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 the government’s arbitrary mask laws.

DHS Conflated ‘Religious’ and ‘Veteran” With Domestic Terrorism

In The Federalist: Report: DHS Group Called Being ‘Religious’ An ‘Indicator’ Of Domestic Terrorism. (Thanks to D.S.V. for the link.)

Russia and North Korea Sign Mutual Defense Agreement

H.L. sent this from The New American: Russia and North Korea Sign Mutual Defense Agreement.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Roll away the dawn,
Roll away the dawn, and let me see,
The land of the free,
Has anything changed at all?

Sweet liberty,
Sweet liberty is in our hands,
It’s part of the plan,
Or is it a state of mind?

Horses and men,
Horses and men are on the field,
They didn’t yield,
Many have fallen here;

Never forget,
Never forget what they have done,
The time will come,
When it will change again,
Never forget!”
– Chris DeBurgh, lyrics to the song “Liberty“

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 26, 2024

On June 26, 1894, Karl Benz of Germany received a US patent for a gasoline engine-driven automobile.

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Last Day of the sale!  The big sale on all of the percussion revolvers in our Elk Creek Company inventory ends tonight.  No paperwork is required. Cartridge conversion cylinders are available for many of these guns. These can be mailed right to your door, in most states.  This sale ends at midnight Pacific Time tonight (Tuesday, June 26th), so get your order in, ASAP!

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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.

Surviving the Heat – Part 1, by N.C.

Every heat wave kills people. For most of us, it’s a minor inconvenience and hurts our wallets more than anything else. Here in the US, air conditioning is now almost ubiquitous and everything is fine. But what about when grid power is not available?

This article is aimed at people living in cities and suburbs who find themselves without power during a heat wave. For whatever reason there is no power for some time, what do you do? It also applies to people who just can’t afford air conditioning which is where I learned a lot of these things.

As a student, I lived in a tiny attic apartment in a big city. I simply could not afford air conditioning. I’m not being melodramatic, I later found out that I qualified for food stamps even as I was studying and teaching full time. So my wife and I got to learn how to deal with miserable city heat. Before that, I had spent years in the Southeast United States again without air conditioning for reasons out of my control. And now I live in the upper midwest without air conditioning. Now in this situation I could get air conditioning but it’s only miserable for a couple of weeks each year, and by now I have experience dealing with the heat.Continue reading“Surviving the Heat – Part 1, by N.C.”

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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Magma beneath Mount St. Helens is ‘recharging,’ scientists say.  This article begins:

“Mount St. Helens, which notoriously erupted in 1980, has been showing signs of increased seismic activity lately, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It’s thought to be part of the volcano’s natural magma recharging process.

The volcano, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” has experienced around 350 earthquakes since the beginning of February, with 38 alone in the first week of June.

Most of these earthquakes were not noticeable, but one registered 2.0 magnitude on May 31 — strong enough that it could have been felt by humans.”

o  o  o

Double Digits: Biden Admin tells Americans that it’s soon time for their 10th Covid shot.

o  o  o

Reader D.S.V. sent us this: 567,000 “MyCharge” Portable Battery Chargers Sold At Costco Recalled After House Fires.

o  o  o

C.B. suggested a post over at the oft-mentioned Rural Revolution blog: Pickling Tip.

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Biden Admin. Asked Amazon To Hide Vaccine Critical Books During The Pandemic. JWR’s Comment:  It seems that The Resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue considers the 1st Amendment just “guidance.”

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 25, 2024

On June 25th, 1876, Native American forces led by Chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull defeated the U.S. Army troops of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer in a bloody battle near southern Montana’s Little Bighorn River. The Battle of Little Bighorn – also called Custer’s Last Stand – marked the most decisive Native American victory and the worst U.S. Army defeat in the long Plains Indian War. While complicated, the generally accepted reason for the battle is that the discovery of gold in South Dakota’s Black Hills in 1875 led to the U.S. government disregarding previous treaty agreements. The gruesome fate of Custer and his men outraged many white Americans and confirmed their image of the Indians as wild and bloodthirsty. Meanwhile, the U.S. government increased its efforts to subdue the tribes. Within five years, almost all of the Sioux and Cheyenne would be confined to reservations.

