Changes

Or, what I’ve been up to these last few weeks… As some of you know, I began attending a new Church last year. I had been searching for a new Church home, but had not found one in the local or even semi-local Catholic churches. Three different routes pointed me to a Church downtown, so I went down to a men’s club coffee to test the waters.

Turns out the online schedule was wrong, but the wonderful couple in the bookstore that is part of the Church made me welcome. They got the Deacon to come talk to me, set me up with multiple booklets about the Church, and pretty much got me to promise to come back to the Sunday service.

While a bit unsure, I did so. After talking briefly to the Deacon, I took a seat on a back pew (what would be the visitor’s pews in a lot of churches) and was joined fairly quickly by a seasoned lady who introduced herself, talked to me a bit, and the next thing I knew I had a liturgy book and other materials in hand, and she explained what would happen, why, how, and when. She also made sure I knew what to do (and not do) in the process.

After the service, they have a “coffee” that I call a lunch. My new guide introduced me around, and to say I was made welcome is an understatement. Her son-in-law (who took the wonderful photos of me being Baptized) took me under his wing a bit, and I “helped” him out during the Christmas Market they do. I put that in quotes as I didn’t do all that much, and was not allowed to overdo it (since I was still recovering from my latest surgery). I think I’ve only missed a couple of Sunday’s since, and those were either due to weather or health. Along the way, “Matrushka” (“mother”) as I had been asked to call her, presented me with a number of prayer and reading books.

The short version is that I found a new Church home. Last Saturday, the day before Pascha (Easter), she became my Godmother as she and her husband, the “retired” priest of the parish (now my Godfather), sponsored me and stood with me for my Baptism into the Eastern Orthodox Church. That night, I took part in my first Pascha midnight service.

You might have gathered that the last few weeks, especially Holy Week, have been a bit busy. There have been a lot of services and a lot of prayers (and even an exorcism), and I don’t think two years of catchumen training could have prepared me for it. I will say that it was an honor to be a part of the reading of Acts that preceded the midnight service.

This week will be a bit busy as well. There is nothing scheduled for today, and I have been (firmly) instructed to rest and take it easy. Tomorrow starts another round of special services for Bright Week (the week after Pascha) and while not required I am going to do as many of them as I can.

There is more to come. Please be patient as I take care of the important things so I can do more on temporal things here.

Sewing Kits

Yesterday’s post sparked something that deserves it’s own post. Yes, I do recommend having a fair bit of sewing gear tucked away. Aside from fabric, it is fairly inexpensive and in an emergency you will find yourself facing two needs: minor repair and major repair/manufacturing.

Individual Components, Click To Embiggen

First, here’s what I’m talking about when I say inexpensive. Individual packs of hand needles can be found for a couple of bucks, though certain specialty needles can get a bit more expensive. Safety pins and other pins are still at a semi-reasonable price. Thread has gone up since the last time I bought any, but again picking up a spool or two a month is not going to break the bank. What you see above is one kit for minor clothing emergencies, and the start to something more.

The kit on the left is a fairly complete and ready to go minor emergency kit. You have assorted hand needles, pins, safety pins, and a small pre-threaded repair kit. You can add more thread options, which is not a bad idea. Meantime, you have with this the ability to sew on buttons, make minor repairs, and otherwise repair your clothing. You don’t have to be Mr. Baggins running from Gollum and the Goblins to end up losing a button or three, or otherwise doing things that require some repair. Tucking a few of these around is a good investment. Heck, I used to have a slightly larger emergency kit like the one bottom center in each suitcase when I traveled on business. Used them a few times too — my buttons were on, even if not always as pretty as those done by the pros.

The kit on the right is a start to a larger kit. The small rolls of thread are on the bottom, the larger rolls above along with the various needles, pins, and such. My plan is to add more large rolls of thread, a cloth tape measure, some larger specialized needles, and some other basics to it. This will be good for major repairs and a start towards being able to make something at need.

Pro Tip: If your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/other sews and has good scissors, do not try to use them for anything else, much less add them to a kit. If you have used them to cut paper or anything else, a new pair and dinner is a good start towards making up for that. Find out what they are, where they were obtained, and buy some new to go into a kit. Get their advice on what to tuck away, possibly including some fabric for repairs and more.

