Making Wine At Home – Part 1, by H.F.K.

People have been making wine for almost as long as there have been people. In the Bible, we’re told that Noah, after disembarking from the ark, “was the first to plant a vineyard.” (Genesis 9:21)

This article will give you some how-tos, whats, and whsy on making wine at home, as well as a brief description of how I got into it.

How I got started on making wine at home

The first time a friend of mine, Pastor B., visited our home, he gave us a bottle of homemade apricot wine. It was incredible. I picked his brain on the subject of winemaking.

“It’s really pretty simple,” said Pastor B. “It comes down to this: You give the yeasts sugar in a nice place for them to live. They eat the sugar, poop alcohol, and pass carbon dioxide gas. When the alcohol content gets high enough, they die, and your wine is done.”

When pressed further on specifics, Pastor B. gave a simple recipe for winemaking: Three pounds of fruit and three pounds of sugar per gallon of wine.Continue reading“Making Wine At Home – Part 1, by H.F.K.”

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 record-high gold futures prices, in Dollar terms. (See the Precious Metals section.)

Precious Metals:

 

Published on Tuesday: ‘We Have Liftoff!’ – Spot Gold Takes Out Record High.  JWR’s Comments: The fundamentals of gold haven’t changed, as a hedge. It is the U.S. Dollar that is showing its inherent weakness.  Oh, and ditto for Bitcoin, which also hit an all-time high in Dollar terms, this week.

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Gold Futures Close at Record High.

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Commentary from Gary Wagner, at Gold-Eagle.com: The Truth About the Collapsing US Dollar and Its Impact on Gold & Silver Prices.

Economy & Finance:

Fed policymakers look past ‘bumpy’ inflation toward rate cuts.

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In the U.K.: Banks force closure of 140,000 small business accounts.

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Millennials on course to become ‘richest generation in history’.

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Nolte: Bud Light Boycott Cost Tranheuser-Busch $1.4 Billion.

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Will Denyer, by way of Zero Hedge: Good Story Versus Bad Valuations.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — March 7, 2024

On March 7, 1778, Captain James Cook first sighted the Oregon coast at Yaquina Bay.

March 7, 1707 was the birthday of Stephen Hopkins, (Governor of Rhode Island) one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

And March 7, 1944 was the birthday of Townes Van Zandt, a gifted Texan singer/songwriter. (He died in 1997.)

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Update: We are running out of 2005-2023 SurvivalBlog archive USB sticks. There are only about 200 left. Many readers are ordering 2, 3, or 4 sticks. There will not be another batch of sticks produced this year, so get your order in soon.

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Today we present a brief reader-written review article. It was too short to qualify for the judging in the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

We are in great need of entries for Round 111 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 111 ends on March 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.

Separett Waterless Composting Toilet, by OhioGalt

Not the most comfortable topic to discuss but closing up the cabin last week I realized that our toilet has been problem-free for many years and worthy of a brief review to share with the readers of SurvivalBlog. I did not receive any compensation for this review, and we purchased this unit four years ago and have been using it regularly.

We installed a composting toilet in our cabin several years ago for those times we didn’t want to trudge 300′ through the snow to the outhouse. My wife and I watched numerous video reviews of different composting toilets in tiny houses. Quite frankly many of them were disgusting to watch with cranking handles to stir up the mixture, adding sawdust, or dumping buckets. Some of the toilets sat up on a riser so you had to step up to sit on it. Then we ran across the Swedish-made composting toilet called the “Separett”. It is named as such because the urine is separate from the solid waste (“poo”). We learned if you remove the urine from the poo, the odor will dissipate in short order.Continue reading“Separett Waterless Composting Toilet, by OhioGalt”

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 further examination of emigration from northeastern “blue” states.

Five Million People Have Fled ‘Blue States’ in the Last Decade

A Moneywise report: ‘One of the biggest mass migrations in American history’: Economist says 5 million people have fled ‘blue states’ in the last decade, wishes these places would ‘stop avoiding reality.’ Here’s why.

