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, some more saber-rattling, in Ukraine.

Biden Okays Ukrainian Missile Strikes Inside Russia

Several SurvivalBlog readers mentioned this troubling news: Ukraine: US to let Kyiv strike deep inside Russia — reports.

The article begins:

“A New York Times article citing anonymous sources claims the White House has lifted restrictions on using US weapons against targets deep in Russian territory.

Ukraine’s allies have previously barred Kyiv from deploying their weapons too far from the front line.

Now, sources say Ukrainian forces are set to use US-made ATACMS rockets, which have a range of up to 190 miles (306 km), against Russian targets in the coming days.

The White House did not immediately comment.”

Putin Issues New Nuclear Doctrine

SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson sent this news: Putin issues warning to United States with new nuclear doctrine. JWR’s Comment:  It is downright frightening to see the doddering Lame Duck President Biden engaging in brinksmanship. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail in the next presidential administration.  Please pray for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine!

Sweden, Finland: New Advice on Surviving War

Several readers mentioned this report from the BBC: Nordic neighbours release new advice on surviving war.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 20, 2024

On November 20, 1953, Scott Crossfield, piloting the Douglas Skyrocket, was the first man to break Mach 2 (1,300 MPH).

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In 284, Roman general Diocletian was proclaimed Emperor by the armies of the east and west after the death of Carinus at the Battle of the Margus.

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On November 20, 1914, the US State Department began requiring photographs for passports.

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November 20, 1942: The 2,451 kilometer-long Alaska Highway (“AlCan”) from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Fairbanks, Alaska, first opened to military traffic.

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We are pleased to welcome our newest advertiser, Angel Studios. They produce faith-based movies and television shows. Their latest project is a feature film that is spinning off a television series, called Homestead.  It should be of great interest to preppers and survivalists. The Homestead movie will open in theaters on December 20th, 2024.

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Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to be part of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

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.

Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 2, by Single Farmer

Editor’s Introductory Note: This is part of a multi-part article series on retreats written by a Christian farmer who is praying and searching for a wife. Please prayerfully consider all of the topics that he discusses.

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The Land: Your Base of Operations

Our farm can support the core food needs of hundreds of people. Farm productivity has been increasing much faster than the population. Over the space of two centuries, the number of people who are living on farms has decreased from almost universal to around two percent. Since the number of people who now live on farms is so relatively few as a percentage of the population, this has decreased the survival prospects of the rest of the population in the event of large-scale and persistent shortages. In each successive generation, self-sufficiency has declined overall and now almost everyone depends on a complex series of events to get almost everything that you need.

By 1920, the majority of the population lived in cities rather than rural areas and this change has had major effects on families. Our country is a net exporter of food, so the figure of how many people the average United States farmer feeds is nearly 170 people. Back in 1960, it was about one farmer feeding 25 people. The vast majority (95 percent) of all farms are owned by families. Whenever you go to the grocery store, you most likely are supporting a family farm. A lot of these amazing productivity numbers are achieved by specialization, inputs, and technology that would not be available in the event of a long-term emergency.Continue reading“Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 2, by Single Farmer”

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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Democrat Senator Mazie Hirono Claims SCOTUS Created Ability to Own Guns in 2008.

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Reader G.C. in Southern California wrote:

“I really like reading your quotes of the day.  But one thing bugs me.  I’ve seen you quote hymns but I’ve never seen you quote a modern praise chorus.  Why not?”

JWR Replies: There are exceptions, but I contend that generally contemporary praise choruses can best be described by four facets: Their dearth of sound Biblical doctrine, an over-emphasis on emotionalism, mantra-like repetitiveness, and a surplus of personal pronouns.  Modern praise choruses have as much to do with traditional hymns as hip-hop music has to do with classical music.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Switzerland is a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and is all stuck
over with large brown hotels built on the cuckoo clock style of architecture.” –  Ernest Hemingway, Toronto Star Weekly, March 4, 1922

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 19, 2024

On November 19, 1274, the Mongol army landed at Hakata Bay in Japan during their first invasion attempt. They were defeated. Famously, a typhoon (“Kamikaze“) destroyed most of their fleet as they withdrew.

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Today is the anniversary of the Kyle Rittenhouse “Not Guilty” verdicts, in 2021.

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On this day in 1863, U.S. President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, at the dedication service for the National Cemetery in Pennsylvania.

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Brownell’s (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running an Early Black Friday Sale. This sale will run until November 24th, 2024.  Take a look at their great discount pricing!

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Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to be part of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

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.

Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 1, by Single Farmer

Editor’s Introductory Note: This is part one of a multi-part article series on retreats written by a Christian farmer who is praying and searching for a wife. Please prayerfully consider all of the topics that he will discuss.

