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Surviving An Apocalypse.

  I am heading for a convention this weekend where one track seems to be focused on surviving any apocalypse.

One panel will look at communications such as ham operators who would be the ones getting word out, assuming that there are no EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) to wipe out all electronics.

Another panel is on preparing a survival kit.  They will discuss items you should have in that kit.  I recently purchased a survival bundle from Humble Bundle with a bunch of books on exactly that topic.  I bought it not for the survival books but for the cheese making, first aid, brewing and homesteading books. However, I don't mind having the other information.

A third panel is on surviving the apocalypse both emotionally and spiritually.  The idea is even if you survive the even physically, how will you stay both emotionally and spiritually healthy so you do not become depressed.  How do you face an event that wipes out the world and stay sane. 

Then there are the two familiar panels on Zombies.  The first is on choosing the best weapon to use to kill a Zombie.  The panel will also look at television shows based on the idea of zombies to determine if people on those shows used the proper weapons.  The second panel looks at Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness or how to protect yourself against Zombies.  What is likely to happen during the first 48 hours before governmental resources kick in.  How will you survive those first 48 hours when it all breaks loose?

I've never been one to plan fully for an apocalypse because honestly I do not see it happening but if I ever decide to become a writer, these topics would provide me with everything I need to accurately write this type of story.  One strand of science fiction is on zombies taking over the world while another strand is that something happens and you are left to survive the world as it falls apart.

That is one reason to attend these panels. If its something you want to write  a book or a screen play for a movie based on either topic.  I don't know if I'll attend those panels as they may be up against the hard science ones that I prefer.  I'll let you know and if I do go, I'll share the information with you.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Outlet Mall, Blaine WA

On my way down to Denver, I stopped off to visit relatives in the Bellingham, Washington area.  Since my parents are slowing down a lot and dad had a stroke, I am making a point of visiting as much as I can.  The other day, we took them up to the mall in Blaine.

The mall started out as an outlet mall but over the years, many of the stores have gone out of business, and others have come in while a few have hung in over the years.  I think there are only three or four that have been there since the beginning.

Down at the end by the realtors offices, I found some beautiful sculptures. Some are fun, some are more abstract but they are all interesting.

 I love these two children who have discovered something hidden by the plants.  They remind me of the wonderful joy we loose as we drive up.

This dog is actually a sculpture found by the men's bathroom on the back side.  He looks so real but will never shed or be noisy so the perfect animal for an apartment.

This is a nice water fountain but I got there before it began working for the morning.  

This tortoise is in front of the fountain and the perfect size for little one's to sit on. 

This area of the mall is extremely  family friendly with its cool sculptures and picnic table. 

I love visiting the mall, just to check out a few places I regularly shop at when I'm in the area before I head off to this area, just to sit and enjoy some down time.

I'm off to Denver to attend a conference.  I hope to share some of the cool things I'll be learning when I visit the conference.

I hope you enjoyed these photos. 

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear. 




Have a great day.

July 4th

July 4th - Federal Holiday

  July 4th is the day we celebrate declaring our independence back in 1776.  That date is when the continental congress approved the final draft of the document.

Although the document declared this country's independence from Britain, a war had to be fought and won before it became a reality.

For the first couple of decades after the declaration was signed, nothing much was celebrated.  America being so new, had other tings to focus on such as setting up a government via the constitution, arranging presidential elections, a national bank, and so much more that most people didn't celebrate July 4th.

The celebrations early on consisted of things such as in 1776, immediately following the signing of the declaration, people celebrated the by holding fake funerals for King George to support the idea that his rule was at an end here.  On the other hand, the first readings were celebrated with concerts, parades, bonfires, and cannons.

On July 4, 1777, Philadelphia celebrated the Declaration of Independence complete with fireworks. In addition, Bristol, Rhode Island celebrated this date with 13 shots in both the morning and the evening.  They are credited with having the longest running July 4th celebration.

In 1778, George Washington ordered double rations of rum for his troops to celebrate the holiday but it wasn't until 1781, when Massachusetts made it a state holiday. The first state to do so but as time passed, more and more places joined in with the July 4th celebrations and more and more places included fireworks as part of the celebration.

By the end of the 18th century, the main political parties began holding independent celebrations nation wide.  When the war of 1812 ended, celebrations had become more common place.  In 1826, Thomas Jefferson declined an invitation to go to Washington D.C for the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence due to being extremely ill.

 In 1870  the federal government declared July 4th as a federal holiday.  It took until 1938 for the government to declare it as a paid federal holiday.   In the meantime, celebrations with fireworks  have become more and more commonplace both in person or on television so we can enjoy the huge affairs in D.C. and other places.

In parts of Alaska, they celebrate with parades or concerts but they do not use fireworks because it does not get dark enough.  Ester, just outside of Fairbanks, hosts a parade made up of any group who wishes to participate.  The parade is judged but all judges are open to bribery.  I'm told a good bottle of liqueur will buy a vote just as well as a 6 pack of beer.

Tomorrow is the day, I hope you and your family enjoy your celebration.  Have a good holiday, and enjoy your day.

Arsenic and Old Books

Imagine being a bookbinder in the 16th and 17th centuries when you would recycle earlier materials into your current book.  People have discovered remnants of medieval manuscripts, Roman law, and canonical law made into the cover of a newer book.

Once the covers were made, someone then painted it over obscuring the original material.  At least three books in the University of Denmark library meet this description.

Scientists took these books to be checked by x-ray technology to learn more. They were hoping to read the remnants in the cover but during the micro-XRF, it was revealed the green paint was arsenic, a poison often used in murder mysteries. Arsenic is considered one of the most deadly poisons out there.  Exposure to this substance can lead to cancer or death.

Arsenic is one of the ingredients of Paris Green, or Emerald Green because it is a green similar to the gemstone.  The size of the grain determines the shade of the paint.  The smaller grains produce a lighter green while the larger ones produce a darker green.  In addition, this color does not easily fade and has an intense color.

By the 19th century, Paris Green was commercially produced and used in a variety of ways from book covers to clothing.  It was used to dye stamps designed to be licked or in dresses worn to balls, etc.  Both exposed people directly to the poison.  The problem with arsenic paint is that particles can end up in a person's lungs and in certain circumstances, the paint produces a poisonous gas.

In the case of books, it is thought they were covered with Paris Green to protect them from bugs and other insects.  Although they only found three books at the University of Denmark other universities could have deadly books on their shelves.  The University carefully placed the three books in special containers so no one is accidentally poisoned.

 By the second half of the 19th century, Paris Green was known to be poisonous but that did not mean it immediately ceased being used.  At one point, an American doctor created books filled with samples of wall paper containing arsenic which he sent out to libraries around the country.  The book was supposed to warm people but it also poisoned a few.  Today only four copies are still in existence but they are carefully handled. 

Unfortunately, even after the dangers were known, people didn't immediately throw things out.  Many items remained in family homes until they were donated to museums and libraries where they reside today.  Museums and libraries need to check their inventory for arsenic so people stay safe.

Let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Never Too Old