08:44 – It was 66.3F (19C) when I took Colin out at about 0645 this morning, sunny and calm.
Things are proceeding with the repairs to the house. Barbara and I went over to the flooring place yesterday. I wanted to look at the vinyl tile we’re having put on the floor downstairs, and we both wanted to see what they had in the way of ceramic tile for the master bathroom. I approved Barbara’s choice of the vinyl tile for downstairs, not that my approval was needed, and we picked out the ceramic tile and grout.
Barbara’s volunteering schedule has been juggled because she’s filling in for volunteers who have family issues. She’s working this afternoon rather than her usual Tuesday afternoon at the Friends of the Library bookstore. This morning, we’ll fill more bottles for science kits.
Email overnight from Jen, just checking in. Like us, their prepping is pretty much steady-state now. All of their major purchases have been made, so they’re just replacing what they use and occasionally adding stuff incrementally to boost their stocking levels. Their last major purchase was spread out over several orders in February/March; 20 cases, 240 cans of 28-ounce Keystone canned meats, about $1,500 worth. As Jen said, that sounds like a lot, but it’s really only 40 cans and $250 each.
They’re reasonably content with their prepping level now. They’re continuing to run readiness exercises, but they’ve become just holiday family get-togethers without utility power. They have one planned for the Memorial Day weekend.
Never got our rain yesterday. Hope we don’t get it today either.
Yardwork and housework on the plan for today, and have a ton of kid stuff in the next few days.
Currently 80F and 84%RH at the moment, with overcast skys.
I’m power washing this am. If anyone doubts that Thompson’s Water Seal works to preserve wood, I’ve got a photo to show that it does. I ran out when our new fence was installed, and you can see very clearly the last board treated. If you want the wood to continue looking fresh, Thompson’s does work to slow the aging.
One of our acquaintances had an unfortunate incident with his aged parents a week or so ago. The were victims of a home invasion robbery. Late night, sitting in a chair watching tv, and two men smash thru a window, hit him in the head with a pipe and start threatening him. Where’s the money? What’s the alarm code? Mom entered with a pistol, announced herself, and they fled.
They are in a nice, well established neighborhood with acre lots, and high six figure/ even low 7 figure home prices. Unfortunately, there are lots of low rent apartments nearby and the park where the day labor hangs out is also nearby. This is a couple of miles from me.
Cops are on the job, there was dna left at the scene, but no good suspects.
Lessons learned-
Cameras! They make a good witness, much better in this case than dad.
Guns! You need them. Mom had a newer semi-auto and couldn’t make it work. Between the safety, carrying unloaded, and without one in the chamber, she was trying, but couldn’t fire. Now she has a new revolver. Revolvers are simple to operate and may fit your hand better than a semi-auto. Whatever you have, it must be accessible and you must practice with it. Also, anything is better than nothing. Just entering with a gun and announcing her willingness to shoot was enough to end the encounter.
Lights! MORE area lighting, it will help the cameras if nothing else.
Alarms! Get one, and arm it. They had one and it was on, but the glass break sensor was too far away and didn’t activate. Now they have a ton of sensors.
They will recover, but there have been negative psychological repercussions as well as the physical.
Now, off to work.
nick
Ah yes, the Memorial Day weekend; start of the Murkan outdoor summah season. Like Xmas, few remember or care about the original meaning. I’ll check into whatever the town/city might be doing, and I may even slide by to see it in person, thus violating one of my, oh wait, all three of my Avoidance Commandments.
81 with blue skies and a nice breeze again today; possible t-storm this afternoon. I’m off in a couple of hours to the vets group down in beeyooteeful Burlap, VT and then back here for more outdoor stuff.
I TRIED to get out of the chair, I really did.
But here I am.
So, here is some icecream:
Disaster Apps for Your Digital Go Bag
CBRNE and Hazardous Substances
Medical and Health Information
Responder Support and Safety
Psychological Health Tools
U.S. Federal Organizations
American Red Cross Suite of Apps
Surveillance and Alerts
Family Reunification
Apps for Disasters in Libraries
Other Apps and Tools
Selection Guidelines for Non-National Library of Medicine Resources
Notes:
The tools on this page are designed to provide mobile device users access to Web-based content. They are developed to run on specific mobile platforms, such as iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, or Blackberry.
