Some Emergency Preparedness

 Recently there was a storm in Virginia that stranded hundreds of drivers on the freeway where they couldn't move.  I don't know why, but they were stuck there on the road for hours.  Some without food and water I presume.  That got me to thinking.  Is my vehicle outfitted properly.

Or what about a situation where we have an Earthquake, or society has really gone to pot and zombies are out in the roads going for people. 

Not likely, but anyway if something really bad happens, even at home, do you have a place where you have some emergency items stashed away?  What better place than in your truck, where if you needed  a quick getaway, it's already in there.  And if you're home and your vehicle is just out front (and not in the garage where if there was a really bad Earthquake and buried), you can climb out front and get to it.  

So I spent some time researching, and thinking about what I could do to get set up.  First off, the dogs.

I had a Dog Couch in the back, but they had chewed it up and it needed to go.  So I built a platform that rests along the inside edge of the truck bed, and supported that way, with an additional leg on the inside.  Then got a sled and some quality containers to store emergency items.  Instead of me describing what's in there here are some videos of the complete setup:

 

 Food Items:

Clothing and other survival items:

And here is a video I did a while back on how to make your own quick and easy firestarters:

My name is on Mars

 Perseverance Rover landed today, and onboard is a microchip that contains my name.  Here is my boarding pass:

2020 was honestly one of the best years I can remember

2020 by many has been considered one of the worst years in their lives.  For me, it's actually been the opposite.  I consider the many blessings of my life this year.  Here are some things that came in 2020 that I am so grateful for!  Not in the order of importance, but more in terms of chronological order.

1. Jack - the best dog ever came into our lives
   
   
   
2. Working from home - eventually to become a permanent thing.
   
3. Jacob's Marriage to Ashley.
   
   
   
4. Lucy's Wedding to Cody.
   
   
   
5. No Hugs, or handshakes

   

   Not a fan.

   
   
6. Church@Home

   

   Having married kids is the best. And spending Sundays
   at home and doing home church is awesome!

   
   
7. Sea Doo Fish Pro

   

   What a fun thing we started this year. Jetski fun
   with the family.

   
   
   
   
   
8. Pickleball!
   
   
   
   
   
9. Bear

   

   Bear joined our family a little later in the
   year, but Jack would consider his
   life here much more fun with a little brother.

   
   
10. Swimming (New 10 Mile PR @ Deer Creek)

    

    Swam across Bear Lake a couple times.

    

    New swim support crew.  No need for a kayaker!

    
    

    
    
11. Cathi and I more in love than ever!

    

    Quality family time in St. George.
    
    

    

    Making a coffee table with Cathi.

    
    

From the closing of the SLC office, and me getting more hours in the day (1.5 hour commute per day), and having my best friend hang out with me all day. Then taking a lunch break to go one a walk with Cathi, to playing pickleball with the kids, and swimming in the back yard.  Having two kids get married in 2020 despite the "pandemic".  Lots of great things happened this year!

I love not feeling obligated to give hugs, or shake hands for that matter when I never cared for that crap anyway. I've loved having online FHE with the extended fam. One of the best years ever!

Amazon Prime Wardrobe is a ripoff

So Amazon Prime Wardrobe is a service where you can have clothing items shipped to you to try on, and if they fit and you like it you keep it.  If something isn't right, you go back online and initiate the return.

I did all that, printed the return label for the one item that didn't fit, and had it shipped back.  But now I get an email a few weeks later saying that they haven't received the items yet and I'm going to be charged.  

So not only do I not have the unwanted item, but they are going to take my money for it.

Sounds likes a scam to me.  

I'm never going to use that service again.  Amazon's customer service on returns has typically been awesome, and I've never experienced them not getting a return, but this wardrobe try-before-you-buy thing seems flawed.  Lesson learned.

Order of Man - Gordon Gridley's principles of purpose

 As a subscriber of the Warrior Poet Society Network, I discovered this Order of Man podcast. I've watched and re-watched the first three episodes, and wow is that inspiring stuff!  