One of the things that stuck with me after the first time I read Alas Babylon by Pat Frank was how breaking a needle almost sent some of the survivors into a meltdown. If you are dealing with an emergency or a disaster, you are probably not going to be able to run to the store or shop online. Needles (hand or machine) and other items we take for granted as being cheap and common may well become expensive and scarce. Also, if you have a sewing machine consider getting a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for it, though it will likely need to be something on the order of what you would get for a sump pump or such. For that matter, having an antique foot-powered sewing machine could provide decoration as well as a functioning machine at need.

Now, I use jars for size and convenience. Pins, needles, and such are not great to put in mylar. For the larger kits you could use gallon or 2.5-gallon buckets, but that is up to you. Also, fabric would work well in mylar and a 5-gallon bucket. Be smart, be flexible, and tuck a few away at need.

Just wanted to sew this up while I could…

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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Wicks And Lighting

Click To Embiggen

Yesterday’s post brought up questions, so some quick thoughts on wicks and the need for multiple lighting sources. Here we go.

While a lot of my emergency lighting (some of which doubles as my camping lighting) is electric, keep in mind that having multiple sources of lighting is a very good idea for emergencies and disasters. Short version is that even with rechargeable batteries and multiple ways to recharge them (solar, hand crank, etc.) batteries only last so long. There may be times when using electricity is not an option or not a good idea. That’s when having other options is a very good idea.

I use a small oil lamp for religious purposes, and am set to create more at need as sources of light. Regular olive oil or plain vegetable oil work very well in such cases, and you can even use oil that is out of date for lighting when you can’t (or shouldn’t at least) use it for food. As I noted a while back, you can often get expired oil from restaurants or other food service operations for cheap or for free. So long as it is not rancid (smell), you are good.

Oil lamps and such that use liquid paraffin are a good option as well. Again, gives you a different source of fuel, different light, and an additional option to go with electric, lanterns, and candles. Anything open flame is a safety issue, which is why enclosed lamps, lanterns, or using candle lanterns (discussed previously) is a very good idea.

So, to repeat: I plan on flashlights and electric lanterns as my primary at need; name-brand and old fashioned lanterns are a good secondary option; oil and liquid paraffin lamps and candles are another; and, real candles do come in handy. Also decorative and/or scented. No reason things can’t do more than one thing, and most really should…

As to wicks, I have a mix of braided and “adjust-a-size” wicks around. I like to keep some lamp wicks handy (top of photo) and you can get packs with different sizes of them very inexpensively. The ones I use the most are braided wicks in 3mm and 4mm diameter (left in photo). Versatile and you can make lamps or candles out of them quickly at need. The non-braided wicks (right in photo) can be adjusted to whatever size you need. I’m not as fond of them as the other, and find them not to be quite as useful or long-lasting. That said, they come in handy for use in a variety of wick holders of different sizes and they do give you some options. It’s all about having as many options as possible…

So, just a few quick thoughts (and hopefully some answers) before I head out for the day. More to come.

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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Jar LTS Thought

One thing I think I forgot to mention in the post looking at glass containers is that they can be very useful for storing things that mylar is not going to like. For example, pointy bits of metal that are oddly shaped. In the example above (click to embiggen) are some items for making emergency oil lamps.

These come from a religious book and supply store, and give you options for how to do your lamps. The drawback is that they are oddly shaped, part may be pointy, and otherwise are unsuitable for bag storage since they also need to be protected from crushing. Jelly jar is a perfect home for them and a variety of braided and non-braided wicks. You may notice that I have wicks already threaded through the holders, as if I’m dealing with an emergency the last thing I want to do is to have to spend time threading wicks into place. This way, I have them set to go.

Now, there are good arguments for using oxygen absorbers, but for this jar I opted to go with a vacuum seal. The portable unit I reviewed a while back was sufficient for this task.

With a bit of padding, the jar can go in a bucket or other larger container where it can be protected. Or, it can be stuck in the back of a closet, back of an out-of-the-way shelf, etc. Never a bad idea to have several of these around in different locations so that at least one, if not all, survive for use when and if needed. Same holds true for other supplies as well and one thing I want to do is set-up a sewing jar with a variety of hand sewing needles and other supplies that, again, might not be best to store in mylar or such.

Just a quick thought to share this morning. While I hope to get some more short posts up this week, things are busy down at the Church and my focus is there. Given all, really glad I’m not cooking on top of all else that is going on. Working to be sure my (limited) focus is on what is truly important.

More soon!

