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

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers:

All is well at the Rawles Ranch. We now feel ready for winter.  This week I didn’t accomplish much outdoors other than tarping the open end of our hay barn, to protect our stacked hay from any upcoming rain that gets blown sideways. So I’ll leave most of the commentary for this past week up to my lovely wife…

Avalanche Lily Reports:

Dear SurvivalBlog readers,

This week was a very quiet beautiful late Fall week. We had guests over the weekend, whom we toured around to all of the local sites.  On Monday, I took them for a paddle down our river.  It was a gloriously sunny fall day with just spectacular fall foliage colors.

Monday afternoon was spent in the school books with the kids.  Tuesday morning and afternoon, were all about school, house cleaning and preparing to can Salsa with some friends on Wednesday.

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”. Israel is under attack yet again by Hamas.

Israel Under Attack

Pat Cascio, SurvivalBlog’s Senior Field Gear Editor, sent in this article showing yet another attack on Israel from Gaza. There are several videos in the article that show the Iron Dome defense system being deployed against multiple inbound rockets. Witnesses claim that there were tens of dozens of rockets launched in an attempt to overwhelm the Iron Dome defense system. Some rockets landed successfully while ten were intercepted. Sadly, even the intercepted rockets can do damage as there is debris falling from every collision. The Israeli Air Force struck 80 Hamas targets in retaliation and the government is asking citizens not to gather in groups larger than 100 in open areas or larger than 500 in closed areas.

Group Think Guide

Reader D.B. showed just how far the PC culture has gone. This is a group think guide for using “inclusive language” and vocabulary in startups and tech companies. This is the level of speech policing now happening in Silicon Valley/San Francisco. This, by the way, is the end result of public school indoctrination that the country has suffered under for years.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” – Genesis 18:10-14 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday – October 26, 2018

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October 26th is the anniversary of the death of American-born RLI Trooper Joseph Patrick Byrne, in Rhodesia, in 1978.

o o o

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.

Some Lessons Are Learned Too Late For Some Of Us, by Old Bobbert

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There are some lessons that I’ve learned in my life. I will start out by sharing some of the problems I see and their solutions. Then, we’ll move on from there.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Preparation is key. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Without it, there is trouble. Here are some problems that occur and solutions that can resolve them.

#1 Problem/Solution

#1 Problem: There are powerful and extremely dangerous storms moving inland from the Atlantic. The Solution: None.

#2 Problem/Solution

#2 Problem: Five million people were ordered by the state government to evacuate the southern half of Florida. Their numbers include the ready and the not ready, the good and the bad, and the well and the sick, and also the elderly and the children. There is no place anywhere in the entire nation capable of receiving and providing sustenance for five million homeless refugees. The Solution: None.

#3 Problem/Solution

#3 Problem: There is absolutely zero methods available to safely transport and re-inter the Florida state-wide 115,000 population currently being held in jails and prisons. The Solution: None.

Continue reading“Some Lessons Are Learned Too Late For Some Of Us, by Old Bobbert”

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 Marlin Rifles. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

It comes as no surprise that just as the stock market was  in its “orderly decline” on Wednesday, spot gold jumped $15 per Troy ounce.

o  o  o

Pending Trifecta Of Love Trade, Fear Trade And Inflation Will Make Today’s Metals Prices Look Like Bargains

 

Economy & Finance:

Aha! Higher interest rates are now being felt, in earnest: U.S. new home sales near two-year low as mortgages rates rise

o o o

Some ominous news at Zero Hedge: Over Half Of America Gets More In Welfare Than It Pays In Taxes

 

Stocks:

Wednesday: Stocks fall, Dow sheds more than 150 points. Meanwhile, S&P 500 dropped 85 points (3.1%).  There was then a rebound on Thursday of around 1.6% on the DJIA and 1.8% on the S&P. But the turmoil is far from over. Look for increasingly volatile equities markets this fall and winter. I’m confident that you all have your stop loss orders in place, Right?

Friday Morning Update: Dow erases gains for the year, tumbles more than 600 points as stocks extend October swoon

o o o

Hoarding cash grows in popularity as market volatility increases

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.” – George Washington, in a circular letter

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – October 25, 2018

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This is the birthday of explorer and pilot Admiral Richard Byrd (1888–1957). His autobiography titled Alone is a must-read.

o o o

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.

My Longer Lesson, by D.D.

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This is the sequel to my submission published 9/11/15. I am temped to follow in the steps of Larry Niven’s unfinished short story in which he said, “There are some things man was not meant to know.”, and simply write “I should’ve learned.” However, that won’t help you. So, let me expound.

Those You Think Most Likely To Become Prep Allies Probably Won’t

My piece of three years ago basically concluded, with some level of frustration, that the people you think are most likely to become your prep allies probably won’t. So save yourself the disappointment and stop trying to farm your way to a resilient team. (Kit Perez explains this with greater eloquence in her piece over at American Partisan1.) Here is my sad, unlearned version.

New Neighbors Met in New Town

About 18 months ago my wife and I moved to a new town and began to meet new neighbors. Some were met through the local Oath Keepers chapter, some at church, and some while walking our dog. Our neighborhood is fairly remote, somewhat off-grid and adjacent to a national forest. As chit-chat usually goes, the “Where did you come from?” and “What are your politics?” questions quickly down-selected those we were willing to have over for dinner.

We’re not ones to talk about the Kardashians over a meal (or over anything else), so the topics hovered around politics, economics, and eventually settled on the lack of resiliency in our current way of life. I brought up books like One Second After and A Failure of Civility to illustrate both our dependence on electricity and the thin veneer of politeness in society. Here’s where the story goes bad.

Continue reading“My Longer Lesson, by D.D.”

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”. Goodbye, France. It’s been nice knowing you.

Goodbye, France

France has a significant population of Islamic people. Every day, the significant number of those parents send their kids to a local mosque where they spend half of a three hour lesson learning Arabic and the other half learning about the Quran. Now, the president of France wants to introduce a program into public schools to offer Arabic to kids as young as six. President Macron believes the lack of Arabic resources in public schools has forced the Islamic community into communautarisme (creating a social divide between Islamists and the rest of the country). He also believes that teaching Arabic in public schools will reduce the tendency of the community to use the private schools are recruiting centers for jihadists. See, America’s liberal/progressives don’t have a lock on stupidity. (Note: This link may require a membership.) Thanks to reader P. for the link.

West Nile Virus

Reader G.P. sent in this article showing that there have been a record number of West Nile virus infections reported this year. The warming temperatures and flooding that much of the country has experienced recently have created massive breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Every state except Hawaii has reported cases of the virus and Georgia has reported deaths due to the infection. Pennsylvania has had a massive surge in infections and Massachusetts has record numbers. Texas is also expecting large numbers of infections. Last year, there were 2,097 cases reported and this year is on track to surpass that number.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – October 24, 2018

October 24th is the anniversary of the firing squad execution of Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling, in 1945. His ignominious place in history was to have his surname become a noun. “Quisling” is now a moniker synonymous with treason and alliance with an invading army. Something tells me that the popularity of “Vidkun” as a boys’ natal name in Scandanavia dropped precipitously after about 1942. Ditto for “Adolf”, in Germany, and “Benito”, in Italy, after 1944.

o o o

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features 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.

G.O.O.D. Skin Care, by TK

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Market research studies reveal that the skin care industry anticipates sales of $121 billion in 2018. It is a huge industry, with creams and potions promising much and not always delivering. Practicing good skin health costs less and has a better payoff.

Skin Care

Practicing proper skin care now, in preparation for economic, natural, and governmental disasters, will pay off in the long run with overall better health. Our skin is our largest organ and is vital to survival and health. It protects everything inside our bodies, regulates temperature and water loss, communicates external environmental factors through the nerve endings, and is our first line of defense in environmental and chemical exposures. Maintaining healthy skin will pay off in large returns.

Stressed Skin

When we face day-to-day stress, our bodies, including our skin, will show signs. The typical first presentation of stressed skin is a rash, hives, redness, or itchiness. That can lead to scratching that itch, possibly breaking the skin and leading to the introduction of bacteria. Adrenaline causes decreased blood flow and, therefore, oxygen to the skin. A weakened skin barrier can lead to infections and injuries.

Dry Skin

While most of us would say we have dry skin, that isn’t always true. Dry skin is defined by a lack or low production of oil (sebum). If you have any shiny spots on your skin, you have adequate sebum production. Dry skin may be helped by Omega 3 or Omega 6, which contain lipids that can increase sebum production. Clinically dry skin may require medical intervention to keep it healthy. Prescription moisturizers containing urea or lactic acid can be helpful.

Continue reading“G.O.O.D. Skin Care, by TK”

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 Stock market turbulence. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

First up, from Clint Siegner: How The Midterm Elections Might Affect Gold And Silver Prices

o  o  o

Palladium Spikes to All-Time High: The Long View

o  o  o

Money Managers Slash Bearish Positioning In Gold

 

Economy & Finance:

From Wolf Richter: It’s the Banks Again. “US bank stock index down 17% from January. EU bank stocks crushed, crushed, crushed since Financial Crisis.”

o o o

Three reasons so many Americans are getting the hell out of of the northeast. (Thanks to H.L. for the link.)

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At Zero Hedge: ZIRP Blowback: Savers Flee Banks’ Zero Interest Deposit Accounts

o o o

A piece worth reading by Brandon Smith: Trump vs. The Fed: When Markets Crash, Who Is To Blame?

 

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 some Electrical How-To videos. (See the Instructional Videos section.)

Books:

On Desperate Ground: The Marines at The Reservoir, the Korean War’s Greatest Battle

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Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. Note: I’ve mentioned this book in SurvivalBlog, but the subject matter and the quality of the writing both warrant another mention.

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Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution, by Tucker Carlson

 

Movies & Television:

Escape from Firebase Kate. Available on DVD or free streaming for those with Amazon Prime.

o  o  o

The Way Back

o  o  o

Last Best Hope – A True Story of Escape, Evasion, and Remembrance. (This is unfortunately a hard-to-find DVD.)

 

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