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:

I recovered from my head cold fairly quickly, so now I’m back to my usual winter routine.  I find a certain satisfaction in caring for our livestock. They need a lot more attention in the winter months, and I enjoy spending time with all of those critters. The cows, horses, and chickens can be entertaining.  The sheep are… …well, just sheepish. Since we keep an ancient breed, I don’t think they will ever want to cozy up to us.

The various stock tank heaters can be finicky and are easily dislodged, so at least once a week I have to make adjustments. And because the horses, cattle, and sheep do not move around as much this time of year, we have to pay closer attention to their hooves. Some folks might consider livestock care bothersome. But I’ve always enjoyed it. And, given the current Biden Era high prices for meat and eggs, I’m truly thankful that God is providing so wonderfully for our family. Thank you, Lord!

This past week I helped a neighbor re-program his four Baofeng UV5R handie-talkies. We keep one non-licensed frequency set aside for our informal Neighborhood Watch, locally. There are three neighbors within a mile of us, and they all now use Baofengs that are compatible with ours. To make our little watch system a bit more robust, I’ve recently handed out 12 VDC charging cables with Cigarette Lighter plugs to the neighbors. It is good to know that we will be able to keep in touch, even if the power goes out and the telephone system goes dead for one reason or another.

Now, on to Lily’s part of the report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 11 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — January 5, 2024

American actor Robert Duvall, who was known for his convincing portrayals of a diverse range of characters, was born in San Diego on January 5, 1931. His portrayals in Open Range and Apocalypse Now are unforgettable.

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This new listing in Sheridan, Montana at SurvivalRealty checks off a lot of boxes: Self-sufficiency! Earth-sheltered Home on 40 Acres.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 110 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. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, 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. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

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. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. 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 Directive 21 (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $870,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 110 ends on January 31st, 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.

Readying For Spring, by Hollyberry

As the saying goes, “spring is just around the corner” but it’s going to be a real, long corner. Winter in Maine can be really long and dark. So far this year the temperatures have been above normal and it’s one week before Christmas and there is hardly any snow on the ground. We had two days of heavy rain and wind which caused great damage to the state. Our bridge partially washed out and we live on a road that ends on a snowmobile trail that was also underwater. Days are short and it can be cloudy for two to three weeks before a peek of sun comes out. My husband and I are middle aged and not athletic so this is how we make it through the winter without getting cabin fever or killing each other. I am too old to learn how to ski, downhill or cross county but admire people that do. I do plenty of ice skating but it is unintentional ice skating, like sliding out to the mailbox or trying to carry water to the chickens without falling.

As a homesteader I have learned to really appreciate the slower pace of winter. Now is the quiet season. It is a time for reflection and calm. Review your accomplishments from the previous year and set new (realistic) goals for the new year. Rest up because the spring project list hanging on the fridge has been growing since November. We hit the ground running in spring! Think of all the things you wanted to do but couldn’t do during the busy season. I can actually sleep an extra 15 minutes on the mornings I don’t have to go into work now. What a luxury!Continue reading“Readying For Spring, by Hollyberry”

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, we look at estate planning for firearms collectors.  (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

Will 2024 be the year for precious metals?

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At Gold-Eagle.com: Gold: We Conservatively Forecast $2,375 for 2024’s High.

Economy & Finance:

I found his piece at Wolf Street linked over at theWhatfinger.com news aggregation site: Stock Markets Years & Decades after Huge Bubbles Imploded: China, Hong Kong, Japan, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Here is a great quote from the article:

“First a ground rule here. Stock markets are valued in local currency. When that currency’s purchasing power plunges due to inflation year after year for decades, then stock market indices are a reflection of inflation more than of corporate performance. The 1,700% spike in Argentina’s Merval Index in three years, from about 51,000 in January 2021 to 930,000 now is a sign of the collapsing peso, and not of corporate performance.”

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Reader H.L. sent us this: New year sparks wage hikes in 22 states, boosting income for 9.9 million workers. JWR’s Comment: These wage increases are not keeping up with currency inflation.

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Reader C.S. sent this news link from the UK:  ‘I was two feet away!’ Panicked shoppers raise alarm over tap-to-pay checkouts after they were charged for purchases while their credit cards were still in their wallets – with one woman billed THREE times.

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Charles Hugh Smith: Rome Was Eternal, Until It Wasn’t: Imperial Analogs of Decay.
Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — January 4, 2024

On January 4, 2010 Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, officially opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The view (pictured) from the upper stories of the Burj Khalifa is stunning.

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On January 4, 1896 Utah became the 45th state of the U.S.A..

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January 4th is the birthday of George Hyde, who was born “Heide” in 1888, in Arpfingen, Germany. He was the chief gun designer for the Inland Division of General Motors (GM) in Dayton, Ohio during World War II. Hyde was best-known as the co-designer of the M3 “Grease gun” SMG and the Liberator pistol, but he also designed the Bendix-Hyde Carbine and the M2 Hyde submachinegun.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 110 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. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, 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. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

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. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. 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 Directive 21 (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $870,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 110 ends on January 31st, 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.

What To Do in 2024?, by SaraSue

There has been a tremendous amount of change in our country, just in the past three years, not to mention the years and decades before.  It’s as if, the worst of the worst scenarios have accelerated, and many of us feel it in our bones that things are going to get worse in our country (America).  I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, and it was a wonderful childhood.

