Nope. Won't do it.

While perusing YouTube last evening, looking for something fun to watch before going to bed, I instead ran across this video.  It was put out there by Ammon Bundy who, you may recall, was involved in a scuffle with government entities in a land dispute.  Whether you agree with Mr. Bundy's politics or not, he points out what lies ahead for us.  It is worth your time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWQMx4HxWIw

I am not for even a minute downplaying the seriousness of COVID-19.  The question is, am I willing to allow government representatives into my home to test me against my will and to take me or my family away to quarantine camps?  Am I willing to be tracked to restaurants or on the street or anywhere I go on the off chance I might be near someone with the virus?  How much of my personal freedom am I willing to give up for the sake of a virus that has a recovery rate of 98%?

Speaking as one who has indeed been exposed to COVID-19, (I am fine, by the way) I can say with absolutely no reservations, No!  And Hell, No!

So listen up, those who would try to scare me into being paralyzed with fear.  I will not take your tests.  I will not allow you to keep tabs on my every move.  I will not allow your 'just following orders' people into my home.  And I sure as hell will not comply!

Oh, it is for my own good?  It is 'for the children?'

Well, that's different.  (Snark)

Happy

In these times of fear and lockdowns and a crumbling economy, we desperately need some happy.  Finding a bag of Chinese take-out outside my apartment door, left there by my son, makes me happy.  The upcoming birth of my Great-Grandchild as noted in the previous post, makes me extremely happy.  The daily phone call from my youngest son, checking up on his Mom, makes me happy. (All is well.  No symptoms.)  Last evening he emailed me this video of my Granddaughter performing her solo dance competition tap dance.

I feel bad for Boston.  She graduates from high school this year and may miss out on both Prom and the graduation ceremony.  She has been dancing in competitions for several years and this her last year before college.  It seems that the competitions are cancelled due to the virus.  She made this video at the dance studio she attends and it is possible that it could be sent to the various competitions for judging in a virtual competition.  Not the same as dancing in front of a real, live audience, but I am glad she may still be able to compete in this way.  She worked hard on her routine and deserves some recognition for that.

So Boston...this one is for you.  You made me very happy.

Amazing Technology

This is a photo of my Grandparents.  My Mother always claimed that was the first photo taken of herself because she was born a couple of months later in July of 1924.

Things have changed over the years.  These pictures of my Granddaughter's ultrasound were emailed to me by my daughter.  May I present (drumroll please) my first Great Grandbaby!

And the tiny little feet!

We have a few months to go before learning if the baby is a boy or a girl.  Nicki and Chris have decided they don't want to know until he/she is born.  I guess that is OK.  I didn't know the gender of any of my kids until their births.  But I have this really cute girl fabric in my stash for a baby quilt.  Guess I had better get busy and order some boy themed fabric and make two quilts.  I am not fond of gender neutral baby quilts.

I am simply amazed at how the technology has advanced so that I can actually see my Great-Grandbaby.  The only thing better will be when I can actually hold that child in my arms.

Interesting Turn of Events

So Wednesday this week one of the nurses arrived to deal with my legs.  She was feeling a bit under the weather and said she thought she had walking pneumonia.  She was wearing a mask and gloves.  I didn't think too much about it as I have the pneumonia shot that works well, keeping me free from even a bad cold.

Turns out she was wrong.  The company she works for sent her to be tested for COVID-19.  She tested positive.

I emailed my grocery delivery service to let them know that I have been exposed.  It is only fair that I tell them.  Whether they will continue to deliver groceries remains to be seen.  It is no big deal if they don't.  I have enough food put back to last a very long time.

I have called Duane to tell him to stay away for a while.  He starts a new full-time job tomorrow and the last thng he needs is to get sick.

I feel fine.  Today has been a rest day for me due to nothing more than arthritis that has decided to kick my backside.  My own fault. I should know better than to move furniture by myself.

Maybe I will get the virus.  But maybe I won't.  That's in God's hands.  Being under quarantine is nothing new.  I have been pretty much housebound for the past 5 years.  A few more weeks are nothing at all.

This in no way changes my belief that we need to open up our country again.  More harm is being caused with people hiding in their homes and not being out in fresh air and sunshine.  And not being at their jobs.

Keep on prepping.  I would not want to be stuck with nothing to eat.  And if I didn't have extra coffee stored, then you would see really cranky!!  

COVID - 19 in a Nutshell

This is the best analysis of the lockdown that I have seen and well worth the few minutes it takes to view it.

We have been duped.  We need to take our country back if it isn't already too late.

Keep on Prepping

"For those new to prepping there's a rule: when you have twice as much as you need, double it. It may barely be enough."
Ol' Remus - The Woodpile Report
21 Apr 2020 (624)

With this in mind I am spending today canning.

My grocery order included the following:  12 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken breast, 6 lbs. of carrots. 2 bunches of celery, 10 lbs. of potatoes and 4 lbs. of onions.

The chicken was cut into bite-sized pieces.  The vegetables were cut into 1/2 inch dices.
Quart jars were filled with layers:
1 Cup chicken
1 Cup potatoes
1 Cup carrots
1/2 Cup celery
1/2 Cup onions
This was topped off with 1 Tablespoon of powdered chicken bouillon and the jars were filled with water to 1 inch of the rim.  The jars were processed in the pressure canner for 90 minutes at 10 lbs. pressure for my altitude.  I got 21 quarts of chicken/vegetable base.

This can be used as a soup with added broth.  It can be thickened for chicken pot pies or served over rice or with biscuits.  I think it might also be used as the base for some casseroles.

The idea here was to get the most mileage possible from the meat.  Meat processing plants across the country are closing.  If things don't straighten out soon, it is entirely possible that some meats will not be available and those that are will have a hefty price on them.

We tend to forget that before this virus hit, there were concerns among those who pay attention that the possibility of food shortages were very real.  Now due to the virus panic, other food processing plants are closed or about to close.  My grocery delivery guy tells me that there isn't much of a selection in the canned fruit and soup aisles of the store.  Some stores are already either low on or out of some staples like flour. 

I admit to becoming a little bit lazy when it comes to canning and dehydrating.  No more.  The plan is to can everything I can lay my hands on that will fit in a jar and to dehydrate the rest.  I can't let circumstances stand in the way of making sure my family is fed.

So tomorrow the 12 lbs. of hamburger in my fridge will be canned.  So will the leftover potato dices from today's canning session.  And the leftover onions will go into the dehydrator.

The times are way too uncertain to wait until tomorrow to prep.  History shows the best way to control the population is by controlling the food.  It would not surprse me at all if that is the road we are headed down now.

Pray and prepare.

Prayers Please

LindaG is a frequent and welcome commenter here.  She and her husband survived a tornado that destroyed their home.  Rev. Paul has details here.  We thank God that their lives were spared and ask for prayer as they move forward from this devastating event.

There is power in prayer, people.  Now would be the time.