The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— 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. Today, we look at the exodus from big cities.

Americans are Moving Out of Urban Counties

We’ll start out with this article suggested by reader H.L.: Americans are moving out of urban counties like never before.

Buyers Snap Up Rural Texas Properties

As reported on the Texas Digital News web site: Buyers rush to snap up rural Texas properties.  Here is a  quote:

“Rural land sales in Texas continue to soar as buyers rush to purchase property for subdivisions, investments, farming or bucolic retreats, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.

Sales statewide surged to 9,331 in the third quarter, up 40 percent from a year ago, and the average price per acre jumped nearly 25 percent to $3,717.”

Major Cities in the United States Lost Residents

From the Mexican Infobae news service: Major cities in the United States lost residents during the pandemic. JWR’s Comment: The demographic trends are unmistakable.  Just look at the Census Bureau statistics.

California’s Population Loss

In the Ventura County Star: Population loss: new era or pandemic glitch? The article begins:

“The numbers suggest a major change is underway in California. It would take a Nostradamus to know if that change is real and long lasting or if those proclaiming it are merely overreacting to a pandemic-induced glitch.

“We are in this new demographic era for California of very slow growth or maybe even negative growth,” pronounces Hans Johnson, a demographer for the Public Policy Institute of California.

Here are the numbers, and some of the implications if those numbers represent a trend rather than merely a glitch spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many millions around the world to hunker down wherever they were:

U.S. Census figures show California lost 262,000 residents between July 1, 2020 and the same date last year. That represented a net loss of .06% in population.”

Drone Carrying Handguns from U.S. to Canada

Peter sent this: Drone carrying bag of handguns from United States to Canada intercepted by tree.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“It was farmers that took all that land and made it America…It was farmers that went over the mountains, and cleared the land, and settled it, and farmed it, and hung onto their land.” –  Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farmer Boy, 1933.

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 4, 2022

May 4th 1943 – A patent for helicopter controls was obtained by Igor Sikorsky. Sikorsky designed and patented improvements to fixed-wing and multi-engined aircraft, transoceanic flying boats, and most famously, helicopters.

On May 4, 1415, reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance. The death of Hus inspired the later Hussite revolution in Bohemia.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 100 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. 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,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  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 LogOX 3-in-1 Forestry MultiTool (a $189 value) and a WoodOx Sling (a $79.95 value), courtesy of LogOx, both made in USA.
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 100 ends on May 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

Lathe-Cutting Screw Threads – Part 2, by Steve A.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

Screw design must be considered. If the screw shank will go into a hole drilled to accept the nominal size of the threaded fastener then this diameter must be cut all the way to the screw head. If this is a fully custom application you can, of course, leave the shank any size you desire. In this case, the hole in the fixture was made to accept the existing blank screw shank diameter.

The trick in all of this work is holding a relatively long, small diameter, and fragile part for threading in the lathe. The holding tool being made boils down to a metal collet that fits and centers the screw shaft in the lathe chuck. The collet holds a section of the work as long as the collet’s length firmly at one end, while the tailstock center supports the other end. This arrangement better supports and grips the work than simply putting the screw head in the lathe chuck and minimizes flex during the threading operation.Continue reading“Lathe-Cutting Screw Threads – Part 2, by Steve A.”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: 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. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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The Department of Homeland Security’s newly-announced Disinformation Governance Board (DGB) has me puzzled. There is nothing in the DHS charter that mentions such an agency or function.  So, I must ask: How can they exist without a congressional mandate nor congressionally-authorized funding? Is KGB DGB Director Nina Jankowicz planning to handle this in her spare time? By the way, I should mention that the leftist Democrat Nina Jankowicz has a degree in Russian Studies. How apropos, since it was the Russians during the Soviet communist era who coined the term dezintformatsaya.  (Disinformation.) Take a few minutes to watch Montana-based commentator Matt Christiansen’s revelations about Nina Jankowicz, and his commentary on her disdain for the First Amendment. – JWR

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In the Battle Over the Right to Repair, Open-Source Tractors Offer an Alternative.

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Some wisdom from firearms trainer Frank Sharpe of Fortress Defense Consultants: Warning Shots.

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Tennessee Makes Ivermectin Available Without Prescription.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as publick Liberty, without Freedom of Speech; which is the Right of every Man, as far as by it, he does not hurt or controul the Right of another: And this is the only Check it ought to suffer, and the only Bounds it ought to know.

