Category: Odds ‘n Sods

A Year End Reminder, from Bill in Missouri: “Let the IRS help you restock your pantry every year. Take your food that is nearing its expiration to a local food pantry and donate it to them. It will be used before it expires, and you will walk away with a donation receipt which is tax deductible. Food banks are always in need of donations, especially now that the unemployment level is so high. This is a win/win for you and the food bank, and a loss for the IRS.”    o o o Michael Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor-at-Large forwarded this story. …

Cheryl sent a link to a piece by Claire Wolfe, in Backwoods Home magazine: Circle of Friends: The Importance of Other People In Our Preparedness Plans    o o o Dan in Colorado mentioned this supplier of some hard-to-find food items, such as honey locust beans: Wild Pantry.    o o o Tord mentioned that there is yet another Robin Hood film is in the works. This one is directed by Ridley Scott (who created Blade Runner, Blackhawk Down, and Gladiator.) It stars Russell Crowe, and it has a big budget, so it will mst likely be worth watching.

Reader “+P+” sent another article on a theme that I’ve warned about: Police say suspected robbers rammed an SUV into a gun store in Avon, Indiana, and stole some weapons. Large masonry “decorative planters” should be a key part of your retreat’s defensive architecture!    o o o OSOM mentioned a treasure trove of Free Medical Books available to download.    o o o Tamara (writing in her View From the Porch blog) pointed to a piece (by way of the Blunt Object blog) about the Toronto police going ballistic over the apparent sight of a gun held by citizen: …

Man with master’s degree lives in Moab cave without money. (Thanks to Rick W. for the link.) For further reading, here is a link to Suelo’s web site.    o o o Lowell sent this: North Yellowstone Wolf vs. Rocky Mountain Elk    o o o Reader “MMA” forwarded a link to news article with some OPSEC implications of infrared technology: Suspect still at large after extensive air and ground search

SurvivalBlog’s British-born Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson catalogued another article on the descent into Nanny State Britannia: Three -inch pocketknives illegal in the UK.    o o o I was just introduced to a great dry firing trigger kit for Glocks, made by Southwest Shooting Authority. These provide a very realistic feeling trigger pull and trigger reset. Unlike those made by their competitors, the Southwest dry practice kits have a 90 day warranty, and are useful for up to 50,000 trigger presses. Installation and removal are a breeze. (It takes less than a minute for anyone that is familiar …

Gun laws are getting looser across much of US. (Thanks to Garnet for the link.)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson found an interesting article for advanced home machinists: The Making of a Rifled Barrel.    o o o BulletProofME.com, one of our most loyal advertisers, is running a 20% – 30% off sale on Kevlar helmets and Interceptor Tactical Vests, ending December 23rd.    o o o Kathryn D. told me about a line of SPF 30 clothing that is ideal for people that live in sunny climates. Kathryn’s comments: “The pieces are permanently …

FEMA Suggests Disaster Readiness Christmas Gifts. (Thanks to Lisa E. for the link.)    o o o The Suburban Survivalist suggested a good video of Mike Rowe (of “Dirty Jobs” television fame) speaking about what he’s learned of the value of work.    o o o On a recent trip to a more populous region, I noticed that some people just don’t know how to drive in the snow. Even with chains on, the Nervous Nellies creep along at 5 to 10 m.p.h. on straight and level roads. These folks even cause accidents, by forcing those approaching them from behind …

Solar Storms Ahead? (Thanks to Donald G. for the link.)    o o o Rob at MURS-Radio.com (one of our loyal advertisers) wrote to let us know that he is running a special offer just for SurvivalBlog readers, until December 17th. By using the code SB5OFF at checkout customers will receive 5% off their total order (before shipping). There is no minimum order and the code can be used multiple times. Any order placed on or before December 17th will be shipped to arrived before Christmas.    o o o A cousin mentioned this collection of links over at Mouseguns.com: …

Reader J.K. sent this one to file under “Emerging Threats”: Two burglaries today used vehicles to smash into buildings. J.K.’s comment: “This serves as evidence that vehicles can/will be used as modified ‘entry tools’”.    o o o My old friend Peter K. (now living in Germany) mentioned this web page that helps explain the current shortage of loaded ammunition and reloading components: Why Can’t I Find Sierra Bullets?    o o o For those of us that take buying American-made products seriously (or at least Not Buying Mainland Chinese), Ron B. suggested this site: MadeInUSA.org

Jen suggested this article, which has some Get Out of Dodge Vehicle implications: I live in a van down by Duke University; How do I afford grad school without going into debt? A ’94 Econoline, bulk food and creative civil disobedience    o o o Safecastle (one of our most loyal advertisers) is offering a 2-for-1 special on long term storage dehydrated diced potatoes.    o o o F.G. flagged this one: Minnesota man arrested for trespassing on his own land    o o o Erik Prince, head of US security firm Blackwater, ‘was CIA operative’ (Thanks to Damon for …

Reader “Hope in the Northwest” stumbled across a good basic web site with articles on common health issues, with pictures included. Some useful topics covered are bugs, eye diseases, foot problems, etc. There’s also basic info on treatment for common illnesses.    o o o The Californization of Colorado continues: Colorado State University bans guns on campus. (Thanks to Chad S. for the link.)    o o o The folks at DNS Down announced that they are now giving away their software free of charge, as a public service. Be sure to check it out!    o o o Glade …

Joe H. mentioned a site with an animated map of global air traffic patterns that was linked once before on SurvivalBlog. Joe’s comments: “Two key things to note are that you can see the ‘sunny side’ and air traffic seems to increase by a factor of five as daylight arrives, and there is not much air traffic routing around Cuba– a hole in the traffic.”    o o o C.B. was the first of several readers to mention this Popular Science article: How to Build a Propane-Fired Metal Forge    o o o Reader Michael G. wrote to mention that …

Reader Todd H. mentioned a newspaper article about Cupertino’s Fairgrove Neighborhood    o o o Michael W. mentioned that Wiggy’s makes a dog coat that is insulated with Lamilite— the same material as their sleeping bags. Michael says: “Our dog loves hers.”    o o o Damon S. found an article on pinhole emergency glasses.    o o o From CNET News: EFF Sues Feds For Info On Social-Network Surveillance

Reader Brian S. noted that plastic drum liners look like a good way to re-use otherwise sketchy 55 gallon drums for at least storing washing water. Brian’s comment: “I’ve ordered other items from US Plastics before. It is a good place to buy in bulk.”    o o o From Cheryl: At Midnight Last Night (Dec 1st), The UK Ceased To Be A Sovereign State    o o o Frank B. sent us two clever bike trailer building articles at Instructables: Combined cart bike trailer and Shopping Cart Bike Trailer

SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson found an amazing story that illustrates the anarchic situation in Somalia: Somali Pirates Open Up a “Stock Exchange”. Mike pointed out this quote: “Piracy investor Sahra Ibrahim, a 22-year-old divorcee, was lined up with others waiting for her cut of a ransom pay-out after one of the gangs freed a Spanish tuna fishing vessel. ‘I am waiting for my share after I contributed a rocket-propelled grenade for the operation,’ she said, adding that she got the weapon from her ex-husband in alimony. ‘I am really happy and lucky. I have made $75,000 in …