Get Prepared...

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Scientists now say that a pandemic of some sort is inevitable. If you are not aware of just what the H5N1 flu virus is about, you should do a Google search and spend a hour or so reading about it. I think you might be a little more than concerned.

What concerns me is that the virus can now be spread from Human to Human. And more than 1/2 the people that are getting infected, die. The numbers are disturbing. My advice: GET PREPARED! I think it's just a matter of time before this thing hits. And when it does, it's going to spread like wild fire.

When the Great Pandemic of 1918 reached Chicago, almost 5,000 people died during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of October. And the first case wasn't even reported until the 27th of September. Professionals say that a Pandemic today would make the one in 1918 look like a cakewalk. It's terribly alarming folks and I think we need to start preparing.

Are You Ready?

How does one prepare for a pandemic that could kill 1 of every 10 people in your community?

I was prompted to do a little research after I heard an ad on the radio while zipping around Branson today. It was an public service announcement on a small radio station out of our hometown, in Harrison, AR for pandemic preparedness. My quick and simple research yielded me tons of information.

I think the most amazing thing I found so far is that right here in the state of Arkansas, there has been an official 147 page Influenza Pandemic Response Plan drafted within the last 14 months. It's 147 pages long folks! That's a huge document guys (yes, I printed it). It includes everything from Influenza Suerveillance to Information about Influenza to Clinical Guidelines and even an example of an Home Quarantine Order and Facility Quarantine that Communities can use. Yikes!

I just watched a very interesting and disturbing documentary which showed the effects of a possible future outbreak of avian flu and how it would spread across the world. It's a 1 1/2 hour YouTube video and if you've got the time, watch it. You can see it by clicking here.

Well, I won't make this too long. I just thought I'd let you know my most recent tangent. Besides, I have to go to the store right now and buy some rice and water. Later.

Friday Flashback

POOL PARTY

AUGUST 1965

Vehicle Needed

I'm just going to throw this out here and see what happens. My stepson Bo is in desperate need of a different vehicle. Although Chris and I have taken a firm stand with all three of the kids that they were responsible for purchasing and insuring their vehicles, if they choose to have one, we have been supportive of their efforts as well. So in that light I am trying to assist him in locating a vehicle for him that might be for sale.

Bo currently has truck that is on it's very last legs and would like his "new" vehicle to be more fuel efficient. If you or someone that you know has an older vehicle for sale that you might think would fit the bill, please let me know. He needs something extremely inexpensive as he has very limited funds at this time; something that would get decent gas mileage; a vehicle that would hopefully run for at least one year. It doesn't have to have bells and whistles, just be reasonably dependable.

Again, please can call me if you think you can help him out: 870-365-5711

Thanks!

PS Bo is willing to travel for the right deal, so don't let distance deter you if you live away and think you have something. Thanks.

Cornerstone of Good Citizenship

I am posting a podcast today. It is a chapel address to the student body of Olivet Nazarene University by former Assistant Secretary of State of Ohio, Monty Lobb. Monty and I were classmates at Olivet. I never really knew Monty well but we had several mutual friends and I remember he was tall; and wore interesting glasses; and he was a super terrific nice guy.

Anyway, I found his chapel address inspirational and I thought I would post a link. I think there are a few of you that read me that might also enjoy it and take the time to listen. It's about 25 minutes long. Not too bad. Click here to listen to the message. You can also see the "Declaration of Uncommon Sense" that Monty talks about in his address by clicking here.

A Different World

I was listening to the radio on my way home from work the other evening and I heard that someone has invented a flying car that should be on the market in less than 2 years. I'll have to see it to believe it, but I hope it's true. Perhaps one of my lifelong dreams will come true, to drive a flying car.

I love this picture of my dad and grandpa. It was taken c. 1942, on the farm where my dad was born and raised. It reminds me just how much our world has changed in my father's lifetime.

25 Amazing Things I've Already Done

I've watched a sea turtle lay her eggs in the sand...
... it was amazing!
I've climbed a pyramid in Giza, Egypt...
... it was amazing... x10!
I've snorkled in the Red Sea...
... it was an amazingly beautiful and brief experience!
I've read The Agony And The Ecstasy...
... it's amazingly long... and amazingly interesting!
I've seen the Sistine Chapel...
... it was an amazing feat!
I've crocheted a blanket (several)...
... they are amazing! (okay... maybe not so much)
I've lived in Santa Barbara County, California...
... it is amazing how much I still miss it!
I've shaved my head bald...
... it was an amazing feeling!
I've rode a camel in the Sahara Desert...
... it was also an amazingly feeling!
I've watched a spider spin an entire web...
... it was truly amazing!
I've stayed in a 5-Star hotel for 2 weeks...
... it was amazingly lavish!
I've walked down the middle of the Reflecting Pool in D.C....
... it was amazingly cold (It was January and it was frozen!)
I've taken a Castle tour on the Rhine River...
... it was an amazing gift! Thanks Steve & Nancee!
I've stood on the 50 yrd. line of Notre Dame Stadium...
... it was an amazing shared experience! Thanks Dave!
I've shook Rosa Parks hand...
... it was amazing and humbling!
I've lived in 5 states...
... that is amazing! (okay... again, maybe not so much)
I've stood inside the Colosseum in Rome...
... it was amazingly sobering!
I've crossed the Aswan Dam...
... it is amazingly BIG and secretive!
I've visited Abu Simbel...
... it was amazingly old! (Did you know they moved those suckers?)
I've had open incision, lower back surgery...
... it was amazing that it was an outpatient surgery!
I've seen Michael Jackson in concert in Paris, France...
... it is amazingly embarrassing to admit!
I've spent a night on top of Mt. Sinai, Egypt...
... it was amazingly cold and amazingly, my 35th Birthday.
I've researched my family tree and met family I didn't know I had...
... it was amazing how much we looked alike.
I've remained close with high school friends ...
... it's because they are amazing people.
I've fully recovered from Barrett's Esophagus...
... it's because of an amazing product, AmbrotoseTM by MannatechTM

Hillary's Health Choices Plan

Click here to see Hillary Clinton's proposed health care plan. I think it's time, folks!

Friday Flashback

Gotta love those 80's!