HOW TO DEAL WITH SMOKE

Many people are having to live with smoke night and day, due to fires burning in their areas.  I’ve gathered some hints that might make breathing a little easier.

We’re told to stay home, but is your home totally airtight?  Mine isn’t and most homes aren’t.  The smoke is going to find the smallest air leak and creep in, so before you start coughing start looking for those leaks. 

Here are some suggestions of where to look and what you can do once you find a leak.

-  The doors that lead outside (even to the garage) are a primary source.  Do you have a gap anywhere around the door?  Most of us do.  Take some of the old towels, washcloths and/or rags and push them into the gaps.  You won’t be able to push them in with your fingers, but a dull knife, nail file or needle-nose pliers work just fine … depending on the size of the gap.  Of course, if it’s a door you can live without using (like that second door out of the garage) you can always use duct tape or masking tape.  However, you always run the chance of taking the paint off when it’s removed – and rags won’t cost you anything.  If the smoke is really bad you can wet the rags to stop smoke penetration even more.

-  Double hung windows that don’t latch (and seal) properly are another place the smoke will find.  If you can’t fix the window, rags will work here too.  Even if your windows aren't double hung, check for gaps.

-  The garage can let in smoke as well, so if you can roll the trash can out the smaller door, don’t open that big overhead door.  If you intend to keep it closed, check for gaps around its edges and seal them.

We all have to go out of the house at some point in time….you will run out of milk and bread eventually.  Here are some suggestions you can try so your lungs are a little protected.

First of all, when in your car turn the RECIRCULATE AIR function on.  This will keep your ventilation system from pulling in smoke.  Plus keep your windows shut.

Second, when walking (no running right now – go to a gym if you must run) use one of the following:

 

-  SCARVES - Many women have those old, smallish neck-scarves stashed away.  You know the ones I mean, the ones that the cowboys wore around their necks in case of a dust storm.  Drag them out and tie one around your neck.  The other day the air in Wal-Mart was almost as bad as the air outside so I pulled it up over my nose.  Did people look at me?  Sure, but most of them gave me a nod of approval.  Oh, the young girls didn’t – not stylish enough for them, but style goes out the window when your health is at stake.  Men can use their “biker” scarves.

-  MASKS – You can go to the drug store and buy a surgical mask for about $3 or you can go into your garage (or your work truck) and pull out a painters mask.  Besides, they are cheaper to buy and they actually filter out finer particles than the surgical mask does. 

Note:  In Japan people wear surgical masks all the time and it’s considered normal and polite, it’s not normal in the US so I suggest pulling the mask or scarf off when you go into a store so they don’t think you’re a robber. 

Will these suggestions totally eliminate the effects of smoke on your lungs – no, but it will cut the amount of smoke particles going into your lungs significantly.

Lets all pray for the firefighters and for a lot of rain!

http://www.redgage.com/rene

Thank you RedGage .... here is my flower for the day:

http://www.redgage.com/rene#rf:/photos/rene/ready-to-bloom-flower-for-june-23.html

WOOD IS JUST WOOD …. Or is it?

While looking at used (antique?) furniture recently I discovered a whole new world I knew nothing about.

I’ve always asked, “Is this solid wood?” followed by “What kind of wood is it?”  Since I knew nothing about wood, I now realize that without some knowledge of what you’re dealing with, how silly those questions are - when negotiating the value of an object.

I was thinking about getting something different for a coffee table so I was scouring the “antique” shops.  One man I spoke with seemed well versed in wood, but our conversation left me with more questions than I started with.  

I was told the table was probably made of Huanghuali – a rare wood from China.  I decided I needed more information before I spent any money. 

I left, having not purchased anything (because I was sorely lacking in knowledge) and after arriving home did a little research.  I “Googled” Huanghuali and was presented with more information than I thought possible.  I’m sharing some of what I found on the internet. 

Chinese antique furniture is usually of exquisite design, unique workmanship and careful carving. It has been the rare treasure and one of the most splendid parts of Oriental culture.   

Huanghuali – is also known as Yellow Rosewood.

 

With its outstanding rough grain and natural brownish-yellow to purplish-red wood, the term huanghuali literally means “yellow flowering pear.”  The principle wood used during the mid-Ming to early Qing Dynasties, the finest examples of this wood have a translucent, shimmering surface with abstractly figured patterns and colors that range from a reddish-brown to a golden-yellow. 

