Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Odds ‘n Sods:

Christian homeschooling advocates step up their campaign, in a video appeal to have parents take their kids out of public schools: The Call to Dunkirk    o o o Reader Jeff B. asked: “Have you addressed ATVs or especially side by side ATVs or even the more recent electric ‘Buggys’ and their pros/cons?” The Bad Boy Buggy is definitely a viable option for short distance hauling at a retreat with a large photovoltaic, wind, or micro-hydro alternative energy system. And an off-road suspension conversions to a used electric golf cart is a good low-cost alternative. Also, don’t miss this article …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A gent in the Peak Oil camp recently posted a very interesting round-up review that compares James Howard Kunstler’s novel World Made by Hand to several other post-collapse novels, namely: Parable of the Sower, Lucifer’s Hammer, The Road, Wolf and Iron, The Long Emergency (also by Kunstler, non-fiction), and my novel Patriots . I think he went way too far when he referred to me as “the patron saint of survivalism.” I believe that the moniker “obscure, backwoods enthusiast” would have been much more accurate.    o o o Upcoming hearings: A new NAIS legislative battle. Please contact your congresscritters …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Rourke sent us this: An Asteroid Near Miss    o o o OSOM recommended this review of Joseph Tainter’s book The Collapse of Complex Societies. This squares nicely with my views on the complexity and fragility of our modern, highly technological society with long and vulnerable chains of supply.    o o o Cheryl sent us this: Food for Guns in Dallas [JWR notes: Perhaps it would be better titled: “Trading Pottage for a Texas Birthright”]    o o o Cheryl also flagged this: Nationwide Ammo Shortage Hits US


Odds ‘n Sods:

KAF forwarded this: Depression Cooking Teaches You to Cook Really, Really Cheaply    o o o Ben B. sent this: Jim Rogers sees civil unrest in the US    o o o A bit of food storage humor, courtesy of reader Larry T.: The “Worst Food Product Ever” May Have Been Found. Is it cheaper in case lots? 😉    o o o Fitzy in Pennsylvania flagged this Lou Dobbs Journal piece on CNN: 2nd Amendment Under Attack


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 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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.


Odds ‘n Sods:

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.


Odds ‘n Sods:

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 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

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, …