A pointed quote in the article from economist Stephen Moore:

“‘If you look at, for example, the states that gained the most population over the last 10 years, you’re talking about obviously, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, those states, the Southeast now has a larger GDP — total combined economic output — than the Northeast,’ Moore pointed out. ‘That’s the first time that’s ever happened in American history.’”

The Great Blue State Exodus: Why Americans Are Fleeing Liberal States

At MSN, a Homeward How piece: The Great Blue State Exodus: Why Americans Are Fleeing Liberal States.

Remington is Relocating from New York to Georgia

H.L. sent this: Remington CEO Cites ‘Legislative Environment’ in New York as Company Moves to Georgia. A key line from the article:

“The pending closure of Remington’s Ilion, New York, plant — launched in 1828 — marks the end of generations of New Yorkers working for the American gun maker.”

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The churches represent the great area of freedom from statist controls in many countries. This is a condition which the modern state finds intolerable and is determined to alter. The state’s great ally in this struggle is all too often the church itself. The humanism of so many churchmen makes them dedicated allies of statist objectives.” – R.J. Rushdoony, Christianity and the State

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — March 6, 2024

On March 6, 1475 Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti—who exerted an unparalleled influence on Western sculpture, painting, and architecture and whose works rank among the most famous in existence—was born in the Republic of Florence.

Today is the birthday of Georg Johann Luger (March 6, 1849 – December 22, 1923). He was the Austrian designer of the famous Luger pistol and the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge.

March 6th was the birthday of Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper Jr., born in 1927 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. This U.S. Air Force pilot and astronaut was aboard Mercury 9 and Gemini 5. Cooper had his exploits well documented in Tom Wolfe’s book The Right Stuff, and in the well-done film of the same name. Cooper died at age 77 from heart failure at his home in Ventura, California, October 4, 2004.

Coincidentally, this is also the birthday of Valentina Tereshkova (born 1937), a Soviet cosmonaut and the first woman in space (aboard Vostok 6). She was born in Maslennikovo, USSR.

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These new listings caught my eye:

Turnkey Survival Bunker Homestead on 7 acres — $625,000 — 170 Lightning Creek Road, Harpster, Idaho.

and,

Country Living at Its Best! — $840,000 — 4300 Custer Frontage Road, Pompeys Pillar, Montana

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

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We are in great need of entries for Round 111 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 111 ends on March 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.

Taurus TH9 Pistol, by Thomas Christianson

The Taurus TH9 is a full-sized, hammer-fired, SA/DA, semi-automatic, polymer-framed, 9mm handgun with a 17 round magazine capacity. It is reliable, accurate, and reasonably priced, with a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $389.99

Background

I am a big fan of single action/double action handguns with decockers. I have been ever since my son first let me fire his Beretta 92FS. I like the extra measure of deliberation that the double action mode requires in a first shot, and the greater accuracy that the single action mode makes possible in followup shots. I really appreciated this feature in one of my all-time favorite handguns, the Walther P99. In fact, if Walther offered a full-size version of the P99, I would try to be first in line to buy one.

I also like hammer-fired handguns. I like being able to quickly and easily determine visually whether or not a handgun is cocked. I like being able to quickly and easily cock a handgun if it is not already prepared for single action use.

So when I heard about the Taurus TH9, I was eager to give it a try. I sent a message to my contact with Taurus, and they were kind enough to agree to provide me with a sample for testing and evaluation. Before too long, I received a message that the handgun was at my FFL, and I went to pick it up.Continue reading“Taurus TH9 Pistol, by Thomas Christianson”

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 blog reader in Tasmania sent a snail mail letter, warning of a “regulatory change” that will soon go into effect, canceling the long-standing “Exemption 4” for antique guns. The law redefinition requires registration, making an application for a “limited individual exemption”, upgrades to existing firearms licenses, and “gun cupboard” storage of all antique (pre-1900) guns on the island. This is regardless of a gun’s ignition system — even matchlock and flintlock muzzleloaders.  The only legal alternatives will be selling or surrendering those antique guns.  The officials haven’t yet decided what the “training requirements” will be for the owners of all those pre-1900 antique guns. What insanity! The officials of course say that this change is for “public safety.”  Each day, the chains of tyranny get a little stronger, all around the world.  Readers in the Commonwealth: I beg you, don’t surrender your antique guns for destruction!

