Unexpected Homelessness: An AAR, by A Grateful Mechanic

Editor’s Introductory Note: This article is an After-Action Report (AAR).  At more than 6,400 words, it was long enough to serialize into three parts. But because it is in narrative form, I thought it was best to present it all in one piece.

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In late 2019 into early 2020 I experienced a several month unexpected period of homelessness. This was during the incipient stages of the COVID-19 pandemic situation where there was significant “fog of war.” The severity of the situation was unclear. This was an exceptional learning opportunity that yielded significant operating experience that I am sharing here. I recommend preparing in a way that offers the maximization of options for your future and a flexibility to adapt quickly. It is also critical to have a stable foundation for your life. Had I made different choices this would never have occurred. The errors were mine. I pray for wisdom and discernment these days. I have learned to take people at face value, to identify threats earlier, have faith in myself and God, finally, to take a conservative bias toward risk. As an event is unfolding it is necessary to utilize objective metrics to identify when it is necessary to change course. As I had to do multiple times during this period.

In late December 2019 my living situation evaporated with next to no notice. The day after Christmas I was told via text message by my father that the power would be cut off on a property I was to inherit and had been living in for 3+ years. That day it was -20 F out. I am certain that he was aware of the date and the temperature that day. I had built my house on sand and while the saying is that “blood is thicker than water.” I have found that my family is unreliable and, in my case, hostile. It should be noted that I had recently lost a parent. That loss was seen as an opportunity by a far wealthier branch of the family to push me out of a home I was told I could live in the rest of my life. There were legal options that could have offered more time, and the situation was wrong, but I chose to remove myself from the situation.Continue reading“Unexpected Homelessness: An AAR, by A Grateful Mechanic”

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, another look at computer security and cyber warfare threats.

Can Prepping Be Used Against You in Court?

Reader Tim J. suggested this video from the Armed Attorneys: Can Prepping Be Used Against You in Court?

ATF’s Forced Reset Trigger Rule Vacated by Federal Judge

At The Daily Caller: Pro-Gun Group Secures Big Win Over ATF In Federal Court. Here is a key quote:

“A federal court on Tuesday struck down a ban imposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on reset triggers.

The ruling comes as the result of a lawsuit filed by The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR). U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor “vacated” the agency’s ban on the devices, arguing that it had overstepped its authority when it redefined forced reset triggers as machine guns, according to a press release from NAGR.”

ATF Traced Would-Be Assassin’s Rifle Using Digitized Forms

Reader C.B. sent this, as reported by the leftist Washington Post: ATF traced Trump rally shooter’s gun using records opposed by some in GOP.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 24, 2024

On July 24th, 1704, English and Dutch troops occupied Gibraltar.

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The late Jerry Ahern passed away on this day, July 24th, 2012. His survivalist novels created an entire genre.

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On July 24th, 1567, Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate. Her 1-year-old son became King James VI of Scots.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 113 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 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 $359 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. 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.

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More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 113 ends on July 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 is Old is New Again – Part 2, by 3AD Scout

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

Keeping warm will be another area where we revert back to old ways. I see lots of prepper articles and YouTube videos about sawing wood for heat. Back in the bygone days, one of the daily chores of children was picking up “sticks”. Many of us may remember the old nursery rhythm with the line “five, six pick up sticks”. These sticks were used for cooking. Heat from the daily food preparation was just an added bonus in the colder months. We may want to lower our expectations of post-TEOTWAWKI comfort. Trying to maintain our home’s temperature to 70 degrees may be a waste of resources. (Fuel, oil, wood, and time).

So how did our ancestors stay warm if not by keeping the home at 70 degrees? I remember questioning the rating of the old down-filled U.S. Army “Extreme Cold” sleeping bag. There was more than one occasion I remember being cold in West Germany in that sleeping bag. One of my Sergeants quipped that the army’s specification of extreme cold sleeping bag was not that you would be nice and toasty warm but rather that you would not get hypothermia. So when TEOTWAWKI happens, we may have to adjust our expectations as to what we consider “warm”. Besides warmth from a source of flame, we should consider body heat retention.Continue reading“What is Old is New Again – Part 2, by 3AD Scout”

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 reader C.B. sent this: Microsoft-CrowdStrike outage: How a single software update was able to cause IT chaos across the globe. Here is an excerpt:

“The global IT outage on 19 July serves as a stark reminder of our vulnerability to technological failures. Triggered by a single faulty software update provided by the , CrowdStrike, this had a disastrous impact on airlines, media outlets, banks, and retailers worldwide, particularly businesses that use Microsoft Windows operating systems.

