I got up this morning looking forward to the new year. I lost a friend I have known my whole life this week and it was really a shock and then.............
I got up and signed onto Facebook and got a message from a dear friend that her ex husband (who she was still friendly with and they had a child together) had passed away of a massive coronary. This guy was not even 65 yet and as far as I know healthy, non smoker, non drinker, not overweight and an outdoor type of person who did physical labor.
I was just talking to him on Facebook about coming to visit Central Oregon as he missed it so bad. He was an EMT that I worked with years ago and a really nice guy who cared for others.
Remember to try your best to always be nice and tell people you care because you never know when they or you will no longer be with us.
Hug everyone today...my heart bleeds
Monday, December 31, 2012
Helping others in your community
I keep writing about helping others even if you don't know them but I also understand in this world how hard that sometimes is. An example:
Yesterday I heard on the scanner of a lady who had a broken water pipe and could not get it shut off. They asked the police to go shut it off as they had not found anyone yet. The police did not have the equipment to shut it off. They asked the fire department to go, he did not have the equipment but was trying and could not reach far enough down to get it shut off.
I called dispatch and told them to advise the fire department I was bringing him a shut off value. I grabbed my shut off rod ( I believe in being prepared because if something happens you need your water off in the middle of the night it is a long time before someone gets there) and took off. I arrived and gave it to the fireman and he turned the water off.
The lady then said "you can just leave the rod here where I can turn it back on" I said "no, I need to have it at my house in case I have trouble as it is cold enough a lot of people might need it". She said "well I can't be without water until Monday" I told her that whoever came to fix the pipe would be able to turn it back on when they were done. She said "fine I will just call the fire department every time I want it turned on as the water department is not going to do anything, they are threatening to turn it off already. I told her "sorry but I am not with the fire department and I am not going to leave it with them either nor am I going to run back and forth across town every time she wants the water on and off she is just going to have to call someone to fix it. She said "well then who's job is it to fix it?" I told her since it was at her house it was her landlord or hers if she owned the residence. I told her we could turn it back on before we left. She said she was calling the city and the water department cause they need to fix it not her. I told her sorry but I need to keep my turn off as who knows who needs it in this type of weather. She got mad and stomped off and slammed the door.
The fireman turned to me and said "well she might not appreciate you coming out but I sure do". I told him "well I will thank you for turning it off and coming out in this weather for something that was not the job of a fireman just because he wanted to help"
Hard to want to do things for people when they can't even say thank you and are rude to you. I mean come on, I need that turn off is why I have it. Others might need it and I have never seen this lady before in my life am I going to leave something that important with her where she can run out and turn her water on and off all the time. She can go to the store and find something that will work.
I really thought I was being the good guy and helping my community. Guess that is life. Then I get home and find out if something had broke I would have had to pay for it since it is not my job to turn off someones water, that only the city and the water dept. can do that. What is wrong with this scenario? Is this the time of word we should live in? Where if you help someone you get sued?
I put the story on my facebook page and one person (and it was because they were worried about me) told me not to do that again. Most were very supportive and said "please come help me if my water breaks) If it breaks on your side of the meter you have to pay for the wasted water.
No matter where it breaks it sure is a mess when it is in the teens and freezing ice almost instantly it will turn your whole yard into a frozen mess.
Guess I did not learn my lesson because if someone breaks a pipe I will be there. Do you think she would have felt the same way if it was an inside pipe spraying water all over her house which the next call might be????
Yesterday I heard on the scanner of a lady who had a broken water pipe and could not get it shut off. They asked the police to go shut it off as they had not found anyone yet. The police did not have the equipment to shut it off. They asked the fire department to go, he did not have the equipment but was trying and could not reach far enough down to get it shut off.
I called dispatch and told them to advise the fire department I was bringing him a shut off value. I grabbed my shut off rod ( I believe in being prepared because if something happens you need your water off in the middle of the night it is a long time before someone gets there) and took off. I arrived and gave it to the fireman and he turned the water off.
The lady then said "you can just leave the rod here where I can turn it back on" I said "no, I need to have it at my house in case I have trouble as it is cold enough a lot of people might need it". She said "well I can't be without water until Monday" I told her that whoever came to fix the pipe would be able to turn it back on when they were done. She said "fine I will just call the fire department every time I want it turned on as the water department is not going to do anything, they are threatening to turn it off already. I told her "sorry but I am not with the fire department and I am not going to leave it with them either nor am I going to run back and forth across town every time she wants the water on and off she is just going to have to call someone to fix it. She said "well then who's job is it to fix it?" I told her since it was at her house it was her landlord or hers if she owned the residence. I told her we could turn it back on before we left. She said she was calling the city and the water department cause they need to fix it not her. I told her sorry but I need to keep my turn off as who knows who needs it in this type of weather. She got mad and stomped off and slammed the door.
