Military Brat Life - Racism

The more caca I read and hear and how everybody hates everybody else, I am thankful for the growing up I had that was NOT like any of the heathens from the outside.

I was born and raised a military Brat and I retired from the military. There IS NO color, just people doing what they are there to do. School life with children of all colors and backgrounds was the norm. Getting a good education was the norm.  People of all colors living in the same neighborhoods was the norm.  At one post we lived, one next door neighbor was black, the other were Mexicans.  Across the street were Asian kids; down the street were mixed black/white kids, and of course the white kids.  Whoopee doo doo.  We all played together.  We all went to school with each other.  We ate with each other.  We hung out together.  We did everything together.  And we believed the same way - that we were all just people, here to do what we were here to do, to keep on pursuing our adventures of assuring peace, justice, and the American way.

This civilian population is who needs to live behind the gates of hate. There is no room out here for hate to overrun the productivity and sensibility for people to live peaceful, productive lives that do nothing more than help others and bring communities together.

Me and Mary Jane since the 1970's

I was never a stoner, but I knew plenty.  I enjoyed those friends of mine; they were always amusing.  I've always loved being amused.  This is not to say that I had not indulged a time or ten; it's saying that I've sure been around long enough now to have had decades of deep thoughts about the subject of the wild wood weed.

On the one hand, I love to eat; in particular tasty foods.  These people would end up with the munchies and they usually had some pretty good stuff to eat around the house.  Or to conjure up a tasty new recipe made from whatever was in the refrigerator and the cabinets.  As we got older, our new-found recipes became more complex and even more delicious; but that comes with the experience of age and wisdom.  And even better food items in the pantry and cabinets than any 25-year old's.   Fortunately for me, I was a small person who needed to consume as many calories a day as I could just so I wouldn't be dragged off by a good gust of wind.  I ate well, thanks in part to my friends, thank you Jesus.  

On the other hand, I liked making money to support my habits - eating well, having a roof over my head, and helping others when I could.  I took on education, training, and jobs that did not allow drugs of any kind, and testing was the norm.  You just could not do it, period.  It even said so in the books.  I didn't have a problem with that because having that goal and being on that mission of being career oriented with the intention of furthering myself in the work force to provide the best service possible (thus promotions, more money, more great food!), being of sound mind, of being mentally prepared 100% of the time, meant nothing but good results for me and my resulting families.

And speaking of Jesus - his Dad.  Don't you want to be used by God? What are some of the reasons you're on this earth?  I think one of my purposes is to give people a reason to laugh.  Laughter is such great medicine and good for the body and soul.  So, how can God use you as a witness to others if you have no self-control, no self-discipline, are setting a bad example to others, and are behaving like the present world by drinking or getting high?  God's Word tell us that for us to be used by God, we must be sober and of sound mind.  100% on top of your A-game.  We must be of sober mind to be able to act/react at any given moment to anything that is thrown at us; and there's always some strange things out there that is thrown.

Back to the stoners.  Hey, they'll be stoners, but to me, if that's all they are and nothing more, come time when somebody has to be of clear mind to undo a situation or take action. there will be those present who can step in.  This is by no means endorsing weed or trying to be an enabler; that is far from the truth.  This is simple logic for now.  There are those who do not and cannot see right now, but they are good, helpful people.  These are but one group of my friends that I love.  God and Jesus loves them too.

 

Are You and Your Family Prepared to Shelter In Place (SIP)?

Whatever happens Out There, IS THERE A SAFE PLACE in your home for you to go?  My granddaughter and I have a safe place that's in a pantry with mostly dry goods.  Any jars are on low shelves or on the floor.  There is even a hook in the wall that holds a working flash light.  My granddaughter is only six years old, but she's known our safe place since she was three.  We would practice and have drills, then end up in the pantry with her in charge of the flash light.  One day she'll probably be too big for us to be in that pantry, but at least she knows where other safe places are in this house.

If and whenever we DO have to go to our shelter, when it comes time that those of us in the house can come out of our safe places, it's then time to see if venturing outside, beyond any possible standing doors and walls, is even a good idea.  If not, you're all staying Inside.  You will then Shelter In Place.  (SIP) Sheltering with family or whoever may be in the house with you, if there is no idea of how long you'll be out of services, transportation, outside communication, etc., even the best of friends will start to get on each others' nerves, especially if there's never been a Plan.  Would you like to survive while retaining some semblance of still having your marbles even if a few of them got lost in a disaster?  How about knowing that with preparation, you can make a difference on how well, or not, a disaster affects you and your family when needing to SIP.  Just taking the time to get started and then maintaining stock of what's needed is pretty simple.  JUST DO IT.

Here is a list to get started.  It does not have to be expensive; just secure.

• Bins with a good latching lid.  The better dollar stores have ones with good lids.  Start off with two - one for Food, the other for Other Stuff.
• Water.  As much as you can buy and put away.  Rule of thumb for people - one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation.   Water is needed for foods and drinks.  They are not to be put in the Bins.

• Bin 1, Food Items - 
• Foods that are canned, freeze dried, dehydrated. 
• Just-mix-with-hot-water foods. 
• Coffee, Instant or Freeze Dried.
• Instant/Powdered milk.
• A Pot to cook in. 
• Salt/pepper.
• Eating and cooking utensils.
• Plates/bowls.
• Drinking cups.

• Bin 2, Other Stuff, needs to have - 
• A can opener.
• Toilet tissue.
• Flashlight.
• First Aid Kit.
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio.
• Extra batteries.
• Dust masks.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and ties for personal sanitation.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. 

NOTE:  Take into account if there are babies, to have on hand in a bin baby foods, diapers, wipes, ointments, formula, bottles. 

• If you have an indoor wood burning fireplace, you are blessed, assuming there is wood kept in the house and not just outside.  We are still talking about SIP.   You then have a heat source for hot water.  There are other methods for heating water, like sterno.  Just find a heat source to have on hand that does not require going outside.  

At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Flashlight 
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) 
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit 
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket 
• Map(s) of the area 

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Games and activities for children
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Two-way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

• Whistle
• N95 or surgical masks
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
• Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach, preferably Clorox brand
• Entertainment items
• Blankets or sleeping bags

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
• Replace expired items as needed
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.