March is Women of Preparedness Month at PerennialNC!  We celebrate the unique strengths of icons, past & present who emulate Christian faith, preparedness, resilience, and grace, amidst an at-risk world. They were & are preparedness-driven, against the odds,  to make life better for others.

It takes faith, fearlessness, and self-preparedness, to take a stand as a woman, in the past, to the present day! There are so many women that represent these attributes, who don’t “make the news” or get an award. We honor them all!

"Self-preparedness" has been a significant attribute for women since Biblical times. As written in Proverbs 31: 15 - 30,  a husband counted a wife's entrepreneurialism and self-motivation, on behalf of her household, as a blessing. 

Proverbs 31: 15-30 

She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

In fact, one can say that a "preparedness-driven" economy begins in the home. The practice of faith and preparedness has benefits in terms of family unity, resilience, and generational wealth-building. Those benefits empower community growth and stability; even beyond to the strengthening of an entire nation.

Whether married or single, the above scriptures encompass so many benefits than can emanate from a habit of self-preparedness and faith. 

One of the women I find most exemplary, across the ages,  of the attributes of faith and self-preparedness is Harriet Tubman.

No one had to convince Mrs. Tubman of the imperative to seek freedom. Once she  decided, Mrs. Tubman's  self-preparedness ignited the necessary ingenuity for countless missions ahead.

Mrs. Tubman mapped out the plan of navigation, using the stars, landmarks, signals, and prayer, to help 100s of fugitive slaves travel from the Southern states to the North;  many fled into Canada, over the Niagara Railway Bridge. 

Back then, there were no modern tools, such as State Maps, Compasses, or GPS, to assure accuracy along perilous paths, through various terrains and seasons, to achieve successful departures and arrivals of Ms. Tubman's "passengers".

Faith and self-preparedness, when activated for good cause, often brings out the best in our abilities. I call it "brain bloom"! 

Fast forward to the year, 2018, Dr. Gladys West, an American Mathematician was recognized and inducted in the US Air Force Hall of Fame for her work in GPS technology

Gladys Mae West (née Brown; born October 27, 1930^[1]) is  known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of the satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS).^[2] West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. West was awarded the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award at 25th Annual Webby Awards for the development of the satellite geodesy models.^[3

While Dr. West didn't face the life-threatening perils of Harriet Tubman, she still had to navigate through obstacles in her way, to achieve the credibility and respect of her mostly white male peers.  The GPS systems, models, and tools that we all use today, owe much to her scientific contributions. 

Throughout all, Dr. West's faith, self-confidence, and self-preparedness,  made possible the mathematical  contributions to advances in land and sea navigation,  that benefit all of us today.  Gladys West is one of many women of preparedness and "hidden figures" that are beginning to get the recognition due them. 

An awareness of such women is essential to instilling a similar expectation of self-confidence, self-preparedness and the faith and necessary for our young people to pursue goals and achieve bright futures.  - Pam Kelly 

"I'm a doer, hands-on kind of person. If I can see the road and see where it turns and see where it went, I am more sure." - Dr. Gladys West 

Caveat: In some pseudo-biographies, Dr. West is credited with inventing the GPS system in its entirely.  This is false. Rarely do people invent "in a vacuum", nor did Dr. West ever claim to be the sole inventor.

Many inventions reach their most optimal and functional state after many iterations and many years of combined contributions of several "stakeholders."   By saying that Dr. West "contributed to', rather than invented GPS development hardly diminishes her stature in the evolution of GPS technology.

A cash stash of $1660 can potentially  be the "tipping point" to avoid bad financial decision making & desperate behaviors during at-risk events. 

My "tipping point" Example:

*Emergency Dental or Vision Expense - $660 minimum 

*Emergency Car Repair $500 Deductible

*#SHTF(Stuff Hits the Fan) Cash Emergency $500

Your "tipping point" Cash Stash may be higher, in order to prevent you from going into "panic mode." Whatever amount it may be, achieve it in 2023! 

As of November 2022, 63% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck...with no Emergency Cash Stash!

At Perennial Preparedness, we believe in creating equity of opportunity to be financially prepared and resilient in all seasons!  If you're not already a Subscriber to PerennialNC, you need to be! 

"40 Words for Bright Futures" Youth STEM Literacy from A to Endless!

A command of vocabulary in one’s native language, is a 1^st step towards mastery and comprehension in many STEM subjects.

It is very empowering for a young person with an interest in a STEM profession to be introduced to a foundational glossary of words typically associated with their STEM or Infrastructure career interest.

