This past week I have been printing out much of my family tree data. I am old school. I like paper. And I don't trust computers all that much. I have two dead laptops and a dead desktop in my closet that back up my reluctance to keeping 15 years of research on any electronic device.
This activity doesn't require very much of my attention. Over the years I have put together Family Group Sheets for most of the characters in my ancestry and it is just a matter of printing them. I found I had quite a bit of time to ponder other things.
One of the subjects on my mind has been the reluctance of so many I know to prepare. Many don't see the need. Nothing bad will ever happen to them. Others have convinced themselves that store shelves will always be full. And some just don't want to be bothered.
Others are so wrapped up in political hatred that they can't see beyond that. Doesn't matter which side of the aisle they are on, the other side is wrong thinking. The other side is bad. The other side needs to be eliminated.
Media is pretty good at feeding us lies and are good at little else. What surprises me is just how many buy into the BS flowing from 'news reporters.'
I have come to the conclusion that I can rant all day long, but I can change nothing.
Seems to me the best way to get rid of a headache is to stop bashing your head against a brick wall.
I am just done.
I have come to the conclusion that the best way for me to proceed is to concentrate on what I can do. I can preserve food. I can stockpile supplies. I can stay in touch with like-minded people for support, encouragement and sharing ideas. Without the anger and without the hatred that has become so prevalent.
If the younger ones want to get into the insane fight happening in the world around us, they are welcome to it. Me...I just want peace. I want to know that no matter what happens, my family will be OK. I want to snuggle my great grands and hug my grown kids and their kids.
Do whatever it is you feel the need to do. It isn't about giving up or giving in. It is about staying sane in a world gone completely mad. Stack it high. Pray.
I like hard copies of all my information. I don’t mind, if needed, emailing someone a file, but I always send a hard copy too. I ask for them as well and do NOT respond kindly when they say “can’t you just print it out?” Why should I pay to get your bill???I just have a hard time with the “digitization “ (I made that word up) of media. Why should I have to pay to use something I already own and, in many cases, like research papers or photographs, actually created myself?????
ReplyDeleteI understand that many want so much of our lives digitized. However, I am much more comfortable with hard copies, at least of the important stuff. I have, over the years lost data due to computer glitches. Don't want to lose my family history that way. It is too important to me.
DeleteBy the way - there was a slimy troll who left a comment on your comment. I apologize for not catching it sooner. It has been deleted. He was rude and seems to think it is OK to call people names here. It is not and the behavior of someone who seems to have the intelligence of a garden slug will not be tolerated. Ever. Again - sorry.
Well, I missed the comment, but thank you for sticking up for me nonetheless.
DeleteIndeed, Vicki, we can't stay immersed up to our armpits in what's going on every day. Popping our heads out of the bunker to see what's going on a time or two a day is good enough. You know, that whole "Film at eleven" thing. By the same token, we DO need to stay in touch with those who can, like us, also see that the ship is taking on water, so as to know what's happening and where there are still seats left in the lifeboats. Steel sharpens steel, and we all persevere with hope.
ReplyDelete...Don't be too much a stranger, Vicki. We all enjoy your posts... Even your rants!
God bless you and yours!
As always, Pete, your observations are right on the money! I do keep track of what is happening in the world around us. But not as much as I once did. I think it is the frustration part that gets to me. The 'news' lies are astronomical. As are the political ones. I would love to see some justice. I would love to be able to have a say in fixing our country. Guess I will have to settle for checking out those lifeboats!!
DeleteI will try to do better on the posts. I suppose my son was right when he said if I don't have a place to rant, my head would explode. :)
May God truly bless you and yours!
Hi Vicki.
ReplyDeleteI’m a big fan of hard copies too. I don’t like the idea of something important disappearing into a black hole never to be seen again.
I don’t say much to anyone about stocking up, putting back and being ready. I guess I don’t understand them any more than they understand me. There’s some sort of barrier there.
Just keep doing what needs to be done. And I know I’m not the only one who enjoys your rants or raves or anything you want to write about. You have a way with words. Keep on prepping and stacking and praying…Jan
Jan...I am about halfway done with printing my Family Group Sheets for my 4 ancestral lines as well as the one for my kid's Dad. I feel better knowing that at least if something happens to the digital copies, I will still have the paper copies. I have stories and letters written by my Grandfather's family that are next on the list to print and file. Have to admit, I'm having fun with this. :)
DeleteI have given up on trying to interest anyone in preparedness. So many either believe nothing bad will ever happen or they just don't care. We know better. And I find it sad that the younger don't see what a mistake it is to ignore the possibilities.
We keep on. We know better!!
I'm right there with you. Some nights the evening 'news' is beyond me. But I agree with PeteForester too. I need to know what's coming down the road and can't have my head buried in the sand either.
ReplyDeleteSo today, Puppygirl and I went for a run at the dog park. That would be her running and me throwing the ball and enjoying the sunshine. Then home and planting tomatoes plants. Four. In my uber small veggie garden that is a joy to play in.
I too keep important information on paper. I also keep a paper calendar and can't stand using electronics to store that information. Cheers,
SJ now in California
SJ...I think what irritates me is that one day all of the mainstream media will loudly announce some earth shattering happening, only to have someone else dispute the announcement the next day. Kids lie. Toddlers have lying down to a science. But news agencies should be held accountable. And I get frustrated with it all. Just like I do with those who expect someone else to take care of them. OK. Soapbox kicked back into a corner now. :)
DeleteSo glad you can enjoy the dog park with Puppygirl. And your gardens are great! The more we can do for ourselves, the better. God bless, my friend.
Hi Vicki ... most younger people now are very impersonal compared to when we were young ... heres an example ... when my dad died in 1975 the funeral went on for 3 days ...flowers , meals even some cash donations to my mom ... my stepson commited suicide 3 months ago at 54 years old ... he had already broken all relations to family many years ago due to alcohol and drugs ... there were simply no people left in his life to go to any kind of memorial service so there was none ... people that tried to intervene years ago were told to mind there own business , I have seen this scenario played out many times over the last several years when friends and business associates passed ... no one seems to care very much ... very sad ... blessings Vicki ... Patrick
ReplyDeletePatrick...I'm sorry to hear of your stepson. Sadly, his lifestyle is not uncommon these days.
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on about the young ones being more impersonal. Seems to me that family isn't nearly as important to them as it was to a generation or two earlier. The difference between the way the deaths of your father and your stepson were handled is glaring proof of the decline.
I wish I knew how to fix it. As long as we can't go back in time, I have no answers except prepare and pray. God bless, my friend.