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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Quick Doctor Update

Hope to post more soon, but back from seeing my regular doctor, and will say thanks again to the wonderful person who drove me down there and back. Short version: doctor’s health is doing well and I don’t need to frantically be searching for a new GP. My bloodwork was much better than I was expecting, though he gave me an A- on my report because my blood sugar was higher than normal.

We both strongly suspect that something I ate or drank in the 48-hours before the draw caused that spike, and it wasn’t a really bad spike but higher than normal levels. Given that I’ve been fasting and eating more carbs than normal, I’m glad it wasn’t higher. Liver and kidneys seem to be doing good, and we are both interested in what comes out of the upcoming consult next month.

More soon.

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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

A Very Different Request

I’ve talked on here before about considering getting a guitar to test to see if I can learn a new skill, and to use it for potential therapy. It’s something I put aside as I didn’t feel it was the right time or the best use of resources.

Today, I was offered a very nice guitar (with hard case) for $200, and weekly lessons for $25 — quite a nice discount on both. In fact, I was made to sit down and try the guitar and get essentially a first lesson, as part of evaluating things (me the guitar and them if I had a chance). It actually went a lot better than I expected.

If anyone cares to help, hit the tip jar here and it would be appreciated. I sure did better with it than I ever did with the bagpipes, as people did not run screaming. It really is a nice acoustic guitar, and the person doing the lessons has a few decades of experience. Close by even.

I know things are tight, but also think this is a good opportunity to see what I can do and perhaps move some things along. Thanks.

Good Monday To You!

More soon, I hope! The lunch for the Church went well, and it appears they liked my vegetarian gumbo as they almost took enamel off the dutch ovens scraping it all out of both pots. Have already been asked about doing a proper gumbo once fasting is over. Long weekend, and we have been having special vespers at different churches each Sunday evening. Between it all I’m exhausted and having to do more resting today than I would care for.

Have a post I hope to get done today, up later. More on long-term storage and that it applies to much more than food.

That said, it turns out I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday for which I have to do an early-morning fasting blood draw tomorrow. Going to be interesting as my GP is not easy to get to via bus, so may have to try to limp the car down there. It’s actually not a bad walk from the closest bus stop; but, the ride down takes about two hours with all the stops and you then have to cross one or more major roadways/highways without the benefit of crosswalks or lights. My insurance allegedly provides rides, but the system for that requires almost a week notice, is a mix of online and text messaging that is not easy, clear, or convenient and there is no way to get human help that I can find. Which means if you make a mistake, or the system makes a mistake, your only option is to cancel that appointment and start over. My thoughts on the set-up are better left unsaid as I’m really not supposed to be using such language anymore.

Also, lots going on at Church the next couple of weeks. The week of the 28th I may not be on much as I will be down there almost every day. We have a massive cleaning of the Church coming up next Saturday as well, and I will be helping cook breakfast (more a brunch really). Was asked if I could do some more gumbo, but may go with a jambalaya for time and pot considerations. I keep doing this I’m going to need a couple more dutch ovens and at least one more good pot. Oh, going to do speckled heart grits for the brunch as well.

So, thank you for your patience. There is more to come (I hope).

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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Crazy Week

Yes, it’s been as crazy as I expected. Most in good ways, but…

The follow-up visit with the surgeon (his PA actually, who I like) went well. The PA was very pleased overall at my range of forward and up motion. Thing she was a bit surprised at how good it was, and I put that on having excellent PT and keeping at it. Not quite as happy, but unsurprised, at the motion going back. Because the damage was so bad we had to do a reverse replacement, that motion will never be good. For me the two most annoying parts are not being able to tuck my shirts in most of the time (I cheat when and how I can if absolutely needed), nor can I do parade rest or anything close to it.

With continued “normal” use and workouts, I should (maybe) get to the point I can do something like parade rest and more easily tuck in a shirt. My strength, well, the thought is that I can get a bit stronger but it is unlikely I will get back to what I did have. So, going to work on getting back what I can, and try to build up the shoulders as best I can. Gym time if I can get there regularly.

Nothing new on the consult to check the mystery diagnoses/review everything. Right now, end of May, which is better than the original July appointment. I really would like answers, and want to be sure that the treatment I am getting is the right treatment(s).