February is Annual African American Read-In Month.  As we enter the month #2 of PerennialLIFE™’s Inaugural Legacy Awareness and Preparedness Season,  we have re-introduced our Youth Literacy initiative, called “40 Word for Bright Futures”,  that perfectly complements this monthly preparedness theme.

PerennialNC began “40 Words for Bright Futures” , in 2019 , consisting of mobile apps for iPhone and Android with 40 words in English and Spanish, that represent foundational glossaries for various STEM professions, in addition to the inclusion of short biographies of multicultural trailblazers in each field. 

The objective of “40 Words...” apps are to encounter young people where they are – on their smart phones, while providing vocabulary enrichment and awareness of opportunities in various STEM fields 

The “40 Words for Bright Futures” provides opportunities for cross-generational interaction as we invite both professionals and youth mentees to contribute to the development of the content of each app. 

Youth mentees get to experience the entire process of seeing a mobile app go from idea to design to beta-test and final submission to App Store and Google Play review!

Such exposure is priceless and potentially transformative to the youth participants .

The mobile app industry is growing exponentially, with engagement opportunity for everyone. Every “40 Words for Bright Futures™” app creates opportunities for learning, interning and earning.

We currently have two “proof-of-concept” apps on App Store and Google Play as examples of the “40 Words for Bright Futures™” app series. We invite you to support this initiative and download the apps!

·         MAC40Words - a “primer” app with 40 Words, in English and Spanish, representing a fundamental glossary in mobile app development  App Store  Google Play    

·         GAE2024  – This is a updated version of an app 1^st developed in 2017 to commemorate the Great American Eclipse in August of that year.  The next Great American Eclipse will be April 8, 2024.    App Store   Google Play        

“40 Words for Bright Futures™” apps have the distinction of being internet independent. Once downloaded the core functions of  the apps work without internet.  This conserves band width usage of a family's Internet plan, especially when multiple youth users are on 1 or 2 parents' plan(s)!

We welcome sponsors such as STEM and Infrastructure Industry Professionals to contribute glossary words, and mentorship.  You know something, pass on the knowledge! 

Below is an ever-increasing list of the 100's of STEM and Infrastructure Related Apps on schedule to be produced as part of the “40 Words for Bright Futures™” Series...

Accounting * Aeronautics *  Amateur Radio * Arborists  * Architecture * Archivists/Historians * Arts *  Appliance Repair * Athletics (Team Sports)  *Auto Mechanics and Parts *  Aviation * Barbering * Beekeeping/Pollination * Biology *  Bicycle Repair * Bookmaking * Botany * Carpentry * Children's Book Illustration and Authorship * Christian Ministry * Cloaking Devices * Clock Repair (Digital/Analog) * Creative Writing * Computer Aided Design * Construction (Middle Income Home Building & Remodeling) *  Computer Programming * Culinary * Defense Technologies * Dentistry (Decay Preventative) * Desalination & Water Purification * Drone/COW Technology * E-Book Publishing * Earth Sciences * Electronics * Electric Grid Infrastructure *  Emergency Management * Engineering * Farming (Low Carbon Footprint) * Film Production *  Fleet Transport (primetime, emergency, rescue) * Fitness * Forestry * Graphic Arts Professionals * Health (Illness Preventative) * Heating and Cooling - HVAC * Heavy Equipment Operation and Repair * Homeopathy * Horticulture * Hydraulic Power * Hydroponics * Insurance (Health, Property, Life, Liability) *  Internet Technologies * Litigation (Corporate, Defendant, Emergency Management, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, Patent) * Logistics * Machining * Martial Arts * Mathematics  * Mobile App Development (Internet & Internet Independent/Off-Grid) * Moped Repair * Musicianship *   Multilingual Education (includes American Sign Language and Morse Code) * Natural Fibers/Materials Weaving & Crafting * Nursing * Off Grid / Retro Technologies * Pest Control (Natural, Eco-Safe) * Physician's Assistant * Physical Therapist *  Plumbing * Pre-K and Elementary Education * Preparedness Products and Services Industries *  Printing * Protective/Defensive Arts * Public Health Information * Quality Control *  Rail Transportation and Upgrade * Rescue and Restoration * Respiratory Therapy  * Robotics *  Savings and Investment Institutions *  Sciences * Senior Safety Preparedness Programs *  Signage * Smartphone/Android Phone Repair * Solar Technologies *  Space Travel * Teaching * Telecommunications * Telecommunications Grid Infrastructure * Terraforming Sciences(Mars era) * Trade Technologies Education * Trucking 

www.perennialnc.com   #40wordsforbrightfutures #STEM  

When someone suffers cardiac arrest, it is essential to start CPR within the next two minutes. Damage to the brain begins after three minutes without oxygen.

