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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A Special Request From JWR: I’d like to ask a favor: I’m hoping that there is a SurvivalBlog reader who has a spare full carton of 25 (or perhaps two cartons) of the LONG USPS “Game and Puzzle” Large Priority Mail boxes. (See photo, above.) For my Elk Creek Company mailorder biz, these are the type of boxes that I often use when I mail out long-barreled percussion revolvers, long-barreled Stevens single-shot target pistols, and some long bayonets — and I have just a few of these boxes left. This style box is no longer produced nor available at post offices, but the USPS still accepts them as “Large” Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes. I would gladly fully reimburse anyone for their postage expense in sending me a 25-pack carton or two of these long Game and Puzzle boxes if you send them via Standard Mail (“Ground Advantage”) rate. I will also include one of my spare 2005-2023 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks, as a gift to show you my thanks, for each carton. My address is:
Jim Rawles
P.O. Box 303
Moyie Springs, Idaho 83845
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Reader George S. wrote:
“Just a thought on the article that was titled: “Our Black Swan Event”
It looks like there’s an Access Opening on the Top of the Cistern. If it is Big Enough for someone to Climb Down In, then they could clean the inside with maybe a Mild Chlorine or Whatever Mixture to keep Algae and other Unhealthy Stuff Off the Walls.
If this is possible, maybe E.R. can cut and install a Nice Looking (Cedar Access Hatch) Over the Entrance to the Top of the Cistern.”
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Reader Mike in Alaska recommended this useful illustrated article: Dry Canning Flour.
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Robert W. spotted this: New sodium battery that can be charged in seconds developed.
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Reader “T.” wrote:
“I am a 23 year old living in northern Nevada. I have been reading your blog since I was around 15-16 and everyday it is part of my daily routine of waking up so thank you for the work you do as it has had a tremendous impact on my life. I started out alone and on my own at 18 moving across the country from the suburbs of Chicago to pursue a job as a hotshot in Nevada. I had to figure everything out and preparedness has become a way of life for me since I have felt what it is like to have nothing and see the growing cracks economically, societally, and morally in our nation. I have since read all your books (some a couple times over) and have a few questions. If this in any way would be better suited for consulting by all means that is ok. I don’t want to take your time and advice that costs money for free.
I currently work as a trapper protecting bands of sheep primarily in the mountains scattered across northern Nevada. Now is my busy season as lambs are just starting to hit the ground and the coyotes are looking for easy meals. For a good part of the year I camp out with the bands of sheep and live a pretty quiet, simple mountain life that allows me practice and live out many more old school skills. Working as a firefighter, trapper, and helping on ranches has equipped me with a great skill set that I never possessed. So far, I have nailed down the basics that you suggest in your list of lists when coming to food, water, firearms, medical, silver, etc. I am very limited with space since I live in a tiny apartment but I’ve invested in the best quality of everything. My expenses are extremely limited as I am very frugal. My monthly expenses with rent, food, a phone, and insurance are right at $1,000. I make about $45,000 a year with no debt. I am currently working on my EMT-B and then my EMT-A as well as my Associate of Arts in Natural Resources through our local community college.
Now that I have that out of the way, here is my dilemma. Times have changed very fast and many once rural inexpensive areas are now ridiculously expensive. Many of the areas I’d like to live (northwest Montana, Salmon, Idaho area, etc) are very expensive and cost prohibitive to someone like me who is more of the working class blue collar type. Many times the work that is available to someone like me in these areas would not offset the extreme cost of relatively basic places to own. I’ve saved up enough to get a loan for a place in the realm of a place costing $150,000 which sadly doesn’t get you much. Where do I go and what should I do? I just want to live somewhere quiet, peaceful, and with abundant natural resources in the intermountain west. The clock is ticking and I’m not sure where to go and how much time I have left.”
JWR Replies:
“The progress that you’ve made is commendable! Most people your age are up their eyeballs in college debt.
I recommend that you keep your debt level low and get your EMT certificates in hand ASAP, preferably before you move. Your AA degree can wait. These days, you can complete that via online courses.
To find affordable property, try to find a medium-size NON-resort town and NON-college town that is beyond commute distance of big cities in either North Idaho or western Montana that is in need of a 3/4-time or full-time EMT. Some good communities to consider:
St. Maries, Idaho
Orofino, Idaho
Kamiah, Idaho
Grangeville, Idaho
Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Salmon, Idaho
Challis, Idaho
Libby, Montana
Superior, Montana
Kalispell, Montana (A bit more expensive, but booming job opportunities.)
And perhaps east of the Great Divide, if you don’t mind the colder climate:
Shelby, Montana
Choteau, Montana
Dillon, Montana
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
(Or similar towns in Wyoming.)
May God Bless You!”
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SaraSue sent this snippet:
“I wanted to throw in the towel this week. During the week, a predator or two or three came on to the farm quietly during the night, and wiped out my flock of chickens, save 2 little hens, and killed all the roosters. 3 of 7 barn cats are MIA (they are fixed and love home). My dogs didn’t alert so I have no idea what kind of predator could be that sneaky. The only things left were piles of feathers here and there. No carcasses to be found. So discouraging. This is the 4th or 5th predator attack in 3 years. I “shoulda” installed that electric fencing. I “shoulda” got livestock guardian dogs. I “shoulda” put up game cameras. But, I didn’t. I have to start over. Coyote hunting is now legal here for a time period that includes before sunrise and after sundown. Previously, it was only legal during the day. I hope the population can be cut down.
I did some plant identification and foraging on my own property. I have lots of lambs quarter and dead nettle. Surprisingly, thanks to the birds, there are now wild blackberries, along with the elderberries, growing along some fence lines that are closer to the house. I don’t have a lot of spare time, but when I have a few moments, I go out with my cell phone camera and take pictures of things I don’t recognize, then go ask others what they are. There are plant identification “apps”, but I haven’t found one that is easy for me to use.
My dear neighbors banded the new bull calf for me. There are two “steered” bull calves now. One is 2.5 months old and thriving, and one is 2 weeks old. His mother, a heifer, had no clue and no natural instincts for her calf, so it’s been a rough couple of weeks teaching her to stand so her calf could nurse. At one point, I locked her in a pasture with her mother and her mother’s calf, hoping she would follow her mother’s example on how to take care of a calf. That actually worked and the calf is out of the woods. He just wasn’t getting enough milk, but did get the early colostrum. The little calf would go searching for milk from his grandmother and she would accommodate him. He has learned to nurse from his own mother now that she is cooperating and caring for him. Other than that I’m still working on building the raised garden beds and way behind schedule.”
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Blog readers in Texas, take note of this video: RINO SMACKDOWN! Brandon Herrera VS. Tony Gonzales.
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Reader B.K. wrote:
“I read your proposal for a Limitation of Government (LOG) Amendment. I support each and every clause you mentioned. I cannot, however, support it as a singular amendment. As proposed, the amendment takes the form of most progressive laws and forced-compliance regulations. To wit: one of the things We the People dislike is when progs “stack” legislation and cram too many items into a bill. They do that purposefully with a caveat that if any one portion is found unconstitutional, the rest survive and cannot be challenged again. I have concerns that the LOG Amendment would put us in a bad place when challenged (which we know they would immediately endeavor). See the Single Subject Amendment PAC for some insight as to the protections we need to prevent stacked laws and unrelated riders. So, I believe the proposed amendments of SSA PAC and LOG must be independent and be enumerated as the 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, and 32nd Amendments respectively. We must not let them go through the congressional motions and be left unratified much as the six outstanding (four languishing, two failed) amendments of the past.
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A reader M.B. offered this, on the same topic:
“I thoroughly enjoyed your writing about the 10th Amendment, and your suggested term limits for the future. I would like to put in my 2 cents for repealing the 17th Amendment and having Senators selected by their state legislatures AND have those term limits you suggested also. This would actually put the 10th Amendment back in play with States actually having a return to representation.”
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A blog reader wrote:
“I read a post on 4/10/24, in the Snippets column, from L.E., asking for “links to where someone could purchase IMPORTED non-GMO and non-glyphosate oatmeal, flour, and pasta?”
Our company, Healthy Traditions, imports oats and grains from Italy, and we test every food we offer for glyphosate.
We also test for GMO contamination if there is a widely used GMO version on the market. Corn is the only food that we sell that has a GMO version in the market, so we test all of our corn products for GMO and glyphosate contamination. We actually get our corn from central Mexico, where GMO corn has been banned from growing, as an added measure against contamination.”
Please Send Us Your Snippets!
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.
