Letter: Carpenter Bees and Boring Beetles

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Hugh,

My husband and I have purchased a log cabin, which we are moving into in a few months. This cabin is located in SW North Carolina, and the property is surrounded by a national forest. We are dealing with carpenter bees and boring beetles. My husband has been looking into all sorts of ways to deal with these wood-damaging insects. He just bought hypodermic syringes from the local farm store to put liquid borate in them for injecting into the holes we can see. We need a permanent solution, if there is such a thing, to keep them at bay. My husband is convinced for our first winter here we will have to go around the building injecting the holes we can see.

There seems to be a major shortage of good workers up here who can help us out, so for now we will take steps and hopefully by spring there will be some better suggestions on how to deal with the outside of our cabin. He has read up on stripping the paint off the logs by a method using corn cobs, then spraying those raw logs with bug deterrent to soak into the wood, followed by finishing clear coat. This of course, is pricey. $64,000.00 was a recent quote for the size cabin we have.

Continue reading“Letter: Carpenter Bees and Boring Beetles”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in Semi-Numismatic Gold Coins. (See the Precious Metals section.)

 

Precious Metals (Semi-Numismatic Gold Coins):

There is an opportunity that presently exists, while spot prices are low and numismatic prices are also low: buying semi-numismatic pre-1933 U.S. gold coins. These are generally coins that range from AU58 to MS60 on the Sheldon scale. When the markets dip, they can be bought for as little as 10% over the spot metal value. As I’ve mentioned before: If you aren’t an expert at coin grading then by professionally graded encapsulated (slabbed) coins.

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Here is a good primer on the subject: Bullion? Semi-Numismatic? Numismatic?

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And I found that one dealer has a good background piece: A Guide to Collecting Pre-1933 Gold Coins

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Gold, Silver See Slight Gains On Weaker Greenback

 

Economy & Finance:

I was asked by a consulting client about the economic repercussions of the midterm elections. In a nutshell: I still believe that President Trump’s policies have the Federal Reserve banking cartel’s leadership perturbed. Especially when he talks about possibly Federalizing the Federal Reserve. They will continue to raise interest rates in the next two years. They don’t mind torpedoing the economy if that will assure them that Trump will serve just one term. With dreaded Nancy Pelosi in control of the House of Representatives, we will witness both a circus of endless congressional investigations and gridlock on most policy issues. Gridlock will mean: No repeal of Obamacare, very little progress on border fence construction, and mostly unsuccessful attempts at “gun control” (civilian disarmament ) legislation. My biggest fear is that President Trump will attempt to negotiate “deals” with the Democrats, in order to see some of his policies continue to advance. When our liberty is as stake, “compromise” and “common sense legislation’  are dangerous prospects! Continue to pray for our nation, and watch your legislators like a hawk!

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The Economy Does Not Care Who Won The Midterm Elections

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Goldman Sachs: The economy needs to slow down to avoid a ‘dangerous overheating’

 

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Chess teaches foresight, by having to plan ahead; vigilance, by having to keep watch over the whole chess board; caution, by having to restrain ourselves from making hasty moves; and finally, we learn from chess the greatest maxim in life – that even when everything seems to be going badly for us we should not lose heart, but always hoping for a change for the better, steadfastly continue searching for the solutions to our problems.” – Benjamin Franklin

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – November 08, 2018

On this day in 1939, Hitler was giving a speech on the anniversary of his Beer Hall Putsch which was his first grab for power and had ended in his arrest and the virtual annihilation of his National Socialist Party. He had been regaling his followers with his vision of the Fatherland’s future and was addressing the Old Guard party members, those who had been loyal to him since the earliest days of its inception. Just 12 minutes after he finished his speech, a bomb exploded. Seven people were killed and 63 were wounded. Sadly Hitler had already left the hall with his Nazi leadership and was unharmed. The Nazi party blamed the bombing on British secret agents and used it as propaganda to stir up hatred for the British while whipping the German people into a frenzy for war. In reality, the assassination attempt was most probably the work of a German anti-Nazi military conspiracy.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 79 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. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  6. 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).

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 79 ends on November 30th, 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.

Following Jesus Through the Storm: Defeating Despair, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

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Just yesterday I read of someone comparing our situation to following a guide and dim lantern in the dark. (Unfortunately I’ve lost the source link.)

Two Components

There are two basic components upon which we will expound. These follow:

  1. Confidence in the Guide. This confidence involves believing that He knows us, knows the dangers, and knows the way through. Further, it is believing that He has the power to protect us against what is in the dark.
  2. Overcoming our fear of the dark and what it conceals. We don’t know what lurks in the dark. We can’t control what’s in the dark, and we can’t foresee what dangers lie ahead on the path the Guide is taking us.

Stay Close

All we are asked to do is stay close to the Guide. How hard is that?

I think it’s important to remember the distinction between what bad people intend to do, or are planning to accomplish, and what God is going to actually allow them to do. I don’t doubt Satan has some diabolical master plan (well, by definition…), or that occultists would love to see certain things happen, but God’s going to keep things within his parameters. I have more faith in his Providence than in the evil machinations of either demons or people.