This incident, described as the “largest IT outage in history,” reminds us of the extensive web of IT interconnections that sustain our —and of the potential for far-reaching consequences when something goes wrong.

What started with delays at airports turned into widespread flight cancellations. The disruption in airline systems doesn’t just disrupt flight schedules, it also affected reliant on air cargo, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of modern IT ecosystems. Meanwhile, broadcasts were interrupted at numerous TV and radio stations and operations at supermarkets and banks were brought to a standstill.”

o  o  o

Foxes accused of stealing Crocs, sandals from campers after many pairs found at den. JWR’s Comments: back in the early 1990s we had a pet ferret that was obsessed with plastic or rubber toys and disposable diapers. He would steal them and cache them in a crawl space of our ranch house. I eventually had to staple chicken wire over the opening, to keep him out of the crawl space.

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Reader D.S.V. mentioned this news: California to impose first-ever permanent water restrictions on cities and towns.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 23, 2024

On July 23, 1745 Charles Edward Stuart, “the Young Pretender” or Bonnie Prince Charlie, landed at Eriskay Island, Hebrides beginning the final Jacobite Rebellion.

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On July 23, 1777 Polish military leader Casimir Pulaski arrived in Marblehead, Massachusetts, to volunteer in the Continental Army cavalry.

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Also on July 23, 1777: King Louis XVI of France and his Foreign Minister clandestinely agreed to supply the United States with munitions in its war of secession from England.

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On July 23, 1944 Battle of Kursk (“Koersk”) ended. This massive tank battle in the USSR was a defeat for the Nazis, with thousands of German tanks destroyed.

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And on July  23, 1945. Marshal Philippe Pétain, leader of the French Vichy collaborationist regime during World War II went on trial.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 113 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 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 $359 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. 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 $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 113 ends on July 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 is Old is New Again – Part 1, by 3AD Scout

As consumers, we are bombarded with new and improved devices and other consumer goods constantly. Buying something to make our daily work and tasks easier has been ingrained in our psyche over the centuries. As I prepare for the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI), I don’t look for the “new and improved” devices that have electronics, require power (either AC or DC), are made of plastic or that are made in China. That does not mean that I don’t have a Ham (amateur) radio, flashlights, solar panels, and plastic items made in China. What I mean is, that I try to look for prepping items from days before all the “modern conveniences”. Those items have survived decades and will, more than likely, continue to survive when pressed into service after TEOTWAWKI. What should we be looking for and thinking about?

The stark reality of post-TEOTWAWKI life is that the surviving people will have to revert back to self-sustaining agriculture for the most part. Sure, there will be exceptions to the rule, like a doctor or nurse who may be paid in food for their services. Raising crops and animals is not as labor-intensive as it once was. Mechanization allows one person, with millions of dollars worth of high-tech farm machinery, to plow, sow, maintain, and harvest hundreds of acres of crops. We live on a very small homestead where we cut hay, have a large garden, and have an orchard. We have cows for meat and chickens for both meat and eggs. We currently have one pig for meat, as well.Continue reading“What is Old is New Again – Part 1, by 3AD Scout”

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, we focus again on American Redoubt general aviation flying and drone videos.

Idaho

Flying Idaho Backcountry – Johnson Creek to Wilson Bar.  JWR’s Comments: You’ve got to love that 330-degree-pivoting wingtip camera bar!  Remote grass strips like this are best accessed with fat tire (“Tundra Tire”) planes.

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I scared myself in Idaho.

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Into The Backcountry – Part I.

Into The Backcountry – Part II.

Into The Backcountry – Part III.

Into The Backcountry – Part IV.

