Reader Poll: New SurvivalBlog Feature Topics

It has been several years since we’ve conducted an opinion poll of blog readers.

Because SurvivalBlog has been published for nearly 18 years, we’ve covered a lot of topics. But, obviously, we’ve missed a few, or we need to revisit a few, to get up-to-date and to cover them in greater depth. So, here is my question to readers:

What topics would you like to see covered in SurvivalBlog feature articles, in the coming months?

Here are a few topics that came to mind, when Avalanche Lily and I were brainstorming:

  • Herbs — Medicinal and Cooking
  • Wildcrafting with plants and trees
  • Foraging and recipes with wild edibles
  • Assembling a set of ham radio shack equipment
  • Ham radio antenna trimming
  • Home Gunsmithing
  • How to restore kerosene lamps
  • Basic DIY veterinary science
  • Horse hoof trimming
  • Basic home carpentry projects
  • Dry-pack canning

What are your ideas for feature article topics, to add to that list?  Please e-mail us your suggestions, and we will post a consolidated list, sometime next week. That list can then be used as a starting point, for anyone that wants to write a piece for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

We greatly appreciate it when our readers share their knowledge and experience. That tremendous depth of knowledge is one of the things that sets SurvivalBlog apart from other preparedness blogs.

Many Thanks! – JWR

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 horse-drawn wagon builders, restoration specialists, museums, and some camping rentals.

Idaho

Idaho Sheep Camp builds traditional Basque sheep wagons.

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Live Out Your 1883 Fantasies at This Incredible Idaho Covered Wagon Park

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I missed seeing this obituary when it was posted late last year: Darlene Madge McManus, 88. The wife of outdoor humor writer Pat McManus, Darlene was the inspiration for the fictional character “Bun.”

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Idaho Dr. Ryan Cole Faces Discipline for Bucking the Covid-19 Narrative.

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 13, 2023

Today is the birthday of General Chuck Yeager (born, 1923), the first man to break the sound barrier. He passed away December 7, 2020.

February 13th is also the birthday of Robert Charles R.C. Sproul (born 1939, died December 14, 2017), a well-respected American Calvinist theologian.

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A special request from JWR: A relative of mine will soon be attending a school that is south of Hamilton, Montana.  That relative will need to rent garage space to store a vehicle for about a year. Ideally, it would be a spot with an outlet available for a trickle charger, and that has access year-round, in case that vehicle is needed for an emergency. So, if you, or someone you know, lives within 20 miles of Hamilton and would have a covered parking spot in a garage, carport, shop, or barn available, please let me know, via e-mail. Many thanks!

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

Silver Stag Lion, by Thomas Christianson

The Silver Stag Lion is an heirloom quality, primarily handmade, semi-custom knife. It has a razor-sharp three-inch blade made of D2 tool steel and a handle made from naturally-shed deer or elk antler. It is 100% made in these United States.

It is by far the finest knife I have ever carried. At the time of this writing, it was available for $169 from www.silverstag.com. The major drawback of the knife is that it is such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that I am almost afraid to use it. It seems to deserve a place of honor in a display case rather than hidden in my pocket.

The Backstory

I have been systematically seeking out American-made knives for testing and evaluation. In the course of my search, I ran across Silver Stag knives. I looked through their product line for something with a pocket clip for every day carry (EDC). When I did not find anything, I wrote a note to Silver Stag mentioning that if they ever introduced a knife with a pocket clip, I would be interested in reviewing it.

About a week later, Mr. Brad Smith, founder of Silver Stag Handcrafted Field Gear, replied with information about their lanyard system. It sounded interesting, so I said that I was interested. Mr. Smith then promised to make me a knife the next week, when he was caught up on his Father’s Day orders. Exactly a week later, the knife arrived in my mailbox.Continue reading“Silver Stag Lion, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week:

The following peanut butter granola recipe is from SurvivalBlog reader Jennifer R.  She writes: “This is one of many food storage recipes I’ve posted on the Prep School Daily blog, which focuses on food and medical preparedness.”

Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/3 cups coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup peanut butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 cups rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Directions
  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water
  2. Stir occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  3. Stir in the peanut butter, coconut oil, salt, and vanilla.
  4. Continue stirring until the peanut butter and coconut oil are melted and the mixture is completely smooth.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the oats and cinnamon (if desired).
  6. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and mix well.
  7. Spread the mixture onto two greased cookie sheets.
  8. Bake at 325°F for 25 minutes and then move cookie sheets to different racks in the oven for more even browning.
  9. Bake an additional 10 minutes and then turn the oven off but leave the granola in the closed oven to continue drying for a few hours.
  10. When completely cool, store the granola in an airtight container.

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Do you have a favorite 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 and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the continuing stagflation threat. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Michael Pento, at Gold-Eagle.com: Four Reasons Why The January Rally Will Falter.

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Gold Forecast: Temporary Correction Followed by a Breakout Above $2000.

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Gold Still in Stall, Looks Further to Fall.

Economy & Finance:

Stagflation looms large over developed markets in 2023. Here is an excerpt from the article’s opening:

“‘Recession’, instead of ‘stagflation’, has become the watchword in financial markets at the outset of 2023, as the global economic impact of the substantial interest rate hikes last year take effect in the first half of this year and inflation retreats.

But the threat of stagflation – stagnant growth and high inflation – remains alive and well, particularly in developed countries.

The problem is core inflation.

While we expect headline inflation, which includes fuel and food prices, to fall rapidly over the coming months, we disagree with the market’s view that core inflation will return to central bank target levels of around 2% soon in the developed world. Tight labour markets, sticky services inflation and improving growth dynamics in China are all factors that could keep core inflation rates higher, as economies come under recessionary pressure.”

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From USN&WR: Recession Odds Recede as Labor Market, Economy Show Surprising Strength.

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Britain Avoids Recession by Narrowest Margin During Strikes.

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ING Report: Euro Credit Supply: 2023 Supply forecasts.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 12, 2023

February 12th is the birthday of theologian and journalist Cotton Mather (1663–1728).

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Today’s feature article was written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

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We are still in need of entries for Round 105 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Round 105 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.

Magazine Pouches Are a Must, by Pat Cascio

I won’t mention any names, to protect the innocent. However, I have a long-time friend – he used to be one of my martial arts students more than 30+ years ago. He was a great guy. We consider ourselves brothers – and couldn’t be any closer if we were actual blood brothers. Every now and then, we butt heads on something, but always remain brothers. I no longer teach any martial arts classes or firearms classes – my beat up ol’ body just doesn’t allow it these days. Every now and then, I’ll take a friend out for some shooting and give them some advice to help them improve their skills. I’m no expert in anything – just a student who is still learning things.

My above friend, can be caught carrying a full-sized 9mm handgun most days, along with 4 spare magazines, and I can’t fault him for that, not with the way the world is going these days. However, he usually tucks his pistol into his pants – sans holster – and the four spare magazines – well, he sticks them in his pants pocket – and therein, is a huge problem in my eye. Almost 50 years ago, I carried like that, until one day, when my handgun went flying out of my pants in a scuffle. Luckily, my partner had my back covered, while I executed the arrest, before the perp could get to my pistol before I did. I stopped carrying a handgun without a holster after that. However, I still tucked a spare magazine in my pants pocket – until one day, when I reached for that spare magazine, and when I pulled it out, there was a coin stuck under the first round in the magazine – basically, the spare magazine wasn’t useful, until the “jam” was cleared.Continue reading“Magazine Pouches Are a Must, by Pat Cascio”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:
Why Is It That The Bidenistas Belatedly Shot Down A Chinese Spy Balloon,
But They’ve Left The Chinese TikTok Spy App Snooping On Americans, For Years

News Links

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

These things command and teach.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1 Timothy 4 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — February 11, 2023

I just heard that pop music composer Burt Bacharach passed away, at age 94.  For many years, he teamed with lyricist Hal David, who passed away in 2012. They are gone now, but their music lives on.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 105 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 $2000.
  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. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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 $795,
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. 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).
  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. 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)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. 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 $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 105 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.