The fireman turned to me and said "well she might not appreciate you coming out but I sure do". I told him "well I will thank you for turning it off and coming out in this weather for something that was not the job of a fireman just because he wanted to help"
Hard to want to do things for people when they can't even say thank you and are rude to you. I mean come on, I need that turn off is why I have it. Others might need it and I have never seen this lady before in my life am I going to leave something that important with her where she can run out and turn her water on and off all the time. She can go to the store and find something that will work.
I really thought I was being the good guy and helping my community. Guess that is life. Then I get home and find out if something had broke I would have had to pay for it since it is not my job to turn off someones water, that only the city and the water dept. can do that. What is wrong with this scenario? Is this the time of word we should live in? Where if you help someone you get sued?
I put the story on my facebook page and one person (and it was because they were worried about me) told me not to do that again. Most were very supportive and said "please come help me if my water breaks) If it breaks on your side of the meter you have to pay for the wasted water.
No matter where it breaks it sure is a mess when it is in the teens and freezing ice almost instantly it will turn your whole yard into a frozen mess.
Guess I did not learn my lesson because if someone breaks a pipe I will be there. Do you think she would have felt the same way if it was an inside pipe spraying water all over her house which the next call might be????
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
watchful eyes bring two stolen dogs home for the holidays
watching out for different things in your neighborhood really helps. Two dogs were returned to the owners for Christmas. What a joy. To us animal lovers, our animals are like our kids and mean the world to us so this is no small feat.
One they took the puppy that was the girls Christmas present right out of the pound within a half hour of when she was picking it up with her family. They put the photo of the puppy on the news and a neighbor called and said that her neighbor had that puppy. The dog was returned and the girl said it was the best Christmas present she had ever got. It was returned to her on Christmas day.
The other one was a tied outside a store and a guy came and got it. They had a video of it and it was so depressing as you could see how upset the dog was. A lady was walking down the street (this was a large city) and her a man was trying to sell this young dog. She could just tell the dog was unhappy and did not act like this was her owner. She was a dog owner herself and sometime did not seem right so she offered to buy the dog. He wanted $200. She offered him $100 as that was all she had and he said it was a friends dog and he had to have $200. She went and got the money and came and bought the dog. She looked and took dog in and it was returned to its young owner too.
Watch people, if it doesn't see right it probably isn't. Dogs who are with people they love are happy dogs, not fearful or sad.
It is amazing what you can accomplish when you care.
One they took the puppy that was the girls Christmas present right out of the pound within a half hour of when she was picking it up with her family. They put the photo of the puppy on the news and a neighbor called and said that her neighbor had that puppy. The dog was returned and the girl said it was the best Christmas present she had ever got. It was returned to her on Christmas day.
The other one was a tied outside a store and a guy came and got it. They had a video of it and it was so depressing as you could see how upset the dog was. A lady was walking down the street (this was a large city) and her a man was trying to sell this young dog. She could just tell the dog was unhappy and did not act like this was her owner. She was a dog owner herself and sometime did not seem right so she offered to buy the dog. He wanted $200. She offered him $100 as that was all she had and he said it was a friends dog and he had to have $200. She went and got the money and came and bought the dog. She looked and took dog in and it was returned to its young owner too.
Watch people, if it doesn't see right it probably isn't. Dogs who are with people they love are happy dogs, not fearful or sad.
It is amazing what you can accomplish when you care.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Safety thought for today #1
Look someone in the eye when you meet them or see them downtown. It is amazing how well this works.
It makes you aware of what is happening around you and it makes them aware that you have seen them and know their description. Most robbers are not murders and now you have looked them in the eye and said "good evening" they know they have to kill you or find an easier target and they would rather find an easier target. Getting your $20 watch is not worth a murder charge.
Walking with your head up and a direct look says a lot about you! Even if you are shaking inside look confident and look right at them. Don't be afraid to make noise if you think they are approaching you and it is dangerous, tell them to back off. Never go by yourself, have at least two people and still be aware of what is happening.
Make yourself the hard target, let someone else be the easy target...If you can't carry pepper spray, wasp spray works wonders and you can set a can by your door or carry in your car or purse. It squirts a stream approximately 10 to 20 feet and works better then pepper spray. Yes it may damage their eyes but better their eyes then your life.
It makes you aware of what is happening around you and it makes them aware that you have seen them and know their description. Most robbers are not murders and now you have looked them in the eye and said "good evening" they know they have to kill you or find an easier target and they would rather find an easier target. Getting your $20 watch is not worth a murder charge.
Walking with your head up and a direct look says a lot about you! Even if you are shaking inside look confident and look right at them. Don't be afraid to make noise if you think they are approaching you and it is dangerous, tell them to back off. Never go by yourself, have at least two people and still be aware of what is happening.
Make yourself the hard target, let someone else be the easy target...If you can't carry pepper spray, wasp spray works wonders and you can set a can by your door or carry in your car or purse. It squirts a stream approximately 10 to 20 feet and works better then pepper spray. Yes it may damage their eyes but better their eyes then your life.
Be a blessing in a life this year
Today on this Christmas Eve I challenge everyone out there to do one small thing a day for someone you do not know.
Give a smile, open a door, shop for an elderly person, mow an elderly persons lawn this spring, pick up something someone dropped and give it back to them, let someone cut in front of you in heavy traffic and pass those smiles out like they are free because they are and can bring so much to someone.
Give a smile, open a door, shop for an elderly person, mow an elderly persons lawn this spring, pick up something someone dropped and give it back to them, let someone cut in front of you in heavy traffic and pass those smiles out like they are free because they are and can bring so much to someone.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Home safety surprise!
Another way that a lot of people don't think about as far as protecting their home is a motion detector sprinkler system. Just google motion detector sprinkler and it will bring up several places you can order them.
We buy motion detector lights but sprinklers? They are popular for keeping deer and other animals out of your garden but they work wonders in the back yard for prowlers too.
They don't work well at the front door because no none can get to the door but I guess if you wanted to have the front door done you could only turn them on when you go to bed just like they do an alarm system.
I like alarm systems but I also want mine to sound a really LOUD siren that is audible too. I know from being in dispatch that some alarm companies take a long time before police are called. They call the residence and some even call your emergency responders (neighbors or relatives) before they call the police. Many police departments charge for false alarm responses due to they were getting so many where people just forgot to turn alarm off when they came home or an electrical problem or cat set it off. Our police department gave you 3 a year and then they charged. I want the whole neighborhood to know when mine goes off. I would become a very unpopular neighbor if set it off by accident.
My daughter has an alarm and I put the wrong number in once and could not get the stupid thing to shut off. I could not hear as it was breaking my poor ear drums. I had to call her at work and she was trying to give me the number to call the alarm company and the correct code word and I could not hear her. Bless her little soul as she called them from work and hope she did not get in trouble for it. I have been afraid of that thing every since then.
I can not even imagine sneaking around a house and all of a sudden to get hit with water. I would pee my pants right there. Some also have sensor lights along with the sprinklers.
It is something to think about. They run from around $30 and up depending on the system. You might also think about them to keep deer and racoons out of your garden.
We buy motion detector lights but sprinklers? They are popular for keeping deer and other animals out of your garden but they work wonders in the back yard for prowlers too.
They don't work well at the front door because no none can get to the door but I guess if you wanted to have the front door done you could only turn them on when you go to bed just like they do an alarm system.
I like alarm systems but I also want mine to sound a really LOUD siren that is audible too. I know from being in dispatch that some alarm companies take a long time before police are called. They call the residence and some even call your emergency responders (neighbors or relatives) before they call the police. Many police departments charge for false alarm responses due to they were getting so many where people just forgot to turn alarm off when they came home or an electrical problem or cat set it off. Our police department gave you 3 a year and then they charged. I want the whole neighborhood to know when mine goes off. I would become a very unpopular neighbor if set it off by accident.
My daughter has an alarm and I put the wrong number in once and could not get the stupid thing to shut off. I could not hear as it was breaking my poor ear drums. I had to call her at work and she was trying to give me the number to call the alarm company and the correct code word and I could not hear her. Bless her little soul as she called them from work and hope she did not get in trouble for it. I have been afraid of that thing every since then.
I can not even imagine sneaking around a house and all of a sudden to get hit with water. I would pee my pants right there. Some also have sensor lights along with the sprinklers.
It is something to think about. They run from around $30 and up depending on the system. You might also think about them to keep deer and racoons out of your garden.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
fun police video with safety tips included
This is a cute way for a police officer to get the point across on some tips for you to be safe:
watch this u-tube video
copy and paste into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N12rF4bpEPI&feature=youtu.be
watch this u-tube video
copy and paste into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N12rF4bpEPI&feature=youtu.be
Making your neighborhood safe...
Please watch this video, it is worth your trouble and it is what I have been talking about. Everyone is watching you especially the kids, what are we teaching them. Actions do speak louder then words. Telling a child not to drink and then let him watch you get drunk does not teach him not to drink.
One person can make a difference and it spreads just like a cold does. Please take the time to watch this on u-tube. Just paste this address in your browser...PLEASE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0kgP9IVhs
One person can make a difference and it spreads just like a cold does. Please take the time to watch this on u-tube. Just paste this address in your browser...PLEASE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0kgP9IVhs
Interesting discussion on neighborhood safety
I talked yesterday about the garage door opener causing a loss of neighborhood safety and knowing who belongs in your neighborhood. A reader brought up some other interesting ones which also accomplished the same thing.
The air conditioner, yep the air conditioner. People used to gather outside in the cool evening breeze and watch the neighborhood go by instead of watching the TV.
Who knew that Garage door openers, Air Conditioners and TV were so dangerous.
Do you know your neighborhood well enough to know who belongs there? When does your neighbor go to work and come home? How many people belong in that house? When are they on vacation?
Do you fill out a vacation check with the police?
Have you ever thought about what type of fence you have? Many people put privacy fences up to keep the neighbors eyes out. Well those fences also fence out the neighbors eyes that are protecting your property. The bad guys love fences that cover the view of passing people. They are free to take their time.