Define the Goal

Following Jesus through the storm is no guarantee that you will “win,” that you will be comfortable and well-fed, and that you will keep all your wealth and possessions intact. We need to define the goal. The goal is not to die with the most toys. The goal isn’t even, exactly, surviving. Everyone dies. You’re going to die, should Jesus tarry, one way or another.

Continue reading“Following Jesus Through the Storm: Defeating Despair, by ShepherdFarmerGeek”

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”. Food takes center stage with a couple of entries including a quote from The Woodpile Report today on hunger

Antifa

Opinion Reporter Tucker Carlson had a self-described Antifa group congregated outside of what they claimed was his home chanting “We know where you sleep at night!” The group claims Carlson is a racist and that his policies are responsible for the death of thousands of people. This same group has harassed Ted Cruz and Department of Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, forcing her to leave a restaurant in June. It’s past time that these groups are considered threats to society as this behavior goes well beyond any right to free speech. Thanks to DSV for the link.

South Africa Apartheid

Reader H.L. sent in this article showing that South Africa isn’t done with its Apartheid policies yet. The government has now barred white South Africans from registering on a government job website. In question is the Youth Employment Service (YES) website which is aimed at helping South Africans who have been jobless for longer than six months. The program is endorsed by the National Development Plan 2030 which intends to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality within the next 12 years. However, the registration criteria on the site requires the applicants to be black, in accordance with the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) definition.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Morals, including especially, our institutions of property, freedom and justice, are not a creation of man’s reason but a distinct second endowment conferred on him by cultural evolution – runs counter to the main intellectual outlook of the twentieth century. The influence of rationalism has indeed been so profound and pervasive that, in general, the more intelligent an educated person is, the more likely he or she now is not only to be a rationalist, but also to hold socialist views (regardless of whether he or she is sufficiently doctrinal to attach to his or her views any label, including ‘socialist’). The higher we climb up the ladder of intelligence, the more we talk with intellectuals, the more likely we are to encounter socialist convictions. Rationalists tend to be intelligent and intellectual; and intelligent intellectuals tend to be socialist.
One’s initial surprise at finding that intelligent people tend to be socialist diminishes when one realises that, of course, intelligent people will tend to overvalue intelligence, and to suppose that we must owe all the advantages and opportunities that our civilisation offers to deliberate design rather than to following traditional rules, and likewise to suppose that we can, by exercising our reason, eliminate any remaining undesired features by still more intelligence reflection, and still more appropriate design and ’rational coordination’ of our undertakings. This leads one to be favorably disposed to the central economic planning and control that lie at the heart of socialism… And since they have been taught that constructivism and scientism are what science and the use of reason are all about, they find it hard to believe that there can exist any useful knowledge that did not originate in deliberate experimentation, or to accept the validity of any tradition apart from their own tradition of reason. Thus [they say]: ‘Tradition is almost by definition reprehensible, something to be mocked and deplored’.” – Friedrich Hayek, The Fatal Conceit: The Errors of Socialism

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – November 07, 2018

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November 7th is the anniversary of the death of actor Steve McQueen (born March 24, 1930, died November 7, 1980). The many well-publicized exploits in his tempestuous life and his enduring persona are well known. However, the end of his life is actually the most noteworthy part of his legacy, even though it seldom gets much publicity outside of Christian circles; he came to Jesus after he had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. He died with his forefinger pointing to his key verse in his Bible– Titus 1:2.

Guest Article: Fall Chores, by Patrice Lewis

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Editors’ Introductory Note:  This post first appeared in the excellent, long-running Rural Revolution blog. We recommend bookmarking it! We also recommend Patrice’s books.

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Until a few days ago, October was a very dry month for us. Thankfully some much-needed and very welcome rain is moving in.

While it’s delightful to walk outside and sniff the fresh moist ground, we weren’t idle during the dry weeks. Among other chores, we focused a lot on firewood, a chief preoccupation for many people this time of year.

Summer before last, we had a neighbor come in with some huge equipment and clear out a lot of dead trees from the wooded side of our property.

He piled the burnable debris in big burn piles and put the salvageable logs in another pile just below our corral.

We’ve been harvesting firewood off that pile ever since. In the last few weeks, Don’s worked hard to cut it all into rounds.

When enough rounds are cut, we load them into a small trailer hitched to the tractor bucket, and bring them up into the driveway to split.

 

We’ve been repeating this process for several weeks now.

 

We’re stacking some of the split wood in the barn:

We’re stacking some on the side porch:

And we’re stacking some on the front porch:

We have room to stack lots more in all three locations, especially since we moved the kindling box from the front porch to the side porch…

…giving us more room on the front porch.

We always keep the hatchet in the kindling box for splitting kindling as needed.

Continue reading“Guest Article: Fall Chores, by Patrice Lewis”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in Graveyard Plots (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

 

Precious Metals:

Eric Reed at The Street: Investing in Silver: Four Ways to Invest and Why

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Gold, Silver Pressured By Firmer USDX, Rally In U.S. Stock Market

Economy & Finance:

Robert Shiller: ‘This is a very different midterm election,’ and markets may act differently

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Midterm elections and Trump: Tuesday’s vote is a referendum on the president’s economic vision

 

Stocks:

Stock Market Facing a 2019 Crash: 70% Correction Warning

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Here’s How Stocks Perform After Every Midterm Election Since World War II

 

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on DIY home projects. (See the Instructional Videos section.)

