: Statists hate this movie and the novel that it was based upon. The fact that that a 54 year-old Libertarian novel is presently ranked #6 overall on Amazon, and #1 in Political Fiction no doubt has the posteriors of the statists chaffed to a shade somewhere between …

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) recommend this National Geographic documentary: Witness: Disaster in Japan. Mike’s comments: “This is an excellent presentation.  The first 30 minutes is raw footage from cell phones, local cameras and news, with almost no commentary.  There are English subtitles.  Watching six minutes of magnitude 9.0 shaking and collapse, followed by 20 minutes of blasting waves demolishing buildings and sweeping everything inland in a filthy black crush, is very sobering. The sheer level of devastation is a reminder that natural disasters dwarf anything that we might do ourselves.”    o o o How about Gas …

Disaster in the Deep South: Death toll from severe storms rises to 17    o o o C.A. in Oregon mentioned: Price of Tomatoes Has a Lot to Do With These Thefts    o o o F.J. suggested this, over at Lifehacker: Download Emergency Medicine Manuals for Free    o o o Sun’s Storm Season Finally Heating Up. (Thanks to Steve S. for the link.)