This sacred Privilege is so essential to free Governments, that the Security of Property, and the Freedom of Speech always go together; and in those wretched Countries where a Man cannot call his Tongue his own, he can scarce call any Thing else his own. Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech; a Thing terrible to Publick Traytors.” – Benjamin Frankiln, writing as: “The Widow Silence Dogood”.

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 3, 2022

His 70th birthday! May 3rd, 1952 was the birthday of Pastor Chuck Baldwin. His ministry has strongly promoted the American Redoubt movement.

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I was saddened to hear that pro-gun novelist John Ross passed away. He is of course remembered as the author of the very influential novel Unintended Consequences. Please say a prayer for his family members.

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Two interesting new SurvivalRealty.com property listings:

1.) West of Socorro, New Mexico: Unique New Mexico Mountain Home – Prepper/Safe Haven, Hunting Camp. It even has a fallout shelter!

2.)  Beautiful and practical, ideal for lifestyle and as a refuge: A 10-acre mini-ranch overlooking Helena, Montana, set up for cattle.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 100 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. 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,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  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 LogOX 3-in-1 Forestry MultiTool (a $189 value) and a WoodOx Sling (a $79.95 value), courtesy of LogOx, both made in USA.
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 100 ends on May 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

Lathe-Cutting Screw Threads – Part 1, by Steve A.

Making, modifying, and using threaded fasteners seems to me to be a pretty basic part of repairs needed in keeping things running. I realize that the following information is not likely to be directly used by many of the readers due to the use of a metal lathe and the terminology. An amateur machinist should be able to make threaded fasteners as described. In any event there are absolutely a number of good ways to accomplish making a threaded fastener. Understanding that this just scratches the surface of the topic, I hope that it will reach a few folks and maybe generate some discussion on how we will make and repair items in the future if needed

A metal lathe is the queen of machine tools, sometimes described as the mother of all machine tools. One of the most commonly encountered types of metal lathes is the engine lathe. These tools can turn, drill, bore, and thread steel and other metals into useful shapes. The effective use of the metal lathe normally requires years of experience to gain knowledge and skill.Continue reading“Lathe-Cutting Screw Threads – Part 1, by Steve A.”

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 recognize the 50th anniversary Sunshine Mine disaster. (See the Idaho section.)

Region-Wide

A useful list, over at the Radio Free Redoubt web site: American Redoubt Churches.

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What Is The Liberty State Movement?

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I missed this article, published early in the year: Oregon County explores the next steps in the movement to be part of Idaho.

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Avista requests natural gas price adjustment in Washington and Idaho.

Idaho

50 years since Sunshine Mine disaster. A quote:

“Monday marks 50 years since one of the darkest days in the Silver Valley.

On May 2, 1972 a fire erupted in Shoshone County’s Sunshine Mine. More than 170 miners were deep inside and trapped when the fire erupted.

Crews worked to evacuated the workers but after 80 were lifted to safety, the hoist operator died from smoke inhalation. Ninety one workers were killed from carbon monoxide poisoning.

A week later, two miners who had found a safe zone were rescued from nearly a mile beneath the ground.”

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Idaho water officials issue emergency drought declaration for majority of state.

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‘Power in the wrong hands’: Former Idaho lawmaker found guilty of raping 19-year-old intern.

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Idaho men banned from hunting for unlawful killing of bear.

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Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell appear in court for murder; Vallow pleads not guilty.

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

Metro Arms, American Classic Commander 1911, by Pat Cascio

I love a good deal when it comes to firearms – so long as the gun performs as it should. I can’t afford to purchase expensive firearms – once in a while, I run into something I can’t pass up, and buy it – but the checking account takes a hit – and my wife has to figure out how to balance things. I’m also a sucker for a good 1911 – full-size, Commander-size, or Officer’s size. I haven’t been into my local FFL since the pandemic started, close to two years ago. I’m at double risk with high blood pressure and diabetes type 2, so I don’t go into any stores. My wife does all the shopping. I’m simply her driver!

I used to be that my local FFL would have a couple of the Philippine-made 1911s in stock. And, they make more 1911s in the Philippines than any place in the world. There are three major manufacturers there, and I’ve owned 1911s from all of them, and I couldn’t see much difference in the workmanship between the various makers. Of course, the best thing is their prices. They are very reasonably priced.

