Post-Election Report From a “Blue” City, by Dalkon

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF):

-Report from blue neighborhood in mid-size blue city in blue region of blue state
-Much quieter than expected… unsettlingly quiet
-No preps, contingency plans, or daily routine changes ended up being needed
-Suspect private planning happening for future event(s)
-Suspect collective action actors may be drawn to larger cities, for now

I’m going to keep details vague for privacy, but will give you enough to sketch out some context. Even though both my spouse and I have been SB readers for over a decade, we live in a blue neighborhood in a blue city in a blue region of a blue state. Our city is in the top 7 for population in our state. Our neighborhood has historically been considered an alternative lifestyle neighborhood, to be euphemistic. Briefly, we’re living here because my spouse has a minor child from a previous marriage, that former spouse lives in this city, the minor child (MC) spends time with both parents, and my spouse is committed to being part of MC’s life. This neighborhood was cheap (cost of living is insane in our area) and close to the other household, so for MC’s best interest we have to be here for the next few years. I might, in a future article, detail how we’re surviving what is likely your nightmare scenario. Although we’re making it work pretty well for now, we are very much counting down the years until we can get out of here and into a rural area in a friendlier state.

Here’s my report on the last ~72 hours in our area, with speculative conclusions. I’ll be your man on the inside so you don’t have to be here.

Leading up to Tuesday 11/5:

We’d put out an invitation to fellow firearms enthusiast to do a watch party Tuesday evening. He’s a big guy so we knew it wouldn’t just be my spouse and I if something went down. MC was at the other parent’s house, which is in a neighborhood less likely to be affected by unrest.

I charged power tool batteries and staged the pet carrier, and my spouse had checked water storage.
We’d already prestaged gear (food, water, camping stuff, weapons, etc) a few weeks ago with likeminded farming friends who live a day’s walk from the city center. We also have some gear stashed with friends a few miles up the road from us, still in the city but with easier defense and exit. Additionally, because of my involvement with a workplace safety group, I have a duffel bag of medical and PPE gear (including a full face respirator) at work, in addition to essentially another BOB of gear (food, EDC stuff, full change of clothing plus extra leather hiking shoes).Continue reading“Post-Election Report From a “Blue” City, by Dalkon”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

With winter weather fast approaching, I had a few outdoor projects to complete. One of these projects was hauling some rotted-down cow manure compost, to form mounds for future squash and pumpkin gardens.  Eventually, we plan to have about a dozen of these mounds within 150 yards of the ranch house. They will all be either in sunny openings in our woods, or at the edges of treelines, alongside pastures. Each mound will be roughly 2 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter. By widely separating these mounds, we hope to minimize the cross-pollenation of squash varieties. Because our livestock and the local deer don’t seem to bother squash and pumpkin plants, we don’t plan to fence around these planting mounds.  (Your mileage may vary.)

Because we want our 24′ x 24′ bullpen to be more versatile, I added welded wire cattle panels (typical hog panel gauge) to the existing heavy-duty tubular steel panels. So it is now truly “bull strong and sheep tight.” I also constructed a temporary 6′ x 8′ foul weather shelter in one corner of the bullpen. I built that out of pallets, scrap lumber, and four driven T-posts.  The sides and top of the shelter were all covered with tarps to keep the rain out and also to help protect the critters from any high winds.

I did the semi-annual “drain and clean” for our Redneck Swimming Pool, this week. This was the latest in the year that I’ve ever done that chore, so it was a chilly job!  It feels good to have that checked off my “To Do” list.  It is now clean, re-filled, and heavily dosed with chlorine. The pool is ready for winter.  It will probably start icing-over soon.

Now, Lily’s part of the report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.” –  Ecclesiastes 8:1-10 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — November 8, 2024

November 8, 1701: William Penn presented the Charter of Privileges, that guaranteed religious freedom for the colony in Pennsylvania.

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And on November 8, 1967, silver hit a record $1.951 an ounce in London.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value). Their catalog includes their new Survival Gunsmithing course.
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 3.  This concludes the article.)

