Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 27, 2024

On May 27, 1905, the Japanese fleet destroyed the Russian East Sea fleet in the Battle of Tsushima, the only decisive clash between modern steel battleships in history.

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Today, Memorial Day, is a day of solemn remembrance in the U.S. of the many who have given their all for our freedoms. We always thank those who are serving in our military and their families who have also made sacrifices, but today most of all we want to honor those who gave their lives.

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The Sporter Sale Continues!  All of the remaining sporterized rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. They have been selling quickly. I should mention that tomorrow I’m mailing seven more Loewe Mauser sporter rifles, a M1891 Argentine Mauser, two Winchesters, and a Finn M39 on a 1897 vintage action. By request from several readers, I extended this sale for a week, to end on Friday, May 31st. When I last checked, we still had milsurp sporters available chambered in .22-250, .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts, 6.5×55 Mauser, 7×57 Mauser,  .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO,  7.62x39mm, 7.65mm Argentine Mauser, and .45 ACP.

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

Champion Handle-Rod, by Thomas Christianson

From time to time, days of hunger come. Sometimes they come for an individual, sometimes for a family, and sometimes for pretty much everyone at once. Money is short, food is expensive, and it is difficult to keep properly fed. During hungry days, fishing may offer a welcome way to add valuable protein to the daily diet.

Even during days of prosperity, many people find fishing to be a fun and relaxing pursuit. So in good days and in bad, whether providing protein or lowering your blood pressure, fishing may be good for your health.

Some excellent items of fishing equipment are no longer in production. The demands of a consumer society have rendered some top-quality gear no longer economically feasible to produce. The beryllium-copper fishing rod is one example.

The Champion Handle-Rod is a telescoping, beryllium-copper casting rod that was made by the Champion Products Company of Muskegon Heights, Michigan from the late 1940s until the early 1970s. It measures 11 inches when it is collapsed, extends to 5 feet in length, and weighs only 6 ounces. The beryllium-copper alloy used in the rod is as strong as steel, resists taking a set, resists metal fatigue, and exhibits superb corrosion resistance. The compact size into which the Handle-Rod can be collapsed makes it extremely easy to store and transport. The cork handle is very comfortable to grip.Continue reading“Champion Handle-Rod, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Simple Breakfast Sausage-Style Mini-Burgers

The following recipe for Simple Beef Breakfast Sausage-Style Mini-Burgers is from Avalanche Lily.

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds of extra lean ground hamburger beef.
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves (or half that amount, if dry)
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves (or half that amount, if dry)
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional) for pan
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
Directions
  1. Mix the spices well.
  2. Sprinkle the spices on and thoroughly mix them into the hamburger and maple syrup (if used).
  3. Form into quite small burgers — roughly 1/3 to 1/2 the size of a regular hamburger.
  4. Pan-fry them until well done.
  5. Drain them of grease on a folded paper towel.
SERVING

Serve them while still hot, with other breakfast fare like pancakes and fresh fruit.

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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 shows US Megaregions. More than 50% of people live in these seven areas.

(Graphic courtesy of Reddit.)

The thumbnail image below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

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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.

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 26, 2024

May 26. 1907 was the birthday of Marion Robert Morrison who adopted the stage name John Wayne. He is of course remembered for his dozens of westerns including True Grit. He also starred in McQ and The Green Berets.  He passed away on June 11, 1979, not long after shooting his final western film, The Shootist.

May 26, 2024 is the 34th wedding anniversary of Don and Patrice Lewis. Patrice is the Editrix of the excellent Rural Revolution blog.

May 26, 1949 was the birthday of Randall Hank Williams (Hank Williams, Jr.) When not touring, he lives Somewhere in Montana, so he qualifies as a Redoubter. He reportedly has a large gun collection which is heavy on Sharps rifles and other rifles with factory letters showing that they were originally shipped to Montana. His song A Country Boy Can Survive is of course practically a survivalist anthem. His father was just 29 when he died, and despite a couple of close calls, Hank Jr. is now well into his golden years, so he may yet live to a ripe old age.

Improving Local Security – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

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

Using military field telephones as our primary communication method solves a number of training issues. And they are the most sustainable communications technology for an austere environment. Most importantly, field phones defeat several significant threats. And take note that using the same inexpensive insulated wire, we can operate remote transmitters, a P.A. or intercoms at gates, hard-wired trip wire alarms, and low voltage DC lighting as a part of our security operation in a fixed location. Low-cost and durable WD1A wire can also be used as tanglefoot, anti-vehicle, to construct HF antennas, and even as laundry line. Field phones can also be used in the field with lightweight equipment designed for patrol work. And lower technology is the more sustainable technology. They are also EMP-resistant. Given the high-tech threats from above, this rugged, affordable, easy-to-use and low-tech means is sublimely appropriate. Here is an article from the SurvivalBlog archives that provides a better introduction to the topic than my own articles: U.S. Military Field Phones, by Ken in Michigan.Continue reading“Improving Local Security – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR, based on a suggestion by SurvivalBlog reader Simon in England:

Meme Text:

The Mass Media Says: Protestors Can Burn U.S. Flags as “Freedom of Speech”

But if You Burn a Rainbow Flag That You Paid for Yourself: “That is A Hate Crime!”