The recent collapse, due to heart failure on the field, of Buffalo Bills #3 Starting Safety Damar Hamlin, illuminates the need for key adult family members, friends, and on-the-job peers to resolve to learn CPR.

Our prayers continue for full recovery of Mr. Hamlin. He was blessed to be surrounded by those equipped with the skills and apparatus that ultimately saved his life, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

Many of us can recall the loss of a family member, friend, or co-worker who collapsed due to heart failure, and unfortunately couldn’t be resuscitated after first responders arrived. When minutes count, the pro-active response of those present, who can administer initial CPR, can potentially save a life.

There are common reasons why people don’t administer CPR when an emergency is taking place, even if they know how to do it:

• (1) Fear: They feel if they do it wrong, they will be held responsible for an injury or fatality

Fear of being sued is understandable. The truth is, in today’s litigious society, you can be sued for anything! However, the “Good Samaritan” law generally protects individuals in the U.S.

“As long as the rescuer is not willfully negligent or reckless in giving aid, and gives aid in a reasonable manner, then the rescuer will not be held legally liable for the outcome.”-  Cardio Partners

Caveat: the use of a defibrillator does require training and a level of confidence and competence when used. If you have access to one of these devices but are not sure how to use it, don’t mess with it!

• (2) Fear of catching a disease when administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Yes, it is never advisable to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation unprotected! It is now routine to use resuscitator masks or other “barriers” that place a shield between the CPR provider and the victim. Everyone should purchase resuscitator masks, or other protective tools, to have on hand at home and in a vehicle.  

• (3)  Fear of improperly administering chest compressions or insufficient upper body strength to maintain life-saving pace.

Administering compressions is NOT EASY. You are expected to maintain compressions at 100 - 120 Beats per minute, until 1st Responders arrive.

As part of your family first responder strategy, at least two people in every household should learn CPR.  This way, if an incident occurs, one person isn’t expected to do all of the physical activity required to maintain chest compressions!

In order to be prepared to assist with chest compressions, maintaining upper body and arm strength should be a regular objective.

PUSH UPS, which we should all be doing a few anyway, health permitting, is a great way to build upper body and arm strength!

The links below offer further information on the importance of CPS and how to acquire training!

African American Community and CPR (pressforlifecpr.com)

Can I really be sued if I perform CPR? What you need to know - AEDCPR

Performing CPR (aed.com)

CPR & First Aid - Home (cprandfirstaid.net)

Why People May be Afraid of Performing CPR (acon.edu)

How to Build Arm Strength Without Equipment: 11 Steps (wikihow.com)

Disclaimer: The author is not a medical professional and is not offering medical advice in this article. - Pam Kelly

#Strategic #Preparedness #CPR #cardiopulmonaryresusitation 

• 1.    JUST START WHERE YOU ARE!
• Start a conversation about preparedness at your next family gathering.  Find out what “preparedness” means to individual family members.  You may find that many of their answers reflect how optimistic or empowered they feel about the future.
• Your young family members will feel greater optimism and composure in an uncertain world when they see Mom, Dad, or other heads of household having pro-active conversations about financial, strategic, and spiritual preparedness. Communicate openly and honestly about state of the world we live in, yet re-assure them of your faith and the value of self-preparedness.  Include young family members in your safety preparedness planning activities. Visit FEMA.gov for youth resources.

• 2.    ACCOUNTABILITY– In the recent COVID-19 global health crises, there has been a lot of blaming going on. Ultimately, everyone must become accountable for family and community preparedness going forward. Make preparedness a part of your family by-laws.  Encourage one another, immediate family and extended family, to live prepared by having sufficient cash, water & food reserves, power & communications backup devices. We live in a time where viral outbreaks, weather disasters, and cyberattacks on our digital infrastructure and power grid are more and more prevalent. Be prepared to be “on your own”, until help arrives, for 7-21 days! Include preparations for your pets! They are family members too!

• 3.    BUDGETNG & CASH STASH.  Encourage family members to make a pledge to budget and develop a preparedness cash stash.  You may meet resistance on this. Many people don’t want to talk about the status of their finances. Don’t get discouraged. Set the example. The decision to budget is one of the best decisions you will ever make.  If you are living financially unprepared, you are at-risk! Preparedness pays!
• What’s the minimum cash stash you should have? We recommend $1600. Why?

At some point in life, most of us are faced with having to pay on-the-spot for some type of unexpected expense:

$500 for spending emergencies, for instance, if ATMs don’t work and you need cash!