A two-page promotional flyer (PDF, 308 KB) highlighting these apps and mobile sites is available to download and print.
https://sis.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/disasterapps.html
This is how I feel about the AGW (anthropogenic global warming) models:
https://xkcd.com/1838/
“The Slow-Motion Assassination of President Trump”
http://blog.dilbert.com/post/160770453201/the-slow-motion-assassination-of-president-trump
If the Republicans allow this to happen go forward, much less happen, then they deserve what they will get. My prediction is a civil war in the USA even though I like Vice President Pence.
“If you can keep it…”
https://www.sovereignman.com/trends/if-you-can-keep-it-21776/
“On September 17, 1787 on the final day of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin was approached by a woman as he walked out of Independence Hall.”
““Well Doctor, what have we got– a republic, or a monarchy?” she asked.”
“It was a burning question on everyone’s mind: what form of government would the Constitutional delegates establish for the new country?”
“Franklin didn’t hesitate. “A republic– if you can keep it.””
Wow, awesome analysis of the way that our freedoms in the Bill of Rights have turned into toilet paper.
Mr. Lynn is correct about the Redumblicans. I pointed out earlier, if the Redumblicans would unite and give President tRump a few simple wins, they could “rule” the FUSA for decades. Mr. OFD has pointed out many times: there is one party. The dumb half and the evil half. I’m sure the majority of Redumbs are secretly cheering for a tRump impeachment. Gotta get that outsider convicted. Pence is an insider, so they’ll keep him and put him in the “fume” room.
Viva La Revolution 2020!
We can only hope BJ, Coffin, Pelosi et al don’t pass “Go” and proceed directly to Hell by 2020.
Mr. Lynn is correct about the Redumblicans. I pointed out earlier, if the Redumblicans would unite and give President tRump a few simple wins, they could “rule” the FUSA for decades. Mr. OFD has pointed out many times: there is one party. The dumb half and the evil half. I’m sure the majority of Redumbs are secretly cheering for a tRump impeachment. Gotta get that outsider convicted. Pence is an insider, so they’ll keep him and put him in the “fume” room.
The redumblicans should go tell the dumbocrats to go pound sand. Instead, you are correct, half of the redumblicans want Elizabeth Warren to be pres.
One of our acquaintances had an unfortunate incident with his aged parents a week or so ago. The were victims of a home invasion robbery. Late night, sitting in a chair watching tv, and two men smash thru a window, hit him in the head with a pipe and start threatening him. Where’s the money? What’s the alarm code? Mom entered with a pistol, announced herself, and they fled.
They will be back. It would have been good if Mom could have shot them.
BTW, this brings back an issue that I have with semi-auto pistols. If the semi-auto pistol is not racked, a person who is nervous in a bad situation might have trouble doing this. On the other hand, a DA (double action) revolver is just point and pull the trigger. Something to think about when buying a gun for aged parents.
” Something to think about when buying a gun for aged parents.”
or anyone who won’t be putting in a lot of practice getting the gun into condition to fire…
n
RE: Something to think about when buying a gun for aged parents.
My wife (64) has arthritis in her hands and is no longer able to rack the slide on ANY of the small semi-autos we have tried. She settled on a S&W Bodyguard .38 (with laser), a snubby, super light weight, 5 shot wheel gun. This is a great point-and-shoot solution for elderly and people with weak hands.
@harold, http://www.corneredcat.com
kathy has a technique that will work for almost anyone
http://www.corneredcat.com/article/running-the-gun/rack-the-slide/
n
If the Republicans allow this to happen go forward, much less happen, then they deserve what they will get. My prediction is a civil war in the USA even though I like Vice President Pence.
I think Adams is wrong about the possibility of Fauxcahontas (or do you prefer Crockajawea) becoming President. Beating RINO Scott Brown for the Ted Kennedy Senate seat in MA is a whole different game than winning a national Presidential election. She doesn’t play in the heartland any better than Hillary.
I’d worry more about Gavin Newsome if he wins the election to succeed Gov. Moonbeam in CA next year. Gwen Graham is another possibility out of FL, but I don’t see her beating Adam Putnam for Governor — the fix has been in for “Governor Opie” in FL going back at least 20 years.
If Trump doesn’t run for re-election, the Republicans have the deep bench sitting in the Governors Mansions.
One more thing to worry about, if your day puts you in even peripheral contact with scumbags…
“Offcer Brushes Powder Off Uniform, Nearly Dies
A police offcer in Ohio responded to a traffc stop that turned out to also be drug-related with fentanyl powder all through the vehicle. Offcers donned protective gloves and
masks, which is a recommended practice now with fentanyl on the rise. However, when
he got back to the station, he brushed something off his shirt.
