The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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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 “HJL”. JWR is filling in today, as Hugh is busy building the new annual blog archive. Today we are focusing on the possible End of the Trump Slump for the firearms and prepping industries.

The Prepper Moms

Here is a fairly-well balanced piece over at Medium.com: The Prepper Moms. The article begins: “Not all doomsday survivalists are macho men with bunkers and chainsaws. Meet the women preparing for the worst.”

End of the Trump Slump?

Back in September, headlines like this were common: Gun sellers seeing ‘Trump slump’ drag down sales. But with the arrival of the new Democrat-majority congress, we will most likely soon be reading of another boom in gun sales. Stack your guns, ammo, and full capacity magazines deep, while they are still inexpensive and plentiful. Presently, stripped AR-15 lower receivers at around $40 apiece are a real bargain. In a couple of years, you might wish that you bought 50 of them!

o  o  o

Likewise, the Trump Slump has hit the food storage industry.  Storage foods are presently priced quite low and there are no shortages.  Nearly everything you’d like is available with no waiting. But with news of poor grain harvests and bad weather, the “plenty” situation will likely end.  Be like the grasshopper, folks!  Stock up, in times of plenty.

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

Blackhawk Terrain Mid-Training Shoes, by Pat Cascio

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A good shoe is important to survival, be it in the city or out in the boonies. Without a good shoe, you may fail in your survival efforts. We’re looking at the Blackhawk Products Terrain Mid-Training shoe.

Discount Big Box Store Shoes

I know. I know. We all have to watch how we spend our hard-earned money these days, and I’m no exception to this. I certainly understand the discount shoe stores and big box stores, who sell cheap shoes, and I mean this not only in price but that they’re cheaply made. Oh sure, they initially look really well made; however, in short order, they start to fall apart. There’s been more than a few times in my life when all I could afford were some “mart” shoes or hikers, because of a lack of funds. However, in the end, I wasted my hard-earned money. The footwear simply did not stand-up as I thought they would.

Important To Outfit Feet With Best Footwear You Can Buy

One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your body, your feet in particular, is to outfit them with the best footwear you can buy. In the end, you really will save money over the discounted shoes you can find just about any place. It really is a no-brainer. If you ask me, it’s best to save up your money until you have enough to get good footwear. It’s just that simple.

Continue reading“Blackhawk Terrain Mid-Training Shoes, by Pat Cascio”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Today, I’m making a special post to this regular column, outlining my economic predictions for 2019:

JWR’s Economic Predictions for 2019

As we all know, a new Democrat Party-dominated congress will be seated on Thursday January 3, 2019.  The actions of the 116th Congress are bound to have a profound effect on the U.S. economy. Given the history of profligate spending and public debt accumulation by both major parties, we can expect more of the same. And, in the event of a credit, bank, or stock market crisis, we can expect a Democrat dominated congress to spend even more.

An Economy in Recession

Here is my economic prediction for 2019 in just one word: Recession. To elaborate: The currently flattened yield curve will very likely soon invert–most likely in January of 2019. In recent decades, yield curve inversion has almost always been the sign of imminent recession. Remember: The “recovery” following the 2007-2008 global credit crisis was not a genuine market cycle recovery. Instead, it was a false recovery that was fueled by central banks setting artificially low interest rates. Therefore, I expect the nascent reversion recession to be deep and long. Plan accordingly.

The Fed: Higher interest rates, Then Lower

Regardless of the spending habits of congress, it is clear that higher interest rates are ahead. Unless there is a severe crisis, there will probably be three more rate increases in 2019.

The Federal Reserve private banking cartel has held carte blanche since 1913. They have manufactured inflation through a debt-based monetary system, in collusion with the U.S. Treasury. (The Treasury also benefits, since inflation is a a hidden form of taxation.) Since 1913, the purchasing power of the U.S. Dollar has declined 97%.

The Fed is presently unwinding their Quantitative Easing (QE) holdings. They’ve been inching interest rates upwards. They will continue to do so, until the Wall Street crowd screams. At some point, higher rates will push the American economy into recession. If the credit market and economy shut down, then the Fed will probably resort again to a Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP). But I suspect that this will be the last time that this ploy will succeed. The Fed will have run out of arrows in their quiver.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday – December 30, 2018

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December 30, 1865 The birthday of Rudyard Kipling. I should mention that his writings about Afghanistan have sparked a modern-day revival of interest in Kipling among British, Australian, and American officers and NCOs deployed to Afghanistan

o o o

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 80 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any 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. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. 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).
  6. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 80 ends on January 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.

Making Herbal Medicines, by Michele Cooper

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Herbs are powerful medicine. Do not think for one minute that all herbs are harmless. Herbs can also interact with any medicines you are taking, making them stronger or counteracting some of their properties, so research them well if you are taking any meds.

Herbal Preparations

I will go over various preparations for herbal medicines, which can be made into various forms, including an infusion, decoction, syrup, pill, capsule, and more. I will provide general instruction for each of these below.

Infusion (Tea)

Probably the easiest method to prepare herbal medicine is an infusion, more commonly known as tea. However, for an herbal infusion, it is better to allow the tea to steep for five or more minutes.

To Make Herbal Infusion

To make an herbal infusion, add boiling water to your herbs, cover with a small plate, and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Add sugar or honey, if desired, and drink.

You can make your teas by placing a teaspoon or more of the herb or herbs you want to use into your cup or in a tea strainer. For tea you want to take throughout the day, make it in a teapot. Consume promptly.

