One of my favorite books is “One Second After” by William Forstchen. The short novel tells the tale of a small-town family dealing with the effects of the power grid going down, most likely from an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) blast over the breadbasket of Ame …

In my opinion, one of the most impressive survival skills is wild plant knowledge. I know I know, a picture of a leaf or bark on Instagram isn’t going to garner as many likes as a shiny new knife, a “one, reload, one” drill, or an elaborate flat lay of gear. However, a person with solid knowledge of …

I met a gentleman named Dave at an underground train station in Poland last week. He was standing outside of a food line wearing a neon yellow volunteer vest and a kind smile. I had just finished up a shift of checking toddlers’ infected ears and giving arnica cream to worried mothers with their own …

I’m ugly when I cry. There’s no mistaking that. My nose runs, my eyes well up, I look like a wreck. I don’t cry often but when I do, I make sure to get it all out because it probably will be a while before I do it again. I cried recently on a trip back home to Connecticut. I cried not once but many …

“Water is the universal solvent. Give it enough time and it will cut through anything.” I’m paraphrasing my high-school science teacher, Mr. Parente, with this quote. It was freshman year and we were discussing the water cycle and in particular, the way water cuts through the rock over time as is th …

Preparing to thrive during the winter months in colder climates is a continuous endeavor, and while your vehicle and home need to be properly maintained and stocked to account for the needs of the cold, instilling into your family the proper mindset and skillsets are just as valuable. “An ounce …