Have you thought of what type of shrubs are near your windows and doors. People hide behind them and ring the doorbell. The bad guy has more hiding places for their dirty work.
Do you park where your vehicles gas tank is in view for people passing by? Another one that most bad guys love. The car is parked where it is hidden from the street and they can easily siphon your gas. Have you ever seen someone siphon gas and thought "poor guy" and never thought once if it was his or not especially in broad daylight.
If you are a brave thieve you get away with lots as people would not believe you did it. I will give you some examples.
I personally know a guy that had a flat tire in Eugene, Oregon when he was passing through on a sunny Sunday afternoon. He did not have a spare so he got out of his vehicle and got his jack and tire wrench and started walking down the street. Kids were riding bikes, people in houses watching TV and garage doors open and he walked until he found a car that had a tire that would fit his. He jacked the car up and removed the tire and rolled it back down the street to his car and put it on. Not one person called the police.
I personally knew of a guy that never paid a parking meter ticket. He would come out and take the ticket off his windshield and walk to the car in front or back of him and put it on their windshield and drive off. The owner came out and threw a fit because his meter still had time and never once looked at the license number on the ticket. At the time it was $1.00. He put the money in the envelope and put it in the fine box and never once knew it was not his. He was still grumbling when he pulled out about how he would fight it but it would cost him more then paying the ticket. I told the police he was doing it but he never was caught. I also remember once I came out and was that mad guy as I had a ticket on my windshield and I had time left and yep you guessed it I never looked at the license number on the ticket and I wonder to this day if someone did the same thing to me.
I know a guy that shot a deer illegally and when the police were called because the neighbors had heard a shot fired. He stood and talked to the police officer about hearing a shot and the direction it came from as his dead deer lay right behind a sagebrush behind him.
When people are brazen we just don't think about it.
I knew a woman who used to pull up to a shopping center and take off all her jewelry, her purse and with only a t-shirt on and her jeans and shoes she would go into the mall. When she came out she had a purse full of all the things women carry, makeup, makeup remover, lotion, perfume. No one even paid any attention to the fact she was walking around the store with a purse. She had ear rings, necklaces, rings. She had hair stuff in her hair, scarfs around a cute blouse under a cute coat etc. She came out with everything and actually paid for two items she had put in her cart. No one even looked at her and yet we all pay a big price to cover losses for shop lifting. She finally got caught...I wonder why? No I don't cause I know how. Someone turned her in to watch to security.
Myself I love dogs, they bark and draw attention to anyone being around your house or your car. The bad guys don't know if the dog bites or not. It is not that the dog will stop them though there are some that do it is that they alert you to danger like an alarm. It is easier to find an easier target. That is the whole idea, make yourself a hard target where they go to the easy target. If they believed in taking the hard way they would work for what they want.
I have a concealed handgun, I have had lots of defensive tactics but when someone sees me they don't think "watch out" cause I am a little fat old lady so none of it makes me a hard target but.......I have a dog that walks with me. I look people right in the eye and say "good evening", that lets them know this is not a robbery victim as I know what you look like to tell the police. I am aware of everything around me and even change my path sometimes.
I can go down one alley and you down another. If we get attached I will still come out the other end but I would rather come out without a fight.
Think about all of it and keep the ideas and experiences coming please.
The air conditioner, yep the air conditioner. People used to gather outside in the cool evening breeze and watch the neighborhood go by instead of watching the TV.
Who knew that Garage door openers, Air Conditioners and TV were so dangerous.
Do you know your neighborhood well enough to know who belongs there? When does your neighbor go to work and come home? How many people belong in that house? When are they on vacation?
Do you fill out a vacation check with the police?
Have you ever thought about what type of fence you have? Many people put privacy fences up to keep the neighbors eyes out. Well those fences also fence out the neighbors eyes that are protecting your property. The bad guys love fences that cover the view of passing people. They are free to take their time.
Have you thought of what type of shrubs are near your windows and doors. People hide behind them and ring the doorbell. The bad guy has more hiding places for their dirty work.
Do you park where your vehicles gas tank is in view for people passing by? Another one that most bad guys love. The car is parked where it is hidden from the street and they can easily siphon your gas. Have you ever seen someone siphon gas and thought "poor guy" and never thought once if it was his or not especially in broad daylight.
If you are a brave thieve you get away with lots as people would not believe you did it. I will give you some examples.
I personally know a guy that had a flat tire in Eugene, Oregon when he was passing through on a sunny Sunday afternoon. He did not have a spare so he got out of his vehicle and got his jack and tire wrench and started walking down the street. Kids were riding bikes, people in houses watching TV and garage doors open and he walked until he found a car that had a tire that would fit his. He jacked the car up and removed the tire and rolled it back down the street to his car and put it on. Not one person called the police.
