Weather The Weather

Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot, we'll weather the weather whatever the weather whether we like it or not.  It's an old speech exercise.  And boy howdy Indianapolis and environs got plenty of it last Friday and Saturday.

Torrential rain hit the city and flooded areas no often if ever flooded before.

We are on a hill/incline and though it roared and rushed over the curb, we were spared that.

Didn't realize even Saturday 45,000 people were without power. as the electrician finished the new meter column and called it in.

We waited til Monday for power restoration.

There were many dramas, lives saved and communities coming together to work back to relative normal.

Fortunately there was nothing close to the devastation in Louisiana.  But weather is a fickle traveler.

Weathering storms and loss is met with much fortitude and Americans are well known to meet the test.

Weathering change is very much on our minds as my son goes off for military training.  He is venturing on a road he loves and is ready to serve as well as lead.

Next month there will be reflections on this and no doubt much more as we weather an election year like no other.

Batten down the hatches and get read to rebuild -s-!

The Secret Of Clutter

I've cleaned house before.  Even the 200 year old house Ruthie owns.  But more always seems to creep in.

Now I'm not a neat freak.  I like a place for everything and everything in its place.  And sure, I still misplace stuff lol.  But no too often -s-.

Toss toss toss.  That's the order of the day.  Search, yes.  I found my Steve McQueen t-shirt a while back in a bag of otherwise old clothes.  Almost forgot about cuz life moves on.  Mostly though stuff goes bye bye since it's too far gone to give to the poor.  There is such a thing as dignity and worth.  Clothes have to be clean and wearable.  It's like feeding people.  You give them a start then they can get their own.  As to clutter, that's up to them -s-.

Always examine things and don't throw the baby out with the bath.  Or don't throw the bag/box out with something missed.

Uncluttering takes simple determination.  Quickly evaluate and toss, keeping only a few things.  Thinking fast on your feet helps.

Psychologically clutter can represent security.  It's a real barrier while the mind shields whatever threatens.

It can also hold certain treasures dormant.  But once uncovered, there is no turning back.

I suppose it could be a silver lining.  Or it could just be an unloading.

It won't slow you down.  It will speed you up.

No secret there.

Not Shocking

The electricity went down several days ago.  Had nothing to do with a storm or other acts of God.

The column supporting the meter split and broke, sending sparks flying.  Power company came and shut us down.  We had to engage an electrician to build a new column and reposition it, all up to code.

It may well have been a blessing in disguise.  The results could have been worse.  And now the house has an up to code improvement.

We were without power for 8 days, due in part to scheduling. 

I cleared the fridge and transplanted frozen stuff to the big freezer.  It was also lacking power, but due to frost, ice and great insulation, we saved 90% of our food.

It only slightly cramped my style internetwise. There is a great library branch nearby, so I just walked and took care of business.  It was part of my heart and lung anyway.  I usually do 4 posts here, one a day, end of the month, but not always.  So, I'm typing this in the last hours of the month.  No biggie.

I charged my battery and had several hours of editing/writing at night.  I also made sure my phone was juiced up too.

Yes, I used existing facilities because this was a limited event.  What to do if it's more drastic/permanent?  That is in the realm of threat assessment/situation analysis.  Go or stay, generator or bug out bag and so on come into play.

It was interesting transposing 18th and 21st centuries.  Computer by candlelight -s-.

And noise well I could hear the night sounds as it crossed my mind our ancestors even farther back and how they handled darkness.

We adapt.  Be flexible.  Use what you've got wisely and prepare.

It' not shocking if we bear in mind that we must face each challenge and sometimes several at a time.

Prepare but just do it.

Mike Vanderboegh.

Mike died a little while back.  Everyone knew it was coming.  That never braces you for the actual loss.  Better than sudden death?  Perhaps.  But it's the separation laced with grief that hits. 

So many have written so much, I waited to add my 2 cents.

If you don't know who he is, go to Sipsey Street Irregulars.  I've got button here to the right to take you there.  That will explain far more than I ever could what Mike was about.  It's being continued by his son Matthew, a real chip off the block.

I wouldn't say I was a bosom buddy, but I knew him.  We had met face to face, spent time together with others and supped.  I am proud he included my quote at his site.  It concerns bit by bit and fighting an enemy that never sleeps by learning to sleep less.

He was one of the most erudite people and insightful historians I ever knew.  We conversed about history here and there, not always agreeing on every point.  And that was good.  Mike didn't like bobble headed yes people and neither do I.

Many still seem surprised he was a former communist.  He woke and his mind and conscience made up for it by knowing firsthand what collectivists do and think.

And he was so on target that he had plenty of enemies.  ''You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.''  Winston Churchill summed it up.

He called a spade a spade and did not suffer fools.

Hope his enemies and ours don't rejoice too much.  The fight for Freedom goes on.  It indeed will never sleep.  We carry on, not just in Mike's name, but for the sake of the Republic.  We're all in this together.  We must each do our part, shoulder some of the burden.

I won't say rest in peace.  I have a hunch he's in the army of Light and his spirit will continue to inspire.

Get busy.  There's plenty of Freedom fighting to go round.