Within minutes he was on the floor, his body shutting down. Paramedics who were at
the station treating one of the arrested men from the original call treated the offcer with
Narcan to stop the overdose. If the offcer had brushed the powder off his uniform in his
car on his way home, he likely would have died. If he had gotten home before noticing
it, his family could have come into contact with it.
Drug and medical offcials have issued warnings about this possibility for months. Law
enforcement, EMS, and fre personnel are strongly encouraged to wear protective gear
at emergencies or crime scenes where fentanyl may be present. “
National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin
Date Issued: Monday, May 15, 2017
https://www.dhs.gov/ntas/advisory/ntas_17_0515_0001
Nothing new here, but an ack of the current physical threats…
n
Police Departments Stocking Up on Riot Gear in Preparation For Summer of Rage
https://www.infowars.com/police-departments-stocking-up-on-riot-gear-in-preparation-for-summer-of-rage/
“Purchases of riot gear by police departments are surging across the country as civil unrest grows, with fears that major American cities could see more violence this summer.”
Uh oh. Please no, not another five cops dead in Dallas.
Actually, this may be where the Civil War in the USA starts. Vigilantes going after Antifa “protestors”.
She settled on a S&W Bodyguard .38 (with laser), a snubby, super light weight, 5 shot wheel gun. This is a great point-and-shoot solution for elderly and people with weak hands.
I almost bought one of these the other day at Academy for $499. I would like to shoot one first. And then sprinkle them all over the house.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/smith–wesson-mp-bodyguard-38-special-revolver#repChildCatid=1295634
What I like about a revolver is no brass to pickup.
With regular practice at the range my Wife has gotten real good with a speed loader. She is getting more and more accurate too. BTW, we finally settled on the S&W Bodyguard for our at the ready defense weapon. Still shopping and saving for a couple of short barrel shotguns.
I felt the same way about my Atchisson, before I lost it in the lake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atchisson_Assault_Shotgun
I let Barbara try my Ruger .357 and she never gave it back. And then she lost it in the lake.
Shame on Barbara! She should take better care of stuff!
There might be several revolvers here, along with a possibility of semi-auto handguns. I grew up with the former, and they were what was used when I was in the cops. But I’ve moved to the semi’s. The other thing is that I had the minimal rifle and handgun training in the military and the cops; I was a machine gunner/door gunner in SEA. So I’m taking many steps locally to remedy those deficiencies accordingly.
Back from the vets group; a full house, and the most intense meeting I’ve ever been to with these guys. It was fucking intense, even more so than the life of a repo man. Brought to weepiness several times; hope nobody noticed. The shit some of these guys have been through and are going through; and the absolute mental and emotional torture that one guy in particular has suffered and still goes on; we had our young Afghanistan war vet with us today. He is one very angry young man but has better control over it now and a sense of humor, too, with a new baby and a couple of toddlers and wife to take care of at home. We’re all he has for talking about stuff.
At the end, our moderator guy, a psychologist/psychotherapist whose regular practice has been suicidal people and folks in severe crisis, thanked us for allowing him to be there, and he thought that today some new ground was broken and a major change had taken place among us. Primarily candor; they love candor. Got it today, boy.
Not from me, though; I waxed positive about being on the Planning Commission up here and learning new chit and being happy about a couple of other recent developments.
Wife staying with her mom tonight, at least, as the latter is not feeling well and the gout is kicking her butt and she aches all over and is depressed. Doesn’t take her meds, but that’s another story. And Princess is headed back to Moh-ree-all and more gigs, including an upcoming wedding for $500 cash under-the-table. Hell yeah!!! Bring it!!! Do the cityscape busking for $300/day, and night and special event gigs like this and maybe she won’t be badgering us for $ much longer.
It hit 90 in some places today; low 80s here on the bay with a nice breeze. I was gonna do some more yard stuff when I got home but now I don’t feel like it; gonna ruminate on some stuff for a while. (we’ve lost two guys from the group recently and another guy just lost his wife, and our remaining jarhead’s sons are in and out of prison and still using dope anyway.) Was told today that we’re down to 500,000 of us left now. tempus fugit, fratres
I know two WWII vets who are still with us. The wife’s oldest living uncle is 93 ? and served with Patton as an England airbase guard and a supply truck guard in France. Our good friend’s father is 95 ? and was a B-24 copilot in the Pacific war.
