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 rising mortgage interest rates. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Just as I predicted, there has been some profit-taking in the gold and silver markets.  As of Thursday afternoon, spot gold was around $2,345 and silver was around $27.65 per Troy ounce.  But the markets won’t be fooled. I expect strong buying in the Asian markets to boost gold, in particular, in the next few weeks.  The new floor for the spot gold price will likely be around $2,370 USD per Troy ounce. – JWR

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At Gold-Eagle.com:  Gold SWOT: The Sharp Rise in Gold Prices This Year Could Provide a Nice Bump to Miners’ Earnings.

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Mainstream Fund Managers Jumping on the Gold Bandwagon.

Economy & Finance:

Over at Wolf Street: Mortgage Rates over 7% and Heading Higher, Housing Market Still Frozen, Lots of Buyers on Strike as Prices Still Too High. The article begins:

“Mortgage rates continue to trudge higher from the abandoned Rate-Cut-Mania low. The average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 7.13% in the latest week, the highest since early December, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association today, as the 10-year Treasury yield has re-surged amid the Fed’s vigorous backpedaling on its December rate-cut visions after the presumed-vanquished inflation raised its ugly head again.

The MBA’s measure of the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has risen 37 basis points from the Rate-Cut-Mania low of 6.76% in early January…”

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Foreign holdings of US Treasuries hit record high; Japan holdings rise, data shows.

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Reader C.B. suggested this article: IMF sounds alarm on U.S. debt, warning ‘something will have to give’.

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The UFC, Mises, and the Six Lessons of Austrian Economics.

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California in a jam after borrowing billions to pay unemployment benefits.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” – Justice William J. Brennan, from the majority opinion in Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — April 25, 2024

On April 125, 1959, in one of the largest civil engineering feats ever undertaken, the St. Lawrence Seaway officially opened, linking the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes.

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Today is the birthday of physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937). He was known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission as well as for the development of Marconi’s Law and a radio telegraph system. He is often considered the inventor of radio.

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Going, going… We are now down to just 15 of the waterproof 2005-2023 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks. I’ve reduced the price on those remaining sticks to $28.95, to ensure they will sell out quickly. I expect them to sell out by Friday evening. Consider this your last chance until late January 2025, when the next edition should become available. There will be no more produced this year.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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. 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. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  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 USA Berkey Filters (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 $875,000 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 112 ends on May 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.

Weapons of Mass Deception – Part 3, by R.G.

(Continued from Part 2.)

Weapons of Mass Destruction – “…Their flesh shall rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes shall rot in their sockets. And their tongue shall rot in their mouths” (Zec 14:12)

It is well known that Israel has nuclear weapons and capabilities to deliver them to Iran. Israel has never signed the Non-Proliferation treaties and has developed the “Samson Option.” This option will be used as a last resort to destroy all their surrounding enemies if Israel felt their very existence was threatened.
Iran has been working on nuclear research for many years and the IAEA now believes Iran is only months away from producing weapons grade nuclear material. The IAEA has been unable to access Iran’s facilities to assess their current capabilities for the past several years. In the meantime, Iran has visibly focused on developing missiles and drones. Their capabilities now enable them to easily reach Israel and their Sunni enemies with their payloads. Iran can also build these weapons for pennies on the dollar which allows them to fire off massive numbers of missiles while Israel must use very expensive anti-missile missiles to protect their citizenry, a classic war of attrition.Continue reading“Weapons of Mass Deception – Part 3, by R.G.”

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, a Ukranian source document on anti-drone tactics.

PDF: Ukranian Military Anti-Drone Tactics

Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us this public domain document, to house on the SurvivalBlog server: GUIDELINES: FIGHT AGAINST UNMANNED AIRCRAFT. To the best of my knowledge, SurvivalBlog is the first English language website to make this document available online.

ATF Enters New Rule into Federal Register

The ATF had its new  “Engaged in the Business” ruling entered into the Federal Register on April 19th.  That infamous date was predictable.  The ATF has a long memory, and they relish reminding the American people of their inferno massacre. The massive new rule will take effect on Monday, May 20, 2024.  As I’ve mentioned before: The clock is ticking.  Stock up!  For folks in 34 of the 50 states, this is your last chance to privately buy any modern (post-1898) guns that you need to round out your collection.  See how many gun shows you can get to, before May 20th!

