A hurricane warning is in effect for our area. There has been a lot of hype but I don’t think there’s much to worry about. Yes, I’ve battened down my open patio behind my condo and moved stuff to my screened lanai, but that’s about all. We may get some heavy rain but I’ll be surprised if there’s more.

If it follows the predictions, the storm will affect us Tuesday and into Wednesday. I secured my furniture but still have a few things to take care of.

My closet organization isn’t completed. I have about 110 outfits hung up using my new chain system. I still have about that many to do to finish. I took a break over the weekend, but I’ll get back at it.

I’m definitely looking for a tricycle. There are a lot of used ones but I haven’t committed to the purchase of one. I need to have it delivered or buy it closeby. No rush. I’ll keep looking.

I’ve been reading sci-fi stories about an EMP affecting the U.S.

Q: What is an EMP?
A: An electromagnetic pulse is a burst of electromagnetic energy produced by a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere, considered capable of widespread damage to power lines, telecommunications, and electronic equipment. (I’ve also heard of an EMP occurring when the explosion happened naturally.)

No, I’m not a “prepper.” I haven’t gone over-board stocking up on stuff. Preppers prepare for the worst. Instead I hope for the best.

If an EMP were to hit us, the most noteable effect would be the lost of electricity for a loooonng while. We wouldn’t have the internet nor cell phones. Cars with electronic equipment wouldn’t run (and that’s most of the vehicles since the 1980’s.)

Here in Florida, we’d miss our A/C but that would be easier to endure than the northern states’ loss of power in the winter months when they’d need the heat from a furnace. (But northern states would have a way to use the outside to refrigerate. Here in Florida, we’d have thawed frozen foods, and no cold water.) Folks who are on insulin pumps, or oxygen, wouldn’t have those. Many would pass away. We’d all suffer.

I’m sure my golf cart wouldn’t run because it has too many electronic parts… And how could I charge it? A bike would work, but my balance is lousy. I am seriously looking for a three wheel trike. I’ve found several used ones but I want one that’s closeby or can be delivered. I’ll need to store it in my garage but I’m sure I can make room for it near my stored Christmas tree.

In the stories I read, folks sometimes get a weather warning if the EMP is the result of a natural solar event. But the scientists often under-estimate an approaching storm.

The chances of a powerful solar pulse hitting Earth are estimated approximately 12% within the next 10 years.

The more commonly feared attack would come from another country. Most people assume Russia or China would be the countries most likely to target the U.S. with an EMP. However, a promenent scientist believes North Korea is the more likely culprit.

The Japanese and South Korean military have held recent tests. It’s thought that the Korean test was to prep for an EMP attack because it was a burst set deliberately by the North Koreans at an altitude of 71 kilometers.

The higher the altitude of the missile, the wider the area of destruction.

As a result of an EMP, cars could/would be paralyzed. Airplanes could fall out of the sky. We’d have natural gas pipeline explosions, nuclear reactor overloads. And worst of all, if we had a protracted blackout, it would be a serious threat to the survival of the American people.

No electricity means no pumps to provide enough water needed to irrigate and grow crops; and since America has only a 30-day reserve food supply, 90 percent of the population would likely die within 1 or 2 years of the EMP attack.

A respected scientist said, “Sooner or later, somebody is going to try to do this,” and added, “I’m not saying it’s going to happen tomorrow, but at some point, it will happen.”

So what plans have I made for a possible EMP but I could also use if there’s a hurricane or other power loss?

In addition to getting a proposed three wheeled trike, I already have a camp stove and fuel that can be used inside, coolers, flashlights, battery operated radios, lots of batteries including some that will re-charge my computer and my cell phone and Kindle.

I have a back-up system for wi-fi if Spectrum is out.

I have large plastic bottles in the freezer (which could go in the refrigerator to help keep it cold), two manual can openers, canned food, and even a few bottles of water.

For lights, I have battery operated candles, regular candles, and flashlights. I think I even have some oil lamps and the oil for them.

I don’t have a generator. I know I’m not strong enough to move one around.

I may not be a “prepper,” but I try to always have the things I’ll need in case of a power failure from an EMP, a hurricane, or any other failure.

