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 gradually increasing interest in homeschooling by families in the United States.

Homeschooling Increases Across the US, Post-Pandemic

Over at The Christian Post: Homeschooling continues to increase across the US post-pandemic: report. (A hat to SurvivalBlog reader D.S.V. fo  the link.)

Florida Hit With a Category 3 Hurricane

Hurricane Milton video — Storm spawned multiple tornadoes in Florida. JWR’s Comment: Please pray for the safety of everyone in the storm’s path.

The Sun Unleashes its Strongest Flare This Cycle

On October 4th, the editors of Phys.Org reported: The sun unleashes its strongest flare this cycle. The article begins:

“Yesterday the sun released a huge solar flare, and it’s heading toward Earth. It’s nothing to worry about since it’s nowhere near as large as the Carrington Event of 1859, but it is large enough to give us some amazing aurora.

Large solar flares happen periodically. Quite literally, because the sun goes through an 11-year cycle of lower and higher activity. Right now the sun is near the maximum of a cycle, so we see lots of sunspots and flares. When astronomers first studied the cycle they could only measure the number of sunspots at a given time. Solar flares were largely invisible to early telescopes.

But now with orbiting observatories such as the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we can capture images of solar flares in real time. Astronomers now categorize the strength of solar flares by the intensity of X-rays they emit, known as their x-class. The categories are numbered by power level, with each category double the previous one. So, for example, an X2 flare is twice as powerful as an X1 and half as strong as an X3.

This latest flare is rated as X9, which is much stronger than most .”

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — October 9, 2024

On October 9, 768, Charlemagne and his brother Carloman I were crowned Kings of The Franks.

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On October 9, 1000, Leif Ericson discovered “Vinland” (possibly at what was later named L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada) reputedly becoming the first European to reach North America.

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And on October 9, 1865, the first US underground pipeline for carrying oil was laid in Pennsylvania.

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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 $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.

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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.

Pressure Cooker Lessons Learned – Part 2, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 1.)

I took the pressure cooker back into the house and washed and checked everything again.

Pressure cooker knocked over in use – Next, I wanted to know if a pressure cooker got tipped over or knocked off the stove, what would happen? I was expecting a steam release, but how much? I set up the stove and pressure cooker on a stump in my north 40. This time I just used water. I placed an old sleeping bag next to the stump to avoid damage to the pressure cooker when I pushed it over after attaining full boil.

I fired up the stove and once the cap was rocking, took a 10’ piece of PVC and pushed the pressure cooker over. I repeated it three times. The first time the cooker landed upside down resting on its steam vent, and the other two times on its side. In none of the cases did the cap fall off. The one which landed upside down had a muffled release, the steam vent was mostly blocked by the sleeping bag so the steam came out slowly. When it fell on its side the steam release was similar to the first two small blasts in Experiment #2. The cap didn’t fall off either time and even though the steam was released quickly, it wasn’t getting a lot of distance before moving upwards in the air and dissipating. It wasn’t as loud as I was expecting.Continue reading“Pressure Cooker Lessons Learned – Part 2, by St. Funogas”

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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SurvivalBlog Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this, from X/Twitter:  Generator Disparity: How dare this man continue to live his life?

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Several readers sent us this: Farmers Turn Agricultural Drones into Lifelines in Hurricane Helene Aftermath.

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Martin Armstong: CDC Changes Child Developmental Milestone Guidelines. (A hat tip to H.L. for the link.)

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Reader R.T. had this response to my recent article titled Tools For The Next Generation:

“I’ve used 5% vinegar successfully to remove rust. I see that Home Depot sells a 30% cleaning version. As for oil I use mineral oil as it is cheap and easy to live with. The cleanest way to remove oil from tools without any residue is to use xylol.”

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Hurricane Milton Intensifies Into A Category 4; Prompts Hurricane And Storm Surge Watches In Florida.

And an update on Tuesday morning: Milton Downgraded To Dangerous Cat. 4 As Crosshairs Locked On Florida’s Gulf Coast. Please pray that the storm dramatically weakens and for everyone in its path!

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of today.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 8, 2024

On October 8, 1690 in the Siege of Belgrade, Ottoman troops captured Belgrade.

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October 8,1860, the first telegraph line between Los Angeles and San Francisco was activated.

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And October 8th is the birthday of economist and libertarian commentator J. Orlin Grabbe. (Born, 1947, died March 15, 2008.)

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Oral arguments are scheduled to begin today before the U.S. Supreme Court in the Vanderstock “Frames and Receivers” case. Please pray that the court affirmatively and decisively defends our long-standing right to make our own guns without government intrusiveness and “Mother May I?” paperwork nonsense!

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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 $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.

Pressure Cooker Lessons Learned – Part 1, by St. Funogas

This article refers to what happens if you break all the rules while using a pressure cooker. It refers only to stove-top models, not electric models such as Instant Pot which I have no experience with.

