The Laughing Wolf – Commentary, Punditry, and More

laptop in shop

system not liking my doing this from phone, but the laptop is in the shop and the new screen ordered. $320 out of the budget, so any hits to the tip jar very much appreciated!!! Upper right since I can’t get the normal cut and paste to work right now. More soon, one way or another.

Down For A Few Days?

My laptop apparently took a bump or spill that managed to damage/break the screen. I got it working (sorta, apologies for typos/issues) long enough to get this up. Can’t get it fixed until Wed as I don’t get my stipend until then. Anyone cares to hit the tip jar, much appreciated as estimate is $300 to repair.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

About That Dishwasher Trick…

I’ve seen this a time or two, and several times here in the last couple of days. A well-intentioned post about putting valuables (documents, photos, etc.) into your dishwasher to protect from flooding. This can, indeed, work, but…

Keep in mind that what makes even minor flooding nasty is that sewers and other drain lines back up — even with septic tanks. You may only get an inch or two of flooding above ground, but it can push sewage back and up inside your home. That’s one reason to pay the extra to have check-valves installed on your lines, as it can save you a biohazard experience.

Now, that’s not really going to help all that much in major flooding, as in feet of surge and flood. It will help a bit, but… Still well worth the cost, IMO.

Now, as to the dishwasher. Yes, they are designed to keep water in during operation. They seal up very nicely. They still have to have a drain line, and not all models have a check valve on said drain line. Which means that with the right pressure, it will not only get water through the drain line but a nasty biological soup given where the drain line goes.

Suggestion: the drain line in most cases these days is a flexible plastic affair. If it does not have a valve, and you can (in advance) install a cut-off valve for it. You can disconnect and plug. Or, you can simply clamp it shut. Might want to consider two of the three for some redundancy. If you do that, you are likely to keep it from filling with water or primordial soup almost no matter what.

Second suggestion is to put your valuables into sealed plastic or mylar long-term storage bags. You can even get some photo albums into a 2.5 gallon zipper bag. It may be from my time at NASA, but go for triple redundancy on what you put in the dishwasher. That way, you might lose part but should not lose the whole no matter what. If all goes really well, everything is safe and dry even in major surges/floods.

Just a quick thought to share this morning. Take care, be safe, and be prepared! Keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark, and/or wet.

Get Out!

If you are in, or even near, the path of Hurricane Milton, my strong suggestion is to get out of there now. You really should have done it a day or two ago, but there is still time. Just remember that it is going to take about three times as long as normal, and that’s going to get worse the longer you wait. Try to see where everyone is headed (N. FL, GA, etc.) then veer off. See what options there are in FL too.

Need to do a longer post on bug out, as there have been some excellent comments and thoughts (and thank you to those who have made them!). Just remember, by the time you decide, you’ve already probably missed optimum. Also, know that decisions depend on good data, which is a point to be discussed soon.

Yesterday’s doctor’s appointment went well overall, just need some willpower to give up some recent indulgences. Today has been busy, but finally got the info I needed for Thursday’s appointment and testing. Reminded them I am allergic to the standard contrast, really hoping they get that info. Also trying a different route to get legal help on the lack of car title transfer, since the first legal aid group not only didn’t call, you can’t get through to them at all now. So, trying a different group.

Did up a jar of Bavarian mustard, ketchup, and my first effort at KUAN ketchup for something were are doing at the Church later this week. KUAN is Kicked Up A Notch, and it is, with a delayed bit of kick that I really like. Will see what others think of it.

More soon, have to go run an errand or two while I can. Be safe out there, be prepared, keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Preparedness Pays II: Coms, Data, and Government

One of the most important things for a true disaster is having backup coms. I’m not talking just having walkie-talkies or radios for in-group communications, but multiple ways of getting information from, and to, the outer world.

The disaster in Appalachia is proving that every day. Without alternate coms, people are not getting rescued, not getting supplies, and are unable to let anyone know their plight. With alternate coms, things get done to help them. Have heard of at least one use of a signal mirror, with rumors of more.

