Glad I bought new pillows (as I can rest easy as I pull the covers over my head)

[ksmith]

This link from Jeff VanderMeer's blog. The first inklings that the avian flu is spreading.

Yes, I understand that Gaia was an hypothesis only (no, it's apparently worked up to theory status) and the timeline is a bit longish, and prophets of doom are a dime a dozen. I know that there is no evidence that avian flu has mutated to a human:human transmission type. Yet.

I just wonder sometimes, what if? What if this is the time when things change, irrevocably and forever? What if this is the time when we learn how fragile it all is, and how powerless we really are?

Yeah, I know--late night melodramatics.

'night.

Comments

Nope.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Yea, I know--late night melodramatics.

I must admit that this is why I have spent a lot of time tracking down various books I wanted to have in my library. I don't know if I'll get to use them, but I hope they'll help someone survive.

Right now I'm so busy trying to survive the LBb, I haven't thought deeply on this for a while. But I'm designing an organic garden right now. I buy from self-sustaining sources whenever I can.

And I even came to terms with the fact that we will undoubtedly have a pandemic within ten years (other than diabetes and Lyme, which are already here, the latter not recognized widely.) One of two things will happen. I will either die because of my reduced immune system--or the fever from the pandemic will cure me of Lyme. (They used to infect Lyme patients with malaria to try and cure them of Lyme. If they survived, they were cured...)

The arthritis complicates things. Before it, I was acquiring talents that would be useful in a society that had to back up a bit--clinical massage therapy to easily fix minor muscle injuries that slow productive and comfortable work, ability to sew and make clothing without a pattern, ability to use hand tools, garden, teach--but it will be harder to do these things. W points out that I can *teach* many things, which makes me a lot more useful than George Bush.

You too are a useful person. We can't borrow trouble--sufficient unto today and all that. But I think we have to start reminding people that thinking global is no longer an option. It's required.

And don't buy any oceanfront property.

Perhaps our next books should reflect these things....

I stumbled across good advice for making a "Flu Pack" emergency stash. I'll try and post it tomorrow.

Re: Nope.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Living in the grey as I do, I'm inclined to think that things won't be as bad as painted. Which isnt to say that they won't be bad.

I'm also wondering how any climate changes would affect the level of Lake Michigan because I am close to that.

I'm not sure how useful I am. I may need to acquire useful skills that don't involve electricity or small engines or computers.

I read about the Flu Pack.

Re: Nope.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I'm also wondering how any climate changes would affect the level of Lake Michigan because I am close to that.

Yes, this is a concern for me--but I can't hold on to any hope that my summer cottage will survive. At the high point of the 17 year cycle, the first low dune disappears and the water comes up to the base of the stairs/high dune. Should that first dune start eroding again (water has come to within 50 feet of eroding a concrete sidewalk before the house) I'd give the house 50-50. It's on the third dune. But there is a house to the north that is over 100 years old, so there's hope.

But only hope. If the water level of the oceans rises too much, some of that must effect the Seaway. And what that means for Chicago, at the least, is that the gold Coast will be moving... ;^)

You're strong, smart and healthy. That may trump all the skills I've acquired. At the least, I could teach you Critz, and it would be so valuable I'd never see you again, except for swapping new knowledge during the cooler months, because we'd have to spread out over an area.

I've seen this country move like lightning when necessary. I keep hoping there's someone out there who could grab the USA by the lapels and say "We don't have time for this crap. We must do this NOW."

If someone of strength, intelligence and dignity leads, people will follow.

Unfortunately, when overwhelmed and harassed and afraid, 51% will follow an average actor with powerful friends, too...

[moon-happy.livejournal.com]

Life can change in a blink, but it's rarely from anything we anticipate. The current fear of bird flu reminds me of how people talked about AIDS and ebola when they first appeared. I just don't think IT will be what we fear or how we fear (worry.) It's the life-altering car crash or the tidal wave or meteorite. And yet, for my family, it was a virus that altered our lives. An ordinary cold virus crippled my son's heart and eventually killed him. It's just the scale that's different between your worry and mine.