What are 7 virtues that I value and strive to employ in my life?  What are the principles that give me purpose in my life?

• Dedication
• Being true to my beliefs. Staying committed to family, friends, and my decisions.
• Generosity
• Putting others and their needs at the forefront. This corresponds to being a provider, and presider.
• Mastery
• The world is full of mediocrity. Being an expert takes discipline, and getting in the ring. Those who have experience can best share their skills and wisdom.
• Thoughtfulness
• Slowing down, analyzing the world around me compiling facts, testing ideas and sincerely trying to enhance the lives of those around me.
• Responsibility
• There are many who are called, but few a chosen.  Those who follow through win the prize. 
• Helpfulness
• Sincerely providing help where help is sought, without regard for return.
• Fearless
• In conjunction with gaining knowledge, able to discern risks and courageously take actions that demonstrate a willingness to overcome the natural man and self-serving comforts.

Why I (might be) voting for Trump

A childhood friend asked me to respond to these questions on why I'm voting for Trump.  The rule is to only refer to Trump's actions and not Biden's failures.  So here goes:

Why is Donald Trump your candidate of choice?

I'm not actually sure I'm voting for him.  I REALLY want to vote for a third party.  The two party system is a sickness that our country just can't seem to shake.  It's causing such a division and it's been who is in power, and is winning, rather than really talking things out as a group and coming up with a satisfactory conclusion.  

I'm looking seriously at Jo Jorgensen.  But I'll save the details about her in another post.  This one is about Donald Trump, and why I would consider him:

What policies do you feel strongly about that he supports?

• He supports the unborn's right to life.
• He supports the second amendment.  He supports "America first", meaning we should be supporting US jobs by buying "Made in the USA" products.  I agree.  
• He supports law enforcement and defies anarchy and destructive organizations.
• He isn't afraid to mention God 
• I've seen many of his meetings with internal and foreign officials, and he is very good at the way he conducts himself and praises the efforts of others in these in-person meetings.  
• Space exploration.  Yes, I'm a nerd.
• He recognizes the need to NOT increase taxes. He is a defender of innovation and defies the call for socialism.
  
  

How likely do you believe he will follow through on his promises?

• 
  He said he would build a wall, and he's come a long way on that, even though he didn't get funding the way he wanted with Congress.
• Some of his promises, along with any other president's are totally dependent on a congress that is willing to allow him the funds to follow through.
• He got rid of NAFTA and replaced it with something better: USMCA
• He's trying to get rid of Obama care, but there needs to be something put forward that will replace it so people aren't left hanging.

What good do you feel he will bring to the presidency in leading our country?

• He has done well in nominating Supreme Court Justices that can make good decisions: Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. There is a good chance he may be able to appoint one or two more conservative judges.
• He's tough on China, well, really any other country that isn't playing fair.
• He's a businessman, so his ability to improve our economy, and increase jobs, just can't be beat by any other candidate.

What makes him the best man for the job?

• He is new to politics.  He hasn't been decades in position as a senator or congressman, and isn't (as) corrupt.  
• He is well spoken, and can speak his mind. (Which some might consider a negative)
• 
  He loves the country, and loves those who serve in the military.

I realize he definitely isn't perfect, very far from it.  So here is a bonus section:

What are some things I wish he would/wouldn't do?  

• Delete that twitter account!
  
• Quit name calling
• Don't be so quick to praise yourself, or diminish/compare yourself to others.
• It's important to be positive, but keep a level of realism. Sometimes he says some really ridiculous things that are pure speculation, and the main stream media loves that stuff.  You're setting yourself up to look dumb.
• Decrease government spending. This is one of the main appeals the libertarian party has for me. 

Tony Lama boots - Don't assume it's American Made

So I bought a new pair of boots, and I went to Sheplers.com to help me find the perfect pair.

Tony Lama's Brown Junction Waterproof Work Boots - Steel Toe

Upon first inspection on the details inside the boot.

Made in China?  Seriously?  I realize the reason for making in China is to reduce cost, but what is more American than a quality cowboy boot? I don't want it shipped from the orient.  Nothing against the people, but I want my money spent on USA made stuff.

According to this website:  https://usamadeproducts.biz/footwear-cowboy-boots.html

It shows Tony Lama boots are made in the USA.  Not so. They may be HQ'd here, but the boots aren't made here.  That's crap.  I'd be willing to pay about 30% more for a boot knowing it was made in the USA.  I'm not like most people though, but at what point does a company abandon their manufacturing in the USA in order to keep costs low?

Very disappointed.  I'm about to quit purchasing certain items online, so I can inspect the details of where they are made.  I once bought a 2nd Amendment jersey that I discovered when it arrived, that was made in China.  How ironic.

It's time to more fully support the red, white and blue.

Social Distancing it's nothing new

I read recently from folks all over that we need to take this corona virus thing seriously and really need to do our part to wash our hands, stay out of groups, pray for the infected, and hang out at home. 

Some are comparing the infection/death rate of covid-19 to the swine flu, or other virus' and how much more deadly it can be.

As of 3/20/2020, taken from John Hopkins University, the number of confirmed Covid 19 infections worldwide are 275,429 with 11,397 deaths.  The death rate also increases/decreases based on the infected individual's age and global location and access to health care. 

For simplicity, the death rate would be 11,397/275,429 = 4.14% globally.

Many like to compare the covid 19 virus to the flu and show how much more deadly it is. The death rate for the seasonal flu is about 0.1%  So since we are comparing apples and oranges. Consider this:

The CDC reports that in 2016 in the USA there were 3,941,109 births.

That same year in the USA, there were 623,471 abortions.  That's a death rate of 13.65%

So out of 100 humans that were brought in to existence, nearly 14 of them were intentionally discarded. Like an infection. Treated as if they were a disease. A virus for which there is no vaccine. Except we are talking about a living brother or sister.

Social distancing? That's been going on for millennia. Not only have we as a world kept our distance to the ugliness of the practice of abortion, but we've glorified it, fashioned it into a badge and labeled it feminism. We haven't been fighting for those that are unable to defend themselves.

Instead we've been keeping our distance from the millions of voices that have been silenced and kept in the dark. 

Replaced with justification, rationalization, antagonism, indifference.

Stinky pig Heavy D

These buttholes got a fine on being pigs to our Utah air.  Good to hear.  You're not cool, you're a dumbass Heavy D.  Capture all that air instead and suck it!

https://kjzz.com/news/utah-court-hits-discovery-channels-diesel-brothers-with-850k-air-pollution-penalty

Solar

I got a second series of solar panels with Utah One Solar. Total panels are 11.15 KW with 42 panels total.

This second round with One Solar was more painful. Slower to go up, customer service a little less IMO. Still have one more panel not reporting and it’s like pulling teeth getting it resolved.

I heard that Rocky Mountain power is getting greedy and going to lower the rate they buy solar power. So I’m looking into getting a few Tesla wall batteries so I can cut the cord on the greedy bastards!

Update: 3/4/2020

Finally got the final panel to update!  Project complete!

Twitter is a poison

It's my opinion, that twitter is becoming a place for gossip and nasty unfounded statements which really brings out negativity and darkness.  I've removed my account.

I wish the President and all other government officials would do the same.  It's extremely counter productive!

Apparently only 3% of twitter users account for 90 something percent of all tweets.

If you are a reasonable person, you should consider dropping this poisonous social media resource as it's becoming less thoughtful, and more of a place to whine and backbite.

Consider the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:1 -

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

The sound of a bird "tweeting" to me sounds like a tinkling cymbal. Sounds like prophecy to me.

Bye bye twitter.

How many calories are in a single chocolate chip?

There are 202 calories in a 1/3 cup of chocolate chips. There are 128 chips in a 1/3 cup.

A chocolate chip is approximately 1.57 calories!

Alexa you should know this!