The finest huanghuali has a translucent shimmering surface with abstractly figured patterns that delight the eye--those appearing like ghost faces were highly prized. The color can range from reddish-brown to golden-yellow.  Today, huanghuali is considered extinct; consequently, pieces built from this wood are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

Somehow I don’t think the table is made of Huanghuali …. He wasn’t asking enough money for it. 

However, it could be Elm (Yumu, Northern Elm) as it is traditionally the most common softwood used in the manufacture of furniture in Northern China.  The sapwood tends to be yellowish-brown (kind of like Yellow Rosewood) with the heartwood being more typically chestnut brown; both have a wave-like grain. 

Could this large table have found its way from Northern China to the little shop on the East coast of the US? 

Then I came across Beech (Jumu, Southern Elm).  It is also a popular wood for making furniture in China.  Furniture made from Beech is widely distributed throughout China as well as Korea and Japan.  It, too, comes in colors ranging from yellowish-brown to coffee-brown.

Could this table have been made in China and then shipped to Korea or Japan where some American soldier bought it and shipped it home?

How would I ever be able to find out its history?

I don’t know that I care any more.  My head is pounding, and I’ve learned enough to know it’s too much for me to comprehend.  

However, I did learn some things.

I’ve learned that not all wood is the same, how incomplete my two questions were and how ignorant I was about wood.

I’ve learned that Americans categorize wood differently than Asian cultures (they don’t use the terms deciduous or conifer).

I also learned that deciduous trees (hardwood) have leaves while conifer trees (softwood) have needles.

I’ve learned a lot …. And I’ve decided to stick with the nice, plain coffee table I already have.  Mine is probably fake wood, but it’s functional.

However, that carved table was and is still beautiful – for the right person.  (I found this picture on eBay.  It’s similar to the one I was looking at.)

Now you know (as I do) – all wood is not the same.  Do a little homework before you spend any of your hard-earned money on “real wood” furniture.

http://www.redgage.com/rene

Here is my flower pick for the day … Thank you, Redgage.

http://www.redgage.com/rene#rf:/photos/rene/white-flower-for-june-22.html

 

ARE YOU A CRAFTER?

You may not realize it, but if you knit, crochet, weave, quilt, embroider or even “just plain sew” - you’re not just a crafter, you’re considered an ARTISAN. 

Artisans create with a sense of utility while artists create more with beauty in mind. There is a goodly amount of creativity and beauty in many pieces we craft, but most are very utilitarian.

I’ve kept myself busy during quiet times creating useful things – and never thought much about it.  In fact, I’ve created so much, my family became “crafted” out and I had to look for other outlets. You may be in the same situation.

Then there is the matter of leftover materials …. I ALWAYS have things leftover …. yarn, thread, cloth …. something!  In fact, I had so much of it stored here and there; my husband (out of fear of being buried alive one day, I’m sure) converted a small closet for the storage of my crafts.  If you’re a crafter, you’re thrifty and have the attitude “I’ll be able to use that one day” so you don’t throw those items out.  If you’re a crafter I know you are guilty of this.

The day has arrived when you will be able to start using up that “stash.”

I finally found places that always need small (or large) items.  Items such as lap throws, hand/arm warmers, shawls, scarves, wash cloths, etc.

These places are found nearly everywhere, no matter how small the community.  Really!

 

You say you’ve looked and there is no one in your community you can even GIVE your work to.

How about hospice or the local day care center?  

I admit the day care center in the “good” section of town didn’t even want to talk to me; however, the one on the “other side of town” did.  They take all I can make.

The hospice with patients in-house didn’t either, but then I stumbled upon a minister who goes to hospice patients who remain at home.  She was overjoyed at my “gifts.”

Both these organizations (and the people receiving the crafts) didn’t care if the items were 100% perfect.  They didn’t care if the scarves were multicolored or the lap throws were of different types of yarn.  They were grateful.

I wasn’t looking for gratitude.  I just wanted to be able to keep my hands busy.

Now I can go to Goodwill and take all the inexpensive mismatched yarn they have, keep my hands busy and donate all my work!  I can once again shop the sales and scoop up all the odds and ends that have been marked down over and over.

I used to feel guilty spending money on yarn with no purpose in mind, but now that feeling is gone!  I feel good about what I’m crafting and I’m happy!

So, if any of you ARTISANS out there are in the same predicament that I was, make a few phone calls and set yourself free to create to your hearts content.

http://www.redgage.com/rene

 

Here is my flower for the day ... Pink Crepe Myrtle - thank you RedGage.

http://www.redgage.com/c-ldhph

 

HOMELESS

The Subway

Who would have thought the subway would become so important to me?

Who would have thought I’d be homeless and grateful to be living in a city that had a subway?

