Some Thoughts on Batteries and Flashlights, by Hoofer

We’ve read SurvivalBlog for several years, my wife first (she’s the farmer), and more recently, me… the last 4-5 years. (I’m the farmer’s husband, but, grew up on 250 acres, farming).

I took particular note of the recommendation ‘not’ to use/buy appliances which use 18650 batteries (Li-ion rechargeable). We bought four of these 18650 batteries 2.5 years ago, and use them nearly every day. This particular variety is not in stock on Amazon – however, the replacements are well worth considering, if you’re actively using flashlights.

Our old standard flashlights, were Mag-Lites, 3, 4, 6 D-cell versions, which we’d had for at +30 years, and used hundreds of batteries, and a few bulbs. Started with the standard bulb, then the brighter halogen bulb – and of course Alkaline batteries, which made the Mag-lites quite heavy, the 6 D-cell has a particular name among law enforcement, also served as a handy “bat”… Whenever I got a call after dark to work an outage in some Milwaukee neighborhoods, I took the 6-cell Mag-lite, over my shoulder, like a baseball bat – people moved away from me, instead of getting in my face.

The first 18560 flashlight was this little compact model, which I first used at work, in poorly lit Telephone Central Offices, and of course on the farm. We bought 6 of them, only 4 of them remain in use.Continue reading“Some Thoughts on Batteries and Flashlights, by Hoofer”

SurvivalBlog’s American Redoubt Media of the Week

This weekly column features media 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.  Today, a photo of Stanley Lake and McGown Peak, Idaho, in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.  (A 2009 public domain photo by Frank Kovalchek.)

American Redoubt News Links

Send Your Media Links

Please send your links to media from the American Redoubt region to JWR. Any photos that are posted or re-posted must be uncopyrighted. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact form.

Send Your Media Links

Please send your links to media from the American Redoubt region to JWR. Any photos that are posted or re-posted must be uncopyrighted. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact form.

Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 2, 2026

On February 2, 1892, the bottle cap for beverages was patented by US inventor William Painter and is still used today.

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On this day in 1974: The F-16 Fighting Falcon flew for the first time.

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Today’s feature piece is by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Chistianson.

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We are now seeking entries for Round 123 of our nonfiction writing contest. Round 123 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. 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.

Gamo Swarm Magnum Pro Gen 3i in .22 Caliber, by Thomas Christianson

The Gamo Swarm Magnum Pro is a break-barrel air rifle that loads from a 10-shot magazine whenever it is cocked. This significantly speeds the pellet loading process. The Swarm has a two-stage adjustable trigger, comes with a surprisingly good 3-9x40mm scope, features a suppressor integrated into the barrel, and includes a well-designed glass-filled-nylon (GFN) stock.

Designed for small-game hunting, pest control, and target shooting, the rifle is reasonably accurate, reliable, easy to use and economical to operate.Continue reading“Gamo Swarm Magnum Pro Gen 3i in .22 Caliber, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week:

The following recipes for Jam Pie and a requisite Rich Pie Crust are from SurvivalBlog reader and fellow blogger Jennifer Rader.

Jam Pie

Ingredients
  • 1 rich single-crust pie shell (see included recipe, below)
  • 1 pint of jelly or jam
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
  1. Spread jam on the hot pie crust.  Let cool completely.
  2. In a small, chilled bowl, combine cream, sugar, and vanilla.  Whip until stiff peaks form.  Spread onto cooled jam.
  3. Refrigerate the pie for 3 hours before serving.

Rich Pie Crust

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup lard
  • 5-6 tablespoons cold water, enough to form dough
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cut in the lard until mixture resembles fine cornmeal.
  4. Gradually stir in the cold water until dough forms into a ball.  Divide in half.
  5. Roll each half out between two sheets of waxed paper.
  6. Transfer bottom crust to a pie tin.
  7. Bake per instructions for the pie you are making.  Otherwise, bake bottom crust for 15 minutes.

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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: The United States total fertility rate (# of children per woman) in the year 2025, by state. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.)

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

 

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Please send your graphics or graphics links 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:

“…I think that what we need to do is examine the entire Federal Reserve Institution and whether they have been successful…   ..You know, if this were the FAA and we were having this many mistakes, we would go back and look at, why has this happened? …So, you know, I think this idea of them not being able to break out of a certain mindset…   …all these PhDs over there, I don’t know what they do. I don’t know what they do. This is like Universal Basic Income for academic economists.” – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, from a July 21, 2025 interview.

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 1, 2026

On February 1st, we recognize the 1942 birthday of the late Dr. Gary North. North was a prolific writer on Christian Reconstruction and economics topics. He passed away on February 24, 2022. His more than 50 published books are a lasting legacy. He also assembled a free online library of books by other godly writers, through his Institute for Christian Economics (ICE). Those free books, totaling 38,000 pages, are all still available online, They are a great resource for homeschoolers and economics students.

We also remember February 1st, 2003, when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas and Louisiana as it reentered Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crew members.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present the first entry for Round 123 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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),
  2. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  3. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.
  4. Harvest Guard is providing a 200-Piece Bulk Mix Pack of their Regular and Wide-Mouth Reusable Canning Jar Lids & Gaskets. This is a $161 + shipping value.