Critical Replacement Parts for the Long Term

The single most common reasons small engines fail to operate at all or correctly is attributed to their fuel system that include water in the fuel, old fuel, or cracked fuel lines. And number one for chainsaw problems: old, dry and brittle fuel pump diaphragms inside the carburetor.  At one time the only affordable way to correct these problems was to install a rebuild kit.  However, there are other causes that make a carburetor less able to function such as fine deposits and internal corrosion. The whole replacement of the carburetor is now economically the best choice with the advent of inexpensive carburetors that come as part of comprehensive kits that may also include an assortment of a fuel filter, bar oil filter, an air filter, spark plug, replacement fuel lines, and other critical parts at price between $12 to $20 per kit. An OEM or brand-name carburetor will sell for between $50 to $75 the last time I checked and that will be the last time I do check.

New Original Equipment  Manufacturer (OEM) carburetors are often sourced from the same Asian or Chinese manufacturer of these comprehensive parts kits. They typically include a complete carburetor that is also pre-tuned.  I have dissembled them and the common names such as Bing and Walbro are often seen.  There are three different materials used for the gaskets.  The better carbs use silicone gaskets.  The modern gaskets are now resistant to degradation if an ethanol blend gasoline is used.  However, when modern automotive gasoline with additives evaporates, it still leaves behind a sticky or gooey residue that can plug the very small and fine passageways of these tiny carburetors.Continue reading“Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, another look at China’s Financial woes. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Following Donald Trump’s election, the U.S. Dollar and stocks were up. Meanwhile, Bitcoin was up, and precious metals were down, in Dollar terms. Because the Federal budget deficit is continuing to grow, the long-term prospects for the U.S. Dollar are dour. I anticipate that gold, silver, and platinum will continue to be seen as safe havens.  Siver’s recent dip below $31.30 should be seen as a buying opportunity. Spot silver was at $32.12 on Thursday evening (Friday A.M., in Asian trading.) I consider that a “buy”, at that price.  – JWR

o  o  o

Year-end and 2025 gold forecast: $3,000 and possibly beyond​.

o  o  o

At Gold-Eagle.com: Goldman Sachs: Central Bank Demand Has Reset Gold’s Price Levels.

Economy & Finance:

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“It is a mercy that our lives are not left for us to plan, but that our Father chooses for us; else might we sometimes turn away from our best blessings, and put from us the choicest and loveliest gifts of His providence.” – Susannah Thompson Spurgeon

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — November 7, 2024

On November 7, 1512, the Medici family discharged Niccolo Machiavelli from Florence.

November 7, 1805: The Lewis and Clark Expedition first sighted the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River.

November 7, 1885: The Canadian Pacific Railway was completed at Craigellachie – connecting British Columbia with Eastern Canada.

November 7th is also the anniversary of the death of actor Steve McQueen (born March 24, 1930, died November 7, 1980). The many well-publicized exploits in his tempestuous life and his enduring persona are well known. However, the end of his life is actually the most noteworthy part of his legacy, even though it seldom gets much publicity outside of Christian circles. He came to Jesus after he had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. He died with his forefinger pointing to his key verse in his Bible – Titus 1:2.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value). Their catalog includes their new Survival Gunsmithing course.
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

 

Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 2.)

We will also need a narrow flat file, preferably one with a smooth side so as not to dull the chain teeth.  This file is need to set the rakers for the depth of cut.  A raker gauge is expensive, but you will need at first to help make sure than enough material is removed to lower the raker height and allow the teeth to take a big enough bite of the wood to cut efficiently.  If you file the raker too low, then the chain will cut too aggressively and may  slow the saw engine down and lower its RPM to a point that the motor does not have enough horsepower to cut.  A symptom of when the rakers need to be filed is when the teeth are very sharp, yet a fast-running saw cuts slowly.

JWR Adds:  There are dozens of videos on YouTube that show how to sharpen chains. The websites of all of the major chainsaw makers also have some good advice,  For example:

Continue reading“Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at new Federal identification requirements.

“REAL ID” Will Be Required in May, 2025

The statist MSN reports: TSA Makes Final Ruling on Real ID Requirements at Airport Checkpoints.  Here is a quote:

“The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a final rule in the Federal Register allowing passengers to use driver’s licenses at airport security checkpoints and in entrances to federal buildings for identification until REAL ID enforcement begins on May 7, 2025.