I personally knew of a guy that never paid a parking meter ticket. He would come out and take the ticket off his windshield and walk to the car in front or back of him and put it on their windshield and drive off. The owner came out and threw a fit because his meter still had time and never once looked at the license number on the ticket. At the time it was $1.00. He put the money in the envelope and put it in the fine box and never once knew it was not his. He was still grumbling when he pulled out about how he would fight it but it would cost him more then paying the ticket. I told the police he was doing it but he never was caught. I also remember once I came out and was that mad guy as I had a ticket on my windshield and I had time left and yep you guessed it I never looked at the license number on the ticket and I wonder to this day if someone did the same thing to me.
I know a guy that shot a deer illegally and when the police were called because the neighbors had heard a shot fired. He stood and talked to the police officer about hearing a shot and the direction it came from as his dead deer lay right behind a sagebrush behind him.
When people are brazen we just don't think about it.
I knew a woman who used to pull up to a shopping center and take off all her jewelry, her purse and with only a t-shirt on and her jeans and shoes she would go into the mall. When she came out she had a purse full of all the things women carry, makeup, makeup remover, lotion, perfume. No one even paid any attention to the fact she was walking around the store with a purse. She had ear rings, necklaces, rings. She had hair stuff in her hair, scarfs around a cute blouse under a cute coat etc. She came out with everything and actually paid for two items she had put in her cart. No one even looked at her and yet we all pay a big price to cover losses for shop lifting. She finally got caught...I wonder why? No I don't cause I know how. Someone turned her in to watch to security.
Myself I love dogs, they bark and draw attention to anyone being around your house or your car. The bad guys don't know if the dog bites or not. It is not that the dog will stop them though there are some that do it is that they alert you to danger like an alarm. It is easier to find an easier target. That is the whole idea, make yourself a hard target where they go to the easy target. If they believed in taking the hard way they would work for what they want.
I have a concealed handgun, I have had lots of defensive tactics but when someone sees me they don't think "watch out" cause I am a little fat old lady so none of it makes me a hard target but.......I have a dog that walks with me. I look people right in the eye and say "good evening", that lets them know this is not a robbery victim as I know what you look like to tell the police. I am aware of everything around me and even change my path sometimes.
I can go down one alley and you down another. If we get attached I will still come out the other end but I would rather come out without a fight.
Think about all of it and keep the ideas and experiences coming please.
Friday, December 21, 2012
What one thing caused more neighborhood breakdowns?
Number one rule: First off you need to know your neighbors.
It has been documented that since the invention and implementation of ONE
product, the breakdown of the neighborhood occurred. Can you guess what it is
is? Answer in a minute..............
Number one rule: First off you need to know your neighbors.
It has been documented that since the invention and implementation of ONE
product, the breakdown of the neighborhood occurred. Can you guess what it is
is? Answer in a minute..............
The garage door opener..................
Did anyone guess it right?
I sure didn't, I guessed TV.
People came and went without having the opportunity to stop
their car in the driveway and to the garage door and open it, thus giving them
a chance to say a "howdy neighbor", wave and be friendly with those
around them.
Now it is drive to the driveway, click the remote and up
goes the door, drive in, close the door. ABSOLUTELY NO TIME FOR ANY FACE-TO-FACE
PLEASANTRIES with the neighbors.
Also no time for the neighbors to see you and get to where
they recognize you as belonging there.
Go to this blog and scroll down to January 30, 2012 (second one) and read:
by Gregory Harshfield
Maybe that is why the neighbors know my cars and me. I don't have a garage and until I read this I never thought about it but my neighbors do walk by when I am getting in and out of the car car and we say "good morning", "I can't believe this wind", " are you enjoying the snow?". and here all the time I thought I was making small talk and really I was protecting my house.
This was given to me by my friend Denise Woods. I love it! Thank you Denise.
Keep your neighborhood and town safe
We do not have enough police officers to patrol every area. They do get upset when you call them all the time as they are understaffed and behind and many times when you call of a suspicious person they are behind in fights, domestics and wrecks.
There are many things you can do to make your neighborhoods safe and I want to start doing an entry in my blog with some ideas.
First, be aware! There are many sets of eyes out there that can work as a security camera for the police. My ideas...go get a notebook used for security only entries for a daily security diary log.
Get to know your neighbors vehicles by listing all vehicles in your book when you have time, license numbers, colors, makes people who are in the vehicle. This is one way of getting to know your neighbors without leaving the security of your home. You don't even have to open the curtains, just peek out. Pretty soon you will know what cars belong in your neighborhood as visitors, neighbors or delivery people.
If something does happen in the neighborhood you have a list of people that were in the neighborhood during that time period so be sure and note the time. Even if you are working in the yard and enter the info when you go back in the house you have an idea of to the time that vehicle was in the neighborhood and not a vehicle that you have noted before.
As you work with your diary you will learn the vehicles and people and soon your daily log will get smaller and smaller and you will feel safer and more knowledgeable.
Many times people case the neighborhood and if you see a strange vehicle appear two days in a row driving by or even one day and going slow and paying attention to houses or one house make note of it and if you are really suspicious tell the police where when they have time they can patrol your neighborhood.
