Dip clean, unbroken eggs in [food grade] mineral oil.

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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An American came back from Europe with a $143,000 phone bill after failing to set up international roaming.

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Reader J.R.G. wrote:

“I read the recent review by Mr. Christianson. I own the same knife model that was reviewed. I was attracted to it by its leaf-bladed resemblance to the various knives manufactured by Grohmann knife line. And I too have done business with L.T. Wright in the past, via their old company Blind Horse Knives. I have nothing but good to say about them. I wonder if the JRE knife sheaths are manufactured by Amish craftsmen. Whoever they are, they do a fine job.

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‘That Was a First’: Zebras Run Wild After Escaping Trailer in Washington State.

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Reader C.B. mentioned this MSN article: How to Escape Your Car If the Electronic Door Handle Fails.

Jane M. wrote:

“Could you please post a safety warming:

Apart from the risk of collapse from climbing into an empty tank below ground tank, there is also the very real risk of asphyxiation, particularly if using chemicals to clean.

People gassing themselves when cleaning enclosed spaces is a real thing, and there are plenty of sites online with safety instructions including being trained, the use of breathing apparatus, having a buddy outside the tank, etc.

We know a family where someone was cleaning a boat cavity, got into difficulties and both they and their family member who went in after them died.

While I’m sure the black swan writer would have received detailed safety instructions, someone moving onto a new property with existing tanks or vats wouldn’t have the benefit of those.”

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Sara Sue sent this snippet:

“Another rough week. Our loved one passed away in the care of a family member and hospice care. It has hit us all very hard. I kept putting one foot in front of another this past week, praying, working on the farm, trying to keep my wits about me, as there was little else I could do other than pray for safe passage into the loving arms of our Father in Heaven. It was a huge struggle, but the Lord gave me incredible peace.

This week I learned about the “cicada event” we are expecting here in Tennessee. There are several broods that will hatch – this year’s brood, a 13-year brood, and a 17-year brood. I asked my old-time farmer neighbor what that would mean and what harm the cicadas could cause to my orchard and gardens. He said they would mainly make a whole lot of noise, but they do attack fruit trees – mainly the trunks and limbs and it will cause the trees to die. What can I do? He said to net the fruit trees all the way down to the bottom of the trunk and tie the netting tight, so that’s on the list this coming week. I have a large roll of white fabric (tulle) that is like a very fine mesh that bugs can’t get through, but light and water can. I will use that and see if it’s adequate.

With the help of several local people, we have determined that the attack that killed all my hens and roosters recently, plus 3 of the barn cats, was most likely coyote(s). I finally decided to bite the bullet and get two Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd puppies. Puppies because I have two German Shepherds who are not fond of certain other animals – strange dogs, for one. I will have to train the dogs to get along, respect one another, have their separate roles, and not get in one another’s way when doing their jobs. My German Shepherds guard me and sleep with me at night. The livestock guardian dogs will be guarding the livestock and sleep outside during the night. Of course, they will have shelters in both barns. They must learn to respect cattle, chickens, and cats, but keep predators off the property. It’s a big ask to have these two aggressive breeds on the same homestead doing separate jobs. I’m praying I’m up for the task and can do a good job. When I get a dog, it’s my dog for life, so I am not doing this without having agonized over it for a year or two, and changed my mind several times! I have new chicks coming these next few weeks as I start over with a large laying flock. It will take time for the puppies to grow into their new roles, so I am additionally running electric fencing around the chicken run and beefing up the hen house security. How many times have I said I’m going to do this? How many predator attacks has there been? 4 attacks in 3 years (two times I lost meat birds, and two times I lost a lot, then all, of my laying flock). So now, I MUST deal with it or give up on chickens. I’m choosing to deal with it. Simultaneously, the garden is being planted. Our last frost date is two weeks away. The busy busy time of year is upon us.”

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Biden Administration Lets Another PPE Factory Languish, Leaving U.S. Dependent on China.

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Reader Dana J. wrote this suggestion for reader “T.”:

“If you are already planning on going beyond basic EMT, please consider paramedic. The difference in time and cost between advanced EMT and paramedic isn’t terrible but the difference in job opportunity is significant. There is a national shortage of medics which translates to better job opportunities. The opportunities are expanding in most places. I can’t speak for other states but the state I live in is still trying to figure out how to best make use of advanced. I’ve seen the advanced get abused by every service I’ve worked with over the years. They generally expect them to take everything bls and half of the als. It may be completely different in your part of the country. Just something to look into. Good luck with whatever you do.”

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From reader C.B.:

How far can electric cars REALLY go?? – we drive 12 until they DIE! Tesla, BYD & more

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Dan B. had this suggestion:

“I enjoyed reading the subject article on ways of preserving fresh eggs. The best method of preserving eggs is to dip clean, unbroken eggs in [food grade] mineral oil. Temperature for this treatment if 105 degrees F. Reduced air temps, such as in winter months, may extend storage times. This can provide months of fresh eggs without the need to freeze or refrigerate eggs. Try to run your own in-house quality control.”

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Frequent content contributor D.S.V. sent this link: Agroforestry: Benefits of This Ancient Farming Method.

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Tom Christianson sent this: Humanity is one convincing deepfake away from a global catastrophe.