August 7, 2015 Being Prepared vs. Taking For Granted

Interesting cloud formation Tuesday evening.

Wednesday 8/5. A perfect day to work outside.  We put gas and oil in Miss Kitty.  Refilled the yellow jacket traps.  I worked on the pile of branches for kindling,   breaking/cutting them into 16-18" lengths and stacking them in the wood shed.  Yesterday we had tilted the solar panels half-way down.  

My main project for when JB is gone is to paint our bedroom.  That means sanding and priming first.  We'll see just how much of that actually gets done.

Our son and his family took their vacation to DisneyWorld this year.  What they really wanted to do was drive to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Black Hills, but that turned out to be way too expensive.  With his military discount, DisneyWorld was much more affordable.  That was the complete opposite of when I was growing up.  

And it is really too bad, because people are so far removed from nature these days.  They tend to take everything for granted that "civilization" has to offer them.  Turn on the faucet and water comes out.  Flip the switch and the lights come on.  Go to the store and there are plenty of groceries available.  Taking things for granted is something we have learned not to do Up Here.  You just never know, and you need to be prepared.  I see that because of 9/11 the government has made September something of a Preparedness Education month, which is a very good thing.  They finally got something right.

It was a lovely day with a high of 72.  Huge clouds drifted over most of the time, but there was always plenty of blue sky.

Jesse still refuses to go on the first half of our daily walks, which is up to the south ridge.  He stays in the yard and joins us as we pass going down to the north ridge.  Am pretty sure the reason is the possibility of snakes.

We are rewatching season one of Elementary in the evenings, and enjoying it immensely.

Thursday 8/6. It was 54 and clear this morning.  Downright chilly when I went out to feed the girls and water the plants.

I finished cutting up the branches for kindling and it turned out to be one large wheel barrow load that I stacked.  Then we got JB's Jeep packed, as he is leaving in the morning for the other side of the mountains for two weeks.  I gave him a hair cut so he will fit in better over there, but my fingers just don't seem to be as nimble as they once were.

I took a lovely nap while JB baked blueberry scones for me to have while he is gone.  I got up just in time to see them come out of the oven and go for our afternoon walk.  Jesse never even got off the bed. . .

Another perfect day with a high of just 70.  Clouds drifted over from the mountains but never made it to us.  They split and went either north or south of us.

The great debate is tonight.  So glad we can't watch it, although I am sure that Donald Trump will keep it more interesting than usual.

Friday 8/7. It is 52 and clear this morning.  Looks like JB will have a very pleasant drive.

Thought for the day: No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation. General Douglas MacArthur