Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Reader Bill N. asks: “Did you ever wonder what those markings spray-painted on doors by FEMA in New Orleans meant?” This PDF shows the codes.    o o o BRB and Jim E. both mentioned a design for a ram (water-powered) water pump, over at the Instructables site.    o o o Reader FS had this comment on the Obama administration’s call to renew the 1994 gun and magazine ban: “So let’s see if I understand this. Because Mexico can’t keep it together, American’s must disarm. If anything, having a violent and unstable neighbor is reason for our citizens to …

CIA and Pentagon Wonder: Could Mexico Implode? (A hat tip to Darin B. for the link.)    o o o MP sent this: Recipes from The Great Depression.    o o o Cheryl sent this: EMP Attack: Overlooked Catastrophe    o o o Mrs. G. in Montana found a site that he thought would be of interest to the ladies: The Homemaker’s Mentor. She notes: “I was looking for directions for dehydrating eggs and found a forum for a group of women who are striving for prepare for their families. Oh and speaking of the distaff viewpoint, also check out …

Susan Z. sent us this article about barter from Michael Panzner’s blog: Cashless Improvisation    o o o F.R. sent this: Brit Couple Saved After 40 Days Lost at Sea    o o o The folks at Safecastle mentioned that their big 25% off sale on Mountain House canned long-term storage foods is underway. Safecastle Royal members who buy four cases or more (at 25% off and free shipping of course) get a free 35 gram pouch of CELOX traumatic wound coagulant. If they buy 12 cases or more, they get a CELOX pouch and an Optimus Crux lightweight backpacking …

Reader E.L. recommended a series of five instructional videos available on YouTube. They explains the “why and how” of setting up ALICE web gear .    o o o “FFF” suggested this article over at Backwoods Home magazine’s web site: Ice Storm 2009: A Cautionary Tale    o o o Mark P. mentioned that 38 years of The Mother Earth News have been archived on CD-ROMs. In my opinion, the first 25 years were the best. OBTW, speaking of references on genuine self-sufficiency, I highly recommend the compendiums of Backwoods Home magazine, in hard copy books and CD-ROM. The Memsahib …

Thanks to Bryce L. for sending this: Expert: Climate Change Could Mean ‘Extended World War’. There is a huge divergence of opinion on this issue. But consider that even if there is no climate change, government over-reaction or misdirected “solutions” could cause some serious problems.    o o o This is one of those risks’ that I was warning about: Arkansas Times Publishes List of Arkansas State Concealed Carry Holders. (A hat tip to Scotty and Stacie in Arkansas for the link.)    o o o Pete in Florida sent the link to this piece by Glenn Beck; We Surround …

Heather flagged this for us: Sole revival for cobblers. Heather asks: “Perhaps this is a good Depression-proof trade to learn?”   o o o Reader “67” pointed me to HowAutoWork.com, a a site for learning the concepts and terminology of engines and motor vehicles. Knowing how a machine works is crucial to understanding repairs and maintenance. The site has detailed, informative, easy-to-grasp information. I’m bookmarking it for “curriculum enrichment” for my home-schooled kids. This sub-page on engine types is a good starting point.    o o o Several readers sent us thi from Glenn Beck’s site: The Survivors Club Quiz …

Reader S.H. notes: Many good lessons here in this outstanding photo-essay on the recent devastating Australian forest fires. There are definitely some lessons to be learned here in many of the aerial views burned homes and structures about defensible space and the repercussions of not evacuating when you should. Some of these pictures are rather sobering reminders of the power of fire.    o o o I heard that for a limited time, Ready Made Resources is offering the Warrior Aid and Litter Kit at 40% off. This medic kit package includes a Talon II 90C folding handle collapsible litter, …

Jeff M. found this: Family of Four Trying to Live on $1,500 for the Year    o o o The folks at CampingSurvival.com got creative and put together a fairly complete one year food storage system. including Yoder’s canned meats and cheese. All you need to add is some cooking oil, a sprouting kit (or multivitamin tablets) and a couple of tubes of toothpaste!    o o o KAF sent us: How to Build a Cold Smoker    o o o Our Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson found this: Building a stick welder from an old microwave oven.