In this previous post, some good comments came in on alternative coms. At the risk of sounding paranoid, here are some quick thoughts.

Get Starlink. It truly has been the backbone of restoring coms, data, and more in Appalachia (and elsewhere). Also, check into upgrading your phone as needed to take advantage of satellite com (again, Starlink) for them. Purportedly Elon is looking into a “plan” for those wanting it as a backup so that you only pay when you use it. Meantime, Starlink has made it free to use it from the worst hit areas. That’s leadership and service. Also, Starlink is a lot harder to jam. More on that in a bit.

Look into Citizen’s Band (CB) radio. We used to use it in my neck of Appalachia as a way of coms, sharing news, and even relaying info in emergencies. If someone has a CB, especially a CB base station, and a working phone, you have a lifeline. It also didn’t require a license or other paperwork. These days, it is so far off the mainstream that some jamming systems probably aren’t set for it.

Ham radio has been a backbone of emergency relays and communications since radio first hit the scene. If there isn’t a ham near you, look at helping start a local or school club. It may not be the best for intra-local, but you can reach the world with it and if you have multiple users (not uncommon even in small towns), multiple opportunities to communicate with the wider world.

Corollary: Have one or more radios that can pick-up multiple bands including short wave. Many emergency radios already have them, but get as many radios as you can with them. Even if you can’t transmit, word can still get to you. It worked well in WWII and for a literary reference think of Potterwatch in the Harry Potter books. Be prepared.

Keep in mind that even with generators or batteries, cell phone towers are often the first to go down in a disaster. Don’t count on them, though it is great if they do keep working. However, keep in mind that cell phone jamming systems are powerful, portable, and common. The government (at more than one level) actually does have plans to jam over large areas at need to prevent “unauthorized” communications in a variety of situations. Again, don’t count on them.

Why the talk on jamming and such? Well, here’s a few things. Government, particularly the feds but also far too many states, are at best chaotic neutrals in a true disaster/emergency. In fact, as we’ve seen in Maui (where if you listened to/obeyed LE and the govt, you died) and now in Appalachia, they often tend towards chaotic evil. When you see helicopters grounded and non-governmental groups ordered to stop operations (videos out there), and LE threatening to arrest people for trying to salvage their belongings (again, video out there), you start to see the problem.

Over on X, Dennis Wingo and I had a short (in my case, very as was on a bus bouncing badly) discussion on FEMA and some state agencies. I’m extremely thankful that I did not do a practicum to complete certification to be an On-Scene-Commander given what things have devolved to today. Short version is that the system has rotted and become corrupt. If your thought that the corruption at the border with the various NGOs and such was limited to that part of operations, you are sadly mistaken. Read both chains at the link: the corruption with the NGOs, preferred providers, etc. has firmly taken hold in the main disaster response area.

The best disaster response is LOCAL, then area, then state. The worst thing to come out of Katrina is the current system. The current federal system hates and works by any means to prevent “self-deployment” and initiative, and frankly is dedicated to controlling all information exchange and operations. Even if so doing causes deaths or makes the situation worse. Also keep in mind that it is a very short walk from chaotic neutral to active evil in such a situation.

And again, let me state that FEMA and even some state (sadly even some local based on another video) agencies, will try to retaliate against those who did deploy and get things done before they got there. They can block those agencies from working with FEMA, issue advisories official and unofficial that block grants, and do other things to put them out of business and keep them out of future operations and operational areas. Just wait, watch, and help raise hell when they do it.

Meantime, a good rule of preparedness is not only not to count on the government for anything, but plan from the start to be prepared to work around it at need to ensure your survival and safety. At best it will be a neutral entity, and as we have seen from Maui and elsewhere, it is far more likely to be effectively an enemy. Given how some of the FEMA (and TEMA) people are acting, don’t be surprised if some go missing sooner or later in Appalachia. Remember those strangers who went up Rocky Top…

Oh, as for some of the stories of confiscations, turn-aways, etc. possibly being bot driven: given the videos out there where turn-arounds, arrest threats, and other delights being committed by our “elites” and “betters” in government and LE, the big problem is that the stories are quite believable. We see and hear the actions of government at every level doing those very things. Why wouldn’t we believe that it extends further? When you squander public trust for power, don’t be surprised when people believe the worst of you and don’t trust you.

