Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Ferd was the first of several readers to mention a news article that illustrates both the current over-reliance on GPS and the need to keep outdoor survival gear packed in your car: Couple stranded three days after GPS leads them astray.    o o o Our friend Tamara (the editor of the very entertaining View From The Porch blog), suggested this piece about weather whiners. OBTW, Tamara refers to the new Avatar movie as “White Guilt in 3-D. aka Dances with Aliens.”    o o o Best Prices Storable Foods (aka The Internet Grocer) has announced an End-of-Year Blowout Clearance …

Tod sent us this troubling piece of news: First Case of Highly Resistant TB Seen in U.S.    o o o I recently got a chance to see the new movie The Road, based on the same-titled novel by Cormac McCarthy. Do not consider this movie a survival manual, since the tactical mistakes displayed were numerous. Most notably, large campfires were lit at night, in circumstance where it was in fact important to avoid detection. “Cold camps” or at least using small tin can stoves would have been much more appropriate! I don’t want to post any spoilers, so I’ll …

F.G. spotted this: New high-tech vehicles pose trouble for mechanics. Here is a quote from the article: “As cars become vastly more complicated than models made just a few years ago, Baur is often turning down jobs and referring customers to auto dealer shops. Like many other independent mechanics, he does not have the thousands of dollars to purchase the online manuals and specialized tools needed to fix the computer-controlled machines.” F.G.’s comment: “It sounds like that clean, 1965 Mustang, or 1978 pick-up truck may be a better investment than just being a nice vintage ride. You can still work …

EMB mentioned this creative housing uses for old water tanks and round grain bins: Annesley’s Art House    o o o Also from EMB: New Panasonic Lithium-Ion Battery to Power Up a House–New Li-Ion Battery Coming from Panasonic in 2011    o o o K.T. sent this humorous Steve Lee music video from Australia: I Like Guns. Visually, you will note that it is orchestrated into a lovely crescendo of shooty goodness.

The Road hits the theaters. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog old timer Charley S. for the link.)    o o o Safety First: Frozen lake leads to tragedy for California family. People do love their pets, but human life must be preserved, above all!    o o o Reader F.G. mentioned this smokin’ deal: Complete MOLLE II pack, frame, straps, ruck, belt, and sleep bag carrier sets for under $50

Thanks to C.B. for sending the link to Joel Skousen’s recently updated web page on Strategic Relocation.    o o o F.G. sent a link to this story: In classic NIMBY behavior, Senator Diane Feinstein nixes solar, wind farms in the California desert.    o o o D.A.S. sent an article from Brownell’s on rust preventatives.

J.K. recommended the publications of Astragal Press. They emphasize “early tools, trades, and technology” J.K. commented “I ran across them a while back while researching my slide rule collection. There’s several books on blacksmithing and woodworking with traditional tools that I’m planning on adding to my preparedness library, in case I end up having to operate in a long-duration ‘low-tech’ environment.”    o o o G&K sent a story from Fox News: The Nazareth Hardened Home.    o o o Mike Williamson sent a link to a clever improvised ox roast.    o o o Ted B. sent a link …

Reader Brett F. recommend this piece: Loaded for bear, or wolves–both as a data point on the wolf pack population explosion in the western US and for some good points on gear to carry when in the back-country.    o o o Jim W. sent us a tidbit for the “Global Warming ” file: Big freeze kills at least 80 across Europe    o o o Reader G.G. wrote to mention that appears that Richard Daughty (aka The Mogambo Guru) has retired from journalism. There is a fan site attempting to get Kitco, Daily Reckoning, Agora, and The Asia Times, …

There is just one day left for the BulletProofME.com body armor sale, with 20% to 30% off helmets, and Interceptor Tactical Vests as low as $590.    o o o On the Lifehacker Blog: Use a Crock Pot to Make Homemade Candles    o o o Tricia R. recommended the book “Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things” from Reader’s Digest.

Reader Joe G. sent a link to a story on a house that is so “green”, it produces surplus electricity.    o o o Ed C. sent us this link to at start-up company in Polson, Montana. Gearpods is offering containerized survival gear, mostly in Nalgene style water containers, from day pack kits to shelter systems.    o o o Reader Johnny G. sent this link: S.F. bank’s startling interest: 79 percent. And SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent a link to a similar story, from Fox News.    o o o John F. suggested this story on …

Henry L. suggested this article over at Market Skeptics: 2010 Food Crisis for Dummies    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted a blog post about a warning poster at Fort Benning. Mike’s comment: “We’re terrorists, apparently.”    o o o From Ferdinand: Man kills bobcat with bare hands during north Phoenix attack. He comments, “Even if it isn’t a complete collapse, things like this will become more common. Being defenseless–having to use your bare hands qualifies you as defenseless–is a death sentence, in my opinion.”

From John S.: Happiest U.S. States Pinned Down. Note the correlation with my Recommended Retreat Areas ranking.    o o o Chuck M. flagged this from The Guardian: Why Britain faces a bleak future of food shortages    o o o Reader M.S. mentioned some analysis from Washington’s Blog: Officials and Experts Warn of Crash-Induced Unrest

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: …