The Survivalist Blog

Friday Quick Links

mdcreekmore — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:27:50 +0000

Before we start I’d like to thank Twister for the generous donation – this was the first in over a year and I must say I was surprized.

A Depression Much Greater Than The 1930’s Is Coming – An Economic Dark Age is about to descend on the civilized world. Every welfare state, to avoid failure, will have to cut entitlements and benefits.

Top Trader Warns Of Hyperinflation – is the worst yet to come? Looks that way…

Obama Says Gratified That US economy is turning around for the better? – Yet the headline on the front page of my local paper displayed an increase of over 20% for the county, the highest in the state.

American Empire On The Brink Of Extinction – Niall Ferguson thinks so.

US Debt May Grow To $60 Trillion From $14.1 Trillion According To Economists – economists now concede that a ‘double dip’ recession is in the cards for the United States.

Man shoots himself in the leg with a .45 and lives! Could it be shot placement is the most important consideration when it comes to “stopping power”?

President Obama calls African-Americans a “mongrel people” – I wonder what would have happen if someone of a different skin color had said the same?

Perennial Vegetables and Greens

mdcreekmore — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:17:38 +0000

Guest Post by Danielle

A survivalist and gardener at heart, my area of research over the last couple of years has been perennial vegetables. I wanted a hands off garden that would just keep giving year after year, no matter my physical ability and time constraints to manage it.

My studies have lead me down grocery isles and begging gurus in Europe to send me clippings of their perennial kale. There is a wealth of usually untapped veggies to be had, with just a little research… now if only I could convince the deer to let me eat them.

There are the usual candidates: asparagus, fruit/ nut trees, strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, herbs… of which I have many, but then there are the rarer species of which I had never heard (but maybe that’s just me).

I live in zone 5, mid Michigan area. This limits me a bit, but also has it upsides. Many of the plant diseases and pests that ravage warmer climates can’t handle the freeze.

I highly recommend the book “Four Season Harvest” by Coleman if you want to extend your growing season year round, or as I do, increase the number of varieties available to you perennially.

The methods in his book will increase your growing zone by at least one (zone 6 for me), with a little winter protection.

After much Googling and a little time I was off to the grocery store. I found a wealth of goodies in the bulk bins. I found garlic, jerusalem artichokes, leeks, shallots, horseradish… they are still growing strong after 2 ½ years!

Attention to my fellow northerners, the garlic in the grocery stores is better suited to southern climates (soft neck), mine grew but never quite fully.

I have ordered some hard neck garlic (better suited to northern climates) to be delivered this fall. Also, if you plant jerusalem artichokes, give them a garden of their own, they are very prolific. I look at their garden as an underground refrigerator.

Some of the other varieties were a little harder to find. I found a little seed company out in California, Bountiful Gardens. There I found some greens: Lovage (celery-like), Good King Henry (greens), Scorzonera, Sorrel, Salsify, Chickory, Sea Kale.

They have a great catalog, with info on each seed they sell: growing zone, sun requirements, annual/ perennial. Love them.

So here’s a list I have found, suitable to zone 5, I have not found all of them yet, but maybe this can get you started on your perennial garden adventure…

Lovage, Scorzonera, Sea Kale, Good King Henry, Chinese Yams/ jinenjo, Turkish Rocket, Chickory, Perennial Onions (Leeks, scallion, garlic chives, topset onion, egyptian onion, Welsh Onions, Walking Onions), Multiplier Onions (Potato Onion, Shallots), Giant Solomon’s Seal, Wofberry, Musk Mallow, Fragrant Spring Tree, Sorrel, Stinging/Wood Nettle, Udo, Skirret, Ostrich fern, Day lily, Camass, Linden (basswood/ lime tree), Fuki, Water cress, Garlic, jerusalem artichokes, horseradish, bamboo, chau daubenton kale.

The Chau Duabenton Kale is what I found online from a master gardener, I think he was in Belguim. He was generous enough to send me clipping of three varieties of perennial kale, the names of the other two I can no longer remember. I planted them last year, and they are still growing strong, and delicious.

Happy gardening!

Which Handgun Manufacturer is Best?

mdcreekmore — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:29:48 +0000

Reader Discussion Time.

Which Handgun manufacturer is best?

OK – before we start World War III with this discussion, let me set a few ground rules.

1. Be constructive - while simple responses of ‘Glock is best’ or ‘I like Smith &Wesson’ might be easy – tell us WHY you like a particular manufacturer and handgun.

2. Respect each other’s opinions - there’s no right or wrong answer here – different attributes of the different manufacturers and handguns will appeal to different people. Argue your case strongly if you like – but let others hold their own opinions also and keep it civil.

3. Give examples - tell us more about the handgun you’re talking about if you’d like. The more information and the more specific it is – the more we’ll all learn.

Feel free to have fun with this discussion – I’m sure it’ll cause some debate. My hope is that through it that those on hunt for a new handgun will learn a thing or two and go into their purchase more informed.

So which handgun and manufacturer do you like best?

“Be Prepared”: Scouting as a Prepardness Training Tool

mdcreekmore — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:46:05 +0000

Guest post by PATTON****

In my youth (a LONG time ago)I learned a lot of skills as a member of the Boy Scouts that prove to be very useful today and in any future SHTF or TEOTWAWKI situation.

Scouting teaches skills that can be valuable either during the ‘bugging out’ phase or at your retreat location.

To be honest, I was a bit rusty with some of the skills I learned many years ago, however after getting hold of and reading through a trusty mid-1960’s copy of the BOY SCOUT HANDBOOK and FIELD BOOK I quickly refreshed many of the skills I learned long ago.

Needless to say, these two books should be part of your survival / preparedness library.

Recently during a trip to my local GOODWILLL store dropping off some used clothing, and I spotted in a stack of dropped off items an old “Official” Boy Scout Reflector Oven. I had never even thought of using one for my prepping, nor did I remember exactly how to use it, or what recipes/foods could be cooked with it.

The internet once again proved to be a plethora of information on how to use (or even build) one, and recipes that can be used to cook using it. Further information gleaned from Boy Scout websites also enlightened and refreshed me to other forms of cooking, including foil-cooking techniques and cooking without utensils.

Looking through some of these websites such as this one revealed a wealth of information on a multitude of survival / outdoor living /camping skills. I was also rusty on using a Dutch Oven, and found a great document on how to use it along with great recipes.

We all know that if you want good emergency training you could join a volunteer fire department or first-aid squad. We certainly have to know CPR and basic first-aid (or EMT) and firefighting skills.

However, have you ever considered volunteering as a Scout Leader at your local Boy (or Girl) Scout Troop? Getting involved through Scouting will allow you to learn, teach and practice many outdoor skills that you may need, including first aid and fire safety.

Besides, it is a great way to get involved with your local community and to teach kids the same skills that just may help them or their families in a SHTF or TEOWAKI situation.

Your involvement as a Scout leader (or as a troop adult assistant) will also help you develop leadership, planning, coordinating, teaching and other skills that could also help you during prepping or a SHTF / TEOTWAWKI situation. And besides, Scouting is fun!

You may even be surprised to find like-minded adults who are also prepping.

Even if you decide that Scouting is not your cup of tea, I suggest that you take advantage of Scouting websites across the internet for the great information they offer.

Just enter into your search engine the words such as, “(Boy) Scout Cooking”, “Scout Survival”, Scout Woodcutting, “Scout Knots/Lashing”, “Scout Mapping”,etc., and you’ll find a cornucopia of information that may just surprise you, and may even teach you some new skills or ideas that you have never even considered.

The Boy Scout motto is, “Be Prepared.” That says it all. I lived by that motto then, and I still live by it now.

Any old scouts out there?

Letter / Article Posting Policy

mdcreekmore — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:08:40 +0000

I love to receive letters and to post articles written by readers – rest assure your identity will be protected and your email will not be sold or shared with anyone at any time.

Anyone submitting a letter or article grants the right for posting on the blog or any for other use. All writings must be original works and the copyright becomes the property of The Survivalist Blog upon publication.

Comment Moderation

mdcreekmore — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:56:07 +0000

I’ve kept a close eye on the comments being posted over the last two weeks and I must say I’m very disappointed in some of you.

A few seem to be commenting for one purpose that is to stir-up trouble and contention effectively turning the section into a flame war (you know who you are).

So to make the blog more useful and constructive for readers – starting now all comments will be moderated before being posted.

Survivalist, Does Age Matter?

mdcreekmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:12:11 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I had this interesting question from a survivor calling himself the worlds oldest survivalist.

I’ve been prepping since November of 2009 and I really enjoy learning new survival skills and the security afforded through prepping.

My problem is that my age works against me, making it harder to get things done. Most survivalist seem to be in their 30’s or 40’s while I’m nearing sixty-five.

What’s one to do when you’re at this age?

I thought this was an interesting question and one that might generate discussion so I’d like to hear your thoughts on it. But before I do – let me share a few thoughts of my own:

I’ve not really run into this question before and as a survivalist still in my late 30’s have not had to face it personally – yet. So I can only speak from my own personal experience from talking to older survivalist over the years.

I think health and mental stability are far more important than a survivors age. Having a few extra years may ever be an advantage, if we consider real world experience.

I know one survivor in his mid-sixties that can out run me any day of the week (and I’m fairly fast) the guy works out five days per week on average and he is in top physical and mental condition. For him age isn’t an issue.

My advice to any survivor regardless of age is to start an exercise program (after a physical exam) and eat a healthy diet. Keep learning, never let the brain idle. Don’t smoke. Include foods and supplements high in omega-3, omega-6 and DHA in your diet. Work on flexibility and strength.

What Do You Think?

Do you think age matters
Could being older be used as an advantage?

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts…

Best Hand-Crank Lantern

mdcreekmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:10:04 +0000

Amy asked “which is the best hand-crank lantern” – since I don’t have a hand-crank lantern, I must turn to my fellow survivors for recommendation in this area.

Which hand-crank lantern do you think is best? Why?

Things Overlooked – Could Make You Dead

mdcreekmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:05:15 +0000

I found a problem the other day I didn’t know I had. I was replacing some buckshot on a sidesaddle on a Remington 870 and realized I had 3 inch shells on a 2 and 3/4 gun.

I was very glad in the years it sat in the bedroom as a grab and go gun that I had never needed it as it would NOT have worked!

Check your equipment more than every 5 years like I had done. DUMB on my part just lucky that it wasn’t needed. Please share this with your list as it may help someone,Thanks. John

How to Can Tomatoes and Vegetables

mdcreekmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:01:37 +0000