One more thought: given that I have no faith in the upcoming election, might I suggest that people of like minds start developing networks right now to stay in touch off grid as much as possible? Networks, relays, and such of like-minded might come in handy during unrest, much less a full-up disaster.

You can never have enough redundant coms. Period. Plan accordingly.

SITREP 3 Oct 24

Yesterday saw the first part of the day given over to a phone hearing with an administrative law judge on my disability claim. Honestly, not sure how it went. Trying to get more info in from current exams and such, and we have two weeks to get more things in. The earliest I expect to hear anything is a month from now. The evening got spent with a special vespers followed by a class on the early Church fathers and the early days of the Church. Fun, interesting, and enjoying the history as well as the theological aspects.

This morning I had to be up at 0330 to get ready and catch a bus down to my regular doctor’s lab for a fasting blood draw and other delights. I actually arrived right as the lab opened, so it timed out well. Not the way I planned to spend two hours this morning (I would have preferred to sleep), but good to test the system. Stopped at the store and got a small roast for an arm and a leg that I will put in the slow cooker tomorrow. Then walked up to my favorite breakfast place in Indy for a plate of breakfast enchiladas with an over easy egg on top. Given that the route only runs every hour, was glad to only wait just under 30 minutes to catch a bus back.

Oddly tired, but a few other things to get done today if I can. Not counting on doing a lot. More soon.

Day 2 Of An Interesting Week

Met with the ortho who did my shoulders this morning. He and I both are happy with how things are going, though there is work still to do. I need to build back up muscles as I can, and keep working range of motion — even though I probably have gotten back about as much as I will get. If you push, you can keep tweaking that and getting it just a bit better.

The only problem with the reverse replacement is that you can’t really do much behind your back. The way they are designed and operate limits that a great deal. The only regret I have is that I waited until the point a regular replacement really wasn’t a good option. I miss that full range of motion. Glad for what I have, though, and no need to go back unless I develop problems.

I then used the bus to get back to the neurologist’s office for cognitive testing. There are two bus routes that go up to that hospital/medical complex, and one is a much better option time-wise. Still have to allow 2.5-3 hours for transit to be safe, but have the data and will make use of it.

When did they make cognitive testing pass/fail??? Seriously, it seemed to go well though I wasn’t as fast as the program would have liked (was computer based). Got all the right answers, eventually. No idea how it scored or went from their point of view, but got through it. Next confirmed appointment is later this month for an EEG, and they are working with insurance to approve and schedule a new MRI and a full battery of neuro-psych testing.

We are going get good data, and hope we get some answers from it. Having answers would help with planning life, from moving to other issues. I really would like to move in many ways; but, it may not be in the cards. Data and hopefully answers will help.

If anyone cares to hit the tip jar, please feel free! I thought hosting renewal was next month, but I was off on that. I got it paid even though it was an ouch. Lots of other fun joys going on too.

If you are looking at buying anything that comes from overseas or depends on parts/components from overseas, you have waited too late. The strike is going to screw this country over massively, especially given the hurricane damage and other delights. Really think striking at this time is a major blunder, but also think the timing is very deliberate. Remember it. More on that later I hope.

Really do need to do a post on emergency coms, but will say that if you can get Starlink, do it now. Also, as much as I hate to, am looking at upgrading my phone (if needed) so that I can take advantage of sat coverage for emergencies. Coms are essential, and having backups is essential. Everyone going drone crazy is missing the point that data (and coms) are the key to such operations. No data, no drones. No coms, you are truly on your own in a world of hurt. One of many lessons coming out of Appalachia.