Cooking lunch for the Church again this Sunday. Because of fasting requirements, has to be vegetarian (could be shrimp, but I’m highly allergic). So, doing a vegetarian gumbo, rice, spicy rice for those who like “hot” gumbo, and may do something else if I find a good deal or something really good and fresh. Oh, a loaf of fresh sourdough bread as I am trying to donate a loaf every week. Will be providing speckled-heart grits to a breakfast the following Saturday as we are doing a massive cleaning of the Church and everything in it that day. May need to buy more grits here soon, love me some Nora Mill.

Not fun, am off to catch the bus to go down to Greenwood. Seems in the storms we had last week my storage unit may have flooded. They aren’t sure, I can’t just drive down there, so am just getting the time to go. No, I am NOT a happy camper, but there is nothing I can do in terms of prevention — I already had a good bit of it up on plywood raised off the floor by 2x4s as cardboard does not react well to concrete. Hoping I did not flood (never had any problem in the last several years I’ve had the unit) and that if it did get any water inside I am good. Will see. Really do need to look at a better solution for the storage…

More soon on several topics I hope. That said, the next three weeks are going to be very busy with non-online things. Will keep you updated and entertained (I hope) as I can. Be safe, be prepared, and keep your things where you can find them in the dark.

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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Preparedness Pays II: LTS With Glass

Just a heads-up, but posting may be lite this week. I forgot about a surgical follow-up, so have it, a funeral, and a bit more I plan to attend. That said, going to try not to leave you all hanging.

Glass is versatile, affordable, and easy to obtain. Sterilizing it before use is easy, provided you actually can get access to the dishwasher. (long story). Using either a hand-held unit or the jar attachment to a food vacuum seal system, you can quickly prepare items for Long Term Storage (LTS).

Above is what I’ve set up as a “basic” kit. Depending on circumstances and/or rationing, it’s one to four weeks of food at need. There are beans and rice (complete protein), quinoa (complete protein), flour, salt, sugar, and other food basics. Small footprint, and you can put something like this in the back of closets, shelves, etc. and have them in multiple places around the house. This minimizes any one issue taking out all of them at once. Yes, that does mean they can be easy to hide as well.

Glass also comes in handy for storing odd-shaped items and/or items likely to poke holes in mylar bags, which sorta defeats the purpose of using mylar bags. More on this in a future post, but used in conjunction with other storage options, glass can give you a lot of flexibility. I will say right now that using jars to hold needles, thread, and such can be a very good idea. Especially since some of the specialized needles and gear are going to be fun to try to bag…

Again, using smaller glass containers gives you the ability to provide portion control as well as good sizes for trade. Particularly for spices, which in an emergency or disaster could once again be worth many times their weight in gold.

As noted before, the drawback to glass is that it is not going to react well to impacts or shear forces (fragile) and the seals on the lids will eventually go bad. I’ve noticed that many brands seem to be going with an official two year shelf life (or less), though I also suspect that time limit is probably lawyer driven rather than science driven. Corporate risk-mitigation is far more about perception and excessive caution than anything else. Personally I think you should get closer to a decade safely out of them, though replacing and re-sealing every ten years may not be a bad idea. Oh, and keep in mind the lids can corrode if the storage is not dry. Or if the pepper sauce eats through the lid — yes, that did happen and no did not try it.

Oh, keep in mind that even more than bags and such, you can re-use the glass jars almost indefinitely. Having spare lids tucked away means you can even can at need. Again and again, remember that part of the equation is doing things so that you have as much flexibility, and as many options, as possible in an emergency or long-term disaster.

Glass is a good way to start and balance out other options. Lack of expense makes it easy to do smaller amounts of preparations and distribute them around. I know some of you have done this for a while, and have your own basic food and other kits. Feel free to share options in the comments for consideration by others.

More soon. Not sure what I will tackle next, as there are good reasons to look at metal containers next, and equally good reasons to look at plastic containers next. May come down to the flip of a coin. If life keeps me away from the keyboard, I will be back as soon as I can.

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. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Prayer Request Follow-Up

A couple of weeks ago, I posted this prayer request for M at my Church. At the time, she was not expected to last very long. However, she did recover consciousness, though she may not have been totally aware of where or when she was, and was transferred to a hospice. She has now passed, and I would ask for prayers for her soul and that of her husband who passed around the time she had her stroke.

For me, I will remember her smile and her willingness to do. She would sometimes join our choir, worked at the bookstore, and would pitch in as needed on things. That big smile was such a part of her. She will be missed.