Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Reader Mark P. sent this: Busy bees, but hives are besieged, diseased; Scientists struggle to find cause — and fix — for colony collapse disorder. One particularly troubling quote: “We are close to the margin” of a viable ratio of pollinators to crops, he said. “It’s amazing to me how close we are to that line.” 1/3 of US crops are increasingly at risk from this problem as they depend on honeybees for pollination.    o o o J.D. in Virginia found this item: Backyard Bunnies Are the New Urban Chickens    o o o Jason M. sent us a …

I have long been an advocate of folding bicycles as a Get Out of Dodge Option, especially for folks that regularly commute into an urban area. The Montague and SwissBike folding bicycles sold sold by SafeCastle are probably the best bet in the U.S. and Canada. But in the UK, the more expensive–and even more compact–Brompton brand might be a viable alternative.    o o o Larry M. suggested this essay by a commentator who has “connected the dots” regarding multi-generational TEOTWAWKI: How Many Shoes? by Tom Baugh. It will take traditional self-reliant skills, not just a pile of stuff …

Lawlessness after quake in Chile fishing village. The article begins: “Rene Orellana sleeps with a shotgun in his hands. ‘I have to,’ he says, motioning towards a shattered window frame covered with a tarpaulin.” (Thanks to Alex S. for the link.) We also read: Chile May Face More Blackouts After 80% Lose Power    o o o Some excellent “old knowledge” links to references like Late 19th Century/Early 20th Century formularies were recently posted over at the LATOC Forums. I recommend archiving some of these on CD-ROMs. (Thanks to Bob G. for sending the tip!)    o o o M24 …

Richard S. liked this article on aquaculture: Dan Barber: How I fell in love with a fish.    o o o My brother Bruce (the well-known Sacred Geometry author) sent me a link to a YouTube video that has absolutely nothing to do with preparedness, but that is a lot of fun: The Ultimate Rube Goldberg Contraption. (Don’t forget that despite my rural locale, I’m still one of those semi-geeky Makezine guys that likes watching those Eepy Bird Experiments.)    o o o U.S. reverses stance on treaty to regulate arms trade. (Watch out folks: Hillary is at the helm …

John at SurvivalistBooks.com sent us a link to an interesting article on American preppers, from a French newspaper: If the sh** hits the fan, they are ready for it.    o o o Chuck sent me this: Hard Times Turn Coupon Clipping Into the Newest Extreme Sport    o o o Tomorrow is the last day in the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order in increments of full cases! Get your order in by midnight, eastern …

Paul D. recommended this article from The Guardian: How food and water are driving a 21st-century African land grab.    o o o From E.M.B.: Energizer Battery Charger Comes with a Software Backdoor. Yikes!    o o o There are now just three days left in the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are offering free shipping on even mixed case lots. These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. Order soon!    o o o Cheryl sent this news: Wyoming Governor Signs Sovereignty Resolution. This …

Marjory of BackyardFoodProduction.com is co-hosting a “Sustainable Living Meetup” in southeastern Idaho on Thursday March 18th. This is a chance for preppers to to meet, network, and share resources. (If you attend any event of this nature, of course all the usual OPSEC provisos apply. For example, I wouldn’t recommend mentioning your surname to strangers.) The meeting will be held at the Aurasoma Conference Center in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, starting at 6:30 pm. Marjory says: “Bring a potluck item that you have grown, or just like to eat.” For further details, contact Marjory through her web site.    o …

Mark P. spotted this: For Pennies, a Disposable Toilet That Could Help Grow Crops.    o o o There are now just a few days left in the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are offering free shipping on full case lots. These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. Order soon!    o o o Two news items about Nanny State Britannia: Countryside ban for children because mums cannot read maps and hate mud, and Britain May Force Owners to Microchip Dogs to Curb ‘Weapon’ …

Jorge sent us this: Detroit City land turned into farmland.    o o o Flavio sent this linkio from a television news show in May, 2008: Farmer Saves $70 a Day by Trading Tractor for Mule Power    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us a link to a great resource of small-scale aquaponics: Faith and Sustainable Technologies (F.A.S.T.).    o o o More videotaped fun at the range with Mongo and Jeff: Thermal imager views of machineguns and tracers.

Reader Rod B. wrote to mention that Popular Science magazine has greatly expanded their free archives to include the entire 137 year collection!    o o o Just in case there’s wholesale panic on the scale depicted in the movie Miracle Mile, reader H.N. in San Diego suggested researching maps of your city’s storm drain system. For example, he mentioned that he found this map of San Diego’s storm drain system, with just a quick web search. (Of course all the usual safety provisos apply.)    o o o Tamara over at the View From the Porch blog mentioned that …

Ready Made Resources is running a semi-annual 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order in increments of full cases! These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. There is now just 7 days left for the sale, so order soon!    o o o Attention Coast to Coast AM radio fans: I will be interviewed by George Noory on Thursday night (March 11th) at 10 p.m., Pacific Time. This interview will be about my book “How …

Art suggested this piece by an economist: Stocking up on meds and ammo, NOW!    o o o Norman in England mentioned that he had found 680 tree fact sheets available from University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department.    o o o Ready Made Resources has expanded their 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order increments of full cases! There’s just one week left for the sale, so order soon! James K. sent a link to a humorous little video …

Mike T. sent this: Drug gangs taking over US public lands    o o o Wyoming House Passes Firearms Freedom Act. (Thanks to George S. for the link.) I suspect that this will be signed into law, following suit with Montana and Tennessee.    o o o I found an interesting article linked at The Drudge Report by South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint: White House land grab    o o o Zac in Kentucky mentioned a congressional candidate from Missouri that is seeking donations of $5.56 apiece.

“Luddite Jean” thought that a nuclear bunker listed on eBay.uk might be of interest to British readers of SurvivalBlog. Jean’s comments: “It’s a bit small, but in the UK, there is no restriction or planning permission needed for underground buildings.”    o o o Louisiana police envision TEOTWAWKI in their cities: Bossier sheriff launches ‘Operation Exodus’. Thanks to “B9” for the link.    o o o From Cheryl: US Gun Owners Buy 14+ Million Guns in 2009–More than 21 of the World’s Standing Armies    o o o Marko marked this one for us: Quake mission casts the [Chilean] army …

I was doing some research on behalf of reader Dan K. about temperature stability for medications that are buried in waterproof containers, and I came across this useful map, which is probably already familiar to many gardeners.    o o o Ready Made Resources is running a semi-annual 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are offering free shipping on full case lots. These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. There is now just 10 days left for the sale, so order soon!    o o o Courtesy of …