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Reader D.S.V. suggested this essay from The New Atlantis: Things Used to Work in This Country.

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Great Reset Watch: EU Parliament Approves ‘Digital Identity Wallet’.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — March 5, 2024

On March 5, 1963, American country and western singer Patsy Cline—who was one of the classic performers of the genre, known for such ballads as I Fall to Pieces and Crazy—died in an airplane crash near Camden, Tennessee, at age 30. Also killed in the crash were Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Randy  Hughes.

This is the birthday of Howard Pyle (1853-1911) an influential American book illustrator, painter, and author. He was the mentor of many great American artists including Thornton Oakley, Frank E. Schoonover, Allen Tupper True, and of course his most famous student: N.C. Wyeth.

March 5th is also the anniversary of the Boston Massacre. (March 5, 1770. ) It was one of the key precipitating events for our War of Independence.

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I recently added a very scarce re-sleeved and re-proofed factory-engraved Purdey Double Barrel 12 Gauge Shotgun to my Elk Creek Company online catalog.

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Today’s feature article was too short to be included in the judging for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

We are in great need of entries for Round 111 of the 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 111 ends on March 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.

An Illegal Alien Military Invasion, by Mike in Alaska

The united States of America has been invaded by an illegal alien military force almost equal to what is termed a Field Army. I am going to focus on one report of illegal aliens crossing the border from Mexico, and in particular the breakdown of data of who those illegals are, and where they came from.

The data in the list below is courtesy of Newsmax.com I had two concerns; the sheer number of aliens caught and processed and released at a checkpoint in Texas, and the demographic breakdown of this group.(1)

Using their numbers, I am going to break down how this comprises a military force invasion. Take into consideration that this is only one small unit of illegal aliens; the true number of illegal aliens allowed into this country I believe is unknown at this juncture of the invasion.Continue reading“An Illegal Alien Military Invasion, by Mike in Alaska”

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 of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the Snake River dams.   (See the Region-Wide section.)

Region-Wide

Reader A.K. spotted this slanted opinion piece from the hard-left Idaho Capital [sic] Sun newspaper-lookalike website): Rewilding the Lower Snake : How cultural values of a free flowing river exceed those of a reservoir. (According to LeftistAgendaPedia: “States Newsroom is a U.S. tax-exempt organization that serves as an umbrella organization for state-focused news outlets with progressive editorial outlooks. Launched in 2019, it began as a sponsored project of the Hopewell Fund, a left-leaning nonprofit that does not disclose its donors. It grew out of NC Policy Watch, a progressive think tank in North Carolina founded by Chris Fitzsimon.”)

Idaho

Resolution calls for suppressors to be regulated like guns. It now heads to the Idaho House.

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Two more earthquakes hit near Smiths Ferry Friday morning. A pericope:

“This comes after a series of quakes hit the area on Monday. Friday’s first quake, a 3.5 magnitude, hit at 6:16 a.m., followed by a 2.6 magnitude at 6:51 a.m.

It’s been a busy week for the area, on Monday the area was hit by a 4.9 magnitude earthquake, a 2.7, a 2.5, and a 2.8 with trembling as far south as Mountain Home, Idaho.”

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Post Falls Library asking for volunteers to help clean-up severe damage.

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Reader C.B. sent this expected news: Donald Trump defeats Nikki Haley in Idaho’s Republican Caucus.

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Idaho Falls: MacKenzie River Pizza still in operation after settling civil suit.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“All of anarchism, libertarianism, and anti-Statism can be traced back to the rise of Protestantism. The USA – founded by Protestants (often extremist Protestants expelled from their own countries) is where the love of the individual and hatred of the collective is practically written into its Constitution, which is extremely Protestant in its character.” – Steve Madison, The Quality Agenda: The Search for Excellence