Also remember that waiting on the government to help you in a disaster is a good and quick way to die. As for what I said yesterday about initiative and self-deploying, look to the bureaucrap in Tennessee (The Volunteer State!) demanding people stand down from helping as it would delay the official government response. I am serious, they are going to go after those who stood up and did in ways big and small. Just wait and watch.

More soon. Up early again tomorrow as I have a hearing on my disability early AM. Not sure yet what will follow, but will note that it is very unlikely I will hear a decision anytime soon. Thursday I have to get down to my GP’s lab for bloodwork for my appointment next week. Another couple of hours of bus then a nice long walk for that. Going to try to get a ride to the actual visit.

More soon. Remember, be prepared; keep your friends close; and keep your things where you can find them in the dark. Onwards!

Appalachia And Helping Via Charities

The best part of my childhood was spent in NE Georgia in the Appalachian mountains. In fact, it was spent about ten miles outside of the nearest town, which literally had one intersection. I loved when we took a few days, or even a week, to travel up and around, and as such I got to know a lot of small towns which are now in the news.

I do think we went to Biltmore Estates once, but the really neat stuff was elsewhere. It was in the small towns like Chimney Rock, the various falls, mills,forges, pottery places, and such. The towns and places that aren’t there any more.

I’ve seen a lot of posts from people I’ve been told I need to check out, follow, etc. doing engagement farming while slamming the people of the region for not being prepared, prepared enough, prepared with the shit they are selling. Bad enough they are doing that, but engagement farming off of tragedy deserves a sock party at the least. I’m going to stop now before I say more than I should and have to go to confession for it. Suffice it to say, several I will never follow, cite, of share now.

First up, understand the geology of the area. Appalachia is old, old mountains. The Rockies are babes in comparison. The soil is clay or near clay down, with areas of more decent soil as overlay. While there is some very good rock there, there is also a lot of what I was told was schist, that I and others removed a couple of letters from to describe it as it was useless for building or much of anything else.

It is crumbly, and while great for finding low-grade garnets (you might get lucky every now and then on something better) and such, it did not make a good foundation and you really didn’t want to use it for walls or anything else. Load bearing it was not.

There are ridges and valleys, and various pocket “hollers” that could be ovals, could be round, or an odd shape, but were carved out of the ridges. My memories are not what I would like (stupid lightning) but in a lot of the area the ridges run north-south, which makes moving east-west most interesting. Key thing to keep in mind, is that the valleys are usually the best place to build in terms of soil, foundation, etc. They also almost all have a creek, stream, or river flowing in them.

Also, the “hollers” tend to all have an effective bowl shape, and again a stream or such flows out of them. Usually spring fed, but augmented by water that flows down the bowl above or below ground. These feed into those streams in the valleys.

Now, keep in mind the soil conditions. While there is good rock, it is often deep in the valleys, and where it is well above ground you are up on top of the ridges where putting in wells, septic, and other delights is interesting. In other words, it really isn’t ideal on which to build. Or even build into for a number of reasons. So, you have clay/effective clay overlaid by other soil.

So, yes, you do get flooding and the locals (who are not stupid no matter how corporate media and hollyweird portray them) have built above such normal flood plains. Even old mills (and modern tourist hotels) are built 10-20 feet above most streams and such. Again, they were not and are not stupid no matter what you read/hear/see.

Now, interesting historical fact. Rabun County Georgia used to get more rain than almost any other county in the COUNTRY on average except for one county out in Washington State (if I remember correctly), and as such they were used to dealing with water.

To bring things up to date, most places in Appalachia were told to expect five or so inches of rain, winds, etc. What they got was in some cases 20 or more reported inches of rain. In less time than given for the five inches. Rain that both ran off and penetrated the surface layer of soil. What happened to that which penetrated you ask?

Well, it hits the clay/clay-like soil and begins to run off below. This results in mudslides and in water making it’s way down from the top of the ridges over DAYS to add to the flooding. That’s what is happening now. It’s why we still have flooding in areas, slides, and more.

