Time to change. Oh, no, not you – you’re adorable! Time to change your clocks.  Again.  I usually forget which way to set them because “fall back and “fall forward” are equally plausible, as it is for spring.  Just a couple years ago I showed up at work and wondered where the heck everyone was.  (I finally figured it out.)  I blame this on way too many clocks to change.  Every thing has one! Even my space heater – why? And then there is my digital watch, which takes a nuclear physicist to change. Or my technologically advanced husband and children.  They probably work as a team.

For those whose inner Lewis Black surfaces at Daylight Savings Time change, I get it.  It seems to take weeks to adjust your internal clock. Except when it doesn’t. Recently I was in Michigan at a conference—where I barely survived (it got down to the 30s!!). Michigan is on Eastern Time and I magically just switched to that time zone. However, in those 10 days my body must have reverted to my default settings* because now I wake up routinely at 4 am and stay awake until 5 minutes before my alarm goes off.  Then Lewis Black wakes up.

On Tuesday, we can VOTE yea/nay on Daylight Savings.  Please VOTE of course on all of those other things – and there are lots of sites to help inform you on the issues – but this could be your chance stop the falling, springing, back and forth shenanigans and just leave your clocks alone.  For good.

One thing I learned at the conference is how most Americans have greatly UNDER-INSURED their homes. So, get on this.  There are an increasing number of natural disasters and the length, location and severity are shifting too, so make sure if something happens, you have adequate insurance to recover.  Consider earthquake insurance, too. An earthquake is inevitable, possibly a really big one, so please take the time to check your insurance.  Even if you are renting – protect yourself and your property.  Now. Please.

Lastly, nothing says “end of Halloween” like the immediate appearance of holiday decorations.  When I grew up, this time of year was all about family, family gatherings, marathon game sessions (usually euchre) and ice skating.  Because of the snow, outside decorations were usually just a few strings of lights.  Here, however, our always sunny (warm) climate, has allowed my creative side to blossom. This year I was a bit stumped-- at least until I saw (thank you Home Depot for having decorations out so soon!) it -- a beautiful, sparkly, winged unicorn.** And really, what says Be Prepared/Happy Holidays more than a unicorn?  All I need to add is a CERT vest (green) and first aid kit (red). Nailed it.

So, my friends, stay positive, laugh, enjoy your friends and family, vote, and above all, always be prepared for whatever happens.  You are important to me.

PS.  You are receiving this special message because you told me you enjoy my emails.  Whenever that changes, please let me know and I will tearfully remove you from my special email list.  ;-)

*I was born in Michigan where I lived for 25 years. Apparently, I was tougher when I was younger.  Or at least had a better internal heater.  I grew up on a 20 acre farm that had a pond, golf driving range, putting green and 10 acres of the best sweet corn I have ever eaten.

** https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-72-in-Cool-White-LED-Mesh-Unicorn-TY505-1714-1/305026004 (I know you all want one…)

A Community that Plans Together...

...Survives together. This weekend I was reminded of the importance of community. Not that I had really forgotten. I have been a member of the North Orange County League of Women Voters for years and they represent the ultimate in community activism and participation in those political activities that make a difference to your every day life. This weekend, however, I finished the last segment of a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) course offered by the cities of Brea and Placentia. The concept is simple – give ordinary citizens some basic skills in emergency response so that they can be valuable resources in times of crisis.

When I looked around at my fellow students, I felt some really deep satisfaction. These are people who live in my city, perhaps close by, and are willing to pitch in and help themselves and others around them when the time comes. Now WHEN that time comes, is never known, but when it DOES come, they have a leg up on how to make the best of it.

In some ways, it was more like a fun family reunion for that final day than something that takes away eight hours of a Saturday. We watched an interesting video on the miraculous survival of that 1989 plane crash in Iowa (all due to PRACTICING for a disaster!), then participated in a hands-on exercise to find “victims” of an earthquake, triage and rescue them. And, just like all authentic family get-togethers, we had a delicious potluck, an amazing array of great food, courtesy of us CERT students.

And this is how communities survive. We learn important things, we plan and practice, we communicate and share things (especially food!) – all of which builds a community capable of assembling itself in times of disaster.

It’s a great comfort knowing that there are other like-minded people in my neighborhood, who, regardless of their physical abilities, are mentally prepared to be there and help me when I need it most.

Thank you, neighbor.