A Day of Blogging Silence for Japan

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan who have lost their lives, loved ones, their homes and are still fighting unimaginable fears and reality.


FOR THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN!

Questions:

1.  Do you have a fireplace in your home? 
A.  No, but would love to have one.....a real one!!!

2.  Can you drive a stick shift?
A.    Ha, ha, ha!!!!!

3.  How many computers are in your home?
A.  Just this little ole one!!!

4.  Are your taxes done yet?  No!!


6.  Do you do them yourself?
A.  No, we have an accountant do them...he's good at finding extra $$ for us.

7.  What is your favorite meal of the day?
A.  I think it has to be a nice leisurely breakfast!!

WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO?

Everyone has heard about the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan. And now, the threat from the nuclear plants. We’ve been watching the horrific videos and news broadcasts in regards to this. We all sympathize with the people of Japan.

Hopefully, we will not ever, have to experience such an event as that. Still, it makes us think of our own situations and how prepared are we, in the event of weather emergency in our own areas!

Making a Family Emergency Plan

By definition, emergencies happen when we don't expect them, and often when families are not together. If phones don’t work, or some neighbourhoods aren’t accessible, what will you do?

Know the risks

Canada, as well as the USA, are vast countries with extreme weather conditions and dramatic geological features. With their size, weather patterns and varied regions come several natural hazards. Learn about the natural hazards of your country and your region. More importantly, learn how to prepare for them – a natural hazard need not be a natural disaster. Being prepared can make a world of difference.

Get practical information on how to take care of yourself and your family before, during and after an emergency. Learn how to prepare for emergencies caused by natural hazards, and find specific instructions on how to protect yourself and your loved ones in case your region is affected. Read about natural hazard facts and discover where natural hazards can occur in Canada.

Make an emergency plan

The best way to help ensure your family’s safety in these situations is to have an emergency plan. Having a plan, and discussing it with loved ones, will save time and make real situations less stressful.

Learn about the emergencies that can happen where you live and plan for situations that are more likely to occur.

Take a few minutes today and create your family emergency plan.

It will take you about 20 minutes to complete your personalized plan online. Before starting your home emergency plan, you will need to think about:

§  Safe exits from home and neighbourhood

§  Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates

§  Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable

§  Contact persons close-by and out-of-town

§  Health information

§  Place for your pet to stay

§  Risks in your region

§  Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain

Get a Kit

In case of a major event you will need some basic supplies set aside. That way you will always be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours while emergency workers focus on people in urgent need.

Many of the items required in an emergency kit are found in most people's homes. It's just a question of taking some time and putting them together as your emergency kit.

Find out what goes into a basic emergency kit and supplement it with additional emergency supplies. View ourvideo to get started.

Also, drivers could consider packing a basic car kit. You can also find out where to buy an emergency kit.

Get started now – choose one and take a first step to Get Prepared!

§  Basic emergency kit

§  Additional survival supplies

§  Emergency car kit

§  Where to buy an emergency kit

Basic emergency kit

You may have some of these basic emergency kit items already, such as a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water and blankets. The key is to make sure they are organized, easy to find and easy to carry (in a suitcase with wheels or in a backpack) in case you need to evacuate your home. Whatever you do, don't wait for a disaster to happen.

Easy to carry – think of ways that you can pack your emergency kit so that you and those on your emergency plan can easily take the items with you, if necessary.

·         Water – two litres of water per person per day (Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order)

·         Food – that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year)

·         Manual can opener

·         Flashlight and batteries

·         Battery–powered or wind–up radio (and extra batteries)

·         First aid kit

·         Special needs items – prescription medications, infant formula or equipment for people with disabilities

·         Extra keys – for your car and house

·         Cash – include smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones

·         Emergency plan – include a copy of it and ensure it contains in–town and out–of–town contact information

All of the information on this blog comes directly from the Canadian Government Emergency Preparedness web site: http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/index-eng.aspx

I would encourage you to explore this site for more in depth information on what particular natural disaster you might expect in your own area.

Kathy

Wordless Wednesday

   

     

Top 2 Tuesday

Two things my parents or grandparents taught me:

1.Pray

2. How to tell the weather by watching the birds and animals

MEET ME ON MONDAY!

Questions: 

1.  What is your favorite way to eat potatoes? Slowly baked; the hollowed out peeling with butter, salt & pepper, inside, is the best part

2.  What was the last package that was delivered to your house? 

A new subscription to National Geographic.

3.  What is your favorite scent that you love to smell? Line dried sheets, babies, the ocean,home made bread, just from the oven

4.  Do you smoke? No, never have.

5.  Are your parents married or divorced? Sadly they are both now gone, but, they were always together!

Red's Round -the-World EXTRAVAGANZA!

PANMURE ISLAND
Past and Present



Welcome to Panmure Island. This beautiful, secluded location is 15 kilometres east of the Town of Montague in Kings County, Prince Edward Island.
Follow Rte.17 east, out of Montague, until you reach Rte.347, turn right and travel 2 Km. to reach this jewel of a island.

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Early History of Panmure Island

The first settlers of Panmure Island were the MicMac Indians. They came to the island in the summer months to dig clams, mussels and quahaugs, which were very bountiful.

The next inhabitants, were settlers from Scotland, the first of which is believed to be Andrew MacDonald and his family. The MacDonald's arrived in eastern P.E.I. on the advice of another relative, John MacDonald, who had settled in the West River area of the province and found the land to be excellent.