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June 25, 1867: The first barbed wire was patented by Lucien B. Smith of Ohio

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All of the percussion revolvers in our Elk Creek Company inventory are now on sale, with some deep discounts.  No paperwork is required. These can be mailed right to your door, in most states.  This sale ends at midnight Pacific Time tomorrow — Tuesday, June 26th, so order soon!

—

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.

Learning From My Amish Neighbor, by 3AD Scout

In February of this year, our neighbor sold his two houses and business. One of those houses was sold to our new neighbors. They are Old Order Amish who still do not use any electric lights on their buggies but rather use Kerosene lamps. It has been an interesting few months watching them transform their new-to-them home to their off-grid Amish lifestyle. I was wondering how the new owners would heat the large old farmhouse and get their water since the old neighbor used electricity for such things. The previous neighbor had an outside wood furnace that supplied both heat for the old farmhouse and hot water. I drove by one afternoon to see the furnace was gone.Continue reading“Learning From My Amish Neighbor, 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 on the recent eastern Idaho agricultural water controversy. (See the Idaho section.)

Idaho

Will 500,000 acres of Idaho farmland lose access to water?

An update: Water curtailment order lifted for East Idaho farmers.  Here is a quote:

“Groundwater irrigators and surface water irrigators have completed a deal that saves 330,000 acres of Idaho farmland from being dried up and averts economic catastrophe in the state.

A mitigation agreement for 2024, brokered by Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, has now been signed by all parties and has been submitted to the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR for approval. When the deal is approved, IDWR will lift the curtailment for all nine ground water districts whose patrons irrigate with groundwater from the ESPA.”

o  o  o

A very recent travel video from my old stomping grounds: Scenic Northwest Passage, Lewis & Clark’s route, Hwy 12 Idaho.

o  o  o

Missing North Idaho woman found at man’s ranch in Cataldo.

o  o  o

Idaho clamps down on its RINOS.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“You ask me if I will not be glad when the last battle is fought, so far as the country is concerned I, of course, must wish for peace, and will be glad when the war is ended, but if I answer for myself alone, I must say that I shall regret to see the war end.” – George Armstrong Custer

Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 24, 2024

On June 24, 1314, with the victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (pictured), Scotland regained its independence from England.

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June 24th is the birthday of rifle-toting abolitionist pastor Henry Ward Beecher. (Born 1813, died March 8, 1887.) He and his adherents from his church smuggled so many Sharps rifles to Bleeding Kansas that the Sharps rifles picked up the nickname “Beecher’s Bibles.” The Infogalactic wiki states: “Several of his brothers and sisters became well-known educators and activists, most notably Harriet Beecher Stowe, who achieved worldwide fame with her abolitionist novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”

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I may be biased, but I believe that anyone who is considering investing in a rural retreat property should take this online course taught by my son Jonathan Rawles: The Prepared Property Buyer. It is being offered at a discounted introductory price for just this first week of the course release.

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Because of a change in direction at Trident Media Group (my partner publisher) my novel Land Of Promise, will only be published in trade paperback by Amazon.com for one more month, at just $11.99 per copy. The last day of the sale (and of Amazon Print on Demand ordering capability) will be July 12, 2024. Thereafter, it may only be available as an e-book. I will try to get it back in print within a few months, but I can’t make any promises.  So order your copy (or copies) soon!

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Today’s feature article is a review by Tom Christianson of the SurvivalBlog staff.

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We are in great need of entries for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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.

Predator Armor Plate Carrier and Plates, by Thomas Christianson

I recently had the chance to test the Predator Armor Minuteman Plate Carrier as well as a couple of Predator Armor steel plates. I found the 500D Cordura material from which the plate carrier is made to be robust, stain and odor resistant, comfortable to wear. It included 6 rows of MOLLE style webbing. It cost $160 at the time of this writing from www.predatorarmor.com.