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:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” – Matthew 24:21-24 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 25, 2024

On May 25, 1720, the ship “Le Grand St Antoine” reached Marseille, bringing Europe’s last major plague outbreak. The Plague of Marseille killed around 100,000.

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On May 25th, 1787, The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia with George Washington presiding. The task of replacing the new American government as it had been defined by the Articles of Confederation eventually led to the United States Constitution that is so abused today.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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. 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. 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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  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 $875,000 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 112 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.

Improving Local Security – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

In anticipation of a worst-case scenario that is well depicted in the Bible’s book of Revelation, I fortunately relocated in 2005. I live on the edge of the wilderness in a mountainous and heavily forested part of western Montana. Simply being located in this remote region of the country, and given its terrain, greatly increases my  odds of surviving The End Times, if that is possible at all.

When Will the Country Explode with Violence?

The debate over a slow decline versus a fast decline is now academic. We are indeed seeing a ‘quickening’, a higher frequency of attacks on society’s remaining foundations. Yet the people are so apathetic that they will stew in their own juices, and starve to death rather than fight to save the country before it is too late to save it. What will it take to snap them out of their stupor?

In my estimation, a financial collapse will trigger a societal collapse and that is what it will take to get the people mad enough and mean enough to be dangerous. We are now experiencing stagflation and with the bull market in precious metals, we seeing the results of hyperinflation and a currency in the process of collapsing and at an accelerated pace. Together, these are solid indicators that a financial crisis is in progress and that a subsequent societal collapse is brewing. Total collapse might be prevented by the introduction of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), such as the one that Australia recently test adopted.Continue reading“Improving Local Security – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

We had a mostly rainy week here at the Rawles Ranch. Three of our four grandsons came for a four-night visit. That was mostly fun. While they were here, we assembled outdoor survival bug-out bags for them, and taught them how to use most of that gear. (The compass training, of course, will come when they are older, with some solid math skills.)

I replaced a post-mounted electrical outlet and light switch near the middle of our barn. They had been bashed by tumbling hay bales so many times over the past 17 years that they were becoming a hazard.  I replaced the cracked blue plastic (interior construction style) boxes with galvanized steel ones.  And now the outlets and the switch have proper heavy-duty outdoor covers.

I also kept busy packing and mailing Elk Creek Company orders.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” – Joel 2:21-32 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 24, 2024

On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge—spanning the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan Island in New York City— officially opened. It was designed by civil engineer John Augustus Roebling.

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The Sporter Sale Continues!  All 16 of the remaining sporterized Pre-1899 rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. By request from several readers, I’ve extended this sale for a full week, to end on Friday, May 31st.  When I last checked, we still had sporters available chambered in: .22-250, .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts, 6.5×55 Mauser, 7×57 Mauser, .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO,  7.62x39mm, 7.65mm Argentine Mauser, and .45 ACP.

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Today’s feature article is an essay by Brandon Smith, Editor of Alt-Market.us. It is reposted with permission.

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We are in need  of entries for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 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 112 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.

The Unifying Principle: Why The Political Divisions In The US Today Cannot Be Mended, by Brandon Smith

Recently, I was watching a short documentary about the history of political discourse and division in the US and it got me thinking about how the internal conflicts of the past might relate to the rampant social battles Americans are dealing with today. From early disagreements between various Founding Fathers on hot-button issues like the Sedition Act, central banking, and standing armies, to epic and disastrous conflagrations like the Civil War, America has never been “of one mind” on everything.

Overall, though, the longstanding assumption is that even when we slip and fall into disarray Americans will find common ground and move on towards the future together. It’s a nice sentiment, but what if this ideal no longer applies?

There are some people that argue there was never a golden era for the US; that we’ve always been destructive, or exploitative, or “imperialist.” Of course, it’s very easy to examine any given time period through the lens of modern sensibilities and pass judgment. How we would do things today is not necessarily how we would do things yesterday. We can’t easily condemn the men and women of the past without at least recognizing that we will probably never see the issues of their day from their perspective.

The political left is the most egregious violator of this principle. They have a bad habit of trying to rewrite history according to their current ideological cultism and applying their taboos to time periods when civilization had very different views on how to function. The progressive philosophy is partially rooted in “futurism”; the idea that all old ideas and ways of doing things must be abandoned to make way for new methods. In other words, they think everything “new” is better and must be embraced.Continue reading“The Unifying Principle: Why The Political Divisions In The US Today Cannot Be Mended, by Brandon Smith”