I was a highly paid account rep with an expense account, pricey condo and a fancy sports car, but that was six months ago. 

Then my company had a major downsizing and I was let go. 

Before long I couldn’t pay the rent on the condo or the lease on the car. 

I’d never been evicted before.  I’d never had a car repossessed.  I was in denial and ashamed. 

I went through the meager savings I had.

I had to learn how to use the subway so I could make job interviews.  I rented a large storage locker and put everything I owned in it. 

When I could no longer afford that locker I sold my furniture and got the smallest locker they offered.  In it went my clothes.  I needed them so I could be presentable for job interviews. 

I stayed with friends until I wore out my welcome.

One day I realized had to make a choice.  I could either pay the rent on the small storage locker and keep clothes I would probably never need again, or eat. 

I finally admitted to myself that I was homeless. 

I was sitting at a subway stop late one day, when another homeless man asked me if I had a place to stay.  I didn’t.  He showed me where the entrances were for the subway maintenance tunnels and then told me where the safest places were located.  He was a good man, sharing his knowledge of living on the streets.  

Once I’d never thought about using the subway and now it had become my home.

I’m not working and wonder if I ever will again. 

My unemployment is deposited on a government issued debit card.  It’s my only existence.  I can’t let anyone know I have it or it would be taken from me. 

Each day I come up from the tunnels, take a token from my worn pocket and ride the subway to the Labor Department. 

They used to welcome me, but now that I have no clean clothes to wear and probably smell, they quickly usher me out the door.  They aren’t rude but they want me gone so they handle my case expeditiously.

I’m discouraged.  How will I break this cycle? 

It’s lunch time so I head to the park outside the building where I used to work hoping to run into an old friend who might have a job for me.  Any job would be enough to get me out of the subway.  Today I get a free sandwich from a nice girl.  I smile, thinking  just six months ago I wouldn’t have given her the time of day and here she is keeping me from going hungry.

I enjoy the sun for a few minutes while I gobble down the gift, but then move on.  The police don’t take kindly to homeless people, especially in this part of town.

Slowly I walk to the nearest subway entrance and disappear into its depths.  I now know all the places to rest and where kind people will give me a bit of their loose change. 

Six months ago I wouldn’t have given a homeless person enough for a cup of coffee and now I’m one of those people. 

I would never have imagined the subway would become my transportation, home, workplace, my life.

When I get back on my feet, if I do, I vow I’ll treat people differently.  I’ll have more respect for them and what they’re going through.

I still have hope – for them and for me.

I hope those who are working ... whether it be online with Redgage, in an office or digging ditches.  Take a minute to think about the newly homeless and how easily it can happen.

http://rdonnalson.blogspot.com/2011/06/homeless.html 

Bicycles and the people riding them

Bicycles are not the problem ....as a whole, none of them go out on the road by themselves, but some of the people riding them are less than experienced.

We all know (or should know) the rules for driving a car apply to people "driving" a bicycle and yet ....
  - do you see ALL bicyclists stopping for STOP signs? 
  - do you see them stopping or even slowing down for people in crosswalks?

I don't know about you, but I have a great desire to keep living and I know if I, as a bicyclist, have a run-in with a motor vehicle (no matter how small), I AM going to lose!  Apparently not all people know this.

Just the thought of running into or being run into causes my body to throb.

I've had several dumb accidents while riding a bicycle .... like the first time I rode a bike with hand operated brakes.  (Note:  Bicycles have not always had these kind of brakes.  Originally brakes were operated with your feet ... by pushing the pedals backwards, instead of forward.)  I was pulling into my driveway - remembered my feet no longer stopped my bike and clamped hard on the left hand brake!  The next thing that happened is I flew over the handle bars and saw the tail pipe of my car looming before my face.  I was still grasping the handle bars of the bike.  There must have been enough drag to pull me back just enough to keep the tail pipe from impaling my face; however, my legs were skinned - from my ankles to my knees.

This happened on a Sunday, so you know I looked positively professional when I went to work the next day.  A week or so later, I realized I'd done something very bad to one knee.

Anyway, I digress .....

If I were riding on the open road (I only ride around my sub-division where there is a lot of grass to land on.) I would be sure to learn and practice the rules of the road.

Bicycles DON'T have the right of way automatically.
Bicycles ARE NOT supposed to be riding on the pedestrian walk way
Bicycles ARE NOT supposed to wind in and out of cars waiting at a traffic light

Remember an old saying when riding your bicycle - The life you save may be your own.


www.redgage.com/rene