One of the plates I tested was a Level III+ Shooter’s Cut plate made from ballistic grade AR650 steel. With the multicurve body contour, it cost $145 for a single plate and $195 for a pair of plates from Predator Armor at the time of this writing.

The other plate I tested as a Level III Shooter’s Cut plate made from ballistic grade AR650 steel with the multicurve body contour and a Kevlar frag mitigation liner. It cost $115 for a single plate and $219 for a pair of plates from Predator Armor at the time of this writing.

At approximately 7.5 pounds each, I found the plates to be heavy enough to increase my interest in the Level III polyethylene plates that Predator Armor also offers. The polyethylene plates cost $700 for a pair from Predator Armor at the time of this writing. At approximately 3.3 pounds each, the polyethylene plates weigh less than half as the steel plates. If you anticipate a static-defense-only use of the armor, then the steel plates will give you slightly better protection at a lower price. If mobility is a part of your contingency plan, and you anticipate moving under your own power, then you may want to consider the more expensive polyethylene plates instead.

I am happy to report that Predator Armor products are 100% American-made.Continue reading“Predator Armor Plate Carrier and Plates, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Baked Summer Squash with Tomatoes and Cheese

The following recipe for Baked Summer Squash with Tomatoes and Cheese is from SurvivalBlog reader V.F..

Chef’s Notes:  “Squash season will soon be here! You can substitute zucchini squash. I make this with Mozzarella cheese. I haven’t tried substituting cheeses, but I assume that this could work with another mild cheese like Havarti or Monterey Jack. This takes just a half hour from start to finish. I’m not calling out exact quantities of spices and olive oil — just make them suit your taste.”

Ingredients
  • Summer squash (or zucchini squash)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Basil
  • Olive oil
  • Tomatoes (sliced)
  • Tomato sauce (Pasta style, Marinara, or Basil Tomato type sauce)
  • Mozzarella cheese, grated or very thinly sliced.
Directions
  1. Wash and towel dry two large squash
  2. Slice them to 1/4 to 1/2-inch thickness
  3. Preheat oven to 450 F.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine sliced zucchini, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, and olive oil. Gently stir and set aside for 5+ minutes to slightly marinate.
  5. Prepare a medium-size casserole dish with a light spritz of a cooking spray.
  6. Lay your squash slices on the bottom of the casserole dish followed by tomato halves, garlic, and basil.
  7. Spoon the tomato sauce on top, lightly, here and there.
  8. Drizzle on another tablespoon of olive oil.
  9. Top it all with Mozzarella cheese.
  10. Bake in 450 F oven for 15-18 minutes, until the cheese melts.
SERVING

Serve it while it is still hot.

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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 computer wallpaper created by vandon on X-Twitter, showing “America’s Great Conservative Migration Prior To Federal Collapse.”  He obviously put a lot of time and effort into this.  Take a close look, because there are a lot of little “Easter Eggs” hidden in the graphic’s layers.

The thumbnail below is click-expandable:

 

 

 

 

 

For those who are curious about the included dark blue banner, I found this description at the RPC website:

“The Reformed believers, known as Covenanters (from their support of the covenants), insisted on ‘the crown rights of King Jesus,”‘ which brought them into conflict with those who supported ‘the divine rights of kings.’ The blue banner bearing the motto ‘For Christ’s Crown and Covenant’ originated as a battle flag for these Covenanters. It first appeared in 1639 with the Covenanter army under General Alexander Leslie, First Earl of Leven.

During the period of most intense persecution (1680-1688), some 18,000 men, women, and children died in battle, were executed, killed without process of law, or exiled, for their faithfulness to ‘Christ’s Crown and Covenant’. Since the end of ‘the killing time,’ the Blue Banner has continued to serve as a symbol of the Reformed faith.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church is the continuation of the Covenanter Church in Scotland, and treasures the testimony and heritage which God has given to it. The banner itself has no theological significance, but serves as a reminder of our commitment to the great truths of the Word of God.”

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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.