Continue reading“Making Herbal Medicines, by Michele Cooper”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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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 “HJL”. Today, JWR is filling in, since HJL is busy preparing our annual archives. The updated waterproof archive USB sticks should be available for ordering by January 17th.

Pelosi’s Legislative Crown Jewel

From all reports, incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D.-California) is already a scheming a raft of new anti-gun legislation.  In addition to a so-called “assault weapons” and magazine ban, she will be pushing for what are euphemistically being called Universal Background Checks.  This is the Crown Jewel of her planned legislative agenda. Emboldened by Trump Administration weakness on banning bumpfire stocks, Pelosi now wants to reach for the Brass Ring.  Using feel-good phrases like “closing the gun show loophole”, the Democrats and their RINO Fellow Travelers want to destroy all privacy in private party sales of second-hand guns.

The Commerce Clause is clearly aimed at control of interstate commerce, but private party sales of used merchandise is clearly falls into the category of intrastate commerce. We are talking about two citizens of the same state selling and buying used goods. How does that have any bearing on interstate commerce, by any stretch of the imagination? The absurd mental gymnastics of Wickard v. Filburn were tempered by the reality check of U.S. v. Lopez, but the Supreme Court has not properly and fully revisited this issue. They need to overturn wicked Wickard.

Pelosi and her co-conspirators simply don’t care about the original intent of the Commerce Clause. They want the whole enchilada. They want every  gun sale to go through an FFL, with a Brady-style background check and Form 4473 paperwork!  (Even sales of used guns, between private parties.) Because FFL guns sales records are permanent and archived, this will create a de facto national firearms registry.  Firearms ownership privacy will be destroyed, in just one generation!

Please, please contact your congressman and Senators, and firmly tell them NO to any and all gun control, Red Flag laws, and “Universal Background Checks.”

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:13-16 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday – December 29, 2018

Today is the birthday of actor Jude Law (born 1972.) You will remember him from Enemy at The Gates and Sky Captain.

o o o

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 80 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any 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. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. 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).
  6. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 80 ends on January 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.

Medical Action Sheets by K.B., M.D. Part 4

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We are wrapping up our series on medical action sheets for use when illness or injury strikes in various scenarios that can prevent professional medical access, such as weather extremes (hurricanes, ice storms, blizzards), civil unrest (riots, curfews), EMP, TEOTWAWKI, or pandemics/disasters, which can swamp the medical system. I have given binders of these to my loved ones with the caveat that they use them only in a genuine situation as listed above and if I am unavailable to help them. As you read these lists, remember that I am not prescribing and urge you to review any plans with your medical professional who will tailor medical action sheets to your specific medical needs, conditions, allergies, and abilities.

Last time we studied tick-borne illnesses. However, today we will look at acute sinusitis and how we can deal with them with or without prescription medications.

Acute Sinusitis Overview

Acute sinusitis occurs when the nasal passages become inflamed and swollen. This can be due to viruses, bacteria, or allergies; we will focus on the first two. Often the cause is the common cold, which can cause swelling that blocks sinus drainage with subsequent mucus retention. This mucus retention results in pain located in the forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, and/or upper teeth and worsens with bending over. Unfortunately, these moist warm passages are a great breeding ground for bacteria. The big question is when or if to use antibiotics. It is best to avoid antibiotics if possible; however, a cloudy or purulent postnasal drainage for over 7 to 10 days, fever over 102 degrees without influenza or other source, or worsening symptoms lean one towards using antibiotics. If the sinusitis was improving and then returns with a vengeance, antibiotics may also be indicated. Again, I am not prescribing and strongly encourage you to see your medical professional.

Continue reading“Medical Action Sheets by K.B., M.D. Part 4”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, 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 the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR

Now that the local lakes have frozen over, we are now seeing many more Bald Eagles cruising up and down The Unnamed River (TUR). That is the river that flows through the back end of the Rawles Ranch. This Eagle Surge is an annual  phenomenon, because the river is mostly fed by springs so it stays free of ice, in most years. Meanwhile, the nearby lakes get ice thick enough to walk and skate on. Ice fishing here is popular here in January and February. So it is only natural for the predators that lack ice augers to shift their feeding patterns.

This time of year the eagles can also be seen feasting on road-kill deer. This is actually our best chance to see them close up. And it is when it becomes obvious just how much larger a Golden Eagle is than a Bald Eagle. The Goldens seem huge, by comparison.

We are now in our winter routine, and itching for the days to get noticeably longer. Lily is already digging through her seed catalogs. For optimists like us, spring is not far away! – Jim & Avalanche Lily, Rawles

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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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 “HJL”. The bumpstock ban lawsuits are starting.

Bumpstock Ban Lawsuit

David Codrea and some compadres have filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Court, challenging Trump’s bumpstock ban. I’m praying that that they are successful, and this odious make-believe law is struck down.

o o o

Reader T.H. sent in this interesting take on one of the lawsuits being filed. Apparently, in addition to the ATF ruling at least 10 times in the past that a bumpstock did not a machine gun make, the whole driving force behind this current ban may be false. According to this article, the ATF was not allowed to examine the firearms used in the Las Vegas killings which started this witch hunt. Imagine that…The ATF was not allowed to examine evidence in a major crime where the ATF was expected to do just that. The FBI is claiming that there is no easy way to find those documents. If you don’t want crazy conspiracy theories abounding, don’t give obviously false or absurd statements!

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