LRG spotted this: Cave house for sale in Festus, Missouri    o o o I just heard about another preparedness blog The Prudent Home. Check it out.    o o o Oxy sent this: Scratch Guadaloupe off the list of possible retreat locales.    o o o The JPFO’s latest Talkin’ to America show features and interview is with Mark Spungin, the author of “Neither Predator nor Prey“. Mark’s novel is about the reaction by a minute percentage of Wyoming gun owners to a nationwide ban and confiscation of firearms.

SF in Hawaii found this fascinating web page about a secret underground ammunition factory built under the noses of British administrators in Palestine: The Ayalon Institute    o o o I found these personal accounts captivating: Urban Survival Stories.    o o o OSOM sent a link to this two-minute video clip: War Zone Detroit    o o o Bob at Ready Made Resources mentioned that between now and March 7th, they can offer 215 watt REC (Norwegian) and Evergreen Solar (American) brand photovoltaic power panels an unprecedented cash price of just $3.75 per watt! (Plus shipping.) This is an …

FloridaGuy sent us this: Camera convicted him but raised battle over privacy   o o o Paul A. spotted Las Vegas, Nevada article: Deadly home invasion near Lamb & Las Vegas Blvd. this is reminiscent of the Phoenix news clip that I featured last week. Gee, perhaps I ought to start a running tally. Here’s a start: Armed Homeowners 2, Home Invaders: 0    o o o Our thanks to Bobby C. for sending this: Mississippi Passes Regulation Protecting Gun Owners During Martial Law    o o o A bit more of our privacy crumbles away: Anonymous Caller? New Service Says, …

Bob A. sent us a link to a bit of Climate Change humor to cheer us up in the midst of all this depression talk.    o o o JS sent us this cool link: The supergun that kills from a mile – and the camouflaged crackshots using it against the Taliban    o o o KAF flagged this thought-provoking piece in the Effect Measure blog: Fort Detrick stands up by standing down    o o o Justice prevails! West Allis man not guilty in open carry gun case. (KAF also sent that link. Thanks!) JWR’s suggestion: Mr. Krause set …

My old friend Fred the Valmetmeister sent us a “signs of the times” piece: For many Idahoans, better a trailer home than no home o o o Greg mentioned a useful table on Firewood Ratings and Information, published by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. Greg notes: “With all the “fire” wood down in the recent ice and wind storms this appears to be a helpful link. I see too many people burning the wrong woods or at the wrong time.” o o o When we last checked, “Patriots” was ranked #3 in What’s Shaking in Buy.com’s Entertainment section

FDA Declares Form of Vitamin B6 a Drug (a hat tip to JHB for the link)   o o o FloridaGuy sent this item from any Indianapolis newspaper: Legal gun owners must give fingerprints to get their stolen guns back from police    o o o KAF and Hawaiian K. mentioned this commentary by Dimitri Orlov: Social Collapse Best Practices    o o o F.H. flagged this television news item from Las Vegas: Local couple rescued from blizzard during snow machine outing [in Utah].This tale illustrates the importance of proper planning and carrying the right clothing and survival gear. It also …

KAF mentioned this post over at the Xavier Thoughts blog: The Sad Necessity of Anonymity    o o o Ebola Marburg Case in US Traveler to Uganda (A hat tip to FFF for the link.)    o o o Hawaiian K. sent us a link to a web site for a man dubbed “The Human Swiss Army Knife.” He regularly carries 1,300 compact survival items in his clothes.    o o o A follow-up to this article I mentioned yesterday: Congo town mounts own defense against rebels. Florida Guy sent us a link to a photo montage from the town.