$500 Car liability deductible, car breakdown, car repair

$600+  Health, Dental, or Vision Insurance Deductible, which often has to be paid before your insurance company’s coverage will pay!

• $1600 = Total Minimum Preparedness Cash Stash!
• When you maintain this minimum amount, you’ll experience less stress, less reactionary decisions, and less additional debt. If you already have this on hand, yahoo! If not, just start where you are and set aside 10% of your net income and you’ll get there.

• 4.    COMMUNICATIONS. Use your family preparedness meeting to establish a communications protocol in the event of an at-risk situation that occurs locally, regionally, or nationally. Most of us have family all over the United States! The most distressing and hopeless feeling that one can experience is not to be able to reach or relay a message to loved ones near and far. Be prepared in advance as to how you will all communicate.

• ·         Download this guide to get the conversation started…

Be Smart, Take Part. Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1440449346150-1ff18127345615d8b7e1effb4752b668/Family_Comm_Plan_508_20150820.pdf

      Family Emergency Communications Plan Fillable Form (PDF)

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1501681925535-41606db2566a70a863290fafd475a2a2/Family_Communication_Plan_Fillable_Card_508.pdf

• ·         Next, fortify your phone for safety and emergency communications with these apps…         

  FEMA.gov App

 https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app

Available on Google Play and iTunes. Sign up for instant alerts to your phone.

             Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

https://www.ncdps.gov/Emergency-Management/Emergency-Communications/Emergency-Alerts-EAS-WEA

           A Wireless Emergency Alert give people a free and fast way to get key details. It        gives you text-like alert messages to your mobile device during an emergency.

Alerts to your phone  from your local government

https://www.ncdps.gov/Emergency-Management/EM-   Community/Directories/Counties

American Red Cross Apps

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html

Available on Google Play and iTunes. When Internet is not available this app provides a great resource to share emergency medical information

  The Beaconeer™ for Android   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appinventor.ai_pamslisttv.Beaconeer7&hl=en_US

Available on Google Play. $2.99. No ads. All of your phone’s communications tools are conveniently together in 1 app. Send safety and alert text messages and GPS location to Android and iPhones.

• Twitter. Yes! Twitter is a great tool for family safety & emergency communications. Having a Twitter account enables you broadcast privatized messages to other family members, when they opt-in to your Twitter notifications! Learn how to do this in a “Preparedness Pop-Up™” at Perennial of NC.

• 5.    LEARN. Join a preparedness organization, such as Perennial NC, in order to learn as many preparedness skills as possible, such as solar cooking, HAM radio, off-grid power generation, and more! You’ll discover you’ve got a preparedness skill or two that can bless others. Share your skill in a “Preparedness Pop-Up”. These are short conversations/activities/and PDF downloads available online to assist others in their preparedness journey towards greater well-being, peace of mind, and resilience.

• 6.    RELATIONSHIP WEALTH. Build upon the relationship wealth that is already in your family! Do some family preparedness projects, such as canning, solar cooking, learning to generate AC power with a bike, or attending CPR and other American Red Cross classes. together.  These activities bring family members closer together in a common cause.

Encourage family members to volunteer. Our connectedness to people who are not related to us is essential to preserving our sense of common humanity, empathy and compassion. It’s easy to be kind to those you know, but in order to please and serve God, we must be willing to minister to those we don’t know who are in need.

Prepare to have games and recreation for youth & family enjoyment. In event of power outages or limited access to electricity, set a family usage limit of all electronic devices and internet access. Engage in these oldie, but goodie games, that keep the mind challenged or burn calories indoors.

Jacks  – Yes! You can still order these at Amazon. Supervise around young kids. Swallow hazard!

            Puzzles – So many! So much fun! Supervise around young kids, swallow hazard

            Table Tennis – If you have a table and a little side space, that’s all you need.

Board Games  –  Everyone has their favorites

• 7.    Finally, put your trust in God into practice! Live preparedness strong, as described in Ephesians 6:12-13.
• 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 
• Invest in your financial and strategic preparedness. Live by faith, today. Plan and prepare, by faith, for tomorrow!

www.PerennialNC.com

While Kwanzaa, an African American Heritage celebration, is officially recognized annually from December 26th - January 1st, the principals of Kwanzaa remain relevant to the preparedness, progress and empowerment of the African American community 365 days a year. 

Our new Android/iPhone app, CashFlow 5-10-10-75™ utilizes economics principles which are compatible with the following Kwanzaa principles...