I have had my neighbors call me at work to see if I knew someone in a white car just they just pulled into my driveway..This one turned out good as they guy was not up to no good, his car had broke down and he coasted into the quickest place to get off the road. It had gained my neighbors attention because he did not pull all the way in.
There have been incidents that a u-haul has pulled up to a house in broad daylight and unloaded a whole household of everything while the neighbors were out in the yard working and were not suspicious. If the neighbors had known a little about these people they would have known the people loading the u-haul were not any of the people that live there. Even if they have help at least one of those people should have been in your diary and you know them. Complete strangers don't come in a u-haul to pack up a house. If people are moving you should have some hints before that of packing boxes being brought in etc. If people are hauling stuff out without packing it that is also strange.
If a car comes and is only hauling electronics or stuff out of a house without it being packed is strange. People usually pack TV's etc into a house not out and if they pack them in even they are in a box. Don't you think it is strange if a strange car pulls up to a house and goes around back and then comes out the front door with just electronics and leaves???
Remember this is your neighbor, it is your responsibility.
If you see someone crawling in a window, which you do see. Is that person in your diary as living there or is it a stranger you have never seen before.....Call the cops!
Watch the kids at the bus stop near your house, log in your diary any cars, people etc that are hanging around. Log the kids, how many are there. If you see a stranger hanging around a bus stop be sure and take note and call the police. This is true especially in rural areas where one child catches the bus. Note everyone that brings that child to the bus stop.
Enough for today, stay tuned daily for other things hopefully. If you have something to add please feel free to do so. We need to take back our neighborhoods, our towns, they are our homes not just the houses we live in, we live in a community. That community is ours, it is our home.
Yeah, I am so happy, I have already had someone contact me about setting up a neighborhood watch in their neighborhood here in my home town....how excited I am....
There are many things you can do to make your neighborhoods safe and I want to start doing an entry in my blog with some ideas.
First, be aware! There are many sets of eyes out there that can work as a security camera for the police. My ideas...go get a notebook used for security only entries for a daily security diary log.
Get to know your neighbors vehicles by listing all vehicles in your book when you have time, license numbers, colors, makes people who are in the vehicle. This is one way of getting to know your neighbors without leaving the security of your home. You don't even have to open the curtains, just peek out. Pretty soon you will know what cars belong in your neighborhood as visitors, neighbors or delivery people.
If something does happen in the neighborhood you have a list of people that were in the neighborhood during that time period so be sure and note the time. Even if you are working in the yard and enter the info when you go back in the house you have an idea of to the time that vehicle was in the neighborhood and not a vehicle that you have noted before.
As you work with your diary you will learn the vehicles and people and soon your daily log will get smaller and smaller and you will feel safer and more knowledgeable.
Many times people case the neighborhood and if you see a strange vehicle appear two days in a row driving by or even one day and going slow and paying attention to houses or one house make note of it and if you are really suspicious tell the police where when they have time they can patrol your neighborhood.
I have had my neighbors call me at work to see if I knew someone in a white car just they just pulled into my driveway..This one turned out good as they guy was not up to no good, his car had broke down and he coasted into the quickest place to get off the road. It had gained my neighbors attention because he did not pull all the way in.
There have been incidents that a u-haul has pulled up to a house in broad daylight and unloaded a whole household of everything while the neighbors were out in the yard working and were not suspicious. If the neighbors had known a little about these people they would have known the people loading the u-haul were not any of the people that live there. Even if they have help at least one of those people should have been in your diary and you know them. Complete strangers don't come in a u-haul to pack up a house. If people are moving you should have some hints before that of packing boxes being brought in etc. If people are hauling stuff out without packing it that is also strange.
If a car comes and is only hauling electronics or stuff out of a house without it being packed is strange. People usually pack TV's etc into a house not out and if they pack them in even they are in a box. Don't you think it is strange if a strange car pulls up to a house and goes around back and then comes out the front door with just electronics and leaves???
Remember this is your neighbor, it is your responsibility.
If you see someone crawling in a window, which you do see. Is that person in your diary as living there or is it a stranger you have never seen before.....Call the cops!
Watch the kids at the bus stop near your house, log in your diary any cars, people etc that are hanging around. Log the kids, how many are there. If you see a stranger hanging around a bus stop be sure and take note and call the police. This is true especially in rural areas where one child catches the bus. Note everyone that brings that child to the bus stop.
Enough for today, stay tuned daily for other things hopefully. If you have something to add please feel free to do so. We need to take back our neighborhoods, our towns, they are our homes not just the houses we live in, we live in a community. That community is ours, it is our home.
Yeah, I am so happy, I have already had someone contact me about setting up a neighborhood watch in their neighborhood here in my home town....how excited I am....
Sunday, December 16, 2012
ICY ROADS
All emergency services hate the first snow and ice as it is wreck after wreck after wreck. Many kids are hurt and injured along with the adults.
You need to SLOW DOWN! Remember that it doesn't do any good to test the road as it might not be icy right there but who knows what is around the corner or over the hill.
