Category: Odds ‘n Sods

I often have consulting clients and SurvivalBlog readers ask me for recommendations on architects and design engineers that specialize in designing retreats. I strongly recommend Andrew L. Skousen. (In case you are wondering, yes, he’s related to Joel Skousen.) Feel free to mention my name when you contact Andrew. BTW, Joel Skousen and Andrew Skousen co-authored the recently-updated 3rd Edition of the book Strategic Relocation–North American Guide to Safe Places. This book is a modern-day classic in the preparedness world. It is chock full of maps and useful data for anyone considering buying a retreat property. I highly recommend it. …

Pedal powered farms and factories: the forgotten future of the stationary bicycle. (A hat tip to my old friend Charley S. for the link.)    o o o L.V.C. flagged this item: Survivalists Eyed as Key Market for Central Florida Horse Farm    o o o Andrew B. sent a link to an excellent video presentation on using malting to improve the digestibility of starchy grains for nursing babies who have lost their mother, or the malnourished and sick.    o o o Ian in England wrote to mention that in Europe there is currently have an E. Coli outbreak …

F.G. mentioned this news article about institutionalized school test cheating from New York City: Teachers hostage to ‘success’    o o o Several readers sent this bit of Nanny State news: Albemarle Road church fined $100 per branch for excessive tree pruning    o o o Married Couples Are No Longer a Majority, Census Finds. (SurvivalBlog’s G.G. sent the link.)    o o o J.D.D. flagged this bit of news: Five People Arrested in D.C. for Dancing At U.S. Monument

Reader Robert R. alerted me to this “must read” article: Guns Stolen in Violent Gilroy [California] Home Invasion Found. Robert noted: “The man was assaulted and bound as he arrived home at 9 p.m.  They struck when they could hide in the darkness near his home, when he was most vulnerable (exiting his vehicle/entering home).  One of the suspects knew the man and was his neighbor.  Good OPSEC and situational awareness are very important in preventing crimes.  Good lighting around the home and cutting down on any vegetation where someone could hide is a good measure to take to prevent …

Rachel F. mentioned an interesting video about a couple that lives very close to the land.    o o o Congressman Ron Paul: The Last Nail – Floor Speech (May 25, 2011). The Defense Authorization Act or H.R. 1540, aka” The Forever War Act”, was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives May 26th with a vote of 322 to 96.    o o o U.S. to propose mandatory vehicle ‘black boxes’. I hadn’t heard that most vehicles already had post-crash decelleration event data recorders (EDRs), and that for several years the Lexus brand cars have recorded pre-carsh events. (Presumably …

G.G. flagged this: The Most Dangerous Cities in America. (All of them are nowhere near the American Redoubt.)    o o o 45 Seconds: Memoirs of a Joplin ER Doctor from May 22, 2011    o o o Loyal content contributor F.G. sent this: Police on radio scanner apps: That’s not a 10-4    o o o Courtesy of John in Ohio: Mark Zuckerberg’s new challenge: Eating only what he kills (and yes, we do mean literally…)    o o o Yankee Prepper sent us this to file this under “Emerging Threats”: Mexican officials seize ‘narcotank’. (The linked video is …

Senator Rand Paul speaks out in opposition to renewal of the misnamed PATRIOT Act.    o o o An interesting History Channel documentary: How The States Got Their Shapes. Note that one segment on Montana includes a SurvivalBlog reader. (I haven’t been given permission to name names, but you might be able to guess which Montanan this is.)    o o o Enemy at gate? Not in this case. (Thanks to N.R. for the link.)    o o o Obama: We’re Working on Gun Control ‘Under the Radar’. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the link.)    o o o This article …

Phill K. sent a link to an interesting story about insulin that can be stored at room temperature.      o o o Voting with our feet: Americans Try to Outrun State, Local Tax Hikes. Wyoming (which has no personal income tax) and some of the other American Redoubt States are looking better and better.    o o o C.R.W. spotted this over at Jim Sinclair’s web site: Wanted – Farming Couple in Tanzania    o o o Lousy Timing Department: Just as hundreds of thousands of people in the central United States are having their lives devastated by tornadoes, …