Today I’m reviewing the Metro Arms, American Classic – Commander 1911 and this one is a real winner in my book. They also make an American Classic II – and I don’t know what the difference is between the two models. But we’re looking at the American Classic in this article. Again, keep in mind that, this gun was manufactured in the Philippines.

The American Classic has the shorter Commander-length barrel/slide – of 4.25-inches – and I think this is the perfect length – just seems to balance better in my hand. The gun is made out of carbon steel, and has nice bluing on the slide and frame – and it weighs in right at 37-ounces. The slide has Novak-style three-dot sights on it. In my opinion, these are the best, when it comes to combat sights.Continue reading“Metro Arms, American Classic Commander 1911, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Simple Chicken and Dumplings

The following recipe for Simple Chicken and Dumplings was sent by reader K.W.. She notes: “This isn’t a family recipe, but I suppose my grandchildren will someday call it that.”

Ingredients
  • 4 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 Tbsp flour
  • 1 cup flour (+/-)
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1⁄2 tsp dried thyme
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 lb boneless, chicken thighs, skinned
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1⁄2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1⁄2 cup milk
  • 1⁄2 cup frozen peas
Directions
  1. Heat the butter in a pot or large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened.
  3. Add 3 tablespoons flour and the thyme, stirring so that the vegetables are evenly coated.
  4. Slowly add the stock, whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper and add to the pot, submerging them in the stock.
  6. Poach the chicken for about 8 minutes, until just cooked through.
  7. Remove chicken and set it aside on a roast carving board or cutting board.
  8. Combine 2⁄3 cup flour with the baking powder, rosemary, 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper, to taste.
  9. Add the milk.
  10. Gently stir until the dough just comes together.
  11. Form the dough loosely into 8 dumplings and drop them directly into the soup.
  12. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, until the dumplings have firmed up.
  13. Shred the set-aside chicken.
  14. Add to the pot, along with the peas, stirring carefully so you don’t break up the dumplings.
  15. Heat through for 1 minute before serving.

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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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the continuing strong demand for RVs and camping trailers. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

Gold/silver ratio: why does silver suck?

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Russia moving closer to a gold standard – official.

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The Old Standard: Why Gold Is Beating Bitcoin In 2022.

Economy & Finance:

A major recession is coming, Deutsche Bank warns.

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Death to the car dealership — the Tesla sales model is poised to take over America. A pericope:

“Massive industries don’t shift on a dime. These changes are likely to filter down over the next five years. But they will be dramatic and likely paralleling the auto business’ overall shift toward electric vehicles.

Begin with the demise of that 900-car lot. Dealers will have little choice to convert from shopping centers to test drive and ordering sites. The real estate of that suburban dealership Auto Row can be put to better use — the economics are simply too compelling.

There will no longer be a need for a 10-acre expanse of parked vehicles. Instead, that giant selection will be replaced by a few versions of each model. Buyers will make appointments for test drives, then order at a kiosk or online from home. You’ll see a repair center, perhaps a showroom and a smaller lot for trade-ins. You’re also likely to see micro dealerships popping up in more convenient locations, much in the same way Enterprise Rent-A-Car has expanded to neighborhood storefronts.”

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C.B. sent us this: Robinhood lays off 9% of its staff.

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California to raise its gas tax, already the highest in the nation.

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Half of parents with children 18-plus still providing financial support: Survey.

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New entrants push global hedge fund industry over $5 trillion threshold.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Lenin is said to have declared that the best way to destroy the Capitalist System was to debauch the currency. By a continuing process of inflation, Governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens. By this method they not only confiscate, but they confiscate arbitrarily; and, while the process impoverishes many, it actually enriches some. The sight of this arbitrary rearrangement of riches strikes not only at security, but at confidence in the equity of the existing distribution of wealth. Those to whom the system brings windfalls, beyond their deserts and even beyond their expectations or desires, become “profiteers,” who are the object of the hatred of the bourgeoisie, whom the inflationism has impoverished, not less than of the proletariat. As the inflation proceeds and the real value of the currency fluctuates wildly from month to month, all permanent relations between debtors and creditors, which form the ultimate foundation of capitalism, become so utterly disordered as to be almost meaningless; and the process of wealth-getting degenerates into a gamble and a lottery.

Lenin was certainly right. There is no subtler, no surer means of overturning the existing basis of Society than to debauch the currency. The process engages all the hidden forces of economic law on the side of destruction, and does it in a manner which not one man in a million is able to diagnose. ” – John Maynard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace