naturallybroken

[naturallybroken]

[naturallybroken]

Once again the energy is flagging and outweighing my ability to write. Not to mention Fibro is trying to rob me of words.

Check in on your chronically ill/disabled friends. They are probably worse than not okay. Check on your friends with mental health issues, medicine doesn't always handle increased stressors.

Don't ask "How are you feeling?" if you don't have the time and energy to listen. It's perfectly okay to just let them know you are thinking of them.

If you can, escort an ill/disabled friend on errands. Many of us are afraid we can't defend ourselves if cornered or harassed. If you can, be willing, to run the errand for them until they feel "safer".

We leave no one behind

Today's Quote: “In an age of performative cruelty, kindness is punk as fuck. Be punk as fuck.” - Daniel Abraham

Today's Music: Lean on Me - Bill Withers

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I'm cranky, I'll admit that.

I have this lovely allegory all written out in my head to explain the situation as I see it and the solutions needed. But fuck it. Those who need to really listen are in a full-tilt whirlwind of emotions and anger and seriously I understand. I can't allow myself to wind up because I'll break apart worse than Humpty Dumpty and there ain't enough gorilla glue or sedatives that would fix it. So two points for now, for those holding it together. For those frozen in their head or caught in a whirlwind, save this for later.

All skinfolk ain't kinfolk - When you are circling the wagons, remember not everyone who looks like you and loves like you, supports you. They don't consider the things you have in common as important as the things that make you different. They may even despise or want to hide those aspects of themselves, to receive favor from those in power.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water - I don't care if they don't look like you or love like you, if they've been in the trenches with you the whole time, why are you kicking them out now? I'm talking about individuals. I don't care if 99% of people that look and love like Bob are assholes. If Bob has been the opposite of that and has shown through words and actions to be so Bob deserves a seat at the table.

I'm not saying there can't be "only" events, I have my opinions on those but it's not the point. I'm referring the the bigger community. I'm just saying in the middle of being angry pushing away allies is the complete opposite of what you/we should be doing. Sure they are right there and some are willing to be the punching bag but what does that accomplish in the long run?

Misinformation is out there making it seem that everyone who doesn't look and love like you is the enemy. Don't believe it. Judge the individual and their actions, not the physical body they inhabit.

Music Today: Daughters Of The Kaos - Lucious Jackson Quote Today: I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

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"Be prepared" shouldn't just be a catchy saying—it should be a way of life. For those in severe weather zones (think tornadoes, snowstorms, hurricanes), prepping becomes an annual routine. But with shifting weather patterns, that's no longer enough. Weather is breaking old patterns, just look at North Carolina. And natural disasters aren't the only disruptions we might face. Infrastructure failures, like the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident, tech issues (think CloudStrike), animals on power lines, fallen trees, pandemics, strikes, civil unrest, and government shutdowns can all throw off our lives with little to no warning.

This isn't meant to scare you, it's about being ready. Here’s a list (not complete) of essentials to keep on hand, along with a few tips.

Important Documents Keep important paperwork like birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc. handy. It’s also smart to keep a list of account numbers in case you need access them away from your home computer. Have photocopies of any identification you carry daily, and consider storing a second set somewhere else. Like my partner says, “belt and suspenders!”

Cash Have both bills and coins, primarily $20 bills or lower. You don’t want to be flashing $100s in a crisis.

Dry Goods & Can Opener When you have extra funds, invest in non-perishables. My mom would buy meat for the freezer, but after a couple of power outages, I switched to dry goods; grains, pasta, legumes, veggie protein mixes, granola bars. Avoid pricey “prepper" and camping meals; you can cover your nutritional needs for much less.

Water Get bottled water, any brand. When you’re thirsty, you won’t care what the label says.

Candles and Matches Candles aren't just for light, they can provide heat and even a cooking flame. And while lighters are convenient, they run out at the worst times, so keep wooden matches in a waterproof container.

Batteries and Power Banks Beyond AAs and AAAs, stock extra batteries for medical devices, and have power banks for electronics. You’ve seen people crowd around the sparse outlet available to charge their phones, don’t be that person. Affordable power banks are everywhere, and don’t forget spare cables.

Medications Prescription and OTC. Try to get 90-day refills and renew as soon as you’re able. Don’t wait until you’re down to your last dose.

First Aid Kit You should already have one, ideally a few. You can buy pre-made kits, but they often lack essentials. Tailor your kit to meet any specific allergies or medical needs in your household.

Ice Packs Get a few reusable ice packs. Keep them in the freezer so they're ready when needed. I’d suggest a minimum of ten if you have the space.

Backup Glasses If you've seen that Twilight Zone episode, you know how disastrous broken glasses can be. If you wear contacts, still keep backup glasses in case you lose access to solution. When you get new glasses, save the old pair as a backup. Store-bought readers might even work in a pinch, so pick up a pair if they’re affordable.

Basic Tool Kit & Car Kit In a crisis, things break, and there may be no one to help but yourself. A basic toolkit should include a hammer, screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), box cutter or knife, small saw, good shears, and a box of general-size nails and screws. For your car, have jumper cables, a funnel, bungee cords, a window breaker, an ice scraper, gloves, an emergency blanket, and one of those first aid kits from earlier.

Helpful Tips Check Supplies Regularly: Every 3-6 months, rotate and replace anything close to expiration. Mark Expiration Dates: Use a permanent marker to write expiration dates clearly. Those tiny printed dates are hard to read at a glance. Pool/Share Resources: If you can afford it, pick up extra supplies for friends or family. Consider pooling funds to buy in bulk and split the savings. Crisis brings out the best in togetherness; "every person for themselves" rarely ends well. Helping each other with preparedness, lifting heavy items, making copies, or teaching someone how to use tools can make all the difference

Quote for Today “Shared pain is lessened; shared joy is increased—thus do we refute entropy” -- Spider Robinson

Music for Today People Like Us (Doom Patrol version) https://youtu.be/xJ5XK4k5vtA?si=boJb9NQPZpzD74xv

[naturallybroken]

I'm not a front-line person. I don't go boldly into the fray, because although I may be fierce I have no sense of self preservation and I get overwhelmed quickly. But I'm really good at carrying water and supplies. I can provide knowledge, I hope that I provide comfort and encouragement. I aspire to be a soft and safe place to fall.

Today I will declutter a bit, get rid of what's unnecessary, lighten my load, and make myself more mobile. I rid myself of unwanted books to be replaced with others that are more urgent and needed. Fact or Fiction words that guide, teach, and change.

Today's Music: Free To Be… You And Me - The New Seekers

Today's Quote: The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion. -- Albert Camus

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I will not doom scroll I will not binge eat I will crochet a hat for someone's future I will mourn, but not wallow I will be myself, always.

Today's Music: Tess Parks - Somedays

Today's Quote: "That's all anybody can do right now. Live. Hold Out. Survive. I don't know whether good times are coming back again. But I know that won't matter if we don't survive these times." -- Octavia Butler, Parable of the Sower.

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I can't be the only one who loves to buy stickers and then can't bring themselves to actually stick them on anything.

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I swear McDonald's is basically throwing their customers the equivalent of a corporate pizza party. Customers - Your prices are getting outrageous. Since you are making record profits do you think you could lower prices or at least bring back the dollar menu? McDonald's - Nope, but how about we introduce a new menu item no one asked for and name it Grandma so you look/feel bad for criticizing it. For those who haven't heard McDonald's added the Grandma McFlurry to the menu. Vanilla ice cream with butterscotch syrup and pieces, "like the treats grandma would hide in her purse."

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My father died in 2003. I went to the funeral and graveside service but I've never gone back to the cemetery for many reasons mainly because it is nowhere near where I travel. Today I randomly was doing some family genealogy search and found out someone took a picture of his headstone and posted it to find-a-grave. So I finally got to see it, 21 years later. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about it. It looks nice enough though.

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My doctor was happy with my A1C number today considering the stressful year I had since my last appointment but I wasn't, back up to 6.6. Well within the good range for a diabetic but I know I can do better because I have. 2 years ago I was at 5.6. I want to get to a point where I don't need the daily pill. I've managed to get off the weekly shot and taking two pills but I just feel like a failure for not getting off them completely. It's weight, I know. But between fibro and PCOS, depression, anxiety, ADHD, all unmedicated, it's really hard. Match that when I even begin to make food changes I become immediately obsessed to the point of early signs of an eating disorder and I'm not sure what to do.

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[naturallybroken]

I want to learn how to do this so bad.

🔥🖤🔥🖤🔥🖤🔥

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I love how optometrists say things like "Oh your eyes will only be dilated for an hour maybe two" Meanwhile 6 hours later, all light feels cranked up to 11. And you can actually see my pupils (that's not a normal occurrence)

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You don't completely realize how you've been running yourself ragged for years until you spend one night away from home, with no work, no plans, just relaxing and it feels like you've taken a week's vacation.

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The beginning of a probably never-ending list of what should be the rules for commenting on the internet. Let's be honest, it's a continuing rant in list form.

People can do frivolous things while the world is on fire. This includes spending money on silly things, taking trips, etc. It's called surviving. To pretend you don't allow yourself happy moments as well is just being a hypocrite.

Groups are not airports, no need to announce your departure. If you think something is fundamentally wrong with the group that should be addressed, contact the admins.

Don't do something the way the video creator does but your way is obvious or just an attempt to appear superior? Keep it to yourself. Do you shred your cheese instead of buying shredded? Keep your mouth shut. Do you have a special hack that makes shredding cheese easier AND the content creator is shredding cheese in the video? Feel free to share.

Stay on topic. I frankly don't care who you are voting for in the [insert political office] election when I'm watching a cute kitten video.

Everything is composed of chemicals, even you (and no I'm not talking microplastics). No need to scream it every time someone isn't cooking 100% from scratch. The word you are actually looking for is processed. Also, there is nothing inherently wrong with processed foods.

There are over 8 Billion people on the planet. Just because you don't know this one well-known person doesn't mean a significant number of people do and would like to know more about them.

Soap and water exist. Everyone doesn't have to use gloves while cooking ESPECIALLY when they are preparing food for themselves or their family. You are not the health department.

Okay, I think that's enough for now.

[naturallybroken]

Knowledge is empowering

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It seems that right on time I've got the crud too. Mine of course will just be mildly annoying compared to my partner. But I'm sure I'm looking really sexy with tissue sticking out of my nose. Seriously my right nostril is like a faucet that needs to be tightened.