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 TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. Preparedness author Jennifer Rader is offering a $200 purchase credit for any of her eight published food storage and medical preparedness books, including the Good Eats at the TEOTWAWKI Café series, the Armageddon Pharmacy series, and the Medicine Surrounds Us series.
  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 gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  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 $981,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 123 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. 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.

 

 

Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced — Round 122

We’ve announced the winners of Round 122 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

Note to the top three prize winners: Please contact me and let me know your UPS and USPS address(es), for your prizes. Thanks. – JWR

The top three prize winners will each receive some great prize packages. The winners for Round 122 are…

First Prize Winner:

First Prize goes to A.F., for Introducing Your Community to Emergency Preparedness. It was posted January 8-10, 2026. See:  Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.) He will receive as prizes:

  1. 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),
  2. 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 $350 value),
  3. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  4. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.
Second Prize Winner:

Second Prize goes to 3AD Scout for Prelude to World War. It was posted December 19-21, 2025. (See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.)

He will receive:

  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 TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. Preparedness author Jennifer Rader is providing a $200 purchase credit for any of her eight published food storage and medical preparedness books, including the Good Eats at the TEOTWAWKI Café series, the Armageddon Pharmacy series, and the Medicine Surrounds Us series.
  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 gun purchasing privacy!
Third Prize Winner:

Third Prize goes to Joe R., for Caltrops: Making Homemade Tire Spikes.  It was posted January 17, 2026. He will receive:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  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.
Honorable Mention Prizes

The writers of the Round 122 Honorable Mention articles will each receive a transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun, or any knife or bayonet. (Even though Elk Creek Company is on hiatus, you can still use your purchase credits. Just e-mail me and let me know what merchandise you’d like to apply your credit to.) There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns in most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

There were six Honorable Mention prize-winning articles in Round 122. They are:

Get Busy Writing!

Round 123 begins today and runs for two months, so please get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. More than $981,000 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. 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. Thanks, – JWR

Senior Citizen Fitness: Preparing Our Bodies for Hard Times, by P.D.M.

Introduction

My wife and I have been into prepping for over twenty years. We lived in Mississippi when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 and we were without power for ten days. That was our impetus to prepare after struggling with the basics when everything we had taken for granted failed. The suffering was immense, and the lessons keen. We vowed to never be unprepared again when niceties of civilization ceased to provide comfort. We started reading the Survival blog and the excellent articles soon after recovering from our hurricane wakeup call.

The Problem

Fast forward twenty years, and now living in Eastern Idaho we faced another challenge when it came to prepping. We had gathered the food, the medicine, the backup power and some rudimentary gardening skills to prepare for the next disaster. But we failed to recognize the one area that we needed to focus, especially as we entered our senior years.

Our bodies were no longer young. And, more importantly we were physically weaker, unable to do the basic functions in life that we took for granted when we were in our forties. Fitness was now a critical preparation task that needed focus.Continue reading“Senior Citizen Fitness: Preparing Our Bodies for Hard Times, by P.D.M.”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

There are Some Differences Between “Homely” Pretti, and “Pretty” Pretti 

News Links:

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

“Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 7:1-16 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — January 31, 2026

On January 31, 1905, the first automobile to exceed 100 mph (161 kph), a Napier six-cylinder racing car named ‘Samson’. It was driven by British daredevil Arthur Macdonald, at Daytona Beach, Florida. A top speed of 104 miles per hour was recorded.

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On January 31, 1934, President FDR devalued the US dollar in relation to gold at $35 per ounce. This came just months after FDR’s administration had confiscated all privately-held gold bullion and non-numismatic gold coins.

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Today, we present a guest article from a SurvivalBlog reader. Because it is partially promotional for a published book, it is not part of the judging for Round 122 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

More than $978,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 123 of the writing contest begins on February 1st, 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. 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.

Are You Emotionally Ready for the Coming Collapse? – Part 5, by Peter Cannon

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.)

In Part 4 of this series, we reviewed the Merchants of the Earth, the Persecution of the Saints, and the Harvests of the Righteous and of the Unrighteous) In this concluding installment, we will study the Bowl Judgments, Earthquakes on the Rise, and the Second Coming of Jesus.

The Bowl Judgments

The Seal and Trumpet Judgments have passed. Now God pours out His wrath on the unbelievers with the Bowl Judgments:

“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” (Revelation 15:1,5-8 KJV)

Previously, we saw how the Saints were harvested or raptured up, where they now play harps in heaven. As they play, they sing this wonderful song of Moses, praising God for all He has done. It must be a truly blessed feeling to arrive in heaven after all the tribulation one has gone through. But now, God sends seven angels with seven bowls of his wrath, containing seven plagues to complete the punishment of the unbelievers, and especially those who accepted the Mark of the Beast and worshipped the Antichrist. This is the wrath just announced by the angel with the sickle and the grapes.Continue reading“Are You Emotionally Ready for the Coming Collapse? – Part 5, by Peter Cannon”