With this in mind, Andrew MacDonald purchased 10,000 acres of land in Three Rivers. The area is composed of three rivers, the Brudenell, Montague and Sturgeon rivers. Arriving in the province in 1805, the MacDonald's then purchased the entire 800 acres of Panmure Island at the entrance to Georgetown Harbour. They did a brisk business building ships and exporting timber to Britain.

The MacDonald's prospered on Panmure Island until 1817, when the family home burned to the ground with everything in it, including all documents for the property. This is the reason for him becoming involved in a chancery suit, which continued for many years and resulted in the property eventually being sold to pay for the law suit.

After the burning of the family home, Andrew MacDonald travelled to Britain where he purchased a shipload of bricks. They were brought to the island the following spring and his new brick residence, barn and stable was erected. These became the first brick structures on Panmure Island. By 1845 the farm had been vacated and after a number of years the bricks began to crumble and the house and the barn had to be pulled down.

Historic Sites of Panmure Island

Panmure Island has a number of historic sites that should be viewed when visiting this tiny island. One site is the Panmure Island Cemetery, established in 1813 and contains the remains of many of the early settlers.

A school was built in 1897 for $150 and had a total of seven pupils the first year. The subjects taught were "writing on paper", arithmetic, grammar, history, geography, spelling and composition. The teachers pay for the three summer months totalled $32.50. This one room schoolhouse still exists and is presently being used as a community center.

Another interesting site on the island is the Panmure Island lighthouse, a must see for anyone visiting the island. Built in 1853, this 18 metre lighthouse has gabled windows and four storeys crowned by the warning beacon. It sits on the northeast shore alerting ships of the dangerous shoal that has been responsible for several shipwrecks. Tours of the lighthouse are available in the summer months and offer a spectacular view of the surrounding area and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia can be seen on the horizon.

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Panmure Island of Today

Panmure Island is much the same as it was one hundred years ago with a few year round residents living on the island in a peaceful rural existence. The big difference between the past and the present, is Panmure Island is no longer an island. A natural causeway started to form and the local people added rocks and earth forming a permanent connection. Today, the causeway is paved and provides easy year round access to the island.Panmure Island also has a Provincial Park that provides campsites and serviced trailer sites for people interested in exploring the area and enjoying the fabulous beaches surrounding the island.

                       Park Information


Panmure Island features one of the most popular white sand beaches on PEI. The park provides life-guards for its supervised swimming areas. The location along a causeway gives water access on both sides of the highway with the sheltered St. Marys Bay on one side and an ocean beach on the other. The sand dunes on the ocean side provide a secluded atmosphere with long stretches of shoreline and a vast view of the ocean makes Panmure Island a beach lover's haven. Tours are offered at historic Panmure Island Lighthouse.

The First Nations People hold an annual Pow Wow at Panmure Island. This spiritual/cultural event, attracting visitors from Eastern Canada and the New England states, includes drum bands, native crafts and a healing sweat tent.

Nearby Attractions include Buffaloland Provincial Park, Deep Sea Fishing, and Kings Castle Provincial Park

Panmure Island Provincial Park is located within the Points East Coastal Drivetouring region.

All information for this blog entry is taken directly from the following two sites: 

Except for the two photographs....and they're mine!

http://www.tourismpei.com/panmure-island

http://www.peisland.com/visit/panmure/island.htm

Kathy

AVOIDING POTHOLES!

Unfortunately, the spring thaw brings more than just flowers. Warmer weather also means that potholes are in full bloom. But drivers don’t have to get that sinking feeling. There are some things you can do to lessen the impact of these hidden holes.

Before you can plot against potholes, you should understand what you’re up against. A pothole forms in several steps. First, rain, sleet or snow works into the soil under the pavement. When the temperature drops, this water freezes and expands, pushing up the soil and pavement.  As thawing occurs, the water runs off and the soil recedes, creating a hole under the pavement. When a vehicle drives over the vulnerable piece of pavement, the surface breaks and creates the menacing pothole. The weaker the pavement is to begin with, the more likely it is that potholes will form.

Driving over a hidden or unknown pothole can cause damage to vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Components that are vulnerable to damage from potholes include vehicle alignment, suspension, shock absorbers and tires. Wheel rims/tires, hubcaps and mufflers can also be affected.

To help avoid pavement pitfalls, try these tips:

·         Drive more slowly, especially on well-worn roads.

·         Be extra cautious when there’s water on the road—a hole may be lurking beneath it.

·         Try to avoid seams near the edge and centre of the road, as these are locations where potholes usually develop.

·         Don’t slam on the brakes when driving over a hole, as this could compound the damage to your vehicle or cause an accident.

·         Make sure headlights are clean—potholes and dips are difficult to see at night.

·         Keep tires at proper inflation levels. Improperly inflated tires may burst when they run over a deep pothole.

·         Don’t swerve if you hit a hole. And be aware of the “pothole dance,” when bikes or vehicles suddenly weave into your lane to avoid a pavement dip.

·         If you suspect a pothole has damaged your car, get your tires, wheels and suspension inspected by a qualified technician.

These tips are brought to you by:

http://www.caamagazine.ca/caadvice_articledetail.aspx?ContentId=2542

We've all lost a hub cap or two in these awful potholes, but I'd love to hear your stories about your own encounters with these Spring “speed bumps”. 

Kathy