On a day (like this day) when I lack anything of substance to talk about, I’m tempted to let the blog slide until I do. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course — I’ve gotten a lot better at avoiding a publish-or-perish mentality.
What writing does for me, however, is that it keeps my mind active. Chronicling even the most ordinary things requires that I think critically. Maintaining the ability to do that in this, my brain’s 68th year, is invaluable.
Social media, though entertaining, is no substitute for original thought. Scrolling mindlessly and sharing others’ insights, outrage or humor is (for me) equivalent to putting out the “Vacancy” sign.
And so here I am.
I can tell you that Ozarkansas is benefitting today from what meteorologists are calling a “cold front.” What that means, practically, is high temps in the low 90s — but a “heat index” 15°F to 20°F “cooler” than it was the last four days.
It’s still pretty inhospitable.
I also can report that Deb and I may go down to the races tonight. Or we may not. It all depends on how she’s feeling when she gets home from work.
The track’s owner, whenever he sees Deb, has been giving her shit (good-naturedly) about us not being in the stands recently. He did the same when we saw him outside Crooked Creek Pub a couple of nights ago.
So there’s that.
What I’d really like to do today is leave you with something you can use, especially if you have a preparedness mindset. In return for your kind attention, I mean, it’s the least I can do.
You know that I have a weakness for knives. (Some might use the word “problem,” and I wouldn’t argue with that.) I also have a flashlight fetish — I own way more lights than any sane person should.
I tell myself that both obsessions are pragmatic, that knives and lights will come in handy someday when (not if) the shit hits the fan.
That same rationale supports my infatuation with another prepper staple — cordage. Specifically, I’m talking about parachute cord with a breaking strength of 550 pounds. It’s more commonly called, simply, “550 paracord.”
Cordage is an essential item that belongs in every bug-out bag, get-home kit, backpack and stash of emergency supplies. I’ve used paracord to fashion guy lines, lanyards, fobs, tethers and even bracelets.
I’ve bought a lot of cordage over the years, and I haven’t used (or even allocated) nearly all of it. When I first started acquiring paracord, it was available only in black, OD and white. These days, it can be had in a thousand different colors and patterns.
Paracord has gone mainstream. It’s a thing now. And you should have some.
You can buy the stuff anywhere, from Amazon to Walmart, gun stores and random flea markets. Quality is inconsistent at best. Much of it comes from Chi-nah.
But there’s a high-quality, made-in-USA alternative — order your cordage from Atwood Rope Company. I’ve been doing business with them for years, and I’ve always been pleased with their products and service. The company makes The Good Stuff and sells it at fair prices (most 550 paracord is $8.99 for 100 feet), and the selection (types of cordage and colors) is something you have to see to believe.
Atwood Rope is located in Millersport, Ohio, a town next-door to where Deb and I used to live. It was always great doing business with a local manufacturer back then, and nothing has changed with our move to Ozarkansas — they’ve earned my business for life.
(Like I need more cordage.)
So you should stock up on paracord. I recommend you buy it from Atwood.
And brush up on your knots, too, okay?
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB