This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.
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UPI reports: At least 9 dead, nearly 1,000 injured in Taiwan earthquake. JWR’s Comment: This was one of the worst earthquakes on the island since the well-publicized earthquake in 2018. (Pictured.) We will soon see if mainland China attempts to exploit this as a “moment of weakness.”
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Another useful video from the always humorous NotaRubicon: High Power SHTF Walkie-Talkie – HYS 25 Watt UHF HT – The Ultimate Survival Radio – UHF, GMRS, HAM.
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Reader A.K. suggested this practical video: Solo Pulling a Calf.
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Federal Judge Rules Millions Of NRA Members Exempt From ATF Pistol Brace Rule.
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Reader L.E. wrote to ask:
“Would you or your readers be able to post links to where someone could purchase IMPORTED non-GMO and non glyphosate oatmeal, flour, and pasta?”
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7-year-old ‘rides bike alone,’ prompting cops to be called.
JWR’s Comments: This boggles my mind! What has happened to our society? A bit of personal history: Starting when I was in the First Grade (just barely age six, when I started in September) I walked to and from my elementary school by myself. My parents made me take a slightly circuitous route that had me avoid crossing a railroad track. I remember my Dad walking me there the first day of school, to be confident that I knew the route. Later, (this was starting in Third Grade, as I recall) I began to ride my bike to school. Not trusting my memory’s guesstimate of “a half-mile walk”, I just checked my route on Google Earth. It was .64 miles. About 30% of that distance was on a sidewalk alongside a highway. Granted, this was in the 1960s, in Livermore, California — a town with a low crime rate, a mild climate, and a population at the time of only about 30,000. I cannot fathom anyone calling the police on a seven-year-old for riding a bicycle by himself. (I’m sure that I’m going to get a lot of: “When I was five, I walked through the snow, uphill…” e-mails, from readers.)
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Peter sent this WSJ article: Insurers Are Spying on Your Home From the Sky.
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Chicken owners required to register with UK government.
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Reader J.R.G. wrote this, in response to the article titled “The Smaller Things”:
“Very sound advice. When we inspect our fencing, we also pocket some small containers along with a fencing tool and a few fence staples and some wire wound around the body of container. Repairs (permanent or just fixed for now) are much easier this way. Fence patrol is much more critical during times of drought, as sometimes cattle will reach through fence to get grass from the other side, and cause fencing strain. Don’t put off repairs, or you may find a breach.
Before disposing every appliance we have had to replace, we take the time to strip them of any screws, working motors, and wiring. And once their original contents are gone, I recommend saving glass jelly jars for small screws and other hardware, which can be viewed through them.”
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And speaking of fencing, SurvivalBlog reader C.B. mentioned this useful video on splicing wire fencing: The Hammer trick.
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My brother Bruce found this useful article: 31 Healthy Foods for Soft Food Diet (When You Can’t Chew). This could be useful for caring for the elderly, or caring for someone who has had a traumatic jaw injury.
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Reader “Garlic Breath” asked:
“I pray you and your family are doing well. I recently came across an article that your readers may find helpful. This is mainly for those who have newer vehicles. If you do choose to post this article link I would love it if you could encourage anyone who has knowledge of what years of used vehicles one could look for, that don’t have the “spying” capabilities, to submit this additional information to the blog. I’d say it’s a safe bet that vehicles from the 1960s-1970s are safe, but I’d like to know if there is a general cut-off year (for example 1980, 1990, 2000, etc.) that one could add to the requirements of what to look for in a reliable, used vehicle.”
JWR Replies: As long as your car has no connection via satellite or WiFi, then it cannot spy on you. If your car has an OnStar antenna or another connection, then that needs to be disabled. Your mechanic can do that. (Snip!) But note that cutting satellite antenna cables will also likely disable a navigation system and a dash compass, if your vehicle has them.
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Please send your snippet items for potential posting to JWR. or AVL. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact form.