JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This week the focus is on chicken coop building. (See the Books section and the Instructional Videos section.)

Books:

How to Build Animal Housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds, Pens, Nestboxes, Feeders, Stanchions, and Much More

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No Ordinary Dog: My Partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Laden Raid

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This book won’t be released until June, but Amazon is already taking pre-orders: Fast. Feast. Repeat.: The Comprehensive Guide to Delay, Don’t Deny Intermittent Fasting–Including the 28-Day FAST Start

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Conviction Machine: Standing Up to Federal Prosecutorial Abuse

Movies:

On Amazon Prime:  Home. (Documentary) Described as: “Oren, 28, Israeli [graduate] student, has chosen an unusual living arrangement. Instead of dorms with roommates and paying rent and utilities, he decides to set up a tent on Mount Carmel and live in the forest as a modern-day Robinson Crusoe. When he falls in love with a German girl, he is forced to choose between living the life of an eternal child and coming to terms with the real world.”

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The Train. A great movie about resistance in Nazi-occupied France, starring Burt Lancaster. On BluRay and DVD, or available for free streaming for folks with Amazon Prime.

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A bit long-winded with some OTT acting, but their list is solid: TOP 5 Warrior Poet Movies (with Special Guests)

Instructional Videos:

A PV power system, done right, by Engineer 775: Off Grid Solar System Walkthrough.

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Growing Spring Cabbage

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How to Raise Chickens- How I Built My Chicken Coop Step by Step – DIY Vlog. JWR’s Comment: Needless to say, he should have taken the time to first properly level the foundation paving stones.

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How To Make Everything. (Available free for those with Amazon Prime.

Music:

The Doobie Brothers bandmembers have reunited to record their famous song “Black Water”, from multiple locations. (A YouTube video.) What fun!

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Celtic Woman: A New Journey–Live at Slane Castle (DVD)

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Farther Along – The Petersens

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The amazing Boogie Woogie pianist Henri Herbert, in “Isolation, Texas”:  Solo Piano Livestream #3

Gear & Grub:

Vortex Optics Crossfire HD 10×42 Binoculars

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Walkers Game Ear GWP-RSEM-KPT Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Muff – Kryptek Camo

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Mossy Oak Tibbee Camo Lightweight Hunting Pants for Men Camouflage Clothing, Medium, Break-Up Country

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I’m not a coffee drinker, but I’m told that this is some of the best freeze-dried available: Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals, 8 Ounces

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The perennial favorite:  Sun-Maid Natural Raisins – Dried Fruit  – 72oz (4.5lbs total)

Featured Antique Gun of the Week

This week’s featured antique gun of the week is a Chilean contract Ludwig Loewe M1895 7×57 sporter, that has been equipped with commercial stock, a low swing safety, and Weaver scope bases.  Like most other pre-1899 guns, it can be mailed or shipped directly to your doorstep without any paperwork or FFL dealer involvement. (Be sure to check your state and local laws before ordering.) Take a look at the many recently-added guns at the Elk Creek Company store.

Make a Suggestion

Want to suggest Recommendations of your own? Then please send them to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) Thanks!




18 Comments

  1. It’s perhaps worth noting that the Doobie Brothers were doing benefit concerts for Viet Nam veterans long before positive acknowledgment of their service became a thing. Not bad for a bunch of dope-smokin’ hippies from the Bay Area, wot?

    1. In the early 70’s I invited them to play at a function for HM’s at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. They were great and provided several hours entertainment gratis. They were a great group with great music.

