Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Trent H. was the first of several readers to mention this: Second Act: Jay Shafer; Ten years ago, Jay Shafer downsized to an 89-square-foot house and reinvented both his lifestyle and career in the process. Not much room for storage food, but this illustrates that minimalism has its advantages.    o o o Paul B. sent us a link to some more Gibbonesque musings: Has civilization gone full circle?    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this piece about some implications of deferred maintenance, parts obsolescence, tight budgets, and lean “Just In Time” spare parts …

T.R. flagged this item: Russian drought sends wheat prices soaring. If you haven’t already done so, stock up, immediately!    o o o Temporary cap in place — now what for the Gulf? (A hat tip to Barney O. for the link.)    o o o A reminder that Everlasting Seeds has a 15% off special in progress, just for SurvivalBlog readers. This special offer ends on July 22nd, so get your order in soon!    o o o Reader Eric H. spotted this: Competing currency being accepted across Mid-Michigan

Gun Sales Expected to “Shoot Up”    o o o Things are looking Gibbonesque these days: Roads to Ruin: Towns Rip Up the Pavement Asphalt Is Replaced By Cheaper Gravel; ‘Back to Stone Age’    o o o K. in Montana recommended a recent essay by Patrice Lewis: Gun Control Takes Two Hands.    o o o It’s not the pirate flag but that Evil Tea-Party Gadsen Flag that was the issue, dontcha know: U.S. Authorities Shut Down WordPress Host With 73,000 Blog. One solution to this sort of jackboot stomping is Osiris.

Richard S. sent us links to three videos of battlefield robotics developments: Petman, BigDog, and RHex.    o o o Cheryl (aka The Economatrix) flagged this:Alex Jones: Road Warrior Level Collapse is Imminent    o o o Whooping Cough Kills Five in California. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)    o o o G.G. sent this: Homes lost to foreclosure on track for one million in 2010    o o o Robert M. recomended this New York Observer article (with a foul language warning): The New Doom. In it, a billionaaire confided: “We have a retreat that’s right on the …

Sean recommended an interesting piece about how to gain privacy while flying: fly with a gun. That is a very clever approach. Note that he mentioned that you can simply carry a stripped AR-15 lower receiver in your airline-approved locking case. That is brilliant. Also note that he recommended the Abloy “Puck” padlock, that was previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog.    o o o M.O.B. suggested this item: In Pictures: Shots fired at police in third night of violence in Belfast.    o o o Everlasting Seeds has a 15% off special in progress, just for SurvivalBlog readers. This special offer …

Several readers have mentioned a new magazine, called The New Pioneer, now available at news stands, and by subscription. It’s premiere issue was just released. Reader G.S,. described it as “Kind of a combination of Pioneer Living, Mother Earth News and Backwoods Home.” The magazine is edited by Nancy Mack Tappan, the widow of Mel Tappan. It’s published by Country Almanac, part of Harris Publications. When I recently spoke with Nancy, she mentioned that Harris does not yet have a promotional web page for the magazine. Check it out at your local news stand. Editorial mailing address: New Pioneer Magazine, …

Wednesday at noon Eastern Time will be EMPact America’s third show on EMPact Radio. Dr. Peter Vincent Pry will be joined by Professor Cindy Ayers. She is an expert on Islamic terrorism. Please consider listening to the show live and participating via their call-in line (917-388-4499) or live chat. (See the link on blogtalk radio). The chat feature is available during live show only)    o o o F.J. suggested acquiring some coin-sized pocket screwdrivers.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this sign of the times article, from Oakland, California: Suffer These Crimes in …

Kevin S. liked this PDF: Guide to Sustainable Utility Free Living    o o o After eight months of R&D with military contractor, KI4U is exclusively releasing a new product, The RADSticker™. This is an inexpensive, peel & stick postage stamped sized, instantly color changing radiation dosimeter.    o o o Mike H. mentioned a Daily Oklahoman newspaper editorial: Americans are petrified about their future.    o o o Kelly D. flagegd this: Top 10 Public Health Disasters of the 20th Century.

Reader E.B. was the first of several readers to mention this article that has some TEOTWAWKI implications: Baghdad kills 58,000 stray dogs in three-month span.    o o o F.J. spotted a useful piece on emergency kits for cars.    o o o B.B. sent this article that shows that the First Amendment and the Second Amendment go hand-in-hand: Federal judge orders Osceola County sheriff to issue gun permit. (And to attend a course on the First Amendment.)

Reader RBS recommended this piece over at the Alpha Rubicon site: Introducing the Prepping & Survival Mindset to Others    o o o Chris F. mentioned that Bardin & Marsee Publishing produces a Waterproof Bible. They are printed on plastic, they are tear resistant and 100% waterproof.    o o o El Jefe Jeff E. sent this: USDA Reports Food Shortages: Wall Street ‘Caught Off Guard’ by Severity.

The editor of the Rural Revolution blog mentioned a company that makes nifty fixtures that turn Mason jars into kerosene lamps. The editor wrote: “Specifically I purchased item # 10BR3273, which is a bulk purchase of ten fixtures. They come with wicks. (Here is a photo.) A package of 10 of them costs $22 plus shipping. I’m also buying glass globes every time I see them at thrift stores. These usually don’t cost more than $2 each. I’m also buying extra wicks.” For stability, the larger the jar, the better. With a two quart jar and a long wick, one …

I got this from an newspaper editor in Alaska: Bear Attack: A Firsthand Account. The editor’s comments: “We had one of our readers submit this article today about a mama grizzly bear and her two cubs. It is a great story about man’s best friend helping as well as the importance of having a deterrent like Bear mace.    o o o KAF flagged this: Louisiana’s New Law Allowing Churchgoers to Pack Heat    o o o There was an excellent 21-page article in the July issue of National Geographic about the current state of the power grids in the …

   o o o Sheryl suggested “an awesome hour long video of life in the Arctic.”    o o o The Thrifty Maven is giving away a free copy of the excellent book “Making the Best of Basics”.    o o o F.J. liked this article on hypothermia: The Truth About Cold Water.

R.J. in Idaho told me that he had an excellent germination rate with his Medicinal Herb Garden Collection from Everlasting Seeds, despite what he termed a “difficult” gardening season with “never-ending” Spring rains. I can’t think of a more important thing to keep on hand (and to practice using) that non-hybrid seeds. Stock up! o o o M.O.B. sent this: Seized Drug Submarine is Huge Leap for Smugglers o o o I heard about a new blog with an emphasis on personal security: Security Whip. Check it out. o o o Jason H. flagged this from Popular Mechanics: Can Your …

David in Israel wrote to say that he liked a podcast on NPR about the Starfish Prime nuclear tests.    o o o R.P.B. mentioned a brief video about the new “Fortified” home building standard.    o o o F.J. suggested this piece over at Lifehacker: Convert a Regular Bicycle into a Cargo Bike for Gas-Free Grocery Hauling