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Preparedness Terminology History

My family preparedness history goes back generations. Before the term “prepper” was used, people who were into preparedness were known as “survivalists” and even before then people were known as “retreaters.” Our survival library is very extensive covering preparedness-related subjects including original civil defense publications from the 1950s until today. I have spent many hours reading the articles and books that have been collected by my family. Recently, I was reading an article written thirty years ago that speculated on what term would be used after “survivalist.” The author had several interesting suggestions, but “prepper” was not one of them.

I consider our family library to be one of our key preparations. I have been told many times and I believe it: “You do not have time, money, energy, or lives to repeat every mistake, so learn from your elders.” Each book represents the voice of a person which is resonating throughout history. Many of these authors are no longer with us, but you can still learn from them.Continue reading“Thoughts on Retreats: History and Land – Part 1, by Single Farmer”

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, a look at ghost towns in the American Redoubt. Pictured above is Silver City, Idaho.

Region-Wide

7 Ghost Towns on the Way to Yellowstone.

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Video: Ghost Towns of Idaho and Montana #1.

Idaho

A Road Trip Through Idaho Ghost Towns.

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Salmon Valley Ghost Towns.

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Ghost Towns in Idaho.

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 18, 2024

On November 18, 1883, US and Canadian railroads set and synchronized four standard time zones – Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific, replacing more than 100 previous time zones.

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On this day in 1978, Peoples Temple founder Jim Jones led hundreds of his followers in a mass murder-suicide at their agricultural commune in a remote part of the South American nation of Guyana. This incredibly tragic occurrence introduced the term “…drink the Kool-Aid” into our parlance, since poison-laced punch was the vehicle behind most of the deaths.

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A new listing over at SurvivalRealty: Beautiful Underground Berm Home in the Heart of the North Carolina High Country — $349,000 –167 Simmons Ridge Road, Spruce Pine, NC.

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The last day! We have been running a Wee-Long Veteran’s Day Sale at Elk Creek Company. The prices of all of our in-stock military-issue rifles (and sporters) and our military-issue revolvers have been deeply reduced. They are selling quickly. I boxed up five rifles this weekend and they will be shipped today. This a great opportunity to shop for a Christmas or Hanukkah gift that will be treasured for generations. Place your order before midnight Pacific Time tonight. (Monday, November 18th, 2024.)

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Today’s feature article was authored by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson

With one of the most comfortably-shaped ergonomic stocks I have ever used, an excellent trigger, and a 22 inch free floating threaded bull barrel, it is not surprising that the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 Creemoor offers excellent accuracy.

Weighing in at 8.8 pounds not counting optics or ammo, the rifle is no featherweight. That makes it your friend while absorbing recoil, but less so if you need to haul it under your own power into the boonies.

With a manufacturer suggested retail price of $1,085 at www.mossberg.com at the time of this writing, it represents a excellent value for medium to long range still hunting of medium-sized game.Continue reading“Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Fried Tuna Burgers 

The following recipe for Fried Tuna Burgers is from SurvivalBlog reader E.J.. She says: “Do you have cases of tuna that are near their expiration date? These tuna burger patties are a quick and easy alternative to fish sticks. These can be served as patties, between hamburger buns, or between slices of toasted bread.”

Ingredients
  • 2 cans of light tuna, drained
  • 1 cup crushed dried bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup dehydrated onion flakes
  • 3 eggs, or rehydrated equivalent of powdered eggs
  • ½ tsp. lemon pepper (or less, to suit your taste)
  • Flour (to coat patties)
  • Your preferred frying oil — I use olive oil
Directions
  1. Mix drained tuna, bread crumbs, egg, onion flakes, and lemon pepper.
  2. Divide into golf ball-sized portions.
  3. Hand press these into burger-like patties.
  4. Dip both sides in flour.
  5. Heat oil to medium heat and gently place patties into your frying pan.
  6. After one side is done, turn and finish cooking.

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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 clever cartoon panel created by award-winning cartoonist Dave Coverly of Speedbump.com.  It is reposted with Mr. Coverly’s permission.

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:

“If you thought Kamala Harris was a sure win in 2024, then you haven’t been paying attention to the epic shift in the cultural zeitgeist over the past few years. The thing that bothers me most about political and social analysis is dealing with people who foolishly assume nothing ever changes. Things change all the time. People can and do learn from the past. Nothing is hopeless, and nihilists are lazy and incompetent.

For example, since 2020 within liberty movement circles there has been a contingent of naysayers claiming that red states were being subversively “turned blue” by leftists relocating during the pandemic. My argument was that this was an idiotic take.

Yes, there were mass relocations across the US but all the data showed the vast majority of these people were conservatives seeking to escape blue state tyranny. I can’t tell you how many “experts” tried to argue with me that Texas, Florida, Idaho, and even my state of Montana were all going to be overrun by progressives. In the aftermath of the election I was once again proven right and they were utterly wrong.

Florida was an absolute landslide for conservatives. It wasn’t even close and I doubt that state will ever come close to being blue again. The same happened with Texas, Idaho, Montana, etc. There was no blue wave. It didn’t exist. It was actually a red wave.” – Brandon Smith