RECORDED MESSAGES FRUSTRATE

 Republic -- "If you can keep it."  [Democracy]

        Accountability for January 6th Insurrection

U.S. Select House Committee on Jan. 6th Hearings continue in the fall.

QUESTION:  Are more of the American people beginning to realize the threat to turn our form of government into an autocracy by using fear and intimidation of possible  violence by those inciting a civil war?

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms died at age 96 years, 8 September 2022, Balmoral Castle Scotland.  She reigned 70 years.

                

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

Dull moments seldom appear in my household.  I always have something to either demand my attention or I am attracted to engaging in numerous other activities that give me pleasure.

Wonders never change -- last week I was writing of our unusual excessively hot humid temperatures.   Now, thanks to that rare Hurricane Kay coming up our Pacific Coast from Mexico our heat wave ended.   Kay became a lesser tropical storm after colliding with a high-pressure system from the north resulting in our experiencing very welcome but unusual cooler temperatures.  Never mind, we're promised some hotter weather again before our summer ends.

The dreaded mud slides in previously burned forest fire areas have brought devastation but not to my community.   I shudder when I view TV news reports here and around the world of those driven from their homes or worse, thanks to the vagaries of climate change.

Long-promised and even longer awaited conversion to fiber-optic internet service has finally come to our neighborhood and more specifically my home.  Even my landline phone service transmission is now changed to the internet with an 8-hour backup battery should my electricity ever cease.  

The scenario wasn't that efficient leading up to the installation of this fiber-optic change but that only took several hours for the technician to accomplish one afternoon this past week.  Granted for that final actual change I didn't have to do anything, but somehow, I always seem to feel almost as tired as if I had done the labor.  I don't recall feeling that way when I was younger so wonder if that is just me, or is it an aging thing?   Oh, and another thing, why does everything always happen at once instead of occurring on different days?

The previous week I was busy getting exhausted as the young men working in my garage replaced by hot water heater.  In the midst of all this came my phone company agent to discuss my ordering installation of their fiber-optic system for internet and phone.   He had no printed material to leave with me to review and consider later.   We took a photo of his working rate form and particulars with my iPhone for my convenience.  

I phoned the agent the first of the week, discussed further installation matters and placed my order.  He immediately connected us with a third party to initiate the change portion taking place by phone which took about a half hour.  

As luck would have it, at the end of that process there was a glitz resulting in my having to call their customer service number.   I was apprehensive since I had gone through that process a week or so earlier which became one of those recorded message nightmares.  The message was:  "We're working quickly to answer your call, but it is taking a little bit longer than normal and someone will be with you soon."  

That time they eventually said there would be a 45-minute delay.  I could hold or they would call me when the customer service agent was available.  I optioned the call-back which came after 45 minutes but I still had to hold again.  No offer for a call-back as before.  Totally exasperated after another 45 minutes passed just as I was about to hang up a real live person answered.  What kind of weird system was that?

This time I wasn't offered the call-back option, had to hold 45 minutes again, became exasperated again and was ready to disconnect just as a service representative answered.  Turns out there was no need for me to call them but I had no way of knowing that then.  

My on-site installation occurred several days later as scheduled -- new line to my house and all the changes inside accomplished by the technician in a few hours.  

My landline phone now goes through the internet, has an 8-hour backup battery if the electric power shuts down.  I can't see that the internet speed on my computer is any faster than what I had, but I'll see.

Isn't progress wonderful!

HOT TIME -- KEEPING COOL AGING -- HEAT OFFICER

 Republic -- "If you can keep it."  [Democracy]

      Accountability for Jan. 6th insurrection.

U.S. Select House Committee on Jan. 6th Hearing continues in the fall.

U.S. Dept. of Justice and FBI deserving of respect for doing their jobs.

QUESTION:  What has happened to the documents missing from the empty file folders marked 'classified' found mixed into personal belongings of the ex-President -- items he allegedly illegally took to his Florida country club resort home -- documents he kept there even after all such records owned by our government his attorneys falsely reported had been returned as required?  

"TOO DARN HOT" from the musical film 'Kiss Me Kate' / 1953                                                Ann Miller dancing and singing Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter                                      Starring: Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn,                            Bobby Van, Tommy Rall, James Whitmore, Bob Fosse, Ron Randell 

HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN ... many days and nights!

HOT is a term describing the climate in many places around the world including my own here in Southern California, U.S.   People are flocking to our SoCal beaches to stay cool.   Monsoonal thunderstorms with lightning erratically roll through some communities (not mine) dropping short bursts of rain.  Bears seek humans' swimming pools in which to cool themselves.   