To make things even more fun, in this part of the country you do have paved roads, highways, and more. You also have a lot of dirt “unimproved” roads that may be one car wide, or they may not. I learned to drive on those roads, and let me tell you it is fun. Especially when you meet another vehicle and one of you has to back up to a spot where you can get by each other. Those roads are not wide, they are not designed for this weather, and they are not designed for heavy loads. You really don’t want to know about the “bridges” on them. Yet, they are probably the only way into or out of many areas right now.

What happened isn’t a hundred year flood. It’s much more on a thousand year flood. Perfect storm, lots if immediate rain, storm stalled out and dumping more over several days on top of the initial. None of the plans or systems were designed for this, and something like this was not even considered in worst-case planning.

Now, add to it that few communities put any thought into backup communications. Most LE went to data systems rather than point-to-point systems of old. They are great, efficient, and modern just like the big city — and almost useless when the power goes out and it hits the fan. Repeat after me: centralization is bad as it creates a single point of failure. When you don’t have a backup, don’t have portable cell systems to deploy, don’t have point-to-point as a backup, don’t really have anything as a backup, and you have screwed the pooch for disaster preparedness planning. This is something I am seeing/hearing out of multiple communities.

Nothing will prepare you for having your entire town wiped out, and few will have what it takes to put in an emergency command post away from town with backup coms. Even as a radio and some gear in someone’s garage up on the side of the ridge. That’s foolish don’t you know. If I sound a bit bitter, it’s something I’ve seen everywhere. Keep in mind, politicians overruled the DP folks in NYC and put the emergency command post in the basement of the World Trade Center complex. This has played out in almost every jurisdiction in the U.S. and few have spent the time and even limited dollars to set something up in an existing space without rent even. Because it is not needed, until it is.

Leaving aside that, it doesn’t matter if you have food, generator, and more if a thousand-year disaster washes your house away. That’s when you need advance warning (something lacking in most of the area effected) and a good bug-out plan. There is nothing else you as an individual can do in those circumstances. The people hectoring you for not being prepared enough are full of it. When they do hector you, feel free to drop kick their nuts between their ears and move on.

Now, I have heard of/from some who got hit, but came out okay because of preparedness. Links to these good people later. They have valuable lessons to share that we ALL need to heed.

For now, these folks need help and they sure are NOT getting it from the Government. So, my recommendations are not to give to anything government at any level, the Red Cross, or Catholic Charities. Here are a few I have heard good things about or know some good about.

People on the ground are telling me Samaritin’s Purse is a great choice. Haven’t dealt with them before, but excellent recommendations and word is they are in there, doing, and not taking names.

Operation Air-Drop is another I’m hearing good things about. With roads out like they are, air drop and air mobile are the way to go. If you hear of anyone with a chopper who is getting stuff in, sing out and let’s get them some support. The government isn’t stepping up and I’ve heard, unconfirmed, that the FAA has been stepping on efforts to get private choppers in when they are most needed. Let’s do what we can to support such.

The Cajun Navy has been boots on the ground since Saturday (if not before). Good group and didn’t wait for the government to say go. More on that in a bit.

If you know of a Menonnite group involved, they do a lot of good work. Again, they go in and do no matter what, which pisses off the feds — which makes me think highly of them.

Why my ire towards the feds? Long-time readers know I’ve been through all the classes for being an On Scene Commander and have done a bit beyond that with disaster preparedness. Understand that the government hates anyone and anything that self-deploys and starts helping — even if FEMA and others have not responded (as is the case here). Initiative is NOT allowed, and FEMA and others are known to hammer flat any charity that does so. If you do so, you will never work in this town/with FEMA again. Period dot.