My wife’s uncle who was a Korean war vet passed a couple of years ago. My FIL was a army medic in Japan after the Korean war where he helped to patch the guys up who could not make it back to the states, mostly quadriplegics.
One of my wife’s cousins is a Vietnam army vet with two purples. One of my uncles is a Vietnam navy fighter / bomber pilot vet. He is heading to Israel soon to meet with Israeli pilots that he trained to fly the A-4 in 196?. The Israeli pilots that are left after the six day war and the Yom Kippur war, not many apparently.
“Do the cityscape busking for $300/day, and night and special event gigs like this and maybe she won’t be badgering us for $ much longer.”
I love your optimism…
Well, the big 6yo and I just got the blueberry crop in. About 1 cup from 3 bushes. Not bad for the first year. They’ve only been in the ground for a couple of weeks.
The whole house smells like blueberry. Sweet and juicy.
n
Could your AO become a Vendee?
http://thezman.com/wordpress/?p=10311
zman didn’t mention a bunch of insane atrocities perpetrated by the invading forces from Paris; they’d make yer hair stand on end.
And the ideological descendants of those Parisians just voted in their own version of Merkel/Obola to “run” the country.
Well, the big 6yo and I just got the blueberry crop in. About 1 cup from 3 bushes. Not bad for the first year. They’ve only been in the ground for a couple of weeks.
Cool ! 1/4 inch blueberries or 1/2 inch ? Are these in your “little” gardens ?
“Do the cityscape busking for $300/day, and night and special event gigs like this and maybe she won’t be badgering us for $ much longer.”
I love your optimism…
Me too. And I wish Princess the best in her musical career.
Memorial Day coming up:
https://virginiafreemen.com/2017/05/18/guest-post-the-five-sided-fun-house/
We have those creatures in Mordor, halflings and orcs, mostly, and every week I get to see and hear some of the damage inflicted. What’s brutally sad, is that most of the other guys still feel like they were serving, and fighting for, their country.
Then the guys in the suits and ties come out and shake our hands and tell us we’re heroes.
OFD don’t buy that chit anymore. Quit buying it a long time ago. But I still have my brothers I gotta live with and try to take care of, just as they do me. Fuck.
“Cool ! 1/4 inch blueberries or 1/2 inch ? Are these in your “little” gardens ?”
1/2 inch blueberries. And really it was 2 cups from the 3 little bushes.
I planted them along the south side of the house. Next year I’ll plant 3 more in the next 10 ft. I made sure to select plants with lots of berries on them at the store.
Once again, the garden is tasty, but not really enough to live on. You’d need a long row of bushes to produce enough to make jelly or pie…
Lately I’ve been thinking about where I can plant a stealth garden. I’m thinking of raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry along fence lines. I’m thinking of melons or squashes in drainage ditches. Fence line plantings, esp in places like our rec association, should be doable and remain accessible. I just don’t have enough good area at home.
n
” I just don’t have enough good area at home.”
Ditto! Barely enough space here to grow stuff for a few salads.
@Dave said:
Grow up young man, grow up.
Examples:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=vertical+planters
It’s not only the lack of space, it’s the lack of sunlight, thanks to surrounding shade trees.
I’ll be looking into some kind of co-op/lease arrangement with nearby farmers at some point, probably.
https://www.google.com/search?q=instructables&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=vertical+planter+site:instructables.com
We’re fortunate. We have a 1.5-acre lot, with probably a full acre usable for crops if that ever becomes necessary. If TSHTF, we’d put all of that into play, mainly with potatoes, turnips, parsnips, carrots, beets, and other root crops plus beans and a fair amount of oats, barley, and amaranth.
It’d be a hell of a job to till it with our old 7HP Troy-Bilt, but there’s certainly no shortage of farm tractors with plows, discs, seed drills, etc. up here. They go up and down our road all the time, and I suspect we could get some help.
OFD, how about a floating, vertical garden? Set it out on the lake, where I imagine there’d be plenty of light. The only concern would be keeping Champ from eating it all just as it came ripe.
Sure, float it out on the lake. Which half the time looks and acts just like the ocean. Plenty of light as it capsizes in choppy waves, no interference from Champ needed.
No, I still like my idea of working up a co-op/lease arrangement somehow on nearby farmland, and when I say “nearby,” I mean about 100 yards in back of us here. The flattest most fertile farmland in northern Nova Anglia. We in the village here provide labor and tools and barter our various skillz for the shared harvests.