100+ degrees Fahrenheit (38+ Celsius) our thermometers have been recording beginning last week, continuing into this current week only to get hotter in some SoCal communities -- think 105 - 115 F (43 - 53 C). 

Earlier in the season, we received in our mail forms to submit encouraging those who can and want to participate in our utility power company's 'flex alert' program for which they give $$$ credits.   

We're now on 'flex alert'.  We're asked to eliminate using electric appliances like our ovens, clothes and dishwashers, turn off other devices, to not charge electric autos, between 4-9 p.m.   This is also the time period during which we are asked to conserve water due to our drought I've described here previously.  

Additionally, for several consecutive days we are being advised we could experience 'rolling blackouts'.  This usually means our power could periodically be cut off for an hour, then turned back on, during days and nights.  

Provision excluding such power outages can be arranged by individuals whose medical conditions require they must have electricity for their life-sustaining equipment.  

Our several years drought has aggravated our parched vegetation due to such extremely hot weather in areas here and in northern California creating even greater susceptibility to fire.  Our rationed water is also required to combat these fires.  The flames have destroyed acres of countryside along with some resident's homes, causing thousands to evacuate, injuring some and threatening, even taking the lives of people as well as other life.

The future our world is predicted to face includes increasing extreme temperature changes which we are just beginning to experience.  In simple terms, in each succeeding year to come, our summer days and nights are likely only going to get hotter.

Perhaps being aware of what others experience now may help inform some to think in terms of their own communities -- what they may be able or want to do in anticipation, if or when they have a similar situation.

Los Angeles has taken the actions so far by only two other cities, Miami and Phoenix -- appointing a Chief Heat Officer, Marta Segura, to "oversee the City's response to extreme heat events" described in a city press release.  She was previously director of climate emergency mobilization.

The L.A. city plan will include a warning system, interagency emergency response plans, also long-term strategies to reduce exposure.  Smithsonian magazine describes "Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S."

"Americans who are over the age of 65, Black Americans, children, patients with cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses and economically disadvantaged populations are more vulnerable to heat and face a higher risk of death, on top of the disparities in mortality reporting" reported by the Environmentally Protection Agency (EPA).

"The idea of Chief Heat Officers isn't exclusive to the US.  Since Miami announced its position, Athens, Greece, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Monterey in Mexico, and the Santiago metropolitan region in Chile have all hired in similar positions."

The world in which we live now and will in the future is projected to be quite different from the one into which I was born more than three quarters of a century ago.  I think the expectation some seem to have that we can recapture life in the world as we once knew is not at all likely.

Resistance to the changes coming only makes the accommodation more difficult.  The complications of too much water, flooding, presents massive threats some in the world have already been experiencing  from which we need to be learning, then taking preparatory action now. 

Flooding washed out a major connecting freeway (I-10) between L.A.andPhoenix recently, so we are not immune to too much water in some drought areas also vulnerable to the effects of excessive heat.  Adaptation to our evolving new world now is our challenge.

Our energy source to power cooling, heating, and lighting our homes, our transportation vehicles, and systems to operate all our devices on which we increasingly depend in most other facets of our lives are central to our existence.  

Not all of us are able to incorporate all of the necessary changes into our daily lives but we might best do what we can.  Also, I'm no longer a candidate for taking on extra employment to augment costs of some recommended special projects as I might once have done when younger.  That situation becomes a fact of life for most at some stage in life.

Meanwhile, I'm keeping cool with air conditioning, doing all I can do in the way of conservation of electric and water usage as necessary.  There is more I know would help in overall conservation beyond these immediate special needs I would like to be able to adopt.  Some adaptive actions I would take but I'm no longer physically able to perform some of the required tasks that could mitigate upkeep.  In other desired actions the cost is prohibitive, considering given the unknowns of what my personal future needs may be I expect is true for others, too.

I wonder .....

..... if others reading here view the future as I've considered it to be?

..... if other readers here  have or will be doing all they think could or needs to be done to adapt to this future that is confronting us now?

..... if special action is being taken in your community to prepare and adapt to changing weather and/or environmental conditions where you live -- locally or in your state?

WATER ... WHERE? -- SPIRIT FLEDGED

May Gray ... June Gloom ... but no rain.

SPIRIT FLEDGED.....  the Bald Eaglet flew early the morning of May 31st in a video you can view on my previous blog post in case you missed the update.  She continues to return to the nest periodically but will gradually hone more skills, then ultimately fly away to live independently.  

