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.

London Has Fallen

Perhaps.  We shall see and I think soon in a post.  I'm referring to the current Gerard Butler flick.

It's a great rollicking 90 minute adventure/action ride.

The premise is some tango goes psycho and plots the downfall of Western civilization re murdering world leaders in London at the funeral of the British Prime Minister. 

Butler reprises his role as the Secret Service agent in charge of personally watching over the President played by Aaron Eckhart.  Morgan Freeman repeats his role as Veep and several others as staff/cabinet.

It has a message in the ravioli re patriotism and the fidelity of keeping oaths.  When the Pres is captured and tortured, the tangos ask if he has last words.  He recites his Oath of Office.  Oddly he's cut off before he mentions 'constitution'. 

It does show the length and depth the SS is supposed to go re protection.  Markedly one of the Marine 1,2,3 choppers takes a stinger for the head guy.

I know it's a flick.  But I like the extent Butler's character goes to protect the POTUS.  Innocents are always tragically sadly murdered.  And it is a lesson for all.

Warfare is brutal and total.  Nothing is spared here.  Yes it shows collateral damage. I was touched by the white rose and the blood drop.  See the movie as to why.

Criticism is simple.  No mention of Islam, nor jihad.  It's all personal.  That's bs.  Now yes there may be some bloodline vendetta.  But the main emphasis is the distorted view of a god demanding murder.

I love the part where Butler's character is wailing on the jihadist son.  He says it's not a flag, nor building nor even one person.  And that the tangos have been at murdering us for a long time.  But 1,000 years from now we will predominate!

That's something we must remember.  Our loyalty is to the Constitution.  NOT to a person etc.

Freedom is never free.

Knowing Jack

I've been called a jack of all trades.  Perhaps.  I've known several.

Due to elicitation/HUMINT I'm refraining from specific people and their abilities.  But nonetheless, we are blessed in these united States with many 'jacks/jills'.

I have had many jobs, met many people.  I can identify with many ways of life.  Rich poor blue/white collar and an ability to talk with almost anyone.

It is an inability with most liberals/progressives/collectivists.  Ivory towers are disguised with mud-slinging. 

Psychopaths/sociopaths are unable to relate.  They only stir discord and hope people are stupid/naïve enough to swallow the poison. 

Myself and my Dad, my father in-law etal have/had that ability to relate to many.  it is passed onto the kids.

Such skills are not only an experience of jobs.  The jobs experience you.

Master of one -s-.

Grandma's Shillelagh

Not mine.  It's Ruthie's Grandma.  She was Irish and a short wisp of a woman, I'm told.  I've also been told she was feisty and didn't tolerate fools.

She didn't go around willy nilly clubbing folks.  But she was more than ready to defend herself.  Thus, she was left alone.  Imagine a short old lady hobbling down the street.  Someone approaches with ill intent.  Suddenly her 'cane' rears up, smashing a hand.  You get it -s-.

Look up the history of shillelaghs.  There is martial art involved from our Irish friends.  A symbol of Ireland, it is legendary and still carried by some troops.

Grandma S was a symbol of Freedom herself.  She was independent and rankled when put upon.  If you left her alone, she didn't mess with you.  The opposite was true too -s-.

So my short short post should be obvious.

Walk softly and carry a shillelagh.

Pass it along.

Ifs Ands Buts

Slightly more flowery way to say excuses, conditions.

One of the current examples are politicians saying they back, support etc the Second Amendment, but.  Then they list the infringements.

If you compromise, accede, it becomes death by inches, incrementalism.  They don't want to take your guns etc.  It's masked collectivist doublespeak which mean they are taking a bit at a time.  Accede also means to enter a high office or position.  Bribery?  Just look at Congress.

And adds egregious terms to something already simple and obvious.  Gun laws and misinterpretations of The BoR come to mind.

There are no excuses, in spite of all the finger pointing and obfuscation during this convention week.

We are soon to see truth vs lies, reality vs fiction, with lots of opportunity for self examination.

NO ifs, ands or buts.  Face it.