• 1.   Umoja (Unity)
• 2.   Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
• 3.   Ujima (Collective work and responsibility)
• 4.   Ujamaa (Cooperative economics)
• 5.   Nia (Purpose)
• 6.   Kuumba (Creativity)
• 7.   Imani (Faith)
• 
  

Subscribe to PerennialLIFE Monthly Bulletin of Solutions for Financial & Strategic Preparedness and Wellness. 

https://preparednessstrong.wildapricot.org/Subscribe

Legacy Awareness and Preparedness rebuilds "villages", communities, and economies everywhere!

That's why we are proclaiming January - February as 2023 Inaugural "Legacy Awareness & Preparedness Season"

*Share the Importance and Faith, Family Unity, Legacy, Civic and Community Responsiblity with young family members.

*Preserve and Backup Important Documents and History, both digitally and traditional methods

Subscribe to PerennialLIFE™ Monthly Bulletin for inspiring, empowering, uplifting news you can use all year long to remain preparedness-strong!

Happy New Year 2023!

http://www.PerennialNC.com

#community #unity #economy

#perennialLIFE  #legacy #preparedness 

It's Winter 2022-2023! Be prepared to keep children engaged in event of power outages or, heaven forbid, another "lockdown." Having a variety of games is a strategic asset, in order to keep children engaged and calm, during an at-risk event. 

These are great items to purchase, use, and pass them on! Your kids will always remember it...and thank you later! - PerennialLIFE™

1.Classic 6 game collection 

2.Jacks 

3.Jump rope  (get 2! )

4.Large Print Word Find Books - These are great to enjoy with seniors in the house! Ok, you can also find these cheaper at the Dollar Store! Truth! 

5.Pocket Microscope- Requires just 1 AA Battery! Send the kids on a hunt for dust mites in the rug.

6.500 pc Puzzles  

7.Table Tennis 

8.Twister  

9.Weights – to keep in shape. Here's a video for kids with 5lb weights. https://youtu.be/BzAz9JxS1cU

10. (a)Basketball and/or (b) Soccerball       or (c) Toboggan (for Northerners)  Some of us made due with a piece of cardboard, but the real deal is nice!

Disclaimer: I make no guarantees as to the recreational value of the above items. - Pam Kelly

www.PerennialNC.com

10 Car Items You Absolutely Need While Awaiting Rescue...

The news of Buffalo, NY resident Anndel Taylor's untimely death, during the recent Bomb Cyclone storm Elliot, is heartbreaking. She repeatedly called everyone, near & far, for rescue. 

As details emerge of this tragedy, and the many other untimely fatalities, a common thread of circumstances emerge:

· A shortage of 1st responders

· Inability to reach or find everyone in need, in blizzard conditions

· The rapid accumulation of snow in a short period of time left many unprepared to protect themselves

-----------------

I recommend that everyone considering getting at least a few, if not all, of the following items if you live in a snow & ice prone climate, or travel during such conditions: 

1. Small Shovel - to keep snow and ice from blocking the exhaust pipe

2. Sleeping Bag - a Coleman 30 degree or less is best 

3. Protein drinks (during winter ) or Protein bars (during warm weather) 

4. Water (1 gallon jug. Replenish regularly to keep in trunk)

5. Pepper Spray - For dangerous animals. Keep in your bag or glove compartment.  

CAVEAT: Some states have restriction on possession of pepper sprays. Check your state laws on the Damsel in Defense site! 

6. Window Glass Breaker - Never use a hammer. It creates sharp shards.

7. Plastic Bags - for sanitation if you get sick and need to do what you got to do! 

8. Paper towels & toilet paper 

9. Jumper cables and Jump Starter - for older cars and hybrids

10. DC/AC Inverter. This device converts your battery's DC current to AC current to potentially power your communications devices. It connects to the "lighter" input in your car, while your car is running (so the assumption is that you do have gas in your car!)

Additional items for Emergency Communications! Note: in an widespread emergency, Smart phone calling and texting services will be limited! 

11. GMRS Walkie Talkie (Most  1st Responders consider 675 to be the unofficial "travelers aid" or "emergency" channel for GMRS 2-Way Radios. You don't need a HAM radio license to use GMRS radios!)  

12. Portable Radio (wind-up, solar, battery operated. Though this is 1 way communication it can help calm you while waiting for help) 

You now have a list of 12 items! Don't try to rush out and buy all at once, if you don't have them already. Invest in an item each month. Give them as "Prepper Gift of the Month" to someone whose safety you care about, starting with YOU! 

Feedback welcome to this article. Use our Subscriber/Contact Form

Disclaimer: I make no claims or guarantees to the efficacy of the products above. Research before you purchase - Pam

www.PerennialNC.com  

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