The revival of the Pigeon Horntail Wasp

Last Saturday I was getting the pool ready to swim. I noticed a large bug floating on the water.  It was dead. Solid as a brick.  It looked like a massive wasp.  I used the net to scoop it out and put it on the hot tub cover.  It's legs were all curled in and it had drowned.  It's body was about twice as long as a normal wasp and it had what looked like a massive stinger coming out it's rear, but it wasn't exactly coming out where the stinger usually is.

Here's a couple pics I took:

After posting this pic on facebook asking people to help me identify it, I noticed the abdomen was starting to move slightly.  Nothing else. Just the abdomen portion.  I was thinking it was probably a female and there was a larvae inside that survived and was trying to get out.  Here's the facebook thread:

Gordon Gridley

September 6 · 

What kind of insect is this? I know it’s not a spider, but I don’t have an insects album. Wasps aren’t as long as this. This is about twice as long.

• Gordon Gridley I think it’s a cicada killer: https://www.jcehrlich.com/.../cicada-killer-wasps-facts/amp/

  

  JCEHRLICH.COM

  Cicada Killer Wasp Sting and Facts |…

  Cicada Killer Wasp Sting and Facts | Ehrlich Pest Control

  
  

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  Lance Fairbanks It well could be a wasp, Tarantula Hawks are as big as your thumb.

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  Gordon Gridley I found it dead floating in my pool. After sitting here for about 15 minutes totally dead. It’s moving!

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    Lance Fairbanks Gordon, do you believe in Miracles for Spiracles?

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  Lance Fairbanks Or it could be a house fly trying out a ridiculous costume from Amazon.

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  Kevin Hair Make sure to shoot it with the flamethrower... you know, to be sure it’s dead. 😳

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  Scott Cotten http://www.jeffraflik.com/insects.htm

  

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    Gordon Gridley That's definitely it: Pigeon Horntail Wasp

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    Sam Hagen Yep, great find! Never heard of or seen one before!

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  Gordon Gridley

  

  
  

  -0:59

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  Haydn Welch It got a stingy bit at the end, so its a nasty one. That's all you need to know.

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    Gordon Gridley I thought it was a stinger at first, but closer examination shows it to be something else. Looks like it's harmless, but freaky looking nonetheless. http://amazingnature.us/insects/pigeon_horntail.html

    

    AMAZINGNATURE.US

    Pigeon Horntail wasp - Tremex…

    Pigeon Horntail wasp - Tremex columba - in Utah

    
    

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  Denny Wanlass Definitely not a spider because spiders are arachnids, not insects. ;-)

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  Kristen Wright Buchi Gordon, my question to you is why the heck didn’t you squish it!?! Did you not watch Aliens and see what happens?? Kill that thing. 🤢

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  Bob Needham Wasps have segmented body if I recall correctly (but it looks like I’m wrong)

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  Haydn Welch I don't care, if it looks nasty, it is.

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  Jennifer Volk Ralphs We caught one the other day in our yard.. Glad to know what they are!! 👍

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  Kelly Leo Gneiting Kyle Sung

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  Sam Hagen oh that's SO COOL!

  
  

Scott Cotten definitely nailed it.  Here is a great page dedicated to this insect:  Pigeon Horntail Wasp

After a while the legs started moving too. Just one leg, and after about 15 minutes, another leg.  Then it was able to barely crawl along with those two legs.  Within about 1 and 1/2 hours all the legs were moving and it wouldn't stay put.  Just walk around.

By the time night fell, it was just walking around in the same 10 square foot area on the patio by the hot tub.

The next morning, I went out and searched and it wasn't there.  But after watering the plant hanging by the hot tub, I heard a deep sounding insect wings fluttering in the grass.  And there it was trying to fly out of the grass about 10 feet from the patio.

I grabbed a rope and it climbed out of the grass on to the rope.  I lifted it up to about my waist level.  It attempted to fly, and I encouraged it "Go! Go little guy!  Go!"

After about five feet of flying parallel to the ground about 3 feet up, it then was able to get some thrust and flew upwards around the tree, and then landed way up high about 25 feet up into the tree.  This thing may actually make it!  Way to go little buddy.  Sorry your swim experience ended so badly, and that you were able to cough up the water and get back to living.