You go speeding down the road at the normal speed and boom all of sudden you hit ice and your car starts to turn sideways and then the icy stretch ends and you are at an angle and the car rolls.
PLEASE SLOW DOWN and drive like it is icy everywhere! Icy spots are more dangerous then all icy streets because people test the road and think "oh it isn't icy" but there are spots of ice...again SLOW DOWN and drive like the road is icy everywhere anytime it is cold enough or enough moisture to cause ice..
This is one of the reasons black ice is so dangerous, you don't see it until it is too late........ICY SPOTS kill!
You need to SLOW DOWN! Remember that it doesn't do any good to test the road as it might not be icy right there but who knows what is around the corner or over the hill.
You go speeding down the road at the normal speed and boom all of sudden you hit ice and your car starts to turn sideways and then the icy stretch ends and you are at an angle and the car rolls.
PLEASE SLOW DOWN and drive like it is icy everywhere! Icy spots are more dangerous then all icy streets because people test the road and think "oh it isn't icy" but there are spots of ice...again SLOW DOWN and drive like the road is icy everywhere anytime it is cold enough or enough moisture to cause ice..
This is one of the reasons black ice is so dangerous, you don't see it until it is too late........ICY SPOTS kill!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
House fire corner of Marshal and G
They called in a structure fire on the corner of Marshall and G with flames showing.
This was a vacant house and this started on the outside wall....makes me wonder but I have not heard what the fireman thought started it.
The fireman arrived dress and ready for work and had it out in no time at all. Then came all the work of checking the whole house inside and out with heat sensors and pulling broads off. A lot of people think once the fire is out the firefighters work is done...Wrong, it is just starting, the overhaul and clean up takes a lot longer then the fire.
our fire engines hard at work too. It is nice to have dependable equipment.
The fire is out, the work begins and the figuring out how this fire started.
Again we thank the firefighters of Jefferson County Fire District for getting this fire out so quick. This was in a residential neighborhood with houses close enough it could spread if let get out of hand.
Also thanks to Jefferson County EMS as they respond on all structure fires to stand by since they are so dangerous in case someone gets hurt.
Last night it was Warm Springs Fire and Safety that stood by as they were covering for Jefferson County Fire. Warm Springs is a combination fire department of fire and medical. This fire was near the ambulance hall and since they were standing by they were at the station and arrived almost immediately. Being firemen too they had already located the nearest hydrant. What a great crew and we appreciate it.
Friday, December 14, 2012
From Oregon with love and prayers
In Oregon we had a shooter go and shoot up a mall and kill 2 people, a nurse and a coach, both good loving people with families. A 15 year old was shot but is recovering then he killed himself. Why couldn't he just kill himself? Why did he have to kill others first?
Then today in Connecticut a shooter takes the lives of some teachers and 20 elementary age kids. Our hearts were sad here but nothing like back East. Everyone in Oregon sends our love and prayers.
I only wish I could turn the clock back and have this not to have happened. I don't think anything has sickened me so much. These were young kids excited for Christmas, they had not done anything. They did not bully him, they did not tease him, they did nothing and I mean nothing. These were little people who were someones whole life.
A tragedy in America that will go down in history as one of the biggest black spots on Americans record.
All I can say is that in this day and age you need to learn to protect yourselves, it is a dangerous place these days.
Then today in Connecticut a shooter takes the lives of some teachers and 20 elementary age kids. Our hearts were sad here but nothing like back East. Everyone in Oregon sends our love and prayers.
I only wish I could turn the clock back and have this not to have happened. I don't think anything has sickened me so much. These were young kids excited for Christmas, they had not done anything. They did not bully him, they did not tease him, they did nothing and I mean nothing. These were little people who were someones whole life.
A tragedy in America that will go down in history as one of the biggest black spots on Americans record.
All I can say is that in this day and age you need to learn to protect yourselves, it is a dangerous place these days.
Nightly trips to the outhouse
This photo was on Facebook this morning and it brought back so many memories.
During the hot summer the yellow jackets would be down in the hole and every time I sat on the toilet I lived in fear that they were going to sting my fanny and I would try to hurry and I always tried not to set all the way down where they could get out and not be blocked by my fanny..I mean come on it might turn into a war to get me to remove my fanny where they could get out...scary time!
The other biggest memory I have is that we had an small irrigation ditch between the house and the potty. I was terrified of the dark in those days and I hated having to go potty. The ditch did not always have water in it, only when dad was irrigating.
One dark scary night I was headed for the potty and as I was going over the ditch a hand came out and grabbed my leg. Needless to say I woke up the neighbors a mile away and no longer needed to go to the potty house. My brother had laid down in the ditch and when I came over he had grabbed my leg...oh those red headed brothers big brothers.........
After that evening I was even more afraid to make my nightly trip. I usually don't use a flashlight as I have good night vision but after that night I would take the flashlight and I would turn in circles all the way to the potty watching everything.