WATER ..... WHERE?

Our persistent drought caused by little rain and meagre mountain snowfall resulting in water reserves depletion has necessitated restricted water use regulations in California.  SoCal where I live the restriction specifics vary from county to county, city to city.  Los Angeles, for example, has a different water company than my city so large swaths there are restricted to watering 2 days a week while further inland we are allowed to water only 1 day a week.

I'm sharing what mandatory water conservation and rationing presently looks like, at least in my city, with details for any who might be interested.  Possibly in years to come water shortages will affect more communities in other states, countries, besides those already affected.  So, you may consider what some of you might experience in the future.  

Our lakes, reservoirs, even mighty rivers like the Colorado feeding southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico have had declining reserves these past several years.  Read how our southern border neighbor Mexico challenged also is coping in this azcentral article HERE.

The U.S. share of the Colorado river waters is divided among four upper basin states (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico) and three lower basin states (Arizona, Nevada, and California).

The past year, 2021, California had to institute a Stage 1 voluntary 15% water reduction that regrettably wasn't met in too many communities.  My property was allocated to use 2 to 4 gallons less water monthly than I used the previous year.  I haven't reviewed every month's record but think I readily met my allocation, even using less water.

June 1st this year, 2022, our water company conservation plan had to move us into a mandatory Stage 2.   

(I can't help wondering if all those individuals so opposed to government prescribed "mandatory" actions i.e., wearing a mask, getting vaccinated will refuse to cooperate for the good of the community on water conservation, too?)

Here's a summary provided on the City of Claremont's web site:

 Level 2 Water Supply Shortage In Effect

New Outdoor Watering Restrictions Starting June 1, 2022

The next stage -- Stage 3 -- "mandatory" no watering outdoors.  I hope this stage not needed.   

[Water use is most commonly discussed in CCF (centum cubic feet) and gallons].       

 .     .     .Water usage -- 1 CCF  =  748 gallons.

My allocation varies each month.  (20% of my 2020 water usage.)                               

(The result is I am allocated 2 to 4 gallons less in all but one month I've determined.)  

        For example:  I'm allocated 17 CCF for June.                                                                                    (Rest of the year will be between 17-19, one mo. 20 CCF)

          April shows I used 6 CCF; previous month 11 CCF; April prior year 17 CCF.

          My current bill dated 5/23 (only 29 days) shows: I used 11 CCF well under my allocation.

[The yearly differences probably are due to the amount of rain we received allowing me to turn sprinklers off for a day, a week, or however long, or decrease the time water sprinkles in each of my 3 zones in front yard and 3 zones in back yard.  (The 4th zone to my parkway in the front yard I turned off several years ago).  Rain, temperature, and other factors affect how much water is used which is quite variable from year to year.]

There is a $2.50 emergency surcharge per CCF assessment if a customer uses more than their water allocation.

Repetitive water usage above allocation, then ignoring notices to cease will result in expensive installation of devices to decrease water emitted in addition to more expensive dollar fines.

No customers are being asked to reduce their water usage below 8 CCF per month.  Based on an average four-person household, the 8 CCF minimum accounts for daily indoor usage of 50 gallons per person.

[Interestingly, when I researched average at-home water usage I found a wide variation in the estimated gallons used from 60 gallons per person according to Water Footprint Calculator.  The U.S.Geological Survey reports 80-100 gallons average per person.

The Environmental Protection Agency 75 gallons per person based on average family use of 300 gallons per month.  Obviously, individuals' habits determine actual usage.]

Consult the EPA site for much more specific estimates on actual water usage in gallons for various functions, for example like the one item using the most water in households, the toilet -- using 3-4 gallons per flush with older toilets; 1-2 gallons per flush with newer toilets.   

There are indoor water conservation measures encouraged I've followed for many years with my washing machine, dish washer.  We're urged to operate them only when we have full loads which I always did anyway.  

Electric energy savings have been encouraged for some time here in So Cal.  We are urged to not use our electric appliances between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.   Now, we integrate our water mandates with our voluntary energy conservation measures.  

Fortunately, what could be considered conservation measurers have been common sense behaviors becoming second nature from childhood for me.  They simply continued being almost automatic throughout my adulthood.  Not much was ever wasted, including electricity and water, though I've never had water formally rationed like this before. 

The EPA link features an interesting pie chart of water usage items, also simple instructions for how to determine how much water you use.  

If you receive a water bill, it will provide a monthly CCF total.  Follow the example provided in the EPA link to determine your water usage.