My First Pressure Cooker

Many people don’t own a pressure cooker because… Who wants a bomb in the kitchen? I worried about the same thing the first time I ever used one. I warned my family ahead of time that I was taking the new pressure cooker on a trial run. I instructed them to be on alert and if they heard me yell, “She’s gonna blow!” they were to grab the cat, run for their lives, and get out of the house as quickly as possible. As a primer we watched the scene from The Sandlot where the boys are all diving out the windows of the tree fort moments before the vacuum cleaners explode. When we were all ready and had our tightly-laced PF Flyers on, I fired up the pressure cooker. I cooked some dry beans for chili and it was very uneventful. My kids were disappointed they wouldn’t have a good story to tell at school the next morning.Continue reading“Pressure Cooker Lessons Learned – Part 1, by St. Funogas”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, JWR’s #1 Son discusses Idaho’s upcoming Proposition 1 vote. (See the Idaho section.)

Idaho

Posted at Redoubt News: Prop 1, A Return To The Good Old Days??? Jonathan Rawles.

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Friday dust storm causes 60 car pileup on US 95.

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Caldwell man arrested after high-speed chase, weapons and drugs found.

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Man charged with helping Idaho inmate escape during a hospital ambush sentenced to life in prison.

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Three Idaho residents indicted for illegal hunting activities.

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Firefighter injured in August wildfire on the road to recovery in Denver.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 7, 2024

October 7, 1571: The Battle of Lepanto. The Holy League of southern European nations formed by Pope Pius V destroyed an Ottoman fleet, off the coast of Western Greece.

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And on October 7, 1765, the Stamp Act Congress (First Congress of the American Colonies) convened in New York City to devise a unified protest against new British taxation.

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We are running a 3-week-long sale at Elk Creek Company.  Until October 11th, 2024, all of our blackpowder revolvers, all of our M1891 Argentine Mauser rifles, and all of our sporters have their prices deeply discounted.  Take a look!

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Today’s feature article is a review that was written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

Bear Edge 61135 Fixed Blade Knife, by Thomas Christianson

Bear Edge modestly identifies their Model 61135 as a “Cushioned Utility Grip” knife. Although I found it to be highly useful as a utility knife in work around the property, I feel that the 61135 is also almost ideally formed to serve as a hunting knife.

Many hunting knives are a bit too large. Many buyers imagine Jim Bowie at the Alamo. Then they buy a knife more appropriately sized to be a fighting knife than a hunting knife. The problem with such large blades is that they can be awkward for field-dressing game. There is a reason that surgery is done with a scalpel rather than a machete.

In contrast, the approximately 3.7 inch, full-tang, hollow-ground, modified-drop-point blade of the 61135 is an almost ideal size and shape for field dressing game. The 4.5 inch black Kryton handle provides excellent grip, and the jimping on the back of the blade provides an extra measure of control for the delicate cuts. The 0.125 inch thick blade is made of 440 stainless steel, is easily sharpened, and is corrosion resistant. The injection-molded polymer sheath does an excellent job of clipping the knife to a belt or another attachment point without attracting moisture.Continue reading“Bear Edge 61135 Fixed Blade Knife, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Greek-Style Lentil Soup

The following recipe for Greek-Style Lentil Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader H.N.. She says:  “This is a good recipe for using your stored lentils. Because of the beef broth, this isn’t a veggie recipe, but you can just use water, instead.”

Ingredients
  • 2 Cups lentils, dried
  • 4 Cups cold water
  • 1 Cup onion, chopped (or freeze-dried onion bits)
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 4 Cups beef broth
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 Cup celery, chopped (or freeze-dried celery chunks)
  • 2 Cups tomatoes, stewed
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • 1 Cup carrots, chopped (or dried carrot slices)
  • 3 Tblsp parsley, Chopped (or freeze-dried parsley)
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 2 Tablespoons of vinegar
Directions
  1. Wash the lentils and drain them well.
  2. Combine lentils with all ingredients except the vinegar in a large stew pot. Bring the pot to a boil.
  3. Lower heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours or until the lentils are tender
  4. Add vinegar and simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
SERVING

Serve it hot.  This recipe feeds 7-to-8 adults.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic: 4.5% of U.S. counties contain more than 50% of the population.

As shown, the 142 most populous counties contain 165,858,193 people. The remaining 3,001 counties contain 165,591,088 people. (Source: 2020 U.S. Census)

Note that the mapmaker’s methodology appears to have been simply based on the ranking of county populations versus the national average.  It was not based on “population per square mile” but rather the population per county. Hence some geographically large counties such as in Arizona and southeastern California appear more heavily populated. – JWR

(Graphic courtesy of Reddit.)

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

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Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Perhaps the most important reason to be skeptical of government inflation numbers is that the government, like a fox campaigning to guard a hen house, has many reasons to be disingenuous. As the world’s largest debtor, the Federal Government is inflation’s primary beneficiary.” – Peter Schiff