Since FEMA has not stood up for this, and the Feds are sitting on a huge mountain of aid (let’s not even count the military aid at Bragg and elsewhere in the form of field kitchens, tents, graves registration, and other things much much needed), I have no sympathy for them. In fact, if anyone around here has a couple of old deuce-and-a-halfs and wants to load them up with supplies (food, water, supplies, chain saws, other delights) and is willing to take on some of those unimproved roads, I’m betting I can find us a way in to some of the worst hit and underserved areas. Won’t be safe, fun, or easy, but we can do it.

Meantime, support those who are doing the work (and are likely to be hammered by the Feds for so doing). If you are in the area and need help, sing out and I will do what I can to get the info to those who can help. If you know others in the area who need help, same applies. I’m going to look at what I can do, including sending some of my supplies.

Those are my people, and that is my childhood floating away on the flood. I just wish there was more I could do.

Sitrep 30 Sept. 24

Sorry to be offline, but things are a touch hectic. Was under the weather last week (and a bit longer) but also still trying to get things done. This week and next are going to be busy.

Finally got the new neurology consult I wanted and it is off to a better start than I had anticipated. Met with the neurologist this morning, good first visit. She has ordered the testing I had hoped for, and it starts tomorrow. So, I get to go visit the ortho for what I hope is the final time in regards the shoulders, then go back up to the neurologist’s office for some cognitive testing. Hoping it’s not pass/fail (grin). I also get to get a new MRI, EEG, and a day’s worth of neuropsych testing here soon. Waiting now on insurance to approve and scheduling for two tests, which means I get to keep the whole month of October open for now.

Wednesday is booked for disability. I’m not optimistic about it, but at this point I have no faith in the system at all. I really do think they hope you die before it is granted and drag it out as long as possible to make that happen.

Thursday I have to get down to the primary doctor’s lab for fasting blood work, which is going to be a long bus ride (est. 2+ hours) down. Joy.

Friday is open but at this point I would be surprised if it stayed that way. Next Monday I get to go visit the GP for my six month, waiting to see what other shoes drop. Waiting to see what else happens next week.

Reminder: if you are in Indy and need a neurologist, I can tell you who NOT to get. Hoping I may have one to recommend here soon. Will see.

Paid the hosting for another year, any hits to the tip jar very much appreciated.

There was more I was going to say, but my mind just went blank. So, maybe another post later. More soon.

Hurricane Thoughts And Preparedness Deficiencies

First, please pray and do what you can for all those affected by the recent hurricane. These scenes from Florida are horrific with islands and even sections inland razed flat. Lots of damage there and north, and my relatives in Georgia say they were spared the worst when the storm jogged east. I know the area around Asheville somewhat, having spend some time in the area. What has happened there is devastating, to be polite.

We were supposed to get worse than we did, but again that jog east spared Indianapolis. We got rain and winds, with gusts staying around 50 mph part of the day, but getting up towards 79 mph later. We lost power last night, and it was out for an hour or two. Not sure as I made the sensible decision (IMO) to go to bed early, after reading by lantern for a bit. When the power came back on, woke up enough to cut off the light and go back to sleep. Have heard that up to 50k were without power around here at one point.

This morning, the power went out again. I used my chef’s stove to heat coffee for the housemate. Brought up another camping lantern to the kitchen, and was getting set to cook English Muffins when the power came back on. Been warned it may go out again a time or two today. Bread is baked and the English muffins are cooked.

The only thing I couldn’t do while the power was out was bake bread. Am starting to look at portable propane ovens as I want something I can use to bake bread and other delights when camping or for emergencies. Want something that can hit and hold 500 degrees, and hold one of my enameled cast iron dutch ovens. If it can do that, it can handle anything else needed. If anyone has any suggestions, sound out in the comments!

Oh, and if it can hook up to a 20lb propane tank, all the better.

Even if you are not in the ESTIMATED path of a storm, be prepared. Florida had warning and it paid off in terms of lives. I expect to see the death toll go up, not so much in Georgia, but in North Carolina and Tennessee as most hit were not expecting it and had little to no time to bug out. Always a good idea to have a “right now” bag ready to go.

Stay safe! Remember, be prepared, be safe, keep your friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.