Notes from JWR:

Most of today’s blog content again comes courtesy of Cheryl. Thanks, Cheryl!

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Don’t miss my note about Michael Yon’s blog, down in the Odds ‘n Sods section.

Economics and Investing:

Wow! Take a look at the latest market tickers for spot silver and spot gold. We might soon witness some profit-taking that could temporarily drive silver back to the $12 per ounce range. But consider that a buying opportunity. The next leg up will probably be in November, when The Chartist Gnome predicts silver over $18 per ounce and gold over $1,070. For those that already have bought metals: Do not attempt to “time” such a volatile market. Just hang on, and as the Gnome says, “Be ready for a roller coaster.”

Items from The Economatrix:

The Ghost Fleet of the Recession (Also suggested by several other SurvivalBlog readers.)

Airline Trade Group Predicts 2009 Loss of $11 Billion

Gold Falls as Speculative Holdings Reach Record, Dollar Climbs

Gold Investors Warned to Liquidate After Buying Frenzy

Moodys: UK Banks to Post $215 Billion in New Losses

Darryl Schoon: Greenback Gases, Gold and the Coming Shift

Odds ‘n Sods:

Marko like this Instructables piece: How to Build Your Own BBQ Barrel. OBTW, all the usual warnings about toxic chemicals and paint apply! It is best to start with a “virgin” barrel.

   o o o

Inyokern suggested a 18 minute mini-documentary on solar flares from the Discovery Channel, on Hulu. Attack of the Sun

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Reader FG sent an article from The Guardian for those who might mistakenly consider the bayonet a useless anachronism. (Although a bayonet on an Enfield SA-80 bullpup rifle must be far from ergonomic.) Speaking of the British school of soldiering, FG also sent the link to a long, photo intensive piece by our friend Michael Yon. Take special note of the photo of “Snowy” cleaning his weapon, including each individual rifle cartridge. Since my blog is a bit short today, take a few minutes to read Michael Yon’s. Any correspondent that files reports from a two-way rifle range gets high marks, in my book. He also deserves a little clinkage in his tip jar.

Note from JWR:

Many thanks for your prayers in this difficult time for our family. I’m still in shock and getting my bearings. Special thanks to Cheryl (aka “The Economatrix”) who is taking up the slack on most of the editing while our family is mourning the loss of The Memsahib.

Economics and Investing:

Monty recommended this piece over at Seeking Alpha by J.S. Kim: The Coming Consequences of Banking Fraud

More about insider selling, courtesy of Pete S.: Insiders sell like there’s no tomorrow; Corporate officers and directors were buying stock when the market hit bottom. What does it say that they’re selling now?

GG sent this: U.S. Foreclosure Filings Top 300,000 for Sixth Straight Month

Items from The Economatrix:

Analyst: It’s Too Late to Save Sears

The Ripple Effect: What One Layoff Means for a Whole Town

Wholesale Inventories Drop in July; Sales Grow

UK: Higher Oil Prices Feed Inflation Fear

Cash Down the Drain (The Mogambo Guru)

The 800,000 Pound Deflationary Gorilla

Chapman: Derivatives Collapse and the New China Gold and Silver Markets

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Why did she have to go
So young I just don’t know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme

Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she’s smiling saying
Don’t worry ’bout me.” – Alan Jackson, from Sissy’s Song

An Apology, In Advance

My apologies if my blog postings the next few weeks are irregular and not up to snuff during our time of grief. It will be some time before my life, and the lives of my children get back to some semblance of normalcy. During this lull, I encourage you to delve into the nearly 7,500 searchable archived SurvivalBlog posts. Thanks for your patience.

Linda’s Favorite Hymn

And Can it Be that I Should Gain?

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’ Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’ Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’ Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’ Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’ Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Words by Charles Wesley, 1738. Music by Thomas Campbell, 1825.

 

Memorial Services and Condolences

We are not planning a public memorial service. Please do not send cards or e-mails of condolence. Linda told me that she would much prefer that that you spend that time and effort in sharing the Gospel of Christ with those that are unsaved.

If you feel convicted to do anything in memory of Linda, then please support our favorite charity, the Anchor orphanage and school in Zambia. They are setting up a Linda Rawles Memorial Fund. I will post details on donations, in the next few days. Thanks for your prayers.

With sincerity, – James Wesley, Rawles

The posts below the following divider were posted before Linda’s death.

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) and C.)A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.)

Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $350.

Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing.

Round 24 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.