  2. A quick remark on binoculars (I used to sell them at a camera store); While most know that the magnification is the first number, and the diameter is the second (i.e. 10×42 means 10 power magnification, 42mm objective lens opening, the light-gathering part where more is better), too many over-bought on the magnification power. Sailors, in unstable viewing positions, rarely want greater than 7 or maybe 8 power because they can’t hold steady on a target without nausea. Or they get stabilized versions ($$$) in order to handle greater magnification (Canon has been the inventor and leader of these). The same magnification vs. viewing comfort issues exist as you raise the power, depending on your viewing “platform’s” stability (walking, truck cab, ATV, tripod, canoe etc). And while more light-gathering is always useful (especially in low light), objective lenses that are too big means they’re heavier and more costly. Match your choice to the situation you’re in. I’ve got a tiny one for hiking and a beast for home use off the porch. And get a wide, comfy neck strap if you’re mobile.

    1. Dear GeoGuy,

      I have a question for you? Why do some binoculars get two different visions, don’t sync anymore when focussing? Can we fix that?

      Sincerely and with Blessings to you,

      Lily

      1. Hello Avalanche Lilly,

        As a self anointed binocular expert (star gazing and marine use) I can tell you that this happens when you drop or damage a very good binocular and the prisms are knocked out of alignment …… pairing the binocular tubes is called collimation and good binoculars can be repaired.

        However, collimation is an precision manufacturing process and high end binoculars are expensive because of it.

        Cheap binoculars are either poorly collimated to begin with or are subject to damage because of cheap cementing of the prisms and the inability to survive any bumps or drops. They would be cost prohibitive to repair.

        This is a layman’s understanding of the process and perhaps a technician can tell you more.

        Remember that with binoculars you get what you pay for in terms of image quality and longevity. And beware of made in China optics.

        For price and quality I recommend armored (rubber covered) Fujinon binoculars. I have several pair that I have used for decades with absolutely no problems.

        1. :(. Ohh! Bummer! Thank you for the information, Tom. We have some very nice binocs., that are not focusing together, though it is a mild form, as of now.

          Blessings,

          Lily

      2. Lily, I think Tom has one of the answers (the sad one).

        Another might be that the diopter adjustment (usually just on one of the eyepieces) may not be set for your vision. Since we all usually have slightly different vision in each eye, it is meant to “customize” your optics to you.

        If so, adjust the MAIN focus for the eyepiece WITHOUT the diopter (looking only through that one), then use only your other eye to rotate the diopter ring and dial it in for your remaining eye. Usually pick a distant “infinity”, sharp target to focus on, or an important target at closer range (like your front drive gate?)

        I have Steiner binocs which require each eye to be focused separately. Usually just “set and forget” but tedious if you share them with others. I hope that’s the issue, not damage (nor my limited knowledge… ;-). Best wishes

        1. GeoGuy and Tom in Alaska,

          Well, I have some good news. I have a pair of Cabelas Premium Optics Euro HD 12 by 50. It’s Diopter is a dial located on the top of the focus adjuster at the center of the eye pieces. I didn’t realize that that was it’s diopter. I just played with it while watching one of our horses grazing, and checked it on the Canada Geese that are also grazing on our grass nearby, and lo and behold it straightened out the vision!!! Thank You. They are not broken after all. Yes! Hot diggity! ;). In the past I had some Bushnell 12 by 50’s and eventually they went off kilter. Their diopters were on the eye pieces and I knew how to adjust those, but not this Cabela’s pair which is fairly new. I confess, sometimes I am not as observant as I should be. :). Thanks for putting me on the right track. 😉

          Blessings,

          Lily

          1. A/L,

            That is good news! And now knowing it is from Cabelas you would have an ironclad guarantee. They would likely replace the unit without question …. well, that is the way it used to be.

            My best,

            Tom

          2. Awesome! Fact is, despite being a tech guy I probably know the operational procedures and the job of various controls on, maybe, 10% of my stuff. Lol Same is true on some new firearm additions, so I’m focusing on just one at a time as I learn to use and maintain it properly. But I’m glad your view of such a fine day is better!!

    1. That video is a classic. Never gets old. I wish I’d had a professor like that! What a joy he is…

      Perfect companion to the linked book by Flynn’s attorney, Sidney Powell.

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