I haven't yet figured out how to water special areas more than once a week since my gardeners who typically cut the grass only come once a week and likely won't need to mow grass that often.  Unfortunately, I'm currently not able to hand water myself and no teens in the area I could hire.  I need to obtain some of the special adapters described.  I had a hose shut off nozzle purchased some years ago but it seems to have grown legs and walked away.  I have a short soaker hose for one tree.  The longer one I had for years disintegrated.   As  you can see I'm not well-prepared for this so have to make time to figure it all out.  

I'm not really interested in incurring the expense of installing a drip irrigation system so I'll have to see what I can conjure.   

I'm concerned about various hedges, bushes, and several trees in my yard.  I hope my one remaining Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow bush I rooted that had grown so wonderfully survives.  The lovely petite white and lavender bloom was spectacular this spring.  I fully intended to photograph the scene beginning years earlier for permanent embedding on my blog given the connection which prompted my blog's name but obviously I've not done so.

Two young city trees in the parkway I'm responsible for watering but I capped the sprinklers to that area several years ago before the city even planted them.  The city did recently announce they will be surveying our city trees and provide extra water for any they deem in need.  "City of Trees" is our town's awarded designation based on the many quite lovely and majestic trees around town.

I'm prepared my grass will likely die.   Unfortunately, I'm no longer able to perform yard work to gradually transition my landscaping.  Years earlier long before any yards in our area had converted their grassy areas I had obtained a landscaping proposal I rejected since the whole approach which also contributed to excessive cost was not what I wanted.  I'll see when fall arrives what growth has survived and consider what is needed.

The climate changes affecting water availability we are experiencing vary within our country and around the world.  Drought, warmer temperatures, vulnerability for forest fires once mostly occurring only a few months a year are now a year 'round concern primarily here and in our western U.S. states.   Other areas of our country's residents do not experience water limitations and, in fact, have an over-abundance with flooding, more fierce storms.  Other countries experience this, too.

What sort of climate changes, if any, have you noticed where you live?  

Has your community had to make any adjustments, or have you had to make any personal adaptations?   

                     

    

LIFE GUARANTEES -- GANG AFT AGLEY

You never know what you're going to read when you come to my blog as my previous post evidenced.  Some bloggers write sequential posts describing their day-to-day activities, others writings cover over a week or longer; then some have themed subjects, explore other topics, memories and ideas. 

By comparison, my blog posts are probably somewhat of a hodgepodge of my meandering thoughts, some of life at any given time, some recollections and mostly whatever happens to be capturing my interest at the time.  I'm not sure there is ever a long consistent connecting thread that might serve to stimulate readers to return and read more.

One such short thread currently is my "smart phone" that was delivered when expected at the end of the previous week.  I think the iPhone seems to be rather like a smaller version of my iPad-Mini that I like so much.  The larger phone size is less desirable to me than my cell phone which fit nicely into a small pocket-like padded carrier.  There was a soft material handle I could hook my fingers through to carry about and still have the use of both hands, or put the cell phone in my pocket -- to have handy should I need to make an emergency call.  

My little cell phone was ideal instead of subscribing to one of those special services necessitating wearing a device to hang around my neck or a pin to affix on my clothes with a button to push should I happen to fall, for example.  But there are various smart phone features that I may gradually incorporate into using that exceed those offered by my now former cell phone.

Perhaps the next change I might make will be to use a "smart watch".  I remember when reading the Sunday newspaper's comic strip page was a regular activity I began enjoying when I was elementary school age decades ago.  I wasn't a regular fan of Dick Tracy, but I do recall being impressed with the fantasy aroused when he started wearing a 2-way wrist radio on which he could send and receive messages -- pictures, too!  That could never happen in real life --- could it?

A few decades later kids got a toy 2-way wrist radio as featured in this commercial:

* * *

I’m dedicated, too, renewing my personal commitment to myself to engage in more life enhancing actions this New Year.   I gave myself an exercise device I have yet to take out of the box and setup for use, so I’m not off to a very good start.  

It’s as though once I ordered the item, then received the box I had accomplished what seemed like a really good idea.  Nothing could be further from the truth as I well know, but what happened to the enthusiasm I had when I came up with the idea?  I even got a price “deal” adding to my motivation this was a wise action I was taking. 

Have you thought you were dedicated to doing something, then somehow didn’t follow through quite like you fully intended to do?  

The road to you-know-where is paved with good intentions as the saying goes.  Maybe it’s not too late to get my act together.  How about you?