Effective November 25, 2024, this final rule allows states to apply to TSA for a temporary waiver of certain REAL ID requirements written in the REAL ID regulations. Once approved, those states Mobile Driver’s Licenses (mDLs) will continue to be accepted at TSA airport security checkpoints.”

JWR’s Comment: This is yet another reason to keep your passports updated.  Even if you carry a driver’s license without a “star”, your passport will still be acceptable ID for flights or for entering Federal facilities.

The Americans Prepping for a Second Civil War

Sam B. mentioned this, published by the leftist/statist/Kamalaist New Yorker: The Americans Prepping for a Second Civil War.

Living Off the Land — With or Without the Land

Reader C.B. sent this from the leftist Washington Post: A new generation embraces living off the land — with or without the land.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In the market, the fittest are those most able to serve the consumers; in government, the fittest are those most adept at wielding coercion and/or those most adroit at making demagogic appeals to the voting public.” – Murray Rothbard

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 6, 2024

On November  6, 1917, during the Bolshevik Revolution, bombardment of the Winter Palace in Petrograd began, during the Russian October Revolution. (“Red October.”)

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November 6, 1941 was the birthday of country singer/guitarist Guy Clark, in Monahans, Texas.  (He died in 2016.)

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.)

Aftermarket Saw Parts

While original equipment is preferable, because of the dominance of Asian manufacturing, name-brand components are now often made in Asia and no longer in the country from where brands go their start. This is a sad fact.  A more happy fact is the increasing quality of the aftermarket parts. While somewhat inconsistent in quality, the aftermarket parts are also sold in the U.S. under different brand names. Thus, they have raised the bar of the quality needed to compete in the aftermarket.

The quality of Chinese parts in certain sectors has improved.  And I have observed over the past several years that aftermarket chainsaw carburetors are used original manufacturer saws as “original” equipment.  In other words, we can pay more for the assurance of good quality, yet the reality is that many of these parts are made in the same factories in Asia. So we are stuck with a choice that is not really a choice, but only a higher price for seeing the brand name on the box.Continue reading“Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Helene the most destructive hurricane in North Carolina history; estimated $53 billion in damage.

o  o  o

New Chinese Mystery Flattop Emerges.  (A hat tip to H.L. for the link.)

o  o  o

Reader Richard T. wrote:

“I recently sold a generator that I had for many years and started doing some research on a replacement. The recent article this past week suggested that would be a good topic for the blog. After doing my work I decided to work on alternatives to a generator, the reason being is that in the past 30 years we lived here there has only been one outage that affected us for over 24 hours. Since that time the electrical system in our locality has been significantly upgraded. We did have one outage several hours long, the only time I ever hooked up the generator, and it came back before I had our generator operating. The only reason we would be concerned for an extended power outage is loss of food stored in the freezer. To have an alternative we would be ready to can food and to salt cure meat and to smoke it. We would rely on Starlink in our vehicle and charge our Bluetti from the vehicle. I’ve learned a lot from the local Amish on how to live with minimal lighting, I’ve learned how to get around the house in the dark and have solar lighting, kerosene lamps. The problem for us with a generator is the amount of fuel to keep on hand and to be continuously cycling it, the noise they would make and in general the continual maintenance. So we shall take our chances. I would like to see articles on how others have planned to live through an extended power outage without the use of a generator.”

JWR Replies:

Here at our ranch, one of our upright freezers is propane. It is a Blizzard brand, 17.3 cubic feet. I consider it worth the expense to buy one. They are made in Ohio by a company that is an Amish venture.  Since your other power needs are modest, you might consider getting a small Yamaha. They are very quiet!  The model I recommend is the Yamaha EF3000iS. That is a 3,000 watt inverter generator. And, if you can get by with the power produced by a smaller model, they are even more quiet.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The source of the government’s authority is “the consent of the governed.” This means that the government is not the ruler, but the servant or agent of the citizens; it means that the government as such has no rights except the rights delegated to it by the citizens for a specific purpose.” – Ayn Rand