Don’t Let Winter Catch You Sleeping

Golden Gate Bridge disappears in the fog.

Old Man Winter is cranky and crotchety. Even the places of sunshine, like Hawaii, Florida, and Southern California, are subject to wind, rain, and damp, misty fog. 

 

strong winds

 

There are few things more rewarding than being prepared for inclement weather. Strong winds, pelting rain, vicious ice, and snow show up quickly and take their sweet time leaving. Plan for these impolite visitors and prepare for the worst.

Have canned soups and vegetables on hand. They make a filling meal even if there’s no way to heat them. Boxes of crackers are also handy.

Flooding happens quickly during heavy rains.

Keep bottled water in the pantry so there’s something to drink. Fill a few gallon milk jugs with water for plants, washing hands and dishes, and cleanup.

Put solar lights in the windows to charge. They’ll add a soft glow if the power goes out. Invest in a battery-powered lantern to guide your way as you move from room to room.

Yikes! Snow?

Keep gloves, stocking caps, and fleece blankets in a chest. They’ll be easy to locate when they’re needed.

 

Act like a Brownie Scout and put on that great big smile. Your kids will remember how brave and confident you acted during the emergency. They’ll be prepared to do the same thing in the future with their own family.

Be Prepared

Keep track of one another. Ask a friend, relative, or neighbor to check in with you from time to time. Be the point of contact for someone else near you.

If each person makes sure another person is okay, everyone will have help when it’s needed in a weather emergency.

What kind of emergency plan does your family have?

 

Thankful Thursday: Hawaiian Green Turtles Increase in Population

Have you heard the great news? The Hawaiian green turtle, the most common sea turtle in the waters around Hawaii, is on the endangered list. However, the turtles have increased in numbers over the last three decades.

The scientific name is Chelonia mydas, but you can call it by its Hawaiian name of Honu.

These large sea turtles have been known to live to age 70. They prefer tropical waters, including those of Hawaii, but can thrive in subtropical waters. 

How big do they get? Adults typically weigh up to 500 pounds. The shell, which ranges in color from olive brown to black, averages a length of 40 inches.  Hawaiian green turtles differ from other varieties. Two large prefrontal scales between the eyes is one way of identifying the turtle.

About nine of every ten nest in the islands of Northwestern Hawaii. They migrate to the coastal area of the main islands to feed. It’s been requested that you avoid feeding, touching or disturbing sea turtles while they soak up the sun or swim through the water. Take pictures and videos from a distance to share with friends and family.

Have you been to Hawaii? What is your favorite thing to do or see while there?

 

Offbeat Holidays in November

Perhaps Halloween is the final day in October to prepare people for the wild and whacky holidays in November. No, I’m not talking about the U.S. observance of Thanksgiving, although it’s one of my favorites. One year we went to visit friends in Canada for Thanksgiving, an October event.  

We celebrated Halloween by splitting this delicious chocolate cupcake. It was certainly big enough!

 

Sadie Hawkins Day takes place on the first Saturday in November. It became a popular event thanks to Li’l Abner. Hekzebiah Hawkins challenged the men in the backwoods cartoon town of Dogpatch to a race. If his daughter Sadie caught one of them, he had to marry her. The idea caught on in real life, giving women the opportunity to ask men to dance.

ABC TV special of Li'l Abner

 

November 6^th honors the incredible invention of the saxophone. Adolphe Sax was an honored craftsman of instruments. He presented the saxophone in 1846 and added a new level of sound to the world of music.

 Veteran's Day is celebrated November 11th.

World Kindness Day was founded in 1998. It is celebrated on November 13^th and encourages each of us to something nice for friends, family, neighbors, or strangers, just because there is a bit of niceness in everyone.

Plan ahead! The 15^th is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. In one relative’s family, they celebrate left-over Thursday, a weekly event to clean the refrigerator. 

November 19^th is International Men’s Day. Treat someone special to a card, small gift, or dinner. 

Honor the National Day of Listening on November 23^rd by thanking someone who cares for others. It could be a teacher, a volunteer at the senior center, homeless shelter, VA hospital, or perhaps someone who has no one left to talk to. And YES. There are a number of people who are alone. It may even be someone whose family is more tuned into X-Box, iPhones, and Smartphones than mom or dad.

I’ve always been entranced by the planet Mars. Red Planet Day is celebrated on November 28^th. Wear a splash of red to celebrate our next door neighbor, just one planet further from the sun.

Here are a few of the scenes Mother Nature produced to welcome November. 

I was really impressed by the distortions in this cloud. It was being ripped apart by the wind.

 What traditional and offbeat holidays do you celebrate in November?