What Would a Second US Civil War Look Like?

Some fairly well-reasoned observations from a British commentator in a video produced by Warographiss: What Would a Second US Civil War Really Look Like?

Another “Urban Youth” Gang Shootout

On Saturday, there was another shootout, this time at a “block party” in Memphis, It was reportedly “gang-related.”  This got very little media attention, obviously because it does not match The Official Narrative on “mass shootings.”

An Alex Newman Interview on the UN’s Agenda

Reader Mak X. suggested this 40-minute  video interview: UN Plans Tyrannical Future for You – Alex Newman.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — April 24, 2024

On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into Earth orbit. Unhindered by the impurities and distortions of Earth’s atmosphere, the 2.4 meter (7.9 feet) aperture telescope has delivered some of the most spectacular images of the far reaches of the Universe.

April 24th is the birthday of Carolyn Cole (born 1961), a Pulitzer Prize-winning staff photographer for the Los Angeles Times.

This is also the day that the Armenian Genocide began, in 1915. Ottoman (Turk) Muslims slaughtered 1.5 million of their Christian neighbors, intellectuals, and community leaders. The Ottoman government proceeded with multiple phases to round up men in mass executions and drive women and children into the desert on death marches. They also led the general Muslim citizens to participate in brutal periodic massacres within their communities signaled with the blow of a bugle. It is one of the first modern genocides and serves as a warning for us today. There are chilling accounts contained in Islam scholar Andrew Bostom’s book, The Legacy of Jihad: Islamic Holy War And the Fate of Non-Muslims.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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. 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 $875,000 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 112 ends on May 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.

Weapons of Mass Deception – Part 2, by R.G.

(Continued from Part 2.)

Important Biblical End-Time Trends Involving Israel and Iran “And He spoke a parable to them: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees. Now when they sprout leaves, seeing it you will know that summer is now near. So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:29-31)

I wrote a recent article in SurvivalBlog concerning key trends that will trigger the Final Days from a Biblical viewpoint. Several of these are specific to Israel and Iran. As described in Matthew 24, a key condition to knowing these Trends are occurring during the end-times is they all will grow in Frequency, Intensity and Visibility like birth pangs until by Tribulation time they become Unstoppable. These trends involving Iran and Israel are as follows:

Knowledge (Exponential/Available) (Dan 12:4)
Deception (Clever/Diabolical) (Mat 24:11, Luke 21:8, 2Ti 3:13)
Weather/Heaven Anomalies (Luk 21:11)
Weapons of Mass Destruction (Zechariah 14:12, Rev 18)
Christian Evangelism (Mat 24:14)
Digital Money (Rev 13:17)
Global Hatred for Israel (Zech. 12:3)
Rebuilding the Temple (Mat 24:15)
Israel at War (Ez 37-39)

Continue reading“Weapons of Mass Deception – Part 2, by R.G.”

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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A Special Request From JWR: I’d like to ask a favor: I’m hoping that there is a SurvivalBlog reader who has a spare full carton of 25 (or perhaps two cartons) of the LONG USPS  “Game and Puzzle” Large Priority Mail boxes.  (See photo, above.) For my Elk Creek Company mailorder biz, these are the type of boxes that I often use when I mail out long-barreled percussion revolvers, long-barreled Stevens single-shot target pistols, and some long bayonets — and I have just a few of these boxes left.

UPDATE on April 26th:  A couple of generous readers have promised to send me (in aggregate) 76 of these boxes.  So that fills our needs for the foreseeable future.  There is no need for anyone else to send any more. Note that if there are any other cartons of boxes that are already en route to me from other readers, then I will keep my promise of postage reimbursement and the gift of an archive USB  stick for each 25 boxes sent. Many thanks, folks!

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Reader George S. wrote:

“Just a thought on the article that was titled: “Our Black Swan Event”

It looks like there’s an Access Opening on the Top of the Cistern. If it is Big Enough for someone to Climb Down In, then they could clean the inside with maybe a Mild Chlorine or Whatever Mixture to keep Algae and other Unhealthy Stuff Off the Walls.

If this is possible, maybe E.R. can cut and install a Nice Looking (Cedar Access Hatch) Over the Entrance to the Top of the Cistern.”