Books:

Wranglerstar’s book published last year deserves a second mention: Modern Homesteading: Rediscovering the American Dream.

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Home Workshop Setup: The Complete Guide (Home Woodworker Series)

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Practical Woodshop Projects: 24 No-Nonsense Projects to Improve Your Shop

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The Home Blacksmith: Tools, Techniques, and 40 Practical Projects for the Blacksmith Hobbyist

 

Movies & Television:

The 12th Man.  An amazing true story of a Norwegian resistance fighter. In Norwegian and German, with English subtitles.  Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, or for free streaming to folks who have Hulu.com.

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Yojimbo & Sanjuro (The Criterion Collection)

 

Continue reading“JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – November 06, 2018

Today in 1977, the Toccoa Falls Dam in Georgia gave way and 39 people died in the resulting flood. The dam was an earthen dam constructed across a canyon in 1887 and had a 55 acre lake that was 180 feet deep. The dam had recently been inspected and approved, but in the early morning hours it gave way. Water flooded down the canyon at speeds approaching 120 mph. Below, residents of the Christian and Missionary Alliance College had no time to evacuate as the small community was wiped out.

Preparing to Survive Riots, Terrorist Attacks, or a Civil War

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Of all of the “worst case” possibilities that we prepare for, near the top of my “most dreaded” list is a second civil war.  This falls in the category of a “highly unlikely, but profoundly inimical if it were to occur.”  In this essay, I will discuss a full spectrum of threats, including contingency preparations for surviving riots, terrorist attacks, or a civil war.

I believe that the United States has entered a period of great instability, born of political divisiveness. The sharp differences between liberals and conservatives are now profoundly felt.  Virtually every topic and issue has become heavily politicized. This polarization seems to have grown worse with every month since Barrack Hussein Obama (BHO) took office. And the divide has grown even more pronounced under the administration of Donald John Trump (DJT). The mass media simply loathes Trump. They are doing their best to foment or even fabricate a crisis that could be used as an excuse to see DJT impeached.

The Bard of the American Redoubt, Alex Barron, noted that some leftists have dubbed the current era a Cold Civil War. In fact, they did so quite soon after President DJT took office. The question is, will their Cold Civil War ever turn Hot?

Those sentiments are shared by legendary investor Doug Casey. In a recent interview, referring to prospects of a second civil war, he said:  “I think, as I’ve thought for a long time, that we’re heading for a disaster of genuinely historic proportions.”

Continue reading“Preparing to Survive Riots, Terrorist Attacks, or a Civil War”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on American Redoubt coffee roasters. Many of these companies also do mailorder/Internet sales of their beans and ground coffee. I know that a lot of SurvivalBlog readers order their coffee from Black Rifle Coffee Company in Tennessee. But those of us who live here in the Redoubt can now support local businesses. And I have a suggestion that I’ll throw out there, gratis:  A good marketing angle for someone establishing a new coffee roasting company, or re-naming one, would be to name it “American Redoubt Coffee Company.” By doing so, they would be sure to garner a lot of extra mailorder sales!

 

Idaho (Coffee Roasters)

Evans Brothers, in Sandpoint roasts a variety of coffees. They even do mailorders with free shipping if you order two or more bags.

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Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasters has three locations in Boise.

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DOMA Coffee Roasting Company is quite well-known. They are headquartered in Post Falls. They are a member of the Cooperative Coffees group, which is a prominent coffee bean buying collective.

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A Specialty Coffee Guide to Boise, the Gem State Capital

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NEMO Arms — originally headquartered in Montana, but now in Idaho — recently announced their new Monark 9mm pistol series.  This is a design that will appeal to the metal frame pistol crowd. If you love Browning Hi-Powers or SIG P220/226 series pistols, and want something more modern, then this might be the pistol for you. Most Monark models features high sights (to allow an unobstructed sight picture with a suppressor attached), and a milled slot forward of the rear sight, for attaching a red dot sight. They seem to be aiming for the “tactical” end of the market.  Notably,they will be offering 10, 15, 18, 20, and 32 round magazines. If you can afford a registered suppressor, then you can probably afford a Monark, as your main suppressor host handgun.

 

Montana (Coffee Roasters)

Some last minute election news for our readers in Montana: Tester Takes a Torpedo Below the Water Line. “The Libertarian candidate in Montana’s U.S. Senate race threw his support behind his Republican opponent Wednesday in a surprise move that came in response to an election mailer from an unknown group that appeared aimed at undermining Rosendale’s support among conservatives.”

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A gourmet coffee roaster, in Billings: Rock Creek Coffee

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In Whitefish: Montana Coffee Traders

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In Bozeman: Treeline Coffee.

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In Great Falls: Morning Light Coffee Roasters.

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And for sheer variety of blends, there is Colter Coffee Roasting, in Kalispell.

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