But, as I look back, I can see how the gross inflation and economic problems of the 1970s affected my father, while he insulated us children from most of it.  I remember times were leaner, much leaner.  But, he always had a job, or found one, and kept us safe and warm.  I remember that he went out and got chickens and built a coop (in a suburban neighborhood before HOAs were a thing), and tilled a large area for a garden in the backyard, and he told my mother that he grew up just fine on a pot of beans and cornbread, much to her chagrin. I just thought it was all fun and interesting. He’d become annoyed if we ran the heat in the house and opened a door or window, or opened the refrigerator door too long, or left the lights in the house on.  He fixed the cars himself and anything that broke in the house.  He could do it all.  He was extremely frugal with himself, but generous with his family and others. To a fault. He was a Christian man and always tithed.  I have very fond memories of my dad.  Today, his selfless dedication to his family would be laughed at, by many people.Continue reading“What To Do in 2024?, by SaraSue”

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, an update on crime statistics.

Murder Rates – By County

The map above, shows U.S. Murder Rates in 2022, (by County) is courtesy of a Reddit Maps Group. Notably, the only counties in the entire American Redoubt region marked in red (with a murder rate above 7.3 per 100,000) were in Montana  — namely Glacier, Roosevelt, Rosebud, and Big Horn Counties. Not surprisingly, most of those counties tend to vote Democrat, have high alcoholism rates, and also have a lot of minority low-income families.

From the same Reddit group: Distribution of murder rates across the world.

Car and Truck Theft Rates

Value Penguin has updated this web page: Vehicle Theft Statistics by State.  From the web page’s intro:

“Motor vehicle thefts are on the rise, with a 25.1% increase since 2019. In fact, nearly 2 vehicles are stolen every minute. But where are vehicle thefts most common — and which makes are most often stolen?

This study goes over both motor vehicle thefts and motorcycle thefts.”

Burglary Statistics 2023: Trends and Insights

From Insurify: Burglary Statistics 2023: Trends and Insights.

and,

10 Cities With the Highest Home Break-Ins.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Son, we’re on the brink of the next world war

And I don’t think nobody’s prayin’ no more

And I ain’t sayin I know it for sure I’m just down on my knees

Beggin’, Lord, take me home I just wanna go home

I don’t know which road to go It’s been so long I just know

I didn’t used to wake up feelin’ this way

Cussin’ myself every d**n day

People have really gone and lost their way

They all just do what the TVs say And I wanna go home…”

– Oliver Anthony, From the lyrics to his song I Want To Go Home

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — January 3, 2024

On January 3rd, 1959, the territory of Alaska became the 49th U.S. state.

On January 3, 1892, English author and scholar J.R.R. Tolkien, who was perhaps best known for his richly inventive epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings, was born in South Africa.

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Seed for Security is running a 20%-off sale on their Colossal Security Pack and their Super Survival Security pack.

Their Colossal Security Pack features approximately 76,895 heirloom vegetable, herb, and grain seeds. Their Super Survival Pack contains approximately 5,500 heirloom vegetable and grain seeds.

All of their seeds are open-pollinated and non-GMO. This sale is just for a limited time, so order yours, soon!

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Here is an interesting new listing in Montana, at SurvivalRealty: Amish Built Farmstead — $1,395,000 — 32423 Allison Road, St Ignatius, Montana, USA.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 110 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. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, 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. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

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. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. 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 Directive 21 (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $850,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 110 ends on January 31st, 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.

Overcoming Starvation — Food for Thought, by M.M.

Introductory Disclaimer: What follows are my personal experiences and observations.  This information is for educational purposes only.  Although I am a physician, I am not your physician.  I am not providing you medical advice.  I am not a dietitian or nutritionist.  Before you consider taking any course of action similar to mine, consult with your physician.

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Recently I completed a fast lasting 11 days, during which time I consumed zero calories.  I drank water and black coffee but took in no nourishment.  Notably, I never experienced hunger or a significant decline in function.  I lost approximately 25 pounds during the fast, but continued to work and do some wood splitting and manual labor during the period.  In truth, it was easy and I could have certainly extended the fast duration had I wished.

Why convey this information?  In a survival situation where food is scarce or absent, it may be helpful to be able to have the capability to function normally during an extended fast.

How is this possible?  How does a predator go for extended periods between successful hunts?  I would suggest the term “Metabolic Conditioning”.  Would you consider running a marathon if you never went for a run?  Of course not.  Similarly, you can prepare your body to adjust to a lack of food for prolonged periods with minimal disruption to your level of function.Continue reading“Overcoming Starvation — Food for Thought, by M.M.”

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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The Trifectacation of American Politics.  JWR’s Comments:  The process of “The Great Sort” is continuing, as Americans vote with their feet.  This political migration is making “Red” states darker red and “Blue” states darker blue. The illustration at the top of this column shows the 2016 presidential election tally.  More and more people are Pushing The Red Button, to improve their lives.

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An interesting new Sharp Pointy Things video from SurvivalBlog’s Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson:  Switchblades.

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Video: How Long Would Society Last During a Total Grid Collapse?  And here is his follow-up video: Black Starts.

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Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 2, 2024

On January 2nd, 1492, Granada, home of the Alhambra palace and the seat and final stronghold of the Moorish kingdom in Spain, was surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II and Isabella I, ending the Reconquest.

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On January 2, 1999, a major snowstorm struck the Midwest, leaving 14 inches of snow in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 19 inches in Chicago, Illinois, where temperatures plunged to -13 °F (-25 °C); 68 deaths were reported.

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January 2nd, 1776 is the anniversary of the first revolutionary flag to be displayed.

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Also on this date in 1936, the first night vision electron tube was revealed in St. Louis, Missouri.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 110 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. But first, an  important reminder: