The Pickled Prepper

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Weather, Fire, the Economy, War and More

2025 is off to a rough start and more trouble brewing, but many positive things are as well. Will it be a good year or a bad year?
A side-by-side or UTV might be just what we need for our steep terrain.

Evaluating Transportation Options for Post SHTF

What kind of vehicle do we need that would be useful now and after the SHTF? Pete evaluates at several popular options.
Inflation has already hit eggs and is driving up prices of beef as well.

Time to do Some Stocking Up

Inflation, tariffs and international sanctions are some good reasons to make some strategic purchases before prices rise.
Flames rushing down a hillside in Los Angeles

The Death of the American Dream

When our politicians should be helping Los Angeles residents, they are laying blame and pointing fingers. Be prepared to get no help in a disaster.
Snowy road image by Ioannis Ioannidis from Pixabay.

Using Subaru’s X-Mode in some Ugly Conditions

We unintentionally test our Subaru's legendary snow performance in snowy conditions and it didn't perform as well as we had hoped.
Cutting firewood is one of the outdoor activities I don't mind doing in the snow or cold.

Snow on the Homestead and More to Come

We've been snowed in for a week, so we amuse ourselves by cutting firewood and baking bread,. Now more snow is expected.
Across the U.S., security has been updated because of the New Orleans new Year's Eve terrorist attack,

Security Increased as Terrorism Fear Builds

Government, military and private organizations have increased security after the New Year's terrorist attack in New Orleans. Should you worry?
The French Quarter, one of the most popular attractions in New Orleans.

How Many Coincidences are Too Many?

After being relatively free from terrorist attacks, two strike the U.S. on the same day and they share many similarities. What does this tell you?
This map shows how much the National Weather Service expects temperatures to vary from normal on Friday, January 10. In a large swatch of the country, expect temperatures 20 to 40 degrees colder than the average for that date.

Snow and an Arctic Blast to Blanket U.S. in Early 2025

Expect temperatures to plummet as a polar vortex brings cold temperatures from the artic circle as far south as Florida. Make your preps now.
A stack of firewood in the snow.

Bad Weather and Good Work

Bad weather limited what we can do outside and resulted in yet another power outage, but it was just as well. We needed the rest.
5 and 6-gallon pails of rice and beans

Thoughts on 2024 and Prepping Goals for 2025

Whatever 2025 holds in store, more food, more firewood, solar power, and plenty of fresh eggs will make it go easier for us. What are you planning for?
Seeing the fellow at the top of the landslide in Samaritan's Purse orange T-shirt helps put into perspective how large our landslide is.

We Tackle the Landslide and Make other Repairs

Twelve weeks after Hurricane Helene tore up our mountain, we continue to make progress with the cleanup. This time, we tackle the landslide.
My son-in-law snapper this somewhat blurry image on his cell phone one night last week. Drones over his neighborhood, and they don't live anywhere near New York or New Jersey.

Should we be Worried about Drones over New Jersey?

There are no mystery drones over my rural area, but my daughter's suburban neighborhood has been buzzed. I told her not to worry, and neither should you.
Bumpy Road Ahead Sign

Hang on, it Could be a Bumpy Ride

The governments of Canada, Germany, and France are in the midst of collapsing. What does this mean and why should it matter to preppers?
Will solar power make you money? Is it worth installing solar power? That depends on whether you are talking survival or return on investment.

The Economics of Solar Power – Will it Make you Money?

Is it worth installing solar power? That depends on whether you are talking survival or return on investment. Its a big investment with low return... unless you are a prepper.
Fallout Shelter Sign

Nuclear War is Back in the News and on Preppers’ Minds

In a nuclear war, will our enemies target our ICBM silos, our large cities, our military bases and industrial hubs, or all of the above? And what does it matter to you?
After eluding police for five days, it turns out the New York assassin was lucky rather than clever.

An Assassin in Action

After eluding police for five days, it turns out the New York assassin was lucky rather than clever. He got caught because he failed to plan for what happened afterwards.
This is a cluster of three intertwined fallen trees that were knocked down by Hurricane Helene

Eight Down, a Few Hundred to Go

Hundreds of fallen trees litter our land, making parts of the mountain impassible. We got some help removing some of the trees that blocked our access road.
the mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay .

Prepper Basics: How to Survive A Nuclear Attack or EMP

A quick recap of what to do to protect yourself in the seconds after an nuclear attack. Plus, Ttps on dealing with an EMP strike or other grid-down scenario.
The BRICS countries have seen their currencies weaken after Trump's election.

Dollar Strengthens Under Trump as BRICS Currencies Plummet

The Ruble lost 10 percent last week while the U.S. stock market continues to reach new highs. One reason is the perceived strength of the new president and his economic plan.
our wood stove.

Cold and Colder with More to Come

Snow and cold weather sweeps across the Unite States and not everyone is prepared. Plus updates on Hurricane Helene damage and FEMA claims.
Christmas presents

Make it a Prepper Christmas

Pete makes suggests for prepping-related gifts this year, from stocking-stuffers to mid-priced and more expensive gifts.
This is one of many promos and click-bait images MSN was running earlier this week.

Sudden Nuclear War Fears Hit the Media

The media seems to have embarked on a rush of nuclear war fearmongering, predicting Putin will attack the U.S. before Christmas.
We installed a Siemens FirstSurge whole-house surge protector to protect our appliances and other devices.

Solar Power Surge Protection Upgrades Plus a Report on Starlink

We add surge and lighting protection to our solar power system and home to protect our appliances and other electronic equipment.
This is the three day forecast map from the National Weather Service. The wet weather in the Northeast may be welcomed because that part of the country has been suffering from drought conditions.

We Ready the Homestead as Winter Storm Brews

We are expecting a minor snow storm with high winds, so we did some prepping on the homestead to prep the property and ensure we stay warm and dry.
Don't get carried away in the post-Trump election glow. It's not all unicorns and rainbows in D.C.

Is it all Rainbows and Unicorns Now?

Don't get carried away in the post-Trump election glow. It's not all unicorns and rainbows in D.C. Use this time to regroup and re-evaluate.
Our new generator arrived this weekend.

Installing our New Generator

My prepper friend Karl visits from the city and brings a truck full of goodies, both the kind that hum and the kind that go bang.
This is the exterior portion of our heat pump after we dug it out, straightened it out, and the service technician used a stiff brush to clean off the enclosure.

Six Weeks After Helene, the Recovery Continues

Now that we have resolved the big problems that affected us post-Helene, we are able to tackle some of the smaller ones.
While rural areas are safer than most urban areas, there are criminals who prey on empty or isolated country homes. A good security system can help deter them.

Upgrading and Repairing our Security Devices

While rural areas are safer than most urban areas, there are criminals who prey on empty or isolated country homes. A good security system can help deter them.
War between Iran and Israel could accelerate if Iran unleashes more rockets and missiles.

Middle East Heats up as Iran Threatens Reprisals

Iran appears to be planning a larger attack on Israel, one it says "will surpass all expectations." Will this be much ado about nothing or lead to a worst-case scenario?
The DOT took a quick and dirty approach to repairing our ford -- just fill it in with rocks. At least we are able to get across it.

Big Improvements on the Homestead

Thanks to friends and helpful volunteers, we made huge strides cleaning up the homestead and getting a little closer to "normal" post Helene,