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Reader Mike in Alaska recommended this useful illustrated article: Dry Canning Flour.

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Robert W. spotted this: New sodium battery that can be charged in seconds developed.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 23, 2024

On April 23, 1936, singer-songwriter Roy Orbison, known for his soaring voice and for his carefully crafted ballads of loneliness and heartache, was born in Vernon, Texas.

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The oldest US public institution, Boston Latin School, was founded on April 23, 1635.

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“Shane”, directed by George Stevens and based on the 1949 novel by Jack Schaefer, starring Alan Ladd and Jean Arthur premiered on April 23, 1949.

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There are several interesting new retreat property listings over at SurvivalRealty.com. These include:

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present Part 1 of a four-part entry for Round 112 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 $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.

  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 USA Berkey Filters (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 $875,000 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 112 ends on May 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.

Weapons of Mass Deception – Part 1, by R.G.

This article is primarily about Israel versus Iran, and how Muslims seel to subjugate non-Muslims. If this is boring to you or you are tired of listening to Middle East news, then please skip to more entertaining things. But if you know the significance of events in the Holy Land as it relates to preparedness and what triggers the coming events that we need to be aware of and prepare for, then please read on.

I lived in Iran in the 1970s. It was a turbulent time in the US with soaring inflation, a nationwide 55 MPH speed limit, and a weak president overseeing it all. This was also a turbulent time in Iran as events there were leading up to the soon overthrow of the Shah and the insertion of the radical Islamic Ayatollahs into power. While there I was not a practicing Christian but I was seeking understanding of where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going to end up. This led me to study the Quran and ponder why so many people believed it to be the final Word of God. I also learned of the schisms inside Islam, primarily between Sunni and Shia sects. But underlying these schisms was a deeper division of liberal vs literal interpretation of the Quran and its associated Book of Sayings (Hadith). The Ayatollahs of Iran preach a strict, literal interpretation, including much deception, that has led 45 years later to where we are now concerning events in the Middle East and particularly how it affects Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount.Continue reading“Weapons of Mass Deception – Part 1, by R.G.”

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 on a wandering Grizzly. (See the Wyoming section.)

Idaho

Annual Sheep Crossing: Watch out, it’s a ‘Lambush’.

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Tobacco companies pay Idaho in a multi-million-dollar settlement.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I mean, my friend, to let you know how deeply I am impressed with a sense of the Importance of Amendments; that the good People may clearly see the distinction, for there is a distinction, between the federal Powers vested in Congress, and the sovereign Authority belonging to the several States, which is the Palladium of the private, and personal rights of the Citizens. I freely protest to you that earnestly wish some Amendments may be judiciously and deliberately made without partial or local considerations—that there may be no uncomfortable Jarrings among the several Powers; that the whole People may in every State contemplate their own safety on solid grounds, and the Union of the States be perpetual. . . . Your Letter requires a further Consideration I will at present only express my astonishment at the strange, and absurd opinion of our former republican Connecticut friend —Tempora mutantur, et hic mutatur in illis.” – Samuel Adams, in a letter to Richard Henry Lee, dated August 24, 1789.

Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 22, 2024

On April 22, 1889, the Oklahoma land rush began.

Today is the birthday of actor Eddie Albert (born Edward Albert Heimberger April 22, 1906.) He died May 26, 2005, at age 99.) For his actions in the battle of Tarawa, he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device.

Today is the birthday of the late Charles Rankin Bond, Jr., who was born in Dallas on April 22, 1915. (Died, 2009.) He was one of the last of the AVG Flying Tiger pilots.

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Going,  going… We are now down to just 30 of the waterproof 2005-2023 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks. I’ve reduced the price on those remaining sticks to $28.95, to ensure they will sell out quickly. I expect them to sell out by Thursday or Friday of this week. Consider this your last chance until late January 2025, when the next edition should become available. There will be no more produced this year!

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I just noticed that Military Surplus LLC has a new batch of U.S.G.I. .50 ammo cans for sale. These are genuine M2A1 U.S. military issue, in near-new condition. They are selling packs of 4 of these cans for $80.00 shipped to CONUS. Given the present-day shipping costs, that is a bargain!

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We are in need of entries for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 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 112 ends on May 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.