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Every pilot’s paradise. Coolest Ranch ever. (The late Joe Clark’s ranch in Idaho.)

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Here is a news item to file under “Political Violence”: Bonner County Judge Hagelberg has set Jennifer S. Meyer’s bail at $1 Million Dollars for allegedly burning down Cornel Rasor’s Army Surplus Store in Sandpoint, after it was determined she is a flight risk.

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The 2024 Panhandle Preparedness Expo is scheduled at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint, Idaho on October 5th and 6th, 2024.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The inexorable growth of the national debt has become The Great Unspeakable Truth. This quandary is a l’empereur sans-cullotes situation. It took 200 years for the U.S. government to accumulate a one trillion dollar national debt. But now we have a $34.9 trillion debt and are adding another $1 trillion in new debt every 100 days.  Repaying that debt is nearly impossible without the destruction of the Dollar as a currency unit. To say that our legislators are spending like drunken sailors is an insult to drunken sailors.  At least those sailors spend money that they’ve actually earned. The congresscritters are spending money that doesn’t even exist.” –  James Wesley, Rawles

Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 22, 2024

On July 22, 1893, the poet Katharine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to “America the Beautiful”.  Inspired by the scenery of Colorado, Bates wrote the words as a poem, originally titled “Pikes Peak“. It was first published in the Fourth of July 1895 edition of the church periodical, The Congregationalist. At that time, the poem was titled “America”.   The music was earlier composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward at Grace Episcopal Church in Newark, New Jersey. The two never met. The combination of Ward’s melody and Bates’s poem was first entitled “America the Beautiful” in 1910.  The photo above was taken by Don Graham.

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On July 22, 1918, lightning killed 504 sheep in Utah’s Wasatch National Park.

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July 22: 1926: A temperature of 108°F (42°C) was recorded in Troy, New York. This set a state record.

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Today’s feature article was written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christainason.

Ruger American Rifle Generation II in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson

The Ruger American Rifle Generation II in 6.5 Creemoor is highly accurate and light, with an easily gripped and highly adjustable stock. The 20 inch spiral fluted barrel is visually striking, the bolt cycles smoothly, and the 3 position tang safety is easy to operate and intuitive. At 6.5 pounds, the rifle would be easier to carry than most on a long day in the field.

With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $729 at the time of this writing, and widely available for less, the rifle offers an excellent value for the money. If you are looking for a good bolt action rifle for hunting medium sized game, I recommend that you seriously consider this one.Continue reading“Ruger American Rifle Generation II in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week:  Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Wheat Germ Muffins

The following recipe for Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Wheat Germ Muffins is from SurvivalBlog reader J.M.W.

Ingredients
  • 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (such as King Arthur)
  • 1 ¼ cup wheat germ (such as Kretschmer’s)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda (necessary!)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

MIX TOGETHER THOROUGHLY, THEN ADD:

8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
12 ounces lean raw bacon, cooked crisp,
cut into ½ inch pieces
OPTIONAL: 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated

WET INGREDIENTS
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups milk, or buttermilk, or yogurt
  • 1 stick soft butter, not melted

MIX ALL WET INGREDIENTS, THEN MIX ALL WET AND DRY INGREDIENTS TOGETHER.

The resulting batter will be thick, lumpy, and heavy.

Baking Directions
  1. Spray or grease 12 large muffin cups.
  2. Add ½ cup of muffin mix to each cup.
  3. Bake for about 20 minutes. Stick a toothpick into the center of a muffin; if the toothpick is clean, then they are done.
  4. Let muffins cool for 5 minutes, remove from muffin cups, and let them finish cooling. Put a clean dishtowel over them so that they don’t dry out.
Chef’s Notes

This recipe provides a hearty grab-and-go breakfast. It is extremely high in protein, moderate in carbs, high in vitamins and minerals, and very filling. The muffins are substantial, with a light texture. Two or three make a meal.

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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 is a map showing the Frontier Counties of the United States. To qualify as “frontier”, a county must have six or fewer people, per square mile.

(Graphic courtesy of Reddit.)

The thumbnail image 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.