I was doing my spinning in a circle walk to the potty when all of a sudden I caught a reflection of the biggest eyes I have ever seen in my life. I yelled bloody murder at the stop of my lungs again waking up the neighbors for 10 miles. I dropped the flashlight and made a b-line for the house yelling the whole way. My dad came running and I was crying and trying to tell him how big these eyes were and a monster was out there.
Now keep in mind my dad worked long hours and farmed to boot and was extremely tired of having to rescue me on my nightly trip. He had really thought I was hurt or something wrong. He grabbed my arm and started dragging me towards the monster with the big eyes as I fought and tugged he kept telling me I was safer at night then during the day. At night I could run and hide from something but during the day I was always exposed. Yeah right! Now I believed that.
We finally got to where I told him the monster was and he flipped the flashlight on the big eyes.....there stood the tractor that he had parked there, its headlights reflecting back at me. I felt so totally stupid and you now what. It worked, I have not been afraid of the dark since that night.
Old bones feel the chill
Today dawned really cold and the old bones feel the chill. My mom has arthritis and she really feels the cold. I am lucky that even at 66 I don't have many problems and no arthritis. I feel so sorry for her as her hands will just knot up in a ball when it is cold.
We have discovered what many have known for centuries that nothing warms the body like wood heat. The only heat that will heat you clear to the bone without making you feel sick because it is so hot. We put in a pellet stove and it sure helps. We enjoy the watching the fire and the heat.
We also have a wood stove out in the converted attached garage which serves as a hobby room, canned food storage, freezer and my bed and I love the wood heat. There is nothing like building a roaring fire, a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and watching the snow all snug and warm. Makes us count our blessings for sure.
I enjoyed my winter last year in Arizona but I so missed these cold morning and the threat of snow. I just can't hardly stand waiting for a nice snowfall. My Jeep, my dogs and my camera will be out all day taking photos and half the night taking photos of Christmas lights..All I can say is "come on snow" I am ready, have not seen you for two years...........yeah snow..bring it on!
We have discovered what many have known for centuries that nothing warms the body like wood heat. The only heat that will heat you clear to the bone without making you feel sick because it is so hot. We put in a pellet stove and it sure helps. We enjoy the watching the fire and the heat.
We also have a wood stove out in the converted attached garage which serves as a hobby room, canned food storage, freezer and my bed and I love the wood heat. There is nothing like building a roaring fire, a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and watching the snow all snug and warm. Makes us count our blessings for sure.
I enjoyed my winter last year in Arizona but I so missed these cold morning and the threat of snow. I just can't hardly stand waiting for a nice snowfall. My Jeep, my dogs and my camera will be out all day taking photos and half the night taking photos of Christmas lights..All I can say is "come on snow" I am ready, have not seen you for two years...........yeah snow..bring it on!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Christmas light drive in Madras
I took my mom who is 88 out for a drive last night to look for Christmas lights in our small town. We might be small but we have a big Christmas spirit. So many lights and I appreciate even the small displays. Thank you for sharing the spirit with us. Going to post a few of my favorites. I only got to about 3 neighborhoods so you can see the spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Madras.
This is such a nice lawn display downtown area.
colorful and cheery
This one might have been simple strings of lights but the image it made of cold was amazing and I loved it. It was 41 degrees out and this house looks like middle of winters cold.
Love the candy canes
What a neat idea, you don't always have to have lights as they made the front door into a wrapped present.
These are all of Jessie's house. He not only does a wonderful display of lights for all of us to enjoy but he always has a toy drive for all the farm kids. Always ready to help those that don't have as much as he does in anyway he can.
many strands of lights to string
This had to be the most thought out display. It is on our water department and the lights are where it looks like the water is running into the glass. I just loved it as it goes down the side of their building.
Another great fun one.
These last 17 are all of the same house. This is amazing. You see on TV all these fancy set to music lights but they aren't as cool as this collection. I bet if I go back I will see displays I missed the first time. I am going out again if it snows to. This is something a child will remember their whole life.
another simple elegant display
What a wonderful drive. I laugh because we all think of taking the kids out for a drive to see the lights and here I am 66 and taking my 88 year old mom out to see lights and I think we had as much wonderment as the kids.
It brought back so many memories of when I was a kid and the Bender family was about the only one that could afford to put a big display on with a big Santa and sled and reindeer which they put in different places each year. We would set in wonderment out on the street just staring every year and then I took my kids. The memories that flooded back from all these lights and displays made it a special memory of past last night so thank you to everyone that puts lights out for our enjoyment as you made it special for us.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Madras Christmas lights 12-11-12
Every time someone puts up some Christmas lights the whole town gets to enjoy it. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us. It adds to our Christmas Joy.
Madras girls Varsity VS Sisters 12-11-12
This game was tight from the very first and stayed that way right up to the end which went into overtime.
Madras's Mariah Stacona, she might be small but she is a powerhouse in action.
What a game! A hard won victory for Sisters in overtime.
Madras Vs Sisters basketball JV girls
Although Madras tried hard they went down with Sisters winning this game.
The playing was hot and heavy.
Not an inch was given as the girls on both teams played hard.
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