Tam, over at the View From The Porch blog comments on disaster preparedness: It’s A Twister, Auntie Em! Edition.    o o o Un-Easy Rider: Peter Fonda encourages his grandchildren to learn long range shooting.    o o o Pierre M. sent a link to some dramatic photos: Grimsvotn Volcano Erupts in Iceland.    o o o Reader K.N.B. wrote to mention that Calumet, Oklahoma was just struck by a tornado, and it has been reported that Calumet Industries (recently mentioned in SurvivalBlog) has suffered some damage. Please keep the folks there in your prayers. If any of you have …

Paulette suggested this: Beginner Basics: Fitting a Backpack    o o o More Nanny Statism: USDA fines family four million dollars for selling bunny rabbits. Thanks to Dann for the link.    o o o Some pointed humor, over at the Paratus Familia blog: Patient Zero    o o o Loyal content contributor F.G. flagged this: Armed With Stone-Tipped Arrows, Hunters Stalk Their Inner Cave Men

My sincere thanks to the several SurvivalBlog readers who have made 10 Cent Challenge voluntary subscription payments.    o o o Larry C. was the first of several readers to recommend this one-hour documentary: College Conspiracy.    o o o I recently received a review copy of the Tactical Point Shooting video. This is a classic from 1992 (back in the VHS tape days) that has just been been re-mastered onto DVD. This fascinating video features SurvivalBlog’s own Pat Cascio, the late John McSweeney, and Sheriff Jim Wilson. The DVD also has some commentary from the late (and legendary) Colonel …

Reader “TinCan” sent this, over at Eatocracy: Give squirrel a whirl    o o o I couldn’t help but be reminded of the classic 1931 Fritz Lang film, “M”, with Peter Lorre: Crazy Military Tracking Tech, From Super Scents to Quantum Dots. Here is a quote: “Imagine walking up to a target and patting him on the back with a clear liquid on your hand. He might never notice it, but you’d be able to see — and follow — him from a distance using night vision goggles. Oregon-based Voxtel makes a product, “NightMarks,” that can do just that. NightMarks …

This post sums up what a lot of people have been thinking: You Might Be A Psychopath If…    o o o The shortages continue: Drugs For Critically Ill In Short Supply. (Thanks to C.D.V. for the link.)    o o o Ay, ay, ay: CDC Warns Public to Prepare for ‘Zombie Apocalypse’. How could the CDC use such absurd, illogical imagery to promote a family preparedness campaign? They must have let a few overpaid publicity consultants run amok. Be very careful when you ask PR people to “Do something bold, to catch attention.” Did they ever! (Thanks to Steve …

Lulu is offering free shipping until the end of May. This includes the SurvivalBlog 5-Year Archive CD-ROM. Use coupon code FREESHIP305.    o o o Lynn G. sent this: US official: growing threat from solar storms    o o o An amazing collection of disaster pictures: Mississippi Floodwaters Roll South. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.)    o o o KAF sent this: Equine Herpes Outbreak Hits Western U.S. States    o o o Reader Lynn G suggested: In the bleak light of the Depression: Rare colour photographs of the era that defined a generation

There are several new retreat property listings at our spin-off web site: SurvivalRealty.com    o o o G&K flagged this: Is This The Year The Atchafalaya River ‘Captures’ The Mississippi?    o o o Trevor wrote to mention that the 8th Annual Porcupine Freedom Festival will be held June 20-26th, 2011, in New Hampshire. You can register on-line. (Use coupon code TREVOR for 20% off registration “and some swag”).    o o o “Tom Nobody” recommended a site with a lot of good home canning information: PickYourOwn.org    o o o Simon Black (of the Sovereign Man blog) chimed in …