Today I bought a water filter which would make almost any water drinkable. I could always get water from the pond behind my condo. It was only $25 and will purify over a thousand gallons of cruddy water and make it drinkable.

I haven’t forgotton Sophie. I have several bags of dry dogfood, and lots of her regular canned stuff. There is also frozen Farmer’s Dog food in the garage’s refrigerator freezer.

I guess I’m in pretty good shape.

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I am going to look at a used tricycle this week. I need to measure it. I’d like it if I can fit it through a doorway. That way I could store it on my screened lanai. If it won’t fit, I am sure I have a place for it in the garage but the lanai would make accessing it easier.

For years I have my footware has only been sandals except when I’m required to wear closed toed shoes at the Squad.

A couple years ago, I found a comfortable style of sandal I like so I have them in white and black. Since I wear those exclusively, they’re looking pretty shabby and I’ve been shopping for replacements.

Today I vowed to arrange my closet. I have been doing it in stages. I want to use some special hangers that will allow me to use a vertical hanging chain for ten items in the space of one.

I started my arranging by picking up shoes on the floor of the closet. I’ve just been tossing them in and quite a few had piled up. Several pair don’t fit. There are lots of “heels,” Some I haven’t ever worn and as I’ve aged I’ve quit wearing “heels,” even low ones. Nearly New will benefit. I have lots to donate.

I found I have enough shoes to last me for the rest of my life. I even found a comfortable pair of sandals that are nearly new. I do need some cheap black canvas (tennis) shoes. That’s it! No sandals or dressy shoes.

[Note: The new tennis shoes came and I love them. Much more comfortable than the closed toed shoes I’ve been wearing to Squad.]

My closet isn’t going to be finished today. I’ll need to clear off my bed so I’ll put the clothes I’m working with on the carpeted floor. I am going to take it easy hanging stuff up. Actually I can stretch it out over the next week without a problem.

Note: I’m slowly accomplishing an “organized” closet. I have completed ten chains with about ten hangers each. I still have quite a few I haven’t touched but my floor pile is shrinking.

For some reason my Facebook account wasn’t accessible the normal way. It just flashed on and off. I finally deleted the app and reinstalled it. A couple hours wasted.

And then my Evernote app stopped loading.

I don’t know what I did to mess things up, but finally I have everything back in place. Took forever!!

I can’t believe that I’ve become such a hoarder. There are many items I feel I MUST have in quantity. Stuff I definitely can’t be without. Some of these are items I’ve had/used for years and they are harder to find. Example: I use a hair product called Redken Glass 01. Years ago, it was about $10 a bottle. It’s now discontinued and the price is now sky-high. The only way I can find it is on eBay. My combs are the same.

Here are some of the items (and I’ll keep adding to the list as I remember of their importance.)

Combs
Toilet paper
Dial hand soap in dispenser
Liquid make-up
Vagisil in bottle
Reisling wine
Welch’s grape/cherry juice
covid testers
neutrogena bars
dog food
Tide in bags
Dunkin Donuts Hazelnut coffee
Batteries of all sizes
white fluffy rug
Ibuprofen
Allergy meds
Dental floss
Redken Glass 01
Rechargeable Flashlights
When I like an item of clothing, I often buy a 2nd (or 3rd)

I’ve been having problems with two of my Simplisafe cameras: the one connected to the flood light on the lanai, and one pointed at my aerogarden.

Working with Simplisafe is usually rewarding but the other day when I called, we didn’t fix my problem so they sent me a new “tower” and I only have a few days to send back the non-working one. The new one came yesterday. I was determined to get the new one installed. I called them and the call lasted TWO HOURS. The connection was accidentally disconnected. When I called SS back, I got a different technician but we still weren’t successful getting the two non-working cameras to work. Funny thing is the one which works outside with the flood light records, but I can’t watch it “live.”

I wasted almost three hours. I gave up for today!!

I have this thing about having a comb close at hand.

My favorite was always a 7″ Goody comb but they are now hard to find and close to $20 for two. On eBay, I was able to locate a “deal.” They aren’t quite as good as the Goodys but not bad and I got 12 for $8.05 including shipping!

I don’t know where the others I’ve previously purchased have gone. I’m sure someday I’ll find them down the side of my couch, in old purses, or some place I’ve forgotten to look.