If you are short on time (sorry, I just can’t help but tell a long story), just remember this: PREPARING for disasters will not prevent a disaster from happening, but it will make going through them a heck of a lot EASIER.

By now, we have all probably stopped writing 2015 and gotten used to 2016. Or at least the 5s are fairly easy to make into 6s.  But, I wanted to share some information now that really hit a chord with me. I recently heard a presentation about a survey of people’s fears.  Surprisingly or not, “politics” was the greatest fear of the 1500 or so American surveyed across the U.S.  I’ll have to plead “no comment” on that at the moment and focus on their subsequent fears – man-made and natural disasters.

The crazy thing is – even knowing what they fear -- an overwhelming number of people refused to do anything to prepare for them:  “If I don’t admit it exists, then it doesn’t exist. Oh, and please don’t touch my candy house and unicorns…”

Fortunately, we have little to fear from tornadoes, hurricanes and tsunamis, but our troubles will come from Ma Earth giving us a good shake, an extended drought causing wildfires, or El Nino creating floods and mudslides (no, really, we ARE getting rain…one of these days).  And while these are typically big and rarely occurring events, we are “bugged” constantly by something else…skeeters.

Infections of the West Nile Virus is at a low right now, but the Zika virus, spread by the day-time biting Aedes species mosquito, is gaining a foothold here in Orange County. Mosquitoes carrying these viruses can cause tremendous harm to certain individuals, so take their presence seriously.  Do not allow ANY STANDING WATER in which they can breed… patio plant saucers, bird baths, anything that holds even a drop of water. Cover rain barrels with mosquito netting too.  Go to the OC Vector control site for some tips: http://www.ocvcd.org/

I suffered a tremendous loss on January 4, when I lost my mother.  She was 96, and plagued by memory loss, but she was cheerful every day and always saw the best in everyone and everything. Even when confronted with something she didn’t like, she just uttered a deadpan, “whoopee” and moved on.  I think she feared nothing. Or maybe forgot that she did.  In any case, she greeted every day with determination and spunk – and I miss her dearly.

So, there is stuff to fear, but I am confident we can all do something: Put supplies in your house and car and make family and work disaster plans.  It may not always be fun to do, but just give it a “whoopee” and move on.  You’ll be fine.

Be Thankful

Here are some lovely thoughts about being thankful.  In the business of trying to remind others that bad things do happen and that we need to be prepared, this is a welcome gift.  Enjoy!

Be Thankful
~ Author Unknown ~

Thanks for not having
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Thanks for lacking knowledge
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Thanks for difficult times
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Thanks for limitations
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Thanks for challenges
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Thanks for mistakes made
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Thanks for exhaustion
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made the effort.

Thanks for setbacks
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.

Thanks for troubles
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.